Book Review: Reading is for Idjits! by W. W. Rowe

This has great illustrations and a well meaning message; but I have some cautionary concerns.
Reading is for Idjits!
by W. W. Rowe (Author), Charles A Filius (Illustrator)

File Size: 18529 KB
Print Length: 98 pages
Publisher: Charwood Publications (May 26, 2016)
ASIN: B01G87KU0S
Genre: Children
My Rating 3.5 of 5.0

Martin and Morton are identical twins! Which one is which? "Smarty Marty" loves to read. "Morton the Moron" hates it. "Reading is for idjits!" he declares. But Morton's faulty reading gets him into BIG trouble. His entire world falls apart! After a series of humorous disasters, Morton finally learns to read. He even saves the day with his new skill!

Review:
This quick story tells how Morton gets into trouble repeatedly when he misreads signs. The mistakes are funny until they start getting Morton injured. Ultimately his misreading leads to a very dangerous event, at which point his mother punishes him until he learns to read properly.  Finally he learns to love reading too.

I really enjoyed the fun illustrations in this book which are much more creative than the cover might suggest. But the cover did get my attention to look at the rest. 

I had some concerns about calling any child a "moron" as I totally discourage name calling. There are additional negatives, including the "idjit" phrase of course. I am also pretty doubtful that punishing a child to make them read will make them like or enjoy reading. I learned with an oppositional child that it is better to find reward structures than punishing structures.

As humorous as the story is and as cute as the pictures are, the more I thought about reading this with a reluctant reader the more I wondered if it would work. Making reading fun is the goal... and this book does make it fun so it might be worth a try with the right child and an adult to discourage the negatives of name calling.

I received this book through NetGalley. It helped to complete my NetGalley Challenge for 2016.

Book Review: Mrs. White Rabbit by Gilles Bachelet

This is delightful especially for fans of the classic Alice in Wonderland!

Mrs. White Rabbit 

by Gilles Bachelet

Age Range: 6 - 10 years
Grade Level: 1 - 4
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
(February 6, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0802854834
Genre: Children's
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0*

A hilarious twist on a classic tale.
Alice in Wonderland is one of the great classics of children's literature, but what does anyone actually know about Wonderland? Through the diary of the White Rabbit's extremely busy wife, readers finally get to see what happens in the background during Alice's adventures.
Mrs. White Rabbit loves her husband and their many children, but with an invisible housecat from Cheshire and a young female visitor who frequently changes size, living in Wonderland comes with a number of challenges.
With an abundance of wit and charm, Mrs. White Rabbit gives Lewis Carroll's famous tale a refreshingly modern twist.

Review:
As the description notes, this is a view into the diary of the beleaguered wife of the White Rabbit. With five children you can imagine she is very busy and doesn't appreciate the addition of a transparent cat and a young woman who can't control her size.

I thought the story was fun and creative. It could be considered a quick read but that would be such an injustice. You can't just read through quickly because there is so much to see on each page. The illustrations are fabulous, creative and many! As a fan of Alice in Wonderland I had to stop on each page and look at the drawings that relate back to the original classic.

This is set out as a children's book and I don't think that is the best audience. Perhaps if a child has recently read Alice in Wonderland, he or she might get the humor and the irony, especially with the help of an adult to point out the scenes and characters that fill this book.

*I didn't give this a 5 star rating only because I am not sure it is fitted to the target audience. However, it would definitely get my recommendation for any mature or adult enthusiast of the classic Alice in Wonderland.

I received this title as a NetGalley pdf. It adds to my NetGalley Challenge.
(I realized I was a few books short for my NetGalley Challenge so I picked up some children's titles to test for my grandchildren... and to enjoy myself!)

Sunday Post December 25, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 26, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a good week although my staff sent me out of the office on Thursday as they wanted to paint the office as a surprise for me. I had to go in for a brief visit to retrieve some Christmas gifts. It looks good although not quite finished.
I got to spend several nice days with my hubby. Turns out on Thursday we found a new car for me: a 2016 Versa Note. It had been used as a demo/service rental (11,000 miles) so we got a very good deal.
We had a lovely Christmas service Sunday morning. Our daughter and her family came over for Christmas dinner -- and to open gifts of course. We played a fun game before they left as our son-in-law is now suffering from the cold we passed along. Then we spent a nice hour on Skype with our son and his family. It was a great Christmas day.

Reading was good, with listening while wrapping gifts. I finished three ebooks and three TBR audiobooks. I posted four reviews and most of the usual memes (SBB will be up next Saturday).

I enjoyed visiting early in the week; then got too busy with Christmas preparations.
No shout out this week but I do plan to pick that up again next year!
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 18, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 19, 2016.

