Jinxed (Jinxed, 1)

Lacey has always wanted to work for Moncha as a companioneer, someone who builds bakus. Bakus are the newest in technology, a cross between a smartphone and an animal. Her first step is to get into Profectus, the academy that will help her accomplish her goal.  But then she’s rejected, and her dream shatters.

After a baku shopping trip gone wrong, Lacey finds a heap of metal she realizes is a baku. Once she repairs the cat baku that she names Jinx, her life changes for the better.  Jinx gets Lacey into Profectus and helps her win new friends and many a baku battle.

Slowly, Lacey begins to realize Jinx isn’t like other bakus. He doesn’t always listen to her commands, and he appears to have a personality. Lacey realizes that Jinx is part of a secret that could destabilize everything Moncha stands for and that there are people out to destroy him.

Can Lacey and Jinx find their happy ending? I thought this book had a fun, engaging, and unique storyline. I also liked the characters and relationships, along with the cliff-hangers that always make you want to know what happens next. I am eagerly anticipating the final book in this series!


Unleashed (Jinxed, 2)

Unleashed is a great novel set in a world in which most pets have been replaced by Bakus, robotic animals that help with people's everyday lives.

Lacey Chu wakes up in a hospital, unable to remember what happened to her. All she knows is that her level-three cat Baku, Jinx, is gone. Without a level-three Baku, she must transfer to a different school. One day, when her mom comes home from work, Lacey notices that she is acting differently. She is about to leash her level-one Baku for an update when Jinx returns. He tells her about a plot by Eric Smith to remove everyone's ambition, forcing them to be happy with what they have. With the help of their friends, Lacey and Jinx attempt to find Monica Chan and undo the update.

I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with cool technology and interesting locations. I really liked reading about all the different Bakus. It was also very well written. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth grade to ninth grade.


A Mother is a House

A Mother is a House by Aurore Petit is a deceptively simple book about all the things a mother is and all the things a mother does. “A mother’s a shell, a moon before dawn/a mother is gentle, the port in a storm.” The words are quiet but deeply meaningful- starting with the phrase “a mother’s a house”, and ending with “a mother’s a home”. The gentle text is paired with bright charming illustrations that start with an expectant couple and end with the baby learning to walk.  Originally published in French, this translation captures the essence of the original while creating a melodic poem.

This book is a lovely chronicle of a baby’s first year- the early days, separation anxiety, first foods, the good moments, and trying ones. A Mother is a House would make a great baby shower gift. It’s different from other baby books, and a great way for mother and baby to see their journey together.


Life-Size Animals: An Illustrated Safari

Youngsters are crazy for animal books, and this big (15.25 X 11.5 inches), beautiful book is sure to capture the interest of anyone who gets their hands on it. The gorgeous illustrations, in many cases, are life-size. But it isn’t just pictures of animals, it is illustrations of different animal parts. One spread compares the long, long tongues of seven different animals while other spreads compare claws, strange teeth, the size of eggs, unusual tails, different kinds of bats, giant insects and moths, frogs and toads, big and small spiders, sizes of eyes, and more. Each illustration has a short text block with excellent information about the illustration. The only caveat is some of the measurements don’t indicate just how they are made — i.e., what are the starting and ending points and direction of the measurement, and some measurements are off. Readers will find this confusing, especially when in comparative illustrations. This is particularly glaring on the eggs spread. Readers who measure the illustrations will find many are incorrect. That said, this is a book that will get young readers involved and learning and will be read over and over.


Life Among the Terranauts

From the opening short story “The Sleep” to the closing title story, Caitlin Horrocks’s latest collection Life Among the Terranauts is a brilliant and dazzling look at the deepest ways we are flawed and how we try to cope with our brokenness.

Horrocks’s characters are imperfect in honest ways and achingly familiar. In “Teacher”, a woman comes to terms with being unsurprised that her former student turned out to be violent. “Chance Me” sees a father attempting to reconnect with his son only to realize the boy’s strengths lie in all of what the father has lost. For people who grew up in the 1980s, “On the Oregon Trail” is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. And that intersection of humor and pain is, ultimately, the gift of this collection.

Life Among the Terranauts is the kind of book you want to start over the minute you finish the last page and you want to gift to everyone you know so that you can talk about it. It is a truly exceptional book.


Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax

Introducing Goldie Vance, part-time detective! Goldie is excited about the newest event being hosted at the Crossed Palms Resort, the League of Magical Arts Convention. She sees this as the perfect opportunity to make new friends and solve exciting mysteries. Goldie also has big plans for her first date with Diane, her crush.

The only blot on the occasion is Derek Von Thurston, the son of one of the most famous magicians. Goldie finds him more than a little bit annoying, but he becomes an asset in solving the resort’s newest mystery: some of the magicians’ most valuable props are going missing! Goldie knows this is more than simple misplacement; this is sabotage! Can Goldie and her friends uncover this tricky fiend before all the acts are ruined, along with the magicians’ reputations?

I liked this book’s charm and humor, along with the characters. I had a great time reading along with Goldie as she solved clue after clue and was pleased with the big reveal at the end! It was fun for me to mentally run through who might have done it, and I will definitely be reading more Goldie Vance books!


A Stranger at the Door (A Rachel Marin Thriller Book 2)

Rachel Marin is doing well in her new life. Since catching a killer in the previous book, her new relationship is going great, as is her new career as a forensic consultant to the Ashby PD. In her family life, things aren’t so great, mostly due to her teenage son, Eric, who is struggling to deal with his problems. To make matters worse, one of Eric’s teachers is brutally murdered right after he sends an email to Rachel expressing the desire for her help with an issue involving some of his students. As she’s investigating, Eric gets recruited by a shady businessman and an old acquaintance shows up, threatening to expose her secrets. It could mean the end of the life that Rachel has built and also spell danger for all those she loves.

I loved the first Rachel Marin story; I liked this one less. Rachel is a great character, with her toughness and sarcastic manner, but she came off as a little bit less likable this time around. The actual plot was not explained very well. Overall, this book is an okay edition to the series, although readers should maybe stop at book one or just hope the next one’s better.


Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You're Really F*cking Hungry

Foodie Roundup

Whether you’re looking to host a sophisticated soirée, brew up a hearty one-pot stew, take a walk on the culinary wild side, rush through some complex-looking fare, or craft the perfect hangover cure, these five cookbooks have everything you could possibly need to succeed in your gastronomic endeavors.

The Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection by Weldon Owen

The Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection, which includes The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook and The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Cookbook, shows readers how to recreate some of the delectable food and drink featured in the hit Downton Abbey television series and film. Featuring over a hundred and forty recipes for delightful afternoon treats as well as sophisticated night-time beverages, the books have something to offer every palate, whether the preference is for sweet or savory. The afternoon tea cookbook includes recipes for pastries, buns, and biscuits; cakes, tarts, and puddings; sandwiches and savory bites; and preserves and spreads; while the cocktail cookbook covers stirred and after dinner drinks; refreshing drinks; party drinks; pre-dinner drinks and hangover helpers; and everyday drinks. Aside from the mouth-watering recipes, both collected books include historical information and etiquette lessons for every occasion, in addition to images and quotations from Downton Abbey.

Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You’re Really F*cking Hungry by Zoe Gifford

Zoe Gifford’s Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You’re Really F*cking Hungry is dedicated to amazing food without all the bullsh*t, which means there’s no need for weird ingredients, outlandish techniques, or Instagram-ready presentation. It’s a refreshing take on filling and comforting food that can be as unhealthy as desired or as healthy as required, and it’s pitched at a level that should suit new cooks through to time-pressed cooks and on to lazy but experienced cooks. The recipes include easy to make yet tasty dishes such as tuna poke bowls, hangover brunch blat, deliciously f*ck-up-free baked fish, lazy-ass loaded nachos, and a big-ass buddha bowl with spicy chickpeas. The instructions are clear and conversational, and the plentiful accompanying photographs make it easy to visualize what the final product should look like.

One Pot of the Day by Kate McMillan

With a focus on healthiness, freshness, and seasonality, One Pot of the Day features three hundred and sixty-five recipes (that is, one for every day of the year) that can be made or finished in just a single pot. In addition to detailed instructions and helpful illustrations, Kate McMillan provides a colorful calendar at the beginning of each chapter that explains which meals are most appropriate for the ingredients, occasions, and weather that characterize the month in question, making it possible to stay both local and seasonal when planning meals. The included recipes range from slow-cooked favorites such as stews to quick and easy dishes such as stir-fries and paellas, which means readers can also mix and match in terms of the amount of time and effort they want to commit to cooking on a given day. The wide range of dishes covered, including vegetarian options, as well as the suggestions for garnishes and side dishes, guarantee that the book has something to satisfy every craving and suit every skill level.

Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee

In Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen, Lara Lee transports readers to the tropical and bountiful islands of Indonesia, where the food features complex flavors, unique ingredients, and captivating spice mixes. Through clear explanations of straightforward techniques and introductions to lesser-known ingredients (as well as warnings about spice levels!), she elucidates how Indonesian cookery can be mastered in stages, meaning that even the most complicated-looking dishes are achievable with a little practice. Among the included recipes are classic Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, beef rendang, sop buntut, and nasi uduk, as well as a host of different sambals, all of which offer flavors that are not commonly experienced outside of Indonesia. The wonderfully illustrated book presents a tempting culinary tour of the different Indonesian regions, highlighting popular dishes and signature ingredients and interspersing the appealing recipes with engaging tales of island life.

Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together by Christopher Kimball

It’s clear from the outset that Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together is concerned with making food and cooking both fun and achievable. The recipes are limited to six ingredients (excluding salt, pepper, oil, and water), and the majority require the use of simple techniques and only one piece of cookware. Time is also a key concern, meaning that none of the recipes require hours and hours of preparation and cooking time. In fact, most of the recipes take only around thirty minutes to complete. Rather than concentrating on any particular cuisine, the book includes recipes from around the world, ranging from Indian-spiced seared and steamed green beans to ginger-hoisin roasted whole cauliflower, arugula and avocado salad with jalapeno vinaigrette to pan-seared broccolini with pork and oyster sauce. Although the global nature of the included recipes means that some feature unusual and sometimes difficult (and relatively expensive) to acquire ingredients, Kimball offers alternatives where possible, which means that the book should suit cooks from every location and with every budget.


Bionic

This selection of comics and graphic novels deliver a variety of entertainment that ranges from a coming-of-age story to a dark comedy to a collector's edition of /Star Wars/. Stories that take you behind the scenes of /The Mandalorian/, into the early days of the internet, and various escapes from daily life. These creators will send you into the near future, the digital world, and into our anxieties with plots that introduce you to a girl with robotic parts, a book tour that becomes a nightmare, and escapism from real life through the digital world.

Bionic – Koren Shadmi

A coming-of-age story that targets the digital generation, /Bionic/ comes from the creator behind /Love Addict/ and /Highwayman/. The story takes place in the near future where Victor (known for his geekiness) has a quest to win the heart of Patricia. But this won't be an easy love story after Patricia gets in an accident and robotic parts are used to save her life. Now everything has changed for her and Victor. The story comes from Koren Shadmi with hypnotic illustrations that provide stunning visuals to a tale about cold metal and warm flesh. An expected and emotional love story weaves in themes of rebellion, loss of innocence, trauma, and the anxiety of what you want not being enough.

The Book Tour – Andi Watson

Delve deep into this Kafkaesque dark comedy and explore its retro tone through the story of a man trying to keep going even when it all falls apart. G.H. Fretwell is embarking on a book tour to promote his latest work but his tour quickly falls apart and becomes a nightmare. The trip was supposed to be about his book but now he's being questioned by the police and a suspect in a disappearance. That's only the start of his newfound troubles. The acclaimed cartoonist brings to life a writer's anxieties and turns those anxieties into a comedic work that is clever, surreal, and keenly observant.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Art & Imagery Collector's Edition Vol 1 – Titan

Fans of the Disney+ series /The Mandalorian/ will adore this collector's edition which delves deeper into the realm that the series has added to the /Star Wars/ universe. Art from the first four chapters highlights the characters you've come to know in the series as well as the various creatures, enemies, and landscapes that the Mandalorian experienced throughout his first adventures. Illustrations and photographs are included which feature a variety of names including Anton Grandert, Nick Gindraux, Doug Chiang, Brian Matayas, Erik Tiemens, John Park, Seth Engstrom, Jama Jurabaev, Ryan Church, and Christian Alzmann.

Crisis Zone – Simon Hanselmann

Simon Hanselmann put a plan into action when the world went into lockdown in March 2020. The goal was to give the world free and accessible entertainment which led to the creation of the acclaimed webcomic that was greatly anticipated. /Crisis Zone/ was released as a daily comic on Instagram and was aimed at keeping the world amused as COVID escalated. Fans have come to love the Megg and Mogg Universe and all its characters. This uncensored and unabridged edition has extra content with more pages, deleted scenes, and commentary from Hanselmann. The stories included within /Crisis Zone/ are Megg's escape into a digital world, Owl's transition from timid worrywart to a leader, Werewolf Jones's journey from erotic performer to star on TikTok and Netflix, and Mogg's spiral into the paranoia of conspiracy theories. /Crisis Zone/ weaves in elements of action, comedy, horror, and soap-operatics in this tale that goes full speed ahead straight from the beginning.

Incredible Doom – Matthew Bogart

It's the time of the internet as Allison channels a way of escapism from her manipulative father that works as a magician. When she gets the family a computer for the first time, she's given an introduction to a world that offers her a way out from her dreary existence and to Samir who shares similar thoughts as her. Together, they make the agreement to run away. Meanwhile, Richard has left everyone behind to move to a new town. He receives a note from an anonymous source that provides him with instructions that will connect him with “Evol BBS.” This system introduces him to Tina who shakes the way he perceives the world. In this debut from Matthew Bogart, expect to find surprising alliances, a journey in falling in love for the first time, and slight crime-related sprees set against the connections you make when you feel like everything is falling apart. This graphic novel captures the feeling at the beginning usage of the internet, delivers a story that's compelling and authentic, and provides a reminder that technology can bring together those that are lonely.


The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories

Loss, violence, delusion, fear, and horror exist within the pages of Mariana Enriquez’s first collection of short stories, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed. Set in modern Argentina, the characters who populate these stories are broken or in the process of breaking. Sexual assault, cannibalism, possession by evil spirits, and hauntings are commonplace in this world, and their renderings are graphic. “Meat,” in particular, contains the kind of description that will disturb your sleep and make you look sidelong and lovesick teenagers you pass on the street, terrified of their secret desires.

There are also beautiful moments of poignant observation; as Mechi, in Kids Who Come Back tirelessly searching for answers about missing children, there is a through-line of deep honesty. What are we willing to do to find the truth? Whom will we believe? Whom will we try to save? But, while gorgeously crafted, the stories may prove too macabre for average readers. Simply, these are stories you can’t unread.


Portrait of Peril: A Victorian Mystery

Sarah Bain, a crime scene photographer, is finally marrying Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett. But will a murder investigation threaten their marriage before it even gets started? A dead man is discovered in the crypt of the church where their nuptials just took place. Sarah recognizes him as a fellow photographer with whom she had previously done business. Rumors circulate that a ghost is the murderer. As the case unfolds Sarah finds herself at odds with the man she thought she knew and secrets that are revealed, but who the murderer is, is an even greater mystery. S. Bain Photographer and Company are led into the underworld of spiritualists and fraud as they work to solve this case.

This is the fifth installment of the Sarah Bain Victorian Mystery series, and it does not disappoint. A great stand-alone novel with an ending that is left open for the next book, but also has a satisfying resolution for the case at hand. I love the characters in this series and the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. Also, the evolution of the characters' relationships and the internal conflicts that Sarah endured was well written. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes historical mysteries.


The Mask of Mirrors (Rook & Rose Book 1)

Mask of Mirrors is the delightful product of a collaboration between fantasy authors Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms. I was a bit wary going in. I love Brennan's work, but was unfamiliar with Helms. Some collabs are great. Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child, for instance. Others fall short.

The story centers on Ren, a young grifter trying to con a noble family. She ends up entangled in a much bigger, darker game that puts her loyalties to the test and dredges up a spectre from her past.

I enjoyed the rich cultures and the way magic was used. Basically, unique takes on astrology, tarot, and ceremonial/sigil magic. Being someone who uses runes and oracular decks, the concept of pattern resonated with me, as did the Vraszenian concept of a deity with two aspects: Face and Mask.

I must admit, for all that he was a scoundrel, Vargo was one of my favourites. I'd hate to play that man at chess! At times, he seems only out for himself; at others, more altruistic, putting his life on the line. It's a great example of the Vraszenian duality of deity. I'm looking forward to learning more about his mysterious companion, Alsius. Overall, this was an excellent start to the trilogy.


A Curious Incident: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery

This is an enjoyable and clever cozy mystery! Gemma Doyle owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, and though she says that she is not a consulting detective, it seems that mysteries have a way of finding her. It began with the mystery of a lost cat, and ended with a murder. Try as she might, she could not stop her involvement in this one, much to the dismay of the detectives on the case. Although one particular detective will forgive her involvement since they are romantically involved...

All in all, this was a very enjoyable book. It is a great summer or beach read, since it takes place during the summer on Cape Cod. It is well written with a well-thought-out plot line that has many moving parts that work seamlessly together. Even though this is the sixth book in the series, I did not feel lost. It was a good stand-alone novel. There are many Sherlockian references, but don’t worry, you do not need to be a fan of Sherlock Holmes to enjoy this one. I love a strong female lead character, and any story that features pets, so this book did not disappoint. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good cozy.


Shiver

Fantastic debut!  Five former friends, and competitive snowboarders, are invited for a reunion to the exact place where they forged their friendships ten years ago. They were friends until one of them vanished from the same mountain on the morning of a competition. After that, they each went their separate ways. The invitations to the reunion are mysterious, when they arrive each of them feels as if something is not right. What secrets are they each keeping, is someone responsible for Saskia vanishing, or was it a terrible accident? Whom can they trust?
This aptly named thriller will keep you riveted in your seat. This is a great example of write what you know, and turn it into a story that will keep you guessing. This author skillfully weaves her knowledge of snowboarding with a mystery full of twists and turns. As someone who has very little knowledge of winter sports, I had no problem following this story. The characters were well developed and the storyline builds the right amount of suspense until the end. A winter thriller must-read for anyone who enjoys this genre.


