Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

Welcome to the 7th Edition of the Book Review Blog Carnival!  Wow!!  Thank you all for your submissions.  No matter what your interest, there is something here for everybody!  We’ve got Christmas books, fiction, biography/memoir, personal finance, health care, non-fiction, young adult, middle readers and children’s books.  That’s what I love about this particular carnival:  it’s interesting to see how varied are reading interests are.

So here’s the deal:  As a thank you for visiting this edition of the Book Review Blog Carnival, I’d like to give you a holiday gift.  A $10 Amazon gift certificate.  How do you win?  Simply visit three participating blogs and leave them a thoughtful comment.  One of those blogs must be a blog that you have never visited before.  Come back here and tell me.  I’ll pick a winner on Tuesday, December 30th.

So don’t be overwhelmed by how large this carnival is, rather just pick a section that interests you and have fun!

Christmas Reads

• Tarie at Into the Wardrobe presents a book review and author interview of Christine Kringle by Lynn Brittney.  Tarie says it “stirs up Christmas memories and excitement for Christmases to come. It is a story full of good cheer, interesting tidbits about how Christmas is celebrated around the world, and Christmas spirit . . .  It’s a fun Christmas adventure – complete with interesting shopkeepers, mulled wine, a Christmas bazaar, Christmas nuts, and a female Scrooge!”
• Becky at Operation Actually Read Bible shares a book review of Keeping Holiday by Starr Meade. Becky says, “If there’s a resounding theme (or echo) to this Christmas-themed allegory it’s this: You can’t find the Founder; he finds you. He’s not just the Founder, he’s the Finder too.”
  
• Shana at Literarily reviews A Jolly Good Fellow by Stephen V. Masse “A truly heartwarming story that manages to avoid feeling light and fluffy or resorting to holiday clichés.”
• Melissa at Book Nut starts her review of A Christmas Carol by saying, “I don’t think I’m in love with the book, like Hubby (who considers it almost scripture). But, I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading it.”
• Ruth at Books Books and more Books! reviews Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris says, “Wonderfully written Christmas book! WARNING – These are not you Grandmother’s Christmas stories! (Not recommended for children either!)”
• Heather J. at Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books reviewed The Cole Family Christmas by Jennifer Liu Bryan “I loved this book! It is a wonderful tale of family love and it is well worth reading.”
• Ladytink_534 at The Movieholic & Bibliophile’s Blog reviews The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Frank L.A. Baum posted saying, “Very seldom will you find books nowadays that were written with children in mind but yet at the same time something and adult can enjoy as well but Mr. Baum does it beautifully.”
• Rebecca at Rebecca Reads gives us a great synopsis of sixteen different children’s Christmas picure books.  There’s surely one that you’ll find to enjoy.
• Amy at Amy’s Haiku Haven presents Snowmen at Night and Snowmen at Christmas by Carlayn and Mark Buehner.  How can you resist when she says, “These two books have simply become some of my new favorite Children’s books?”

