#18

# 18 Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell (Kay Scarpetta series Book 1)

Do you like CSI? NCIS? Law and Order: SVU? I do! And I could see this book being an episode on one of those shows. Dr. Kay Scarpetta is the chief medical examiner in Richmond, Virginia. She's not only dealing with the difficulties of her job, but also the challenges at home including a niece who wants to spend time with her, but a job that demands her close attention. A great read and I'll certainly be checking out the next in the series.

#16-17

#16 This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Last Survivors series Book 3)

Well, I'm an idiot. I just looked up this image to add to this blog posting and discovered it is book 3 in a series. I repeat: I am an idiot. I am the kind of person who likes to read books in order and will forgo a book further along in series until I get to it. It's almost like you haven't put in the time with the series and shouldn't peak at the ending. But, I did this unknowingly so I need to just get over it.

So, a meteor hits the moon and knocks it closer to the Earth making for some massive changes on the planet. Vegetation quits growing, the air is tainted and oh yea, lots of people die. This is the story of the Evans family, trying to survive in this new world. The main character Miranda keeps track of the daily events in her journal. Even though this is the third book in the series, I didn't have much trouble following it and didn't find myself feeling lost wondering, "What the -?" I thought the idea of the book was very cool and I did enjoy reading it. I encouraged my students to read it, but I'm hoping they forget the title and just happen upon the series so they can actually know the whole story.

#17 Bulu: African Wonder Dog by Dick Houston

I have a love/hate relationship with dog books. I love them and want to read them all, but I hate them just as much for all the obvious reasons fellow dog book readers well know. (Remember Old Yeller? Yeah, of course you do).

Anyway, this book was a bit different from my typical dog books choices, but in a good way. This is a non-fiction story about a husband and wife who left their home in England and moved to Africa. Zambia to be more accurate. They are working to open up a wildlife education center for the children living around them in local villages. Once there, they find some pups and fall in love with Bulu. Bulu is spirited, empathetic, and so sweet, readers instantly fall in love. (As is the curse with all dog books) While living in Zambia, Anna and Steve not only have Bulu in their home, they also end up adopting monkeys, a baboon, a bushbuck and warthogs. So maybe this book isn't so much a dog book as an animal book. It is of course filled with African adventure, wild animals, floods and many other exciting events, all of which seem to involve little Bulu.

#14-15

#14 Gone by Michael Grant (Gone series Book 1)

Finally, I've read this book! I see it all over my library at school and have wanted to read it for some time. In the story, everyone over the age of 15 disappears, leaving all the children in the town to fend for themselves and learn to survive. Not only do the kids have to deal with this craziness, but some of them begin showing signs of strange unexplainable powers and a mysterious barrier is found around the town too. A great read and I've got my name down to get the second in the series next.

#15 The Rapture of Caanan by Sheri Reynolds

This book was incredibly powerful. This is the kind of book you hope your friends read so that you can talk to them about it. A young girl named Ninah narrates the story and we follow her through her life living with followers of the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind. Her grandpa is the leader of this church (think Pentecostal, but scarier and with ugly consequences) and whatever he says is taken as Gospel. Ninah and her family try hard to follow all the rules and stay true to God, but Ninah begins to question the religion and her own sense of right and wrong. She tries to keep herself from sinning, but she and her prayer partner James find themselves getting too close and she becomes pregnant. What happens to her community of believers and herself is compelling, intense and difficult to read all at the same time.

#12-13

#12 Cassandra and Jane by Jill Pitkeathley

After reading According to Jane a couple of weeks ago, I just wasn't ready to say Goodbye to Jane Austen. So, this was a great read at the perfect time for me. This was a fictional story, but the author did her best to recreate what was likely to have happened between Jane and her sister Cassandra. Cass tells the story and gives us the insight into the world she and Jane shared. We get to hear about the love they both nearly had in their lives as well as the success Jane enjoyed with her published pieces. Only two sisters as close as these would be able to express the unique relationship of sisters.

#13 Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles

I have to admit that I chose this book after finding a great writeup by a classroom teacher about censorship and books kids need to read regardless. This was a book that was highly criticized and like all "banned books," the desire to read them is heightened all them more. This book did not disappoint. At the start of the book, a young girl named Leah has just died in an accident. Her friend Laine takes the reader back through their friendship and how Laine's life will forever be changed. It is an intense story dealing with abuse, underage drinking, drugs, bullying, and peer pressure. This is definitely a book that should be put into the right hands, but not before those hands are ready.

