Book Review: There's Something About Merry (Mistletoe Romance) by Codi Hall

There's Something About Merry is the second book in the Mistletoe Romance series by Codi Hall. While returning readers will have a better understanding of the town and its cast of characters, new comers to the series can fully enjoy the story as well. This is a contemporary second chance love story featuring a guarded single dad and a woman scared to love. Clark Griffin and Merry Winters are determined to be friends and nothing more. But they've been anonymously flirting with each other online, and with a little Christmas magic and the help of a precocious kid, these two might just get their one wish this year.

There's Something About Merry is a fun and entertaining read. Clark is a bit wary of romance, since his only serious relationship crashed and burned hard, and he has his son's welfare to consider. Merry does not trust herself, since she seems to always pick the wrong guy. A rekindled acquaintance and a twist of internet dating fate start these two on a path to something.  I liked the premise, but I have to be honest that there was way too much going on here. I loved the secondary characters and some of the really great moments, but I felt like there were just too many of them. It felt like the author had a list of great ideas, and worked hard to fit them in one book instead of saving some for later. There were great family moments, great budding friendship moments, great kid moments, awkward moments, and so on. It was all well written, but not all necessary in a single book- some could have been save for the next book in the series. I did feel like Clark and Merry were meant to be, and that the family tree farm and being a single dad along with their individual issues could have been more than enough to make this book complete without some of the additional complications that arise, no matter how well they were handled.

There's Something About Merry is an engaging and entertaining read.

Book Review: Illumibugs: Explore the World of Mini Beasts with your Magic 3 Color Lens by Barbara Taylor

Illumibugs: Explore the World of Mini Beasts with your Magic 3 Color Lens by Barbara Taylor is an interactive book that takes readers on a journey through the undergrowth with a magic three-color lens (included with the print edition) to discover over 180 minibeasts from every continent, under the sea, and even from prehistoric times. With your lens in hand, discover mini beast habitats, and learn more about the impressive insects and other creepy crawlies that scuttle and wriggle around the world. Your green lens reveals a habitat, spanning 7 continents, under the sea, and prehistoric times. Learn about the particular environments and challenges that minibeasts face here. Your red lens brings to life insects including beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, and wasps. Your blue lens uncovers the other invertebrate creepy crawlies from different mini beast families including worms, snails, and spiders. Fact pages fill in the details and guide you through a world bursting with life and color. Innovative illustrations from award-winning design duo Carnovsky make this a natural history like no other, with hundreds of places, plants, and creatures to discover on three layers of detailed artwork.

Illumibugs will capture the attention and interest of many young readers, and those that might be sharing the read with them. This is a book that I very much suggest reading in print rather than digital, because of the effects intended to be created with the three color lenses that are included with the book.  The digital copy does come with a QR code that allows readers to simulate the effects of the color lens, but I think the hands on version might be more fun for more tactile focused readers, while the digital version would be great for those that prefer digital devices or need to use adaptive technology. That being said, I thought the creativity and page layouts were very well done. I also thought that the information shared for each region and the creepy crawlies that live there were well chosen and well written. The information about each continent and the habitats was also well done. I like that a the chosen creatures showed some drastic differences between habitats while also showing how some creatures are different variations on the same species all around the world, and under the water. While not a comprehensive book about insects, arachnids, and other things considered bugs, this book could easily capture and keep the attention of young readers and spark interest and curiosity for further research. I think it will also hold up to repeated reads and studies with the colored lenses and without, just to see what things they might see that were previously missed. 

Early Book Review: The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum

The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum is currently scheduled for release on November 1 2022. This cookie-centric cookbook features nearly every cookie imaginable, from rustic Cranberry Chocolate Chippers to elegant French macarons, and everything in between. There are simple drop cookies, rolled-and-cut holiday cookies, brownies and other bars, pretty sandwich cookies, luxurious frosted or chocolate-dipped treats, and much more. Recipes feature detail-oriented instructions, notes for planning ahead, ingenious tips, and other golden rules for success. Featured recipes include: Rose’s Dream Chocolate Chip Cookies, Lemon Lumpies, Black Tahini Crisps, Peanut Butter and Jelly Buttons, Double Ginger Molasses Cookies, Caramel Surprise Snickerdoodles, Mom’s Coconut Snowball Kisses, Chocolate Sablés, Gingerbread Folks (with a special sturdy variation for gingerbread houses), Pecan Freezer Squares, Brownie Doughnuts, Brandy Snap Rolls, and more.

The Cookie Bible offers readers exactly what they expect from the title. A wide range of cookie recipes, complete with fabulous photographs by Matthew Septimus. If you are new to cookie baking, or want just one cookbook for cookies, this is an ideal resource. There is a wide range of cookie styles, organized by cookie type, so there is something for everyone. I found the recipes to be clearly written, and I like that the ingredient list include imperial and metric measurements so readers can use the style they are most comfortable with. I thought the tips and tricks, and variation options, are useful to new and seasoned bakers alike. I already have two books of cookie recipes in my personal collection, so I cannot justify buying one for myself, however I recommend it to those that can add it to their personal libraries. I just might be requesting it from my public library as soon as I can to try a recipe or two that vary from ones I have been using to compare the results. 

