Book Review: Straight by the Rules by Michelle Scott

Straight by the Rules by Michelle Scott is the third book in the Lilith Straight series. Lilith Straight might have a contract to act as the Devil's servant, however she still has her conscience. This makes life just a little bit tricky in Hell, as you might imagine. When your sister actually belongs in Heaven, the hot man in your life has his own devilish agenda and the rest of your family won’t stop meddling in your unfinished business life is very complicated!

Straight by the Rules is the third book in this series, and while I have not read the previous books and know I missed a great deal of set up and world building, I was able to catch up to speed quickly. Although I will say that I am eager to go back and read the first two book. Lilith is stuck in a contract to follow instructions and tempt particular people at certain times. She is still trying to figure out how to get out of her contract, but is afraid to go too far from the letter of the rules and put her daughter and extended family at risk. Life is even more complicated because her almost boyfriend is also in the service of the devil, and has been at it much longer. Then there is her friend, who she has enthralled, the niece that lives with her, and the challenge of fulfilling her contract while not betraying her own value or those that believe in her. I liked her methods, her outlook, and her nature. The story had me hooked, even without knowing just how we all got here. Even the secondary characters made themselves known, and interesting to me. 

Straight by the Rules is a quick paced, fun urban fantasy. I enjoyed the characters, and getting to know them. I will be going back to read the first two books, and am looking forwards to seeing where the fourth book will take me as well. 

Book Review: The Highlander Who Loved Me by Adrienne Basso

The Highlander Who Loved Me by Adrienne Basso is a historical romance.  Sir James McKenna, second son of the powerful McKenna Chief, knows he has found his destiny when he falls in love with sweet Lady Davina Armstrong, niece of the Armstrong Chief. Orphaned in childhood, Davina has always felt like an outsider, and with James finally feels that she belongs. But their plans for a happy future are shattered after a brutal attack by a band of rogues. Horrified, Davina’s overprotective family quickly shelters her from everyone, including James. Five years later, James is a changed man. His fighting skills sharpened to perfection, he is hardened by the war and destruction he’s endured as a Scottish knight, and by the loss of Davina. When he returns home he is shocked to find Davina there. Is it too late for them to start anew, or will the past dare to lay claim to their future once more?

The Highlander Who Loved Me is a story about two honorable characters that have found true love, and lost it because of circumstances and fear. I liked Davina, although I felt her a little naive and foolish on a couple occasions. However, I think that it was in character, since she had such a sheltered life. I liked James as well, even though I thought he gave up and run away way too soon after the attack. I understood why, and know that if he hadn’t the rest of the book would not have been there, but I still wanted to kick him. I really liked James’ family and the support, and complications, that they offered. I would the big reveal about the cause of the problems to be an actual surprise, and liked the way that everything came together in the end. 

The Highlander Who Loved Me is a well done historical romance that speak to the ability of love to really concur all- but not without a little effort and work by the people involved. I liked the complex characters and have a feeling that I will be returning to the time and family to see how James’ brother finds love in future books from the author.  

Book Review: Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants by Tina Fey is her memoir. I listened to the audiobook which she read herself. Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. This book includes stories from her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon—from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Bossypants is a memoir that includes many short stories from Tina Fey's life. I like that the snark and humor that I love about Tina Fey is present in every story. The book was made even better by the fact that she did the audiobook recording herself, so her inflections and asides just made the experience that much better. I did not like that the book was not really a comprehensive memoir or biography, instead it was a collection of the stories she was willing to talk about from her life. There were some pretty big parts of her life that were left out. For instance, one moment she was telling her story about working in improve, and then she was talking about her honeymoon cruise. Nothing was said of getting married or other really important moments that lead up to some of the stories she did share. I loved what was there, but I kind of wanted more.

Bossypants is a funny and sometimes thought provoking book. I was highly entertained, and recommend listening to the audiobook. Tina Fey's humor and wit shine4 through, and some of her early experiences, and parenting experiences, felt very familiar to me. It just made me want to sit down and talk over coffee with her more. 

Book Review: I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton is a nonfiction picture book about spiders. This is a fun,  witty picture book that gives the reader a little perspective on spiders. While many people are afraid of them, or just get the willies when they see them, spiders are amazing and helpful creatures. This book gently takes those that are less than fond of spiders and gives them good reason not to reach for the shoe or other solid object when they run across a spider. 

