Book Review: The Great Shark Rescue: Saving the Whale Sharks by Sandra Markle

The Great Shark Rescue: Saving the Whale Sharks by Sandra Markle is the story of whale sharks—the largest fish on the planet. Facing threats from commercial fishing as well as climate change, they were categorized as endangered in 2016. Find out how scientists are working to study and protect these gentle giants of the ocean.

The Great Shark Rescue is another great book about animal mysteries by Markle. I enjoyed learning about the whale shark, and found it sad but interesting to learn about the danger they are in. There are still so many unanswered questions, but I am glad to know there are dedicated scientists using a variety of tools and technology to learn more and make a difference.The photographs and maps really brought the facts to life, and made the book come together. I like that Markle took the time to mention great white sharks and the sheer number of vulnerable or endangered species of sharks. The timeline, glossary, source notes, and recommendations for further reading make me happy (as always). Properly citing sources and encouraging further learning and reading are so important, and I find them sadly lacking in other children's nonfiction sometimes.

The Great Shark Rescue is an interesting and engaging read for children and adults interested in sharks, endangered animals, animal research, and related topics. Maybe it will inspire some more animal activists and/or researchers. It would be a great addition to school and public libraries. 

Early Book Review: True Grit: American Prints from 1900 to 1950 by Stephanie Schrader, James Glisson, Alexander Nemerov

True Grit: American Prints from 1900 to 1950 by Stephanie Schrader, James Glisson and Alexander Nemerov is being published to accompany an exhibition on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center October 15, 2019, to January 19, 2020. It is currently set for release on October 22 2019.

In the first half of the twentieth century, a group of American artists influenced by the painter and teacher Robert Henri aimed to reject the pretenses of academic fine art and polite society. Embracing the democratic inclusiveness of the Progressive movement, these artists turned to making prints, which were relatively inexpensive to produce and easy to distribute. For their subject matter, the artists mined the bustling activity and stark realities of the urban centers in which they lived and worked. Their prints feature sublime towering skyscrapers and stifling city streets, jazzy dance halls and bleak tenement interiors—intimate and anonymous everyday scenes that addressed modern life in America. This exhibition and book examines a rich selection of prints by well-known figures like George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Joseph Pennell, and John Sloan as well as lesser-known artists such as Ida Abelman, Peggy Bacon, Miguel Covarrubias, and Mabel Dwight. It is written by three scholars of printmaking and American art, the essays present nuanced discussions of gender, class, literature, and politics, contextualizing the prints in the rapidly changing milieu of the first decades of twentieth-century America.

True Grit is an interesting read. Art history and interpretation is not my field of study, or even a hobby, but I love exploring new things. This book definitely fits that. I really enjoyed getting to look at works I had never seen before, and learning about the history and ideas involved in the artwork and the times. I will admit that some of the text was about something I have never really studied before, and I found it interesting but not something I will continue to research and explore. The art itself was the star for me, and why I actually requested the book to be honest. I think the essays were well written and researched. I found the information and ideas to be interesting and think that art buffs, artists, and those in the closest related fields will definitely get more out of this than I, but I am still very glad that I took a step out of my comfort zone and had the chance to look at some art I have never seen, and learn something at the same time. 

Book Review: Junkyard Dog (Hellhounds) by Katja Desjarlais

Junkyard Dog is the first Hellhounds novel by Katja Desjarlais.  Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Charlotte arrives on the scene of a car accident caused by a large dog tearing across the road. The third sighting of the animal in as many weeks, Charlotte’s interest is piqued. Armed with a bowl of dog food and a bucket of patience, she sets out to find the beast. With the grille marks of a sedan imprinted on his broken ribs, Alex returns to the scene of the accident, scouring for prints he’d left behind when he encounters Charlotte on the trail. The attraction is undeniable, but Alex is on a mission from Hades and can’t afford the distraction. While Charlotte continues to gain the trust of the wild dog roaming the park, Alex is caught between the woman he’s falling for and the job he was sent to do. With bodies and secrets piling at his feet, Alex is pushed to choose between the hellhound he is and the man he wants to be.

