books
Book Review: Mistress Masham’s Repose
Mistress Masham’s Repose
by T.H. White, Fritz Eichenberg (Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars
Delightful book!!
Rereading it for the second or third time, I have enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
Orphaned Maria lives in a crumbling old palace that her ancestors built on an extensive estate full of gardens and obelisks and temples and monuments. But there is no money to repair the palace, and she lives in poverty with her governess and one old cook.
When Maria is exploring around an island in a small lake, she encounters the tiny Lilliputian people who Gulliver brought back to England after his travels. They are in danger of being discovered by Maria’s evil guardians, the vicar and governess, and Maria must use all her ingenuity to save them from being kidnapped and sold as slaves.
I love how imaginative this book is. My favorite parts are the scenes that describe how the Lilliputians make their living on the Mistress Masham’s Repose island. They fish, and hunt, and train mice as their horses. They have their little homes in the roofs and hollow pillars of the Repose cupola, and keep their tiny farm animals in stables built into the steps of the structure.
Continue readingClassic Review: Emma by Charlotte Bronte
Emma
by Charlotte Brontë, Another Lady
4 out of 5 stars
This book is a continuation of Charlotte Bronte’s last writing before she died. She only finished the first two chapters of this book, and it has been finished by “another lady”. I am usually skeptical about modern authors trying to finish work from a classic author, but this was well done.
The writing doesn’t exactly mimic Charlotte Bronte’s writing style, but it does a fair job. The themes and plot have many elements that I would expect to find in a Bronte story. There is a gothic moodiness, plot twists, wild scenery, and of course, complex and compelling characters.
Mrs. Chalfont is a lonely widow who adopts an abandoned child and tries to penetrate the mystery of the child’s true identity. With the help of Mr. Ellin, she embarks on a journey of discovery and intrigue to unravel the secrets the child is hiding. It is only when the ruthless Emma appears on the scene that the depths of crime and hatred become apparent, and only Mrs. Chalfont can save the innocent child she has come to love.
I loved the story so much! I was laughing and crying and clutching the book to my heart! The emotional power in the story is very reminiscent of Charlotte Bronte’s style.
Continue readingYour Best Reading Life Workbook
Your Reading Story & Identity: https://youtu.be/PowmhXAd5go
Your Reading Influences: https://youtu.be/C565Naiuc44
Your Reading Why & Overcoming Obstacles: https://youtu.be/JdH0xDJPEEs
Reading Wins & Wishes and Setting Goals: https://youtu.be/WwFPK2y9TxU
Tracking Reading & Staying Motivated: https://youtu.be/0mj3l3yjpsE
My One Weird Reading Habit
Non Fiction Review: Too Good To Be False
Too Good to be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality
by Tom Gilson
5 out of 5 stars
If you examine Christ’s life, his personality, his teaching, his leadership style, one thing becomes abundantly clear, Jesus is too good to be false. There has never been a human being who lived the way He did, and it would be impossible to make up a story of a man like Him. There’s no way that Jesus could be anyone other than who He claimed to be: God Incarnate.
I love the way this book follows logical steps of reasoning and evidence from the Bible and from history to build an irrefutable argument for the reality of Jesus. The writing is forceful and vivid, but it leads the reader gently down a path of truth to the convincing conclusion that Jesus is the only perfect human to have ever lived and died and risen again. Each step of the way is coherent and meaningful.
Continue readingBoard Book Review: Your Nose! and Perfect Piggies!
Your Nose!
by Sandra Boynton
5 out of 5 stars
A fox parent sings a song to their little fox cub all about their cute nose. Apparently this nose is the best nose to ever exist! It must be extraordinary and lovable with a magic all its own, because it makes the fox parent so happy to see that little fox cub nose. I loved this cute book! The illustrations are adorable, and each animal character boops their noses together in the sweetest way.
Perfect Piggies!
by Sandra Boynton
5 out of 5 stars
A passel of pigs sing a song about how amazing pigs are, because of their delightful ears, curly tails, their snouts, and their general pink plumpness. Other animals may be smarter or more stylish, but these pigs are fabulous and chubby and they have mega-watt smiles. Those pigs are just so cute and cuddly! The illustrations are very sweet and silly, and I love the simple cartoon art style. Every page is so bright and colorful that it is sure to attract the attention of young readers.
Non Fiction Review: Guitar The World’s Most Seductive Instrument
Guitar: The World’s Most Seductive Instrument
by David Schiller
5 out of 5 stars
This incredible book has gorgeous photos and information about over 200 guitars and the amazing people who play them. It includes bios on famous guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Maybelle Carter, and even Jimmy Page with his double-necked guitar.
There is a page showing the anatomy of a guitar, and details on how hundreds of beautiful guitars are made by artisans all over the world. There are stats about wood materials, sound quality, and pounds of pressure from the strings.
Continue readingActivity Book: Paint by Sticker: Unicorns and Magic, Music Icons
Paint by Sticker Kids: Unicorns Magic: Create 10 Pictures One Sticker at a Time! Includes Glitter Stickers
by Workman Publishing
5 out of 5 stars
This activity book has 10 beautiful designs of all kinds of fantasy creatures and scenes. The glitter stickers make it really special and cute. It’s easy for kids to do!
Paint by Sticker: Music Icons: Re-create 10 Classic Photographs One Sticker at a Time!
by Workman Publishing
5 out of 5 stars
This sticker activity book has 10 colorful pictures of cool and famous musicians from all styles of music, country, rock, and blues. The designs in this one are a little more complex for teens or adults.
There are hundreds of stickers in little mosaic shapes! It’s so easy to put the stickers into place, and the finished product looks wonderful. It’s very relaxing and helped me to get creative. You really feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish!
Continue readingActivity Book Review: Star Wars Origami 2
Star Wars Origami: Episode II: The Fold Awakens
by Chris Alexander
5 out of 5 stars
This kit has everything you need to create an origami Star Wars galaxy of your own! There are pre-printed papers and a book with instructions for folding 34 characters, spaceships, helmets, lightsabers, and robots.
I love the colorful designs for BB8, Darth Vader, Finn, Lando Calrissian, podracers, A-wing and U-wing fighters, and a TIE striker. There is even Kylo Ren’s mask! Each design has beautiful details that make it really special.
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