Early Book Review: The Astronomers' Library: The Books that Unlocked the Mysteries of the Universe by Karen Masters

The Astronomers' Library: The Books that Unlocked the Mysteries of the Universe by Karen Masters is currently scheduled for release on April 23 2024.

Humankind has looked to the heavens since the dawn of time, wondering what is out there, as well as how everything works and (originally) who was responsible for it. Every tribe, race and civilization has wondered about our place in the universe and what lies beyond and what lies within it, below our feet. Lately, attention has turned to the origins of the universe. From the turn of the millennium, knowledge and ideas were recorded, first on tablets or rock, then in the form of simple manuscripts, and eventually in a much more elaborate fashion as illustrative, engraving, and printing skills evolved. As far back as the tenth century, Persian scholars such as Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi was recording his findings, observations and speculations on the wider universe, in his Book of Fixed Stars. The focus turned to Europe in the Middle Ages, with Germany, Holland and England the centers of study and publication. Following the “Copernican Revolution”, observation and study underwent a radical change, paving the way for astronomers such as Kepler, Galilei and Newton to shed further light on the nature of the planets and stars of our known systems, and the ground beneath our feet. Each of those famous names contribute to the illustrated books that are featured within.

The Astronomers' Library is a well researched and documented book that explores some of the most important and influential astronomy books from the last 800 years. As someone that has always been fascinated with the subject, I found the combination of information about the history or the field and its texted enthralling. I thought the illustrations and photographs use enhance the understanding and keeps the reader fully engaged with the book while also encouraging further exploration of the featured texts and times.  I felt that I learned a great deal from this read, and am likely to revisit it because it was an enjoyable read while also being informative. I also appreciated the list of more modern texts recommended by the author at the end of the book.

Early Book Review: The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-binary, and Beyond by Cassandra Jules Corrigan

The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-binary, and Beyond by Cassandra Jules Corrigan is currently scheduled for release on August 21 2023. Ellie and Casey  talk about gender! In this illustrated guide to gender identity, you'll meet demiboys and demigirls, agender people, greygender people, those who are AFAB and AMAB, and many more as Ellie and Casey guide curious children through the world of people who don't identify as their assigned gender at birth. This book can be an invaluable resource for parents, classrooms and children alike.

The Gender Book: Girls, Boys, Non-binary, and Beyond is an accessible and straight forward guide to the terminology surrounding gender, gender identity, and more. As someone that has made an effort to understand the terminology I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the main terms. I was glad to have confirmation on some, and to learn some new terms and concepts. I really found the book, and the included glossary to be informative and helpful. I think this would be a great read for anyone, of any age, that is questioning their own gender identity, as well as those that want to support or understand those that have come out as not cis. 

Audiobook Review: How to Stay Productive When the World Is Ending: Productivity, Burnout, and Why Everyone Needs to Relax More Except You by Reductress, Narrated by Mara Wilson and Jay Aaseng

How to Stay Productive When the World Is Ending: Productivity, Burnout, and Why Everyone Needs to Relax More Except You is a humor and satire collection from Reductress. The audiobook is narrated by Mara Wilson and Jay Aaseng. This humor collection is about the cult of productivity and the feeling of impending doom that comes with it. Juggling careers, maintaining relationships, managing side gigs, and sustaining an engaging social media presence is hard––and we're expected to do it all while battling the ever-present feeling of existential dread against the backdrop of climate catastrophe, an ongoing pandemic, and social isolation.

How to Stay Productive When the World Is Ending is a funny, and sadly too relatable, collection of short pieces that had me nodding, laughing, and thinking as I listened along. There were bits that were more fun and relate to me than others, but that is to be expected. There is something in this collection for everyone that has ever worked. The readers did a great job of capturing the needed tome in each segment and I really enjoyed the book on several levels. 

Book Review: Set on You by Amy Lea

Set on You by Amy Lea is a contemporary romance. Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym – her place of power and positivity. Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favorite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents' engagement party. In the lead up to their grandparents' wedding, Crystal discovers there’s a soft heart under Scott’s muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, they just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.

