I cannot remember the last time when I was so surprised and delighted.
This bFRIENDSHIP OVER - if you don't love this book
(I'm serious - don't test me)
I cannot remember the last time when I was so surprised and delighted.
This brought me back to my childhood and I am forever grateful to Peter Brown for writing it.
One year ago, I awoke on the shore of island. I was just a machine. I functioned. But you --- my friends and my family --- have taught me how to live.
Roz - a standard issue manual labor robot - is stranded on an island.
At first, she is at a loss - she's alone, without any instructions, and the openly hostile wildlife are intent on getting rid of her.
But slowly (oh so slowly) she finds a way to fit in - in part do to one very, very loving little orphaned gosling.
“But I do not know how to act like a mother.”
“Oh, it’s nothing, you just have to provide the gosling with food and water and shelter, make him feel loved but don’t pamper him too much, keep him away from danger...And that’s really all there is to motherhood!”
If you haven't guessed already, I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book. The storyline was so strong and Roz's transformation was just perfect.
I even enjoyed all of the bittersweet parts - kudos to Brown for NOT making another cookie-cutter-life-is-perfect middle grade book. He had the right balance of emotion throughout all of his book.
I just cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.
I'll tell you what: If I could do it all over again, I'd spend more time helping others.
Audiobook Comments I only listened to the audiobook (read by Kate Atwater) and let me tell you - fantastic audio. Seriously, the best so far this year. Her voice for Roz was beyond cute and the way Kate Atwater was so into all of the animal voices - absolutely spot-on.
I could read this one a hundred times and love it just the same.
This was my middle school book series. I read it over and over and over (and, as I could read this one a hundred times and love it just the same.
This was my middle school book series. I read it over and over and over (and, as you may have guessed, over and over...).
It had dragons! And elves and magic and swordplay and not a love triangle in sight.
Even rereading it as an adult, I just...cannot separate all those happy memories So keep in mind, my review might be is more than a bit biased.
Eragon, a farm boy, stumbles upon a suspicious blue stone while hunting in the Spine (an area that few would go to even in the best of times). He loses sight of his prey but brings home the stone anyway figuring that he might sell it.
However, once folks find out it's from the Spine - they refuse to touch it. Begrudgingly, Eragon takes it home only to discover, a few short days later, that the stone is not a stone...it is an egg.
A dragon egg.
And while Saphira (his young dragon) is cute for the first few weeks...Soon, Eragon realizes that keeping a dragon, even a young one, is no easy task.
When a tragedy befalls Eragon's family, he sets off with Brom, a local storyteller, and Saphira on a quest for revenge.
Along the way, he meets both friend and foe. He travels far farther that he ever dreamed possible and experiences losses that will irrevocably change him.
Nothing is more dangerous than an enemy with nothing to lose, he thought. Which is what I have become.
Rereading this as an adult, there are a few things I picked up this time around - like how Eragon is always just strong enough to vanquish his enemies, how he is always in the right place at the right time, how he's able to pick up swordplay and magic at an unbelievable speed...
And yet...
There is one thing that 11-year-old me and 25-year-old-me would absolutely agree.
One thing that remains steadfast and true.
I will defend this book to my dying day. This book is simply the best. The best of the best.
Audiobook Comments While the book may be the best of the best...this audiobook (narrated by Gerard Doyle) was not. In particular, Saphira's voice was absolutely, hands-down, the worst voice ever bestowed upon a dragon.
I could understand going for a deeper voice for a dragon, but she's a young, female dragon, not a crotchety 1000-year-old creature with a chip on his shoulder. It was painful to listen to. Over 10 hours of a deep, guttural flem-in-the-back-of-your-throat sort of voice - think yoda on steroids.
So, when she found a book about owls at the local library, she checked it out and we read it together over and over...and oMy mom has a thing for owls
So, when she found a book about owls at the local library, she checked it out and we read it together over and over...and over...and over. (What can I say, I like what I like).
So, my mom bought me my very own copy back in '98 and I enjoyed having it on my shelf ever since. This is officially, my longest-running fave book.
