Book Review: The Forgotten Memories of Vera Glass

The Forgotten Memories of Vera Glass by Anna Priemaza

The Forgotten Memories of Vera Glass
by Anna Priemaza (Goodreads Author)
5 out of 5 stars

Vera has this strange empty feeling inside her, as if something is missing from her life, but she can’t remember what is missing. She finds herself crying at odd things. She seems to half-remember random objects, but can’t remember why they are important. When Vera realizes that her family and some of her classmates are also experiencing that same empty feeling, she begins to investigate what she can’t remember.

This plot completely broke my brain! It was so exciting and masterfully constructed. It was amazing to see how the plot unfolded, since the reader CAN remember all the people and things that Vera is gradually forgetting. The reader has so much more information than Vera does, and that made it really interesting to see how Vera tries to reconstruct the facts from what is left over after a memory is gone.

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Classic Review: Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates

Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge

Hans Brinker: The Silver Skates
by Mary Mapes DodgeMay Audubon Post (Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars
Hans and his sister Gretel are poor. Their father was injured years ago and left with brain damage, so it is up to their mother to support the family. Hans tries to get work, but there are no jobs available in the winter time in Holland.
All the children in their village are excited for a grand skating race that will be held after Christmas, but Hans and Gretel only have cheap wooden skates that Hans made himself.

One of my favorite books as a child! Love it! There are so many elements to the story, and yet it is simple and pretty. The writing is so charming and sweet! The plot kept my interest, and I got so attached to the characters.

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Favorite Books of 2021

Reading with Sam: https://www.youtube.com/c/ReadingWithSam
I had such a great reading year and a ton of favorite books in 2021. I have divided this video into books that were new-to-me this year and books that were favorite rereads. I read some great classics, fantasy, middle grade books, and classic children’s literature that I really loved!

What was YOUR favorite book that you read in 2021? Leave me a comment!

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Ranking Agatha Christie Books

Agatha Christie video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyxE4BGNkAasUzUlqiFKzgXPejNexND9U

Books Mentioned:
At Bertram’s Hotel: https://amzn.to/3HHj8MF
Boomerang Clue (also published as Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?): https://amzn.to/3328RLM
Murder at Hazelmoor/ Sittaford Mystery: https://amzn.to/32H5yJQ
Funerals are Fatal/ After the Funeral: https://amzn.to/3JrKp7c
Murder on the Links: https://amzn.to/3qRRzeq
Black Coffee novelization by Charles Osborne: https://amzn.to/31TAXox
Mystery of the Blue Train: https://amzn.to/3lsOe0m
Peril at End House book: https://amzn.to/3lrGzSa
The Man in the Brown Suit: https://amzn.to/3A65nna
Pocketful of Rye: https://amzn.to/3AhQQoH
The Mousetrap Book: https://amzn.to/3CpwB9a
Sad Cypress: https://amzn.to/2ZkwugI
Verdict: https://amzn.to/3uwN5ti
Go back for Murder: https://amzn.to/2YfUjWM
Witness for the Prosecution: https://amzn.to/2YcvnyY
The Regatta Mystery and Other Short Stories- Agatha Christie: https://amzn.to/2YtbvYP
Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie https://amzn.to/38blio8

Book Review: The Boomerang Clue (Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?)

The Boomerang Clue by Agatha Christie

The Boomerang Clue
by Agatha Christie
5 out of 5 stars

(also published as “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?”)
Bobby witnesses the death of an unknown man, and hears his last words, “Why didn’t they ask Evans?” Bobby thinks nothing of it, until he is poisoned days later. The words must have some meaning. Why else would someone try to kill him? His childhood friend, Lady Francis, is intrigued by the mystery, and agrees to help Bobby track down those involved in the stranger’s death. They are surrounded by suspicious characters and possible enemies. Just when Bobby and ‘Frankie’ think they know who to trust, they are betrayed by the last person they suspected, and their lives are in danger every minute.

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Book Review: Mujercitas (Little Women: Spanish Edition)

Mujercitas by Louisa May Alcott

Mujercitas (Little Women)
by Louisa May AlcottGerardo Gambolini (Translator)
5 out of 5 stars

Fue un placer escuchar esta historia como un audiolibro en español. ¡Me encantó volver a visitar esta historia favorita en mi segundo idioma despues de leerlo muchas veces en ingles! Fue genial para mi comprensión del idioma y fue casi como redescubrir a estos personajes por primera vez.

¡Amo a Beth, Amy, Jo y Meg! Son personajes tan dulces. Nunca me canso de leer sobre sus pequeñas aventuras y dramas.

El audiolibro gratuito que escuché era de “Voz Humana”. Fue una buena traducción y sentí que reflejaba muy bien el estilo de la escritura original. Me gustó mucho la narradora. La narradora hablaba clara y lentamente, por lo que era fácil de entender, incluso si el español es su segundo idioma.

KEEP READING TO SEE MY REVIEW IN ENGLISH!

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Book Review: Live Not by Lies

Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher

5 out of 5 stars

This book exposes the lies of the political left and communism. It raises the alarm of the dangers of totalitarianism in our modern world and especially in the USA, as people are ignorant of the truth about the history of socialism.

I found this extremely disturbing since it made me really look at the way our society is accepting the most outrageous lies and punishing those who speak the truth. It’s frightening to think that what happened in communist Russia and China could happen in my own country.

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Book Review: Promises and Prophecies

War of the Realms by Lee Watts, Th. D.

War of the Realms: Promises & Prophecies
by Lee Watts, Th. D.
3.5 stars
SYNOPSIS: Alexander is fighting a massive war against the Ramillie. With enemies on every side, he is desperate to make some allies. He gambles everything on one last surprise attack that could mean the end of the war.
Sosimo Larouche, the pirate captain, is closer than ever to finding the lost treasure of the famed Vault Keeper. With his first mate, Mei, he makes a daring plan to steal the final clue, a massive gem.
The angelic guardian, Merrick, tries to undo his mistakes from centuries before. He races against time to stop demonic forces from entering the world.

All the characters and their story lines from the first two books come together in this final epic book in the trilogy. The entire fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance, and each soul must decide whether they will accept the forgiveness and grace of God, or side with the evil forces.

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Book Review: At Bertram’s Hotel

At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie

At Bertram’s Hotel
by Agatha Christie
4 out of 5 stars

Miss Marple goes on a holiday to London and stays at the highly respectable Bertram’s Hotel. She begins to notice little ordinary things that aren’t quite right around the hotel, which become helpful to the police when they investigate the disappearance of an elderly clergyman.

We follow a lot of different characters, but we don’t see Miss Marple very much. She’s only in a few scenes, and she does very little to actually solve the mystery, but she does provide the final clue for the police to resolve their investigation. I wish she were a more prominent part of the plot, and I wish she took more action.

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