Early Book Review: Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America by Matika Wilbur

Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America by Matika Wilbur is currently scheduled for release on April 25 2023. In 2012, Matika Wilbur sold everything in her Seattle apartment and set out on a Kickstarter-funded pursuit to visit, engage, and photograph people from what were then the 562 federally recognized Native American Tribal Nations. Over the next decade, she traveled six hundred thousand miles across fifty states—from Seminole country (now known as the Everglades) to Inuit territory (now known as the Bering Sea)—to meet, interview, and photograph hundreds of Indigenous people. The body of work Wilbur created serves to counteract the one-dimensional and archaic stereotypes of Native people in mainstream media and offers justice to the richness, diversity, and lived experiences of Indian Country. The culmination of this decade-long art and storytelling endeavor, Project 562 is a peerless, sweeping, and moving love letter to Indigenous Americans, containing hundreds of stunning portraits and compelling personal narratives of contemporary Native people—all photographed in clothing, poses, and locations of their choosing. Their narratives touch on personal and cultural identity as well as issues of media representation, sovereignty, faith, family, the protection of sacred sites, subsistence living, traditional knowledge-keeping, land stewardship, language preservation, advocacy, education, the arts, and more.

Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is a stunning and important book. The photography is absolutely wonderful, and I could page through this book for hours to appreciate each image. More important, the text and purpose of this book is incredibly significant and I found the book to be highly engaging, informational, and meaningful on multiple levels. I think letting each of the interviewed individuals choose how that wanted to be photographed, and how their words were shared untouched went a long way in sharing their real and authentic voices, experiences, and perspectives with readers. Reading this book was as close to meeting such a variety of individuals and communities from across the country as I am likely to ever have a chance to personally. I feel like I learned a great deal, and will continue to learn more as I explore more ownvoices works by indigenous individuals. I thought I had a much better grasp and understanding on how colonialism and bigotry had shaped this country and all of its people, but I feel like I have a much better understanding of how little I actually knew after reading this book. This book has inspired be to continue my learning and understanding, and I hope it will have the effect on a wide variety of readers. 

Book Review: Crack the Spine (The Wayward Series) by Wade Lewellyn-Hughes

Crack the Spine is the first book in The Wayward Series by Wade Lewellyn-Hughes. Fulfilling bounties on the supernatural requires a balance between safety and profit. Kendall Blake and the Wayward Investigations team walk this line with one goal in mind: to create a haven for runaway LGBTQ+ youth living on the streets of New Orleans, easy food for the darkness seldom discussed outside of fairy tales. But real estate is anything but cheap and selling the feu follet they catch in the swamps isn’t bringing in the cash they need. Enter Frankie Singh. Her childhood friend has gone missing in what appears to be a very sophisticated abduction. The fact it began with a murder in Portland has already skewed the balance beyond Wayward Investigations’ threshold. But they needed the money. Unraveling the mystery of what happened to her friend forces them deeper into the shadows and puts their own magical abilities to the test. Even tough-as-nails Kendall wonders if they made a mistake in trying to find her once she is staring down her gun into the glowing eyes of an incubus. 

Crack the Spine is a solid urban fantasy, but I have to admit that I had one problem with it. While it is the first in a series it felt like there was something leading up to this point, or that there should have been. I searched a bit, and while there are other books by the author I could find nothing that struck me as offering the answers of how the group in Wayward Investigations came together and formed their found family style bonds. However, I did like the major players and the story itself. I thought there were some great moments, and a couple I had to go back and re read because I was not sure if I missed something. I like the world that was created here, and the efforts of Kendall and her friends. There are plenty of mysteries and questions left in my mind at the end of this book, and I will read the next to see if I get those answered, and some more back story. 

Crack the Spine is a good urban fantasy, and I liked many aspects of the read. I believe I will give the second book a try when it comes out and decide after that read if I want to stick with the series.

