Book Review: Stolen Science by Ella Schwartz

Stolen Science by Ella Schwartz is a middle grade non fiction book. Over the centuries, women, people from underrepresented communities, and immigrants overcame prejudices and social obstacles to make remarkable discoveries in science-but they weren't the ones to receive credit in history books. People with more power, money, and prestige were remembered as the inventor of the telephone, the scientists who decoded the structure of DNA, and the doctor who discovered the cause of yellow fever. This book aims to set the record straight and celebrate the nearly forgotten inventors and scientists who shaped our world today.

Stolen Science is an interesting look at how great discoveries, inventions, and innovations have been mis credited over the years, although not always maliciously. I think that this was an engaging and interesting read, and teaches readers more about some individuals that had great impact in a variety of fields, and teaching them a bit about those fields along the way. While it does drive home the point that life is often not fair, and that certain people tend to get credit even though others do the hard work, which is sadly still often the case. The book also points out that hard work, continuing to learn and grow, and perseverance are important factors in the achievements these individuals made. I had read some of the stories previously, but they were well framed and I liked some of the additional details about their lives and families as well as the science or industry most affected by their work.

Dwelling on how those in marginalized groups were, and sadly are, treated in most arenas does not leave me with all that much hope after reading, even though more and more of this sort of information is being  uncovered and shared has shed some light on the issues, but there will always be those looking to benefit from other's hard work and take advantage of those with less social standing in any way they can.  So I left the book feeling more than a little discouraged, mostly because of how some of today's social issues mirror the same pattern of problems. However, perhaps if we keep pointing it out the next generation will make more progress than my generation, and those previous, have this far.  

Book Review: Brides & Brothers by Anneka R. Walker

Brides & Brothers by Anneka R. Walker is a contemporary romance. Camille Kelly is in real danger of becoming an old maid—at least by Cherish, Montana, standards. She has all but given up on finding Mr. Right—until her broken laptop leads her to Aiden Peterson, a tall, dark, and handsome computer genius. Camille would never have believed her magic moment was right around the corner, but after two whirlwind weeks, she has a ring on her finger and has happily ever after in sight. However, she soon discovers Aiden is part of a daunting package deal. As the eldest of seven brothers, Aiden has never had a problem living under the same roof as his rambunctious siblings. When he falls for Camille, he is confident she’ll fit right into his family’s already bursting home. He thought wrong. Aiden and Camille’s storybook romance comes to a screeching halt when she discovers her new living situation. Not willing to submit to a life mothering a bunch of grown men, Camille has only one option: she embarks on a campaign to improve her new brothers-in-law and marry them off. And what better candidates for wives than her own best friends?

Brides & Brothers is a book I had a really hard time with, although I do recognize that fans of Christian romance and the musical 7 Brides for 7 Brothers will enjoy it much more than I. I did like that the attempt was made to deal with depression, anxiety, and some mental health issues. I thought most oft he characters were a little flat, only described enough to fit their necessary role. Furthermore, everything was tinted with the fundamentalist's idealized version of marriage with the wife as the caregiver, cleaner, cook, and pretty much everything else and with things very clearly along traditional gender lines. The idea that no one can be independent and happy alone or is incomplete without marriage was floated on the very first page and was pretty much a regular theme through the book. Look, I go to church every week and am happily married. However, I do not buy into the subservient wife or two halves of a whole ideology, and it often rubs me the wrong way.  This was certainly the case here. I just could not get past that to enjoy the read.Those that like those ideas and are looking for a book that does as well, will really enjoy this book.

Brides & Brothers is a book that will appeal to some fans of Christian romance, but it was very much not my cup of tea. 

Early Book Review: Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding

Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding is currently scheduled for release on October 5 2021. In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope Team unveiled the first ever image of a super massive black hole. This inspiring scientific breakthrough took years of hard work, innovative thinking, and a level of global cooperation never seen before. The challenge was immense. The goal was impossible. They would need a telescope as big as the earth itself. The technology simply didn’t exist. And yet, a multi-national team of scientists was able to show the world an image of something previously unseeable. Based off extensive research and hours interviews with many of the team's ground-breaking scientist, physicists, and mathematicians, Black Hole Chasers is a story of unique technological innovation and scientific breakthroughs, but more importantly, it's a story of human curiosity and triumph.