Set on You is a read that does a great job about unpacking some of the self esteem and image issues that run rampant in some of our lives. I liked Crystal and her circle of friends, family, and clients. I thin the variety of approaches to liking and caring about yourself was very well done and will resonate with a variety of readers. I think the situation and aspects around social media and reactions of other people was on point, sadly. I enjoyed the journey with Crystal, and I think that many of us, including those that never got comfortable in the gym, can relate to many of her experiences and thoughts. I will say that as much as I understood and empathized with her I also had moments when I just wanted to shake her and give her some tough love- but I am also a person that tends to turn pain in to manic cleaning or side projects rather than cocooning. I also find Scott to be a little flat and maybe too close to perfect. Yes he had his own issues from the past, but I did not feel like I got as much growth and insight into him as Crystal- and the dual growth and change is something I really enjoy in a story. All of this is my personal preference, and nothing that is actually wrong with the book.. I van think of many people that would connect to this read more closely and deeply than I, and I have a few I will be recommending it to.

Set on You is an engaging and entertaining read. 

Book Review: By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate is a contemporary romance. With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all ninety-nine boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie's more than good. She's killing it. Then she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life—the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa's writer's block and she'll get the promotion she's always dreamed of. Simple, right? But there's a reason no one has ever seen or spoken to the mysterious Noa Calloway. And that reason will rock Lanie’s world. It will call into question everything she thought she knew. When she finally tosses her ninety-nine expectations to the wind, Lanie may just discover that love By Any Other Name can still be as sweet.

By Any Other Name has a fun premise, and I liked a great deal of the set up and Lainie's character. I liked that she had a full background and significant character growth through out the story, even if I thought many of her decisions and reactions were less than ideal. I thought some of the secondary characters had great moments, but could have used more fleshing out. I would have liked more from Noah as well, sometimes it felt like he was more of a prop or plot device in the story moving things along than a character. Many of the big reveals, conflicts, and important moments were more than a little predicable beyond the 'this is a romance things will come together' way. I greatly enjoyed some moments, and had some smiles and sentimental moments along the way. However, while the book is also a bit of a celebration of romance I felt it got a little too corny for me on occasion. I am all for the awww moment, but Lainie's inner dialogue felt a bit much, and while I understand a romance book editor to often think about and dwell on the subject of her work, she could have diversified a bit. I did enjoy the read, and I think many readers will enjoy it more than me, but I just never connected with the story and characters. 

By Any Other Name is a solid contemporary romance, and I think fans of the author will enjoy it.

Early Book Review: Knots for Kids by Buck Tilton and Christine Conners

Knots for Kids by Buck Tilton and Christine Conners is currently scheduled for release on June 1 2022. This nonfiction book delivers relevant, curated content perfect for kids. Information on choosing the best knot for the situation, tying different types of common knots and hitches, selecting the best kinds of rope, and much more are covered. With step-by-step instructions (for both righties and lefties!) on tying the most used and useful knots, this is the perfect book to teach children how to tie knots like the experts.

Knots for Kids is a great resource for kids and adults alike. I learned a great deal from this book. It has been more years than I care to admit since my Girl Scout days, and this was both a refresher course for the basics and some new information on terminology and skills that I had either long forgotten or never learned. I thought the photographs and illustrations were extremely helpful, and clarified things more than words alone would have. I thought the instructions were easy to understand, the book well organized, and the information interesting and valuable. I liked that why and how to use each not was included, and the fun facts were a nice bit of extra information. This would be a good addition to a personal library and public and school libraries as well.

Book Review: Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery

Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery explores ocean life.  Pacific walrus, king penguin, narwhal, great white shark, squid, seahorse, moray eel, humpback whale, manta ray, orca, and many more are rendered in great detail on the pages of the book. It includes shore dwellers who depend on the sea: Polar bears and otters of course, but also ring-tailed lemurs, Bengal tigers, and British Columbia wolves. It also explores extreme ocean environments: Tropical reefs and polar seas, islands and open oceans, surface waters and the ocean abyss, kelp forests and mangroves.

Ocean Planet is a visually fascinating book that had me looking closer at many images to be certain they were not photographs. The illustrations are highly detailed and of wonderful quality. The artistry, skill, and attention to detail is evident on every single page, regardless of the general size or popularity of the subject. It is well structured and organized, helping to make the book engaging and accessible to readers.  I liked the information that was given about the included subjects, and the clear message that the ocean and it's health is key to our planet. I think this book is wonderful for library, school, and personal collections. Nature and animal lovers will want a copy, and artists and art lovers might want a copy to study and enjoy as well. 

