Early Book Review: A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Sami Bayly

 

A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, written and illustrated by Sami Bayly, is currently scheduled for release on October 27 2020. This book gives some of the animal kingdom's more overlooked animals a turn in the limelight. Breathtaking scientific illustrations flaunt their unconventional beauty, while fascinating facts about their conservation status, diet, strange quirks, and habitat completes each vivid portrait. The Bornean orangutan, whose immense cheek pads give it a dinner-plate-like face, is the largest tree-dwelling mammal. The red-lipped batfish, alas, is a terrible swimmer, with leg-shaped fins better suited to walking along the seafloor.The mysterious goblin shark, rarely seen by humans, has a long snout and a terrifying flexible jaw to snatch its prey. These are just a few of this stunning encyclopedia's sixty curious creatures living among us who might not be as cute as a kitten but are no less deserving of our love.

A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures is a book that takes some of my favorite quirky animals, and some I have never heard of, and explains them. The illustrations are phenomenal. Even if you did not read a word of the book, he images would be well worth picking it up all on their own. Bayly's artwork is scientifically accurate, but not sterile. The unusual features of each animal is prominent in the illustrations, and they each all seem to have some personality and pride in the stance of each being. I spent my first pass of the book focusing on that art, and have found myself going back to look at some of the images again and again. Now for the text. I thought that each animal profile was very well done. What we know about the animals were shared in an accessible manner, and I like that instead of leaving it at that Bayly made a point of saying when we just have not had enough research or studies done to answer important questions about the animals. I also like the variety of creatures chosen, it was not all the odd animals that seem to find there way onto these kind of books, the blob fish and hellbenders, but there were also animals that might be thought as common, or so recently discovered that I have never heard of them. I was very sad to see how many of these cool creature are endangered, threatened, or close to being in danger. The only complaint I had will be fixed in the print addition, since they had a space saved for my coveted resources in the digital galley I read. 

A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures is a book that will be making its way into my personal home library. It is stunning visually, and interesting to read and explore.

Early Book Review: The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures by Stephen Krensky, Pham Quang Phuc

 The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures was written by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Pham Quang Phuc. It is currently scheduled for release on October 13 2020. In this book readers will meet a cast of mind-boggling fictional animals from all around the world. Say hello to Bigfoot in the forests of North America and learn about the Native American traditions that inspired its story. Voyage to Japan to meet kitsune, supernatural nine-tailed foxes that can turn into humans. And jump onboard an ancient storm-battered ship to learn why mermaids were the last thing a sailor wanted to see. Learn about the societies that spawned these legendary creatures, from Ancient Greece to the indigenous tribes of Australia, and find out what the beasts tell us about the people who created them. From narwhal tusks inspiring the legend of unicorns, to dinosaur bones creating rumors of dragons, there is an interesting story behind every magical beast. 

The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures is a decent introduction to a wide variety of creatures of myth, religion, and folklore from around the world. I liked that a wide variety of regions and cultures are included, and think the organization of the creatures is well done. The illustrations are bold and eye catching. They do a great job of illustrating the creatures and habitat in question, and keep the interest of readers. I also liked the information on the legends surrounding common animals, the A-Z listing with short summaries of the creatures included, and the glossary included at the back of the book. I did this some of the information on the listed creatures in their large spreads did a good job of showing how some stories are told around the world, with slight variation due to culture, climate, and other factors. However, some bits were a little too simplistic, varied from what I have previously read on the subject, or left of bits that I always found the most interesting. Since mythology and folklore are among my favorite reading subjects, so newcomers and the children most likely to pick this up might not have have the same reactions. It could also be that I have read so many retellings and variations on some of these stories that I could be holding onto favorite bits from more current takes on the subjects than the author and research done here would have considered.  

Early Book Review: Stroke of Luck by Opal Carew

Stroke of Luck by Opal Carew is a MMF, second chance romance currently scheduled for release on October 27 2020. April Smith’s luxurious Las Vegas wedding crashed and burned when her wealthy fiance cheated on her and left her with a hotel bill that costs more than she makes in a year. Even more humiliating, her college ex-boyfriend Quinn Taylor has come to her rescue and bailed her out. They didn’t part on the best of terms and never expected to see one another again. For Quinn, April was the one who got away and despite the heartache she caused him, he’s never gotten over her. Not wanting to be in his debt, April makes Quinn a tempting offer: she’ll spend the next month with him during his Vegas vacation, fulfilling his fantasies. Being with April has always been Quinn’s number one fantasy, and next on the list is sharing a woman with his best friend and business partner, Austin Wright. Since he can see an undeniable attraction between April and Austin, he makes that a condition of their deal, too. Enjoying the attention and affection from two hot and handsome men, April gives in to her desires to be with both of them. But with those desires comes a growing love that she fears may force her to choose between Quinn and Austin—or lose them both.