Rereading it as an adult, I do see why I latched on to it so tightly as a kid.
The storyline is simple, repetitive but the message it sends - that a parent's love is uncountable and unfathomable - is truly one to remember.
I keep this one on my main shelf - nestled next to my childhood fave (Harry Potter) and my teen fave (Twilight). Some books are truly ones to remember.
I've read it on and off for the last ten years and every time I pick it up, I literally (yes, literally) laugh out loI love, love, love, this book.
I've read it on and off for the last ten years and every time I pick it up, I literally (yes, literally) laugh out loud.
"Tasers are a one-size-fits-all paranormal butt-kicking option. Mine’s pink with rhinestones."
I adore the premise, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) humor scattered throughout and the heroine is easily one of my YA faves.
Evie sees through glamors. No one can hide from her. From when she was discovered (at three) to now, she's been under the thumb of ICPA (Internatuonal Paranormal Containment Agency) as their bagger-and-tagger.
Her job is pretty simple - see a paranormal, neuter it (via tracking device) and bring it back to headquarters. BUT She isn't your average government employee/YA heroine.
When she's not rounding up the wild paranormals, she's watching Easten Heights (her absolute fave drama), online shopping (though most of the purchases get canceled by the government) and hanging out with her best friend (a mermaid).
When a suspicious paranormal shows up in the midst of a crisis Evie will have to figure out A) What's killing off the paranormals, B) How to stop her creepy ex-boyfriend (a faerie) from stalking her and C) If the suspicious-slash-hot new guy has a girlfriend. Not necessarily in that order.
"He reached out and put his hand on top of mine. My heart skipped a beat - he liked me, too! 'You're worried about what's killing the paranormals aren't you?' Crap. He didn't like me."
The sincerity, the sass. Gah. I want Evie to be my best friend. If you're looking for a refreshing take on YA fiction - pick it up!
“What are you?" I whispered. "What are you?" Offended, I frowned. "Human." "Funny, me too." "No, you're not." "Funny, neither are you."
Audiobook Comments Read by Emily Eiden and she absolutely rocked this audio. She had the right tempo/timing for the humor - really made Evie come alive.
"It's funny, most people can be around someone and they gradually begin to love them and never know exactly
If you haven't read this yet - get it now.
"It's funny, most people can be around someone and they gradually begin to love them and never know exactly when it happened; but Ruth knew the very second it happened to her."
It's a love story, a friendship story and so much more. There's survival against the odds, murder, and absolute hilarity. In short - really, truly awesome.
"Remember if people talk behind your back, it only means you are two steps ahead."
Mrs. Threadgoode is at the same nursing home as Evelyn's spiteful mother-in-law. During one such visit, Evelyn stops by Mrs. Threadgoode's room, and soon an everlasting friendship sparks.
Mrs. Threadgoode tells Evelyn stories from a not-so-distant past, when racism was rampart and certain home values were taken utterly seriously. She tells of larger-than-life Idgie, sweet and gentle Ruth, and of course a whole cast of truly unforgettable characters.
"You never know what's in a person's heart until they're tested, do you?"
Her stories give Evelyn a new outlook on life - suddenly, she's not the mousy, dissatisfied middle-aged wife - she's got spunk. She's got character. And she'd be damned if she let one more person walk all over her.
"Face it girls. I'm older and I have more insurance."
Gah. It's one of those books that just sweeps you off your feet and holds a special place in your heart forever. It's fluffy, but the kind of fluff that has you squealing with happiness and chasing someone down to let them know how great this book is.
I buddy-read this one with my mother and we really, truly bonded over these words. We laughed and teared up at the same parts. This is one experience I will treasure.
This book belongs on every bookshelf
Audiobook Comments Read by Lorna Raver - and she just brought this story alive. Truly a stunning listen. She had all the right tones and inflections in all the right places. It felt like I was right there in the story.
"You never know just what you can do until you try."
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of the seventh son. He can see ghosts and ghasts when others can't.
"You never know just what you can do until you try."
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of the seventh son. He can see ghosts and ghasts when others can't. He can resist the pull of magic and (hopefully) is brave enough to go toe-to-toe with witches.
