Friday, February 18, 2011

Friday Book Blogger Hop

Jennifer from Crazy for Books has created this meme.

If you'd like to participate, here's Jennifer's instructions:


Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blog Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!


So, if you'd like to participate, just repost this on your blog, sign MckLinky and check out other blogs in MckLinky! Let's connect and make new book bloggy friends!! So, if you consider yourself a book blogger, come join the fun!

Question of the week: "What book(s) would you like to see turned into a movie?"
 

My Answer: Ghost Story by Peter Straub (There was a movie made in the 80s, but most of the book was missing.); Six-Horse Hitch by Janice Holt Giles; Fear Street books by R.L. Stine; Maximum Ride books by James Patterson; Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews (There was a really bad movie in the 80s that dropped most of the plot.)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Writing News, Phil of the Future, and the Iron Queen


Writing news: My short story, The Gift Exchange, will be published in the Stories For Children Magazine Holiday 2011 Issue.

I kicked myself into gear this week and finished a new short story called A Robot on Deck.

Phil of the Future - Gadgets & GizmosI watched a great move called Winter's Bone starring Jennifer Lawrence. I also bought a dvd called Phil of the Future: Gadgets & Gizmos. It was a short-lived Disney Channel series that aired a few years back. Despite having Vol. 1 written on the DVD covers this is the only DVD ever released of the series. There are four epsiodes on the DVD. Yes, this is a kids show, but the humor is aimed for all ages. Too bad the show didn't last long. 

The Iron Queen (Harlequin Teen)I'm currently reading Jane Goes Batty By Michael Thomas Ford. I'll post a review sometime next week. I bought the Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa last Saturday. I can't wait to start reading the series, but I don't know when I will get a chance to. I have several books to review right now.                                                                                                          
That Mama is a GrouchIn the mail this week:That Mama is a Grouch by Sherry Ellis. I'll post a review for it in March as part of the World of Ink Book Tour.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Book Review - The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes

The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide Including Heirloom Tomatoes (Back-To-Basics)The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes
BY: Cherie H. Everhart
PUBLISHED BY: Atlantic Publishing Group
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60138-350-1
Pages: 288
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

I’ve been taking an interest in growing vegetables at home for the past few years. Last year, I had a terrible time with growing tomatoes. So, I was very eager to review The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes.

I wasn’t aware of the different types of tomatoes - slicers, stuffers, sauce tomatoes, small tomatoes, and many other varieties. This book gives you a brief history on the origins of the tomato, the history of the tomatoes in Europe, North America, and the modern history of the American tomato.

You will learn about the light requirements, wind protection, erosion control, soil testing and plant testing. Chapter 4 teaches you about starting a tomato from a seed, while chapter 5 teaches you how and where to plant your tomato plants.

The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes is an interesting read for any new or advanced gardener. I will keep in mind some of the tips when I plant tomato plants this year.

*I would like to thank Atlantic Publishing Group for sending me a copy to review.

Book Reviews - The Complete Guide to Companion Planting

The Complete Guide to Companion Planting: Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Garden and Ornamental Plants Thrive (Back-To-Basics)The Complete Guide to Companion Planting
BY: Dale Mayer
PUBLISHED BY: Atlantic Publishing Company
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60138-345-7
Pages: 288
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Are you interested in becoming a gardener? The Complete Guide to Companion Planting gives you a basic understanding of what vegetables and flowers to use.

You’ll be informed by the history of companion planting, and where to place your garden. You’ll learn the biological benefits of combing plants, how to pick out your plants, where to plant, and ways to feed your garden. There are chapters on companion herbs, annuals for your garden, companion perennials, wildflowers and weeds, bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes, shrubs, bushes, and vines, and companion fruits.

With organic vegetables becoming popular, and the prices of vegetables going up in the grocery stores, it is no wonder why gardening is becoming a popular hobby. My favorite chapter 3 is my favorite. It lists the insects and bugs that you do and do not want in your garden. Author Dale Mayer has written a wonderful guide to new and advanced gardeners.


*I would like to thank Atlantic Publishing Group for sending me a copy to review.

Review - Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry

Bless This Mouse
BY: Lois Lowry
ILLUSTRATOR: Eric Rohmann
PUBLISHED BY: Houghton Mifflin
PUBLISHED IN: March 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-3909-3
Pages: 151
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Hundreds of mice lived in the Saint Bartholemew. More litters were being born and the population was getting too high. Their leader Hildegarde was worried that this may bring upon the Great X - the exterminator. The Great X had happened before and many of their kind had died. Hildegarde was determined to protect her colony.

The mice tried their best to not be seen, but some of the church members saw them. The mice attempt to destroy the phone book fails, and Father Murphy calls the Great X. Hildegarde orders the colony to leave the church and take refuge in the cemetery. Will the mice be able to live n the church again?

