book review

Non Fiction Review: Friendshipping

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Friendshipping by Jenn Bane

Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends
by Jenn Bane (Goodreads Author), Trin Garritano, Jean Wei (Illustrations)
3 out of 5 stars

This book gives advice about forming friendships as an adult. It starts with how to find people that you have something in common with, where to look for friends, and how to recognize when a new acquaintance is interested in being friends. Then there are chapters about how to navigate difficult friend problems like hosting parties, lending money, or setting boundaries. There is some good advice about being compassionate and forgiving, and how to give a proper apology.

However, I found it odd that a book about friendship had so much political propaganda in it, almost preaching leftist ideology to the reader. It would have been much better to stick to the subject of friendship instead of forcing a political agenda into the book.

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Picture Book Review: The Book No One Ever Read

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The Book No One Ever Read by Cornelia Funke

The Book No One Ever Read
by Cornelia Funke (Goodreads Author) (Illustrations)
2 out of 5 stars

One little book is tired of sitting on the shelf. He longs to find a reader. The other books are content to sit and wait, but this book is ready for an adventure. I liked the concept of books wishing to be read, and I thought the story was good. The books are caricatures of famous authors like Victor Hugo, Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter, and Alexander Dumas.

I found the artwork… unsettling in a strange way. The books look so weird and creepy! Their ghoulish little faces…. It was like some nightmare unreality of twisted forms and crooked illusions. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just hated the artwork. I could barely look at the page. I found it so disturbing that I just wanted to close the book and throw it away.

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Non Fiction Review: Ensnared in the Wolf’s Lair

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Ensnared in the Wolf's Lair by Ann Bausum

Ensnared in the Wolf’s Lair: Inside the 1944 Plot to Kill Hitler and the Ghost Children of His Revenge
by Ann Bausum
4 out of 5 stars

In the midst of Nazi Germany, a group of men attempt to assassinate Hitler. Their plan fails, and their families pay the price. Hitler is merciless in his revenge on the families and children of the men who tried to kill him. But a few of the children survive, and they are nicknamed the Ghost Children.

I appreciate this clear look at a complicated time in history, and how the nuances of the political climate in Germany were so much more complex than we can understand today. I think history tends to remember all Germans as being evil people who were complicit with Hitler’s plans, but so many of the German people were actively fighting against him from within.

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Classic Review: Emily of New Moon

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Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

Emily of New Moon (Emily, #1)
by L.M. Montgomery
5 out of 5 stars
When her father dies, Emily goes to live with her maiden aunts at the New Moon farm. She dreams of becoming a writer someday, but her strict Aunt Elizabeth has forbidden such frivolous things as writing poetry or reading novels.

Reading this for the 12th or 13th time, I enjoy it just as much, if not more, than ever! Emily is such a sensitive and courageous little person. This book has such extreme emotions, and explores really deep feelings and experiences. Emily deals with terrible grief and fear, but also finds exquisite joy and beauty. All the characters are so vivid and interesting. They are all so different, and each person feels real. The writing pulls you into the story. The plot has something funny and weird and new in every chapter.

Such a delight to reread this old favorite!

Non Fiction Review: Kid Innovators

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Kid Innovators by Robin Stevenson

Kid Innovators: True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers
by Robin Stevenson (Goodreads Author), Allison Steinfeld (Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars

All inventors start out as curious kids who love to learn and explore. This book gives short biographies of some famous innovators and how their childhood shaped their dreams. The bios include the stories of Steve Jobs, Jacques Cousteau, Florence Nightingale, Walt Disney, the Wright brothers, and many others.

There are sections about technology, exploring, codes, medicine, and trailblazers. It’s not just about inventing something new. It’s about revolutionizing how something is used, how art is created, or how people think. The history of computer codes, airplanes, wind turbines, rockets, nursing, hair products, entertainment, and a dozen other fields are explored.

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Board Book Review: The Cuddle Book

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The Cuddle Book by Mifflin Lowe

The Cuddle Book
by Mifflin Lowe, Delia Ciccarelli (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars
There are two important questions when it comes to the subject of cuddling: Where and when to cuddle, and who to cuddle? Cuddling can chase away sadness on a rainy day. A big group hug makes us feel happy and loved. Hugging is the best way to share joy and lose our worries.

This adorable book reminds us that cuddling our friends, family, or pets with affection can be liberating and bring joy and laughter! I liked the sweet rhyming text and beautiful illustrations.

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Familius and Books for the Family

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This video is NOT sponsored, but does contain an affiliate link.

Familius Affiliate Link: https://trk.familius.com/aff_c?offer_… If you make a purchase using this link, I may receive a small affiliate commission before taxes and at no additional cost to you. I only recommend books and products that I actually enjoy myself, and all the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts. Thank you for your support!

Book Reviews: Masterminds Trilogy

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Masterminds by Gordon Korman

Masterminds (Masterminds, #1)
by Gordon Korman
3 out of 5 stars

The town of Serenity is not as serene as it seems. Eli and his friends begin to discover that their seemingly perfect town is hiding dark secrets.

I really liked the mystery in this book, and the gradual unravelling of the secrets that the townspeople are hiding. The adventure aspects of the story are exciting and kept my attention, but sometimes felt far-fetched and unrealistic. I was rolling my eyes a couple of times.

The characters are smart and emotional, and they all have such unique personalities. I really enjoyed getting to know each of them, and seeing how their flaws and strengths push the story forward. They each react in different ways when they discover what is really going on in the town, and I can’t wait to see what further character development they might have in the rest of the series.

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Book Review: Masterminds

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Masterminds by Gordon Korman

Masterminds (Masterminds, #1)
by Gordon Korman
3 out of 5 stars

The town of Serenity is not as serene as it seems. Eli and his friends begin to discover that their seemingly perfect town is hiding dark secrets.

I really liked the mystery in this book, and the gradual unravelling of the secrets that the townspeople are hiding. The adventure aspects of the story are exciting and kept my attention, but sometimes felt far-fetched and unrealistic. I was rolling my eyes a couple of times.

The characters are smart and emotional, and they all have such unique personalities. I really enjoyed getting to know each of them, and seeing how their flaws and strengths push the story forward. They each react in different ways when they discover what is really going on in the town, and I can’t wait to see what further character development they might have in the rest of the series.

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