I am definitely in the mood for something light after reading Love Anthony by Lisa Genova. Here's a taste from the book I just started, Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell, which about a woman who "has 30 days to turn her enemy into her boyfriend..." using a computer matchmaking computer program.
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.
The hotel ballroom doors whooshed closed behind Charlie Forrester, muffling the sound of wedding guests hooting at the groomsmen dancing to "Too Sexy for My Shirt." The lobby was mercifully empty, and she leaned against the wall, the silence easing her skittering nerves.
Weddings. Just shoot me now. This was the fourth one she'd sneaked out of in two months.
Random teaser from 25% of Lost in Geeklandia:
Charlie sat on the edge of the sofa, afraid that if she sank back into the cushions while wearing her shrink-wrapped outfit, she'd never get out again. She clasped her hands between her knees, and her gaze snapped to the distracting color on her nails. Manicures. Nail polish. Nail extensions. Lord.What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Charlie, our heroine, is clearly not comfortable in social settings, as we can see from the opening paragraphs of Lost in Geeklandia.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.
This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a Back To School Freebie and so I thought I would share six books that have helped my daughter get into the Kindergarten spirit, and then, to top the list off, three books I am looking forward to reading now that the school year has started. Can you guess which are which?
1. The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Julie Durrell is similar in vein to the well known Night Before Christmas story, only it is about children preparing for Kindergarten the night before their first day as well as their first day. One of my favorite scenes in the book is of the kids having a great time while the parents look on . . . sniffling and tear-filled eyes. That was me!
2. Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face? by Lisa McCourt and illustrated by Cyd Moore is a witty and cute story about a child who is afraid of going to Kindergarten. His mother counters all of of his worst fears by turning them into something fun, whether it be a sink only pouring out grape juice or a hungry armadillo chasing the kids during art class.
3. Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten by Lynne Marie and illustrated by Anne Kennedy is about a Hedgehog who is afraid of riding the school bus for the first time. Making friends doesn't prove very easy given his physical form; he is rather prickly, after all.
4. Go to School, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman and illustrated by Bonnie Leick is the story of Little Monster's first day of school. I just love the Little Monster books and so does my daughter. Although so different lifestyle wise (we don't eat worms or ride on dragons during recess), there is much to relate to in these books. And the artwork is just beautiful.
5. Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D. J. Steinberg and illustrated by Mark Chambers, which offers children a look at what they might expect in Kindergarten.
6. Happy Halloween Mittens by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung is an "I Can Read" story about a boy and his cat. The cat who is always getting in the way proves he has a talent for helping decorate for Halloween. Such a cute book!
7. The Last Day of Kindergarten by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa, which is about a young girl remembering the fun she had in kindergarten and how excited she is to be graduating.
8. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen is just one of the Jane Austen novels I want to read, but it is the most likely the one of hers I will read next. It is described as a Gothic parody, and everything about it sounds intriguing.
9. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyers has been on my to read list since I first heard about it and this year I actually plan to read it. It is a re-telling of the Cinderella fairytale, in a post war setting. It's got elements of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Dystopia.
10. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton is the next in the Kinsey Milhone series I need to read. I am way behind, and would really like to catch up. This is one of my favorite mystery series, and so I have no good excuse.
Have you read any of these books? What books would make your back to school book list?
1. The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Julie Durrell is similar in vein to the well known Night Before Christmas story, only it is about children preparing for Kindergarten the night before their first day as well as their first day. One of my favorite scenes in the book is of the kids having a great time while the parents look on . . . sniffling and tear-filled eyes. That was me!
2. Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face? by Lisa McCourt and illustrated by Cyd Moore is a witty and cute story about a child who is afraid of going to Kindergarten. His mother counters all of of his worst fears by turning them into something fun, whether it be a sink only pouring out grape juice or a hungry armadillo chasing the kids during art class.
3. Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten by Lynne Marie and illustrated by Anne Kennedy is about a Hedgehog who is afraid of riding the school bus for the first time. Making friends doesn't prove very easy given his physical form; he is rather prickly, after all.
5. Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D. J. Steinberg and illustrated by Mark Chambers, which offers children a look at what they might expect in Kindergarten.
6. Happy Halloween Mittens by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung is an "I Can Read" story about a boy and his cat. The cat who is always getting in the way proves he has a talent for helping decorate for Halloween. Such a cute book!
7. The Last Day of Kindergarten by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa, which is about a young girl remembering the fun she had in kindergarten and how excited she is to be graduating.
8. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen is just one of the Jane Austen novels I want to read, but it is the most likely the one of hers I will read next. It is described as a Gothic parody, and everything about it sounds intriguing.
9. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyers has been on my to read list since I first heard about it and this year I actually plan to read it. It is a re-telling of the Cinderella fairytale, in a post war setting. It's got elements of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Dystopia.
10. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton is the next in the Kinsey Milhone series I need to read. I am way behind, and would really like to catch up. This is one of my favorite mystery series, and so I have no good excuse.
Have you read any of these books? What books would make your back to school book list?
Kindergarten, here Mouse comes!
© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I feel for the heroine of Lost in Geeklandia. Great teaser.
ReplyDeleteAlice - I do too. I would be more comfortable elsewhere too, I think.
DeleteLost in Geekland sounds enormous fun, I enjoyed the opening and could easily picture the scene of the groom dancing to the hoots around him - the teaser was good too. Enjoy your book and I love reading to children and looking forward to the time when I have a little one to read to again.
ReplyDeleteCleo - It was! We do enjoy our children's books around here. :-)
DeleteI was a bit disappointed by Cinder, due to all the hype. But I did keep going with the series.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Care to Matriculate?: Ten Top Schools of Magic & Science
Jeanene - I'll try to keep my expectations reasonable going in. I think that's partly why I've waited so long to get to it.
DeleteLost in Geekland sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteI hope your Mouse loves kindergarten. Such an amazing year of growth.
I love the Lunar Chronicles and hope you do as well! I used to read a lot of Grafton way back when the first books came out, then it started to feel a little repetitive to me. I took a long break (like, a decade or more), then started reading them again a year or two ago. The further we get from the 80s, the more they become historical, which is really interesting.
Wendy - She seems to enjoy kindergarten so far (minus the drop-offs). Hopefully she will continue to do so. Some of Grafton's earlier books do have a similar feel to them. She's made a point of branching out a bit--and made a few fans unhappy. Can't satisfy everyone, I suppose. I still enjoy the series quite a bit though. And I love the setting.
DeleteIt's hard to think of the 80's being historical, but that's the type of music they call oldies now. Crazy to think about, isn't it?
Lost in Geeklandia looks fun! I like that First Chapter. Looks like it could be pretty funny.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your new reads!
Greg - Lost in Geeklandia was fun! I enjoyed it. :-)
DeleteFrom Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten to Jane Austen -- quite a range! My TTT should be right up your alley, Literary Feline. It lists some sci-fi cat books to read instead of doing homework.
ReplyDeleteEd - I do not miss my homework days . . . Of course, with my daughter now, I'll soon have to deal with them again just in a different way. :-)
DeleteI absolutely adore your picks this week. Kindergarten books are so cute!
ReplyDeleteChrissi - Thank you! Most of these were gifts from a friend. I didn't realize there were so many kindergarten books out there. Haha
DeleteI LOVE the teaser this week. The heroine sounds a hoot and the writing is snappy and amusing. It sounds right up my street... I'm delighted to see you're reading U is for Undertow to Mouse:)). Though the book you've got look great for a little one just starting school - children are so much better prepared these days than we were... My TT is a children's book, too - though an older age group...
ReplyDeletehttps://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/teaser-tuesday-30th-august-2016/
Sarah - I thought it was a fun read. :-) U is for Undertow is more for me than it is for Mouse. She's a bit too young for a book like that, I think.
DeleteThe Teaser Tuesday book is SO up my alley!!! And I miss the days of kindergarten books but I'm absolutely loving the fact that mine is old enough to get into things like Harry Potter on his own :)
ReplyDeleteKaren - I think you might like Lost in Geeklandia. :-) I look forward to Mouse reading Harry Potter--at least I hope she'll want to. Hopefully she won't feel too pressured by her Harry Potter world loving parents . . .
DeleteI loved Cinder!! :-) here is my list: https://pageturner20.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/top-ten-tuesday-42/
ReplyDeleteLauren - I'm glad to hear it! I can't wait to read it.
DeleteCinder was great!! The sequels were good, too, but I haven't read Winter yet.
ReplyDeleteKelly - I am looking forward to reading Cinder and the sequels. :-)
DeleteGeeklandia sounds fun. I'd keep reading for sure.
ReplyDeleteBeth - It was a nice light read. :-)
DeleteI loved Northanger Abby! Very fun, and the movie was good too.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - I am looking forward to finally reading Northanger Abbey. I haven't yet seen the movie.
DeleteSue Grafton is always on my author list and I have read and loved Cinder. Mouse looks so cute. :-)
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental My TT
Sherry - I am glad to hear you loved Cinder. I hope I will too. You can't go wrong with Sue Grafton. :-)
DeleteA great list for all ages!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - Thank you!