Glamour Girls: A Novel

World War II was an all-encompassing war for many of the nations involved. While English women may not have flown for the RAF, some still managed to become pilots, working for the Air Transport Auxiliary to ferry planes across the country. One of these, Mary Wilkins, inspired Marty Wingate’s protagonist Rosalie Wright.

Glamour Girls follows Rosalie’s wartime career from her first attempts to join up to V-E Day. By turns tender and fierce, the book is always well-written and captures the spirit of the times well, when women were suddenly granted more freedom than they’d experienced for generations but were still hobbled by strict societal expectations. At times, the book seems less like a story about Rosalie than a story about the ATA, as seen through Rosalie’s eyes.

That isn’t why I gave the book four stars rather than five. (In fact, it’s party why I gave it four rather than three.) What I found lacking in the book was depth in the side characters—especially the two men pursuing Rosalie. If the love triangle had either been more fully explored or made less prominent, I think I would have truly loved this novel.


Love Songs for Skeptics: A Novel

Zoe Frixos is the editor of a music magazine in London. She’s a successful career woman and hasn’t cared much for dating since her childhood crush, Simon, got married and moved to the United States. Now, Zoe finds that her magazine is in deep financial trouble unless she can get an exclusive interview with a musician who hasn’t done anything in public for a decade. Add to that that Simon is now divorced and moving back to London and Zoe might be able to find love after all.

This book has it all. First, Zoe is a strong, likable heroine who isn’t afraid to assert herself, except when it comes to confessing her feelings for Simon. Her job confidence, heart for her friends and co-workers, and her musical knowledge make her so much fun to read about. The other characters are well-drawn and all of the sub-plots are not only intriguing in their own rights, but they also combine to advance the main plot.

This is one of those special books that makes you want to read as fast as possible so you can see how it all turns out, but you also want to savor it because you don’t want it to end. The book is fresh and fun and an absolute joy to read.


The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes (Unofficial Cookbook)

Time to Eat!

People who love to eat may be considered to always be the best people (here’s looking at you, Julia Child), but people who also love to read about eating are arguably just that little bit better. Whether dedicated to the appreciation of one particular foodstuff (cheese!), to the preparation of one menu classic (pie!), or to the creative recreation of a magical food legacy (Disney!), the following books have something tasty to offer to foodies and readers alike.

American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World by Joe Berkowitz

With all due respect to Homer, what better odyssey is there than a cheese odyssey?! As Joe Berkowitz notes, “Cheese is literally heaven. It’s what happens after milk sheds this mortal coil and ascends to a higher plane of existence.” Although he’d always been a fan of the cheesy stuff, it wasn’t until a chance encounter with a cheesemonger that Berkowitz started on the journey to being a true turophile, particularly when it comes to the often-overlooked American varieties. In American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, he relates the highs and lows of that journey, including attempts to understand theory and technical matters concerning cheese, epic cheese conventions, rare and artisan varieties, global trends, and his own attempts at making cheese. Berkowitz’s book is a gleeful globetrotting account of one man’s love for all things cheese. It’s by turns amusing and insightful, and it leaves you in no doubt that cheese is “the evergreen cheat code for improving any meal.”

The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell

Who doesn’t love a pie? Well, there’s bound to be someone, but even that person would probably be convinced of the joys of pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell’s The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies. Starting from the basic information that all would-be bakers need to know, including the required equipment, methods of storage, and technical terms, McDowell explains how and why to make the different types of dough, form them into pie crusts, and select the most appropriate toppings. She then presents around 140 delicious-sounding recipes that range from classics such as Apple Pie, to savory specials like Avocado Galette, and on to unique combinations such as Caramel-Chai Custard Pie in Shortbread Crumb Crust. The clear and straightforward baking instructions are written in McDowell’s trademark friendly and engaging style, and the recipes are accompanied by a host of photographs guaranteed to make readers’ mouths water.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes by Ashley Craft

Every Disney fan knows that one of the most delightful aspects of the “Happiest Place on Earth” is the range of delectable and often one-of-a-kind foodstuffs on offer in all of the Disney Parks. In The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, lifelong Disney fan Ashley Craft presents 100 recipes for food, drinks, and snacks inspired by what is available in the Disney Parks. The book is divided into sections covering the recipes of relevance to each Park (for example, Peter Pan Floats at the Magic Kingdom and Corn Dogs at Disney California Adventure), meaning that it can be used to plan a tasty trip to Disney as well as to inspire a host of Disney-themed meals. The included recipes range from classics such as Micky Sugar Cookies and Gaston’s Giant Cinnamon Rolls, to newer arrivals like Pongu Lumpia (to be found in the World of Avatar), and on to more dubious sounding delicacies such as Blue Milk (inspired by Bantha milk from Star Wars). This book will surely bring a little Disney magic into readers’ homes (and stomachs).


Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Art & Imagery Collector's Edition Vol. 1


The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies


Yoga Where You Are: Customize Your Practice for Your Body and Your Life

Yoga is a beautiful practice, for exercise, balance, wellness, and serenity. Have you ever felt intimidated, though, that maybe you don't fit in or won't be able to do the poses, that somehow, although you wish it was, it just isn't for you? This book shows you that it is! Yoga is for everyone! And the instructors in this book offer you a friendly, encouraging, and welcoming guide for your own practice, wherever you are right now. This guide is amazing for beginners -- it's for all types of bodies, and poses and instructions are shown through clear explanations and helpful photos for many ways to adjust them for your personal needs. This isn't only for beginners, though; even more experienced practitioners, including instructors, will find much value here. The authors are absolutely inclusive and emphasize the beauty in everybody and every person, and how yoga is for growth and connection for everyone, for perfect acceptance and love. Poses from basic to advance are included, as well as several suggested possible sequences and even ways to incorporate these ideas into classes for instructors. You will love the way this book helps you make yoga part of your life --right where you are!


San Francisco's Chinatown

This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the /99% Invisible/ podcast.

The Vancouver Sketchbook: Lush Landscapes, Vibrant Streetscapes, Soaring Skyline – TK Ng

The beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that's half travelogue and half guidebook. /The Vancouver Sketchbook/ is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng's plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver's history and Ng's own observations.

The Iconic American House: Architectural Masterworks since 1900 – Dominic Bradbury

Check out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. /The Iconic American House/ features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike.

The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design – Roman Mars; Kurt Kohlstedt

Considered fresh and imaginative, /The 99% Invisible City/ is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that's thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn't on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings.

Modern Architecture: A Critical History – Kenneth Frampton

This revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, /Modern Architecture/ contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations.

San Francisco's Chinatown – Dick Evans and Kathy Chin Leong

With an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, /San Francisco's Chinatown/ provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco's average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. /San Francisco's Chinatown/ focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions.

Dreamers & Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver – Francis Mansbridge

Vancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. /Dreamers & Designers/ highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it's known today.


Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir

Despite the title and preface, Roller Rink Starlight doesn’t have a whole lot to do with competitive speed skating. Sure, there's some skating action in here—several chapters are chock full of arcane skating lingo, race times, and second-by-second retellings of pivotal races. But speed skating is merely the thread that ties together the various essays and short stories of this memoir. Author William Hart makes clear he was only particularly skilled in one area—the sprint—and he gradually becomes aware in his final year on the team that even there he was losing his competitive edge (not to mention, his interest in the sport).

Readers will more often be treated to the inner thoughts of teenage Hart as he navigates high school, religion, and personal relationships in the early 1960s. Although he's as mercurial, impulsive, self-centered, and hopelessly aroused as the next young man, his experiences are colored by a much older William Hart—a man who has gained valuable insights into his younger self's thoughts and ambitions. Evaluations of his teenage years are so frank and honest that I sometimes felt like I was sneaking a peek at Hart's private diary.

He spends his formative years at his local rink, hanging out with friends and participating in myriad skating activities. Couples skates, playing limbo, things like that. Over time we get to know his friends, the DJ, the owners, his skating team coach, and many other rink denizens. It's sure to bring fond memories to anyone who spent any number of childhood weekends at a skating rink. As soon as young William Hart strapped on his skates and rolled onto the oval, my own long-dormant memories resurfaced like a basketball suddenly released underwater. The disco balls, the loud music. The circular, carpet-covered benches. That suffused smell of popcorn and sugar and deodorizers. It's surprising how little skating rinks have changed since the 1960s.

William Hart's memoir is as captivating as it is well written, with rich, evocative prose and intriguing snippets of historical events of the 50s and 60s. Anyone who picks this up is bound to be pleasantly surprised by the poignant, coming-of-age tale under its somewhat garish cover. The ending is especially surprising, and I can't help but wonder whether the final revelation occurred to Hart at the very same moment he typed the last words. This book is highly recommended.


All the Colors of Night (Fogg Lake Book 2)

North Chastain, a seasoned investigator who tracks down dangerous psychic criminals, and Sierra Raines, a black market go-between who is an expert on paranormal artifacts, team up to solve a paranormal crime. The stakes are high for North, as this one involves a personal vendetta against his family. As they both struggle with histories that they are striving to overcome and try to find their true place in life, they find that they work well as a team. It all leads back to Fogg Lake, the site of a government experiment on paranormal energy that went horribly wrong. Here, they unearth secrets that were buried long ago and may hold the answers necessary to save North’s father from certain death, but will they find those answers in time?

