reviewing
Book Review: War of Kings and Monsters
War of Kings and Monsters
by Christopher Keene (Goodreads Author)
3 out of 5 stars
Nathan has no idea who he is. He is an apprentice Caller in the king’s home and best friends with Prince Michael, but he has no memory of his family and assumes he is an orphan. He studies under the Master Callers to summon Melkai monsters from another world. Some of the monsters are massive, and others are miniscule, like Nathan’s own little Melkai, a small lizard. The barrier between the world of humans and the world of the Melkai is weakening. Nathan is sent on a quest to find the other half of the magical key that can seal the barriers between worlds before the destructive Melkai are unleashed to roam freely across the land.
I enjoyed the plot of this book, because there are some clever twists and turns. There are several times when some particular character or object or connection is revealed and it was just so satisfying. The plot is full of fantasy tropes, but I didn’t really mind that because I like tropes. Some of the plot devices were obvious, but again, I don’t mind that as long as it is set up in an interesting way.
Continue readingCalendar Review: Guitars
Guitars Wall Calendar 2021
by David Schiller
5 out of 5 stars
This guitar calendar has cool photos of iconic and interesting guitars. The colors are bright and cheerful, and each month includes facts about the guitar, the stories behind how it was created, or famous musicians who played that guitar model.
I feel like I would be inspired to reach my music practice goals and be more musical in 2021 with these beautiful guitars to look at every day. These include the Prisma Accardo, Gibson Firebird III, and Pagelli Massari models, along with a bunch of other glorious instruments. The designs are so gorgeous!
Continue readingShirley by Charlotte Bronte
Non Fiction Review: Dot Journaling
Dot Journaling: A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together
by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
by Rachel Wilkerson Miller
4 out of 5 stars
This book is perfect for anyone interested in the Bullet Journal method, but not sure how to get started. With simple explanations for each step of the set-up, there are many options for how to lay-out your schedule, habit trackers, goals, and diary.
I appreciated how organized this book is, giving clear instructions in each chapter and offering various modifications to make the planner fit your own style.
There are examples for each layout and beautiful photographs of simple bullet journal pages. I got inspired to try out some new ideas in my bullet journal! Continue reading
Non Fiction Review: The Loneliness Companion
The Loneliness Companion: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Self-Esteem and Finding Comfort in Yourself
by Shrein H. Bahrami
by Shrein H. Bahrami
5 out of 5 stars
This book gives practical advice for connecting with others and finding fulfilling relationships. I love how the chapters are organized, beginning with why loneliness can be so crippling, how to pull yourself out of it, and how to cultivate healthy and meaningful relationships and friendships.
Each chapter ends with a page of affirmations and encouraging sentences that you can claim as your own life lesson or mantra. Instead of just a book that “tells” you about loneliness, there are meditations, activities, and journal prompts that get you involved in the process of finding freedom from loneliness. These steps are truly helpful! So many of the things in this book would help the reader to heal from past hurts, and look to the future with hope. Continue reading
Non Fiction Review: Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1
Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1
by Donna Hoke
by Donna Hoke
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book has Trivia Questions in categories for US and World History, Arts and Literature, Food and Drink, and Animals and Nature. They vary from multiple choice questions, true or false, or putting a group of words into the correct order. Some groups of questions have a word bank of possible answers that you can choose from. Continue reading
Comic Review: Snug Harbor Stories
Snug Harbor Stories: A Wallace the Brave Collection!
by Will Henry
by Will Henry
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
I can’t get enough of Wallace and his friends! Once again, I wish I could give this comic 10 stars!
Wallace, Amelia, and Spud are off on another set of minor adventures in the woods and creeks around Snug Harbor. They spend their days hunting the Sasquatch, tracking a prehistoric turtle named Gramps, playing basketball, making blanket forts, eating pancakes in the shape of a top hat, and ducking out of their schoolwork.
I love how imaginative Wallace is! He can take the smallest bit of nothing and turn it into a wild adventure, dragging his friends along with him.
Continue reading
Picture Book Review: It’s Your World Now
It’s Your World Now!
by Barry Falls
by Barry Falls
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This children’s book encourages children to be creative and true to their dreams, reminding them that they are capable of anything, but also that not everything will go their way. But most importantly, this book conveys the message that each child is loved, no matter what.
The one reason I enjoyed reading this book is the possibility for pointing out so many fun details in the illustrations. There is a ladybug hidden on every page, and it’s so delightful to search for it in the pictures. When reading with a child, it would be really fun to point to each picture and ask them “What is that?” or “Who is that?” and teach them about various people, places, and things.
All the illustrations are bright and colorful with a cartoonish look. The pages vary from simple and clean to extremely busy with complicated pictures of various things all jumbled together. I prefer the clean style, but I can also see the appeal of the jumbled images since it would be fun to point out each thing on the page while reading with a child. Continue reading