Stroke of Luck had some very good moments, and some that just made me reread passages wondering if I missed something. I liked the character development and how Austin and Quinn were best friends that balanced each other out. I liked April's personality and her desire to stand on her own two feet and deal with her problems. I thought the chance meeting, personalities, and different fears they all carried through most of the book were well handled. I thought the sex scenes were reasonably well done, but there were some overly repetitive words and some issues. I like that Quinn and April discussed terms and condoms before anything happened. However, they did not discuss pregnancy, only being clean, which left me a little confused. There were more then one sexy moment interrupted by me having to go back and reread to see if they moved or shifted position because I could not see something working or being comfortable- and worst of all was when in one scene there was no lube or prepping before anal while standing became an option- especially with limited experience being part of the story. I have read a few triad books before, and it just seemed like some important steps were skipped at important intervals, which brought down my enjoyment of the book.

Stroke of Luck was a mixed bag of good characters, hot scenes, and huh? for me. 

Book Review: Common Goal (Game Changers) by Rachel Reid

Common Goal is the fourth book in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid. While returning readers will love the roles the stars of the previous books play in this one, and be able to see a bigger picture that even the main characters here, it is not necessary to have read the previous books to fully enjoy this installment. 

Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time. Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved. He’ll teach Eric a few tricks, have some mutually consensual fun, then walk away. Eric is more than happy to learn anything Kyle brings to the table. And Kyle never expected their friends-with-benefits arrangement to leave him wanting more. Happily-ever-after might be staring them in the face, but it won’t happen if they’re too stubborn to come clean about their feelings. Everything they both want is within reach, they just have to be brave enough to grab it.

Common Goal is a contemporary romance with an age gap, and two people that are unsure of what they really want, what the other wants, and if it is really the best thing for all involved. Like so many romances, a good sit down discussion or two would have solved most of the issues right away, but then I would not have had this lovely book to read. Eric is trying to figure out what is next. He has been divorced for a year, is contemplating retirement, and has never pursued his attraction to men. Kyle has a thing for older men, but has been burned in the past for it. The attraction is undeniable, but so are the doubts and complications that they cause. It was enjoyable to read about these to getting to know each other as friends and more. The growth of their relationship was sweet, a little spicy, and felt authentic every step of the way. I liked and connected with the main characters and the secondary characters, and was left hoping to find out what happens with this circle of friends, rivals, and so forth in future books by Reid.

Common Goal is exactly what I was hoping for as this series continues. Fans of the series will want to pick it up, and newcomers can enjoy it as well. 

Audiobook Review: Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J.W. Ocker, Narrated by Tim Campbell

Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items, written by J.W. Ocker and narrated by Tim Campbell, details strange but true stories of the world's most infamous items. It will appeal to true believers as well as history buffs, horror fans, and anyone who loves a good spine-tingling tale. They're lurking in museums, graveyards, and private homes. Their often tragic and always bizarre stories have inspired countless horror movies, reality TV shows, novels, and campfire tales. They're cursed objects, and all they need to unleash a wave of misfortune is you. Many of these unfortunate items have intersected with some of the most notable events and people in history, leaving death and destruction in their wake. But never before have the true stories of these eerie oddities been compiled into a fascinating and chilling volume.

Cursed Objects is a very entertaining and well researched book. I have a love for the weird, spooky, and just plan strange things in the world. From wacky bits of nature and strange history to the things people believe about themselves and the world. This book did a great job or giving well researched information, and sharing the lore around objects while making sure the difference between what is known and what is speculation is shown. There was also a healthy does of, who knows and you might as well be careful in there too. I liked the organization of the book by type of object, and thought that a great deal of reading, listening, and travel went into getting the research done for this book. Some of the objects were well known to me, and are likely to be at least known about by anyone that picks up a book on this subject matter. However, I also learned new details about those items, and learned about some things that I had need heard of before. There was a good deal of insight that made this a fully engaging read. I also like that the author took the subject matter seriously, but not so seriously that humor is left behind. There is a good deal of tongue and cheek commentary and pop culture references that actually made me chuckle out loud as I was listening to the book. I even let my teenage listen to it with me, and we both enjoyed it.

Cursed Objects is and intriguing and well narrated book. I was fascinated and entertain through the entire listen. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the subject matter, or even vaguely curious about cursed objects.

Early Book Review: 100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen, with Classic Cookies, Novel Treats, Brownies, Bars, and More by Sarah Kieffer

100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen, with Classic Cookies, Novel Treats, Brownies, Bars, and More by Sarah Kieffer is currently scheduled for release on October 20 2020. 100 recipes for all types of cookies--chocolatey, fruity, crispy, chewy, classic, inventive—there's a foolproof recipe for the perfect treat for everyone in this book. Recipes range from the Classic Chocolate Chip made three different ways, to bars, brownies, and blondies that reflect a wide range of flavors and global inspiration. 

100 Cookies is a cookbook that focuses on the joy of cookies- who does not love cookies? I admit to already have a couple cookie oriented cookbooks- but I had to take a look. I think the recipes are well organized and nicely varied. There are more than a few that I have made before, some variations on things I have seen elsewhere, and some I want to try. There were some perfect for newcomers or dabblers, and some for the the more intense bakers. The instructions were well written and easy to follow. My only complaint is more about my personal formatting preference of recipes than anything wrong. I like my ingredients list at the top of the recipe, and this configuration used a sidebar style. There is nothing wrong with this, and maybe I will get used to it, but it just really bothered me for some reason. 

