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simplyalexandra's Reviews (890)
3 Stars - I would recommend if you like quirky characters and slow building narratives about real life struggles.
This book follows Joanna and Abe, a 20+ year middle-aged couple living in Seattle. They have their flow, their own life together, and work together to help Joanna's daughter Lily navigate her 20-somethings. However, when they meet Lioness, a mysterious woman who needs a place to live, everything is slowly turned upside down.
I have not read The Last Unicorn, and I didn't know what to expect with this book. I really enjoyed Beagle's writing, and Abe and Joanna's characters were very complex and interesting. I liked all of the every day detail Beagle gives the story. However, I felt like Lily was kind of a confusing character, I didn't feel like I understood her. Lioness is barely a part of the detail in the story, but somehow the main part at the same time. I found this book to be a little confusing in general... because almost nothing happens throughout the bulk of the story, and then everything is kind of falls apart for the characters. This book is listed as having a fantasy element, which it does, but it's sort of subtle and in the background. It could almost do without it all together. I don't know, just not my type of book I think.
I was given advance access to by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!
This book follows Joanna and Abe, a 20+ year middle-aged couple living in Seattle. They have their flow, their own life together, and work together to help Joanna's daughter Lily navigate her 20-somethings. However, when they meet Lioness, a mysterious woman who needs a place to live, everything is slowly turned upside down.
I have not read The Last Unicorn, and I didn't know what to expect with this book. I really enjoyed Beagle's writing, and Abe and Joanna's characters were very complex and interesting. I liked all of the every day detail Beagle gives the story. However, I felt like Lily was kind of a confusing character, I didn't feel like I understood her. Lioness is barely a part of the detail in the story, but somehow the main part at the same time. I found this book to be a little confusing in general... because almost nothing happens throughout the bulk of the story, and then everything is kind of falls apart for the characters. This book is listed as having a fantasy element, which it does, but it's sort of subtle and in the background. It could almost do without it all together. I don't know, just not my type of book I think.
I was given advance access to by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!
3 Stars - I recommend if you are looking to learn calligraphy, and want to start with a clean, easy to follow lesson.
This little calligraphy book is short and sweet, including information on calligraphy basics as well as project ideas. Detrick creates a clean, simple, and straight-forward approach to calligraphy in it's most basic styles; perfect for beginners. I like that she gives tips and step by step advice for working through her samples on your own, and there is not so much text that the hints get lost in the pages. She additionally adds further resources and fun project ideas to further practice and show off your new calligraphy skills. I have read quite a few calligraphy books, and I really liked the simplicity of this one. However, I personally find more modern types of calligraphy a little more personally appealing. All the same, this book is worth a read for someone who wants to learn calligraphy basics, a perfect starting place.
I was given advance access to by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!
This little calligraphy book is short and sweet, including information on calligraphy basics as well as project ideas. Detrick creates a clean, simple, and straight-forward approach to calligraphy in it's most basic styles; perfect for beginners. I like that she gives tips and step by step advice for working through her samples on your own, and there is not so much text that the hints get lost in the pages. She additionally adds further resources and fun project ideas to further practice and show off your new calligraphy skills. I have read quite a few calligraphy books, and I really liked the simplicity of this one. However, I personally find more modern types of calligraphy a little more personally appealing. All the same, this book is worth a read for someone who wants to learn calligraphy basics, a perfect starting place.
I was given advance access to by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!
I liked this better than the first one. :)
4 Stars - I recommend if you like urban fantasy, and are looking for a quick fantasy/romance read. Read the first book first, but don't judge it too harshly if you've seen the show, I enjoyed this one MUCH more than the first. :)
Freya knows that her brother is alive and in Midgard, which would thrill her family.... but she's not allowed to tell anyone. On top of that he's blaming Killian for being put in limbo. Freya must prove Killian innocent and figure out a way to let her family know that her brother is back. Ingrid deals with her first real relationship.... and Joanna is being reached out to by a powerful spirit in the glom. Is it a good spirit? A bad one? And why is it reaching out to her? On top of that Joanna's husband is back in her life... but a new suitor is on the horizon as well.
Overall, I liked this book a lot better than the first one. I felt like the first one was really close to the show, but random things were different which made it kind of slow and a little irritating to read. (this is why I don't watch first guys...) The second book diverts even further from the plot of the show, which made it less predictable, and overall more interesting to read. It also did not include the weird mandragora guy from S2 of the show... if you know what I mean... #awkward ... This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger which is fun!
