book review

Non-Fiction Review: To the Moon and Back

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To the Moon and Back by Buzz Aldrin
To the Moon and Back: My Apollo 11 Adventure 
by Buzz Aldrin ,Marianne Dyson, Bruce Foster (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This incredible book about Apollo 11, features the most amazing pop-ups I have ever seen in my life!!!
Every time I turned the page, I was oohing and aahing over the beautiful graphics and the intricacy of the pop-ups. There is a pop-up of the Apollo 11 rocket that is at least a foot long, and it blasts up from the page!

 

As if the gorgeous pictures and pop-ups weren’t enough, the story of the moon landing is also marvelous and full of interesting details. If you can tear your eyeballs away from the exquisite photos long enough to actually read the story, it is a delightful and easy to read history of the entire moon landing journey from start to finish. I loved how Buzz Aldrin tells the story from his own perspective!

And as if the interesting story AND pictures AND pop-ups weren’t enough, there is ALSO an insert with a paper model of the Eagle lunar module complete with assembly instructions for putting it together!

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Non-Fiction Review: Absolutely Everything

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Absolutely Everything! by Christopher Lloyd
Absolutely Everything!: A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention 
by Christopher Lloyd (Goodreads Author), Andy Forshaw (Illustrations)
2 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This history book is full of colorful illustrations and photos, and a lighthearted writing style.
I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover and the gorgeous layout.However, I did NOT find the information to be reliable or accurate, and the conversational writing style was too cutesy and fake for me.
The author often cites things as fact which are only theories, or gives his personal opinion on events instead of relating them impartially. Many of his conclusions are erroneous, and I did not appreciate the silly introductions to each chapter.

I did love the beautiful illustrations and colorful photos!
I would not recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading actual history rather than personal opinion and propaganda.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Graphic Novel Review: Illegal

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Illegal by Eoin Colfer
Illegal 
by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


A heartbreaking story about a young boy who follows his brother across the Sahara. They then travel in a leaking boat across the Mediterranean, in an effort to make a new life and reunite with their sister in Italy.

There are many sad stories of lives lost along the way, dodging violent gangs, forced to trust conmen who steal their money, and hiding from the police since they don’t have ID or travel papers.
A lot of their refugee companions die on the road, and the story is mostly serious and sad, but there are some light moments with humor and a blazing hope that spurs the characters onward.  Continue reading →

Book Review: Yin Yoga

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Yin Yoga by Kassandra Reinhardt
Yin Yoga: Stretch the mindful way 
by Kassandra Reinhardt

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This beautiful book gives practical meditation tips, breathing exercises, and yin yoga postures for beginner through intermediate yogis. It includes yoga sequences for 30-90 minute yoga practices, and instructions on how to modify each yoga pose to make it easier if you need a gentler posture, or to make it harder if you are ready for a deeper stretch.

I adore the gorgeous photos of each pose. The serene ocean in the background of each photo makes me feel soothed and calm. The golden light and beautiful seaside landscapes really enhance every yoga posture. Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: Artemis Fowl

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Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel (Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novels, #1) 
by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano (Artist), Paolo Lamanna (Artist)

2 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Artemis Fowl is a 12-year-old genius, who discovers a way to infiltrate the hidden world of the faeries, and how to steal their gold. Holly Short is the only female police officer with the LEP (Lower Elements Police, the fairy law enforcement). Desperate to prove herself in the field, Holly will need all her tactical training to take on the young genius, but Artemis has his own secrets and outsmarts the faeries every step of the way.

I have always loved the Artemis Fowl stories, but this graphic novel does not do them justice. I did NOT like the art style. The colors are dark and brown and boring.
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Graphic Novel Review: Thornhill

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Thornhill by Pam Smy
Thornhill 
by Pam Smy

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This graphic novel follows two girls, Mary, an orphan in 1982, and Ella, a lonely girl who lives next door to the orphanage 20 years later. Mary writes in her journal about her life at the orphanage, and the terrible bullying she suffers from another of the orphan girls. 20 years later, Ella explores around the broken-down dilapidated orphanage, and sees a mysterious ghostly figure in a window.

This book was heart-breaking and disturbing and unutterably sad. The bullying at the orphanage is terrible, and poor Mary is so depressed and frightened. The black and white illustrations are beautiful and haunting.  Continue reading →

Book Review: Aunt Jane’s Nieces in Society

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Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society by Edith Van Dyne
Aunt Jane’s Nieces in Society (Aunt Jane’s Nieces, #5) 
by Edith Van Dyne

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Beth, Louise, and Patsy are three cousins, who gain entry into fashionable society through their wealthy Uncle John’s influence. They discover that being part of the rich elite in New York City is not all parties, receptions, and dances. When Louise becomes involved with a questionable gentleman, the girls will need all of Uncle John’s help to save Louise from the despicable machinations of a desperate rogue.

I love this 5th book in the Aunt Jane’s Nieces series! The plot has lots of intrigue and action, and of course, the sweet nieces are adorable. I enjoy the simple writing style, and the wholesome storylines.
I found all the characters to be interesting and complex, especially the cold and mysterious socialite, Diana, who pretends to befriend our new young debutantes.

Graphic Novel Review: Cici’s Journal

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Cici's Journal by Joris Chamblain
Cici’s Journal: The Adventures of a Writer-In-Training 
by  Joris Chamblain, Aurélie Neyret (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodREads


Cici loves a good mystery! When she and her friends see an old man lugging paint cans through the forest, Cici will do anything to unravel the enigma of the painter. But when she ignores her friends, lies to her mother, and takes advantage of her writing mentor, Cici could lose everyone she loves if she doesn’t learn to curb her wild curiosity.
This edition includes volumes 1-2 of Cici’s story. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me!

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Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me by Hannah Carmona Dias
Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me 
by Hannah Carmona Dias

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Lilly is a confident little girl, who is not phased by her friends questions about her appearance. Is she Hispanic, Black, White, Indian, Brazilian, or Italian? Lilly is happy with her beautiful dark skin, and her curly hair, and fierce eyebrows. She kindly reminds her friends that what is important about her is found on the inside with her big heart and smart mind.
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