• Book Review: The Thursday Night Club: A Tale of Christmas Spirit by Steven Manchester; Holidays, Inspirational; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: Caitlyn's Christmas Wish by Laura L. Walker; Christmas, Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Cooked Goose (Big Mike and Minnie) by Susan Amanda Kelly; Romantic Comedy, Holiday; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 23, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/29/2016.

• Audible Book Review: A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry; Classic, British Literature, Christmas; my rating 5.0.

• The 2017 Sci Fi Experience and Vintage Sci Fi Not a Challenge.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 25, 2016 -- Merry Christmas!

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (TBR)

Unicorn Western
by Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt
This is a bit strange, but engaging.
I'll post a review this week.
This is a book from my Kindle TBR library (2013); picked for the U on my Alphabet Challenge.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible (TBR)

A Curious Beginning
Written by: Deanna Raybourn
Narrated by: Angele Masters
Sort of fun. I hope to post a review this week.
This title is from my Audible Library.
Click on book title for full description.

3. ebook/Kindle (NetGalley)

Cooked Goose (Big Mike and Minnie)
by Susan Amanda Kelly
This is a lot of fun. My review is linked in the week's reviews above.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle

Zombies at the Door: Planning for the Inevitable
by Charlie Pulsipher
Very funny! I'll do a full review after Christmas.
This is from my Kindle library; 2012. It is "Z" for my Alphabet Challenge.
*Get ready for a funny Advice & How-To guide to the coming Zombie Apocalypse using humor and practical knowledge together to help you survive*
We all know it can happen, will happen. Be prepared and have a laugh at the same time. This basic manual will make sure you are ready to face the zombie hordes and walk you through where to meet, find weapons and food, and set up camp. It may even give you hope as you huddle in the bathroom stall at the mall.
Seriously though, don't go to the mall!
Learn the glow stick technique to distract zombies or how a paper bag might save your life or at least keep you from seeing the bitey end that's coming. Are dentist offices safe? Can the game of baseball stop the zombies from attacking? Is petroleum jelly something you should have in your zombie kit? Find out now....

5. Audible (TBR)

A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry
Written by: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Tim Curry
This is a wonderful performance. 
My review is linked at the title and above in review links.
Publisher's Summary
This version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, masterfully narrated by Tim Curry, was available for a limited time last year, and now it's back. This one-of-a-kind performance puts a unique spin on a treasured classic, and served as the inspiration for the exciting new line of Audible Signature Classics, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with Elijah Wood, and Heart of Darkness with Kenneth Branagh. Tim Curry performs this timeless holiday story in a deliciously dark tone, returning it to its Dickensian roots with a vivid imagining of Victorian London and just the right touch of outrageous fun.
A Christmas Carol has constantly been in print since its original publication in 1849, and has been adapted for stage, television, film, and opera. It has often been credited with returning the jovial and festive atmosphere to the holiday season in Britain and North America, following the somber period that emerged during the Industrial Revolution.
The story opens on a bleak and cold Christmas Eve as Ebenezer Scrooge is closing up his office for the day. As the story progresses and Christmas morning approaches, Scrooge encounters the unforgettable characters that make this story a classic: Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and, of course, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Listen to more Audible Signature Classics now.
Public Domain(P)2009 Audible, Inc.

6. Audible (TBR)

The Chimes
Written by: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
This is another remarkable Dickens' classic.
I will post my review near New Year's Eve as it fits there.
Publisher's Summary
The magnificent Richard Armitage (Hamlet: King of Denmark: A Novel) performs The Chimes by Charles Dickens.
This classic story is the second in a series of five Christmas books Dickens was commissioned to write - beginning with A Christmas Carol. A haunting tale set on New Year's Eve, The Chimes tells the story of a poor porter named Trotty Veck who has become disheartened by the state of the world - until he is shown a series of fantastical visions that convince him of the good of humanity. Though much different from and certainly a bit darker than A Christmas Carol, the moral message of The Chimes is equally poignant - touting the importance of compassion, goodwill, and the love of friends and family.
The Chimes was followed by The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life, and finally The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain.
Public Domain (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (TBR)

The Yellow Line
by Kitrin Haas
I'm enjoying this 'recovery' romance.
This is from my TBR and is "Y" for my Alphabet Challenge.
In one instant the Cameron family's lives changed forever. Now, Alana Cameron must have the courage to put her life back together. Will she find the strength to trust and love again? A voice from the past may hold the key to her sanity.

I am pretty sure I have completed two of my challenges, if not all four. I plan to check tomorrow to see if I need to squeeze in any last minute titles. Till then I am not sure what else I will read this week. I plan to get my First Read post up as I have that book selected.


