Daily Archives: May 16, 2011

Nancy Drew Update

To save time and posts, here’s another update on a handful of Nancy Drew books I’ve read over the past month.

Title: The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (#25)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Finished: April 9, 2011
Pages: 178
Published: 1948
Format: Hardback

From Wikipedia: When Mrs. Putney seeks Nancy Drew’s help in recovering her stolen jewellery, the search for the thieves takes the teenage detective and her friends Bess and George to the colorful French quarter in New Orleans. But the quest is hampered by the strange behavior of Mrs. Putney and two young women who are being victimized by so-called spirits. How cam Nancy fight these unseen perpetrators of a cruel hoax? And how can she help the gullible victims when the spirits warn them not to have anything to do with Nancy? The young sleuth’s investigations lead her to a deserted old mansion called Blackwood Hall, haunted by a phantom organist. How Nancy uses her own ghost like tactics to outwit the ghost of Blackwood Hall and aids the police in capturing agroup of sinister racketeers will keep the reader tense of suspense.

It’s been long enough since I read this one that I don’t remember much but I still enjoy the Nancy Drew stories. This was no exception.

*challenges: 100+ reading challenge, support local library challenge, nancy drew challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge, spring reading challenge

Title: The Clue of the Leaning Chimney (#26)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Finished: April 9, 2011
Pages: 176
Published: 1949
Format: Hardback

When a series of pottery is stolen, leading Nancy and her friends on a search for the painter and the criminals, everything is as they least expect. A piece of property leads them right into the hands and more mystery of the very people they have been searching for. Unsure of how to proceed, Nancy once again puts herself into danger to save multiple lives and retrieve the stolen goods.

*challenges: off the shelf challenge, 100+ reading challenge, nancy drew challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge, spring reading thing

Title: The Secret of the Wooden Lady (#27)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Finished: April 24, 2011
Pages: 176
Published: 1950
Format: Hardback

Nancy is hired by a ship captain to find out the mysteries surrounding a strange visitor on his boat, as well as to find the history and help him succeed in buying the boat through legal channels. Just when Nancy thinks she may have reached the conclusion and solved the mystery of the boat and the Wooden Lady, more confusion enters the mystery and she pulls in all her friends to help.

*challenges: 100+ reading challenge, support your local library challenge, nancy drew challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge, spring reading thing

Title: The Mystery at the Ski Jump (#29)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Finished: April 26, 2011
Pages: 6
Published: 1952
Format: Hardback

When Nancy’s family is directly affected by a jewelry scam, Nancy makes it her personal goal to find out the truth behind the old lady who is stealing money for people in River Heights. Nancy and her friends follow the clues to a ski resort where Nancy befriends a young man, causing Ned to become a little jealous and her friends to become worried about their relationship and Nancy’s safety. This was a very interesting and fun mystery to read, another favorite so far.

*challenges: 100+ reading challenge, support your local library challenge, nancy drew, 11 in 11 reading challenge, monthly mix up mania, spring reading thing

Title: The Clue of the Velvet Mask (#30)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Finished: April 26, 2011
Pages: 177
Published: 1953
Format: Hardback

At a masked party, Nancy stumbles upon a new mystery when objects suddenly begin disappearing in households holding parties. When a mask is left behind, Nancy takes on the strange persona of the criminal to try and track down who is behind all the mystery. But little does she know, that the mask holds more clues than she could imagine. Another great mystery, full of fun and adventure and all her friends.

*challenges: 100+ reading challenge, support local library challenge, nancy drew challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge, spring reading thing

Title: The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (#32)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Finished: May 16, 2011
Pages: 179
Published: 1954
Format: Hardback

My most recent Nancy Drew mystery read, finds Nancy and her friends coming to the rescue of a couple locals who begin to fear for their safety when a threatening letter is left on their door.  Suddenly it becomes more a mystery as to who they can trust than how to solve the case. Mystery upon mystery follows her every step and it’s only moments before she finds herself worried for her own life in order to save everyone else.

*challenges: 100+ reading challenge, support local library challenge, nancy drew challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge, spring reading thing

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Filed under author: carolyn keene, Children

The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye (Volume 1)

Title: The Walking Dead – Days Gone Bye
Author: Robert Kirkman
Finished: April 9, 2011
Pages: 304
Published: 2007
Format: hardback

I watched the first series of this show and not long after found out about the graphic novels it was based on. How could I resist?

The story follows a cop, who after suffering a gun shot wound and nearly dying, wakes up to find the world is a different place than he last remembered.

No one is around. The hospital, streets and homes are deserted. Unsure of what to do or where to go, he finds comfort in the hope that maybe his family has survived the destruction and they will eventually be reunited.

I have plenty more books to read before I see the conclusion, but it was a great start and I look forward to reading more.

*challenges: 1st in series, new authors challenge, 100+ challenge, support your local library challenge, countdown challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge

Other Reviews: Reading With Tequila

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Filed under adapted to film, Graphic Novel

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: The Graphic Novel

Title: Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: Graphic Novel
Adapted by: Tony Lee
Finished: April 9, 2011
Pages: 176
Published: 2010
Format: paperback

This series has quickly become one of my favorites and the Graphic Novel is no exception.

Following the book adaptation closely, the graphic novel version was especially fun to read (having already read the actual book) and being able to see the graphic interpretation and photos of the story. It definitely helps bring it to life even more.

If you enjoy the series, the adaptations, or graphic novels in general this one is a great one to check out!

*challenges: monthly mix-up, 100+ reading challenge, support your local library challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge

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Filed under author: jane austen, Graphic Novel

Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon

Title: Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Author: Crockett Johnson
Finished: April 9, 2011
Pages: 256
Published: 2000
Format: Hardback

Harold and the Purple Crayon has always been one of my favorite children’s stories so when I found this collection, I couldn’t resist.

Not only does it contain the original story, but three others for enjoyment. It was so much fun to read on an early morning for the read-a-thon and I can’t wait to share it with my future kids and family.

*challenges: off the shelf challenge, new authors challenge, 100+ challenge, a-z reading challenge, 11 in 11 reading challenge

Other Reviews: Girls Just Reading

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Filed under Children

Don’t Blink

Title: Don’t Blink
Author: James Patterson
Finished: April 8, 2011
Pages: 376
Published: 2010
Format: First Edition

James Patterson is at it again with another thriller. This time, when a high profile man is killed in a crowded restaurant the only clue lies in the hands of a reporter working on a once in a lifetime story.

But little does he know how his once little bit of information will come to be the driving force for a killer or killers determined to keep him quite and the secret safe.

I always enjoy the stand alone novels because you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything if you miss one of the books. This one kept me on the edge of my seat, beginning to end, always curious about what the next curve ball was going to be and how the story would be resolved.

*challenges: mystery & suspense, 100+ reading challenge, support your local library challenge, james patterson reading challenge, 11 in 11 challenge, spring reading thing, cozy mystery challenge

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Filed under author: james patterson