Fiction

• Mansur Ahmed at Mansur Ahmed begins his book review by saying ”I cannot reveal to much about the master John le Carre’s superlative espionage novel, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, for I would be guilty of a crime unforgivable in the sanctum of literature. To even take a chance at ruining a first reading of this book is a sin of the most contemptible sort.”
• Jim Murdoch at The Truth About Lies presents When I Was Five I Killed Myself by Howard Buten and of it he says “A review of Howard Buten’s book about a young boy unjustly sent to a mental institution in America in the late 1950s that bears comparison with both Catcher in the Rye and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
• And following a review given by Jim Murdoch we have a review of a book authored by posted by Guy at Pursewarden who reviews Living with the Truth.  In the review he states, “while I was reading this excellent and absorbing novel I had a strong feeling that it had actually been written by a poet.”
• Audra at True Science Fiction reviews Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.  “Suffice it to say whether you like scifi, character studies, military dramas, or books about kids learning they don’t always have to fit in, you will like this book”
• Heather J. Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books reviews The Survivors of the Chancellor by Jules Verne.  If memory serves me correctly Heather also read Jules Verne in the last carnival.  And feel free to sing along during the review.
• Aahz at The F. Paul Wilson Project reviews Deep As The Marrow by F. Paul Wilson’s Best saying, “One part medical thriller; two parts Libertarian tract; and four parts adrenaline packed, page turning action awaits the reader in this pulse-pounding kidnap-gone-wrong adventure.”
• Jaime at Confessions of a Bibliophile reviews the book Triptych by Karin Slaughter. “This was one of my favorite books this year!”
• Nicole B. at Linus’s Blanket reviews The Five Lost Days by William Petrick. “What’s wonderful about this novel is that all the human drama and emotion is set against the back drop of civil war, the beauty of the rainforest, and a culture that moves at a much different place and with different beliefs than what the American filmmakers represent.”
• Jessica at The Bluestocking Society reviews Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery by saying, “Rereading this book and writing this review were two of my favorite book-related experiences this year.”
• Amber at Amber Stults – Book Reviewer and Author reviews the book Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell and says it’s one of the best books she’s read all year.  Go find out why.
• Enjoy science fiction?  See what The Rational Anarchist says about And He Built a Crooked House by Robert A. Heinlein “Be aware of wonder and that child living in all of us will never grow old.”
• Carrie at Books and Movies reviews The Grift by Debra Ginsberg. “I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. I stayed up until almost 1 am finishing it.”
• Alyce at At Home With Books reviews Blindspot by Jane Kamensky and Jill Lepore.   “Blindspot is at once fiction and history, mystery and love story, tragedy and farce.”
• I can’t say enough how much I loved this book, says Chris at Book-a-Rama as she reviews The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. Go find out why.
• Carrie at Books and Movies reviewed Fieldwork by MIscha Berlinksi.  “Mischa Berlinski is a journalist; Fieldwork is his first novel. That fact makes its beautiful prose and engrossing story all the more amazing.” Visit to see why Carrie thinks this is a book you should read.
• Melanie at Read Along With Teabird presents Katherine Mansfield: Marriage a la mode saying, “I did a series of re-readings based on Anne Fadiman’s book – this story of Katherine Mansfield was a re-revelation!”
• Vampires?  Witches? Ruth at Books Books and more Books! reviews Hex Appeal by Linda Wisdom saying, “Linda Wisdom has done it again! If you love vampires and witches than this series is for you! If you haven’t read the first book – I suggest that you do!”
• Beth at Beth Fish Reads reviews This Rock by Robert Morgan. Beth says “If you have read Gap Creek, then, despite its flaws, This Rock is a must read. The novel will appeal to those who like an Appalachian setting, fans of Morgan, and perhaps those who are interested in families and family dynamics.”
• Keira at Love Romance Passion presents more of a genre overview in Regency Romance versus Historical Romance. So do you know what genre Pride and Prejudice falls into?
• Clark Bjorke at  I’ll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book! reviews The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.  “The best novel I have read this year by a long mile. This is a must read if you love novels and/or dogs.”

Young Adult Fiction

• Becky atBecky’s Book Reviews says of the main character in The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher “Once you meet Alice, you’ll want to either be her, or be her best friend.”
• Fern at Booktrash reviews Panic by Jeff Abbott.  She says “A review of a fast-paced thriller by a well-known author.”  Does she recommend it?  You’ll have to visit to find out.
• Calling all Buffy fans! Stephen Shaw at Kindlelicious presents Buffy: Still Slaying After All These Years in which he reviews Dark Congress by Christopher Golden.  “My review of one of the books in the post-TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer sub-genre.”
• Betty and Boo’s Mommy at The Betty and Boo Chronicles reviews Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris. “This novel is different from my typical reading fare, both in its setting as well as the mystery genre. Favorable reviews abound on various book blogs, on Amazon, and on Shelfari.com, and mine is no exception. I enjoyed this tremendously.”
• Valentina at Valentina’s Room chooses The Blue Girl by Charles de Lintas her favorite read of the year.  “I wished I could spend all day reading it, and at the same time I didn’t want to read it too quickly so that I wouldn’t come to the end too soon.”
• Joana at The Symposium reviews Night World No.2 by L.J. Smith “which contains three stories from her popular Night World series. Stories included are Dark Angel, The Chosen, and Soulmate.”
• Jill at The Well-Read Child reviews a great new YA fantasy novel Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater.  “Maggie Stiefvater has hit a home run with her first novel, and I can’t wait to read Ballad, the sequel to Lament, which is coming out in the Fall of 2009.”