December 25, 2016 - I am one day ahead on my Bible reading and do plan to finish.
I have been enjoying listening to the companion commentary online when I am home.
I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.

I posted four reviews which still keeps me a bit behind with seven to be posted.

I still plan to request audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I now have 8 NetGalley Titles and 10+ author titles in my queue. Clearly all of them are going into 2017!

We did get an ebook release but waiting for covers for two prints releases.
There will be one upload for eTreasure's NetGalley page this week.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received one Audio from the narrator for review.
I picked out my last two Audible titles for this year plus I picked up 5 Daily Deals.
I didn't buy any Kindle titles.
I picked up a fair number of free kindle titles. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
 
Two by Vonnegut: The Big Trip Up Yonder and 2BR02B
Written by: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Narrated by: Kitty Hendrix
I picked this vintage title (1959 and 1962) for Sci Fi Experience and Vintage Sci Fi.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up my last two subscription credit titles for the year:

Monster Hunter Nemesis
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
I want to finish/continue this fun series.

A Choice of Treasons
Written by: J. L. Doty
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
"Gripping, fast-moving military science fiction starring the hero of Of Treasons Born."
I have book one and wanted to get book two so it will be a TBR for 2017.

I subscribed to Audible Daily Deals so I am tempted by deals everyday.
This week I picked up 5 daily deals for under $10.00:
1. A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd $1.95
Written by: Patrick Ness
Narrated by: Jason Isaacs

"Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults."

The blurb got my attention.

2. One Wild Bird at a Time: Portraits of Individual Lives $1.95

Written by: Bernd Heinrich

Narrated by: Rick Adamson

"In One Wild Bird at a Time, Heinrich returns to his great love: close, day-to-day observations of individual wild birds. Heinrich's observations lead to fascinating questions - and sometimes startling discoveries."

I do love birds and this sounded interesting.

3. The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition: Resolving the Heart of Conflict $2.95
Written by: The Arbinger Institute
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

"What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work, and conflicts in the world stem from the same root cause? What if we systematically misunderstand that cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve?"

4. Finding Dory $1.95
Written by: Disney Press
Narrated by: Adam Verner
This one is to share with the kids. :-)

5. A Literary Christmas $.99
Written by: Charles Dickens , Jane Austen , Rudyard Kipling , Thomas Hardy,  William Wordsworth , Laurie Lee , Samuel Pepys
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson , Simon Callow
This will be for listening next Christmas.

Free

I only added 41 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 25, 2016 -- Merry Christmas!

Remember the Reason for the Season is the birth of our savior - God with us!
Have a Blessed Christmas!

A Verse for Today:
John 1:14 NIV
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The 2017 Sci Fi Experience and Vintage Sci Fi Not a Challenge

The 2017 Sci-Fi Experience began December 1st, 2016 and runs through January 31st, 2017. It is hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings.

Image art supplied by Stephan Martiniere.

The Sci-Fi Experience will hopefully give people an opportunity to:
a) Continue their love affair with science fiction
b) Return to science fiction after an absence, or
c) Experience for the first time just how exhilarating science fiction can be.

Since I have been increasingly enjoying Sci Fi this past year, I fall into the a) category. I have several reviews already for December and have Vintage sci fi titles lined up for January.

Here are Sci Fi books read  in December, 2016:
1. Audible Book Review: Swarm: Star Force, Book 1, by B. V. Larson; Narrated by Mark Boyett; Military Sci Fi, my rating 4.0.
2. Audible Book Review: The Synchronicity War, Part 1 by Dietmar Wehr; Narrated by Luke Daniels; Military Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
3. Book Review: Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen; Sci Fi, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.
4. The Circuit: Executor Rising by Rhett C. Bruno
5. The Great Martian War: Invasion by Scott Washburn; Narrated by Ray Greenley


Read in January, 2017:
{See Vintage Reviews below to be added}

I also have several books already lined up for January, especially Vintage Sci Fi titles.

The Vintage SciFi Not-a-Challenge event is hosted by Andrea at Little Red Reviewer.

I am starting with these Vintage titles:
1. X Minus One: Old Time Radio, Sci-Fi Series (broadcast from April 24, 1955 to January 9, 1958) by Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Robert A. Heinlein, Frederik Pohl, Theodore Sturgeon, Isaac Asimov, Ernest Kinoy, George Lefferts
2. Invisible Man: A Novel by Ralph Ellison; Narrated by Joe Morton (1953)
3. Time for the Stars by Robert A. Heinlein; Narrated by Barrett Whitener (1956)
4. We by Yevgeny Zamyatin; Narrated by Grover Gardner (1921)