book blog
Book Review: Alexandra and the Awful, Awkward, No Fun, Truly Bad Dates
Alexandra and the Awful, Awkward, No Fun, Truly Bad Dates: A Picture Book Parody for Adults by Rebekah Manley ( Author), Catarina Oliveira (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars
Alexandra decides to try a 30 Dates in 30 Days challenge, and she swipes right for some dates that turn out to be decidedly awful, awkward, and no fun. These truly bad dates are immature, selfish, and downright gross. They leave her with the check, mansplain and lecture her, stay on their phones the whole time, or just don’t show up at all. At the end of her 30 dates, Alexandra decides to invest in herself and live her best life alone… with a few good friends.
I loved this funny picture book for adults! The writing is hilarious with clever hashtags scattered throughout. For anyone who has horror stories of terrible dates, this book will ring true and help you to laugh off those bad times with the same carefree and courageous attitude Alexandra shows.
Continue readingNovember Wrap Up
Book Review: Shield of Stars
Shield of Stars (The Shield, Sword, and Crown, #1)
by Hilari Bell
by Hilari Bell
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Weasel, a former pickpocket, is the trusted clerk of Justice Holis. When the Justice is arrested for treason against the king, Weasel must return to the underground community of criminals searching for the outlaw bandit, the Falcon, the only person who could help him break Justice Holis out of prison. With the help of Arisa, an escaped prisoner, Weasel finds a mysterious old shield, rumored to be the long-lost magical shield of the king. The two set out on an impossible quest, to find the Falcon, restore the shield to the rightful ruler of the land, and save Weasel’s master.
Weasel is an interesting character, and I loved that Arisa is mysterious and full of surprises. Their sturdy friendship felt real and tugged at my heart. They are both tough and smart, but in different ways.
How to Read More and Enjoy It
Book Review: Freddy the Detective
Freddy the Detective
by Walter R. Brooks, Kurt Wiese
by Walter R. Brooks, Kurt Wiese
4 out of 5 stars
A cute, old-fashioned children’s story about Freddy, an intelligent pig, who reads about Sherlock Holmes and decides to become a detective. All the farmyard animals bring their little problems to Freddy, and he does some sleuthing to solve their mysteries. A little rabbit goes missing, someone steals a toy train, and a cat is wrongfully accused of murdering a crow, but Freddy is up to the task, looking for clues, and tracking down heartless criminals.
I enjoyed the charming old style of writing, and the simple story lines. The characters are sweet and funny, and they kept my interest. I liked how Freddy makes mistakes at first. He is not a very good detective to begin with, but he learns quickly and does a better job each time he tries.
Continue reading
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man: Book Review
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness, #3)
by Tamora Pierce
by Tamora Pierce
2 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Alanna is a full-fledged knight and leaves the court of Tortall to seek adventure in the southern deserts. She encounters a nomadic desert tribe, and is forced into a duel for her life. If she wins the duel, she will be adopted by the tribe as a Bazhir warrior. The Shaman of the Bazhir tribe warns the people that Alanna will anger the gods and bring calamity to them all, and Alanna has to prove that she is as good as any man, not just with a sword but with her magic too.
Once again, I was extremely disappointed in this book. Alanna is so great when she’s fighting, and helping people with her magic, and making friends, and teaching youngsters to control their budding magic. She is hardworking and tough and compassionate. She is such a delight in those scenes!
And then she goes sleeping around with two different men. This is not a series for middle grade! I just don’t understand why any of that is in this book.
Recent Reads: Classics, MG, Graphic, Mystery
Book Review: Lorna Doone
Lorna Doone
by R.D. Blackmore
by R.D. Blackmore
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Young John Ridd is called home from school when his father is murdered by notorious highwaymen, the Doones. Although others cry out for revenge, young John focuses on working his mother’s farm, and growing up tall and strong, without bitterness in his heart.
While he is fishing one day, he comes across the lovely Lorna Doone, the innocent granddaughter of the leader of the Doone clan. The two children become secret friends, and as they grow up, their love blossoms. Lorna is promised in marriage to her violent cousin, Carver Doone, but John vows to rescue her from the clutches of the Doone family. Continue reading
