Erma Bombneck is quite funny, she is sarcastic as all get out and while you know she exagerates for effect you can see that it's based on reality.  She describes life as she lived it in the suburbs in the 1940s and 1950s and while instagram/pinterest perfection wasn't a thing there was an expectancy of perfect white picket fence living that people tried to conform with that was just as draining.

 

Entertaining as always and an interesting look at how things haven't really changed, just the technology.

This great story, Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles, is a lively tale about an emu named Edward. Edward lives in a zoo and overhears many spectators say that the seals, lions, and the snakes are the best, most loved, animals in the zoo. Edward becomes heart broken and travels to each of these cages in hope to become the most appreciated and loved animal. While in the snakes cage, he hears that the emu is the best of all and decides to return to his pin. Upon arriving back, something startles him but to find out you'll have to read the rest! Edward is a great character and portrays the "grass is greener on the other side" idea very well. This entire story is rhyming and has a great natural rhythm while reading. I could see myself using this text to compare and contrast different animals using a vinn diagram. Students could compare and contrast Edward and one of their favorite animals at the zoo or even an animal in the text. This story has an AR level of 3.6. 

A good closer to the Belles trilogy which I found to be thoroughly entertaining. The writing is strategic and thoughtful; I could easily see this series becoming a TV show.

I realize that this series might seem very cookie-cutter to some readers, but I appreciated the wholesome approach to the Monroe family's problems. There are some heavy topics that are explored but not exploited: class issues, illegitimacy, political scandal, etc. The characters are privileged for sure, but also gracious and a little bit naive. The lack of curse words makes this an easy series for me to recommend to tweens and teens. Personally, I found the characters overall to be very endearing and even though the Monroe family may seem perfect, it is still unusually blended in an era in which most family units in YA lit are plagued by divorce or addiction or generally unsupportive parents.

The reason I gave this novel 4 of 5 stars is because I thought it was wrapped up a little too quickly, especially with Zoe, the long lost aunt, and with Mira's new boyfriend, Landon. Regardless, it's is one of my go-to series for teens. I am definitely going back to read Calonita's previous series when I get a chance.

 . . . Turned this short story into a five star read.  

 

Set in the far future of Michael Sullivan's new novel Hollow World, this story has an atmosphere reminiscent of an episode of Twilight Zone, (or was it Night Gallery?-- I always get them mixed up).

 

There's a moral to the story. Loved it.

 

(Available at Wattpad -- thanks to Rose Summers and Bookaneer for introducing me to the joys of Wattpad)

Going Barefoot in Greener Grass - Audry ... I gave this a three star rating one, because it is a first book, and two, because it needs an editor. Other than that, I really liked this book! Bethany is Olivia's maid of honor, but she's very distracted by the fact the last night she broke off her own engagement! She's desperately trying to hide this fact from Olivia and everyone else so as not to ruin Olivia's wedding. But Olivia knows that something is wrong with her longtime best friend and worries at it all day. Until...well, there really shouldn't be any more spoilers in here. The repercussions from Olivia's wedding day seem to last a long time for these two best friends, in spite of the fact that they talk. There are some things they just never seem to say out loud. Good times and bad happen to everyone in life. That's just the way life is. And Bethany and Olivia have their share of each. Olivia is married with children. She's the stay-at-home mom while her husband builds his landscaping business, but she dreams of having a writing career. Bethany has a fast paced career and dates a lot of different men, but dreams of one man to hold her and children to love. Is the grass greener on the other side? When each gets a chance to walk in the others shoes, life takes some strange twists. Can these two best friends work out their lives and salvage the good? Or will they lose it all and end up unhappy again?

For a first book, this rates quite well. The biggest problems with the book are ones that an editor or proofreader would have caught. The grammar, missing words and extra words are and editor's job. Also, I'm not a fan of jumping years between chapters, but it was unavoidable in this book as it covers about twenty years all told. Now, I've got to get started on Ms. Fryer's second book, Secrets, Lies, and Apple Pies.

Merged review:

Bethany and Olivia are best friends. One is the married with children gal. One is the dating with exciting career gal. So, of course, they each want what the other has. Only they have never admitted that to each other in twenty years of friendship. When people don't talk, misunderstandings arise, feelings get hurt, people say things in anger or out of hurt or under the influence of too much wine. Mix in the men in their lives, children, extended families, and day-to-day life stresses. Stir until everybody reaches the breaking point. What you have is a great first book! I can hardly wait to get my hands on Audry's second book!