4 Stars - I recommend if you like urban fantasy, and are looking for a quick fantasy/romance read. Read the first book first, but don't judge it too harshly if you've seen the show, I enjoyed this one MUCH more than the first. :)
Freya knows that her brother is alive and in Midgard, which would thrill her family.... but she's not allowed to tell anyone. On top of that he's blaming Killian for being put in limbo. Freya must prove Killian innocent and figure out a way to let her family know that her brother is back. Ingrid deals with her first real relationship.... and Joanna is being reached out to by a powerful spirit in the glom. Is it a good spirit? A bad one? And why is it reaching out to her? On top of that Joanna's husband is back in her life... but a new suitor is on the horizon as well.
Overall, I liked this book a lot better than the first one. I felt like the first one was really close to the show, but random things were different which made it kind of slow and a little irritating to read. (this is why I don't watch first guys...) The second book diverts even further from the plot of the show, which made it less predictable, and overall more interesting to read. It also did not include the weird mandragora guy from S2 of the show... if you know what I mean... #awkward ... This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger which is fun!
3.5 - 4 Stars - I recommend if you have enjoyed the rest of the series.
This book beings with Freya, who has been sent back to 1692... and she has no memory of her past life. Joanna and Ingrid have tapped out their magic, and have no way of getting Freya back. They search for answers and hope that she is not hanged in the meantime for witchcraft. Ingrid is busy trying to figure out how to get to Freya, and her relationship with Matt is even more on the outs than it was before. When an old flame, Thor (of course), shows up in East End, she questions her relationship with a mortal even more. Joanna and Norman are together, and travel across the country looking for alternate ways to get to Freya. Freddy is struggling with his new marriage, no magic, and those annoying pixies.
Hmmm... this book was pretty different than the others. The parts that take place in Salem during the 1600s were pretty interesting, but definitely made the book flow differently. I think the first half of the book was really solid, on par with the second book... but the last part of this one was kind of strange with characters in Limbo, etc. I'ts just such a weird vibe. Overall, I was kind of disappointed in the ending. Though I doubt that MdlC thought this would be the last book in this series at the time.
This book beings with Freya, who has been sent back to 1692... and she has no memory of her past life. Joanna and Ingrid have tapped out their magic, and have no way of getting Freya back. They search for answers and hope that she is not hanged in the meantime for witchcraft. Ingrid is busy trying to figure out how to get to Freya, and her relationship with Matt is even more on the outs than it was before. When an old flame, Thor (of course), shows up in East End, she questions her relationship with a mortal even more. Joanna and Norman are together, and travel across the country looking for alternate ways to get to Freya. Freddy is struggling with his new marriage, no magic, and those annoying pixies.
Hmmm... this book was pretty different than the others. The parts that take place in Salem during the 1600s were pretty interesting, but definitely made the book flow differently. I think the first half of the book was really solid, on par with the second book... but the last part of this one was kind of strange with characters in Limbo, etc. I'ts just such a weird vibe. Overall, I was kind of disappointed in the ending. Though I doubt that MdlC thought this would be the last book in this series at the time.
4.5 Stars - I highly recommend this book if you enjoy fantasy. I picked it up, and I couldn't put it down. I especially recommend this if you like books that center around a competition (The Hunger Games, The Selection, HP - Goblet of Fire, GOT, etc.). This just came out and will eventually be a series.
In every generation on this island a set of triplet queens is born. Each has a special gift, there is a poisoner (able to tolerate and mix poisons), a naturalist who can grow plants and control animals, and a elemental who can control the elements. The triplets are separated and raised to hone their gifts. For when they come of age, they battle to the death, and the last queen alive is the true ruler. The trouble is, two of the sisters have no gift at all. Arsinoe is unable to control any plants or animals, and Katharine is poisoned and cannot tolerate it. Mirabella controls the elements with ease, but doesn't want to kill her sisters. This book is full of intrigue, betrayal, adventure, and magic.
I really enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, so I thought I would read this book as well. I didn't read the synopsis of this book before reading it... so I just dove right in and couldn't stop reading. I thought that the premise of this book was really interesting, and I liked that it was split up and different chapters were told from the point of view of different sisters. Overall I like how the plot, setting, etc. were very complex, and I didn't see everything coming that happened. The one thing that was a little strange to me was that The Poisoner gift seemed to be a lot more interesting than the others. Perhaps because it is a less common idea? I'm not sure but the other two gifts seemed kind of boring by comparison. Either way the plot was interesting, and the ending was twisty! This is set up to become a series, I can't wait to see where it goes next.
4.5 stars... so good! That ending...!