I’m Trying to Love Spiders gives readers of all ages a fresh ands funny look at spiders. While the book features some squished spiders, as the story is about getting over a distaste for spiders, it also includes lots of interesting facts about spiders. For instance, I had no idea that I was more likely to be struck by lightning than die from a spider bite- not that I expect either to happen to me. I liked the details about spiders, the rest of which I did know, such as how they eat, that there are a variety of web and trap styles and hows many insects a single spider can eat in a year. This is a great pick for any reader that dislikes spiders, and other insects for that matter. Even if it does not get them past their dislike, at least they will have a good laugh.

I’m Trying to Love Spiders is a great book for helping children, and reluctant adults reading aloud, to see spiders in a new way. Facts about the amazing abilities of spiders, and how rare actual harm from a spider is, might help everyone be a little kinder to our eight legged friends.   

Early Book Review: Naturally Bug-Free by Stephanie L. Tourles

Naturally Bug-Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects by Stephanie L. Tourles is currently scheduled for release on February 23 2016. This book is a resource that offers the information you can use to protect yourself, your children, your pets, and your home from bugs without using store bought chemicals. There are 75 simple recipes for safe, effective bug repellents you can make at home from all-natural ingredients. The recipes can offer protection from mosquitos, ticks, and other biting insects. There are also recipes for pets, such as herbal shampoo, bedding formulas, and flea-and-tick collars and powders. The book also includes repellents for the home, such as sachets that repel moths, carpet powders that repel fleas and ants, and essential oil repellents to keep your pantry pest-free. A detailed ingredient dictionary explains the properties of all the herbs, essential oils, and other key ingredients.

Naturally Bug-Free is a wonderful resource for readers that want to explore natural avenues in home and health care. the book goes into great detail about the why and how anyone can go about using all natural recipes. There are concise and informative descriptions about each possible ingredient, tool, and storage container that you might use. There are recipes sprays, balms, body oils, and tinctures, with scents ranging from eucalyptus to floral, lemon, vanilla, and woodsy spice. I like the level of detail and information included, as well as the variety of recipes. While I tend to stick to the most gentle sprays, there is something for everyone willing to take the leap into natural repellents. The inclusion of personal insect repellents, as well as those for pets, homes, and prevention really make this a resource that can be utilized by all skill and interest levels. All of the information included is important, some of it necessary reminders for those that might think themselves already experienced or highly knowledgeable on the subject.

Naturally Bug-Free is a useful and highly informative resource for anyone looking the defend themselves, their family, their pets, or their homes from pests without using harsh chemicals that might cause damage to the environment (or themselves). This would be a great addition to home or library collections. 

Book Review: Oddly Normal Book 2 by Otis Frampton

Oddly Normal Book 2 is the second trade paperback of the Oddly Normal graphic novel series by Otis Frampton. This includes issues 6-10 and picks up right after the first collection. I do not recommend jumping in here, start from the beginning!

In Volume 2, Oddly Normal's adventure in Fignation continues with new friends, new mysteries and new revelations about her missing parents. Meet Oddly Normal, a ten-year-old girl with pointed ears and green hair. She is a half-witch who will be the first to tell you that having a mother from a magical land called Fignation, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West and a father from Earth, does not make it easy to make friends at school! On her tenth birthday, she blew out the candles on her birthday cake and made a disastrous wish. Now, Oddly must travel to Fignation to uncover the mystery of her parents' disappearance. Join Oddly as she navigates a strange new school, teenage angst, monstrous bullies, and Evil itself on an unforgettable fantasy adventure through the vibrant world of Fignation in Oddly Normal. 

Oddly Normal Book 2 picks up right were volume one left off. She is in Fignation with her aunt, trying to discover where her parents went, find out about her family history, and survive school. Thankfully she has some great new friends, who make things a little easier for her. Of course, in a place like Fignation everyone is a little different. Her friends and the not so friendly teachers and other students are all right out of dreams, nightmares, and stories. I think the best parts of this collection are when Oddly gets a peak at memories, and when her friends insist on giving her a birthday gift. However, as a whole the graphic novel felt a little disjointed. I think I might wait and read the full collection (when all the volumes are released, in a row. That might make it feel more like a story to me rather than vignettes that have little connecting them.

