Zemek's Updates

Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen

Karen & gerard — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:27:08 GMT

Stranded by Ben Mikaelsen is a young adult fiction book about a Jr. High girl who has lost her foot in an accident and finally gets accepted at school when everyone hears about her saving two whales. The story delves into her feelings about her parents separation, school, fears of what others think about her and how she finally accepts herself. In reading this book, I learned a bit more about whales and liked the theme that was not to judge people by how they look on the outside, but to look deeper at who people really are. Her special relationship she had with the whales was interesting. I enjoyed this light, fast read very much. I think the author did a fantastic job at getting inside the head of a young girl.

The Associate by John Grisham

Karen & gerard — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:14:14 GMT

The Associate by John Grisham is definitely a page-turner that kept my interest all through but was a bit of a let down in the end. Kyle, a first-year associate at a big New York law firm was being blackmailed to steal confidential information from the firm he worked for and struggled to find a way out. It demonstrates how one's past can come back to haunt them. I enjoyed this book even though the story line seemed far-fetched to me and there were several loose ends. I recommend this to anyone who likes some suspense and enjoys reading about lawyers. Since I work for a law firm, perhaps that's why I could relate to the main character and got into this book. I found it to be entertaining.

Love Dare by Stephen & Alex Kendrick

Karen & gerard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:46:42 GMT

Love Dare is a handbook that I think would benefit any marriage. After seeing the movie, "Fireproof" I was curious to check out the book that was used in the movie. It gives a scriptural basis for 40 practical things to do to strengthen your marriage. The idea is to do one of the challenges each day and then of course continue to integrate them into your life. Some I found to be hard, others easy and most we already do. I especially liked the 20 questions listed in the back to help me get to know my spouse better and assist me in discovering his needs. I recommend this to any husband or wife. I think anyone could improve their marriage if they followed the suggestions in this book.

Fireproof and the Love Dare

Movie "Fireproof" and Dinner

When The Game Was Ours by Jackie MacMullan

Karen & gerard — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:00:20 GMT

This is a slam dunk winner! (500 stars)

When The Game Was Ours by Jackie MacMullan follows the lives and basketball careers of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. I did not expect this book to be this good. It's awesome! There is lots of inside stuff about Bird and Magic that I did not know and lots and lots of opinions from Bird and Magic and the players and coaches with whom they had contact! Very interesting! I really encourage you to read this book if you like basketball. It's one of the best sports books I've ever read!

--Gerard

How To Speak Cat by Sarah Whitehead

Karen & gerard — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:57:55 GMT

How To Speak Cat by Sarah Whitehead is a colorful, easy-to-read book with lots of good information on how to get along with cats including some games to play with them and some things you can teach them with simple step-by-step instructions. Great for kids to learn how to treat and understand cats.

Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer

Karen & gerard — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:46:51 GMT

Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer tells the story of Pat Tillman, the NFL player who gave it all up to join the fight in Afghanistan. The two best parts of this book to me were the early years of his life, which I knew nothing about, and when he got to Afghanistan. The author really gives great insight into Pat. His thoughts especially make for very fascinating reading.

--Gerard

Why Can't U Teach Me 2 Read? by Beth Fertig

Karen & gerard — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:45:28 GMT

Why Can't U Teach Me 2 Read? by Beth Fertig tells the story of three people who got out of the school system barely being able to read at all. They finally get help. Some of the book is dry reading but the part that deals with the three people trying to read and understand what they read makes for riveting reading. (30 stars)

--Gerard

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Karen & gerard — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:20:12 GMT

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks is an interesting romance involving a single mom who took care of her elderly mother and helped her with the kennel, and a vet who felt the photograph he found of her in Iraq brought him luck so wanted to find her because he felt he owed her. He walked across the country with his dog to find her and had a little run-in with her ex who happened to be the Sheriff. He also had a dog who traveled with him which added to the interest of the story for me. This was a good read if you’re looking for a light family type story with some suspense tossed in. I liked it!

Game Six by Mark Frost

Karen & gerard — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:12:05 GMT

Game Six by Mark Frost is an awesome book! Being a diehard Red Sox fan, I just had to read this book. It’s about the greatest World Series game ever played: Boston vs. the Reds. The whole book focus is on this game. What makes this book for me is the background on the players who played in this game. The writing is superb! It feels like you are right there. I really enjoyed this book a lot and recommend it to any Red Sox fan.

--Gerard

Life's That Way by Jim Beaver

Karen & gerard — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:11:57 GMT

A POWERFUL BOOK! DON'T MISS IT! (800 stars)

Before I get started on my review, please pray for Jim Beaver and his daughter, Maddie. Life's That Way by Jim Beaver is probably the most emotional book that you will ever read. Do not expect to just breeze through it because it is too emotional and gut wrenching. It’s also a fantastic and tender love story. There are so many reasons to read this book. This book is a collection of emails that Jim sent to family and friends when his wife, Cecily, was diagnosed with lung cancer. It got turned into a book! You will feel so many emotions while you read this book. Anyone will be able to relate to what Jim went through and is still going through. You will remember this book long after you finish reading it. I highly recommend you read Life's That Way!

--Gerard

Our Boys by Joe Drape (50 stars)

Karen & gerard — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:59:27 GMT

I really enjoyed Our Boys: A Perfect Season On The Plains With The Smith Center Redmen by Joe Drape. It is about the Smith Center Redmen led by their coach, Roger Barta. It is located in a small town of Kansas, but this book is so much more. You see how the whole town gets behind "Our Boys" and you get to know the players and the assistant coaches as well. You will get caught up in this book right from the start and feel the excitement all the way to the end! It's a good read and I recommend it.

--Gerard

Old Dogs Are The Best Dogs by Gene Weingarten

Karen & gerard — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:50:07 GMT

I LOVED OLD DOGS ARE THE BEST DOGS by Gene Weingarten! If you have a dog, thinking of getting a dog, or unfortunately, just lost your dog, read this book! It’s wonderful! The pictures alone are enough for you to get this book. They are fantastic and in the stories about each dog, you can just feel the love the owners have for their dogs! I’m so glad I read this book and you will be too!

--Gerard ( I give it 138 stars, one for each page!)

Spooner by Pete Dexter

Karen & gerard — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:02:34 GMT

Spooner is a novel about a boy named Spooner. I especially enjoyed the early part of his life through his high school years. This book hops around a bit after that, but overall, it’s quite a remarkable fiction story! The other characters in the book are very interesting for the most part.

--Gerard (10 stars)

The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

Karen & gerard — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:12:26 GMT

I would think The Neighbor is more of a woman's book, but I read it and enjoyed it. It's a fiction story about a woman who disappears one night, all signs point to foul play and to her husband. This book is a real page turner! The characters are very believable. I have to admit, the ending surprised me very much! I highly recommend you read this book.

--Gerard

Big Little Life by Dean Koontz

Karen & gerard — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:52:53 GMT

First off, this is a MUST READ for all dog lovers. "Big Little Life" is a true story of the author, Dean Koontz, who gets a C.C.I. dog by the name of Trixie. You will know what kind of special dog these are when you read the book. you will fall in love with Trixie and also learn things about Dean Koontz that you did not know. The book moves pretty fast and I found it very entertaining. Enjoy!

--Gerard