Early Book Review: Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook: Nearly 200 Delightful Baked Goods Recipes from Amish Kitchens by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook:  Nearly 200 Delightful Baked Goods Recipes from Amish Kitchens by Wanda E. Brunstetter is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2021. This review is based on a good sized sample of the book provided through Netgalley.

Fresh-baked buns or cookies waiting for a child’s after-school snack is a delight many of us remember from our own mothers’ and grandmothers’ kitchens. You can now share the joy of baking for and with your own family through dozens of recipes provided by Amish bakers. Ideas for breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, and more will keep you busy taste testing and sharing all the goodies. Also included are step-by-step instructions, baking tips, and anecdotes from Amish bakers. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home bakers of all ages will be delighted to add this cookbook to their collections.

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook is a well written and organized cookbook for baked goods. I thought the baking tips and explanations were helpful, even as a fairly experienced baker. I even enjoyed learning a bit about the history of the Amish and Mennonite history, when usually I skim through the background and personal stories and rush ahead to the actual recipes. I found the recipes and instructions to be well written and easy to follow, and the pictures enticing to the point where I am going to try out a couple this weekend. I think this book will be perfect for those interested in the author and the subject matter. It might not be one for my personal collect (thinks to being out of room) but is one that I would definitely borrow from the library or recommend for those looking to expand their collection. 

Early Book Review: Crayola ® Our Colorful Earth: Celebrating the Natural World by Marie-Therese Miller

Crayola ® Our Colorful Earth: Celebrating the Natural World by Marie-Therese Miller is a nonfiction picturebook currently scheduled for release on September 7 2021. Readers explore rainbow mountains, pink sand beaches, and more and learn the science behind some of nature's most colorful geographical formations.

Crayola ® Our Colorful Earth is a wonderful pairing of bold photographs and scientific details. Each page offers readers a look at a colorful feature of nature, and the scientific explanation as to why the they are the color they are.  I think the pictures used are chosen well, and the interactions suggested by the text (answering simple questions and looking for specific colors) will keep less engaged readers on task. The information is short but interesting, making them engaging and accessible. I like that the book includes a glossary, additional facts, a hand on experiment, and options to explore for further reading. I think this book would be great in home and classroom libraries.

Early Book Review: Death & Sparkles by Rob Justus

Death & Sparkles by Rob Justus is a middle grade novel currently scheduled for release on September 7 2021. Being Death isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, you’re all-powerful, but collecting souls involves a ton of paperwork, and it’s impossible to have friends when everything you touch instantly dies. Being Sparkles the Last Unicorn isn’t as fun as you’d imagine, either. Maybe it seems like the whole world wants to be your bestie, but really people just want you to pose with them for selfies, or use you to help them sell stuff. Everything changes when Death and Sparkles meet, and realize they might just be one another’s first chance at a real friend. But before they can even enjoy the bromance, the whole world starts freaking out about this unlikely pair. Will fame or BFFdom prevail? 

Death & Sparkles is well matched in text, story, and artwork. I liked the way it shows the personalities and perspectives of Death, Sparkles, and the lizard brothers. Their adventures were sometimes very sad, showing how power or fame is not all it is cracked up to be, and sometimes very funny and unexpected. I liked that it was divided into clear chapters, offering the different perspectives and aspects of the larger story. I liked the commentary on greed and fame just as much as the bonding and laughs as Sparkles and Death got to know each other. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to more from the author.

Death & Sparkles is a fun and engaging read that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

Early Book Review: The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown

The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown is currently scheduled forrelease on August 31 2021. In 2017, DNA tests revealed to the collective shock of many scholars that a Viking warrior in a high-status grave in Birka, Sweden was actually a woman. The Real Valkyrie weaves together archaeology, history, and literature to imagine her life and times, showing that Viking women had more power and agency than historians have imagined. Brown uses science to link the Birka warrior, whom she names Hervor, to Viking trading towns and to their great trade route east to Byzantium and beyond. She imagines her life intersecting with larger-than-life but real women, including Queen Gunnhild Mother-of-Kings, the Viking leader known as The Red Girl, and Queen Olga of Kyiv. Hervor’s short, dramatic life shows that much of what we have taken as truth about women in the Viking Age is based not on data, but on nineteenth-century Victorian biases. Rather than holding the household keys, Viking women in history, law, saga, poetry, and myth carry weapons. These women brag, “As heroes we were widely known—with keen spears we cut blood from bone.” In this compelling narrative Brown brings the world of those valkyries and shield-maids to vivid life.