Book Review: For the Love of Books: Stories of Literary Lives, Banned Books, Author Feuds, Extraordinary Characters and More by Graham Tarrant, Narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies

For the Love of Books: Stories of Literary Lives, Banned Books, Author Feuds, Extraordinary Characters and More by Graham Tarrant, Narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies is a book with a variety of bookish information. Which famous author died of caffeine poisoning? Why was Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland banned in China? Who was the first British writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature? What was Truman Capote superstitious about? Here is a light-hearted book about books and the people who write them for all lovers of literature. A treasure trove of compelling facts, riveting anecdotes, and extraordinary characters, For the Love of Books is a book about books—and the inside stories about the people who write them. Learn how books evolved, what lies behind some of the greatest tales ever told, and who's really who in the world of fiction. From banned books to famous feuding authors, from literary felons to rejected masterpieces, from tips for aspiring writers to stand-out book lists for readers to catch up on, For the Love of Books is a celebration of the written word.

For the Love of Books is a very interesting book. I think some of it is better suited to the written word than audiobook- for instance some of the author and book lists are probably easier to follow and track when read on the page rather than listening to. However, I found most of the information to be interesting, and some of the stories were new to me while others were familiar. There was a great deal of information covered, but even more left untouched. I know there is no way to get all the information about the past and current state of literature in one book. It did seem to focus more on older material and authors than more recent works- with a slight leaning toward European authors and works- but some of that is not unexpected. I would love to see the subject expanded on in other books- perhaps with a focus on women authors or those from different countries or ethnicities. I know that the majority of information recorded from history is about old white men- and I was glad to see some stretching out of that category in this book- but I think I would have been even happier with a touch more of that. 

For the Love of Books is an interesting and informative read that book lovers will enjoy. 

Early Book Review: There's No Ham in Hamburgers: Facts and Folklore About Our Favorite Foods by Kim Zachman, Peter Donnelly

There's No Ham in Hamburgers: Facts and Folklore About Our Favorite Foods by Kim Zachman is a children's non fiction book that will be just as interesting to adults. From hot dogs and hamburgers to ice cream and pizza, this fascinating book is full of fun facts and stories of the origins of some of America's most popular foods. Why is there no ham in hamburgers? How did we make ice cream before we could make ice? How did hot dogs get their name? From the origins of pizza (which got a big boost from Clarence Birdseye, of all people) to the Cornell professor who invented chicken fingers, There's No Ham in Hamburgers has all the ingredients for an entertaining and educational middle-grade read. Packed with informative sidebars, recipes, and experiments, along with fabulously funny illustrations by Peter Donnelly, this book is a reading recipe that kids will sink their teeth into!

There's No Ham in Hamburgers was a very interesting and engaging read. Some of the stories I have heard before, mostly because there are two television series that I have watched that cover the facts and fiction of food. However, there were some stories that I do not remember having heard before. I found the illustrations to be well done, and that they added some additional fun and visual interest to the read. I thought the information was well organized and I liked that there is nutritional information, additional small facts, and recipes pertaining to each food discussed at the end of each section. I was very happy to see all of the resources used in writing the book listed, by chapter no less, so those that want to do further explorations on a specific topic can do so. 

Book Review: Lord of Secrets (Lord of the Borders) by Mary Gillgannon

Lord of Secrets by Mary Gillgannon is the second book in the Lord of the  Borders series. I did not read the first book, and found it works as a stand alone.

An enigmatic Welsh wise woman. A bold English knight. The first time they are alone, she draws a knife on him. From there, things get interesting. William Fitzhugh is proud to be named lord of Higham Castle on the Welsh border. But defending and managing the castle and the lands surrounding it is a huge responsibility. He needs a wife to aid him, but the only woman who interests him is the local healer, Rhosyn, a mysterious Welshwoman who wants nothing to do with him. Rhosyn fled the traumatic events of her life in Wales to begin a new life at Higham. She hopes to earn the trust of the local people and become accepted in the community, and she fears the new lord of Higham will ruin her plans. The English noblemen she’s known previously were arrogant and cruel. She doesn’t expect this giant of a knight be any different. From the beginning, Lord Fitzhugh confounds her. He seems to genuinely want to do right by the people of Higham and make certain they prosper. Rhosyn is surprised and intrigued by the handsome young lord’s generous and reasonable nature. Other people see it as a weakness and scheme to bring him down. William is entranced by the lovely young healer and admires her knowledge and dedication. But she remains wary and elusive. As the passion between them builds, so does the weight of the secrets keeping them apart. Secrets that have the power to sever the fragile bond between them and destroy all they care about.