I read Bless This Mouse in one sitting. It was a delight to read. The characters are funny and charming, even though they are mice. I can easily see this as a computer-animated movie. I recommend this book to every one of all ages.

*I would like to thank Houghton Mifflin and Netgalley for sending me a copy to review.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Book Review - Journey to Riverbend


Journey to RiverbendJourney to Riverbend
BY: Henry McLaughlin
PUBLISHED BY: Tyndale Fiction
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3942-9
Pages: 415
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Just before being hanged, Ben Carstairs asked Michael Archer to carry out his dying wish - reconcile with his father, Sam Carstairs. Michael promises to carry out the wish and heads off to the town of Riverbend. He meets a beautiful woman, Rachel Stone, who is staying with a preacher and his wife. Rachel has a dark past and just wants to start fresh in Riverbend.

Sam Carstair is kidnapped, and Michael joins the sheriff and his men in a journey to save him.

Journey to Riverbend is action-packed western tale with a Christian edge to it. The author, Henry McLaughlin, uses wonderful dialogue and descriptions of the old west. I was instantly hooked into the story after reading the first page. The romance between Michael and Rachel felt a little cliché, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.

*I would like to thank Tyndale Fiction for sending me a book to review.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday Book Blogger Hop

Jennifer from Crazy for Books has created this meme.

If you'd like to participate, here's Jennifer's instructions:


Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blog Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!


So, if you'd like to participate, just repost this on your blog, sign MckLinky and check out other blogs in MckLinky! Let's connect and make new book bloggy friends!! So, if you consider yourself a book blogger, come join the fun!

Question of the week: "Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"
 

My Answer: This week I reviewed Monster High. It is the first book in a new series from Lisi Harrison. Read the review here.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday Ramblings - February 10, 2011


The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)Yes, I survived the snowstorms, and my cold sore I had last weekend. Did anyone watch the Super Bowl? I am not a big football fan, but who doesn't watch the Super Bowl? I would have to say that I have been mostly disappointed over the last several years by the laziness of the half-time shows, the commercials, and the movie trailers. As a kid, I remember commercials being funny and original, not stupid and boring. Most of the movie trailers did not wow me. For the half-time-show, let us just say I was not impressed.
Writing Great Books for Young Adults: Everything You Need to Know, from Crafting the Idea to Landing a Publishing Deal

I spent the majority of the last few days updating/redesigning my homepage/website at http://www.billyburgess.webs.com/. It is still a work in process, but I would like to have some feedback on it.

Winter's BoneI bought The Iron King, and The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa last weekend. I will look for The Iron Queen next time I go shopping.

I bought the DVDs Winter's Bone, and Let Me In, but I haven't had time to watch them yet.

In the mail this week: Writing Great Young Adult Books by Regina L. Brooks, The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston, The Hunger Games by Suzanna Collins, Catching Fire by Suzanna Collins, Mocking Jay by Suzanna Collins, Insatiable by Meg Cabot, and Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson.

The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide Including Heirloom Tomatoes (Back-To-Basics)I also received The Complete Guide to Companion Planting by Dale Mayer, and The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes by Cherie H. Everhart from Atlantic Publishing for me to review.

Review - Monster High by Lisa Harrison



In the town of Salem, Oregon, Frankie Stein is born with mint-green skin. Well, actually, her parents are mad-scientists, decedents of the real Dr. Frankenstein, and they created Frankie. At only fifteen days old, Frankie attends Merston High and wants to be a regular normie.

Melody Carver and family move to Salem from California. She wants to start a fresh start at Merston High with her new plastic-surgery nose. Now that she is the pretty one, she hopes to be popular. She likes a boy named Jackson, who is hiding a secret.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Review - Last Look

Last Look (A Puffin Novel)Last Look
BY: Clyde Robert Bulla
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Emily Arnold McCully
PUBLISHED BY: Weekly Reader Books
PUBLISHED IN: 1979
ISBN: 0-690-03965-4
Pages: 81
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Every summer Monica and her friends, Fran and Audrey, attend Madame Vere’s School, a private summer school for girls 6-12. This was their last year of classes.

A new student named Rhoda arrives at the school. She is from New York and her mother is a famous actress on Broadway. No matter what Rhoda does, Monica, Fran and Audrey don’t like her.

One night Monica is, awaken by a rusting sound. She finds a piece of paper with newspaper-cutout-letters on it. It read, “Monica, tell no one. RHODA In DANGER. GO to HAUNTED House. Tuesday at Mid Night. go alone.

I stumbled upon this book at a thrift shop. I am glad that I picked it up, it is a fast, fun read. The illustrations are spooky helping the mystery plot thicken page by page. If you can find Last Look, read it.