Junkyard Dog is a nice start to an urban fantasy/romance series. I really liked Charlotte- her intelligence and empathy were well done. I liked that she could take care of herself, but wanted to help others, and animals, much more than herself. My only annoyance with her character is that there kept being comments about her having bad taste in men before, and how she just had no interest in relationships because of it. However, there is no mention of what actually happened. If the details are not important then that is fine, but there is no reason to keep bringing it up, just saying that she does not want to date at the moment could have been enough. Max and the other secondary characters were very well written, which I always enjoy. I would like to read more about the ranger crew and the employees at the bar. As for Alex, I liked his character too. I enjoyed that while he had other responsibilities he kept his word and did his best for the people around him. I got a kick out of his interactions with Charlotte as a dog. The combination of humor and danger was good. I will admit that I was rather expecting the hound reveal to happen much sooner- like her seeing the grill marks on a shirtless Alex at some point- but the written reveal was much more dramatic and moved the story forward more and with good effect. All the elements were in place for me to love this story, and I found it enjoyable and a good read. I was hoping for even more, so while I was glad I read the book it just did not wow me.

Junkyard Dog is a good urban fantasy and romance. I liked the premise, the characters, and the balance of humor and danger.

Early Book Review: Close to Birds: An Intimate Look at Our Feathered Friends by Roine Magnusson, Mats Ottosson, Asa Ottosson, Kira Josefsson

Close to Birds: An Intimate Look at Our Feathered Friends was written by Mats Ottosson and Asa Ottosson will photographs by Roine Magnusson and the translation to English by Kira Josefsson. It is currently scheduled for release on October 22 2019. The stunning and intimate photographs capture the beauty and detail of each bird's form, as well as their unique character and personality. The accompanying short essays share charming and often-hidden details from birds' lives. Discover why robins sing so early in the morning and learn the science behind the almost magical iridescence of mallard feathers. Close to Birds shares the irresistible joy and marvel of birds.

Close to Birds is an interesting read. I like that I learned about the birds included, not the basics of habitat and diet, but the scientific studies and opinions on the birds with the inclusion of quotes about them. I do need to admit that I have a different opinion from the authors, and that we diverged right away. I find birds fascinating and interesting, but unlike our authors I do not find that all people find them more interesting than other creatures. So, this insistence that birds are so much more interesting than other creatures bothered me from the start. However, the essays were accessible and had some tidbits of information that were interesting. The star of this book is not the text. Rather the stunning photography of birds that captured them clearly, up close, and in living color. The images were very much worth my time and I think animal lovers, and birders in particular, will want to give this a look. Those that are birders and share a deep love of birds will very much enjoy the essays as well.

Book Review: Goalie Interference (Hat Trick) by Avon Gale; Piper Vaughn

Goalie Interference is the second book in the Hat Trick series by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn. I did not read the first book in the series, and think that newcomers to the series will be able to fully enjoy the read on its own. 

Ryu Mori has had a stellar season as goalie for the Atlanta Venom. So when he’s called into management’s office, he’s expecting to hear he’s the new starting goalie for the team, not that some new guy—an incredibly hot, annoyingly bratty rookie—is here to compete for his spot. Not everyone gets to play in the best league in the world. Emmitt Armstrong knows that, and he’s not about to waste the opportunity after grinding his way from the bottom to the top. If the Venom are looking for a meek, mild-mannered pushover, they’ve got the wrong guy. Ryu doesn’t want to admit the other goalie’s smart mouth turns him on. Beating Armstrong at practice feels good, sure, but there are other, more fun ways to shut his rival up. In this league, it’s winner takes all. But there’s more to life than winning, and if Emmitt and Ryu can get past their egos and competitive natures, they might just discover they work better as partners than they ever imagined possible.

Goalie Interference is so much more than a m/m or sports romance. Ryu and Emmitt both have family that love and support them, but that might not all offer the kind of pride and overt recognition that they sometimes crave. They both have friends or family they can rely on, and develop support systems, and still have issues that they need to face. Their problems are unique- because of who they are- but they read like real people with real problems. Sometimes it is nice to connect with a character going through problems that are realistic and relatable rather than horrific things that make me sad or angry. Yes, I have no clue what it is like competing for the goalie spot on an NHL team- but I do know what it is like to struggle with feeling accepted or wanting my parents to be proud. 

I enjoyed seeing Emmitt and Ryu dance around each other as they came to terms with their feelings- and finding their way to each other. More importantly- they needed to figure out how to face the inevitable professional struggles they will face. I loved some of their bickering- and some of the frank discussions about love, lust, and attraction in the book. Sometimes when this many sensitive topics arise in a single book it feels manufactured or like it is being done to be trendy or tick off boxes. Here it felt completely organic- the conversations about racism, sexuality, and family all felt natural and organic to the story. I greatly enjoyed the read- and would honestly love to hang out with the characters in real life- they just were that real to me as I read.

Goalie Interference is a solid romance that touches on a wide range of emotional issues. I loved getting to know these characters and will be keeping an eye of for more from the authors.