This is an exciting paranormal mystery with romantic undertones. There are twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end. It is a great stand alone novel. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline was very interesting, which made it an easy read. The end of the book had a satisfying resolution but also left things open so that there could be more to this series, which I would definitely love.


TinkerLab Art Starts: 52 Projects for Open-Ended Exploration

How easily children get bored. Here is a valuable resource with simple materials that adults can easily find and arrange to channel children’s curiosity and imagination into rewarding handiworks. Art educator, Rachelle Doorley, has assembled a series of fifty-two projects to engage the youthful participants and encourage their individual expressiveness.  Beginning with instructions for the adult on how to create a stimulating working space for youngsters to indulge their fantasies, along with a limited supply of art materials that along with encouragement should engage the desire to experiment with the provided materials. A long list of easily accessible materials point out what can be used in the activities that may involve paints, water, and sponges; or paper scraps, felt, and glue to piece together collages; or building materials using blocks, beads, and toothpicks; and of course working with the always essential coloring crayons. Each activity is colorfully illustrated and the project clearly. outlined as to the materials needed, how to proceed, and varieties of ways to encourage the engaged child to approach the project. This collection of open-ended explorations along with the superbly organized instructions provide a valuable framework for adults and educators to reference when seeking enriching children’s activities.


The Ickabog

The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling is a fun book about two kids who lose their parents in different circumstances and a king who isn’t really ruling. One of the children makes the king aware of his selfishness and the king wants to change to be a better person. However, his lords are happy with the way things are and continue manipulating him and ruling the country behind his back. An unfortunate accident occurs and kills the father of one of the kids. Everyone is told that the vicious Ickabog killed the man, but only a few know the truth.

The plot was entertaining and made sense. I really like the chapters that had the king in them. I got to know the characters fairly well and liked a few of them. The language flowed well and the story kept my interest the whole time. The dialogue was believable and there was just the right amount of it in the book. There were illustrations and they were done by eight- to twelve-year-old kids. Some were quite impressive.

Kids aged ten and older who enjoy a good mystery would like this book. It could make a great series in my opinion. It reminds me a little bit of Harry Potter books with all the imagination and suspense. I would highly recommend this because it is an outstanding book. If I could, I would give this book a rating of eleven out of five! This was such a surprising book that it started surprising the surprises!


Beat the Odds Survival Manual: Real-life Strategies for Surviving Everything from a Global Pandemic to the Robot Rebellion

If you are one of those people who wakes up in the night, wondering what would happen and how you would survive if your car broke down in a remote place without cellphone service, this is the book for you. Its fun-to-read scenarios are taken from historical events. Every page lists statistics for the frequency of risks (of, say, a tsunami), and it offers great advice on topics you may not have considered before, like uses for toilet paper (did you think there was only one?!).

While there is a lot of good advice in this book (like don’t scavenge from a crash scene if there’s a chance of leaking fuel exploding), the entertainment value is in the crazy scenarios. Asteroid attack? Shower of golf balls? Rain of spiders? I guess it just proves that anything can happen at least once!

You’ll find good advice here for survival kits. I learned to prioritize shelter and water. The weed plantain makes a good emergency poultice, although it’s not easy to find where I live. However, I couldn’t find anything on dog bites. Aggressive dogs seem at least as likely as a terrorist attack on a city bus, right? But next time you wake up worrying in the middle of the night, this book can help you plan your emergency survival kit.


One Pot of the Day: | Healthy Eating | One Pot Cookbook | Easy Cooking | Recipe A Day (365 Series)

Foodie Roundup

Whether you’re looking to host a sophisticated soirée, brew up a hearty one-pot stew, take a walk on the culinary wild side, rush through some complex-looking fare, or craft the perfect hangover cure, these five cookbooks have everything you could possibly need to succeed in your gastronomic endeavors.

The Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection by Weldon Owen

The Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection, which includes The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook and The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Cookbook, shows readers how to recreate some of the delectable food and drink featured in the hit Downton Abbey television series and film. Featuring over a hundred and forty recipes for delightful afternoon treats as well as sophisticated night-time beverages, the books have something to offer every palate, whether the preference is for sweet or savory. The afternoon tea cookbook includes recipes for pastries, buns, and biscuits; cakes, tarts, and puddings; sandwiches and savory bites; and preserves and spreads; while the cocktail cookbook covers stirred and after dinner drinks; refreshing drinks; party drinks; pre-dinner drinks and hangover helpers; and everyday drinks. Aside from the mouth-watering recipes, both collected books include historical information and etiquette lessons for every occasion, in addition to images and quotations from Downton Abbey.

Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You’re Really F*cking Hungry by Zoe Gifford

Zoe Gifford’s Tasty as F*ck: Easy Recipes for When You’re Really F*cking Hungry is dedicated to amazing food without all the bullsh*t, which means there’s no need for weird ingredients, outlandish techniques, or Instagram-ready presentation. It’s a refreshing take on filling and comforting food that can be as unhealthy as desired or as healthy as required, and it’s pitched at a level that should suit new cooks through to time-pressed cooks and on to lazy but experienced cooks. The recipes include easy to make yet tasty dishes such as tuna poke bowls, hangover brunch blat, deliciously f*ck-up-free baked fish, lazy-ass loaded nachos, and a big-ass buddha bowl with spicy chickpeas. The instructions are clear and conversational, and the plentiful accompanying photographs make it easy to visualize what the final product should look like.

One Pot of the Day by Kate McMillan

With a focus on healthiness, freshness, and seasonality, One Pot of the Day features three hundred and sixty-five recipes (that is, one for every day of the year) that can be made or finished in just a single pot. In addition to detailed instructions and helpful illustrations, Kate McMillan provides a colorful calendar at the beginning of each chapter that explains which meals are most appropriate for the ingredients, occasions, and weather that characterize the month in question, making it possible to stay both local and seasonal when planning meals. The included recipes range from slow-cooked favorites such as stews to quick and easy dishes such as stir-fries and paellas, which means readers can also mix and match in terms of the amount of time and effort they want to commit to cooking on a given day. The wide range of dishes covered, including vegetarian options, as well as the suggestions for garnishes and side dishes, guarantee that the book has something to satisfy every craving and suit every skill level.

Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee

In Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen, Lara Lee transports readers to the tropical and bountiful islands of Indonesia, where the food features complex flavors, unique ingredients, and captivating spice mixes. Through clear explanations of straightforward techniques and introductions to lesser-known ingredients (as well as warnings about spice levels!), she elucidates how Indonesian cookery can be mastered in stages, meaning that even the most complicated-looking dishes are achievable with a little practice. Among the included recipes are classic Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, beef rendang, sop buntut, and nasi uduk, as well as a host of different sambals, all of which offer flavors that are not commonly experienced outside of Indonesia. The wonderfully illustrated book presents a tempting culinary tour of the different Indonesian regions, highlighting popular dishes and signature ingredients and interspersing the appealing recipes with engaging tales of island life.

Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together by Christopher Kimball

It’s clear from the outset that Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street: Cookish: Throw It Together is concerned with making food and cooking both fun and achievable. The recipes are limited to six ingredients (excluding salt, pepper, oil, and water), and the majority require the use of simple techniques and only one piece of cookware. Time is also a key concern, meaning that none of the recipes require hours and hours of preparation and cooking time. In fact, most of the recipes take only around thirty minutes to complete. Rather than concentrating on any particular cuisine, the book includes recipes from around the world, ranging from Indian-spiced seared and steamed green beans to ginger-hoisin roasted whole cauliflower, arugula and avocado salad with jalapeno vinaigrette to pan-seared broccolini with pork and oyster sauce. Although the global nature of the included recipes means that some feature unusual and sometimes difficult (and relatively expensive) to acquire ingredients, Kimball offers alternatives where possible, which means that the book should suit cooks from every location and with every budget.


A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection

Transforming imaginative humor and sly wit into single-frame cartoons as a duo, Bliss and Martin have created a genuine page flipper that leaves the reader laughing and shaking their head at the same time. Cutting to the heart of the matter in a way we only allow comedians the privilege of doing, the humor lands somewhere between tongue-in-cheek puns and blistering social commentary. With true humorist finesse, they clock us between the eyes and then smack us on the back just enough to keep us from choking on our own pretension. Some self-satirizing also appears scattered panels throughout the book depicting their journey of creation and, at times, disagreement. The book itself is of remarkable quality, made to be read and re-read many times. Each panel takes a full page and is clear and easy to read, but whether the reader finds them easy to understand or not is art outside the cartoonist’s hands. Keep this book on the coffee table and you won’t have to speak to your dinner guests for at least half an hour, which should give you enough time to go hide before they notice you’re missing.


The Official Downton Abbey Night and Day Book Collection: | The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook | The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail ... Fans of Downton Abbey | Downton Abbey Cookery


The Story of China: The Epic History of a World Power from the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream

The clearest introduction to this inclusive history of China appears on page one hundred thirty-three: ‘It is an extraordinary fact, …. that in the modern Western world an idea has taken root that China has been a monolithic and unchanging civilization, inward-looking and resistant to outside influence.’ Michael Wood chronicles the saga of China’s cultural, political, economic, and social history, launching the account with a series of rulers, natural disasters, and wars.

