Early Book Review: Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett

Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett is currently scheduled for release on June 4 2024.

Bellamy Price has just been offered the job of a lifetime: lead contractor on the restoration of the mysterious and sprawling Killington Estate. If she meets the owner’s ridiculous timeline, she’ll finally make a name for herself in this male-dominated industry. After a traumatic car accident that left his parents dead and himself injured, Oliver Killington, heir to the Killington empire, took up residence as the grumpy caretaker of his grandfather’s mansion. When Bellamy discovers Oliver’s facing his own ultimatum from his grandfather, the two form a cautious truce, which leads to flying sparks that are definitely not from faulty wiring. As Bellamy restores the gleam to the Killington Estate, she’ll have to decide if the walls she’s built around herself are worth knocking down to make space for someone else.

Barely Even Friends is a contemporary romance with a lot going for it. I loved the characters. I thought the character building for the main and secondary characters was very well done- and frankly I want more from several of those characters. I thought the conversations and relationship building between Bellamy and Oliver was also well done. The only issue I had with the book had me flipping back to the previous pages on several occasions, which took me out of the story a little. There was some trouble with transitions, there were time or movement jumps that did not quite flow with the story. It felt like they had been editing a sentence and then forgot to get it back in, which very well might be the case and be resolved in the final publication copy. The problem was that it happened more than once, and it just irked me. I loved so much about this read and will definitely be looking to see what the author does next because there is so much potential here. I think they will be an author to watch as they keep going and I look forward to having a front row seat. 

Book Review: A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea by Michelle Cusolito

A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea by Michelle Cusolito is a children's nonfiction book that offers readers a front-row seat to cutting-edge ocean twilight zone technology. Join scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and international partner organizations on a research trip to study the ocean twilight zone using the newest technologies. From moving onto the ship and unpacking equipment to facing massive storms while in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, this book details the fascinating equipment used to study the deep ocean as well as day-to-day details such as what you eat on a Spanish research ship. Meet people and animals and learn more at sea than you ever imagined!

A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone is a detailed description of one scientific expedition. I learned a great deal about some of the scientific tools and equipment that were being used, and the way carbon behaves in the ocean. I think science and technical minded readers will get the most out of this, as it does get very in depth (ha!) at times and younger or less interested readers might lose interest. I like that the book detailed the experiments and efforts to get data that can be correlated and studied as well as the very hard work that is involved in making something like this happen. The interpersonal relations, and how important each and every person was to making the research trip safe and successful- regardless of what their title was. I really appreciated the detailed information on where interested readers can find more information about this trip, the research it is a part of, and the field in general. I thought it was a great way to encourage readers to take things to the next level. I also appreciated the encouragement that anyone with curiosity can be a scientist. It is not straight A's, but the effort and interest that make a scientist.

 

Book Review: Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You (Volume 1) by Akitaka

Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You (Volume 1) by Akitaka is a manga style graphic novel. Two high school classmates, Sakura Miyazen and Sota Matsubayashi, are polar opposites: Miyazen is a prim and proper young lady, while Matsubayashi is a brusque former troublemaker. They’re secretly dying to talk to each other, but their backgrounds are so different, they can’t seem to strike up a conversation! And why does a simple greeting make the both of them turn red?!

Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You is a sweet opposites attract story. I loved that we get the points of view from both our main characters- and they are both so earnest and self doubting. I felt like the inner dialogue was very realistic, especially for the high school age group. Doesn't everyone overthink how the people they want to get closer to take the things they say and do and then get so lost in those thoughts that they miss other things going on arounds them? No, just me?  I thought this was a cute story- and I look forward to following the story as it continues. 

Early Book Review: Whales & Dolphins by Tom Jackson

Whales & Dolphins by Tom Jackson is a nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on May 14 2024. Whales and dolphins alike are renowned for their intelligent nature and fascinating social rituals. Like us humans, they use vocalizations to communicate. They both have distinctive, streamlined body shapes and propel themselves through water using powerful tails and flippers. These magnificent mammals are frequently described as ‘sentinels’ of ocean health, providing key insight into marine dynamics and ecosystem quality. Whales are the largest marine mammals belonging to the Cetacea order (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Their incredible size continues to amaze us, the blue whale reaching an astounding 100ft (30.48 meters) and weighing as much as 200 tons. Dolphins, found in both oceans and freshwater, are actually classed as small- toothed whales. They are esteemed around the world for their sleek physical appearance and intriguing sounds used to communicate with each other. Did you know that porpoises are often shy creatures and therefore most of us will very rarely encounter them in the wild? Among their species is the vaquita, tragically the most endangered species of any whale, dolphin or porpoise.