The Real Valkyrie is a thought provoking and engaging read that grabbed my interest on the first few pages and would not let go. The exploration of the known history, texts, and archaeological findings takes a deeper look at the lives of viking women, especially the possibilities surrounding the remains of one female viking warrior. Science and a more well rounded look at our history acknowledges how the mores and ideals of Victorian society has skewed the perception of viking lives. The writing is engaging and holds the readers interest, and I found the subject matter to be handled expertly and with passion. I highly recommend this read for anyone interested in the subject matter, and for readers that want to explore how preconceived notions and ideas can hindering understanding other cultures both past and present. I am excited to explore the author's recommendations for further reading on the subject and appreciate the endpages content with proper citations and useful information. 

The Real Valkyrie is a thoroughly researched and well written book.  

Book Review: Heartless (Immortal Enemies) by Gena Showalter

Heartless is the first book in the Immortal Enemies series by Gena Showalter. Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees. He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abducting and seducing his foe’s beloved bride to ensure his own child one day sits on the male’s throne. Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a human beauty with dangerous secrets. Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash-talking, bad at peopling. After a long-awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess. Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh-and-blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues. But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run or descend into the darkness with him? 

Heartless is a solid start to another series from Showalter, but I will admit that I still rather expected it to connect with other series that I have read and if it does I missed those connections. I really liked Cookie's character and thought her sass and independence were great. Kaysar is a wounded character, and even when he is being a jerk I did not hate him like I would other characters doing the same things. I did think some of the mayhem and killing was a bit too easily accepted by Cookie, however the flow of the book and give and take between her and Kaysar was great.I also liked the world building and secondary characters. I want more of all the secondary characters, and what happens next in this world. I also want some answer on little bits of information dropped in this book that have my imagination spinning to fill in the gaps. Thankfully, having read a great many of Showalter's books, I have faith that future books will fill in those gaps and entertain quite nicely. 

Heartless is a good start to another series from Showalter.

Early Book Review: Water: A Visual and Scientific History by Jack Challoner

Water: A Visual and Scientific History by Jack Challoner is currently scheduled for release on August 31 2021. The story of the most abundant substance on Earth, from its origins in the birth of stars billions of years ago to its importance in the living world. Water is so ubiquitous in our lives that it is easy to take for granted. The average American uses ninety gallons of water a day; nearly every liquid we encounter is mostly water--milk, for example, is 87 percent water. Clouds and ice--water in other forms--affect our climate. Water is the most abundant substance on Earth, and the third-most abundant molecule in the universe. Water is perhaps the most studied compound in the universe--although mysteries about it remain--and Challoner describes how thinkers from ancient times have approached the subject. He offers a detailed look at the structure and behavior of water molecules, explores the physics of water--explaining, among other things, why ice is slippery--and examines the chemistry of water. He investigates photosynthesis and water's role in evolutionary history, and discusses water and weather, reviewing topics that range from snowflake science to climate change. Finally, he considers the possibility of water beyond our own hydrosphere--on other planets, on the Moon, in interstellar space.



Water: A Visual and Scientific History is a well researched, organized, and written book. It goes into great detail on the different aspects and history of our understanding of water. There were moments that it went a little too technical for my personal tastes, but I think I just was not ready for that level of detail and explanation when I opened the digital galley. I do think that it is very well done, and will appeal to those looking for a in depth look at all things water in our past, present, and future- including things you might not have even considered. 

Early Book Review: The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Unicorn by Bella Swift

The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Unicorn by Bella Swift is an illustrated chapter book that is currently scheduled for release on August 312021. After Peggy the pug puppy is left at the animal shelter just before Christmas, she is taken in by a foster family. But the situation is just temporary—the family isn’t ready for a dog quite yet. And the little girl, Chloe, wants a unicorn for Christmas, not a puppy. Peggy decides that she will become a unicorn to make Chloe’s Christmas wish come true—and hopefully make Peggy’s temporary home her forever home in the process. All she needs is a long silky mane, a glowing horn, and the ability to do magic! Easy-peasy, right? But all of Peggy’s attempts to become a unicorn go hilariously wrong. From knocking over the Christmas tree to getting lost in the snow, Peggy remains a pug. How will she ever find a forever home if she can’t make her new humans happy?

The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Unicorn is a transitional chapter book that might hit just the right chord with some young and transitional readers. I love that while the book is sweet and fun, it also shows how much work is involved with properly caring for a puppy. I think this is even more impactful, especially for young readers, but putting the book in the dog's perspective. Poor Peggy just wants to play and be loved, just like the kids reading the book. Seeing that the pug makes mistakes (just like them) but that those mistakes come from good intentions or things out side Peggy's control is something that most will be able to relate to. I think the book is very accessible to new independent readers, and might be a new favorite for many. I now need to read the author's previous book about a pug wanting to be a reindeer.

