The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore

 The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore, 223 pages

I didn't have dogs growing up, so I never knew too much about their handling and care. Recently, I stumbled into dog ownership, so I decided to educate myself. 

Arden Moore's book is full of information and tips on how to train and handle your pet. The author makes it a point to reinforce training gently as opposed to using punishment, which is how I prefer to handle animals.

I have a way to go, but I feel better prepared for the journey having read this book. 

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts - 453 pages
Bk 2 - Chronicles of the One

Fallon Swift is The One.  The One destined to save the world from the evil that overtook it during the Doom when over half the population was wiped out by a magical disease and some of those who remained became magical creatures themselves.  Now that she is thirteen, she must leave her family for two years to be trained to lead her army against the evil in the world.

This is the second book in the dystopian Chronicles of The One series by Nora Roberts.  I thought it was better than the first book -- which I ended up skimming just to get the main plot points.  I think it was because this book focused on fewer characters and less world building the first book did.  It was also different in that it really didn't contain any romance in the book.

Flying Witch, v. 6 by Chihiro Ishizuka

Flying Witch, v. 6 by Chihiro Ishizuka- 176 pages

Matomi continues her training:  meeting a new witch and going on a new job.
A great addition to the series.

Flying Witch, v 2-5 by Chihiro Ishizuka

Flying Witch, v. 2 by Chihiro Ishizuka - 160 pages
Flying Witch, v. 3 by Chihiro Ishizuka - 160 pages
Flying Witch, v 4 by Chihiro Ishizuka - 160 pages
Flying Witch, v 5 by Chihiro Ishizuka - 168 pages

Makoto continues her witch training while living with her cousins. 
I am really enjoying this series.  It's fun and quick to read.  The characters are interesting to get to know.

Twin Star Exorcists, v. 5-6 by Yoshiaki Sukeno

Twin Star Exorcists, v. 5 by Yoshiaki Sukeno - 208 pages
Twin Star Exorcists, v. 6 by Yoshiaki Sukeno - 216 pages

Rokuro and Benio continue to fight Yuto but they must train harder to get the skills to beat him.  We also learn of Rokuro's beginnings at Hinatsuki before jumping forward in time after two years of training to see if they can pass the examination to take the fight to Yuto.

I am really enjoying this series.  The pacing of the reveals is great leaving you wanting to know more.  The growth of the characters is also good.  I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce - 241 pages
The Song of the Lioness Quartet - book 1

Alanna has always wanted to be a knight.  So when her father decrees that she should be sent to the convent she switches place with her twin.  He goes to the convent to learn magic while she goes to court to learn to be a knight.  It will be difficult hiding her identity and learning to keep up physically with the other male pages, but she is determined to make her dream a reality.

I first read this book back in high school when it was first published.  It was considered one of the first girl empowering fantasy series for teens.  I wanted to see if it held up to today's books.  The story was still as good and engrossing as I remember.  And for the most part, the girl power was fairly well done.  There were only a few times that I thought it was a tad dated in its views.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
The Grisha, book 1

Alina and Mal have always been together -- as small children in the orphanage and then as draftees in the army.  That all changes when Alina somehow saves everyone by summoning sunlight while trying to cross the Fold.  She is whisked off to become a Grisha.  She is the one who will be able to finally destroy the Fold and end war for her country.
I have been hearing rave reviews about this book for years.  I don't know why I never picked it up until now.  I'm sorry I waited.  This book was great.  I loved it.  Even though there was a lot of intrigue and story going on it was still a very quick read.  I can't wait to read book two.

Bleach, v. 59-60 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.59: The Battle by Tite Kubo - 192 pages
Bleach, v.60: Everything But the Rain - 192 pages

Ichigo's training to increase his power and restore his zampoktu is not going well.  He sent away from the Soul Society to discover the truth of his past and his mother.
I really enjoyed these two issues in the Bleach series.  It answered the questions about Ichigo's mother and father and their powers.  It also answered the question of exactly where Ichigo's powers came from. 

Bleach, v.51 by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.51: Love Me Bitterly, Loth My Sweetly by Tite Kubo - 188 pages

After discovering that Orihime has been attacked by the mysterious Tsukishimu, Ichigo intensifies his training using Yukio's talent of creating alternate realities.
Another installment in the series.

Bleach, vol. 50: The Six Fullbringers by Tite Kubo

Bleach, v.50 by Tite Kubo - 192 pages

Ichigo discovers that Ginju wants to restore his Soul Reaper powers to him.  After several of his friends are attacked, Ichigo decides to work with Ginju and the other Fullbringers in the hopes of being able to save his friends.