Wee Free Men: 4 Stars

Wee Free Men (A Discworld Novel) by Terry Pratchett

Tiffany Aching is a 9-year-old girl who wants to be a witch. This isn't a particularly surprising career avenue since Tiffany has always been a bit peculiar. Besides reading the dictionary like a novel, Tiffany can also see things that others cannot. This includes the Nac Mac Feegles, which are small blue fairies with Scottish accents who like to fight. They also have odd names like Rob Anybody, Daft Wullie, and No'-As-Big-As-Medium-Sized-Jock-But-Bigger-than-Wee-Jock Jock.  

After attempting to meet a witch and being left with only a talking toad, Tiffany's baby brother is kidnapped by an evil queen and Tiffany must save him. With the help of the Nac Mac Feegles, Tiffany sets off on an adventure, entering realms of the world she never new existed. 

This is one of the weirdest novels I have ever read, but considering that I learned that Terry Pratchett was a little odd after reading Good Omens, I was not surprised. This book is one of his many Discworld novels, but the first that included Tiffany Aching and was aimed for a younger audience. 

Tiffany is a wonderful character with a unique and bold personality. Being only 9, she knows that she has a lot to learn about the world, but when she thinks she is right, she doesn't hold back.  Armed with only a frying pan, she is compelled to complete her journey no matter the risks to make her granny proud. She was funny and quirky and happy to be different. I think she is an excellent role model for any young girl that might read this book. 

The book was filled with clever jokes and silliness. While I can see why some may find this too weird, I loved it. The Nac Mac Feegles add a huge helping of humor that just makes you want to giggle. I would recommend this book to anyone with an open mind. 

Rating: G 

Recommended for those who enjoy: quirky writing, fantasy, sassy female protagonists.

Dirty Chick: 4 Stars

Dirty Chick: Adventures of an Unlikely Farmer by Antonia Murphy

After living most of her life in San Francisco, Antonia and husband Peter move to New Zealand to escape into a quiet life of farming. Antonia had some experience with chickens (although, it wasn't the *best* experience) and she felt like she could tackle a life of farming quite easily. But it turns out it wasn't everything she thought it would be.

Dead chickens, escaping cows, spitting alpacas, and cute lambs that grow into ugly sheep were only the tip of the iceberg of all the problems Antonia had to face in her new life. By far the most challenging was becoming a mother of a son with disabilities and a very frolicsome daughter.

Antonia Murphy holds nothing back and she explains everything that happened to her in her first year as a farmer. This book is not for the faint of heart, as she describes in vivid detail what goes into raising animals and children. With a raw sense of humor and sarcasm pouring out of every page, she is sure to get you laughing and crying out in disgust all at once. Her wit and personality draw you into the story and make you feel like she is an old friend telling you stories around a fireplace as you sit around drinking hot cocoa. By the end of the book, you feel like you have a new friend.

The story reminded me of different experiences I had in my life, despite never having lived on a farm nor having raised children. My parents had chickens when I was a kid, which somehow made me think we were farmers. I remember watching Sesame Street one day with my brother and laughing at a clip of young kids reacting to a baby chick. I told my brother "City kids are so funny!" and my mom laughed and laughed thinking "Aw honey, you are a city kid!".

If you are looking for a light-hearted tale of one woman's journey from city kid to farmer, look no further than Dirty Chick.  You won't be disappointed.

Rating: PG-13

Recommended for those who enjoy: sarcasm, sassy female protagonists, and child rearing tales.

Remember Me? 3 Stars

Remember Me? by Sophia Kinsella

What would you do if you hit your head and woke up in a hospital three years later? You haven't been in a coma for three years; you just have selective amnesia. This happens to Lexi Smart is Sophia Kinsella's chick lit book, Remember Me? Not only can Lexi not remember the last three years of her life, but she seems to have hit it big.  She's has money, a hot hubby, and her teeth have been fixed.  She is much thinner as well. She feels like she woke up to her dream life, but soon begins to notice that things may not be as wonderful as they appear. As Lexi puts together the missing pieces of her life, she begins to see things she wishes she did not.

Another fun read from Kinsella!  Remember Me?, like most of Kinsellas books, would make a wonderful chick flick. Its a fun and entertaining book that keeps you wondering how Lexi will resolve her life. 

I will say that I became quite concerned that Kinsella was going to take this book in a direction that I wasn't sure I could stomach.  But she did a phenomenal job of taking the book a different direction.  Good job! 

Rating: PG-13

Recommended for those who enjoy: chick lit, humor, family drama, and sassy female protagonists.

Can You Keep a Secret?: 3 Stars

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

My love affair with Sophie Kinsella's books continues with Can You Keep a Secret? Her books are NOTHING like anything else I read, but I love her books.  They are fun and humorous and a great  read after heavier reads because they are so light and simple. 

In this particular book, Emma Corrigan has just made her first solo company presentation and it went terrible!  Now she is on her way home and is in a horrible, whoa-is-me mood. While nursing her wounds, she boards the plane home, a trip she is not looking forward to since she is terrified of flying. After hitting horrific turbulence, Emma confesses ALL of her secrets to the man next to her.  And wouldn't you know it, he is the OWNER of her company.  Whoops! 

Filled with adorable missteps and silly misunderstandings, this book is another chick lit book like all her others. They are like chick flicks for books. It's not my favorite of the books of hers I have read and it's rather predictable, but it was a fun read. 

I did really like that her roommate's name was Lissy.  That's my sister's name and it's not a common nickname for Melissa.  It's usually Missy or Mel. 

Rating: PG-13

Recommended for those who enjoy: chick lit, love stories, female leads, and humor.

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line: 4 Stars

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

The TV show Veronica Mars is one of my favorites of all time. Veronica (played by Kristen Bell) has such spunk and sass, while still being vulnerable and sweet.

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Then there was Logan; the brutty bad boy with a soft spot for the sassy girl.  ***swoon*** Yeah, I have a soft spot for this guy.  He won me over long before he won Veronica over. (Puka shells and all!)

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The first season was beyond brilliant/amazing and I couldn't get enough of it!  The second season was pretty great, although it wasn't nearly as good as the first.  The third season was very disappointing...and then it ended....crappily. (Ok, so crappily isn't a word, but if you saw the show, you know it's the perfect way to describe it.)

So when they announced that through Kickstarter they had funded a movie, I was beyond excited and took the opportunity to re-watch the entire series (adding a couple of sisters to my obsession).

The movie was excellent and righted all the wrongs in season three.  And there was this....

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Anyhow, the movie ended and I thought "Sad day...no more Veronica Mars".  And then, like some miracle blessing, they decided to start a book series!  This was one world/group of characters I was not ready to let go of, and thanks to Rob Thomas, I don't have to!

The book picks up right where the movie left off and didn't miss a beat. Veronica is now a private detective in Neptune...again. When a young girl goes missing during spring break, she is hired to find her and save the tourist industry. But this is easier said then done when another girl goes missing, and this time, it's a little more personal.

I loved this book! Seriously, it was awesome and didn't miss a beat. The characters we knew and loved from the series were in the book and were the same as we remember them. The author doesn't change the past at all and even brings up several plot points from the TV series and movie in the book, since they play a role in Veronica's life now. Excellent job!

I will note that this book is probably best read by fans of the show and movie. If you have seen neither, you may get a little lost/bored/not nearly as excited as me.

Rating: PG

Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries, sassy female protagonists, and humor.