Children’s & Middle Readers Fiction

• Becky at Young Readers says of Before John Was a Jazz Giant by Carole Weatherford “I just loved, loved, loved this one! It just excites me through and through. It just works. So many things to love, so many reasons why.”  Go visit to find out why.
• Harry Potter fans!  Michele at A Reader’s Respite reviews The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rawling.  I’ve got this one on my wish list.
• Belle at Ms. Bookish reviews Savvy by Ingrid Law. Do I dare say I am really excited to have this book in the house ready to read right now?
• Are you a big kid embracing your inner child?  Rebecca Kofron presents her very own coloring book.
• Just in time for the movie, Alessandra at Out of the Blue reviews The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. “Beautifully written, this book is about love and hate, light and darkness, good and evil.”
• Stacy at Book Thirty also has always wanted to read The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo “simply because of how it’s packaged – the title font, the cover illustration, the French-inspired title, and the choppy, uneven cut of the paper edges. The little Newbery Medal seal doesn’t hurt it’s curb appeal, either.”
• NathanKP at Inkweaver Review presents Lost and Found by Andrew Clements which “teaches important lessons about honesty and friendship. It also offers an surprising view of what it is like to be a twin.”
• TZT at Children’s Books: What, When & How to Read Them presents How to Read a Book without Words (Out Loud).  “It’s not as easy as it looks to read a wordless picture book out loud to your kids and get the most out of the book. Here are a few tips on how to get kids involved in the story.”
• Ruth at Bookish Ruth presents Hillary Rodham Clinton Dreams: Taking Flight by Kathleen Krull “Beautiful watercolor art and inspiring quotations accompany Krull’s writing.”
• Sarah at SmallWorld Reads reviews The Echo Maker by Richard Power.  “I read with a thirst for shared experience and illumination, and for that, the novel was satisfying.”

Short Stories

• S. Krishna at at S. Krishna’s Books presents In the Convent of Little Flowers by Indu Sundaresan.  “A beautiful and moving set of short stories that I think anyone would enjoy.”
• Tracy at Bookroomreviews’s reviews presents Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan saying, “This was the most powerful book I read in 2008 and also my favorite book of 2008.”  I’ve read part of this book and found it interesting as well. But don’t take my word for it, go visit Tracy.

Poetry

• Jeanne at Necromancy Never Pays presents Postscript by Seamus Heaney saying, “During the holiday season, it’s easy for people (especially parents, I think) to get so busy they close themselves off from opportunities to have their hearts blown open.”

Biography/Memoir

• Kathy at Bermudaonion’s Weblog reviews When Wanderers Cease to Roam by Vivian Swift, which she says she adored.  She also says “the best thing about this book, though, is the fact that it reminds us to take delight in and be thankful for the small, everyday things in life – things like a bird’s feather, an animal’s tracks in the snow, or a shady spot in the summer. “
• Florinda at The 3 R’s: Reading, ‘Riting, and Randomness reviews But Enough About Me: How a Small-Town Girl Went From Shag Carpet to the Red Carpet by Jancee Dunn. Of the book she says, “This isn’t the best book I read this year – it’s not even FROM this year – but it was one of my most enjoyable reading experiences, and a great new author discovery for me.”  Who can resist that?
• Ali at Worducopia reviews My Father’s Paradise by Ariel Sabar.  She was hesitant to read this one at first but said “I opened the book and began to read, and immediately wondered what I’d been stalling for”
• Chris at Stuff as Dreams are Made on reviews Dream Homes by Joyce Zonana.  He says “This is one of my favorite memoirs that I read this year and I hope others can enjoy it as well!” If that’s not convincing enough,  “The book is magnificent and perfectly written with sweeping prose and intimate details that somehow relate to anyone who’s ever sought to find themselves, experienced pain or prejudice, experienced the love of one’s family, the frustration with one’s family, the growth of independence, and a passion for life.”
• Woman Tribune reviewed Remember Who You Are by Linda Carroll which “immediately caught my attention with the dedication and ultimately was the reason why I was so interested in reading her book. The dedication includes Carroll’s daughter’s names including Courtney Love and her granddaughter’s names including Frances Cobain.”