"If we’re afraid, sometimes there are things that can feed on that fear. Fear makes it worse for us. The trick is to concentrate on what you can see and stop thinking about yourself."
The local Spook is looking for an apprentice and Tom Ward's mam signs him up.
She knows he has the strength within him to become a great and powerful Spook. One strong enough to shake even the darkest of shadows...but Tom isn't so sure.
Tom knows that Spooks are important to the whole County - they are the ones to hold the dark at bay...but being the apprentice to a Spook is hard work. There's conditioning, memorizing and lots (and lots) of practice fighting the dark.
And then, Tom is tricked into letting out Mother Malkin - a horrifying witch who lived in one of the Spook's pits. And after her long tenure underground, she is ready to extract revenge.
Whew. There's nothing like the first book of a new series (or old series).
This is one of my favorite middle grade series and every time I go in for a reread, I feel like I'm visiting an old friend.
Tom Ward and his slightly-suspicious-friend (Alice) are just so much fun to watch. I love the creepiness of the dark and the insidious ways it infests the County.
The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter really set the atmosphere and the audiobook narration is so good.
No matter how you read it, this book is amazing.
Audiobook Comments Read by Christopher Evan Welch and he was a splendid narrator. Loved it!
This was truly as glorious as I remember. Every time I reread this novelTo summarize: Mistah.Darcy.
*cue the long, sustained high-pitched squealing *
This was truly as glorious as I remember. Every time I reread this novel, I love it more.
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The romance, the high society, the witty banter. Gah. I just adore it all.
"And your defect is to hate everybody." "And yours," he replied with a smile, "is willfully to misunderstand them."
Elizabeth Bennet (second eldest of the five Bennet sisters) is the one with a clear, level head. Jane is the beautiful one, Mary is the look-at-me-I'm-so-pious one, Lydia is the I'm-so-dumb-that-I'm-probably-going-to-get-murdered one and Kitty is the well-she's-just-kinda-there one.
Now, back in the day...there was one, singular goal for all women above the age of 16. GET YOURSELF A MAN before you reach 25 and become a SPINSTER*cue high-society ladies fainting*.
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Mrs. Bennet (their mother) has taken this so completely to heart that she thinks of nothing else. After all,
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy moved into town and immediately Mrs. Bennett set her dasterdly plans in motion (on behalf of her mortified children). She will do whatever necessary to get a rich man to put a ring on it (oh Beyonce, your words are applicable in any century).
"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment."
Only, there is a snag in her otherwise flawless plans. Elizabeth is not going to roll over to whatever man is thrust her way. To her mother's ever-living-disappointment, Elizabeth has all the spunk and backbone of a truly glorious woman:
"I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
Truly a great read, no matter the century.
Plus Jane Austen is totally my soul sister.
"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."
Audiobook Comments As with most old-timey books, It is far easier for me to listen to them than to read them. I like hearing the odd phrases and ancient unused words much more than struggling through the hard copy. I really enjoyed this audiobook and the narrator did a fab job of characterization.
Before I get started on this review, I just want to mention that I am a huge longtime fan of The DeYoung Family Zoo in Wallace, Michigan.
S
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Before I get started on this review, I just want to mention that I am a huge longtime fan of The DeYoung Family Zoo in Wallace, Michigan.
So, here's an enormous thank you to Bud and Carrie for all that they do (and for signing my copy - it's one of my most prized possessions).
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So, without any further ado, let's get started!
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"Quite literally, my life is a zoo. For the past forty-odd years, I've built the DeYoung Family Zoo...Truth be told, I wouldn't have life any other way."
The DeYoung Family Zoo is a labor of love.
Ever since Bud DeYoung was a child, he would find some way to bring animals home. Whether it be a flock of ducks, a few chickens or several pigeons, he was always bringing something home.
However, it is one thing to pick up a few birds here and there...it's another to create your own zoo. xxv
"Maybe trading our beagle for a monkey wasn't the right thing to do. But at the time, the deal made sense to me..."