In every generation on this island a set of triplet queens is born. Each has a special gift, there is a poisoner (able to tolerate and mix poisons), a naturalist who can grow plants and control animals, and a elemental who can control the elements. The triplets are separated and raised to hone their gifts. For when they come of age, they battle to the death, and the last queen alive is the true ruler. The trouble is, two of the sisters have no gift at all. Arsinoe is unable to control any plants or animals, and Katharine is poisoned and cannot tolerate it. Mirabella controls the elements with ease, but doesn't want to kill her sisters. This book is full of intrigue, betrayal, adventure, and magic.
I really enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, so I thought I would read this book as well. I didn't read the synopsis of this book before reading it... so I just dove right in and couldn't stop reading. I thought that the premise of this book was really interesting, and I liked that it was split up and different chapters were told from the point of view of different sisters. Overall I like how the plot, setting, etc. were very complex, and I didn't see everything coming that happened. The one thing that was a little strange to me was that The Poisoner gift seemed to be a lot more interesting than the others. Perhaps because it is a less common idea? I'm not sure but the other two gifts seemed kind of boring by comparison. Either way the plot was interesting, and the ending was twisty! This is set up to become a series, I can't wait to see where it goes next.
4.5 stars... so good! That ending...!
4 Stars - I recommend if you have read Anna and the French Kiss, and you enjoy YA and romance novels. Again, Perkins perfectly captures what it's like to be a teenage girl!
This book follows Lola, a quirky and artistic teenager living in San Francisco with her two dads. She's 17 and dating a 22 year old, and her parents are NOT pleased. One day she notices that the house next door is being moved in to... and it's her ex-nemesis Calliope Bell, and her twin brother Cricket. Lola and Cricket started a relationship before he moved away, what will happen now that he's back?
Yet again, Perkins perfectly captures what it's like to be a teenage girl (in my experience). Lola is independent, but she's so young. She doesn't know what she wants... and she's growing up quickly. I think that even though this was my least favorite of the three books I really loved this. Cricket is such a quirky character, as is Lola, and I loved reading this book. I would say though, that Lola is the least mature of the three characters in my opinion, so maybe that is why I related to this book less? I don't know, either way, after being in San Francisco recently the book captured the spirit of the city pretty well! There's not much I can go into detail on, but I really liked this, and I am glad that Anna & Etienne were in this book as well.
This book follows Lola, a quirky and artistic teenager living in San Francisco with her two dads. She's 17 and dating a 22 year old, and her parents are NOT pleased. One day she notices that the house next door is being moved in to... and it's her ex-nemesis Calliope Bell, and her twin brother Cricket. Lola and Cricket started a relationship before he moved away, what will happen now that he's back?
Yet again, Perkins perfectly captures what it's like to be a teenage girl (in my experience). Lola is independent, but she's so young. She doesn't know what she wants... and she's growing up quickly. I think that even though this was my least favorite of the three books I really loved this. Cricket is such a quirky character, as is Lola, and I loved reading this book. I would say though, that Lola is the least mature of the three characters in my opinion, so maybe that is why I related to this book less? I don't know, either way, after being in San Francisco recently the book captured the spirit of the city pretty well! There's not much I can go into detail on, but I really liked this, and I am glad that Anna & Etienne were in this book as well.
4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy YA, romantic, and holiday stories. Also if you like short stories, some people really do not! hehe
This short story collection contains 12 works from popular YA writers from diverse backgrounds. It's kind of hard to give a synopsis of this one... :P It's really cute though if you like that kind of thing. If anyone wants to know what I thought of each one, read my #ed section below... if not just move along! :)
1) I started this book, and ended up reading it for hours. Rainbow Rowell immediately drew me in with her NYE short story.
2) The second one by Kelly Link was a bit more out there.... but I ultimately enjoyed it, it gave nice variation to the styles represented.
3) The third one by Matt de la Pena made me sob. I don't really know why, it wasn't that sad, but I loved it. It was probably my favorite of the bunch.
4) I hadn't read any Jenny Han ahead of her addition to the collection... at first I didn't like it as much as the others... because it was based in such an all encompassing fantasy setting... but the ending really made it for me!
5) Stephanie Perkins wowed me as always. :) I want her to turn these characters into a full book now!
6) The sixth one was sweet, but I wasn't super attached to it. I did like that it added diversity in LGBTQ+ characters. :)
7) Krampuslauf was one I wanted to love... but I found it a bit confusing. Was the point one big party...? Not my thing I guess.
8) Gayle Forman's story was really sweet. It added a nice bit of diversity in characters and holidays as well.
9) Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus was ok. I wanted a little more from it.. like for her to be more wild than expected.. or something. It was a little predictable.. .but I live in the Midwest and it's not that different from the Tennessee they are describing. So maybe it's just due to my background. :) It was still cute.