Finance

• The Smarter Wallet presents Women and Money By Suze Orman.  “Women continue to be woefully uninformed and remain hands-off when it comes to their own finances . . . [it] provides easy to follow instructions for taking control of one’s financial destiny.”
• Jim at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity reviews Towers of Gold:  How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California by Frances Dinkelspiel.”It’s not your typical personal finance book filled with advice and tips on how to invest, it’s just a story about one man’s successes in an otherwise difficult time and place.”
• Jim at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity also says Bull Moves in Bear Markets by Peter Schiff is a very pessimistic boo however, “rather than just repeat doom and gloom, Schiff outlines multiple ways to take advantage and build wealth in what seems like a wealth-destroying environment.”

• Silicon Valley Blogger at The Digerati Life presents Have No Estate Plan? Try This Guide to Wills and Trusts in which he reviews A Parent’s Guide to Wills and Trusts by Don Silver.  He says, ” It’s written without technical or industry jargon, and provides the details needed to make sense of Wills and Trusts.”  And let’s make sure that you don’t leave it all to your family pet.

• Sam at Surfer Sam and Friends presents The Four Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss “is for people who were not born rich, people who want more free time and want to live like a millionaire.”  Scared to try it?  As Yoda says, “Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”

Non-fiction

• Veronica at Viva La Feminista presents Katie Brown Celebrates. Like to entertain?  “This is a perfect book to give that someone special in your life who isn’t a Martha, but does like to entertain. Maybe that’s you!”
• Julena at Organic Makeup and Skin Care presents Complete Idiot’s Guide to Better Skin – Beware the Natural Products!.  She says “A review of a book on skin care which I certainly don’t recommend, for it doesn’t possess the basic common sense or logic in its own arguments.” I personally liked this line: “Honestly, I think the Complete Idiot’s Guide has finally lived up to its brand name.”
• Peter Jones at Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources reviews Reinventing the Lacandon: Subaltern Representations in the Rain Forest of Chiapas by Brian Gollnick as in depth look at the “rigorous work of successfully deconstructing the various representations and images the indigenous peoples of Chiapas and the Lacandon rain forest have embodied.”
• Need help studying for the IELTS?  Simone at IELTS Book Reviews reviews Barron’s IELTS (International English Langauge Translation (with Audio CD).  “The book helps you to get familiar with the test structure and teaches you how to approach IELTS tasks.”
• Madeleine Begun Kane at Mad Kane’s Political Madness reviews Dumbocray by Marty Beckerman which is a perfect gift for the political junkie in your family.
• Enjoy birdwatching?  Mike Bergin at 10,000 reviews Birding for Everyone: Encouraging People of Color to Become Birdwatchers by John Robinson in which he says “he’s one of the most influential agents of positive change in the future demographic distribution of American nature lovers.”  However, “I read it cover to cover looking for an answer that never came, at least not in the form I anticipated.”  Go visit for his full thoughts.
• Mike Bergin at 10,000 also reviews Audubon: Early Drawings and The Chamberlain Guide to Birding Gauteng.
  