Lord of Secrets is a well written romance with complex characters. I liked Rhosyn's character and thought she had a nice balance of strong and vulnerable. The exploration of power and the vulnerability of women, and men of lower classes as well, was handled well and in an honest way. I thought the secondary characters of the town were equally well written, with even the less agreeable characters carrying some complexity to make the reader understand a bit about their reasoning. Fitzhugh was also well developed as a character. His reasonable nature and willingness to learn from those around him made him stand out from other characters, and frankly many other romance heroes.While still very much in charge, he seems very aware of what he does not know, and is willing to lean on others  to bridge the gap. I though the story was good. The politics, drama, and danger were all interesting and mostly came together in a satiafying way by the end of the book. However, I did feel like it ran a little long. About two thirds of the way through the book I was ready for the big wrap up, and it took awhile to get there. I am not sure if it was my mood while reading or if something could have been condensed for a smoother finish. I did enjoy the read, both for the story and the characters, but just found myself impatient for the end.

Lord of Secrets is a well written historical romance.

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 Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life by Barry Cox; R. J. G. Savage; Brian Gardiner; Colin Harrison

The Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life by Barry Cox, R. J. G. Savage, Brian Gardiner, and Colin Harrison​ is currently scheduled for release on May 19 2020. There are entries for more than 600 species, arranged in its evolutionary sequence.  From predatory dinosaurs to primitive amphibians, from giant armored fish to woolly mammoths, saber-tooth tigers, and dire wolves. Each entry features a specially commissioned full-color painting prepared according to the best research of today in close collaboration with world renowned paleontologists. The records of rocks—fossil bones, teeth, skin, hair, and even footprints and nests—have been combined with knowledge of the anatomy and behavior of present day descendants to arrive at informed judgments about posture, color, and other aspects of appearance. Lively and informative "biographies" of the creatures accompany these remarkable illustrations: how they moved, what they ate, where they ranged, and the habitats and ecological niches they occupied.

The Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia is a comprehensive guide to over 600 species of dinosaurs. Information about fossils, evolution, and other related subjects. It is well organized and highly detailed, with beautiful artwork and well structured pages the book is easy to browse, read in order, or search up a favorite bit of information.  I really like that an effort was made to compare  the subject to current animals- making the information more understandable and accessible to readers. The artwork and images were wonderful on their own, but in context of the book they were valuable and add a great deal to the overall read. 

This book would be a prized addition to a personal library for those with interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric times. It would also be a great addition to public, school, and classroom libraries. 

Early Book Review: Sexy Beast (Billion $ Bastards) by Jackie Ashenden

Sexy Beast by Jackie Ashenden is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2020. Commanding billionaire Everett Calhoun reveals his sexy dark side to his girl-next-door best friend in the second installment of the Billion $ Bastards trilogy. I was born bad. Maintaining tight control—in business and in the bedroom—is the only way to keep my darkness in check. So when my girl-next-door best friend, Freya, comes to me for a sexual favor, I don’t see the harm in giving her what she needs. After all, I’ve always kept her firmly in the friend zone. But after showing her that there’s nothing wrong with her ability to orgasm, it’s all I can do to walk away. Unleashing my inner beast on the person who matters most to me is not an option. She wants me but is she prepared to follow my every command, to submit to my will and let me take her to the ultimate heights of pleasure? Getting Freya on her knees should make me feel like the monster I am, but being with her leaves me more vulnerable, more human, than ever. I need to reclaim the friendship we had before I lose control completely, or will she have me on my knees?

Sexy Beast is part of the Harlequin Dare line, which means it is heavy on the heat, if the description of the book does not give that away. This is also the second book in a trilogy, but can stand well on its own. I have not read the previous book but know from context the other two books in the series must center on Everett's business partners. There is some Dom/Sub play and a lot of bearing of souls as well as bodies. Everett and Freya are best friends, and have been since they were children. Each have some childhoods trauma and significant lingering issues because of it. I love that they work hard to help each other while also forcing each other to face the truth. Seeing them each come to terms with their feelings and the implications was painful, but in the best way. Confidence and control issues are some of the most common, and seeing them handled with such care, with the underlying levels of trust and honest caring was wonderful. While the heat level was high, it in no way overpowered the emotional character arc, the trust and friendship they shared was the key to the entire story. Sometimes the biggest obstacles to a happy  ever after lie in the minds and pride of the people involved, and that was certainly the case here. I found the fears, frustrations, and care for each other to be very realistic and engaging to read and think that fans of contemporary romance with high heat levels will agree.

