Fave Children's Stories in our House o'Books

First, I'd like to mention that my interview with Jennifer at Independent Paranormal posted today.    


Second, and completely unrelated to the above, I've been thinking about how much time my husband and I spend reading to our kids.  It's a lot and we love it.  We get through the books rather quickly and, as a result, have amassed a ridiculous number of children's books over the past seven years.  Luckily, a majority of them still get decent attention.  I think it's because these are not only books that my kids enjoy, but books that my husband and I enjoy as well.  In no particular order, here's a list of our current favorites --


Wind in the Willows
Chronicles of Narnia
Knuffle Bunny, Knuffle Bunny Too, Knuffle Bunny Free (the last one chokes me up every time)
The Nutcracker (original story)
Peter Pan
I'm Bad, I Stink, I'm Dirty
Angelina Ballerina books
Madeline (mostly Madeline's Rescue)
all of Julia Donaldson's (we are suckers for rhyming couplets)
all of Roald Dahl's (my 6-year old likes all of his books and has re-read them many times, but my 4 year old isn't ready yet, although she likes The Magic Finger)


We have a boy and a girl and these books seem to cross gender lines as well as age lines.  If you haven't read any of these to your kids or you need book ideas for other children, I highly recommend any of these.






       

Real, Actual Reviews by Strangers!

So two awesome reviews have posted this week and I couldn't be happier.  Please check out the Book Nook Club and Forever Young Adult for their perspectives on Winterborne.

I also have a guest post up today on The Book Butterfly about past fictional characters most welcome in my fantasy lit world.

I promise to do a proper post of my own very soon!

I'm A Guest Post-er

I'd just like to encourage you all to check out my first guest post today over on Fantastic Book Review.  Thanks to Tina for being ahead of the pack!  


Also, Winterborne is now officially available through iBookstore.  Get thee to an Apple product.

Glee-ful

I know those of us across the pond are a few episodes behind when it comes to Glee (and entire seasons behind for certain other shows, sadly).  I must admit that I'm a little wary about the whole venturing into original songs territory.  I was bothered enough by the idea of Mr. Shue's solo career outside of the show (Matthew Morrison is awesome, but he's definitely of the ensemble or duet variety).  Now I have to be subjected to songs I can't sing along to during the show.  My husband may find this turn of events a great relief, but I would rather endure another Journey song than listen to a song about slushies.  Unless by some stroke of luck Joss Whedon is writing these songs, then let the original songwriting commence and all rejoice!  


I hope that these originals (not to be confused with Vampire Diaries 'Originals,' a topic for another day) continue to get mixed in with songs I know.  While I'm on the subject, here is my list for Ryan Murphy (should he ever decide to visit me here) of songs I'd like to see covered by the Gleesters, including but not limited to --


Lost in Love by Air Supply (that's right, folks.  I said it and I won't unsay it.)
any Beastie Boys but I'm partial to Brass Monkey
Love Shack by the B-52s
Just Like Heaven by The Cure
The Gambler by Kenny Rogers 
more Neil Diamond, please.  
Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls
Vacation by the Go-Gos
and Rachel needs to bust out the Pat Benatar


I'd also like to give a big high-five to Kristin Chenowith, John Stamos and Gwyneth (no Paltrow necessary).  They are welcome on that show any time; they're amazeballs.


I understand that I am stuck in an 80's/early 90's time warp when it comes to music I'd like featured on Glee.  That's because they already do a great job of current hits, so I'm simply stepping up for the oldies who like to get their Glee on.  Peace out.    

Bite Me

I have a confession to make.  It has nothing to do with the marker stains on the couch (that was my 4-year-old, trust).  The big reveal is -- I have not read any of the Twilight books.  Once you get your gasp in check, there's more.  I haven't read any Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Vampire Academy, Interview with a Vampire, Dracula or any of the legion of vamp-inspired books that are omnipresent in today's lit landscape.  Not a single one.  You can pretty much rest assured that if fangs and human blood are an integral part of the plot, I haven't read it.  It's not a conscious choice.  I don't see those titles and wrinkle my nose in disdain.  With my limited time, I tend not to gravitate to our pasty pals when it's book-choosing time.      


Curiously, I have seen many of the films and television shows.  I happily sat through the first three Twi-movies (okay, one was on a plane so it was more 'uncomfortably' than 'happily').  I am a voracious viewer of Vampire Diaries and True Blood.  I still worship at the altar of Buffy and Angel.  I've also seen Interview with a Vampire and Dracula more than once.  I am an avid reader, I swear.  When it comes to my fantasy reads, however, I prefer pretty much anything but the fang gang.  I like me some superpowers, mythological creatures, even depressing dystopia.  Give me your werewolves, your faeries, your huddled masses of magic-folk yearning to practice the black arts freely.  Sorry vampires, you are so not invited in.