#336 A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

I am so excited to post about this book. I had started to read it a few years ago. I put it aside as it was hard to get into. I knew it was one of Mandy's favorites, I knew it would be good. When Lori, Mandy and I were in Brooklyn together Mandy made mention of the book often. Oh how I wish I had read it before our trip together. It would've been fun to walk around Williamsburg together and imagined Francie walking the same streets we walked on. The stories we could've made up while we were there. While reading this I was caught up in imagining where their apartment, the schools, the church, were. I want to go back --what do ya say Mandy??

This is a story of a girl who grows up in Williamsburg,  a neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, NY, in 1916. Her life is not an easy life, her father who she adores struggles to earn enough to support both his family and his drinking habit. Her mother works herself ragged  cleaning apartment buildings.
Francie and her brother Neeley, collect scrap metal to turn in for pennies.
All Francie wants is to go to school, and become a writer. When tragedy strikes their family her dreams are dismissed as she realizes what she must do in order to help where she can.

The story for me had many different themes, I'm curious what others come up with as they read this.
I think Karen would have enjoyed this book.

Dark Places #40 by Gillian Flynn

This book is based in rural Kansas. Such a SAD story! It is told from the point of view from what is to believed the only survivor of a murder that took place of a family in an old farm home. The teenage brother is convicted of the murder of his mother and two of his sisters. Libby his only sibling that survived ran and hid in the field until the police arrived the next day.

Libby grows up with this horrible day pretty much defining her life as the survivor/victim. She lives off of the money well-wishers had given her in a fund after the murder took place. Now 25 the money has run out and she is forced to figure out what to do with her life. She is then contacted by a group that is convinced of her brother's innocence. This was such a weird concept to her because she has always believed her brother to be guilty but then begins to question her entire view of that night especially considering she was very frightened 7 year old girl that night.

As per usual with Gillian Flynn books this one takes some twists and turns that you do not see coming. This one had a way better ending than Gone Girl I have to say though.

-read by Abby 6/29/15

#237 The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one.  It's listed under BBC's 100 must-read books so I always enjoy checking off one, however, I am not a fan of the Pooh books.  They are just okay for me.  I do love the size of the book and cover and just the feel of the book, but I was bored throughout the stories.  I think kids today would find themselves quite bored with them, too, which is too bad. 

I was surprised to find out Eeyore is not the character Disney created.  He is a very sarcastic, negative, depressed, mean and very unlikable character!  I can see why Disney would change it as no one would like him in the cartoons if he was the same character as the books.

#66 The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls

Finally, a book that I just really enjoyed.  Perfect story telling. 

Takes place in 1970's, two sisters pretty much on their own as their mom (which had signs of bi-polar, but was not diagnosed in the book) kept taking off and abandoning her girls to care for themselves.  The girls were 12 and 14.  The girls took a greyhound all the way from California to Virginia to live with their Uncle leaving a note behind for their mom, just in case she showed up later.

The story really takes off once they move in with their reclusive uncle.  He cares for them the best he can while the girls do the rest.  They are faced with many challenges and trials and find comfort in each other. 

I just really enjoyed this book.  It was a fast read, really nothing special, but like I said, nice story-telling. 

#130 The Duckling Get a Cookie Mo Willems

This poor little pigeon.  He thinks he has it so bad and is surprised by some kindness from this little chick. 

#133 Whats Your Sound Hound the Hound? Mo Willems

Out of all of Mo Willems books (which I am a fan) this series is my least favorite.  I just think they are silly, however, they may be perfect for the early-readers. 

#158 The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! Mo Willems

I read this book to my daughter and she laughs at all of Mo Willems books.  Willems has the ability to make young and old laugh with his illustrations and stories.  This one the pigeon wants a puppy, but the description he is giving is closer to a plant.  It made us laugh.