Whales & Dolphins is a visually attention grabbing book. I found the chosen photographs to be wonderful, and the book is worth a look just or the images alone. I thought the text was well done as well, and I learned quite a bit about the featured animals. There were full captions explaining the different species, as well as their behavior and feeding habits. I was fascinated by whales when I was young, and was thrilled to revisit the subject matter. Also, I can finally say that I understand the differences between porpoises and dolphins and just how some outliers like narwhales and belugas fit in the family tree. 

Early Audiobook Review: The Big Book of Useless Knowledge: 250 of the Coolest, Weirdest, and Most Unbelievable Facts You Won’t Be Taught in School by Neon Squid, Narrated by Tim Campbell

The Big Book of Useless Knowledge: 250 of the Coolest, Weirdest, and Most Unbelievable Facts You Won’t Be Taught in School by Neon Squid, audiobook narrated by Tim Campbell, is currently scheduled for release on May 14 2024.

Heard about the lizard that shoots blood from its eyes? Or the ancient Romans who used pee as mouthwash? Did you know that going on a roller coaster can cure kidney stones? In this compendium of obscure facts, listeners will be treated to baffling knowledge they would never learn at school. Broken into chapters including geography, space, and history, a team of experts has scoured the world to find the silliest and most pointless facts that it has to offer.

The Big Book of Useless Knowledge offers readers, and listeners, facts that are organized in logical grouping to interest and entertain them. Weird and odd facts are my favorite kind, and I have been around a bit longer than the target audience, so I will admit hat I knew more than a few of these facts. However, I did still learn some things and was entertained. There is humor in describing some of the facts- making the read more engaging for readers of all ages. I think it will appeal to many readers, and maybe would be good for listening as a family on a car trip. The one thing that I did not like about the audiobook is something they have tagged as a selling point. There is background music and sound effects through out the entire book. I found them distracting, and since they seemed to only directly relate to the facts being discussed on occasion, I thought they were overdone. A few well thought out and placed sound effects would have served the audiobook better. 

Audiobook Review: What Do Bees Think About? by Mathieu Lihoreau, Narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick

What Do Bees Think About? by Mathieu Lihoreau, audiobook version narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick, is currently scheduled for release on May 14 2024.

Have you ever observed a bee up close and wondered what was going on inside its head? Like ours, insects' brains take up most of the space in their heads, but their brains are smaller than a grain of rice, only 0.0002% as large as ours. But what purpose does the insect brain serve, and how does that drive their creativity, morality, and emotions? Bees in particular exhibit unexpected and fascinating cognitive skills. In What Do Bees Think About? animal cognition researcher Mathieu Lihoreau examines a century of research into insect evolution and behavior. He explains recent scientific discoveries, recounts researchers' anecdotes, and reflects on the cognition of these fascinating creatures. Lihoreau's and other scientists' research on insects reinforces the importance of protecting and preserving insects such as bees: after all, our survival on the planet is deeply dependent on theirs. This book provides an eye-opening window into the world of insect cognition and echoes an important ecological message about bees—they are intelligent creatures sharing the same fragile ecosystem as us.

What Do Bees Think About? is an interesting and informative read. I have read quite a few books about bees, but this was the first that focused on their learning and though processes rather than just the basics of beekeeping and behavior. I thought the scientific focus are highly engaging and I learned a lot about the cognition of bees and other insects. I will admit that there were moments when my mind wondered during some of the more technical moments of the book- but that is much more on me than the book. I think this is a great read, or listen, for those interested in the intelligence and learning capabilities of creatures that are so often dismissed as 'just insects'. 

Book Review: I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl, Volume 1, by Kashikaze

I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl (Volume 1) by Kashikaze is a manga style graphic novel. Quintessential good girl Sakurai finds herself trapped in the middle of a bribery scheme. Her teacher offers to write a recommendation letter in exchange for luring a truant student into attendance. Sakurai pins down the reclusive transfer student Honda, but there are strings attached. Honda demands that Sakurai grant one wish every day. The first wish is a kiss—and Sakurai finds herself feeling very eager to please.