By any definition, The Story of China is beyond a sourcebook, but rather a gestalt, a collection of remarkable features unified in a single text. So how do we delve into this treasure chest? A ‘Once upon a time…” approach does no justice to the giants and so-called ordinary people, men and women both, whose contributions in politics and poetry, invention, and trading defy any attempt to pigeon-hole.

The series of maps prefacing the book shows how in 221 BCE, under the rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, the country took a single identity and the geography of the country expanded. Three series of illustrations assemble traditional paintings and photographs, images from the distant past to the twenty-first century.

In 1974, an extraordinary army of terracotta soldiers introduced a China beyond the Yellow River and the Yangtze, to the transformation from successive dynasties to a Republic. Wood recounts chapters to be enjoyed in limited doses or risk the old cartoon where a teacher is declaiming to his class and a young boy raises his hand to protest: Sir, my brain is full!’


The Singularity Transfer

After the momentum and success of The Singularity Witness, the first book in the series, tensions are ratcheted up and matters are brought to a whole new level in the sequel, The Singularity Transfer. Like its predecessor, the story grabs you by the throat on the first page and doesn’t let go. Faced-paced, intense, concise; it’s a book that is the epitome of a race to the finish, only you have no idea how exactly things are going to end, as you hang on the edge of your seat, nerves frayed.

Thomas Parker’s world has turned upside down (after the events of The Singularity Witness) but all he really cares about is FBI Special Agent Kate Morgan whom he thinks is his girlfriend. Having recently spent a very memorable and out-of-this-world vacation together, he just wants to be with her, but once they returned to their lives it was like she ceased to exist. No matter what he does to get in touch with her, he receives no response. But Parker has bigger problems right now with intruders invading his home looking for his research. The Singularity Transfer explodes with a nail-bitingly intense home invasion that ends in a great cliffhanger.

Things go from bad to worse for Parker as he is kidnapped, then thinks himself rescued, only to find it more a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire, as he is given an ultimatum to agree and help using his revolutionary research because of what he did, or disappear from the world and become a pawn for the US government where he’ll probably never see the light of day again if they so decide. Fortunately, he does have Morgan back in his life and learns she had her reasons for shutting him out, and it’s going to take their working together to get through this, as clandestine groups from around the world are involved, and it goes as high as the vice president of the United States.

Dan Grant definitely knows what it takes to write a “thriller”: the chapters are nice and short; the plot complex, featuring numerous subplot tendrils; the characters are engaging and interesting; and the reader never knows where the story is going to go next, keeping them guessing. At times it seems like Grant might be playing with the reader a little, after an especially intense scene, there’s a breather with the end of the chapter, and then with the start of the next one it’s like he’s saying: “You ready for this?”

It is not required to have read the previous book to enjoy The Singularity Transfer, for Grant does a great job of cluing the reader in on what they’ve missed and how it relates to what’s going on, the story becomes so interesting that the reader ends up wanting to read the first book anyway. For fans of the thriller genre, this one is a pure delight.


Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir

A nostalgic tour down an unforgettable moment in time, filled with compelling characters and charming remembrances, all forming a memorable literary experience. Roller Rink Starlight written by William Hart, tells the story of his coming of age and the sometimes painful, yet always entertaining life lessons that come with it.

With great courage he describes the exhilaration and frustrations of first love. The Alaskan landscape in which the Roller rink takes place is a lovingly detailed feast for the imagination. The youthful social structure is presented with great effect and his first love Katy Linsey, is a charming aspect to the overall narrative.

Teenage life is generally an odyssey of tiny failures, exciting triumphs, and great embarrassments. Hart is perfectly at home in each of these defining elements of his youth.  Parents are starting to pull away or rather allowing the kids to build their own identities. New friends and girls become important influences and we see Hart blossom from his newfound freedom.

Roller Rink Starlight is a compelling memoir that succeeds where many similar works within the overstuffed genre fail. In fact, Hart masterfully steers the book over all the usual pitfalls that stifle lesser authors as they set out to recall their past. He never comes off as self-important or self-serving. There is a fresh and lively atmosphere that permeates throughout the whole book. The author uses commendable moderation and restraint in his descriptions. Sentences never felt too flowery nor do the sections drag.

Readers in today’s world have many avenues in which to indulge their appetites for biography, nonfiction, or memoirs. In this overabundance of content, the common criticism of lesser memoirs is that many are merely uninteresting. The narrative of a person’s life fails to move the indifferent reader and the book suffers. When an engaging memoir like this one does rise above the crowd it can be reviving to the reader.

This lovely book achieves this lofty goal and then some. It perfectly captures that essential need and desire for storytellers to share their experiences. For a life story to take flight and separate itself from its primary participant. This book is an experience, a rich, colorful, charming, and elegantly crafted experience. One that any reader would be pleased to take part in and which many similar books strive to duplicate.


No Birds Sing Here

Beckman is a writer running away from his father who wants him to go to law school and join his Washington law firm.

He’s working as a dishwasher in a rundown diner somewhere in the southeastern United States. He thinks using psychokinesis may be the solution to control Herschel, a mentally handicapped co-worker from his habit of ritually urinating on him. Beckman goes to a local bookstore to see if he can find a book on the subject, psychokinesis not ritual urinating on people, and has a conversation with Malany, a poet who uses the premises to try to sell her self-published book.

Despite never having met before, Malany asks Beckman if she can stay with him and he says yes. They drive to his apartment above the diner. She says no to sex with him but  “I won’t object to masturbating you, if you want.”

They're mutually disagreeable to one another for a couple of days until Herschel appears, attempts to urinate on them and they flee thus beginning a disturbing journey of self-discovery.

From there the book gets really weird.

On their way to California (where else) they encounter a paraplegic bookstore proprietor with the hots for Malany, a good ol' boy redneck with a predisposition for prostitutes, a predatory homosexual professor with the hots for the good ol' boy, his salacious wife with the hots for Beckman, and a psycho-hillbilly.

One gets the impression author Daniel V. Meier, Jr., imagined a bunch of gross, distasteful, and sexually perverse scenarios, put them in a bag, added a dozen or so stereotypical cliched characters, plus hackneyed philosophical musing about the nature and purpose of art, shook it all up and emptied it all on a table, or more appropriately into his computer. No Birds Sing Here is an attempt to take these sordid contents and somehow cobble them into a story. The protagonist has no goal or motivation nor do any of the other characters. Neither is there a cohesive plot; themes are presented and abandoned.

Meier’s attempt at profundity includes passages like this: “Being lost, to Beckman, was not simple disorientation. It was continued existence continued. Life after death, and he didn’t know what made him think of that. Was existence continued without meaning or purpose? If there was life after death, then it must be like being eternally lost.”

The one and perhaps the only thing that rings true and deserves praise in this literary misadventure is the title, No Birds Sing Here.


Victories Greater Than Death

This book is great. I enjoyed the originality of the storyline and the uniqueness of the characters. I definitely think that the rating ’thirteen and up’ is a good one because it says a lot of cuss words and some inappropriate things. I liked the front cover art because it really captured how Tina looked and I thought the style was glorious. I like how I could feel what was happening and it was almost like I was there. The characters weren’t boring and they seemed real. The book is definitely for older readers and not for children. It is a reasonable length and I wasn’t disappointed. The back summary doesn’t give away too much information and it makes me want to read the book. This was a great read and I recommend it for anyone looking for a great science fiction book. The book is an action-packed, amazingly real story, and an amazing example of science fiction.


The Immortal Serpent

I feel when I start reading a new fantasy book it has to have a number of qualities that guarantee I’ll keep reading and not get me so annoyed I’ll just quit reading the book entirely. Spoiler alert, The Immortal Serpent has these qualities, which kept me reading and made me really enjoy the book. A good story is a must for any book to keep the reader interested, but compelling characters that help drive the story forward and work well together are also a must. Also, when it comes to fantasy, I need to be able to read the character names without tripping upon them every time and throwing me out of the story. In the Immortal Serpent, we have Jeth, Anwarr, Vidya, and our resident baddie, the Overlord of Herran. See, easy to read and say names, but they’re also different because you know this is fantasy and a whole new and interesting world. Maps are also a plus, as they help show where your characters are and where they’re going; Immortal Serpent has two easy to read and well-detailed maps to enjoy.

The book begins with a prologue of sorts as we meet one of our main characters, Vidya, going through her transformation, though we don’t really know what’s going on or why, but the details, description, and imagery paint a strong and clear picture so that even if we don’t fully understand, we’re left wanting to learn more. Then we switch to our other main character, Jeth, and through a series of chapters we learn he’s not really happy where he is, he doesn’t fit in, he’s insulted and ridiculed for being “fae,” and just wants to be somewhere else. And just when it seems like things aren’t going to change and the story is at risk of becoming boring, a big event happens, and everything gets kicked up to a whole new level. The pacing increases and the reader is now firmly hooked, wondering what’s going to happen next, where are things going to lead, and how they are all going to come together.

