The Bone Collector (A Lincoln Rhyme Novel) by Jeffrey Deaver has been sitting on my shelf for a long time - maybe even years. I finally dusted it off and forced myself to find the time to read. The things moms need to sacrifice!

I am so glad I did. Let’s just say this book isn’t for everyone. But if you are a CSI or Law and Order buff like me - you will love it. There are a lot of crime scenes involved described in gory detail. But I love a good mystery. And by the end of this story every t was crossed and every i dotted. I really hate loose ends and there were none here. This is the first novel by Jeffrey Deaver that I have read so I am pleased that I “discovered” this author before summer was underway.

Oh yes, I am picturing lazy days at the beach pouring over novel after novel. A mirage, I know. But if you can carve out a little “me” time and take a break from all those mommy obligations, this book is well worth the time.

Just read this over at Boing Boing - there is a new anthology of science fiction stories for kids called The Starry Rift. Two of my sons are big sci-fi fans so this book caught my interest.

Now that the Harry Potter series is complete, there is a summer reading void that I need to fill. The Starry Rift features authors such as Neil Gaiman, Steven Baxter, and Boing Boing’s own Cory Doctorow.

I don’t know much more about this book but it will probably make for some good summer reading. If you have read this and/or have an opinion to share - I would love to hear it!

How Hooked on Phonics helped my Children Learn How to Read

Every child is different, with different strengths and different weaknesses. Having four children, I know this firsthand. When it comes to learning, these differences stand out even more. My first two children were what I would call average early learners. They seemed to be right on target with their classmates. The learned to read and write and do math right along with everyone else. They loved to read, once they learned how. To this day they are voracious readers and enjoy reading for fun. No issues. Easy.

When it came time for my third child to begin reading, we were in for a shock. Reading did not come easily to him. Try as we might we could not spark an interest. That is when we discovered Hooked on Phonics. (No, this isn’t an infomercial telling you that due to Hooked on Phonics he became a reading sensation overnight.) Even today, he remains what can be referred to as a reluctant reader. He doesn’t read “for fun” and much prefers video games to books. But due in large part to the Hooked on Phonics system - he can read. Whether he chooses to or not is a different story. This son of mine is doing fine in school and keeping up with his class. We started with the Kindergarten Hooked on Phonics and followed up with the first grade series. The best part was that he enjoyed the activities and did not resist the work. The included audio CD’s made it easy for him to work on his own if I could not sit down and work with him. (three other kids can be a bit distracting.)

My fourth child is still in preschool. Not wanting to experience the same difficulties with her, I purchased the Preschool Hooked on Phonics system last year. Thankfully, she seems to have an affinity towards reading and took to it right away. She loved playing the games, letter bingo was her favorite. And we quickly finished that program before the year was out. She is now halfway through the kindergarten Hooked on Phonics program. (keep in mind that she is still in preschool) She knows all her letters - both upper and lower case. And she is reading simple books. We are taking the program slow, we work on it a few times a week. If it seems to difficult for her we put it away and come back to it later. This way learning to read remains fun for her.

I have been through all kinds of different workbooks and systems over the course of four kids, and have to say that Hooked on Phonics is my favorite learning system. All the tools are provided in one useful package that kids enjoy and parents love. I have just become aware of two coupon codes that you can use with the previous link: save 20% on all orders with code SAVE20 or receive a free activity kit with any purchase over $50 - code FG7009. I am not sure for how long these codes are valid. Many of my friends have commented on my daughter’s reading abilities, so I just wanted to share with you what worked for me.

I just spent the weekend reading Double Cross by James Patterson. If you like mysteries or thrillers, this is a good read for a busy parent. The book is easy to follow and you can finish it quickly even if you are interrupted, like, a million times.

If you have read James Patterson before, you will be familiar with the main character in Double Cross- the infamous Alex Cross. You will also know the bad guy Kyle Craig. But Double Cross offers not one but two killers, is the second killer connected to Kyle Craig? You must read to find out.

At the beginning of the book, Alex Cross has left the world of crime fighting in search of a more “normal” life with his family and his new lady friend - Brianna Stone. But guess what, she’s a cop - so it’s easy to figure out that Alex will be drawn back in. Alex has also made enough ememies in his past life that you know they won’t leave him alone.

So, Alex Cross’ idyllic life is interrupted by a crazy killer that likes to commit murders in front large groups of people, “audiences”, if you will. And somehow he manages to get away several times.

Meanwhile, Kyle Craig, Alex’s old friend turned ruthless murderer is in a high security prison halfway across the country. But yet somehow he seems connected.

To see how Double Cross unfolds, pick up a copy for yourself. Because the story is written in such a predictable manner, you can pick it up and put it down often without losing your train of thought. Yet there are a few surprises that keep the pages turning. Double Cross is classic James Patterson.