Sunday, February 24, 2019

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

Yes, today is a twofer review day (because yesterday was marathon errand day--long story short we finally have access to our own money again!).

This was also on display during my recent trip to WHPL.  I liked it but not enough to put it on our wish list, so if you'd like to read it, it'll be returned tomorrow.

Erin and Mark are on their honeymoon when they find a ton of money and diamonds while snorkeling in a plane wreckage site.  Their lives have turned upside down by the financial crash (Mark is a banker) and they really can't even afford the trip they're on.  So one would imagine they'd quietly pay off debt and live happily ever after.

Money changes people.  And usually not in a good way. 

I honestly hated Mark from the very beginning of the book.  I could tell he was going to be a jerk pretty early on.  He doesn't prove me wrong either.

Like I said, readable, but not the thriller promised.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

This was on display at the West Haven Public Library when I stopped in to drop off some things to Ms. Kym. 

It was really good and is now on our wish list. 

This was a really interesting premise--a man will wake up daily in a different body among the guests at a weekend affair hosted by the Hardcastle family.  The family's youngest son was murdered while he was supposed to have been watched by their daughter Evelyn.  On the anniversary of the murder, they are hosting this "party".  Our main character has been chosen by a strange masked figure who explains the game.

Imagine a The Westing Game style puzzle mystery meets Caraval or Night Circus combined with one of those whodunit dinner cruises while locked in an escape room with a psychopath serial killer.

I'll be returning this to WHPL as soon as I get the video review of this uploaded to Classroom tomorrow.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Just a little update

I know I've gone radio silent over the past few weeks and wanted to give a quick update.

First, I had a minor health scare that need to be dealt with.  You may have noticed I wasn't staying after school at all at the start of February.  That's because I was jetting to doctor appointments.  I refuse to schedule such during school hours, and my physicians know that.  I am happy to report all is good.

Literally the next darn day, $7000 was taken out of my savings account.  I had to close all my bank accounts, switch the account every automatic payment comes out of, be without a debit card or checks for two weeks, file a police report, call the credit reporting agencies....it was an absolute nightmare.  FINALLY, YESTERDAY I got access to my own money again. 

While those two events stunk, something really awesome happened.  I met virtually with my fellow librarians on the Joint Committee for School and Public Library Cooperation.  I represent the American Association of School Librarians, along with two others.  I received several compliments on my part of the Standards Crosswalk we are developing.  Unfortunately, we've lost a few members, so the remaining members have to pick up the slack and write some more!  That is a big thing I need to focus on.  In addition, one of our future AASL/YALSA/ALSC blog posts will again feature....me!  Along with Ms. Kym at WHPL, I'll be writing about serving on a state book award committee. I'm super excited to be writing with Kym!

Fear not, I am still reading (in fact, I just went to WHPL yesterday and took out 3 new books).  Look for a new review very soon. Promise!

Love y'all.

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Follow me on Twitter @RamblingsLMS

Friday, February 1, 2019

The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm by James Napoli

My husband bought this for me as a gag gift:
"Anniversary: Try forgetting it, and you'll see what the hell it means."
It's one of the best gifts ever.

I could use some coffee:
"Barista: A person highly skilled in writing your first name in Sharpie on the side of a heat-treated paper cup."

And I have to go to the doctor after school today:
"Health: A type of insurance plan that covers everything but the rare conditions you managed to come down with."

I knew this would be the last book I was going to read for Book a Day January.  I read 30 books in 31 days, although I did not finish 2 of them, so 28 if you want to be technical.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.