#1-11

#1 Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Powerful read. A teenager named Troy is overweight and depressed. He has no friends, doesn't get along with his brother, and doesn't know how to change his life. He meets Curt, a homeless boy who believes Troy can play the drums and be a part of his rock band. While they work to make the band happen, Troy discovers that he does have something to offer the world and can make a difference to other people.

#2 Roses by Leila Meacham

Don't let the cover and title fool you. It's not all about love and fru-fru stuff. This book follows rival Texas families through generations of warring and sparring and love and I enjoyed it. I like long books that really introduce and explain the complexities of families. And yes, the title is important to the story and yes, you do have to read it to uncover the meaning.

#3 Suck it Up by Brian Meehl

Okay, I admit to a fascination with vampirey stories since reading Twilight, and that's why I picked this book up. It was also a Texas Lone Star book for those interested in award winning titles. The cover actually grosses me out, but I couldn't resist reading it. So, our orphan vampire hero is Morning McCobb, a vegan vampire who drinks Blood Lite. Morning has been chosen to "come out" to the human race and show them that not all vampires are bad and most want to fit in and be loved just like everyone else. He attempts to do this with the help of a New York City PR director and her daughter. I was not ga-ga for this book, but did enjoy it enough to recommend it to others. Edward is still my main vamp...

#4 The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (39 Clues Book 1)

39 Clues series...very cool. This series of 10 titles features a different YA author for each one. And yes, by the end of the series, readers are promised 39 clues to the greatest treasure in the world. Siblings Amy and Dan are given the choice of receiving a million dollars from their deceased grandmother or take the first clue in a series that will lead them to a long-lost treasure. Along with other scheming family members given the same chance, they begin an international treasure hunt taking them through many adventurous twists and turns.

#5 One False Note by Gordan Korman (39 Clues Book 2)

In this book, Amy and Dan make their way to France, Venice, and Salzburg and learn about the life of Mozart and his music and how it all ties into the 39 clues. These books are so well written, that it's hard not to believe the historical facts included. I almost believe that Mozart was part of the treasure hunt and his music provided clues for the Cahills! Love it! And I'm sorry, but who doesn't love a Gordon Korman book anyway?

#6 The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis (39 Clues Book 3)

Amy and Dan find an alliance in Uncle Allistair Oh, but should they trust him? This book takes the kids to Japan in a search for an ancient sword. There is underground travel, ancient relics, and dodging other scheming family members of course. Another win!

#7 Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson (39 Clues Book 4)

Do you get into Egyptian history and archaeology? Yes? Well, so do the characters in this book! Amy and Dan end up in Cairo (among other places) in this adventure. Did I mention one of their family members is an ex-KGB spy with poisonous fingernails? I didn't? Well, she's in this one and adds a great element of excitement to the book. Read on!

#8 According to Jane by Marilyn Brant

Highschooler Ellie Barnett is introduced to Jane Austen when assigned Pride and Prejudice in her English class. She also discovers that the voice of Jane Austen also comes with it. Yes, the ghost or entity or persona of Jane Austen somehow becomes Ellie's full-time companion helping her make decisions about life and love. (Sidenote: Ellie ends up as a librarian after college...sweeeeet!) I loved this book and have been inspired to read more Jane Austen titles and other books about her. Be looking for more of them reviewed here!

#9 The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles Book 1)

Okay, I cheated a little bit with this book. I didn't actually read it. I checked out the CD version and listened to it. Does that still count? I say yes, and this is my book challenge. I realized I am in my car for nearly 2 hours a day driving to and from work. Why waste that time? I can say that listening to the book did not detract from the work in any way. I mean, what can you expect from Rick Riordan? He's awesome! Sadie and Carter Kane are brother and sister but have grown up in very different ways. Carter and his dad Julius, an Egyptologist, have spent years traveling around the world while Sadie has grown up with her grandparents in London. They reunite once a year and this time, they discover a bit more about their father than they ever expected. On a trip to the British Museum, Julius destroys the Rosetta Stone, summoning Egyptian gods while getting himself banished in the process. It's awesome! Now Sadie and Carter have to work together to find their father while trying to understand their own connection in this crazy Egyptian power adventure. I enjoyed this book a great deal more than Riordan's Percy Jackson series (also awesome). He allowed himself time to really build the characters and take the audience along on a fast-paced adventure. I can't wait for book 2 in the series! So, if you enjoy Egyptian mythology, or like me you didn't know anything about it and found it all fascinating, you'll love this book!