Book Review: Superpowers of Nature: Wild Wonders of the World by Georges Feterman

Superpowers of Nature: Wild Wonders of the World by Georges Feterman is a children's nonfiction book. With full color photographs and detailed text, this book is a celebrates biodiversity and nature. From the platypus to the peregrine falcon, find out all about these amazing animals and the extraordinary abilities that make them the superheroes of our planet. For example: an octopus's brain is distributed all over its body, the tropical frog causes potential predators to wretch violently, and the plumed basilisk can run for its life on water! For each animal discover their superpower, super stats and super facts about them, as well as information about how they used their super skills in the wild. 

Superpowers of Nature captured my attention at first because of the photography. The images are stunning, showing some very close up pictures and others of the subject in motion, all demonstrating whatever super power described in the text. I liked the way the book was organized, and thought that the information shared was written in an accessible and engaging fashion, well paired with the images and smaller text boxes. I think this book would be a great addition to school and public libraries, as well as for classroom or personal libraries. I think many readers will love this book, and the entire related series, since the amounts of visual and textual information is so well balanced. My only complaint is that I would have liked some backmatter included, like a glossary, index, or resources for further reading. 

Book Review: Dreams Factory by Jerome Hamon, Suheb Zako, and Lena Sayaphoum

Dreams Factory is a graphic novel by Jerome Hamon, Suheb Zako, and Lena Sayaphoum. It was translated from French by Jeremy Melloul. The story is set in London, 1892. Like most children in the working-class town where she lives, Indira works the coal mines every day without protest. But when her little brother Eliott disappears, nothing matters anymore. She embarks on a desperate quest to find him and discovers that he is not the only child to have mysteriously disappeared. All clues seem to point to the same person: Cathleen Sachs, the wealthy owner of the coal mines. But why would she kidnap these children? 

Dreams Factory is a highly engaging story. First off, the art is simply splendid, and well worth a look all on its own. I did like the story, and the sibling devotion and complications are many layered and very well done. I thought the more fantastic elements could have used a bit more explanation or fleshing out however. I know the mystery of exactly what is happening is part of the suspense of the story, and it did have me at the edge of my seat. But I do have to admit that the last few pages had me a little confused and I am not at all sure of the particulars of what happened there. Maybe I am just not understanding, but I looked at the ending several times and still have some questions. Perhaps I still missed something, or am not putting the pieces together correctly and it will come to me later. I think expanding on the world and character building in the story would have made it even better. That being said, I still enjoyed the read and will be on the look out for more from this creative team and think the book will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers. 

Dreams Factory is a well written and beautifully illustrated story. It captured my imagination and held my attention well past the time I finished reading it despite some flaws. 

Early Book Review: Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, Rose Bousamra

Frizzy is a middle grade graphic novel by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra that is currently scheduled for release on October 18 2022.  Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable", "good hair". But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby—she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.

Frizzy is a wonderful graphic novel that had me fighting back tears more than once. While I have never been in Marlene's position regarding something so much a part of me as my hair, I have felt othered and looked down on by those that should have been my safe place. I could understand how she felt when her family made comments about being more lady like and trying harder to fit in. I think just about everyone can think of a time, particularly in our childhood and teen years, when we felt like the world was against us and everything is unfair, and every reader is likely to be able to relate to the story a bit.  I was glad to learn a bit more about how hard it is to take proper care of curly hair, and how it feels to have something that is a part of you have so many connotations and perceptions by just about everyone. I knew about fights about school and work dress codes in regards to hair styles, and I understood on some level about some of the thoughts and feelings surrounding hair, but I was glad to get such a better understanding of it.  I think that the story and art are paired perfectly and tell a highly engaging story. I hope some readers see themselves in this story and have the bravery and support to do what they feel best about in regards to their own self, the willingness to try new things, and the ability to find and have the courage talk to a trusted adult and friend about all the things going on in their heads and hearts. 

Frizzy is a great graphic novel about loving yourself, and being brave enough to make the changes you want. 

Book Review: The Christmas Sneak (Hope's Turn Holidays) by Marie Harte

The Christmas Sneak is the second book in the Hope's Turn Holidays series by Marie Harte. While returning readers will be far more invest in the characters, both primary and secondary, those new to the series will be able to catch up quickly and enjoy the story. 