Sexy Beast is a romance that is emotionally charged and full of heat.

Early Book Review: Bound for Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mystery) by Victoria Gilbert

Bound for Murder is the forth Blue Ridge Library Mystery by Victoria Gilbert. It is currently scheduled for release on January 7 2020. I do recommend reading the series in order, mainly for the personalities and relationships. However, I think a dedicated reader could catch up fairly quickly. 

Taylorsford Public Library director Amy Webber's friend "Sunny" Fields is running for mayor. But nothing puts a damper on a campaign like an actual skeleton in a candidate's closet. Sunny's grandparents ran a commune back in the 1960s on their organic farm. But these former hippies face criminal charges when human remains are found in their fields--and a forensic examination reveals that the death was neither natural nor accidental. With Sunny's mayoral hopes fading, Amy sets her wedding plans aside, says "not yet" to the dress, and uses her research skills to clear her best friend's family. Any of the now-elderly commune members could have been the culprit. As former hippies perish one by one, Amy and her friends Richard, Aunt Lydia, and Hugh Chen pursue every lead. But if Amy can't find whoever killed these "flower children," someone may soon be placing flowers on her grave.

Bound for Murder is a well written mystery with a good balance of character growth and sleuthing. I like that Amy is still growing and evolving- and getting more safety savvy as she researches and questions people. Her taking the precaution of having her keys or phone ready when in less than comfortable situations showed some real growth after the dangers she had faced in past books.  I enjoyed following the clues with her, even the side avenues the information took her down. I enjoyed just how interconnected the community is, and how  the clues took Amy and readers along a twisted path through the past. I liked that I learned some interesting details, not all relevant to the mystery, as Amy was researching, and I felt like it gave me a much better understanding of the big picture than I usually get in cozy mysteries. I will say that the culprit was not who I expected, but was tied into their story, which made everything so much more interesting as the danger and clues piled up towards the end of the book. I am looking forward to seeing this story continue, and will certainly keep reading this series.  

Bound for Murder is a solid continuation of the series, with continued growth for the characters and a mystery that kept me guessing. 

Book Review: At Death's Door (Deadman's Cross) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

At Death's Door is the third book in the Deadman's Cross series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I highly recommend reading Kenyon's series in order- and if you have read her Dark Hunter and other series it will be an even more meaningful read for you because they do all tie in together nicely. 

Valynda Moore was born cursed. So when she dies as the result of a spell gone wrong and is trapped in the body of a voodoo doll, she expects nothing else from her messed up life. Until Thorn, leader of the Hellchasers, offers her a chance at redemption and a new life. But nothing has ever gone her way, for the Malachai, the very beast she and her crew of Deadmen have sworn to keep locked away, has risen. And this time he’s taken prisoners. Valynda must keep her wits about her or be denied her salvation and forced to watch as the entire world falls into the hands of absolute evil. It’s a demon-eat-demon world where the stakes have never been higher and either redemption or the ultimate betrayal waits for her at Death’s Door.

At Death's Door is a culmination of the Deadman's story. We get to see Valynda resolve her feelings of betrayal and find love again. We get to see the Malachai and forces of evil at work and fought against. We get to see some of the backstories we wanted, and some of the family dramas that shaped characters and the way the see the world. It is a dark story, with a great deal of dwelling on betrayal and how horrible people can be to each other- even the ones they are supposed to protect. I find that very understandable since I have been following the author's current struggles in real life. However, there is also love, redemption, friendship, and all the things that make humanity wonderful in the story as well. There is a lot going on in this story, andI loved the references to characters and plot points from other books and series. The way this connected characters I never really connected in my head before made me happy. The more negative parts, the dwelling on betrayal and horrible things that happened to some characters, rather brought me down and I kept expecting more trauma even after things were wrapped up- but I think think that goes to show how invested I have become in the world.   

At Death's Door is a solid conclusion to the Deadman's trilogy. I really enjoyed how it pulled together so many of the worlds created by this author. It is a must read for fans. Even though it was not my favorite from this author, I am as always impressed with the world and character building. As an aside for audiobook lovers, the reader is fantastic as always. 