10) I really liked Welcome to Christmas, CA. It's another one I cried through part of. Apparently I have a soft spot for kids struggling to get to and through college. Either which way, it was a sweet story. Reminded me partially of the movie Waitress.
11) Star of Bethlehem was cute, but more unbelieveable than some. It was kind of an insta-love that didn't make as much since to me as others... but it was cute. :)
12) The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer was pretty unexpected, I thought I would be bored... but I really ended up liking it! The end was a little bit abstract, but it was good. It makes me want to read more of Laini Taylor's books.
This short story collection contains 12 works from popular YA writers from diverse backgrounds. It's kind of hard to give a synopsis of this one... :P It's really cute though if you like that kind of thing. If anyone wants to know what I thought of each one, read my #ed section below... if not just move along! :)
1) I started this book, and ended up reading it for hours. Rainbow Rowell immediately drew me in with her NYE short story.
2) The second one by Kelly Link was a bit more out there.... but I ultimately enjoyed it, it gave nice variation to the styles represented.
3) The third one by Matt de la Pena made me sob. I don't really know why, it wasn't that sad, but I loved it. It was probably my favorite of the bunch.
4) I hadn't read any Jenny Han ahead of her addition to the collection... at first I didn't like it as much as the others... because it was based in such an all encompassing fantasy setting... but the ending really made it for me!
5) Stephanie Perkins wowed me as always. :) I want her to turn these characters into a full book now!
6) The sixth one was sweet, but I wasn't super attached to it. I did like that it added diversity in LGBTQ+ characters. :)
7) Krampuslauf was one I wanted to love... but I found it a bit confusing. Was the point one big party...? Not my thing I guess.
8) Gayle Forman's story was really sweet. It added a nice bit of diversity in characters and holidays as well.
9) Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus was ok. I wanted a little more from it.. like for her to be more wild than expected.. or something. It was a little predictable.. .but I live in the Midwest and it's not that different from the Tennessee they are describing. So maybe it's just due to my background. :) It was still cute.
10) I really liked Welcome to Christmas, CA. It's another one I cried through part of. Apparently I have a soft spot for kids struggling to get to and through college. Either which way, it was a sweet story. Reminded me partially of the movie Waitress.
11) Star of Bethlehem was cute, but more unbelieveable than some. It was kind of an insta-love that didn't make as much since to me as others... but it was cute. :)
12) The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer was pretty unexpected, I thought I would be bored... but I really ended up liking it! The end was a little bit abstract, but it was good. It makes me want to read more of Laini Taylor's books.
The Carle sisters are definitely the lesser known of my favorites, but they definitely know what they are doing! These girls are in their twenties and write cookbooks about college and young adult life. You might think that that would cause their recipes to be so basic that they are boring... but in all actuality they are sharing their love of food with those who are learning to cook in new lifestyle situations. I would recommend all 3 of the pictured books to anyone, even a more advanced cook. They cover so many different types of food that you can always find something to spice up your weekly menu in one of their books! The two college books also have sections on budget meals, party menus and feeding crowds.
4 - 4.5 Stars - I would recommend if you enjoy fantasy and high fantasy novels. Also if you root for the band of underdogs or the con artists. (think Guardian's of the Galaxy, LOTR, Ocean's movies) This is a thick one, but the world building and magic system are absolutely fantastic. There is a reason that everyone recommends this to you.
This book follows Vin, a street urchin, a skaa (lower born) who is part of thieving crew in The Lord Ruler's lands. In a male dominated world and profession she is used for her abilities and harshly abused. One day Kelsier and his band of colorful friends come to acquire her for their team. They assume there is more to her ability than meets the eye. She quickly gets swept up into the world of Mistborn (allomancers - those who can manipulate metals) and a plot to overthrow The Lord Ruler. Vin learns how to disguise herself as lady Vallette, siphoning gossip and news from court. As the crew makes progress, one question remains, how can they assassinate an immortal ruler?
I was given this book (and the other two in the original trilogy) about 4 years ago. A friend of ours really wanted me/us to read them. I clearly put it off forever, or wasn't in the right mood for quite a while, but once I started I was pretty into it. I was hesitant to read an official high fantasy novel, but I found it really accessible once I got a few chapters in. I unfortunately started this in December and fell off the reading wagon during the holidays. Then I packed it away by accident when we moved... so it took me a while to find and then finish. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the rag tag band of skilled misfits will remind you of things like guardians of the galaxy or LOTR. However, this book is a lot more than that. I think that Sanderson's capacity for world building is astonishing. He creates a crazy and unique society. The magic (allomancy) is really fascinating and nothing like powers in other books I've read. I highly recommend this if you're looking for an engrossing fantasy read.
