Prom 2008

Yes, my baby went to her second prom. Is it all right if I say these photos made Jeff cry?

Hannah went with her buddy Will. Her cousin Carter took Hannah's best friend Eleni. They are all so gorgeous...wasn't it just yesterday I was going to prom?

~taminator40

A Nice Paranormal

This is a fun series that began with What's a Ghoul To Do? and definitely improves on the first book. I love that Laurie obviously knows something about ghost hunting because she actually uses the correct terms and instruments. We follow M.J., professional medium, her best friend Gilley, and her sorta love interest, Steven, as they track the dastardly Hatchet Jack who has been haunting a boarding school since the 1970s. Fun and engaging, this is a page turner; my biggest gripe is how goofily the good doctor (Steven) uses English. Good gracious! He's a doctor, for crying out loud! No one mangles the English language that badly that often. But other than that, I have to say I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one in the series. This one is creepy and fun and if you enjoy the paranormal, you're gonna love it.

My amazon review can be found at http://tinyurl.com/46bb4c.

~taminator40

Change of Heart Review

Having read some of the reviews on amazon, it seems pretty apparent that Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult is a polarizing book. Many, like me, loved it, but just about an equal number disliked it and found it to be one of her least well-written novels.

There are a number of reasons I loved this book: Picoult's research into the history of the Gospels is impeccable, and she accomplishes her goals of questioning religion without becoming preachy. I liked the flawed characters, especially Father Michael; I liked the ideas presented; I liked the moral dilemmas. Some have pointed out that the plot echoes Stephen King's The Green Mile, which I suppose it does (though I've not read that one). But I believe Picoult has written a deep, thought-provoking novel, even if I did figure out one of the twists fairly early. This one will give you pause to consider the death penalty and where to find God. You can find my complete review at http://tinyurl.com/5j5z7a.

~taminator40

This is Too Cute...

...not to share! Many thanks to Cute Overload for this one. You cannot watch it without smiling. I guarantee it.

~taminator40

Notice anything?

I recently read (but didn't especially care for) Cynthia Letitch Smith's Tantalize, but I did think it had a beautiful cover. I even thought that if the girl on the cover was a real person, she's just gorgeous. And then I didn't give it much thought until I heard that Julie Hearn (The Minister's Daughter, which I loved) has a new novel, Ivy, coming out. So I dutifully headed to Amazon and guess what I found?

Notice anything? Since there are used copies of Ivy available now through Amazon Marketplace, my assumption is that it was first published in the UK using basically the same cover (right down to the wisps of hair). I could've pre-ordered the version that's soon to be available here in the US, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to examine the cover that is a mirror-image of Tantalize. I ordered Ivy and am anxiously awaiting its delivery.

I am sure someone out there will have a good reason for duplicating the cover, and I know Elizabeth Chadwick has seen some of her covers appear on other books in different countries. I'm curious that two books aimed at young adults should use the same cover in so close a time period, though. Hopefully someone will be able to give me a heads up.

BTW, if you are curious, here is the cover that is being marketed on Amazon's pre-order:

It's definitely eye-catching as well!

~taminator40

Simon's Cat

Thanks to my friend Susan for sharing this one. It just confirms what I've believed all along.

~taminator40