Ellie J., soon to be 5th grader, shared some of her favorite "anytime", especially summer-time reads.  Here's what keeps Ellie's nose in books: 

"One of my favorite authors by far is Andrew Clements. I love the clever ways that he organizes his books. I have also read two books by Roald Dahl, 'Matilda' and 'The Witches'. His stories also have clever plots that draw you in. I also enjoyed 'The Westing Game', by Ellen Raskin. It is about heirs trying to find the answer to the "Westing game" because whoever wins gets the inheritance. This story also has a clever story line. As you can tell, I enjoy cleverly written books. I think that they draw you in more and leave you wanting more.

I hope these help!  Ellie

p.s.  Here are some of Ellie's favorite family games to play when she is not too busy reading:

Othello
Rummikub
Rush hour (child plays by him/herself!)
Classic UNO!!
Solitaire and double solitaire
War
UNO spin
Monopoly 
Mastermind
Boobytrap

Reviewed by Ashley VonHatten- Book Worm

If ever you needed the motivation to work out then this is your book--proving that exercise not only makes you feel good, but may actually make you smarter!  While I'm not usually one to read non-fiction, this book is an entertaining look into exercise and the transformative effects on the brain--detailing amazing case studies (such as the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois, which has put this school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores).  Since finishing this book last week, I have been clocking daily thirty minute cardio sessions and even invested in a heart rate monitor (as the author recommends) to make sure that I am working out to my greatest capacity, and thus receiving all the wonderful benefits.

Now all I need is the Tracy Anderson Mat DVD and you will be able to bounce quarters off my behind!

One last summer read before it's back to school.

This heartwarming tale is told by Enzo, the family dog.  Whether or not you are a dog lover, you will love Enzo and his simple but pure perspective on family, friendship, love, loss, and life.  Stock up on tissues and dog treats!

Reviewed by Sam Alton - Movie Nerd

Combing through book and movie reviews in Time, Newsweek and the NY Times, I kept hearing about The Passage.  Finally, one of my movie nerd friends with similar tastes recommended the book whole-heartedly, comparing it to the mighty Stephen King opus, The Stand.  It's a bold comparison and I’d had enough.  I purchased The Passage with high expectations and the thrilling almost 800 page story does not disappoint.  Granted, I am a sucker for apocalyptic-government meddling-end of the world virus-good vs. evil-vampire-redemption material but it’s all in the delivery.  Is it intense? Is it hard to put down? Is there a tinge of realism to an otherwise unbelievable story?  Are the vampires what you would expect them to be, i.e., ferocious, hungry, hard to kill and maintaining a tinge of the human soul allowing them to remember (or forget?) the beings they once were?  The answers to all of these question is unequivocally- YES.  I am a busy man with three little kid, but once I picked the book up, I finished it within a week and half.  I cannot quite endorse all the comparisons to The Stand- in my mind that book remains atop the mountain as THE epic battle between good and evil- but The Passage is a great book and wonderful summer read.

Reviewed by Ashley VonHatten, Boulder, CO- Book Worm

Dr. Frank Lipman's book, Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again, is a gold mine of resources for those of use who feel depleted and run down in our daily lives.  His advice is practical and nurturing and does not make you so overwhelmed that you want to give up.  If you only take his advice on sleep you will be a happier and healthier person.  Since reading this book I have added some of his simple relaxation poses to my evening routine and the recipes in the back are delicious!  My favorite are his smoothies and marinades for chicken and fish.

"When you're running on empty, the first step can be the hardest. In Spent, Dr. Lipman provides 42 options to jump-start your body and keep it cruising."-- Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., professor and vice chair of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller YOU: The Owner's Manual

"Spent is a gold mine of life-enhancing, energy-restoring health wisdom -- all presented in easy-to-follow bite-sized pieces that go down easily. Following the instructions in this book will change your life!" -- Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom and Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom

Reviewed by Ashley, Boulder CO- Book Worm

Reviewed By Ashley VonHatten- Boulder, CO- Book Worm

"Cutting for Stone" tells the story of twin brothers, Marion and Shiva Stone.  Orphaned by the death of their mother (a nun) and the disappearance of their father (a surgeon), readers follow the lives of these brothers as they grow up in Missing Hospital in the tumultuous Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  This book has it all...love, betrayal, political revolution, and the often disturbing and gory world of medicine.