Book Review: Accidentally in Love by Belinda Missen

Accidentally in Love by Belinda Missen is a contemporary romance. In the space of a week, Katharine Patterson has quit her job, decided to move back home, and broken up with the guy she thought was the one. No big deal. Because Katharine has a plan. She’s going to open her own art gallery, just like she’s always wanted. What she’s not going to do is worry about boyfriends. Then she meets Kit, a handsome and talented local artist. He might be the most stubborn person Katharine has ever met. He might also make her feel like no one ever has before. And Katharine might be about to fall accidentally in love.

Accidentally in Love is a story that is more about Katherine figuring out what she really wants and making it happen than about her relationship with. I did enjoy seeing the banter, and thought the conversations and self doubts on all ends were relatable and engaging. I liked that everyone had struggles- friendships and relationships that seemed iron clad at the start of the book faced realistic struggles. I felt for Adam, was rooting for Katherine's grand plans, and was hoping that friendships could be mended but that people could stand up for themselves and stand firm. For those looking purely for romance, you might be a little disappointed, since there were several moments when I would not have strictly labeled the book as romance. However, the book was well written and I came to care for the characters as I read.

Accidentally in Love is a romance with just as much self discovery by Katharine as there is humor and heart.

Early Book Review: A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut by Masha D'yans

 A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut, written and illustrated by Masha D'yans, is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2020. Your belly is full of tiny creatures—and they love to eat! Along the river of your gut, tiny creatures move, eat, and grow. Learn more about the garden of microscopic flora growing inside the body and come on a journey that explains an important biological concept: the microbiome, the health of which affects everything in our bodies. Did you know that some foods are better for your microbiome (and you!) than others? Striking, original watercolor illustrations keep things from getting too gross. Informational back matter goes further into the science of the microbiome and reveals amazing facts about the gut.

A Garden in Your Belly is a colorfully illustrated book that helps explain to young readers how important the microbiome that lives inside of all of is. The important information is written in a way that is accessible and nonthreatening, because learning that a bunch of little things live inside you could be scary to some readers. I think the artwork helps keep the tone light and fun, and still shows the danger of not taking care of our gut health without being over the top. The message is very well conveyed, and I think it is well done. I really enjoyed the more in depth information at the end of the book, interesting facts, and the glossary included in the end pages. I think this book would be a good addition to school, library, and classroom shelves. It would also be a good tool in households where someone might have digestive health problems, that make this information even more important and relevant.

 Rise Up is the third (and final) book in the Last Pick series by Jason Walz. It is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2020. I do recommend reading this series in order. Wyatt is now the reluctant leader of the "last picked"—the disabled, the elderly, and those deemed too young to be useful for hard labor by their alien captors. But how can he and his ragtag allies take down an entire alien federation? Meanwhile, Wyatt's twin sister Sam and her girlfriend Mia are creating chaos all over the galaxy in an attempt to rescue Sam's parents. But even if the family is reunited, can they stay alive long enough to see the end of the alien regime?

Rise Up is a good continuation, and conclusion, to this story. Wyatt and Sam have their own crisis to resolve, and finally come together for the grand showdown. All the remaining major players are involved, and there is a great deal of hope and sacrifice on almost every page. There was a good deal of action and suspense, with some dark moments that left me worried that I would not enjoy the ending. The art style and skill in story telling was on par with the two previous installments, and the conclusion was satisfying with just about everything wrapped up. I am not sure if I was not ready for the story to wrap up that quickly, but I felt like there was so much that the story wanted to tell cramped in the last book. It worked, and it told the story well, but it felt like there was so much to keep track of at the end, who was where and what their role n the showdown was. I am sad to see this story end, and am very glad that I took the time to read it through to the end.

Rise Up is a solid conclusion to the series. Well resolved story with plenty of action, angst, and hope.

Early Book Review: I Hope This Helps: Comics and Cures for 21st Century Panic by Tommy Siegel

 

I Hope This Helps: Comics and Cures for 21st Century Panic by Tommy Siegel is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2020. Tommy Siegel’s comics began as doodles in the back of a van as a touring rock musician, and quickly earned a viral global fanbase and shout-outs from cultural heavyweights ranging from Ringo Starr to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  With comics titled “Choose your social anxiety coping mechanism” and “What your coffee drink of choice says about you,” the book offers commentary on our phone-obsessed, social media-driven culture, as well as a series of relationship comics starring his popular Candy Hearts characters.

I Hope This Helps is a comic collection that had me just as interested in the commentary of the reasons behind his drawings, and some of how individual pieces came together. I did recognize some of the work from social media, but a good deal of it was new to me. I have to admit that when I started the book I was not sure I was going to enjoy it. The art style was not my favorite. However, the underlying humor and commentary of the text and some of the pieces quickly changed my mind. Some were just downright silly, others very witty. I really came to appreciate Siegal's intelligence and what they had to say. I also enjoy that they never took themselves too seriously and laughed at themselves and the insanity that is the current state of the world around us.