And right when most mothers would have thrown up their hands, Bud's mom had a decidedly different reaction.
"Mom had four kids and the grocery and garden center businesses, so perhaps a monkey in the house seemed the least of her worries."
Animals and Bud DeYoung are a packaged deal throughout his childhood...Which was a surprise to his future wife!
But eventually, everyone just knew that you can't have one without the other.
"We became so accustomed to Honeybear that she was simply part of the family. We'd be eating supper, and the bear would eat off the table."
Annnnd...that soon snowballed into a sixty-acre 400+ animal zoo, with another 300(ish) animals at their no-kill animal shelter, Pipers Rescue Ranch.
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It's a lot to manage but they always go above and beyond.
Often sacrificing their own creature comforts for various creatures who need comfort.
"My fiancee, Carrie, and I have had eight years of animal housemate."
Carrie and Bud foster baby animals throughout the summer - either orphaned or abandoned and often incorporate them into the zoo's programming.
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Animal encounters are used as a way to socialize these young animals to the hustle and bustle of zoo life!
The book goes into several vignettes throughout Bud DeYoung's life regarding his run-ins with a few memorable animals - such as one of the stars:
"Wallace has certainly been the most difficult animal to maintain at the zoo...I swear, food goes right through him."
Wallace the hippo was an addition to the zoo a few years ago and I have always loved visiting the portly fella...but until this book, I have never considered all of the challenges associated with owning a hippo in the UP of Michigan.
His enclosure alone cost upwards of 22,000! And to think, Bud DeYoung plans to acquire a few more because hippos are considered social animals and he doesn't want Wallace to be lonely!
I loved all the stories about Louie - a chimpanzee infant - who was fostered by Bud and Carrie until he was old enough to live on his own....and since chimpanzees are social animals, Bud decided to build Louie a huge enclosure and assemble a troop for him. Truly amazing.
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"Yes, life might have been simpler. But what an amazing life I would have missed, and what still waits on the horizon?"
Ahhh! I really cannot express enough how much I love, adore and cherish this zoo.
It is truly one of a kind. If you are ever in the area, I highly (highly) recommend it. One of my favorite parts of the book's philosophy is how Bud DeYoung has always believed that natural nature (opposed to fake plants and vines, the sculpted rock walls, etc) is best for animals and that is completely reflected in their homes.
Bud DeYoung makes his enclosures around the natural formations of the sixty-acre property.
But it's not just their homes that are natural - their diet is as well!
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Every day, rain or shine, Bud DeYoung goes around to all of the big cats of the zoo and provides them with a little snack - fresh downed cattle donated from the neighboring farms.
All the while, Carrie provides a running commentary about their animals - always talking about fun stories and emphasizing conservation.
After all of the zoo guests are gone, Bud delivers whole carcasses for the carnivores.
He does his absolute best to mimic the wild diet and habitat and that's reflected in his animals lifespans.
It's not unusual to spot a tiger (they typically live 15 in captivity) at age 18 or older. Bears live to their late twenties. There's something about the DeYoung lifestyle that (quite literally) keeps these animals young.
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Throughout a typical zoo day, there are plenty of animal encounters and various educational programs.
A pet project of Carrie's is Carrie's Canines - where she visits her various wolfpacks (one led by an alpha three-legged female!) and her hyenas.
And by visits, I do mean visit. Carrie has hand-raised many of the animals at the zoo and is considered "one of the pack" for the wolves...and her hyenas.
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As part of the zoo's daily content, Carrie steps in with her packs to give them treats (aka beef) and love rubs, all the while explaining why these beautiful and endangered animals should be treasured and cared for.
I've had the honor and the pleasure to meet with Bud and Carrie many times and what he does is nothing short of amazing.
This zoo, along with the book, is something truly near and dear to my heart. If there's anything I can do as a reviewer, it would be to bring more attention to such a wonderful novel and unique family.
All in all, if you are looking for an amazing perspective on local history, or a novel about an unique zoo, or if you really just love quirky animal stories - this is the right book for you.
This was my first (and only major) episode of fangirling.