• GrrlScientist at Living the Scientific Life also enjoys birdwatching.  GrrlScientist reviews the Peterson Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Roger Tory Peterson.  “No one has done more to advance and popularize birdwatching than artist and naturalist, Roger Tory Peterson, who published his first field guide to the birds in 1934 at the ripe old age of 26.”
• Grant McCreary at The Birder’s Library presents Birders Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk by Jeffery V. Wells. “Invaluable to conservation groups, and a unique resource for birders, this handbook is a critical contribution in the struggle to protect birds. It is also an eye-opener that every North American birder should have.”
• Manoj Thulasidas at Unreal Blog gathers book reviews of his first book The Unreal Universe He says, “As I’m beginning to work on my second book (Principles of Quantitative Finance, commissioned by Wiley-Finance), I felt that these thoughts on my first book might be of interest to some of you.”
• Peter Jones at Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources presents Cultural Contact and Linguistic Relativity Among the Indians of Northwestern California by Sean O’Neill.  He says, “One of the most perplexing problems in the field of anthropology over the last hundred years has been the relationship between language and culture. Does language shape culture? Does culture shape language? Further, and perhaps more interesting, does language shape our cognition, effecting the very way that we see the world?”  Visit for a indepth look into a fascinating subject.
• Drew (a bookseller in my area!) at The Bookmark at the U presents I’ve Been Googled. Is That A Bad Thing? in which he says “wow” about What Would Google Do by Jeff Jarvis.  “The scariest chapter for me, was when Jarvis re-imagined the book publishing and selling business.”
• Seriously the perfect post for my husband.  Naren Ghimire at Spiritual Pub presents 10 Books That May Guide You in Your Screenwriting Journey.  “Do you love movies? Are you passionate about writing? Do you have stories in your mind that you would like to share with everyone? For those of you about to begin their screenwriting career or to those who are already on their way to becoming a successful one, this article may prove helpful. It provides 10 books that to help you achieve your screenwriting goals.”
• GrrlScientist at Living the Scientific Life presents The Hungry Scientist Handbook: Electric Birthday Cakes, Edible Origami, and Other DIY Projects for Techies, Tinkerers, and Foodies by Patrick Buckley and Lily Binns “This is an entertaining and informative romp through twenty “kitchen science” projects.”  If you have kids, you’ll want to check this book out.
• Feeling sick after the holidays?  HighGrace at Face to the Sun reviews Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time by Pavel Somo and Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss by Joel Fuhrman.
• Akemi at Yes to Me presents Dr. Brian Weiss’ classic Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives.
• Mike at Quest For Four Pillars reviews the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.  “I highly recommend putting this book on your Christmas (or Hanukkah, or winter’s solstice) list. Its a fun, fast read.”
• Ama Lee at Feminist Review presents Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men by Michael Kimmel. ” . . . Exploring the nuances of male bonding, sports culture, and hazing. It credits feminism for helping men bounce back from their time in a pornified wasteland and offers hope that, as a culture, we can begin turning things around for young men, beginning as early as middle school.
• Myscha Theriault at Wanderlust and Lipstick presents Antarctica: Life on the Ice saying, “This is a non- fiction travel title featuring stories from people who have lived and worked in Antarctica.”
• WordLily reviews a spiritual geography entitled Dakota by Kathleen Norris.  “Well before I was half way through this 220-page work, I decided that everyone I know should read this book.”  As she says, what are you waiting for?
• Amanda CMJ at Yield To Pedestrian: All the Cool, All the Time reviews Thomas Goltz’s Chechnya Diary: A War Correspondent’s Story of Surviving the War in Chechnya. “I can’t say enough about this author and the power of this book. A highly recommended read.
• Callista at SMS Book Reviews explores why we do the things we do and what influences us in Quirkology: The Curious Science of Everyday Lives by Richard Wiseman. “I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to EVERYONE even if you don’t normally read Non-fiction. You will learn a lot about yourself!
• Cat at Quaker Pagan Reflections presents American Quaker War Tax Resistance by David Gross, saying, “In American Quaker War Tax Resistance, David Gross has created, not so much a history of Quaker war tax resistance as a source book for those who seek help discerning their leadings in this area.”
• Beth at Beth Fish Reads reviews House of Mondavi by Julia Flynn Siler.  “If this book were a novel, then the main themes would be fathers vs. sons, brothers vs. brothers, and the subjugation of women.”

Feel free to mention that this edition of the carnival is now posted.  Submit your blog article to the next edition of book review blog carnival at Bloody Kisses on January 4th using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found at the blog carnival index page.  As always, a special thank you to Clark at I’ll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book for organizing the carnival.

P.S. I had this formatted so there was spaces between each bulleted item.  So sad . . .

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