Book Review: Fowl Language: Winging It The Art of Imperfect Parenting by Brian Gordon

Fowl Language: Winging It The Art of Imperfect Parenting by Brian Gordon is here to remind parents that they are not alone. Parenting is hard and often gross. Laughing about it helps. This comic collection offers readers a comprehensive view of the early parenting years in all of their maddening cuteness and sanity-depriving chaos. The book features some favorites as well as dozens of previously unpublished cartoons organized into 12 thematic chapters—including "Babies: Oh Dear God, What Have We Done?"; "Siblings: Best Frenemies Forever"; and "Sleep: Everybody Needs It, Nobody's Gettin' It". Each of these sections begins with an essay by Gordon.

Winging It is exactly what I was expecting, and then some. I have been a fan of Gordon's work for awhile and follow the related social media accounts. This means that I have seen some of the images before- but something about the style, humor, and honesty inherent in the comics never gt old for me. Too often I think parents are trying to act perfect, like they have it all together and know what they are doing. I have always felt like parents, myself included, are all just faking it and trudging ahead trying to do the best we ca for our families. I love seeing someone writing and drawing about feeling the same way. We all love our kids- but no matter how much love there is there will still be moments when selling them on Esty seems like a good idea. I think that being honest about having those moments is just as important for a parent's mental health and survival as facing the moments when they start pulling away and become more independent. There was a great deal that I related to in this collection- the sleep deprivation, picky eating, and sibling arguments most of all.  I think most parents can find something to relate to or laugh at in this book, and will enjoy the ride. 

Winging It is an enjoyable and relatable read for parents and caregivers. The combination of love and frustration that is parenting is captured with honesty and humor. 

Book Review: No More Bad Dates (High Tea) by Kate O'Keeffe

No More Bad Dates is the first book in the High Tea series by Kate O'Keeffe, but it is clear that at least some of the characters were secondary characters in previous series by the author. It still works as a stand alone, but fans of the author might have  a more engaging read.

Twenty-five-year-old Sophie McCarthy’s career is virtually nonexistent, her family expects her to “do something important” with her life, and she’s totally sick of dating the wrong guys: the self-absorbed, the arrogant, the borderline criminally insane. After she’s unceremoniously dumped during the vows at her boss’s wedding, she and her two equally disappointed-in-love best friends agree to help each other find decent guys to date. Together, they form the No More Bad Dates Pact: stop dating the wrong guys and start dating the right ones—weirdos and jerks need not apply. When Sophie’s roommate Jason Christie—a.k.a. doctor-in-training and serial nurse-dater—joins the pact, he vows to weed out the bad ones for her. But with his rejection of every guy Sophie meets, she begins to wonder if he’s got an ulterior motive. And anyway, why does she always have so much more fun with Jason than with the guys she’s actually trying to date? While desperately seeking her “happy for now,” could Sophie stumble into her “happily ever after?”

No More Bad Dates is a story that focuses more on the journey than the destination. Sophie is sick of bad dates, tired of being talked down to by her siblings, and just wants to figure out what she wants. She loves her job, and her friends, but thinks that she should want more- mostly because other people keep expecting her to. Jason is her roomate, friend, and a serial dater. I like that they are real friends from the start, not friends because they want more- but real friends. I loved the secondary characters- the friends and extended family are great and really keep the story moving and entertaining. The bad dates were terrifying and funny in their own way- and also realistic in terms of some of the people that are out there. I found the story to be more about Sophie figuring out what she wants from life- and figuring out how to get there than about her relationship with Jason. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and will appeal to a variety of readers, it just was not what I was expecting. I would have liked to have seen some of the story from Jason's point of view, even though I know many readers are not as fond of that as I am. I just like knowing what is going from both sides- especially when feeling as in question. I enjoyed the read, and think it will appeal to a wide range of new adult and adult romance readers. 

No More Bad Dates is fun and sweet with plenty of humor and feels. 

Early Book Review: Close to Birds: An Intimate Look at Our Feathered Friends by Roine Magnusson, Mats Ottosson, Asa Ottosson, Kira Josefsson

Close to Birds: An Intimate Look at Our Feathered Friends was written by Mats Ottosson and Asa Ottosson will photographs by Roine Magnusson and the translation to English by Kira Josefsson. It is currently scheduled for release on October 22 2019. The stunning and intimate photographs capture the beauty and detail of each bird's form, as well as their unique character and personality. The accompanying short essays share charming and often-hidden details from birds' lives. Discover why robins sing so early in the morning and learn the science behind the almost magical iridescence of mallard feathers. Close to Birds shares the irresistible joy and marvel of birds.