I owned a tshirt ("vegetarian vampire" - so e
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So, my review might be a bit biased...
This was my first (and only major) episode of fangirling.
I owned a tshirt ("vegetarian vampire" - so edgy).
I saw the first movie an embarrassingly high number of times in theater.
I judged people based off of Team Edward or Team Jacob (for the record: Edward in the books, Jacob in the movies).
Even now, more than 10 years later, I still absolutely adore this first book - there's too many good feelings.
I tried so, so hard to look at this book with my sophisticated grown-up eyes, to see past all the trite plotholes and develop a good, sound hatred of Twilight .
I just can't - I live for this series.
So, just keep in mind where I am coming from when I decided to reread this one.
My overwhelming realization? Bella should probably be hospitalized
There is no way she doesn't have some inner-ear or traumatic brain injury. There is no physically relevant way a seventeen year old could be that unbalanced.
It defies all logic. It's like every time I turned the page, there'd she go. Falling. Again.
You really should stay away from me.
The other overwhelming realization? Rosalie was the voice of reason.
I remember absolutely hating her because she was the only one who stood between Edward and Bella.
How dare she not love that they're in love? Well, now that I'm older, it's more of YOU'RE ONLY SEVENTEEN AND HE'S A HUNDRED YEARS OLDER.
Team Rosalie-the-voice-of-reason all the way.
Despite everything, the cheesy quotes, the terribly unrealistic portrayal of love and the big sparkling plot-holes, I can't help it.
I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Me, falling in love with this book all over again. [image]
P.s. Still got that 10 yr old vegetarian vampire shirt in the back of my closet.
P.p.s. yes. That's my original Twilight copy, literally worn away from my multiple rereads...
Audiobook Comments Well-read by Ilyana Kadushin, though I wish the guy voices were a bit more distinct when the girl-reader said them. They were all just slightly deeper version of girl-voices. Not much variation in tone/inflection.
The 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge - A book made into a movie you've already seen
As a longtime fan, I am just reveling in this latest illustrating the HP books trend. Especially considering *Cue the inhuman shrieks of joy*
As a longtime fan, I am just reveling in this latest illustrating the HP books trend. Especially considering J.K.'s original bestiary gave scant descriptions of (some) wholly unknown and many extremely quirky creatures. Literally, over the moon.
In the new edition, Newt Scamander's forward is quick to mention that all proceeds go to comic relief - a truly admirable Muggle charity. In addition:
"I was permitted to reissue the book only on that a disclaimer was included, assuring Muggle readers that it was a work of fiction."
We now have new creatures, including the Hodag, Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, Hidebehind, Wampus Cat and Snallygaster (my favorite), which brings up the total to 81. to reflect Newt's journey to America. Within the new creatures descriptions are references to Ilvermorny (U.S. version of Hogwarts).
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Figure 1: Snallygaster - part lizard, part bird that is sometimes mistaken as the Loch Ness Monster - in part due to its curious nature.
Some of the creatures featured in the movies looked slightly different. Notably, the grindylow - instead of being an octopus-like water demon has become a mermaid with legs:
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Figure 2: The "Grindylow" - a water demon. Famous for ruining Fleur de Lacour's chances at eternal glory.
Absent from this edition, the painfully small scribblings from Harry, Ron and Hermione. While I miss l missed their quirky musings and chatter, the full-color illustrations more than make up for that. This is truly a beautiful book.
"It is my fondest hope that a new generation of witches and wizards will find in its pages fresh reason to love and protect the incredible beasts with whom we share magic."
[image] Figure 3: The Unicorn - by far the absolute best mythical creature in the world.
The Finer Books Club - 2018 Reading Challenge: A book you picked because of the cover
As expected, the illustrations brought this book to a whole new level. I legitimately want to buy another copy, solel[image] Can you hear me screaming?
As expected, the illustrations brought this book to a whole new level. I legitimately want to buy another copy, solely to take it apart and frame it.
Each page is just bursting with new life. Honestly, how could you notlove such beautiful images?
I think at this point, everyone and their great-great-grandmother has heard of this book.