DeleteI know Mouse is going to do great in kindergarten. My baby is so old now (29!), the school year doesn't affect me or my reading.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I think she will do well too. Just need to get her to believe that. :-)
DeleteLove the excerpts from Lost in Geeklandia. Sounds like it could be funny and heartwarming. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHeather - It was a fun read. Cute. :-)
DeleteCute books for Mouse! I loved Undertow, and always enjoy this author. Can't wait for the next one, which is...what? Y and then Z.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about your teaser, too. The character sounds interesting.
Here's mine: “THIS MUST BE THE PLACE”
Laurel-Rain - We read a few of them again the night before. She was ready to go last Monday. :-)
DeleteI can't believe Grafton's series is almost at the end of the alphabet.
Hi Wendy! What a gorgeous spin on the theme! Love it! I also like how you link up with other memes. Well played, well played. I didn't do TTT, but I did do my 100 post celebration and I've mentioned you! Here's the link: http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/08/10-x-10-1-101th-dalmation-give-it-sniff.html
ReplyDeleteMareli - Thank you for the mention! 100 posts is awesome. Congratulations!
DeleteCharlie certainly sounds uncomfortable! And I remember reading Cinders - I liked it enough (I think?) but I didn't go on to read the next book in the series :p
ReplyDeleteEustacia - She does sound uncomfortable, doesn't she? I would too. Haha
DeleteLost in Geeklandia sounds like a fun story. I'm ready for a book that makes me laugh! Also, thanks for listing all the children's books. My granddaughter starts kindergarten tomorrow, and I wish I'd bought these books for her weeks ago. She'd love them.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post features BROKEN PIECES
Sandra - I enjoyed it--and it hit the spot. Good luck to your granddaughter! I hope she is enjoying kindergarten so far.
DeleteI liked the intro and would keep reading. Loved Cinder and the rest of the series. Hope Kindergarten is all Mouse hopes it to be!
ReplyDeleteNise' - I am eager to read the Lunar Chronicles books. I hope I like them as much as so many of you did!
DeleteGreat teaser and I love the Kindergarten book choices. :)
ReplyDeleteStormi
Teaser
Stormi - Thank you! :-)
DeleteThe picture of Mouse heading into school about made me tear up! Too sweet! I love all your kindergarten choices and I think the Tornado would like the Stinkyface book - even though he is a big first grader. Read Cinder! Or if you can get the audio listen to it. I listened to Cinder and read Scarlet and really liked both of them. Can't wait to see what you think!
ReplyDeleteCatherine - I didn't do too badly on the first day. Better than I did at the Meet and Greet the Friday before anyway when I saw her name on the classroom list for the first time. The Stinkyface book is really cute. :-)
DeleteI am really looking forward to reading Cinder! And Scarlet.
That was a fun intro Wendy; I'm in for more. BTW, I loved the Kindergarten books - great ideas for this time next year when my youngest granddaughter gets ready to enter. Hope Mouse loves it.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I hope your granddaughter enjoys kindergarten! It seems like many bloggers I know have children or grandchildren starting for the first time. Such a big step.
DeleteI hope Mouse has been having a great start at Kindergarten! What a great Top Ten Tuesday selection. And, I loved the teaser too. Of course now I have that song in my head! haha...
ReplyDeleteIliana - She is enjoying herself very much, despite the rough drop-offs. :-)
DeleteGeeklandia sounds a bit like that Kate Hudson film so I'm not sure I'd continue based on having read something with so similar a premise (at least the first part).
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of preparatory books! I'm sure we've got something similar here but not so many. Best wishes to Mouse.
Yay for Northanger Abbey! I'm hoping to read Cinder at some point. I'm reading Chains of San by Jemma Wayne at the moment and would recommend it.
Charlie - How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days? Yes, I thought of that too as I read it. It's a bit different, but in a similar vein. I didn't mind though. I enjoyed it. :-)
DeleteI hope Mouse love going to school. She has some great books to help get her excited about it! I have been wanting to read Cinder forever and don't know why I keep putting it off.
ReplyDeleteCarole - She seems to be enjoying it, although the drop offs are still difficult for her. Hopefully this week will be better. I have kept putting Cinder off too. I've decided I shouldn't anymore.
DeleteI read the night before kindergarten to my class every year so far and they love it :) It's a cute one and I also love the parents crying while they watch. So true lol!
ReplyDeleteBerls - It's such a good book, isn't it? Do you do the Jitter Glitter too that you put under your pillow to help have good dreams about starting kindergarten? I thought that was so cute when Mouse came home with that.
DeleteI can't wait to hear your thoughts on Lost in Geeklandia, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Mouse is enjoying kindergarten. And, love her bag! :)
Melody - I hope to post my review soon. :-) Thank you, Melody.
DeleteI somehow missed what those last three were and thought you had lost your dang mind and were going to read Sue Grafton to Mouse!!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Haha! I don't think Mouse would be interested in Sue Grafton's book anyway. But yeah, that those last three are for me. :-)
Delete