Full Title:
The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels–A Love Story

Age Group:
Adult

Genre:
Non-Fiction, American, Chick-lit, Humourous, Memoir, Romance

Summary:
Popular blogger and cookbook author Ree Drummond entices readers with the passionate, true story of how she met and fell in love with her husband, whom she refers to as Marlboro Man. During a short pit stop to her childhood home in Oklahoma, then in her mid-twenties, Ree begins to plan a future move to Chicago.

A city girl at heart, and just out of a four year relationship, Ree is ready to chase a new life in a big city. But everything changes when she has a chance encounter with a handsomely rugged cowboy. The two eventually begin a whirlwind romance that will have Ree completely questioning her future. But there’s one thing she knows with all her heart- she can’t leave the new love of her life!

My Thoughts:
I could really pick apart some major flaws in this book, but I have to admit something: IT’S HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! I couldn’t put it down. It was that fairytale romance we all dream about; the one that we all wish for. And there was definitely enough meat (literally and figuratively) to fill up a whole book, beginning with Ree’s move back to Oklahoma and ending with her first year of marriage. Ree now has four children with her husband and is an infamous American blogger.

Now it’s time for me to point out some criticisms. Despite being highly readable, these are some points that eventually began to annoy me:

1. You never learn Marlboro Man’s real name until you read the dust jacket (it’s Ladd!)
2. Ree borders on being a tad too idealistic about her steamy relationship (call me a pessisimist, but I’m sure Ladd didn’t always smell amazing and look sexy after a long day working with cows on the ranch!)
3. Ree doesn’t ever work during the time when she returns home and into her years as a mother (She’s a bit too involved in her appearance and doesn’t have much career ambition)

Ok, with those beefs aside, I still really liked this book. It drew me in chapter-by-chapter. Although the book takes place in the 1990s, it felt like a throw back to simpler times, when people met face-to-face (not online!), when a man actually called you to tell you how much he enjoyed your date (instead of texting!) and when chivalry was still alive and thriving!

You gotta check out this book! Borrow The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels from your local Vaughan library today! Check out Ree’s popular cookbook too: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl.

Illustrator:
Clement Oubrerie

Genre:
Graphic Novel, Humorous, International, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Summary:
In this highly unique period piece, join Aya and her two best friends Adjoua and Bintou in a light hearted portrayal of Africa’s Ivory Coast in the golden time of 1978. The beautiful yet bookish Aya just wants to study and aspires to become a doctor one day. In contrast, her easy going friends are looking to hook up at the local maquis (a cheap place to dance and meet boys). It’s all fun and games until Adjoua finds out she’s pregnant and hastens to get married to the rich but sleazy Moussa. A hilarious twist at the end will have you giggling for sure!

My Thoughts:
Aya is a surprisingly funny novel chock full of graphics that easily convey the myriad of emotions experienced by the characters. As noted in the preface, this is a representation of Africa that we rarely see. Aya and her friends and family are like any middle class North American family. They’re average folks with intricate social networks and plenty of leisure time to play (and ultimately to get themselves into trouble!).

My only criticism would be that sometimes the scenes lacked a seamless transition. For instance on one page Adjoua would be out at the maquis dancing, and then suddenly on the opposite page we’d see Aya hanging out at Bintou’s house.

Despite the lack of segues, Aya is a silly, sweet story of adolescence. Aya herself is a respectable protaganist with admirable aspirations and friends that keep her on her toes. The characters in this story are memorable and authentic; think Coronation Street with an African flair!

Borrow Aya from your local Vaughan library today! Follow her story in Aya of Yop City and Aya: The Secrets Come Out.

Age Group:
Cross-generational

Genre:
Children’s Literature, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Social Commentary

Summary:
When the narrator’s plane crashes in a lonely Saraha desert, he finds himself in quite the pickle! But before he knows it, he’s greeted by a quirky little prince, who asks him to draw a sheep. As the narrator and the prince get to know each other, the narrator finds out about the prince’s home on an asteroid and the rose that he loves.

As the novel progresses, the narrator finds himself becoming more and more thirsty. At the same time, his friendship with the prince has grown. Eventually the prince helps him find a well and the two are able to get water. But soon after the prince becomes homesick and decides to leave planet earth to return to his asteroid, leaving the narrator quite heart broken.

My Thoughts:
A decidely quirky novel filled with many important themes of friendship, loyalty, exploration and the dangers of being too serious! First published in 1943 and with 80 million copies sold worldwide, this novel has stood the test of time! The illustrations are particularly charming and match the text well.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I found it entertaining, but also confusing at times. It was hard for me to connect to the story.  It’s the type of book that a child might have difficulty reading at home alone, but would really enjoy in the classroom with some teacher help. The language and themes are a bit advanced.

That being said, The Little Prince is one of those books that has charmed generations of readers. Borrow The Little Prince from your local Vaughan library today!