Branded as in the style of George R. R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson, Immortal Serpent does duty to these two epic fantasy writers with a compelling story, good writing, interesting characters, and an intriguing world. I also learned there are references and links to a previous book, Eye of Verishten (also by Barron), that I’m now intrigued about. But this book goes further than Sanderson does, and in a different way to Martin, with graphic language and sex and gory description that just makes the story feel more visceral and real. If you’re a fan of the fantasy genre and non-humans going on interesting quests, then The Immortal Serpent is the book for you.


The Best of Me

Although I am not usually a fan of compilations of old work or “clip shows,” The Best of Me by David Sedaris has me alternately laughing out loud and feeling both uncomfortable and melancholy. These feelings of discomfort and bittersweet sadness are not bad feelings in this context, because they come from a place of empathy and evoke a desire to learn more as Sedaris takes me through his “old work.” Even though I have read and listened to much of his work before, this compilation provides a fresh perspective of what Sedaris believes to be the best of him.

Sedaris’s classic wit and weirdness (again, not using this pejoratively; the lines are blurry between these descriptors) come through in every short essay. His observational skills and his ability to describe those observations are second-to-none. It is always a pleasure to read or hear anything from Mr. Sedaris.

From Me Talk Pretty One Day to Nuit of the Living Dead, you’ll be laughing, or maybe crying, but I can guarantee you’ll be feeling like a member of humanity and enjoying yourself when you read The Best of Me by David Sedaris.


Stupid Baby

Simon likes to build things with his blocks. He has built a tall rocket, a very, very tall rocket, which then explodes. Ka-boom! Mommy tells Simon he has to play quietly. There is a new baby, a tiny new baby, in the house. Simon is not very happy about this new baby. He wishes the stupid baby would go back to where it came from. Simon worries about how long the stupid baby has been there and wonders if it will ever go away. It cries and takes up Simon’s parents' time. He asks when the stupid baby will go back to the hospital, but his parents say he is Simon’s new baby brother and he’s there to stay. What is Simon to do?

Stephanie Blake has written a perfectly charming book about how an older sibling often feels about the new interloper who has come to disrupt his or her perfect life. The text has a lot of humor and a lot of heart. The cute, cartoony illustrations add to the sense of fun. Little ones will get the message and will fall in love with this sweet book. Don’t miss it.


It's a Mitig!

An array of lively creatures and things of Mother Earth are introduced in the Ojibwe language in this original picture book. Children discover that the bright yellow sun that rises high in the sky is called giizis and ashigans are the scaley critters residing in the deep, blue sea. They learn that the creepy, crawly, slithery reptiles are referred to as ginebigs in Ojibwe, and the acorn-loving, tree-dwellers are ajidamoos. The tall, leafy, bark-covered giants are mitigs, and even the bumblebees that swarm around the brilliant-colored flowers in the summertime have a special name in Ojibwe - aamoos.

This is a creative feast of language, learning, and playful illustrations. Children will love trying to pronounce the tricky, authentic words, and they’ll thrive on the challenge of guessing what the descriptions represent before viewing the pictures that accompany them.

Words are thoughtfully chosen, with just a few scattered here and there, making it a perfect bedtime story. The target audience is children ages four to eight, and the reading level is approximately second grade with the exception of the Ojibwe words. It’s a Mitig! will likely become a favorite in the households of many. It’s unique and offers youth an adventurous read.


Lilliana and the Frogs

Lilliana and the Frogs is a cute story about a little girl and her frogs. Lilliana loves to catch Chorus frogs, but she soon realizes they can escape. They jump everywhere and are very loud! They run all the way back to the pond. Lilliana realizes that the frogs need their own space.

I found out that this book was based on the author's childhood, and a pond called the Lily Pond. The pond is now a protected site for frogs. I thought Lilliana’s character was very adventurous and fun-loving.
The pictures really helped me see inside Lilliana’s world. The frogs were kind of funny because they wanted to get out and go back home.
This story was written well, but the author could've made up for the unoriginal storyline with some fun adjectives or more sensory details.
I think the moral of the story is that reptiles are living beings just like us and need their own habitat, and routine. I feel the illustrations were unique and modern. I thought the illustrator could have added more colorful details, but there was a lot of green which I guess made sense because the story was about nature and frogs.

I think this is definitely a book for younger kids ages three to six.


Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball

Elgin Baylor was raised in Washington D.C. He and his friends would play stickball in the street because the parks were for whites only. At night, he and his friends would tunnel under the fences and go play basketball on a real court. When he was a teenager, there finally was a hoop for him and his friends to play. They had to play with other balls until they finally got a basketball. Elgin let his body do the talking on the court. He had moves like no one had ever seen before.

After high school, Elgin went to college at the College of Idaho and then later transferred to Seattle, where he led his team to the college championships. While there Rosa Parks, sat down and wouldn’t give up her seat, making the dawn of change. In 1958, he was chosen by the Minneapolis Lakers. Things were hard then because the NBA didn’t sell a lot of tickets. At the same time, another group was practicing sitting down at a counter in a white-only restaurant waiting to be served.

Elgin had a problem in West Virginia where they barely had a place to stay and then there were no restaurants that he could eat in. So, that night, Elgin sat out of the game, letting people know “I’m a human being. And I want to be treated like one.” Showing that sometimes you have to sit down to stand up. People noticed, and the NBA made a rule that they wouldn’t stay anywhere that practiced discrimination. In 1959, Elgin made rookie of the year, and two years later, the Lakers moved to Los Angeles. Elgin continued to do what he always did: show what he could do on the court.

Text: The text is longer, but it’s a non-fiction biography so it's just right. I think Elgin Baylor is depicted very well. It was interesting to know some of the details of the struggles Elgin went through because he wasn’t white.

Illustrations: The illustrator outdid himself. These spreads are stunning. I love the feel of the book as a style that feels like a biography of an athlete, but also someone from the 1950s.  They are detailed and bright.

Parent Perspective: I think this book is a must-have in the home or school library. It is a great book on showing how people were treated wasn’t right and needed to be corrected and how a great man and several others handled the situation to make it right. I also love how they handled the situation by sitting down to stand up.

Kid Perspective: My son likes basketball. He thinks it’s terrible that someone wouldn’t be allowed to play because of the color of their skin. He’s glad that Elgin Baylor helped changed the way he and others were treated.

Educational Perspective: This is an excellent biography of Elgin Baylor, but it also has great information on other historical aspects of ridding the United States of discrimination. I think it would be a great study for a unit or student project.

Age Recommendation: 6 to 12 years.


Off to See the Sea!

It is bath time and Mom whispers it into her little one’s ear, only to find that the child disappears. It isn’t time for hide-and-seek, but that seems to be what the youngster decides to play. Anything to put off the bath. But after a little convincing, they are in the bathroom, and when Mom turns on the faucet, it becomes a roaring waterfall. Mom slip-slides the child into the tub and there is now a soft-scented sea filled with monsters (in the form of a yellow rubber ducky) and glistening soap bubbles, the water smacking the distant shore (or bathroom floor). Take a deep dive, read your floating book, and watch the ocean swirl away after Mom pulls the plug. Then off to bed.

Author Nikki Grimes and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon have created another sweet picture book that will remind readers of their earlier work, Bedtime for Sweet Creatures. The charming illustrations in fun, bright colors, mostly cartoon-like with realistic faces, are quite memorable, and seem like the right background for Grimes's imaginative, lyrical text. This is perfect to settle youngsters down for bed and has “read it again” written all over it.


Lost in Nowhere (Legacy in Legend Book 3)

When Jeni Stonewall begins to hone her spiritual abilities, she doesn’t expect to attract the ghost of a pioneer girl. The girl, Marielle, requests Jeni’s help to save the soul of her true love. Jeni agrees to help in exchange for knowing more about her family’s mysterious past.

As soon as Jeni begins her quest, she is haunted by mysterious visions of Marielle’s past in which she is in Marielle’s body. However, Jeni realizes she is going back in time in these visions, and rewriting history. Intent on saving Marielle’s love, Jeni strays too far into the spirit world. But this time, it’s not giving her back. Desperate to get home, Jeni encounters danger, witches, and a strange man who has ominous plans for her. Will Jeni be able to save herself and her mission, or will she fall prey to a powerful force she has no hope of defeating?

I thought this book was very entertaining. It was a delightful read with spooky elements, plenty of action, cute romance, and mystery. I also loved the thrilling cliff-hanger. It makes me want to read the entire next book in one seating!


Black Buck

Darren Vender (apt name for a salesman) is a happy-go-lucky supervisor at Starbucks. His crew likes and respects him. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of his products, the names of his customers and their preferences. He lives with his Mom in Bedford Stuyvesant in their co-op they share with an aged friend. He is at home in the neighborhood and satisfied with his life and love. Those around him, however, know that he has greater potential despite only a high school degree. One day, he meets a king maker at the coffee shop and is given a rare opportunity to achieve status, wealth, and a place in a high functioning team.

Like many corporate training sessions, they break Darren down in order to build him back up and initiate him into the team. His name is changed to the humiliation of Buck, short, they say for Starbucks. He is the only black person in the firm. Darren learns and masters sales techniques which are summarized in this book. The essential question of this well-written novel is how much humanity are we willing to sacrifice in order to attain success?  An apt theme for our time.