Harry Potter, orphaned before he was one, was sent to live with his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. He was always a bit of an odd child - much to his family's dismay.
Things just...happened...around him. Like when he was running from bullies and jumped to the school roof. Or when he got an atrocious haircut (courtesy of Aunt Petunia) and all of his hair grew back in a single night.
On his eleventh birthday, a letter comes to him and a whole new world opens in front of his eyes.
In short - I LOVED THIS ONE. I thought I loved the Harry Potter books when I first read them, but when I bought the illustrated version...well, that love instantly quadrupled.
The fully illustrated Philosopher's Stone still has all the wonder and amazement as the boy-turned-wizard embarks on a harrowing 7-book-adventure and the illustrations bring a whole new dimension.
Seriously, I can't emphasize enough how much I love this book. Just look at these images - they're magnificent:
[image] Ahh! Just look at sad, tiny Harry. Don't worry kid - life will get better!
Not only are these full-color, high quality images but there are so many of them.
Often, illustrated books have a picture here or there but not HP. There's pages and pages of pictures like this - and often the pages without full-sized images will have a small illustrations here and there between the large ones.
Words cannot express how highly I recommend this one. If you haven't read HP recently...I strongly urge you to check out this book.
I'm a long-time fan of their morning show and when I found out they had a book (and were going for a tour!) I was over-the-mother-flippin-
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I'm a long-time fan of their morning show and when I found out they had a book (and were going for a tour!) I was over-the-mother-flippin-moon.
If you haven't already guessed, I loved (LOVED) this book.
Before Rhett and Link were massive creators on Youtube, they began their lives together much like everyone else - in first grade.
Rhett and Link met in grade school while being held in for recess (on account of bad language). They spent the hour coloring mythical animals.
Link wanted a best friend and Rhett loved sleeping over and poking around other family's refrigerators.
Thus began a decades-long friendship that started with crazy childhood adventures, to sharing a college dorm, to getting (and then quitting) their jobs as engineers, to creating one of the most popular youtube morning shows AND FINALLY culminating in publishing a book.
And this book provided so many fun anecdotes along the way.
From their earliest childhood games to their marriage proposals to their early YouTube days - we are able to get an in-depth view on their long friendship.
I snickered to myself nearly every chapter. This book takes all the things I love - longtime friendships, funny antics, general quirkiness - and combines into one extremely entertaining novel.
I had the pleasure of seeing their live book tour.
In a word: awesome.
I distinctly remember, when they opened with, "Good Mythical Morning," turning to my sister, clutching her arm as we both whisper-screamed, They are doing the thing. THEY'RE DOING THE THING!!!"
It's just SO COOL to read about a whole new perspective on their lives and to see the book tour!
Their humor just got to me in absolutely the right way and I honestly couldn't have imagined a better book by them.
No plot, the story-line just meanders from one month to another.
Yet, when you step back, you realize all the pieces fit into I absolutely loved this.
No plot, the story-line just meanders from one month to another.
Yet, when you step back, you realize all the pieces fit into place and you're left with a really pleasing short novel.
This is the Bob Ross of books
No plot, the story-line just meanders from one month to another.
Yet, when you step back, you realize all the pieces fit into place and you're left with a really pleasing short novel.
This book was so refreshing. It takes all of the charming parts from Boy: Tales of Childhood while avoiding the traumatic, squeamish bits and combines it with fun seasonal trivia.
Dahl projects a generalized calmness and genuine love for the little critters throughout the book. Made me want to sit in a garden and just watch the chipmunks scurry about.
For millions of years, they traveled to new planets, c
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"Body and soul. Two different things"
Wanderer is a parasite. Her people are parasites.
For millions of years, they traveled to new planets, colonized the species and lived out lives in their hosts' bodies. It's about the experience and the journey.
When Wanderer (the soul) arrives to Earth, she is placed in an adult female host. What she doesn't know, is that the host is still very much there.
Melanie (the host) is desperate. She absolutely refuses to let a little thing like being trapped in her own body by an parasitic alien stop her from getting back to her brother.
And soon, Wanderer does not want to go back. She's found a home (and a human) that she wants forever.
"What was it that made this human love so much more desirable to me than the love of my own kind? Was it...Because these humans hate with so much fury, was the other end of the spectrum that they could love with more heart and zeal and fire?"
I just adore this book. I've read it once every 2-3 years and enjoyed it every time. This was no exception.
Normally, when character who is too good to be true (looking at you, Wanderer), it annoys me. Not with this book.
Wanderer might be nearly perfect, but her internal conflict and the external factors (i.e. Melanie, other humans) provide enough tension to keep her from seeming like a Mary-Sue.
This book is a slow build but it is so worth it to me. I love it.
"It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what you say. It's not how you look in that body, but the thing you do with it. You are beautiful."
Ahhh, my heart is just a melty puddle of goo.
Audiobook Comments Read by Kate Reading - I absolutely loved her last name! She was an excellent reader. This is the first time I listened to it and this was a whole new experience. Really pleasant to listen to.
I'm geeking out right now - can you feel me geeking out???
I love the original Little House on the Prairie series. Just adore it. But I always won I'm geeking out right now - can you feel me geeking out???
I love the original Little House on the Prairie series. Just adore it. But I always wondered how much of the story was true versus how much was embellished to make the series sell. This autobiography delves into that question with painstaking detail.
This book contains the original manuscript (of what would latter become split into the Little House series) and every detail mentioned within is fact-checked with a footnote. Everything is fact-checked. Any minor character, any reference to a nearby town and any animal that passed into Ingalls family's lives has been checked and rechecked. I have never been happier
I was extremely pleased that for the most part, the little house series was true-to-life. There were some changes between real life and the books. For example, the Ingalls family had several dogs throughout their childhood but the dogs were condensed into one (Jack). The same thing happened with all of the mean girls Laura dealt with growing up - they all became "Nellie Olson." Both cases that was done to alleviate confusion for young readers.
Pioneer Girl is written for an older audience and includes a few events that Laura decided to keep out of her children's series - such as bearing witness to a man trying to kill his wife. Or Pa skipping town once because he couldn't come up with money to pay back the landlords. Those were later cut from the series because the content was considered too mature for the young readers and shows heroic Pa in a different light.
I really liked seeing how closely Laura worked with her Rose , her daughter, as they put together the very first manuscript. This mother-daughter duo certainly had no idea how much of an impact they would have on children throughout the world (and on adults, like me, who have loved the series their entire lives).
"Books have to be heavy because the whole world's inside them."
Magic, this book is pure unadulterated magic.
Meggie and Mo (her father) are a pair
"Books have to be heavy because the whole world's inside them."
Magic, this book is pure unadulterated magic.
Meggie and Mo (her father) are a pair. They're two peas in a pod, they're a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, they're ice cream and sprinkles. No matter what - they are together.
Mo works as a book binder/restorer and Meggie is a full-time reader - she reads every single moment she's not in school.
When a mysterious man from Mo's past shows up on their doorstep, he packs up all of their things and whisks Maggie away to to her Aunt Elinor's house.
And, despite all their efforts, evil is circling ever closer to their little family and Maggie is at a complete loss at what to do.
She's read countless stories of heroines ... but to actually become one? That will take pure bravery and nerves of steel...
There is something inexplicable about the way Funke weaves magic into her novel. Even after all these years, as soon as I read this book, I check the garden for fairies and glassmen.
There's something so heartwarming and true regarding the dynamic between Maggie and her father, Mo.
Even the crankiness of Eleanor as she begrudgingly takes in Maggie is enough to set my eyes alight as I read, and reread this book.
Perhaps, it is because (for the first time) characters in a book loved reading as much as I do
"When you open a book it's like going to the theater first you see the curtain then it is pulled aside and the show begins."
Honestly, every quote in this book just speaks to me:
"Is there anything in the world better than words on the page?"
Highly, highly recommended for kids (and adults) of all ages!
Audiobook Comments Read by Lynn Redgrave - and she did a rather good job. Nice characterization!
"Sylvie had an amazing life, but she didn't get to live it very often."
Sylvie is (quite literally) a character. She's a princess. A daring-and-dashin
"Sylvie had an amazing life, but she didn't get to live it very often."
Sylvie is (quite literally) a character. She's a princess. A daring-and-dashing heroine. And, most importantly, she's BORED.
She only gets to live her story when a Reader stops by and she's had to go through the same. exact. story. for eighty years.
Her father (the King) and her mother (the Queen) are also trapped like this...only, they don't mind it. They love the order and peace that comes from a story well-performed.
Sylvie longs for action and adventure - for stories where the the ending isn't known and where the criminal aren't just members of her court playing a part.
Then one day, Sylvie explores to the edges of her book and with a deep breath, leaps out of the pages and into the world.
This book just blew me away. I love the story, within a story, within a story aspect. I laughed, I teared up, this book was simply fabulous.
To say that I love this book would be putting it lightly
My family adores me - and in part that's due to the frequency that I rely upon this book for rTo say that I love this book would be putting it lightly
My family adores me - and in part that's due to the frequency that I rely upon this book for recipes. I have such a enjoyable time trying these recipes that I end up begging to make the family's meal. (And the meals turn out so good that my sibling doesn't even mind that I usurped her position as family favorite).
After delving into the Bucholz's The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook, I knew that I had to try another of hers. Ergo, I totally read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series to "earn" this cookbook. That's right. Seven books in order to read one. Seems about fair (ha!).
And let me tell you, this book is fabulous. The instructions are simple and efficient, there aren't too many hard-to-get ingredients and the recipes are absolutely fun. Each recipe in the book starts with a passage quoted from one of the seven Narnia books and then goes into how to make it as close as possible to what it was in the book. Sometimes there are sidebars with further information regarding some of the more unusual techniques or ingredients.
After reading this book, I am so pumped to cook. Every meal I've tried so far - from Cornish pasties to roasted chicken to tea cakes - has turned out delicious. Highly recommended for Narnia fans - or just for fans of good flavor.
I can't wait for Bucholz to tackle another series.
Dinah Bucholz, a huge Harry Potter fan and food lover, has always been interested in what the chara
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Honestly, one of my favorite books ever.
Dinah Bucholz, a huge Harry Potter fan and food lover, has always been interested in what the characters are eating.
So much of Hogwarts's magic revolves around food - from the Great Hall tables to home-cooked recipes a la Mrs. Weasley's wandwork.
And yet, where does one go if they want to try Hagrid's rock cakes or Mrs. Weasley's muffins? What the heck is treacle?? The answer has finally come.
Bucholz went through the entire series and found all of the food references by Harry and the gang, then found traditional recipes according to the time era and the country of origin - and packaged it all in this wondrous little book.
Each recipe is accompanied with a little quote, page number and blurb about where the item originated. The recipes are well laid out and easy to follow, with helpful hints for the more difficult ones!
In short - I freaking love it.
Since reading this book, I've kindled a huge passion for cooking and baking. I've found excuses to try recipes out on anyone and everyone I know.
So many recipes within Harry Potter are normal, everyday items in England and, like Bulchoz, always wondered what does the food taste like?
Is spotted dick gross? It's not!
Does Hagrid's Rock Cakes actually contain rocks? They don't!
And what in the world is black pudding? It's better not to know...
I've paged through this book so many times that I've memorized the recipe locations. Here are some easy, personal favorites:
Breakfasts Hagrid's rock cakes (finally figured out scones. So many toppings and varieties at my fingertips) Breakfast Before Class: herbed and spiced sausage patties Treats from the Train's cauldron cakes Mrs Weasley's oversized blueberry muffins (below)
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Meals Aunt Petunia's pork tenderloin (either the regular or the bourbon glaze) Molly Weasley's onion meatballs with onion sauce All of the savory pies (except for the kidney and pork ones, haven't made those yet)
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Desserts Molly Weasley's apple pie (quote from co-worker: "Miranda, you make some bomb-a** pie") Hagrid's sugar biscuits (great for cut out cookies) Molly Weasley's Vol-a-vents (huge hit for mother's day breakfast)
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