Ex-NFL star Deacon Flashman had the perfect woman in the palm of his hands, and dropped the ball. Considering Deacon’s past performances, that isn’t news. An injury cut short his football career, and then he got taken for millions by a greedy ex-wife. But Deacon’s luck has changed. He’s got a great job, and he’s recently become an uncle again. With the holidays close, he’s getting a second chance. Nora Nielson, the woman who got away, is back. Now he needs to figure out a way to get into her good graces. A relationship with Nora is everything he wants, and everything that scares him. But to let the past go, he’ll have to go big or go home. And the stakes have never been higher

The Christmas Sneak is a fun read with good characters. I liked both Deacon and Nora. I liked their dynamic, their give and take of snark and sweet. I loved the secondary characters and the story of the bigger picture of family and friends around them. I just could not love the read, as much as I wanted to. I remember when I first read this author, I was heavily invested in every series, because she does the community, family, and town connections so very well. All of that was on point here as well. I just felt like the main couple had things a little too perfect. Yes, they each had issues to work out, and they had to get better at communication, but Deacon seem to be way too perfect- his issues kind of stemmed in part from being too nice a guy- and he just kept rolling in that direction. Their individual issues seemed to line up too well, and it felt like some never really got handle, just acknowledge as a reason for certain reactions or behaviors and then the moved it on along. Honestly, I did enjoy the book as I was reading it, there was just so much potential for it to be even better that I felt was missed.

The Christmas Sneak is a good romance, with good characters. It just did not grab me the way the first books I read from this author.  

Book Review: Mind Games: 10 Fun Optical Illusions and Perception Projects by Scientific American Editors

Mind Games: 10 Fun Optical Illusions and Perception Projects by Scientific American Editors is a children's nonfiction book. What concepts are behind the creation of cartoons and the ability to seemingly make a dot on a page disappear? Readers will learn the answers through the ten hands-on activities featured in this intriguing title. Each optical illusion is broken down using step-by-step instructions paired with helpful illustrations. Accessible text reveals the important scientific ideas behind each activity, such as the principles of human vision, perception, and light.

Mind Games is a well organized and accessible book that would be a good classroom, homeschooling, and public library addition.  I thought the book is well formatted, with well written text that explains the concept and related experiment well. I thought the extended information to help formulate a science fair project or further experimentation was a nice touch. The tools and items needed for the experiments were all things most likely already in the home, which makes the experiments so much more doable, and repeatable as desired. I also liked that an explanation of the scientific method was included, for those that might think they know what it is but need a bit more detail to be able to apply or explain it themselves. I also liked that a glossary and resources for further research were included as well. 

Early Book Review: His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees

His Christmas Guardian by Cindy Dees is a romantic suspense novel currently scheduled for release on October 25 2022. CIA Agent Alex Creed’s mission is to take down a deadly criminal before Christmas and only Nick Kane stands in his way. After the same target, and trained to be enemies, do they dare become more? The black ops agent claims he’s after the same target and that working together is the best plan. Never before has Alex been so attracted to someone he shouldn’t trust. Especially knowing Nick has a bit of a death wish, while Alex envisions a future together. 

His Christmas Guardian has a good premise, and I thought that Alex and Nick were good characters. I did feel like there were moments that they were just a little too perfect, but for the most part I found that they each had some realistic issues that would need to be overcome for them in the future beyond this book. I did like the alternative points of view, and thought that gave me a better understanding of where everyone stood, and what their concerns were even before they could express them.  However, I did feel like this was part of a larger series. That some of the characters mentioned in passing and some of the situations discussed could be found elsewhere. None of this made the read less enjoyable, in fact I think that those that really like it will be out hunting for those other books, but I felt like it was not mentioned in the blurb or on the cover that it was part of a series, which bothered me a little. I felt like I was only getting a small part of a much bigger story, and that more could have been done even just with Nick and Alex to make it all feel a little less easy. 

His Christmas Guardian is a good romance with a decent amount of suspense and action.

Book Review: Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn is a graphic novel adaptation by Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton, and Russ Bedgett of what is often considered Mary Downing Hahn's spookiest and most popular tale. Two siblings must save their stepsister from the clutches of a vengeful ghost. When their mom remarries, Molly and her brother, Michael, try to make friends with their new stepsister, Heather. But Heather only wants to make trouble for them. She lies and tattles and misbehaves, and somehow they always get the blame. They know she’s trying to drive a wedge between her father and their mother so she can have her father all to herself—and it seems to be working. Then, Heather starts playing in the graveyard behind their new house. She claims she can talk to a ghost named Helen, and her behavior gets even stranger. Michael doesn't believe in ghosts and thinks their new little sister is just looking for more attention. But Molly isn't so certain, especially when Heather threatens that Helen is going to come for them and make them sorry. It seems as though things can’t get any worse—but they do. When Helen comes.

Wait Till Helen Comes is a graphic novel with some great art, and a faithful retelling of a classic children's horror story. I have never been a big horror fan, but Hahn was one exception even when I was in the target audience, because of the amount of real feelings ands character development that she packed into each story. I could easily put myself in Molly's shoes the first time I read this story, and even now as a parent I could still see pieces of myself in the story. The scary moments are well done, with a nice build up and culmination of action. I also love the way the conclusion includes a wrap up for family dynamics and some look at how things played out in the aftermath. The story is compelling and complete with a satisfying conclusion. 

Wait Till Helen Comes is a great adaptation of the novel, with a great balance of creepy and character development.