Ghosted

Hey, any ghosts here??

Ghosted is a short and easy read about two friends having to finish their to-do list before one of them moves on to their other life. Larry is a quiet boy who just wants to live in the shadows without any drama. He meets Grimm, who well, wants the opposite!

The book Ghosted has small doodles throughout pages that help you visualize what happens. Other than that, I don't think the illustrations are that fun.

I would think this book is for younger children who like Timmy Failure and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but probably not for anybody older than ten. I don't recommend this book overall, but again, maybe it just wasn't for the right age group.

"Yep, Grimm is STILL here."


Escape Pod: The Science Fiction Anthology

To celebrate its fifteenth year anniversary, the Hugo Award-nominated podcast Escape Pod published its first anthology of science fiction short stories. Editors Mur Lafferty and S. B. Divya curated  Escape Pod: fifteen stories from fifteen authors, award-winning writers who contributed their craft to the podcast. Highlighting the differences in oral versus written fiction, only one of the stories has been featured in the podcast.

Many stories take a serious tone, touching on social issues like classism and racism. Characters vary from time-traveling midwives to space-traveling theater geeks, to teddy bear spiders. Sarah Gailey’s Tiger Lawyer Gets It Right is an alien planet court drama about the struggles of taking on big corporations but with an actual tiger as the defense attorney. Greg Van Eekhout’s Spaceship October, Escape Pod episode 775, takes place on a generational spaceship where the privileged have all the advantages and the have-nots will do anything to survive.

Diverse authors highlight the evolution of the sci-fi genre. Anyone who survived 2020 would find common ground with N.K. Jemsin’s heroine and pet dragon, as they battle the lazy, mediocre leaders of The Towers.

Podcast fans will undoubtedly enjoy this book, as they experience stories written by their favorite "escape artists." For the uninitiated in the Escape Pod universe, consider this anthology as an invitation to the new fiction revolution.


Dark Tides: A Novel (2) (The Fairmile Series)

Having read Philippa Gregory’s very underwhelming first novel in the Fairmile Series, Tidelands, I was hesitantly hopeful that her second installment, Dark Tides, would be an improvement. Unfortunately, that is not the case. When we left the main characters at the end of the last book, the mother and daughter team had decided to head to London and away from the horrible treatment they had faced in Sussex. The author begins Dark Tides twenty years later, where Alinor, still fragile from the drowning incident, and Alys, now run a small warehouse for receiving ships on the Thames. Alys’ twins, Sarah and Johnnie are both apprenticed and contribute as much as possible as well. Their calm lives are suddenly turned upside down by the appearance of three people: James Avery, the man who deserted Alinor when she was pregnant, Livia da Ricci, proclaimed widow of Rob, Alinor’s son who went to Venice to become a doctor, and Matteo, Robert’s apparent son.

Philippa Gregory is a wonderful writer of historical fiction, particularly when the stories involve the monarchy. Perhaps she should steer clear of the writing of those who lead ‘little lives’ out of the public eye. She does not seem to have the same love for them.


The Complete Guide to Drawing Dynamic Manga Sword Fighters

This is an interesting and useful book. In terms of applying what you have learned after reading it, it is useful for trying to draw the poses that the book describes, but it is not very useful for extending what it says to drawing other types of poses.

It contains ways to focus on the feet and on the head, and it features different aged swordfighters wielding different weapons. It also describes how to draw the various accessories and hairstyles of the different swordfighters, although it is somewhat limited on the hair and accessories it teaches you to draw.

Some of the things are limited to use in only the specific situations that you are drawing, like there are images for “in fire” or “underwater,” but those are details for very specific scenes and the information about what is needed to create those details in those scenes is not given a lot of instruction. Some instructions are given for using computer-aided drawing tools.

The clear instructions given for the drawings that are provided, and those for drawing humans, are really helpful, especially because they can be used in all your drawings. The descriptions of weapons are also useful and interesting, and they can be used for drawing in any format, not just manga.


Ella's Night Lights

Ella, just a tiny, delicately winged, young girl, wishes desperately she could see the sunrise. Her fragile wings can’t withstand the bright light. So, she flutters about in the darkness, collecting light from the twinkling stars and from reflections of the moon. She shares her light with anyone who has lost their way in the dimness of the night like the fox who is cold and lonely and the owl who is huddling in a nearby tree, frightened and alone. In return, they protect her from the luminescence of the coming dawn, making sure she reaches home before its arrival. As a gift for her kindness, they construct a tent of darkness around her home, enabling her to watch her first sunrise.

This is a precious story about hope and dreams, caring and friendship. Ella’s size is no mistake; her daintiness allows her to blend in perfectly with her animal friends. She’s a creation of brilliance - a unique little girl with brittle wings that allow her to fly but not be exposed to the sun’s damaging rays. Children will find her enduring and otherworldly. They’ll join in her sadness when the morning sun takes her fun away and rejoice in her excitement when her dream turns into reality. Additionally, youth will love the brilliantly crafted illustrations that bring the tale to life. The gorgeous hues and vivid details will allure them. This will likely be a favorite for many.


How My Brain Works: A Guide to Understanding it Better and Keeping it Healthy

The compassionate therapist’s voice reverberates like a trusted source, offering wise and thoughtful counsel on maintaining a healthy brain. With more than thirty years of clinical experience, Dr. Koltuska-Haskins demystifies the process of neuropsychological testing, breaking down its benefits for anyone who is concerned about memory, cognitive, and emotional functioning. People in recovery from brain injury will glean insights on the healing effects of diet, exercise, sleep, meditation, and gratitude practices. Check out photos from the author’s own herb garden, an additional salve to an already healthful and healing read. ---Maileen Hamto, San Francisco Book Review


Shine Until Tomorrow

Tamara, or Mari as she prefers it, Caldwell is ready for summer but not for the reasons we would expect. She has a full schedule of workshops, community service hours, and an internship in order to fill her application for her Early Decision to Yale. It’s her dream, and she’ll do anything to make it true. But she’s also missing simple stuff like going to parties or even the beach. So when she sees in her transcript, in her Photography class to be specific, instead of 4.0, the word “Incomplete”, she can’t accept it. She confronts her teacher who informs her that taking photos isn’t just clicking a button; it’s about living the moment and becoming emotionally involved in it. So, he tells her she has the entire summer in order to bring him back the perfect photograph.

That incident in addition to the fact that her dad is too busy with his work and can’t have her over his house for the weekend is more than she can handle. So she takes her bike and starts pedaling to a destination unknown. All of a sudden, a car appears in front of her, and she loses control of the bike and her senses. When she opens her eyes, a couple approaches her and helps her to her feet but she immediately notices that the way they are dressed is not something from the 2000s fashion. After meeting with the rest of the gang turning out to be a music band in the early stages of their career, she has to deal with the fact that she’s not in 2007 anymore but somehow she's traveled four decades in the past and she’s found herself in the middle of the Summer of Love where the flower children have converged in San Francisco.

Mari knows that this is a mistake and she must find her way back to the present. But is this real or just a figment of her imagination?

Shine Until Tomorrow is a delightful story about a girl, a summer romance, the power of finding your true self, and hippies! It’s a fun, fast-paced, read-in-one-sitting book that will make you want to live in the ‘60s. The plot is clear and orchestrated beautifully; the characters and the setting transport us in a time where the world was a completely different place. Mari, the protagonist, emotionally evolves throughout the story, from a closed-to-herself girl, she becomes someone who is ready to face the world and make a difference.  These are the elements that make Shine Until Tomorrow a highly recommended Young Adult book by Carla Malden!


Adventure Girl: Dabi Digs in Israel

Dabi’s a natural-born explorer of the Earth, just like her Doda Gili was as a child. Her Ima and Abba take her to Israel to visit her grandparents, and she has the opportunity to spend time with her Aunt Gili. She calls her an “adventure girl” and takes her to a place Dabi will likely hold in her heart forever. At the Beit Guvrin National Park, Dabi participates in an archeological excavation. She unearths an ancient artifact: a ring that’s 3,500 years old. To her and her parents’ delight, she’s honored with a certificate for her discovery.

This is a unique book about a young, adventurous girl who favors plunging into the world of creepy crawlers and sculpting homemade mud pies. She’s by no means a girlie girl, and with her Doda Gili she can be her authentic self. Children will celebrate the trip they take together during which Dabi’s efforts lead her to a successful find. They’ll be heartened by the encouragement her aunt gives her and struck by the life-like, multi-dimensional illustrations that grace the pages. The target age range for this original text is youth aged five to nine.


Alaina and the Great Play

This story is about Alaina. Alaina is in kindergarten, so she is younger than me. But she was doing a play with second graders! She really did good when she practiced her words with her mother. I remember the time I had to get on the stage like Alaina. I was sooo nervous! Alaina wasn't nervous at all and it made the book so fun, even though it didn't happen until the end.

I wish we could have seen more of the play. Alaina seemed like she really enjoyed the play. And then she even did a flip, just like me! I also liked that the people in the book looked so real!