Black Hole Chasers is a middle grade non fiction book that is just as interesting an engaging for older readers, including adults, that are interested in the topic. I found the writing to be accessible and interesting, not oversimplified for younger readers nor overly technical. The information was well presented and I found myself intrigued. I enjoyed the asides of additional information and pop culture references, I felt they put things in context and might help the younger readers understand some of these references  that seem to consistently find their way into these discussions. I also like that the author took the time to show how many different people had a hand in the evolution of our understanding of black holes,  and how diverse they and their ideas have been over the years. No one individual, culture, or country can be credited with the discoveries or ingenuity that allowed for us to get an actual image of a black hole- never mind out current understanding of what they are and how they behave.  I liked that the author also included a proper bibliography and endnote citations. This should always be the case in nonfiction, but somehow it is somehow forgotten on occasion so proper citations always make me happy. 

Black Hole Chasers is a great read for anyone interested in black holes, and the scientific journey thus far in understanding, finding, and finally getting an image of one. 

Book Review: Witch Please by Ann Aguirre

Witch Please by Ann Aguirre is a contemporary, witchy romance. Danica Waterhouse is a fully modern witch—daughter, granddaughter, cousin, and co-owner of the Fix-It Witches, a magical tech repair shop. After a messy breakup that included way too much family "feedback," Danica made a pact with her cousin: they'll keep their hearts protected and have fun, without involving any of the overly opinionated Waterhouse matriarchs. Danica is more than a little exhausted navigating a long-standing family feud where Gram thinks the only good mundane is a dead one and Danica's mother weaves floral crowns for anyone who crosses her path. Three blocks down from the Fix-It Witches, Titus Winnaker, owner of Sugar Daddy's bakery, has family trouble of his own. After a tragic loss, all he's got left is his sister, the bakery, and a lifetime of terrible luck in love. Sure, business is sweet, but he can't seem to shake the romantic curse that's left him past thirty and still a virgin. He's decided he's doomed to be forever alone. Until he meets Danica Waterhouse. The sparks are instant, their attraction irresistible. For him, she's the one. To her, he's a firebomb thrown in the middle of a family war. Can a modern witch find love with an old-fashioned mundane who refuses to settle for anything less than forever?

Witch Please is a romance that had its ups and down for me. I really liked the different components, but I do not think they all came together quite right. First off, I did like the characters, and thought that their banter with each other and their larger circles was well done and entertaining. There were some issues with the alternating voices, occasionally leaing me confused about who said or thought something.  I really enjoyed most of the secondary characters, and would love to see more of them. This includes family and friend of both Danica and Titus.  I liked the set up for Danica's power and family drama. I thought the drama of Titus's family was a little unnecessary, and kept waiting for there to be some kind of magical connection or issue there with how strange some aspects felt. I honestly expect one or more additional magical twists. I liked all of the individual parts, but it felt like we were getting an information dump for a series starter built into this story. There were just more story threads than really needed to be there to tell Danica and Titus's story. I do kind of want this to be a series starter because I have several questions left that I want answered about the secondary characters and their possible relationships, the neighbor's cat, the witch hunter, the grandmother, and more. That being said, I liked the characters and the world building but the book felt a little disjointed. If there are follow up books, I will be giving them a chance. 

Witch Please is a book with some great potential that might lead to even better follow ups.

Book Review: The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon is a contemporary romance. When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle. And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There's just one catch -- no one can know what they're doing. But when they're accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor's game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win or is he playing for keeps?

I absolutely adored the last book I read from Rochon, so I have no idea why it took me so long to read The Dating Playbook. It is another great book, and I look forward to giving it a second read. I love the set up for the series, and the friendlies and support between Taylor, Samiah, and London always makes me happy. Taylor is at the end of her rope and doing the best she can to stay afloat. Jamar is desperate to save his football career, and working with Taylor seems like his best shot. I really enjoyed the honesty between the pair about their attraction between them, and why it is not a good idea to go from fake dating to real dating. The conflicts and stumbling blocks felt every real, and I could empathize and relate to many aspects and could understand where they stood even when I could not relate. I thought the internal battles they each needed to face were realistic and I enjoyed their banter and they way they worked toward a better future, even when things were hard and they thought they would be alone. They each grew as people, and were not only better because of the relationship. I really love when a romance takes every character on a growth journey rather than attaching all good things to the state of the couple. I cannot wait for more from Rochon. 

