The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series by Steig Larsson

I suppose you have to be living under a rock somewhere to not have heard of this series. It seems to be the "Twilight" of the adult reading crowd. But, in case you haven't already been tipped off- prepare! This is a trilogy by a Swedish author who died before the books went big time worldwide. There are Swedish film versions of the books, and a Hollywood production is now underway starring Daniel Craig and a lesser known actress in the title roll. And what a juicy role it will be! The Girl of the Dragon Tatoo, the Girl Who Plays with Fire and the Girl Who Kicks the Hornets Nest( the three book titles) is Lisbeth Salander, an eccentric, asocial, genius with a horrific past and a strong sense of self. Mikael Blomkvist is the other main character who merrily kicks at the hornets nests as well. The Hornets don't have a chance. He is journalist, she is....hard to explain. In any case, these are powerful books. Riveting, though one must pay attention because you can get entangled by Anderssons, Jacobssons, Niedermanns, Niermans Etc. Hard to tell who's who at times- but well worth the attention it demands. In addition to the required attention, one must be up to the subject matter which is REALLY NOT FOR CHILDREN. That understood, this is a great trilogy to sink you into the depths of winter in cold Sweden. Top notch.

The Seekers: the quest begins by Erin Hunter

This author has two series from which I have reviewed books. The other was the Warrior series, about a society of cats. This series, The Seekers, is about bears. There are stories about three bears in this starter to the series. A polar bear cub, a grizzly cub and a black bear cub. A few chapters into the book, I was close to tossing it in the tub when I got out to dry off. I couldn't tell if this was just a way to point out the hopelessness of humanity, or just the inevitable awfulness of life in general. Global warming is melting the polar ice caps, and the polar bears are suffering greatly, then the momma bear gets eaten by killer whales, leaving her two cubs to fend for themselves- on separate ice shelves as the ice is melting too rapidly for proper polar bear life. The grizzly mom loses one cub to some degenerating disease (brought on by living too close to the thoughtless, toxic human race) and then in despair, abandons her other, healthy cub. The black bear cub is born and raised in captivity, but longs for freedom and escapes to the wild. Okay, well, I did get caught up in the drama eventually. AFTER I decided not to go all Plath. The thing is, they're pretty cool adventure stories, but drowning in angst. Do we put this on the kids, figuring they won't get the depressing theme, but will thrill to the adventures of the scrappy little bears? Or, do we not submerge them in the "horrible humans" mantra? I kinda think maybe Pooh is a better bear to love.

Maybe this time by Jennifer Crusie

I have reviewed this author before, and this book holds true. This is an Adult book. Okay?
But strange, funny and just for fun. I read it after Halloween, and it would have been so apropos for the holiday. The heroine is still attracted to her ex, and vice versa, ends up in a haunted house trying to care for two abandoned children- abandoned by all but the ghosts. There is deadly ghosts, sarcastic ones and possesed ghost whoopie. Crusie's standard Ice Queen Mother-in-law, that thaws only for the quirky herione and equally prerec. flighty mother of herione make their appearances along with a paranormal academic, gritty medium, horrible blonde and amoral Don Juan. The scenario pulls the divided couple back together, they bond forever, save the kids, eradicate the ghosts, mostly, and live happily ever after in German Village.

Once Upon a Time: four modern day romance stories with all the enchantment of a fairy tale. By 4 separate authors Published 2000