Close to Birds is an interesting read. I like that I learned about the birds included, not the basics of habitat and diet, but the scientific studies and opinions on the birds with the inclusion of quotes about them. I do need to admit that I have a different opinion from the authors, and that we diverged right away. I find birds fascinating and interesting, but unlike our authors I do not find that all people find them more interesting than other creatures. So, this insistence that birds are so much more interesting than other creatures bothered me from the start. However, the essays were accessible and had some tidbits of information that were interesting. The star of this book is not the text. Rather the stunning photography of birds that captured them clearly, up close, and in living color. The images were very much worth my time and I think animal lovers, and birders in particular, will want to give this a look. Those that are birders and share a deep love of birds will very much enjoy the essays as well.

Early Book Review: Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe

Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe is currently scheduled for release on August 5 2019.  It's not always possible to meet in the middle. Registered nurse Evan Doyle doesn’t consider himself fit for more than occasional hookups. He has a good life, but the emotional aftermath of a horrific crime makes him feel too damaged to date. So when his sister’s hot bestie, Malcolm Umbertini, comes on to him, he turns him down flat. Mal is Relationship Material: the kind who thinks in the long term. What would Evan do with a man like that? As a prosecuting attorney, Mal’s learned how to read people, and he knows there’s more to Evan than meets the eye. Mal has faced his own hardships since his family kicked him out as a teen, and he respects Evan’s courage and emotional resilience. More than that, he wants Evan—in his bed and in his life. But can he weather another rejection? Both wary, they agree to a no-strings fling. Mal knows that Evan wants things to stay casual, but he’s falling in love a little more with each encounter. With health, happiness, and bruised hearts on the line, Mal and Evan must risk everything for love.

Relationship Material is a great romance about people with serious emotional scars finding a better future. Even has been through hell and is fighting anxiety at every turn. Malcom does not do casual relationships, he tends to care too much too quickly but hide it all behind bluster. Seeing Even reunite with his sister and find his own way toward being in a relationship was beautiful. I loved the honest way trauma, anxiety, and mental illness is discussed and worked with in the story. It is honest and sometimes hard to read, but so well done. I thought that Mal and Evan had very realistic reactions to each other at almost every turn, and I just fell in love with them both. My only complaint is that I want more. I want Caro to find peace, I want to see Evan and Mal's future, I want to see more of Mal's mother and the other residents of the nursing home. Keefe is now on my list of authors to be watching, hoping, for whatever comes next.

Relationship Material left me wanting more, in the very best ways. I was so sad to have the story end, and I hope Keefe writes more about the characters here because I want so much more!

Book Review: The Tracker (The Dregs) by Leslie Georgeson

The Tracker is the first book in the eight book (not all yet available)  Dregs series by Leslie Georgeson.  I’ve done despicable things. My soul is damaged. My body impaired. That’s what happens when you are a soldier for The Company. I was discharged a year ago. Now I am a dreg. Worthless. With a bounty on my head. I’ve become a creature of the night, hiding in an underground maze during the day. Because I’m not ready to die yet. She comes to me one night, needing my help to find her sister. The moment I see her, I want her. Her goodness calls to me, makes me yearn for the impossible. She brings life back to the deadness inside me. I’m no good for her. I will do nothing but corrupt her. But I’m a callous bastard. I can’t resist her. I try not to care for her, but somehow she slips under my skin. She makes me weak. And there is only one thing in this world I am afraid of. Weakness. I’ll never be good enough for her, so I have to finish this job and send her on her way. Before she destroys me.

The Tracker is a story that manages to get a lot of world building, character development, and other series groundwork laid down without having it completely overtake the action and romance of the story. I like that Jessica is a fully developed character with a mind and drives of her own. She is willing to do anything to save her sister, and is fiercely loyal to the dregs once they have gotten to know each other. Tracker and his teammates have serious issues to overcome, and I like that they own those issues and do not pretend to be perfect. I found Tracker to be well written and consistent with his past and position- and really enjoyed reading about the connections between the dregs.I was left wanting to see how it turns out for all of them, and want them all to find a happy ending. I will admit that there were a couple things that dragged a bit for me, but I think they were all necessary to set up for the conclusion of this book and the set ups for the future volumes.

The Tracker is a good start to a series with suspense, romance, and plenty of twists and turns. I have already downloaded the second book and added it to my 'to read' list.