Oddly Normal Book 2 is  a good collection, but not fantastic. The art is wonderful and there are some great storylines here, and lots to work with. However I felt like there is little pulling everything together at this point. 

Book Review: Alistair Grim's Odd Aquaticum by Gregory Funaro

Alistair Grim's Odd Aquaticum by Gregory Funari is the second book in the Odditorium series. The first book was Alistair Grim’s Odditorium. I highly recommend reading these books in order. While they each are complete stories in themselves, knowing the relationships and background is very important to fully enjoying the story.

When Grubb, an orphan and runaway chimney sweep, entered the wondrous world of the Odditorium, his life changed forever. Apprenticed to the mechanical marvel's strange proprietor, Alistair Grim, Grubb unfortunately must settle into his new position on the lam, as the whole of London is convinced that Alistair Grim is a villain bent on mass destruction. Grim, however, has come up with a plan to expose the real villain: Prince Nightshade, a wicked necromancer who wants the Odditorium's power source for himself. With the evil prince hot in their trail, Grim, Grubb and the rest of the Odditorium's crew embark on a perilous adventure to find the legendary sword Excalibur: the only weapon capable of penetrating Nightshade's magical suit of armor. As expected, their quest turns out to be anything but ordinary. Not only can the Odditorium fly, but it can also swim! And so the crew battens down the hatches and sets off on an underwater voyage to the otherworldly realm of Avalon, home to Excalibur. Along the way, they must battle a banshee assassin, sea monsters, and a witch who seeks revenge on Alistair Grim for stealing her magical objects.

Alistair Grim's Odd Aquaticum is a satisfying sequel. I did not find it quite as enthralling as the first book, but there is plenty of character development and action once the book gets going. I liked that there were new characters added to the fray, as well as our favorites from the first installment. There are some unexpected twists and turns, I was actually surprised with one of the major twists and thought the additional characters really added to the depth of the mysteries in the book, as well as the characters. To make the book even more interesting to me there is a trip to Avalon and some significant play with Arthurian legends, which are my favorite. I liked the fresh look at some of my favorite legends, and how much Grubb, Alistair, and the rest all grow as individuals and how the group changes and becomes strong through the challenges they face. I look forward to seeing where the Odditorium takes us all next!

Alistair Grim's Odd Aquaticum is a little bit slower than the first book to get the the action, but if poured and enjoyed the first book I recommend following it up with this book. However, keep in mind that there are more to come! Sop while this book does have a satisfying conclusion, like the first book did, there are still many questions and problems left to be solved in future books.

Book Review: To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space by Carmella Van Vleet, Dr. Kathy Sullivan, Nicole Wong

To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space is a children's nonfiction picture book written by Carmella Van Vleet and Dr. Kathy Sullivan. It was illustrated by Nicole Wong. Kathy Sullivan wanted to go everywhere. She loved blueprints and maps. She loved languages and the ocean. Kathy liked fishing and swimming; flying planes and studying science. That’s what she liked and that’s what she decided to do with her life. She didn’t like the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” She wanted to explore and do exciting things that girls weren’t supposed to be able to do. Only men had the exciting jobs. She followed her heart and eventually became a NASA astronaut and the first woman to walk in space. Kathy wanted to see the whole world and so she did; from space!

 

 To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space is a simple look at some of the struggles Kathy Sullivan faced as a child, living the things that were not acceptable for girls to like. Thankfully she followed her heart and studied and researched all of the things she was interested in despite those that tried to change her focus. The illustrations are subtle and sweet, background watercolor-like images that show the activities and dreams of Sullivan, and chronicle some of her successes. I liked the additional information at the end about Kathy and other women that made history in the field. However, I thought the body of the book was a little too vague on what Kathy did to follow her dreams. We learned about her being told her interests and job prospects were intended for men, and about her cool flying experience, and a few other tidbits. However I felt like there was not much for young girls to learn about how Kathy went from dreamer to astronaut until the biographical page at the end of the book.

