April Rewind

I've decided to start doing a monthly rewind of all the books I read that month. 

I got this idea from The BookRat when I stumbled upon her vlogs on Youtube. 

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Lone Wolf

by Jodi Picoult

"Edward Warren, twenty-four, has been living in Thailand for five years, a prodigal son who left his family after an irreparable fight with his father, Luke. But he gets a frantic phone call: His dad lies comatose, gravely injured in the same accident that has also injured his younger sister Cara.


With her father’s chances for recovery dwindling, Cara wants to wait for a miracle. But Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father’s organs. Is he motivated by altruism, or revenge? And to what lengths will his sister go to stop him from making an irrevocable decision?"

     As always, I love Jodi Picoult's work. Picoult puts so much research in to her books, she makes you feel like you are actually living this story she is telling. I was angry when the characters were and just as shocked when unexpected things happened. This is a must read.

Are You Sleeping Little One? 

by Hans-Christian Schmidt and Cynthia Vance

"Introduce young children to how baby animals sleep with this whimsical board book. With lyrical bedtime rhymes, it describes the sleeping habits of over a dozen animals, including species both common and rare, from ducklings to sloths, bats to giraffes! Its gentle rhymes and sweet, soothing pictures are the perfect way for little ones to end the day."

I Dream of an Elephant

by Ami Rubinger

Marlow and the Monster

by Sharon Cramer

"In Marlow and the Monster, Marlow has a monster–a very pesky monster. As a matter of fact, his monster has him in trouble with mom and dad fairly often! At his wits end, Marlow decides that the only prudent thing to do is to pawn the monster off on little sister Sarah...with interesting consequences!"

The Canary List

by Sigmund Brouwer

"Protected by the dark of night, Jaimie Piper runs. But is anywhere safe when Evil is hunting you?

She’s just a twelve year-old girl, bumped around between foster homes and relegated to school classes for challenged kids, those lagging in their test scores or with behavioral issues. But her real problem is that she can sense something the other kids can’t—something dark. Something compelling her to run for her life.

All Crockett Grey wants is to mark the anniversary of his daughter’s death alone.

But when his student Jaimie comes to him, terrified, her need for protection collides with his grief, and a tangled web of bizarre events sends them both spiraling toward destruction.

Crockett’s one hope of getting his life back is to uncover the mysterious secrets of Jaimie’s past and her strange gift. It isn’t long before his discoveries lead him to a darker conspiracy, secrets guarded by the highest seat of power in the world—the Vatican"

Is a Worry Worrying You?

by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz

Illustrations by Marie Le Tourneau

"This critically acclaimed title addresses common childhood worries—a bully, a first day at school, and a monster residing under the bed—with the not-so-common worries—an eagle making a nest in your hair, a rhino walking down the street, and a herd of elephants waiting for their tea. This entertaining and humor use of perspective and creative problem-solving will appeal to children and parents looking for help in dealing with a universal issue."

 Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully

by Audrey Penn

Illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson 

 "Chester Raccoon (from the #1 "New York Times" bestseller "The Kissing Hand" must deal with a bully at school. After his mother shares a story about helping others, Chester, Ronny, and Cassy discover that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him a friend."

The Glass Castle

by Jeannette Walls

"Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.


What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms."

     This was an amazing memoir that I recommend to anyone and everyone looking for a book to read. Walls lived an extraordinary [hard] life yet continues to keep a positive throughout the book. Her strength and courage encourage me daily.

An Abundance of Katherines

by John Green

"When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He's also a washed-up child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin's on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl. Letting expectations go and allowing love in are at the heart of Colin's hilarious quest to find his missing piece and avenge dumpees everywhere."

Once again, John Green, amazes me. I don't know what it is about his writing but I absolutely love it!

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