Winding Down

With only 2 1/2 weeks of school left, I've started winding down things in the library.  Started pushing for library books to be returned, working on repairs, thinking about inventory -- all those end of the year things.  I looked over at my pile of books read, but not blogged about and cringed.  Did I really let myself get that far behind?!?  Yep, I have about 20 books waiting in that pile.  I guess I need to add blog posts to my "to do" list as well.

With the year ending, I start thinking towards summer and the time I'll have for summer reading.  I'm building a list of TBR for the summer and, once again, I'm getting overloaded by all the possibilities.  I see and hear about loads of new books that I want to read, not to mention all the books I already have in my TBR.  Where to start?  I will be reading the 2010 - 2011 Lone Star Books over the summer, since I haven't read most of them yet.  Other than that, it'll be whichever book my hand grabs off the shelf, I guess.  Any recommendations?

Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume 1 by Mia Ikumi & Reiko Yoshida

In my neverending quest for more manga titles to acquire in my library, I'm reading just about any that are recommended to me. One such title was Tokyo Mew Mew, especially recommended for younger readers.

Ichigo is on a date with Masaya, one of the cutest boys in school. Too bad her took her to a museum to see an exhibit on endangered species. So boring, but Ichigo is willing to overlook this, because Masaya is so cute and sweet. While at the museum, Ichigo and four other girls accidentally become part of an experiment when the DNA of some of those endangered species is inserted into them. It causes the girls to have some of the characteristics of the animals. Ichigo is the first of these girl to be recruited to help fight the Kirema animas (creatures infected by aliens), but first she must find the other girls like her.

I'm curious about Tokyo Mew Mew's premise, and will read more in the series to see how the story develops. I can foresee lots of exciting possibilities with battles and the relationship dynamics. I'm already annoyed by the sweetness/cuteness overload, but I'm not surprised to find it in this series. I doubt it'll bother other readers like it does me. In fact, many may find it endearing.

I have lots of hopes of the story getting stronger as it continues, and I'm glad to find something else to add to my manga collection. I give this a C+ with hopes that the next volume may even be worth a B.

The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen by M.T. Anderson

I've wanted to read The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen for a long time. It's been so long since I put it on my TBR list, that I can't remember the exact reason why I put it there. Possibly, I read a great review or received a recommendation from a student. Anyway, I was eager to delve into the story and looking forward to a funny, entertaining story.

Three friends, Lily, Jasper and Katie, travel to a ski lodge for a vacation. What's so unusual about the trio is that each stars in his or her own series of children's books. When they arrive at the resort lodge, they discover that other stars of children's book series are also guests there. When the Hooper Quints are kidnapped, a priceless necklace is stolen, and some of the lodge's mounted animal heads go missing, the friends determine to solve each of the mysteries.

The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen missed meeting my expectations by a long shot. What I thought was an hilarious premise ended up just a stupid story. I honestly don't think young readers today would understand much less appreciate the references and homage to children's book series of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Even I, who at least could recognize the references, really didn't 'get' it. I just kept wishing for the end of the story to get there as fast as possible, so I could be done. This is one I won't be recommending, a 'D' grade from me.