The Newcomer: A Novel

The Newcomer is an exciting, well-written story that takes the reader into the lives of Letty and her four-year-old niece, Maya. When Letty discovers her sister dead in her New York apartment, she grabs Maya and runs. Tanya, Letty's sister, had told Letty that if anything ever happened to her, the guilty party would be Maya's father/Tanya's ex, Evan. Not knowing where to go, Letty finds a magazine in Tanya's bag that features an adorable little motel called the Murmuring Surf. The book mainly takes place at this quaint and very special motel run by Ava and her son and daughter, Joe and Isabelle. Joe is local law enforcement, which really helps when things start to get crazy at the Murmuring Surf.

The Newcomer has the best characters anyone could ask for as they are all full of personality and color. In fact, they start to become family to Letty and Maya as the story moves forward. Letty even accepts Ava's offer of a job to run the front office at the motel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Mary Kay Andrews and light mystery and action storylines.


The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be

Children gather on a lush hilltop. Supplies are circulated and construction begins on what will soon fill the sky with brilliance. With hard work, originality, and resourcefulness, they are well on their way to manufacturing a collage of majestic hot-air balloons. Each one labors at a different pace and has preferences of his or her own, but all their contributions are significant. The creativeness of one, the extravagance of another, they’re both meaningful and needed. It’s these differences, that when celebrated and pulled together, make the world a better place and fill the horizon with hope and magnificence.

This is a splendid, thoughtful picture book that emphasizes the beauty of togetherness, the gift of ingenuity, and the value of each individual. No one is insignificant; each person has his or her own role to play in this vast universe with, no one being more necessary or important than another.

The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be will appeal to youth ages five to nine. The realistic, detailed illustrations will awaken their senses and tap into their curiosity. The images are unique and perfectly compliment the text; the two combine to produce masterful work.

Educators will find this a wonderful resource for teaching cooperation and kindness. The characters are diverse in ethnicity, creating an overall aura of inclusiveness. Additionally, the depth of the message conveyed makes it prime material for extrapolating purpose and meaning from the narrative.


The Royal Ranger: The Missing Prince

Will Treaty and his apprentice Maddie are once again summoned to Castle Araluen on an urgent mission. Only this one will send them past Araluen boarders to Gallica, a country full of conflict, to rescue a prince held prisoner by a powerful Baron. Soon Will and Maddie find themselves on their way to Gallica disguised as jongleurs. But the journey won’t be easy and once there, the adventure is only beginning.

The adventure continues in the fourth Royal Ranger novel. Will and Maddie run into trouble all the way to Gallica, only the trouble didn’t add to the plot, instead, it delayed them for no seeable reason and took up two-thirds of the story. The book ends with a continuation, a cliff hanger that left me impatient for the next one.


I Cook in Color: Bright Flavors from My Kitchen and Around the World

Migrants bring not only their culture and cuisine to their adopted country, but they also infuse their cooking with culinary traditions from both cultures. This book infuses culinary flavors from several different cultures including South Indian, American Southern, Spanish, American Chinese, and Creole. Most recipes have notes that help with finding substitutes and other useful tips and observations.

The book is divided into nine parts that divide the recipes into drinks, salads, soups, vegetables, seafood, poultry, meats (pork, goat, and lamb), meats (been and venison), and dessert. Each part contains roughly a dozen recipes (ninety-two total). Color pictures of the finished product help the reader to visualize what it should look like, but not all recipes are accompanied by pictures. Some recipes are easy to prepare, but others may need a couple of attempts before the finished dish is as intended. The notes help with finding suitable ingredient substitutes but depending on where readers shop, some of the substitutes may not be easy to find.

As the title claims, the dishes are full of flavor and colorful. Depending on the reader’s pallet, some recipes may need modification to suit (as expected for recipes that cut across several cultures). Overall, a great book to have as a reference for innovative meals.


Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain

Distinguished neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett lyrically diagnoses the elusive mystery of that three-pound mass of gel crowned within the cranium that is the remarkable brain. The first chapter looks at possible ancestral relationships among the vertebrates from the anatomy of the primitive aquatic amphioxi or lancelets which possess a dorsal nerve tube and notochord. Using metaphors and analogies, the developing communicating nervous system is compared to air traffic systems where connections for effective usage required hubs for centralization and directed traffic thus indicating how the brain functions as a network. The popularized version of the three-tiered brain modeled on the evolutionary construction of a reptilian base for fundamental needs, then embraced by an emotional limbic layer and finally topped by the thoughtful cerebral cortex is labeled a myth. Read through these thought-provoking images of the tuning and pruning by environmental influences on the myriad early neurons which ultimately sculpt the wiring within the brain. Differentiate between the process of allostasis and homeostasis and its role within the body. This short, concise, readable, thought-challenging view of the complex brain will pique the reader and puzzle the mind wondering what reality really is.


A Long Road on a Short Day

It is a cold winter day when Samuel’s mother announces she wishes they had a brown-eyed cow to give them milk for Samuel’s baby sister. Father takes down his best knife and asks Samuel to come with him. They must travel a long road on a short day. They visit a nearby farm, where the neighbor’s collie makes Samuel wish his mother wanted something other than a brown-eyed cow. There, Father trades his knife for a pair of lanterns. They walk toward town and visit other members of their community, Father trading each thing he gets at the last place for something better. He even trades for a pony and cart that Samuel thinks is pretty neat, but they have one more stop to make, where Samuel gets a wonderful surprise.

This sweet story will give young readers a taste of old-fashioned country life and how simply people can live. The writing by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney is terrific with a refrain that will carry readers through, and the story and lovely art by Eugene Yelchin will transport young readers to another time and place. This is a great book for young middle-graders.


Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations is a terrific collection of interviews given by Justice Ginsburg. The interviews provide you with some candid conversation with the famed Justice and some very cerebral insight into how she crafted her opinions for the court. The book doesn't earn five stars because some of the interviews provide repeated information which makes the book a little less enjoyable as I felt I wanted to continuously wanted to learn new things about this amazing woman. The author did a nice job of pulling interviews from many decades of Justice Ginsburg's life and they even made sure to include an interview that included Justice Scalia, who was often on the opposing point of view professionally BUT was a terrifically close friend personally. I think my favorite story that was shared involved Ruth's love of opera and her long-held desire to become an opera diva...alas that was not to be as she was monotone (her own words).  However, the next best thing is that an opera was written about her and Justice Scalia, who shared Ruth's love of opera, This book is an easy read and gives a wonderful quick glimpse into Justice Ginsburg's long and venerable life.


The Midnight Fair

This wordless picture book asks what happens after the county fair closes for the people. Who should notice but a group of woodland animals? The animals come in and turn on the power and get ready for an evening of fun. They eat treats ride rides and have the time of their lives until dawn. Will the people know of their fun or will the animals get away with it? The illustrations are gorgeous. Which being a wordless picture book they are the star. Beautiful fair colors. A great depiction of this being at night. I loved the feeling of movement of the rides. It made me laugh to see the porcupine come away with candies of all kinds. I liked that the illustrator used everything from the endpapers to the title page to put illustrations on it.

From a parent's perspective, this book will help your kids' imaginations take flight with the question of what would happen if? I think this is a great book to help children learn the art of storytelling. From a child's perspective, I read this to my baby niece, and she seemed to enjoy it. My three-year-old daughter liked the pictures too. My age recommendation for this book is baby to eight years.


The Monster in the Hollows: The Wingfeather Saga Book 3

The Monsters in the Hollows is the third expansion from the beloved Wingfeather Saga, where Janner, Kalmar (Tink), and Leeli fight for the freedom of their countries Skree and Anniera. Join them as the fight for their home continues, as the war, has only just begun.

The Igibys have been voyaging across the sea for days on end, as they finally arrive where Anniera, their home country, once stood, they are shocked to see that after nine years it is still burning.

As they cannot settle there they go over to the Hollows, where Nia, their mother, grew up. A past mistake comes to haunt Kalmar, as he was turned into a gray Fang.

As the people of the Hollows know what the Fangs look like, they think the Wingfeather's betrayed them. Nia manages to convince them that Tink will do nothing wrong. Or will he? As the Igibys journey on, they enroll in the local school, Nia says even the Jewels of Anniera need schooling, with their Schooling and their T.H.A.G.S. they are starting to think they have their plate full, but it can be piled a bit higher. The war is starting.

I enjoy this series, each plot has been exciting and well written, a real page-turner. I recommend this book to kids ten and up who like fantasy and sibling adventures.


Goosebumps: Creepy Crawly Comics

Just when readers thought they knew every bump in the night, supernatural creature, or a monster hiding in their closet, three new stories are unearthed to give you those spine-tingling chills you've been searching for.  Three all-new original Goosebumps tales are all combined into one large graphic novel. Revisit the land of terror, Horrorland, with Mia and Ginny when they visit their grandma for the summer. Watch what apps you download; your phone might turn against you in, Download, and Die. See what happens when someone finally buys the old haunted house in Beaver Creek. Is the new neighbor more than meets the eye?

It's time for a new generation of readers to get scared in a whole new collection of Goosebumps tales. Modified for today's readers' Goosebumps Creepy Crawly Comics blends new technology, current terms, updated artwork, and an entire new diverse cast. However, fans of the Goosebumps series never fear these three frightful tales still keep a nod to the classic, bringing back some of the familiar Goosebumps elements. After all, Slappy is never too far away.