This book follows Vin, a street urchin, a skaa (lower born) who is part of thieving crew in The Lord Ruler's lands. In a male dominated world and profession she is used for her abilities and harshly abused. One day Kelsier and his band of colorful friends come to acquire her for their team. They assume there is more to her ability than meets the eye. She quickly gets swept up into the world of Mistborn (allomancers - those who can manipulate metals) and a plot to overthrow The Lord Ruler. Vin learns how to disguise herself as lady Vallette, siphoning gossip and news from court. As the crew makes progress, one question remains, how can they assassinate an immortal ruler?
I was given this book (and the other two in the original trilogy) about 4 years ago. A friend of ours really wanted me/us to read them. I clearly put it off forever, or wasn't in the right mood for quite a while, but once I started I was pretty into it. I was hesitant to read an official high fantasy novel, but I found it really accessible once I got a few chapters in. I unfortunately started this in December and fell off the reading wagon during the holidays. Then I packed it away by accident when we moved... so it took me a while to find and then finish. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the rag tag band of skilled misfits will remind you of things like guardians of the galaxy or LOTR. However, this book is a lot more than that. I think that Sanderson's capacity for world building is astonishing. He creates a crazy and unique society. The magic (allomancy) is really fascinating and nothing like powers in other books I've read. I highly recommend this if you're looking for an engrossing fantasy read.
5 Stars - I recommend if you are looking for the perfect blend of romance, historical fiction, and action adventure. Oh yeah, and there's time travel in there somewhere too.
This book follows a former WWII nurse named Claire as she explores the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. While she's exploring ancient ruins one day, she gets pulled into the 18th century, where she's promptly abducted by a band of Scottish men. She then meets Jamie Fraser, a dashing young Scot. She has every intention of getting back to the ruins and returning to the 1940's ... but it quickly becomes much more complicated than it seemed.
You may have already read my Outlander post... but... I had this book from the library, and for several weeks I just stared at it. It's so majestically huge that I couldn't start it. However, once I did, there was really no going back. There is a reason so many people like this book, it's got so much of everything and it's not boring... at all. There's so much adventure, romance, historical intrigue... It's just a blast to read. I was way more swept up in the plot than I thought it would be. I also read a lot of this while I was at home sick. I may or may not have been sobbing and then coughing in quick succession repeatedly during several scenes. Luckily, only the cats were home to witness it. There are some seriously squirmy disgusting things that happen in this book, but it's kind of like GOT* in a way, it fits with the world that the story takes place in. It's not nice and fluffy, it's scary and brutal. Which I think makes the nice things in this book even happier. I have to say for such a long book... I really didn't get bored. I can't wait to watch the show now.
*after thought, and after watching most of the 1st season of the show... the brutality and explicit nature of so many scenes (written and on screen) are a lot easier to stomach in this than GOT. Like a lot, lot easier. There are less completely awful and nasty characters and prostitutes, and more examples of love and war. - if that makes sense.
Oh my lord... so good.
This book follows a former WWII nurse named Claire as she explores the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. While she's exploring ancient ruins one day, she gets pulled into the 18th century, where she's promptly abducted by a band of Scottish men. She then meets Jamie Fraser, a dashing young Scot. She has every intention of getting back to the ruins and returning to the 1940's ... but it quickly becomes much more complicated than it seemed.
You may have already read my Outlander post... but... I had this book from the library, and for several weeks I just stared at it. It's so majestically huge that I couldn't start it. However, once I did, there was really no going back. There is a reason so many people like this book, it's got so much of everything and it's not boring... at all. There's so much adventure, romance, historical intrigue... It's just a blast to read. I was way more swept up in the plot than I thought it would be. I also read a lot of this while I was at home sick. I may or may not have been sobbing and then coughing in quick succession repeatedly during several scenes. Luckily, only the cats were home to witness it. There are some seriously squirmy disgusting things that happen in this book, but it's kind of like GOT* in a way, it fits with the world that the story takes place in. It's not nice and fluffy, it's scary and brutal. Which I think makes the nice things in this book even happier. I have to say for such a long book... I really didn't get bored. I can't wait to watch the show now.
*after thought, and after watching most of the 1st season of the show... the brutality and explicit nature of so many scenes (written and on screen) are a lot easier to stomach in this than GOT. Like a lot, lot easier. There are less completely awful and nasty characters and prostitutes, and more examples of love and war. - if that makes sense.
Oh my lord... so good.