#10 What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

I believe Sonya Sones is brilliant. How many people can effectively create an entire story and deep meaningful characters without the use of prose? She uses only verse and I never felt like I was missing out or not getting the entire story. This book is told from the point of view of Sophie and her experience as a freshman in high school. For those of us having already experienced our freshman year, we can all remember that a great deal happens in high school. This book is one of the most honest I've read about that experience. Sophie is dealing with friends, parents on the brink of divorce, boyfriends, her own changing body, and the judgments of those around her. Sophie has to decide what is more important to her: pleasing her friends and fitting in, or doing what she knows is best and makes her happiest. An awesome read!

#11 What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Another incredible story, again written in verse, continuing Sophie's story. This book is written from the point of view of Robin (or Murphy as he's referred to in school). I won't tell you how Robin and Sophie know each other, but I will tell you that I loved seeing the other side of the story and hearing the voice of a boy telling it. I found this story just as incredible as the first (see #10 above). Read them...you won't be disappointed.

100 Book Challenge

Hello dear friends!

One of the coolest parts of earning a MLS, besides the obvious fact that library science is just plain awesome all on its own, is that you are privy to many cool websites and blogs. I am a member of a sweet listserv and found a fellow librarian's blog where she was inspired to start a book challenge for herself and her students. The challenge is to read 100 books by the end of the school year. She posts her books on her blog along with a quick review of each one. I'm sure you join me in asking, "How awesome is this??" I of course had to jump at the chance myself! I'm in the process of talking with my school librarian into doing something like this with our student body, but I'm certainly going to try it too. So, you may look forward to many a book review and many a book cover on Montgomery Musings. I will warn you, I am a huge YA lit lover so most of my titles will be from that genre, but I do throw in an occasional big girl book now and then. It should go without saying that I am extending the challenge to you as well! Join me and share what you're reading as I can always use a new book on my nightstand.

Just R-E-L-A-X already!

Here I sit friends, on a lovely Labor Day, thrilled to have had a 3-day weekend, and bored out of my mind! This leads me to a realization I recently had about myself. I have a really hard time just doing nothing! This is the first time in 2 1/2 years that I only have one job, and I feel pretty competent taking care of that job during the week leaving my weekends free. Isn't that what everyone wants? Now, I have no homework to do, no extensive reading assignments, and (thankfully), no papers to write. So, what the H is my problem? Isn't that what I worked so hard to accomplish? Sheesh!!

My other half has absolutely no problem laying in bed watching movie after movie (after movie...after movie) enjoying a lazy day, but I get stir crazy. I can usually make it through one and I have to get up and find something to do. So, my weeds have been weeded, my dog played with, my computer's software updated, toenails painted, current celebrity gossip read, laundry done and put up, and my kitchen is clean. I did bring papers home to grade, but let's not get carried away people.

So, I'm using my blog post here to announce to the world that I, Alicia Montgomery, am too wound up and need to R-E-L-A-X! How do I do this? Clearly laying in bed watching movies (kill me) doesn't do it and if I get too bored, I start eating junk food (double kill me), and surfing around on etsy.com always gets me in trouble.

Here is a list of ideas I have in an effort to ward off the boredom monster. Cast your vote for your fave!

1. Learn the Hoedown Throwdown using Youtube videos

2. Checkout more CDs from the library to load into iTunes

3. Eradicate all dust bunnies (bleh...scratch this one)

4. Get a coloring book and decorate the bare walls in the house!

5. Search for new pictures of Robert Pattinson (stalker!!)

6. Rewrite Eminem's latest CD so it is grammatically correct and student friendly

7. Make up other blog sites for my other personalities

8. Attempt to learn all the Glee songs

9. Figure out a way to get into the Guinness Book of World Records

10. Paint my dog's toenails so they match mine