In my search for "appropriate" romance for my teen, I had little hope for these, and they surprised me. They are fairly short stories, and each one loosely followed a familiar tale; Snow White, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood- etc. They also had the prerequisite heroine who is quirky and smart, not knowing she needs saving, or at least not saving by the strong, sensitive handsome man to whom she is attracted, blahblahblah. The main twist to these stories, one I found somewhat intriguing, is that the characters are Christians, and are active in their beliefs. That IS a twist, and somewhat refreshing. Plus, the romances were just that- romance, not sex stories. Not featuring young girls sneaking out of houses for late night rendevous with teen boy lotharios. Goodie.
So, yes, this is drivel, but wholesome drivel.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I vaguely remember reading this in grade school. I don't think I liked it, maybe even understood it. I don't know if that is due to my level of understanding, or the fact that it was "required reading".
Now,like The Scarlet Pimpernel, a "classic" that I can get behind. I know both my girls, ages 15 and 12 have read this, and enjoyed it, so maybe it was just me!
In any case, the book is fascinatingly rich and layered and smart. Told from the perspective of Scout, an 8-9 year old tomboy during the depression, the story unfolds not as an "event" but, as in life, a series of moments that just happen. I think sometimes To Kill a Mockingbird is thought of as a law story. Maybe the movie puts more emphasis on the trial. I think it is a story about a town, a time, a family whose father happens to be a lawyer. This is how our lives shape. If Scout's father had not been the trial lawyer, she still would've been vaguely aware of what was happening in her small town, but because it is her family, we are put deep inside those days.
I loved the "new teaching" at the school, Scout is told her reading and writing at home is ruining her education- We're still struggling to figure out how best to educate our children. And, I love Atticus. He's a wonderful character and gives me parental aspirations. I also hope to raise a boy such as Jem.
The subject of the trial is an alleged rape, but the story being told with an eight year old voice keeps it a bit nebulous "had his way with me" and pseudo-factual.
The subject of the book- people, and the setting - Alabama in the 1930's, means a hard look at prejudice and the struggles of the black community still living in a "white world".
I was reluctant to read it, as I recalled enough to know "bad stuff" happens. I thought maybe Jem or Atticus gets killed. Well, "bad stuff", indeed does happen, but the family makes it through the whole book, not unharmed, but not "Lovely Bones"'ed either. (Lovely Bones not recommended for kids, or for me either. Read it, it's demented.)
If you, like me, haven't read this book since grade school, pick it up again. And it is a good one to get in the hands of your strong readers before it is "required"- in case they're like me too.

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

I think this book was what I had wanted The Grapes of Wrath to be. It is the story of a man's life in rural Kentucky, through the years of the depression and into the changes of the 20th century. He is a simple man of observation, yet, married to a woman, in his mind, who is married to someone else. He is a man of routine and strange faith. He sees his world keenly and feels the rhythms of the biology. He is a searcher, a sloth, a barber, a loner at the center of his society. This book begged to be read a chapter at a time, not poured through at all. But, have no fears in handing this to your kids, or putting beside your own bed. It will make you see your world more clearly, and perhaps define your own desires for simplicity. Wendell Berry is also a poet, and this book is in a way a medatative poem for the quiet soul.

The Singing- final book of the Pellinor Series by Alison Croggan

Number four, and final one in the series, The Singing brings Maerad and Hem back together to conclude their adventures and save the world. Continuation of The Crow, The Singing is still full of evil sorcerers and lots of traveling, but ends with the culmination of the forces of good to triumph, leaving the good guys behind to enjoy blissful, trouble- free lives...? In any case, burdens lifted, love recognized, bad guys all gone. I did enjoy the characters and perils of the Pellinor Series.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

"A Classic" often translates to "an unbearably boring, or depressing instrument of written torture." We put "great works of literature" on the required reading lists of our young minds and willfully assume their eyes will be opened, minds enlarged, blah,blah,blah.. by Crime and Punishment? I, too, suffered through years of grade school summer reading lists. Turned me right off of "Classics". But, in my unforced maturity and ungoverned library wandering, I occasionally attempt a "Classic" with undetermined air.
Thus, the choice of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Now, having poured through the book pulled chapter by chapter, I wonder how on earth it ever made it to the "Classic" designation! It is a really fun book! A swashbuckling romance. Sure, it was written in 1902 by a Hungarian Baroness, so has pedigree. But, this is a Classic worth reading. I highly recommend it for your advanced young reader. Not basic prose, it will increase vocabulary but I believe, keep the reader engaged nonetheless. Perfect romance for the tween or teen. This is romance without sex, love with sacrifice, and it all comes out well for the good guys! Loved it.
Reminiscent of The Three Musketeers by Dumas, it's what a Classic can be.