Grab a Book & Play Booktivity! discussion

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Read any good books lately that fit our monthly theme? Here's the place to share your opinions / reactions / recommendations.

This month's theme is - NATIONAL ADOPT A CAT MONTH - Read a book with a cat on the cover or as part of the story (suggested by Jaret)

Be sure to Post the COVER image if using that option, or tell us about the cat.

Happy reading!
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by Lois Lowry 4 stars
the Johansens adopt a kitten for their uncle in the story

from my library's catalog: Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.

my thoughts: I really enjoyed this young adult book about the Holocaust. It was very age appropriate for middle grades. The dangers were made clear without being graphic in nature. It was interesting to read how all members of the family played their role in smuggling their Jewish friends out of Denmark. I also appreciated the author's note at the ended explaining what parts were fictionalized and what parts were real.

Eleanor's family has a pet cat

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – 3.5***
Eleanor is the new kid – and target – at school; Park is a quiet loner who prefers listening to his music tapes and reading comics. Eleanor winds up sitting next to Park on the bus and slowly they begin to notice the value in one another. I can certainly see where the target audience would love it (as my niece did). But for me it’s just a little better than average. Fair warning: there is some very vulgar language in the book.
Full Review HERE

The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies by Susan Wittag Albert
4 stars

One of the Darling Dahlias has an orange cat named Daffy.

The second cozy in this series with the gardening ladies of 1930's Darling who seem to just naturally fall into the middle of whatever mysterious incident is taking place. I really think the beauty parlor in town is the center of it all--it's where all the current gossip is shared. Just a cute series which takes us back to a slower paced life when neighbors were always there to help and always knew all your business. In this particular story 2 ladies who used to dance in the Ziegfeld Follies are attempting to start a new life in Darling after finding out they had become involved with the Mafia and took a beating for it.

Taylor Jackson is owned by a cat named Jade that is feature in this book and all of the remainder of the series.

Paddy the LION is part of an important plot point in
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain – 3***
McLain does extensive research and had a wealth of information on which to base this work of historical fiction. I appreciate how she paints the landscape of this part of Africa in the early part of the 20th century. I recognize Markham’s intelligence, determination and tenacity, but she never seemed to learn anything from her mistakes. I struggle with giving the work a higher rating because I so disliked Beryl Markham. McLain chose to focus her work on Beryl’s childhood and young adulthood, so that the character is just becoming the woman we know about when the novel ends. And I’m left feeling disappointed in both Beryl and the book.
Full Review HERE

Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean

If you watch the Animal Planet show "My Cat From Hell" you will get to know the 'cat whisperer' in this book. I am scratching my head about how this cat helped him learn about 'life, love, and coming clean'. It doesnt seem like the cat had all that much to do with it. One thing I didnt like about this book is that I never really got so that I liked the cat. For someone who goes into people's homes to figure out what is wrong with their cats, he didnt really seem to get a handle on his own cat. So this guy battled some demons. I found I wanted to know more about the cats than I did about him. Oh well, the book was ok if you watch the show and want to know more about him. I was surprised there were no pictures. I especially wanted to see what he looked like with the dreadlocks. (

3 stars
Collection of stories about the Authors years working at New York City's famous Animal Medical Center. If you can't handle stories about the death of an animal then pass on this book, it contains no happy endings. She worked with cats that had terminal illnesses. It does have a bit of humor and you can see her patience and courage radiate from the pages.

I read Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. I gave it 4 stars. It is a about a boy whose imaginary friend returns to help him through a stressful time. His family is having financial problems and may be forced to live in their minivan if they can not make enough money at a yard sale to pay their landlord rent. The imaginary friend is a giant cat named Crenshaw. The subject of the book is important and is handled well. It would help young readers empathize with those in the same situation. I would have liked to see more of Crenshaw though.

Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Louis de Bernières – 4****
Dionisio Vivo is a philosophy teacher, whose letters to the editor about the effects of the coca trade on the people of this unnamed South American country have attracted the wrath of the local drug lord. This is a fun romp of a satire, full of magical realism and totally outrageous scenarios. I laughed aloud in many places, and cried out in dismay in others. The language de Bernières employs is nothing short of delightful. The reader who can suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride will find much to enjoy.
Full Review HERE

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
3 stars

Took me awhile to get around to this second book in the series. I liked this offering better than the first one and will move on to the third book. I'm hoping these get even better, it seems like others really like them. Again I listened to the audio read by Mary Peiffer and again I thought she did a fine job. In this second book, Beverly Danziger is looking for her sister, Elaine, and can't seem to locate her. She needs her signature on some legal documents before a will can be settled, so she hires Kinsey Millhone to find her. Turns out, Elaine had been headed to Boca Raton with her cat Mingus and her lynx coat. None of them ever arrived but someone else is staying in her apartment. When Kinsey raises the issue of something sinister happening to Beverly's sister, Beverly fires her. This was suspicious enough but then Aubrey, Beverly's husband, shows up spouting some wild accusations regarding his wife and Kinsey discovers that Elaine's next door neighbor was murdered just a few days before Elaine disappeared. She really just can't, in good conscience, stop the investigation. Again, the ending surprised me. I really have to start realizing that things are not always what they seem!