Book Review: The Animal Awards by Tor Freeman, Martin Jenkins

The Animal Awards is illustrated by Tor Freeman and written by Martin Jenkins. This book invites readers to celebrate the most spectacular species in the animal kingdom. Fifty creatures are awarded prizes to celebrate their most outstanding talents and some unusual skills. Who will win the Terrific Teeth Award? Who will claim the title of Most Smelly? Who will win the prize for Best at Pretending To Be A Plant? Celebrate with 50 brilliant animals from around the world who represent nature's rich tapestry.

The Animal Awards is an interesting read. Each award is a two page spread with information and fun facts about the animal and why it won its particular prize on one side and an illustration of it in its natural habitat or illustrations with even more information on the other. I liked the information that was chosen for the award winners. There is a nice mix of basic facts that are important and some fun or silly facts. The text is well written, and does not talk down to readers or over simplify the information. The illustrations impart for good additional information, but I found it to be a little clunky. To be honest the artwork was a little nostalgic for me, it reminded me of some of the illustrations from children's books I read as a child back in the 1970's. There is nothing wrong with the style, but it just felt old to me. I did like that there was an index, so if readers want to know about a certain animal, trait, or habitat they can explore the book that way.

The Animal Awards is a nice collection of animal information, and would be worth a look for that. However, I was not wowed by the overall presentation.

Early Book Review: The Girl Who Rode a Shark: And Other Stories of Daring Women by Ailsa Ross, Amy Blackwell

The Girl Who Rode a Shark: And Other Stories of Daring Women was written by Ailsa Ross and illustrated by Amy Blackwell. Itis currently scheduled for release on October 25 2019.  This non fiction book is a rousing collection of biographies focused on women and girls who have written, explored, or otherwise plunged headfirst into the pages of history. Undaunted by expectations, they made their mark by persevering in pursuit of their passions. The tales come from a huge variety of times and places, from a Canadian astronaut to an Indian secret agent to a Balkan pirate queen who stood up to Ancient Rome. Author and activist Ailsa Ross gives readers a fun, informative piece of nonfiction that emphasizes the boundless potential of a new generation of women.

The Girl Who Rode a Shark tells the stories of some amazing woman. A good many of them I knew, but some (and their exploits) were new to me. I think it is wonderful that people are taking the time and effort to uncover tales of those so often forgotten in history classes. I thought that the short biographies were well written and accessible, and found the illustrations to be colorful and I think they added a nice touch throughout the book. I liked the varieties of woman included, and how they were organized by kind of adventures they had rather than time they lived or location. I also liked that such a nice variety of cultures and eras are included in the book as well. I really enjoyed the read and got a great deal from it, and I think other readers of all ages will as well. 

The Girl Who Rode a Shark is a great collection of short biographies about amazing woman. I think this is a great choice for classrooms and libraries to encourage readers to follow their dreams, and to show them that they can do anything with enough effort- no matter who they are.

Book Review: The Sheikh's Wife Arrangement (Safar Sheikhs) by Leslie North

The Sheikh's Wife Arrangement is the first book in the Safar Sheikhs series by Leslie North. Ancient law dictates that Sheikh Fatim Safar has to marry or be disinherited by his 30th birthday. Fatim isn’t worried—he married years earlier and had two children with his wife before she died. But there’s a catch: the law states he must be married at age 30. Two weeks from his 30th birthday, there’s no time to change it or fight it. Calla Clark is out to prove her parents wrong.Calla is in the Middle East to prove her design prowess., and what better way to do that then becoming seamstress for the royal family and getting to drape fabric over the sexy Sheikh’s rock-hard body. She can’t act on her temptations, of course. She’s got goals to crush. Still, when she watches the way the Sheikh commands his tribe, and cares for his kids, she can’t help but feel an undeniable attraction. Fatim has taken a liking to Calla, too. She’s smart, thoughtful, and good with his children. With his birthday right around the corner, Fatim offers her the position as his wife. It’s only temporary, and in return for marrying him and helping with his children, he’ll give her everything she needs for the upcoming Fashion Week. Calla agrees, so long as he helps keep her dream alive. With so many differences between them, Fatim and Calla’s powerful pairing could raise the tribe up to modern heights, or send it to the bin like last season’s cast-offs. 