 

The Dating Playbook is a fantastic read on several levels. This author is now on my must read list, and I am eager to see what they do next.

Audiobook Review: You May Kiss the Groomsman (Meet me at the Altar) by Samantha Chase, Narrated by Avery Reid

You May Kiss the Groomsman is the third book in the Meet me at the Altar by Samantha Chase, but can be read and enjoyed on its own. The audiobook is narrated by Avery Reid.

When Josie Sullivan agrees to marry her friend Tyler, it’s just so he’ll get a promotion at work. That’s what friends do, right? But what should have been a quick, quiet affair starts to look like the real thing when his family shows up in the middle of the “proposal.” Now, it’s no longer a quick stop at the courthouse during a lunch break but a full-blown wedding, and there’s nothing Josie can do to stop it. Daniel Alexander hasn’t been home in years. After fifteen years as a Navy SEAL, he’s more than ready to return to civilian life. Being away for so long, he’s missed a lot of his younger brother’s life, and it seems like he’s back just in time to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. No matter how he breaks it down, something’s just not adding up about this wedding, and he’s determined to figure out why. And he’s not just trying to stop it from happening because he’s finding himself wildly attracted to the bride-to-be. Josie had given up on finding her own happily ever after, and as her attraction to Daniel keeps growing, she’s suddenly regretting her decision to help out a friend. Now she just needs to decide if she wants to kiss the groom…or the groomsman.

You May Kiss the Groomsman is a romance with plenty of feels and ethical dilemmas. Josie is starting to feel left behind as those around her find their happy ever afters, and wants one of her own. However, a marriage of convenience seems her best option until a chance meeting- and then things really get complicated for her. I have to say, that while I empathized with Josie as someone that tends to go too far in helping friends and family without  considering what I want, there was more than one occasion that my frustration with her overwhelmed my concern and hope. I started dreading what would happen next. I really hated Tyler for most of the book. However, I really enjoyed Daniel's character and thought even when he was in the wrong that he was doing the best he could and owned up to his mistakes and took steps to do better. I liked the idea of the book, and I liked the secondary characters and the banter between the main players. I thought the support and friendship through out the book for everyone involved was wonderful. I think the book has a great deal going for it, however my frustration with Josie just made it hard for me to fully engage with the read. I think it will be a great read for many, but it fell a little flat for me. 

You May Kiss the Groomsman is a romance that fans of the author, and particularly this series, will want to read.

Early Book Review: The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep by Rachel Poliquin, Byron Eggenschwiler

The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep, written by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler,  is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on October 5 2021. A look at some very strange creatures in the sea --- but which is the strangest? A feathery tutu dancing through the water? A tiptoeing rock wearing a wig? A mountain of skulls on the ocean floor? Not everything is quite as it seems in this fascinating exploration of 12 bizarre and little-known sea animals. Each creature is introduced with an imaginative first-person depiction of its appearance, accompanied by an artistic interpretation and the question, “Am I the strangest thing in the sea?” Then, open the gatefold, and an illustration and full description of the actual creature in its habitat are revealed, along with the tantalizing answer that, no, this is not the strangest thing in the sea. That is, until the last creature, which is the strangest. But what could it be?

I enjoyed The Strangest Thing in the Sea very much. I thought the artwork matched the text very well, and the detail and imagination on each page showed great skill. I thought the use of gatefolds was a good choice, and the execution was on point. The page layout, and book organization as a whole, was very good. I enjoyed the balance of whimsy in the imagined version oft he creatures balanced with solid information.  I have to admit that I was already very familiar with most of the animals featured, but I think the approach and chosen information was great.I really liked that a glossary and chart showing the different zones of the sea and where the featured animals live were included.  I learned a few new things, and I think readers of a variety of ages will be highly engaged and interested in this book. 

Book Review: In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Volume 1, by Mika Yamamori

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Volume 1, by Mika Yamamori is a manga style graphic novel. Yoi Takiguchi has long legs, a deep voice, and a handsome face. In other words, Yoi is such a good-looking guy that most people don't notice or care that she is, in fact, a girl. Indeed, she's had the nickname "Prince" as long as she can remember. That is, until she met Ichimura-senpai, the only person who's really seemed to see her for herself. To her surprise, she's not sure how to handle this new relationship, especially when her newfound friend is a prince himself (and a guy prince, at that). The story of the two high school princes starts here!

