43:100 The Maiden Poodle by S.G. Browne

Felina had been at peace for many years with dogs and cats living and working together side by side but when the Queen died, her son stole the throne, proclaimed himself King Griffen, and started forcing the peasant dogs to work in even crappier conditions for dirty water and stale bread. Of course, a revolution was going to start but King Griffen has imprisoned any that dares to speak against him including Camille, a black poodle from a far away land who has powers of the mind not seen in Felina.

Now only a small band of rebels remain to try and stop the tyranny but they will need help from others, along with some magic and a dose of luck, if they are to succeed before Camille and the King's sister who was caught trying to help Camille escape before they are put to death.

A sweet children's tale of dogs and cats living together, without it being mass hysteria.  It's definitely a bit of a departure from Mr. Browne's usual work but it was nice to be able to share this author with my younger kids who also really enjoyed it.

Page count: 104p/7,480p ytd/299,501p ytd

42:100 Dr. Eleventh originated by Roger Hargreaves written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves

I can't remember if I had the Mr. Men/Little Miss books when I was little but I definitely remember reading them to my younger brothers when they were little and really enjoying them.  I was very happy when I was able to find them to read to my children.  Imagine my absolute delight when I found this mash-up of them with Doctor Who!  (Seriously, anyone who knows me knows my love of Doctor Who)  I admit to not being as familiar with the older generation of Doctors as I am with the new series (starting with 9) but I have seen a bit of them as I was growing up and as my kids have been enjoying them as well as the newer stuff.

For Dr. Eleventh, it fell flat for me.  I was really looking forward to it as it was him with River Song, one of my favorite companions of all time, and it just didn't work the way it should have.  Her character's voice was just wrong and it threw the whole story off for me.


Page count: 32p/7,376p ytd/299,397p lifetime

41:100 Dr. Fourth originated by Roger Hargreaves, written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves

I can't remember if I had the Mr. Men/Little Miss books when I was little but I definitely remember reading them to my younger brothers when they were little and really enjoying them.  I was very happy when I was able to find them to read to my children.  Imagine my absolute delight when I found this mash-up of them with Doctor Who!  (Seriously, anyone who knows me knows my love of Doctor Who)  I admit to not being as familiar with the older generation of Doctors as I am with the new series (starting with 9) but I have seen a bit of them as I was growing up and as my kids have been enjoying them as well as the newer stuff.

For Dr. Fourth, it was a fun romp with him and Sarah Jane and I could absolutely hear their voices in my head as I read.


Page count: 32p/7,344p ytd/299,365p lifetime

40:100 Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a writer for the "The Atlantic". He is also a black man who was born, grown up, and now fathered a black son here in America.  He has studied, he has read, he has lived this reality and he is able to put into powerful words what it means to be black in America, now and throughout history.  Looking at how little the black life has been valued throughout our Nation's history, how little it is still valued. How the black body does not truly belong to the person who inhabits it as that person must always be mindful of how others would take it from them.  That is a point that he comes back to throughout this work since from the time the African people were brought here to be slaves for the whites to today when the police can murder a black man with no cause and no consequences, this has been too true.  Mr. Coates examines the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and others and shows how this is the result of centuries of oppression and devaluing of black lives.  He is thoughtful, insightful, and passionate in his writing.  As a white woman, there are many of his experiences that I have not lived through and admit that I cannot fully comprehend but I am trying to learn, to understand at least a little in how things work in our current environment and how to try and not be part of the problem so that with more understanding I can try and be part of the solution of true equality for all.  We are so far from that and for so long I was too blind to see that.  Thank you Mr. Coates for your writing and your teaching, for helping to open my eyes.



Page count: 152p/7,312p ytd/299,333p lifetime

39:100 The Fennigsan's Challenge by Stefon Mears

When you are a noble's fourth son, your life seems to be pretty superfluous. You aren't in line to inherit, you aren't promised to the gods, you aren't even the back-up any more.  Lloxup is tired of feeling this way and this latest failure has just reminded him, yet again, of how much he doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

That's when he sees what he is sure is the first sign of the path leading to the Fennigsan, the Dark Witch of the Woods, who will grant your wish if you can beat the challenge she sets you.  Not that he knows of anyone who has done so, and those that fail don't come back to tell tales, but he also figures at this point he has nothing to lose.

Let the Challenge begin!

A fun take on a standard trope.



Page count: 25p/7,160p ytd/299,181p lifetime

38:100 Dr. First (originated by Roger Hargreaves) by Adam Hargreaves

I can't remember if I had the Mr. Men/Little Miss books when I was little but I definitely remember reading them to my younger brothers when they were little and really enjoying them.  I was very happy when I was able to find them to read to my children.  Imagine my absolute delight when I found this mash-up of them with Doctor Who!  (Seriously, anyone who knows me knows my love of Doctor Who)  I admit to not being as familiar with the older generation of Doctors as I am with the new series (starting with 9) but I have seen a bit of them as I was growing up and as my kids have been enjoying them as well as the newer stuff.

For Dr. First, I remember this Doctor as being a gruff curmudgeon and this book delightfully captured that in true Mr. Men style. 


Page count: 32p/7,135p ytd/299,156p lifetime

37:100 Velveteen vs. the Junior Super-Patriots by Seanan McGuire

Velma spent a good part of her "childhood" as Velveteen, a member of the Junior Super Patriots West-Coast division, a super hero who could bring stuffed animals and toys to life to do her will.  Her every move, piece of clothing, and word coming from her mouth were scripted by the Marketing Division. 

Until she turned 18 and she quit.

Now she is trying to find a way to make ends meet without using her super powers while evading the attempts of the Super Patriots to bring her back into the fold.  Marketing simply does not give up one of their stars.  Her best bet is to get out of California and into Oregon who is not bound by the rules of the Super Patriots, West Coast division.  She knows that getting there won't be easy but she didn't realize just how dirty Marketing was willing to play.

This story is what you get when the superhero just wants to be left alone, to have a "normal" life, and not be part of any team.  This is the less glamorous side of the superhero story.  This is brilliant.


Page count: 200p/7,103p ytd/299,124p lifetime