Early Book Review: Live Well Bake Cookies: 75 Classic Cookie Recipes for Every Occasion by Danielle Rye

Live Well Bake Cookies: 75 Classic Cookie Recipes for Every Occasion by Danielle Rye is currently scheduled for release on August 24 2021.  Danielle Rye, the creator of the popular baking blog Live Well Bake Often, believes that anyone can become an expert baker, and in this book she will help you do just that by gently guiding you in the kitchen with foolproof recipes for cookies and treats that come out perfectly portioned and dependably delicious every single time. Recipes include a range of classic, oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate, holiday, seasonal, and Christmas cookies, including: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies, Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars, Double Chocolate M&M’s Cookies, Iced Maple Cinnamon Cookies, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodles, Peppermint Snowball Cookies, Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Complete with helpful tips and tricks, make-ahead and freezing instructions, small-batch recipes, and a gorgeous photograph accompanying every recipe, this cookbook will truly have you living your best baking life.

Live Well Bake Cookies offers readers exactly what the title suggests, 75 cookie recipes with enough variety to satisfy just about every cookie eater. I like that the recipes include both metric and standard US measurements so that bakers used to both can enjoy the recipes without extra math and calculations. I liked that tips and tricks were included, along with freezing ad storage information. I think the small batch information was also a nice touch, because not everyone needs or wants the temptation of extra cookies in the freezer. The recipes are well written and easy to follow. There were some formatting issues that made readability a struggle in some places, but I am going with the assumption that this is because I was reading a digital galley and these problems will be solved before the print version is shipped. I think fans of the blogger and dedicated cookie bakers looking to add to their cookbook collection will want to add this to their collection. For those of us that really love to bake but are completely out of shelf space for cookbooks- I highly recommend borrowing from a library (or buying and then donating to a local library) to find your favorite recipes and hints to add to your knowledge base.

Early Book Review: Saved by the Spell (House of Magic) by Susanna Shore

Saved by the Spell is the second book in the House of Magic series by Susanna Shore and is currently scheduled for release on August 15 2021. I do recommend reading the series in order, but the author does a good job of giving newcomers a good understanding of past events and relationships. 

Magic and I hadn’t exactly had a good start, but thanks to a spell that made me repulsive to men, I was seriously considering becoming a witch hunter. A chance encounter with a charming stranger makes Phoebe dream of a happily-ever-after, until she learns that there’s a spell on her that makes her repulsive to men. Luckily her boss, Archibald Kane, and her new landladies are experts on magic. Only this one seems to confound them all. Who has spelled her and why? Is it a challenge on Kane’s leadership of the mages? Or is there a more sinister game afoot? Phoebe doesn’t mind the space men give her in the Tube, but her cousin’s engagement party is coming up. How is she to celebrate, if she makes half the guests nauseated? And how is she to charm the man of her dreams when she suspects he’s part of the problem? It might take the Archmage to break the spell—if only they could find him. A spell may be needed to save them both.

Saved by the Spell is a nice follow up to the first book in the series. I was glad to see more character development and growth, and the relationships between the group become deeper and more interesting. I liked the story premise, and think there were a lot of great ideas. However, I admit that I found myself wanting to throttle Phoebe on several occasions because I though many things were obvious early on. Clear clues and signs were ignored at several key moments, or information that was relevant simply not mentioned so many times that I was very frustrated. I did enjoy the ride, and thought the wrap up was very well done. I liked the read, but despite my enjoyment of the characters I think I am going to have to leave the series here. The mystery aspects seem to cause me more frustration than joy, but I have read so much of this sub genre that it just might be my anticipation of the solution rather than any fault in the story that is just making it not click for me.  

Saved by the Spell is a good story with interesting characters.

Book Review: ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse by Stephanie Cooke, Mari Costa

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse is a middle grade graphic novel written by Stephanie Cooke  and illustrated by Mari Costa. It’s fall break in the supernatural town of North Haven, and young witch Abby’s plans include pitching in at her mom’s magical coffee shop, practicing her potion making, and playing board games with her best friends—a pumpkinhead, a wolf-girl, and a ghost. But when Abby finds her younger sister being picked on by some speed demons, she lets out a burst of magic so strong, it opens a portal to a realm of chaos bunnies. And while these bunnies may look cute, they’re about to bring the a-hop-ocalypse (and get Abby in a cauldronful of trouble) unless she figures out a way to reverse the powerful magic she unwittingly released. What’s a witch to do?

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse is a wonderful graphic novel about figuring out what is most important in your life ad using that as your strength. I thought the town and magical world building was nicely done, giving enough to have the story make sense but not dumping too much extra information. I liked the diversity, magical and otherwise, and think it felt like part of the story rather than something on a checklist which I have seen too much of lately. I thought the story and character development was well written and engaging. The art was well done- and I liked the color, depicted emotion and movement, and bold design. I do with the faces had had a bit more detail, in some cases it was very well defined but in others less so. Of course, this could be because I read a galley rather than a final version. Regardless I really enjoyed the book and think many readers from many age groups will as well. 

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse is a charming coming of age graphic novel full of magic and friendship.