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is a well written and drawn graphic novel. I liked that even though Yoi is cast as a prince, she really does not do anything that marks her as different or masculine. People are just judging her on looks and how she carries herself rather than any actual 'I'm different from other girls' action. She is just trying to get through life being successful in school and with her family's restaurant. Because oft his she has no dating experience and has no idea how to react to Ichimura- which most awkward teens and adult can relate to. Many of us have trouble with compliments and whatnot, which makes the whole awkward dance between the two so relatable and fun. I would have liked a little more of them developing a friendship, or more interaction with friend groups, but I think that the book did give enough that will keep many readers interested and looking for the next volume.  

Book Review: Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros by Julia Herz; Gwen Conley

Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros by Julia Herz; Gwen Conley is a resource to guide both beginners and beer geeks in pairing beer with food. As you start your journey you’ll learn how aroma, taste, preference, and personal experience can affect flavor. Just as important, you’ll become a tasting Anarchist—throw out the conventional advice and figure out what works for you! Begin with beer styles, start with your favorite foods, or join the authors on a series of wild palate trips. From classics like barbecue ribs with American Brown Ale to unusual matches like pineapple upside-down cake with Double India Pale Ale, you’ll learn why some pairings stand the test of time and you’ll find plenty of new ideas as well. Discover: How we experience flavor and the science and anatomy behind it and how to taste beer, step by step, with pouring and glassware tips. Discover pairings by beer style and specific foods,  information for planning beer dinners, how to work beer into your cooking repertoire, ad tips and stories from pro brewers. Geek Out science features with facts to impress your friends Never look at beer—or food—the same way again!

Beer Pairing is a great resource for beer beginners, those that regularly enjoy beer, and those looking to elevate their beer experiences in the future. I think the book does a good job of explaining the complexities of beer itself, and the intricacies of tastes and pairings. The awareness that the aspects of the food, beer, and the palate of each taster each have their role to play- and that just because something works for others you might vary- is pointed out and there is no shamed leveled at those that might not like something just because it is deemed popular. I thought the book was well organized, and the explanations and examples were well done and accessible to novices and beer experts alike. There was detailed analysis of just about everything involved on the subject, and some people might be overwhelmed by the amount of ground covered, but the use of well chosen images and sections by experienced beer individuals break up what might otherwise to too dense to enjoy. I also liked that the authors included detailed citation documentation, which makes further reading much easier for those looking for more. The index also makes it easier for those looking for information on a singular type of beer or food to pair. 

Beer Pairing is a comprehensive and valuable resource for anyone that wants to know more about beer, and how to match the perfect beer and food to match your mood and palate.

Book Review: Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Ghosted Cozy Mysteries, #1) by Jessica Arden

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is the first book in the Ghosted Cozy Mystery series by Jessica Arden. New Orleans ghost tour gift shop manager, Paige Harrington makes a wish for her twenty-fifth birthday: to find the one thing she can be as passionate about as her cancer researcher parents. She doesn’t, however, expect her calling to come in the form of a mysterious app on her phone that matches her up with the ghost of a cute bartender who wants her to solve his murder. Nor for her pet hedgehog, Auguste, to start talking to her with a French accent. When her favorite professor turned cafe owner, Liz Pickett is framed for the murder, Paige can’t sit by and let all of this happen. Even if uncovering the truth means tangling with the Enclave, a secret society with the power and connections to make someone like her asking too many questions disappear without a trace. With the Enclave and their dark secrets dogging at her heels, Paige will have to step up her sleuthing skills and unmask the real killer before she ends up their next victim.

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is a book that felt like a cozy mystery, but it had some very dark moments. I liked Paige's search for her calling, and the supportive circle of friends. I liked the secondary characters and thought some of the connections and banter were great. Sometimes there were connections that felt like they would lead to something in this case, or future installments but others felt like there might have been a prequel or related series that went into things with more detail. I really liked the ghost elements, and the talking hedgehog. I thought the humor and conversations between friends and main characters were the best parts of the book. I did think that the mystery part was well done, and there were some good twists and turns. However, there were parts that did not seem connected to the larger story and left me with new questions that I do not think I will ever get answers to. I liked the read, and so much of it worked for me, but I felt like the balance of dark and humor was a little off for my personal tastes.

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is a good read with plenty of humor and a fair amount of dark and dangerous.