To the Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space is a nice book for young readers to show how important it is to follow your dreams, regardless of what others might saw. The information in the backwater was the most informative and interesting part as far as I was concerned, but found the idea behind the book and story to be reasonably well done. 

Book Review: The Queen's Shadow: A Story about How Animals See by Cybèle Young

The Queen's Shadow: A Story about How Animals See by Cybèle Young is an informational picture book which combines the science of animal eyesight into a clever whodunit involving a proud queen. It is during the Queen's Ball, at which “society's most important nobility” are in attendance (all of whom are animals), that a “major crime has been committed”: the queen's shadow has been stolen! Mantis Shrimp, the Royal Detective, takes the lead in the investigation to find the perpetrator, and one by one the animal suspects defend their innocence. From a shark and a snake to a dragonfly and a goat, each creature's testimony explains their version of the scene of the crime based on their own unique eyesight, while the finely textured and detailed artwork illustrates the ballroom as viewed by that animal. In sidebars to the story, the author provides factual information about how the eyesight of each animal works, and why. As each animal's perspective sheds new light on the mystery, it becomes clear to children that there are many different ways to see what goes on in the world.

The Queen’s Shadow is a visually enthralling book. The illustrations are frankly fantastic, and while the set up and concussion of the mystery that sets the stage for the informational portion of the book is a little flimsy, I for the book itself to be interesting. I liked the tidbits of facts, and then the more in depth explanations, of how different animals see the world. There is an explanation of how our eyes work, as well as background information on each animal described in the story. I appreciated the more in depth glossary at the end of the book. There is some humor, and wonderful illustrations, to keep the reader engage with the fairly sophisticated book. I am not sure of the niche audience that would simply adore the book, but I do think that the combination of aspects in the book will appeal in different ways to many different people. 

The Queen’s Shadow is an interesting blend of animal information, mystery, and humor all bundled up with eye catching art work. This might be the book to engage more reluctant readers in an animal science class, or to encourage an animal enthusiast to step up and stretch their reading skills. This is a unique book, one I have no real comparison for, with is special in and of itself. 

Book Review: Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman is a middle grade novel. Twelve-year-old Twig's town in the Berkshires is said to hide a winged beast, the Monster of Sidwell, and the rumors draw as many tourists as the town's famed pink apple orchards. Twig lives in the orchard with her mysterious brother James and her reclusive mother, a baker of irresistible apple pies. Because of a family secret, an ancient curse,Twig has had to isolate herself from other kids. Then a family with two girls, Julia and Agate, moves into the cottage next door. They are descendants of the witch who put the spell on Twig's family. But Julia turns out to be Twig's first true friend, and her ally in trying to undo the curse and smooth the path to true love for Agate and James.

Nightbird is a complex and enchanting book about friendship, family, and secrets. The mysteries surrounding Twig’s family are slowly revealed in the beginning of the book, and the oddities of the town and the important players of the story creep out of the story subtly and sometimes in unexpected ways. I liked that Twig was a multi dimensional character. While she is a typical tween in some ways, struggling with finding her place, friendship, and family, she has additional struggles that I think she handles quite well under the circumstances. Her mother and brother get less time in the book to be fully explored, but do not come across as flat. I really enjoyed the development of friendship and the slow reveals about the family and various relationships that come through out the story. The fear and mob mentality that can rise in a town of scared individuals, as well as the calmer heads that are always trying to do the best they can under the circumstances are timeless. The events of the story, for the most part, are timeless and more about the state of humanity rather than the times we live in. I could easily see these emotions and conflicts arising now, a hundred years ago, or a hundred years from now. I liked that love, friendship, and being honest with yourself and those you care about are the keys to solving the problems and mysteries throughout the book.

Nightbird is a wonderful combination of mystery, magic, and coming into ones own. I think readers from middle grade through adults can all find themselves enthralled with the story, and perhaps a little changed by it. This is magical realism done right.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty bestselling works of fiction, including Practical Magic, which was made into a major motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman; Here on Earth, an Oprah Book club selection; the highly praised historical novel The Dovekeepers; and, most recently, The Museum of Extraordinary Things. Her books for teens include Green Angel, Green Witch, Incantation, The Foretelling, and Aquamarine, also a major motion picture starring Emma Roberts.