I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl is a graphic novel about a budding friendship that did not have the most natural beginning- blackmail. It is nice to see the two girls get to know each other, with the possibility of more than friendship clearly an option. It is well drawn and engaging. My only issue was that I think I might have read this before as a webcomic or something since it all seemed very familiar- and not just because it leans heavily on the tropes of the subgenre. It was cute, fun, and is a great start to a series about figuring out who you are and how you feel about those around you.

Early Book Review: Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann is currently scheduled for release on May 21 2024. Lucky Hart has a special affinity for the supernatural but almost no one takes parapsychology seriously. She’s estranged from her family, lost her friends, and has been rejected from graduate school. Twice. But her big break finally arrives when she gets insider info about a troubled production company. Every actor on their new show mysteriously quits after spending three nights inside Hennessee House, an old Victorian with a notorious reputation. After scheming her way onto the show to investigate, Lucky meets Maverick Phillips and chemistry instantly crackles between them. He tempts her in ways no one ever has, challenging and supporting her, and making her finally feel seen. Their connection is so palpable everyone notices it–including Hennesee House. Now Lucky and Maverick’s relationship has a challenger: the lonely, sentient house desperate for her undivided attention. As love begins to clash with career, Lucky refuses to choose one over the other because everyone deserves a happily ever after, even houses with haunted hearts. But when all her plans begin backfiring one-by-one, she realizes that if she wants to have it all? She'll have to risk everything.

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places is a very engaging read that had me guessing at both the paranormal mystery and the relationships and where they might go. I enjoyed getting to know Lucky, Maverick, and the rest of the crew. I thought the premise and the slow reveal of several aspects of the story was very well done, and I loved the entire ride. There were a couple moments when I was worried for Lucky's safety- but I was enthralled in figuring out what was actually happening with the house and how this group might find their way. I will be looking for more from this author.

 

Book Review: Sharks! Sharks! Sharks! by Susan Martineau, Vicky Barker

Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!, written by Susan Martineau and illustrated by Vicky Barker is a children's nonfiction book that offers hundreds of fascinating facts about the amazing world and lives of these often misunderstood creatures of the deep found throughout the world's oceans. There are detailed drawings of many different species, as well as facts about what they eat, how they take care of their baby sharks, their social circles, and how we can preserve them. Find out which sharks can glow in the dark, and which ones like to hang out in the coral reef. You'll even find out what sharks were like in the past and how they have evolved.

Sharks! Sharks! Sharks! is a well illustrated and written book. The information is interesting and accessible, and I found the artwork to be a pretty perfect blend of realistic and cartoon- able to give a real idea of the details without ever being scary or sterile. I thought the page layouts were very well done- keeping the reader's interest and keeping them fully engaged with the book on several levels- making this a great book for independent reading and for sharing with those that the text might be a little too much for. I appreciated the inclusion of a glossary of 'special shark words' at the end of the book as well as the reminder that sharks are living creatures in trouble because of stereotypes and fear. Young readers with an interest in nature, the oceans, or sharks will get the most out of this read- but I think everyone can enjoy it. 

Book Review: Crowned A Traitor: Book One (A Hellish Fairytale Universe) by Kate Callaghan

Crowned A Traitor is the first book in the Hellish Fairytale Universe series by Kate Callaghan. Heir to Hell and the Dark Forest of Malum, Klara has been called upon to take her place as High Queen of Malum. Though Klara has no intention of ruling, her guardians want her head on a spike. Klara's only option - escape to Kalos, Fae ruled lands free from Dark Magic. To survive the perilous journey, she needs help. A Leprechaun with a talent for smuggling. A mischievous Demon with swaying loyalties. The soul of a greying Warlock. Lycaon siblings with a talent for deception. Destiny has an awful habit of catching up with those who run.

Crowned A Traitor is an interesting start to a fantasy series. I thought the world building was well thought out and provided some twists and turns. It was in engaging story, with plenty of action and putting the world and some of its inhabitants on the page to help paint a picture of where the main characters and series might go from here. I must admit that there story did not quite grab me they way I had hoped. I see potential in the series, but some of the twists and turns just did not really work for me and I failed to connect to the characters. I do think that this book, and following series, will be a hit for some readers.