21.6.11

Quick Review: The Pernderwicks at Point Mouette, by Jeanne Birdsall

I've exhorted my love for the Penderwicks series twice already on this blog, (here & here) and so I was absolutely delighted to read the third instalment of the series, The Penderwicks at Point Mouette. Now, it is not necessary to have read the first two books to understand this one, although you would be missing on some details, and, in my opinion, one of the best part of the series, which is to be witness to the growth of the four sisters at the centre of the story.

In this third instalment, the Penderwicks are splitting up for Summer vacations. Mr. and Mrs. Penderwick are going to England, the eldest Penderwick, Rosalind, is going to New Jersey with her best friend, so that leaves the three youngest Penderwick, Skye, Jane and Batty, as well as their Aunt Claire and the honorary Penderwick Jeffrey (met in the first book) to spend two weeks by the seaside, at Point Mouette, Maine. Of course, charming insanity ensues. Skye finds herself the OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick) and is not ready for such responsibility, Jane stumbles into first love, and Batty discovers her passion, while Jeffrey makes a life-altering discovery.

While cliché, there is no other words that describe this series and books, as charming. It is just charming. The characters have distinctive personalities, all lovable and fun (I am particularly fond of Batty). The plot moves forward quickly, with simple adventures and events, while allowing the characters to grow and expand. To be honest, and particularly in this one, things can get a bit too sweet, in particular when it comes to the adult characters. They are always fun, they always love children and are generally very very kind to a point that is almost unbelievable. But since they are not the main protagonists, I give it a pass. Jeffrey's story line was a bit too stretched for me too, a bit too far fetched, but at the same time was dealt with very well, an in a believable manner, that was quite moving at times. I also missed Rosalind in this one, as she was away, but feel that her absence made sense in the way the books deal with growth.

Overall, I am still in love with this series. It's a perfect quick Summer read and I am already awaiting the next one.

11.6.11

In My Mailbox (8)

In My Maibox (or IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It enables bloggers to mention the books they have acquired during the week. Read more about it HERE.

These are the first books I bought in over a month. I've been very good!

Bought (new):

  • The Initiation & The Captive Part I (The Secret Circle series #1-2), by L. J. Smith
  • Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs
Bought (used):

  • The Lost Garden, by Helen Humphreys (finally found a copy! read my review HERE)
  • Dream Work, by Mary Oliver (poetry)
  • The Goblin Wood, by Hilari Bell
  • Feeling Sorry for Celia, by Jaclyn Moriarty
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
  • The Earth Hums in B Flat, by Mari Strachan
  • The Captive Part II & The Power (The Secret Circle series #2-3), by L. J. Smith

News & Guest Blogger Request!

Hello!

As you might have realized the blog has been a bit slow in the past two months or so. I have been busy, and have not been much in the mood to write anything. It has been a creatively dry few months and I apologize for my absence.

That said, I have read several books that I want to share with you, and have some reviews in the works, so expect posts to pick up again starting next week.

Upcoming reviews:
  • The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, by Jeanne Birdsall
  • Playing with the Grown-Ups, by Sophie Dahl
  • The Secret Circle series, by L. J. Smith
Also, I would like to ask if any of my lovely followers would be interested in guest blogging at The Woodland Library. I would love to introduce different voices once in a while :)
You could write about anything you want: favourite books, reading habits, opinion pieces, reviews, etc. as long as it relates to books somehow. Want to write about the book that changed your life? sure! Want to write about feminism in YA fiction? Absolutely! Want to write about movies and/or TV shows based on books and how they relate to one another? Why not!
Surprise me!

If you are interested, please email me, so we can discuss things (please write Woodland Library Guest  Blogger in the subject line)

I hope you all are having a wonderful beginning of Summer (or Winter)! What have you been reading lately?

5.6.11

Summer Reading List

Here are some books I am hoping to read this Summer. Of course, there is a good chance I won't get to read so many, and I will probably read some not on this list, especially considering that a lot of those I own as ebooks, but have to read on my computer, I would much prefer sitting outside! (I guess this should be called a list of books I am hoping to read in the near future)

This list is also only of books that I have access to right now, whether I own them as hardcover, digital copies, galleys, or from the library. It does not take into account books I might buy, and new releases. So basically it is a VERY non-official list!


  1. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette (The Penderwicks #3), by Jeanne Birdsall
  2. The Dark and Hollow Places (Forest of Hands and Teeth #3), by Carrie Ryan
  3. Ascendant (Killer Unicorns #2), by Diana Peterfreund
  4. Welcome to Bordertown, ed. by Holly Black & Ellen Kushner (short stories)
  5. Geektastic, ed. by Holly Black & Cecil Castellucci (short stories)
  6. Finnikin of the Rock, by Melina Marchetta
  7. My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, ed, Kate Bernheimer (short stories)
  8. Stories, ed. by Neil Gaiman (short stories)
  9. The Bird Sisters, by Rebecca Rasmussen
  10. Enchanted Ivy, by Sarah Beth Durst


  1. Forest Born (Books of Bayern #4), by Shannon Hale
  2. Steel, by Carrie Vaughn
  3. The Iron Thorn, by Caitlin Kittredge
  4. Willful Creatures, by Aimee Bender (short stories)
  5. The Cure is a Forest, by Desi Di Nardo (poetry)
  6. The Collector, by John Fowles
  7. Playing With the Grown-Ups, by Sophie Dahl
  8. The Girl With Glass Feet, by Ali Shaw
  9. Black Juice, by Margo Lanagan (short stories)
  10. The Secret Circle series, by L. J. Smith


  1. The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander
  2. Clarity, by Kim Harrington
  3. Stanger Things Happen, by Kelly Link (short stories)
  4. The Near Witch, by Victoria Schwab
  5. The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
  6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman
  7. Rose Daughter, by Robin Mckinley
  8. Tender Morsels, by Margo Lanagan
  9. Little, Big, by John Crowley
  10. The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
What books are you hoping to read this Summer? Give me some suggestions! (so this list changes even before I start tackling it!)