Lady Gaga: Critical Mass Fashion

Title: Lady Gaga: Critical Mass Fashion

Author: Lizzy Goodman

Pages: 144

Genre: Fashion

Grade: B

Synopsis: This book was published a few years ago (in 2010) and documents the first couple years of Lady Gaga's stardom through her fashion choices.

My Review: Well, it's a book about the strange things that Lady Gaga wears, with a bit of her back story and history mixed in. If you love Lady Gaga like I do, you might like this book too.

The Lost Symbol (Illustrated Edition)

Title: The Lost Symbol

Author: Dan Brown

Pages: 513

Genre: Thriller

Grade: A-

Synopsis: I already reviewed this book once: http://tysquibooklist.blogspot.com/2009/10/lost-symbol.html

My Review: I was so excited when browsing at the DI when I found this book. I haven't yet read Dan Brown's newest novel (Inferno) and I thought this was it. I got about 50 pages into the book when I realized that I had already read this book, so I decided to buy a used copy of the Illustrated Edition of the book and continue reading that version.  I love reading Dan Brown novels when three are pictures and diagrams of the artwork and symbolism that is described in the book.

Bannon Brothers Trust

Title: Bannon Brothers Trust

Author: Janet Dailey

Pages: 352

Genre: Fiction

Grade: B

Synopsis: RJ Bannon is a detective on paid administrative leave for a previous injury when he comes across a cold case about an abducted three-year old child that has sat dormant for nearly twenty-five years and was never solved.  Ann Montgomery was abducted from her family's historic mansion and it tore her notable family apart, although they never gave up hope.

My Review: This book was ok. I enjoyed it, but it was fairly shallow and run-of-the-mill.  But with that hunk on the cover, how could I not pick it up?

Candy Bomber

Title: Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot"

Author: Michael O. Tunnell

Pages: 120

Genre: Children's Non-Fiction

Grade: B

Synopsis: After World War II, Germany was divided between the East (Russia) and the West (US & Britain).  Berlin is located in East Germany and was also divided.  For nearly a year, Russia blockaded the United States and other western powers from supplying Western Berlin in the hopes that the US would abandon West Berlin.  Instead, the US and their allies provided support and supplies to the people of West Berlin by airplane.  It was an immense undertaking by the Western Allies who made over 200,000 flights delivering more than 4700 tons of food and supplies during the blockade. As all supplies were brought by air, candy and sweets were in very short supply as they are not high on the necessity list.  US Air Force Lt. Gail S. Halvorsen started dropping chocolate and candy from his plane in little parachutes over the city to the great excitement of the children and other residents of the city.

My Review: I read this book to Ada and Kate.  Kate's interest didn't last too long (the book is written for a target audience of 4-7 grades), but Ada seemed to enjoy it.  It's a great story of somebody (from Salt Lake City) who saw a need and went hard to work fulfilling it.

Fablehaven Series

Title: Fablehaven Series

Author: Brandon Mull

Books: 5

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A-

Synopsis: Read my synopses of all 5 books here.

My Review: I just finished reading this series to Ada last night, and she just loved it.  Kate would show some interest off and on, but generally did not listen to me read. I think the books were just a bit above her level.  This is one of those series that we were both sad to be done with.  Luckily for us both, I'm going to start reading Harry Potter to the girls next. Hopefully Kate will find them enjoyable.

Don't Know Much About History

Title: Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned

Author: Kenneth C. Davis

Pages: 20 discs?

Genre: Non-Fiction, History

Grade: B

Synopsis: Yes, this is a history book. It essentially covers US history from Christopher Columbus and the modern discovery of America up to the first few years of Obama's Presidency. Originally published during Bush I's presidency, it was updated a couple of years ago to include the Clinton years, 9/11 and the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars.

My Review: For me, this was more of a refresher course on American history as I'm fairly familiar with our nation's storied past.  However, just as the author claims, this book was written in a much more easy to digest and enjoy fashion than your typically history book.  There were times where the writing style grated against me a bit, but there were plenty of other portions of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed.