This was a very interesting book, and not my usual read. I love futuristic type of books, but I do prefer plot-driven books much more then character driven books, which is what this book is.

That being said, the book does grab you from the very first page. I actually wrote something along the lines of "you could actually taste the excitement in the air" after reading the first chapter. But, after a few chapters... I got a little bored. The book is well written, and I did enjoy the main character, Kat, but there are so many new worlds, civilizations, and ideas introduced in the book, in a short time period, that I felt myself more confused by it all then entertained... which led to me being bored. There are some exciting moments, but like I said, I felt more confused then anything.

That being said, there were sections that I did greatly enjoy - not going to share & spoil - and the ending was great, and it was worth reading. I can't say I was terribly surprised by the ending - but I think I would have been disappointed if the ending was different.

I received a review copy from the author.

Good, well written, I just can't get into it enough to finish it.

Written fairly well, a few minor editing things that I caught.

I just can't get into it. The characters don't seem real to me, I can't get interested in the storyline. I've had this book sitting for months now & I just haven't been able to force myself to finish it. I think if you were a Revolutionary war buff, you'd greatly enjoy the story, but I'm just not into American history as much as I am European history.

I received this book for free to review.

This is a fabulous little inspiration book for knitters & crocheters alike. Any crafter worth her salt will recongize at least some of the projects within this book (like the infamous yarn bombed bus & tree, projects that are overshared within the craft world over & over again), but there is so much in here - 101 projects to be exact - that there will be something new for everyone to enjoy. From tiny, tiny sweaters smaller than your finger, to a giant flag knitted with machines (and not a knitting machine, either), this book is a great inspiration.

I'd also recommend buying this book for the loved ones in your life who just don't get why you knit or crochet.

Any knitter knows the name Stefanie Japel - famous for designs like the one skein wonder and the mini sweater / boob holder and author of countless other knitting books. So even though I don't have a daughter, I had to grab this book from my library and take a look. I happen to be a fan of matching mother daughter outfits, anyway - my mom & I always had matching Easter outfits, and we even had matching "pilgrim" outfits we wore to Plymouth Plantation & Sturbridge Village.

Outfits don't match perfectly, and Stefanie explains her daughters aren't girlie girlie, so she's not designing pretty "pink" outfits, but every day wearable outs that both mom and daughter will enjoy and wear all the time - something I want in a FO.

Patterns are sized through infants to size 50" adults and are all made in Stefanie's usual seamless, top down style.

There's a great mix of styles as well, from lace, cables, aran, etc. - I love the Mother's Lace Cardigan (of course, I love lace!)

I seem to be reviewing an awful lot of toy books lately so I won't say my usual disclaimer on toy books, you know the drill by now.

I picked up this book at the library because I couldn't resist. I actually remember seeing this book last year during the Olympics but didn't have time to grab it then, so I grabbed it now with a stack of other books I probably won't have time to even look at, let alone read and review... sigh.

There's several other similar books out there along the same theme (just search amazon). This one is unique because the doll is knitted but the outfits are sewn, making this book really a sewing book, not a knitting book, despite the title.

All in all, the book is cute enough, but there's nothing terribly unique about any of the outfits or how they are presented or sewn.

Flowers are everywhere this time of year, and it's even in our craft books! I am a knitter and crocheter, but I used to dabble in origami & every once in a while I still do. I was thrilled when I was contacted to review this book because I was hoping it would inspire me to play with paper again - and it did !

Maria breaks the book up by materials and technique - using crepe paper (maybe obvious to a lot of people, but news to me!), scrapbook paper, construction paper (which to me immediately means affordable and bright colors!), paper napkins (another affordable option), origami paper (easily bought at craft chains like Michael's, and I happen to have a package here), quilling paper strips (something I've never done but might try thanks to this book), and recycled paper. Maria also talks about what type of glue and wire you should use, and what other materials she recommends, making it easy for beginners like me to get started.

Another feature I appreciate is the fact that the book is spiral bound so the pages lay flat. Why don't all craft books do this?

There are also step by step photographs besides the written direction.

Some of my favorite projects include the tulip (unbelievably lifelike using doublette crepe paper in yellow, black, and green), bird of paradise (also using doublette crepe paper), pinwheels (not really a flower, but very cute, and uses double sided scrapbook paper), and the Kusudama Flower, using scrapbook paper, and something I actually made before years ago as a teen (I vividly remember making some to give to my dad for Father's Day).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to begin playing with paper.

I received a copy of this book to review for free for my blog & other websites but was not paid or otherwise compensated for my review, direct from the author, Maria Noble.

This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to make something for the little girls in their life, and many of the designs are easily adaptable to bigger girls as well. There's a great range of designs, from lace, cables and texture, from basic beginner stuff to more complex techniques.

Most of the book is focused on sweaters and cardigans, but there are several cute scarves/shawls as well.

The designs are very modern and different, which could be construed as a good thing, but for me is actually a negative - I buy books and knit things that will last for years, can be handed down when something is outgrown, etc., not something that will look dated when trends change in a year - at least, when I'm knitting for someone else (I've been known to wear a granny square sweater in public, so I'm not exactly fashion forward).

I had an e-book copy of this book, but other reviews did comment on the quality of the book which is important to note.


I received a review copy of this book for free from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I Dream of Zombies is a cute, fast, little read that you'll enjoy, especially this time of year when your time is not your own!

Rose Lee is a zombie counselor, though she's really more of a social worker. Her job is to help the zombies, a part of the population often misunderstood, ignored, abused, and hurt, siimply because some are losing body parties and often go crazy at the end.

Rose's story is told with humor throughout, and there are some twists and turns throughout the story to keep you going, though a few of the "mysteries" weren't mysteries to me at all.

There are some minor typos and some editing things that did bug me, however (most of the book is told from the first person point of view, but there are occasions when for a sentence or two, it switches to third person).

The book ends with a cliffhanger that really wasn't a surprise to me at all (without giving anything away, this character just kept being mentioned oddly, and there wasn't any point to the character being mentioned, so obviously the author was setting us up for something).