Audiobook Review: The Four Workarounds: Strategies from the World's Scrappiest Organizations for Tackling Complex Problems by Paulo Savaget, Narrated by Roger Wayne

The Four Workarounds: Strategies from the World's Scrappiest Organizations for Tackling Complex Problems was written by Paulo Savaget and the audiobook is narrated by Roger Wayne. For ages, global corporations have been lecturing small organizations and not-for-profits on how to get things done. As it turns out, it should have been the other way around. In this audiobook Savaget shows how the most valuable lessons about problem-solving can be learned from the scrappiest groups. Savaget draws most of his examples from small organizations dedicated to social action that have made an art form out of subverting the status quo and have proved themselves adept at achieving massive wins with minimal resources. Through his research, Savaget identified the four workarounds that these groups commonly employ: the piggyback, the loophole, the roundabout, and the next best. With vivid and fascinating examples from his life and travels, he demonstrates how each one works and how to know which one to use when.

The Four Workarounds is a thoroughly researched and well written book. I think the narrator did a good job with the text as well, toner and inflection kept me focused on the book, for the most part. The times my mind wondered was more about me, and other drivers on the road, than anything relating to the text. I liked that the examples and suggestions given were pretty wide ranging, and I thought the book could be very useful for those looking to get out there and make changes, whether it be towards social change and helping others or making changes in your personal or professional life. I think workarounds can be utilized in grand and small scale, and regardless of which you are ready for this book can help you recognize a workaround when you see it in use by others, and to find and use them yourself when needed. I think the book provides exactly what it promises, and might get some people thinking a little differently about authority, conformity, and workarounds. 

Early Book Review: Reynard's Tale: A Story of Love and Mischief by Ben Hatke

Reynard's Tale: A Story of Love and Mischief by Ben Hatke is currently scheduled for release on April 18 2023. Inspired by the 12th century tales of the indomitable trickster fox Reynard, this offbeat tribute to the archetypal rogue has a satisfyingly old-fashioned feeling to it. Although this Reynard adventure is entirely the creation of modern fairytale master Ben Hatke (Mighty Jack), it fits seamlessly into the body of Reynard tales still beloved in Europe to this day.

Reynard's Tale is not quite what I expected from Hatke. I have adored everything from the author previously, so I could not turn down a change at this book. This book is aimed much more at adults than the middle grade and teen audience that I typically recommend their graphic novels to. As a reader with some folklore knowledge of Reynard I think that it will make much more sense to readers that have at least some knowledge of Reynard's trickster reputation than those that might be coming into the story fresh. The format is a little different than I expected. I was expecting a more typical graphic novel format, but this book is set in in alternating pages of text and illustration, this is not a bad, it just was not what I had thought I would see.  As expected, I fully enjoyed Hatke's art style. There are hidden bits of information and clues in every page, and I think the back and white artworks lends itself to this story and format perfectly.

Reynard's Tale is an interesting exploration of a folklore character. It is not quite what I expected, but is definitely unique and will be a favorite for some. 

Early Book Review: Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill by Maureen Fergus, Danesh Mohiuddin

Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill, written by Maureen Fergus and illustrated by Danesh Mohiuddin, is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on April 18 2023. Princess Pru’s life is practically perfect. She has two loving dads, an ostrich named Orville, and three royal tarantulas. But one day, a ghastly ogre with crusty toenails and goopy ears moves into the house on the hill. At first, Pru sees the ogre as a nuisance: he disrupts her royal rock band practices, weekly tickle tag games, and even the hide-and-seek tournament. But then she starts to wonder if the ogre is just lonely. The unsympathetic townspeople become especially terrified when Oggy the ogre is spotted buying cupcakes and balloons. They receive ominous notes (that look very much like invitations), and the kings are convinced that Oggy wants to make everyone into a stew! But with courage and spunk, Pru heads to the house on the hill to meet Oggy—for a party! All along, Oggy just wanted to make friends—and thanks to Pru, he does.

Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill is a charming picturebook with wonderful illustrations. The artwork felt a bit nostalgic to me, since it reminded me (in all the best ways)  of the cartoons and comics that I remember from my childhood. I am not sure what about the style made me feel that, but I loved it so it does not really matter why. While the book is clearly about making assumptions and how 'everyone' can be wrong it does need feel preachy or pushy- which I find sometimes happens where there is a clear intent in a children's story. I think having the child be the voice of reason, and bravery, will appeal to many young readers and maybe help them be more empathetic in their own lives after reading the book. However, the book is also just good fun and entertaining, as all the very best books are. 

Book Review: Fierce by Geoffroy Monde & Mathieu Burniat

Fierce by Geoffroy Monde & Mathieu Burniat is a graphic novel that was originally published in French. The legendary King Arthur is now an old drunkard who spends his days slouched on his throne. He owes his former glory to the magic sword the wizard Merlin forged for him in order to slay the hordes of demons who came to invade the kingdom of Pendragon. The enchanted weapon now suffers from a bad case of boredom, while Arthur's daughter, the Princess Ysabelle, is wondering how to flee the marriage her father has arranged with the vile Baron of Cumber. Both Ysabelle and the sword are determined to change their fate, and to do so they must become allies on a long journey. But the wide world can prove much harsher than life at the palace, and the sword's intentions may not be as noble as they seem. 

Fierce is a creative and engaging take on King Arthur's later years. While I have to admit this story flies far from anything I have read or watched in regards to Arthur and Merlin. I really enjoyed the imagination and unexpected turns, not to mention the acknowledgment of how few choices women historically have- and how a poorly run country is bad for everyone. I thought the story had some fantastically quirky moments and characters, and I thought the art dis a great job of enhancing the characters, action, and storyline. Everything worked well together and felt seamless, like one person had done it all rather than relying on the team effort that was involved in creating this graphic novel. There were some great twists and turns, and a good balance or dark moments and humor. One thing to note is that this is not a children's graphic novel. I think young adults would get it, but this was aimed at the adult market. 

Early Book Review: Crochet Ragdoll Friends: 36 New Dolls to Make by Sascha Blase-Van Wagtendonk

Crochet Ragdoll Friends: 36 New Dolls to Make by Sascha Blase-Van Wagtendonk is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2023. This is a new collection of 36 ragdolls, including adult and baby pairs of animals and fantasy creatures such as dragons and dinosaurs; friends from around the world, such as kokeshi dolls, Santa Claus and reindeer, kangaroos and koalas, giraffes, and flamingos. So many cute dolls—great for baby gifts and using up small bits of yarn—and they work up quickly for near-instant gratification.

Crochet Ragdoll Friends is cute collection of relatively quick and easy dolls to make. I liked the variety of eyes used in these dolls. I often opt for the safety eyes, because they are so easy and look great, but I like having a variety of options. I thought the patterns were well varied, and easy to follow. I also liked that there was a difficulty rating for each one, sometimes even the most practiced crocheter wants to do something quick and easy. While some of the patterns are something you could find elsewhere, I think this is a solid collection, and overall very cute. I think I might be stitching up some hedgehogs in the near future.

Early Book Review: The Plus One (A Brush With Love) by Mazey Eddings

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings is the third book in the Brush With Love series and is currently schedule for release on April 4 2023. I have nor read the previous books, and while those that have will have a head start on knowing the characters, I think newcomers can easily enjoy this book as a stand alone if they wish. 

On paper, Indira has everything together. An amazing job, a boyfriend, and a car. What more could a late twenty-something ask for? But when she walks in on her boyfriend in an amorous embrace with a stranger, that perfect on paper image goes up in flames. Jude has nothing together. A doctor that’s spent the last three years traveling the world to treat emergencies and humanitarian crises, a quick trip home for his best friend’s wedding has him struggling to readjust. Thrust into an elaborate (and ridiculously drawn out) wedding event that’s stressing Jude beyond belief and has Indira seeing her ex and his new girlfriend far more frequently than any human should endure, the duo strike a bargain to be each other’s fake dates to this wedding from hell. The only problem is, their forced proximity and fake displays of affection are starting to feel a bit real, and both are left grappling with the idea that a situation that couldn’t be worse, is made a little better with the other around.