The Sheikh's Wife Arrangement is a romance that works because of the complex characters. Yes, a marriage of convenience turned to love is not a new trope, but it totally works here. Calla is a strong woman that wants to prove herself, to show her skill in clothes design. She cares about others, and her biggest issue is that she has trouble saying no outright and tends to over extend herself. Fatim shares the trait of often overtaxing himself, but in his case it is because he wants everything to be as good as it can for his people. Both are trying to do too much, and prove themselves to be worthy of the trust others place in them and their own skills. There is a good amount of heat, a solid emotional crisis and solution, and some funny moments as well. I like that both characters had their own growth and concerns outside the relationship- even though they did affect it. They did not lose their other goals as soon as they fell in love, instead it brought their own issues to light and forced them to face them on their own. Calla had to figure out how to relate to the other women in the country, Fatim had to figure out how to rule balancing tradition and modern ideas as well as love. 

The Sheikh's Wife Arrangement is va good example of North's writing, and I think fans will want to start off this series right away. It has well written characters and emotional conflict. I liked it so much that I already downloaded the next title in the series.

Early Book Review: Make Trouble Young Readers Edition: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead by Cecile Richards, Lauren Peterson

Make Trouble Young Readers Edition: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead by Cecile Richards, with Lauren Peterson and adapted by Ruby Skamir, is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. Sometimes to make change, you have to make trouble. Cecile Richards has been fighting for what she believes in ever since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. She had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her father, a civil rights attorney, and her mother, an avid activist and the first female governor of Texas, taught their kids to be troublemakers. From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. And by sharing her story with young readers, she shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her though good times and bad, and encourages her audience to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way.

Make Trouble Young Readers Edition is a book that can inspire readers of all ages to take a stand, do use their voices, actions, and efforts to do the right thing even when it might earn them the label of troublemaker. I like that the encouragement comes with the information that sometimes standing up can bring about labels, stigma, and danger. I also like Cecile shared not only her positive inspirations, but also those that she came up against that made her work harder and think more creatively because of their opposing viewpoints and actions. She shared her successes, big and small, but also the mistakes that were made and what she learned from them. I think showing the next generation that small things can start change, and small actions can have a big effect is just as important as showing how much work and effort is involved in the bigger actions that can create bigger change. The risks are laid right right along side the goals. I appreciated seeing how some of the ideas and movements were formed, and how the daily work was done. The writing was fully engaging and I felt like I was sitting down with Cecile to hear her talk about her life. It is not a rally call to cause trouble for no reason- rather it is a offer of support and encouragement for the reader to stand up for themselves, for what they believe in, and for the causes that are important to them. Yes, those that question authority and fight for these causes are often labeled as troublemakers- but when earned in this context I think we should all be willing to wear that label with pride and the honor it merits.

Make Trouble Young Readers Edition is a read that is like talking to a trusted friend or relative. Engaging stories and the encouragement to be your best self, and cause trouble when need is something great for children teens, and adults alike. I think this would be a valuable addition to  home, public, and classroom library collections.

Early Book Review: Against the Rules (Gamer Girls) by Laura Heffernan

Against the Rules is the second book in the Gamer Girls series by Laura Heffernan and is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. I did not read the first book in the series, and while it is about a circle of friends I was able to fully enjoy the book without having read the first.

Holly has taken herself out of the dating game since breaking up with her cheating, thieving ex. She barely notices Marc, who comes into the game store every week, hoping to get her attention. Her friends insist it’s time to take on a new role, to leave Quiet Holly behind and embrace her inner flirt. And on paper, Marc’s great: cute, funny, and a hardcore gamer just like Holly is. Then there’s Nathan. He’s everything twenty-eight-year-old Holly wants, except he’s also her friend’s father. Absolutely off-limits. But as she and Nathan playtest a new legacy game together, they’re growing closer. The game is complex and intriguing, and there’s no way to know how choices will pan out. What seems like a good idea could lead to disaster or sweet victory. But in gaming, as in love, sometimes you have to roll the dice and take your chance.

Against the Rules worked really well on some levels, and fell flat for me in others. I really liked Holly, she has had some serious challenges in life lately and is doing her best to keep moving forward in life. She is a little oblivious sometimes, but in ways many of us are. I liked her intelligence and spirit, and found her insecurities to be realistic and relatable. Nathan seemed like a smart, good guy with issues of his own. I felt like I did not get to know him all that well, since we only saw him through Holly's eyes- I would really have liked to have seen the world through his eyes once and awhile o see his take on Holly. Yes, he was open with her about his feeling once things started happening- but a better look at the attraction and his worries would have brought the whole story together more for me. I liked them together, and understood the worries and hesitancy about becoming involved, and the complications it would create. I did like the glimpses of the horrors on online dating and the real lives of gamers. I found these bits of the story to be well done and realistic, as anyone that has been involved in either can attest. 

Against the Rules is a good contemporary romance that had some fabulous moments, but did not wow me. I am glad I picked it up, but am not sure I will be going back to read the first in the series.