Three Summer Reads I Want to Share-The Magicians, The Northside and Conquistadora

I have not posted in quite a while and that is for a multiple of reasons. I have not been able to do a lot of writing and therefore wanted to recap for my blogger friends some interesting books that absorbed me this summer as I am recuperating.  Here are three books to start you off with many more I hope to summarize in the next week. Although my reviews are much abbreviated, I think you will gather my opinion in any case.  Thanks for understanding. Wisteria

The Magicians, by Lev Grossman
ISBN-10: 0670020559
416 Pages
Viking Adult; 1 edition (August 11, 2009)


The Magicians, by Lev Grossman,I was asked to read The Magician King, this books sequel that would publish in August, 2011. I had not read The Magicians and the publisher graciously sent it along as well.This is my idea of an adult version of a world like Narnia. The writing is totally different and the plot as well. A young adult engrossed in fantasy novels finds himself quite unexpectedly in an exclusive school for would be magicians. "The land of his childhood fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he ever could have imagined...."(back cover).Fans of Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia will appreciate this adult fairy tale and will be awaiting the sequel The Magician King. Fortunately, both are available now in bookstores.

I am currently reading The Magician King, where the travels of Quentin and his friends continue.   If you love fantasy, this is a must read.

The copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher for review.  Above is my honest unbiased opinion. 

The Northside, by Nelson Johnson
978-0937548738
Plexus Publishers
November 2010
358 Pages

The Northside by Nelson Johnson, is a spectacular non-fiction book about the rise of Atlantic City. The focus is mainly on the contributions of African Americans in the mid-20th century as Atlantic City emerged from a small barren island.  I will be reviewing this for Historical Novels Review for the an upcoming issue. I will post a copy of that review once the magazine is published. In the mean time, this is a book any lover of American History will devour with earnest. I couldn't put it down. There is so much history pulled together in this narrative style that is shocking and Johnson is brilliant to document this time period with such skill.  In fact, before I had been sent the copy for review, I had already purchased my own copy after browsing in my local bookstore.  My extra copy is bound for a colleague who can't wait to get his hands on it. Nelson Johnson also wrote Boardwalk Empire, a book that is on my wish list for sure.

I purchased the copy of this book at Amazon.

Conquistadora, by Esmeralda Santiago
Knopf (July 12, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-0307268327
432 Pages

Conquistadora, by Esmeralda Santiago is my top pick from my summer reading. It is a sensational historical fiction saga, based on Puerto Rican history and the clash between plantation owners and their slaves. It is also the story of an incredibly strong and rebellious woman named Ana, who has a fearless drive to succeed in life. She becomes a sugar plantation owner in Puerto Rico and despite growing rebellion, she is unyielding. This story takes the reader up to  the time of the Civil War.  The effects of what happened in the Southern States has far reaching implications in the Caribbean Islands and Ana is determined to secure her future.  I purchased this book to read as the history of Puerto Rico drew me to the story as well as the character of a strong woman who emerges to compete with men at a time that it was frowned upon.  I also lived in Puerto Rico when I was a child and attended Spanish schools. Although the memories of my past experiences are fading, I will always have the fondest memories and recall extremely happy times with my family. Puerto Rico introduced me to the language and culture and delicious fruits that were abundant then only there. Fortunately, we live in a time when guava, coconut, mango, papaya and other foods are no longer considered exotic. Read Conquistadora, you will succumb to Esmeralda Santiago's exquisite writing and fall in love with a beautiful story.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].


I purchased a copy of this book at Amazon.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

All About Children Thursday-August 5, 2010

This week on All About Children Thursday, I have a perfect book for the young reader in grades 4-6. If you want to join the meme go to the link above to read all about it. This is a meme all about children and books they might like. I'm excited to share books for children with you and can't wait to see what everyone is reading.






This week I wanted to share a book I received from The Picnic Basket.



The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams
Rhonda Hayter
Dial Books for Young Readers
978-0-8037-3468-5
242 pages

This is the story of Abbie Adams, a fifth grader who lives with her mom, dad and little brother. Pretty normal so far right? Except, Abbie and her family are all witches. Lately, it is becoming harder to control her magic spell impulses when she faces trouble in her classroom and when she tries to help her little brother out of a jam. One day her dad, who also happens to be a doctor working on a cure for witch flu, brings home a little black kitten. One day when Abbie is looking into the kittens eyes she sees a little boy. Eventually, the family learns he is the young Thomas Edison, inventor. Now all they have to do is figure out a way to turn young Tom back to a boy and return him to his century. Well, the task turns out to be not that easy.

Rhonda Hayter tells a hilariously imaginative story, with witty dialogue and a host of misfit characters. Told through Abbie's point of view, a bright, adorable, sarcastic and sensitive witch who you will fall in love with. You will chuckle at her thought process and cleverness. Thomas Edison, the boy in disguise as a cat is naturally inquisitive and you can only imagine what he thinks of our 21st century life.

The book lends itself so well as a riveting read-a-loud. The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams is a charming fun-filled book about family, time travel and a little magic in a not so typical family, yet it seems some things never change.













© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].