The Plus One is a fun and engaging read that talks about mental health with respect and realism. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing them get to know each other again. This book combined some of my favorite tropes; forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and brother's best friend, and did it well. I enjoyed their interactions and the bickering was very entertaining. I did not read the previous books, and did not even know it was a part of a series until I was already reading and realized it must be part of a larger series. However, it did not effect the love story between Indira and Jude, only the larger family and friend group. I thought the portrayal of both Indira and Jude's mental health was handled with a great deal of honesty and respect. I really liked that the reality of how different things effect us all differently and that being aware of the issues at hand does not automatically remove their impact on our emotions and lives are important things for us all to remember. 

The Plus One is a well written and engaging romance. 

Early Book Review: Animal FACTopia!: Follow the Trail of 400 Beastly Facts by Julie Beer, Andy Smith, Britannica Group

Animal FACTopia!: Follow the Trail of 400 Beastly Facts, written by Julie Beer, illustrated by Andy Smith, and with facts verified the Britannica Group is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on April 4 2023. Did you know that beavers have orange teeth? Or that some monkeys floss their teeth using bird feathers? Or that one species of bird can walk underwater? Or that alligators stay underwater for longer by swallowing rocks? Or that sea otters use rocks to crack open prey? Interesting facts you might never otherwise know can be found in this book.

Animal FACTopia! is a entertaining, informative, and engaging read. Some of the facts were things I knew, but some were brand new to me. I liked the variety of creatures that are included, and the way the facts are connected together to capture and keep the attention of readers. I thought the illustrations were fun and kept the reader's attention on the page. They were an entertaining and valuable addition to the book. I liked the blend of real pictures, illustrations, and pictures with additional illustration or details added. I also liked that the facts were verified via a valuable and trusted source. Not that I doubt the author in any way, but that extra layer of work means a great deal. In this day when there is so much information available, knowing what is real wand what is just believed with little to no proof is sometimes hard to pin down. There is peace of mind knowing that a children's nonfiction book has that extra work and due diligence put into it before putting a book into the hands of young readers or on a library shelf. 

Early Book Review: Stuffed: The Sandwich Cookie Book by Heather Mubarak

Stuffed: The Sandwich Cookie Book by Heather Mubarak is a cookbook that is currently scheduled for release on April 4 2023. This book features 65 mix-and-match cookie sandwiches for every occasion and craving, including both sweet and savory bakes that range from childhood classics with a twist (Nutter Butters! Chipwiches!) to sophisticated, party-ready treats (Strawberry Shortcake Macarons, Parmesan Polenta Crackers with Chive Cream Cheese). There is a chapter dedicated to swirly buttercreams, smooth ganache, fruity jams, and more lets you experiment with different cookie-filling pairings to your heart's content. The option to leave out the filling altogether for a super simple bake is also at the baker's discretion. Home bakers of all levels will appreciate the flexible, choose-your-own-adventure format.

Stuffed: The Sandwich Cookie Book is a well written and organized cookbook with wonderful photographs of the featured cookies. I thought the introductory information about the ingredients and equipment was well done. Too often we more experienced bakers skip over this (sometimes myself included) but I thought the insights and information included here would be gook for bakers of all skill levels. I love that the author includes information about adjusting these recipes to be gluten free, and how to achieve the best possible bake. I also like that metric and imperial measurements are included- so regardless of a baker's personal preference there is no need to mess around with conversions. I liked the wide variety of cookies, and I liked the author's voice. I found the little introductions to be interesting and entertaining. This is exactly the book I needed right before Christmas baking started- to look over grand ideas only to end up making my tried and true recipes. There are several recipes here that I will attempt, and several more that I will use flavor combinations or technique from to help improve my baking results. In fact, this just might be a baking weekend so I can test some of these out.  I just do not have the freezer space for all of the ones I want to make.