Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.3 Stars
One Liner: Slow start but engrossing and beautiful
Edenfall, Pennsylvania, 1919:
The Great War may be over, but its aftermath continues to affect people. Vasilisa’s father is presumed dead, and her mother is being pursued by an orge. Babka, her grandmother, assures her everything will be fine. But Vasilisa knows she needs to do something fast. The events appear beyond Babka’s control.
Ivan arrives in Edenfall with a task at hand. When Vasilisa’s and Ivan’s paths collide, they realize what they have to do. Baba Yaga and Koschei are right in the middle of the mess, and The Old Tales are the only way to set things right.
Vassy and Ivan need to take up their roles and rewrite The Old Tales. Good has to triumph over evil once more. But how hard will it be for these two young kids?
My Observations:
The book begins at a languid pace with the right amount of foreshadowing. As the story progresses, we see character development and world-building in parallel. The imagery is lovely.
Vasilisa’s character comes out alive on the pages. She’s such a delight to read. Ivan complements her character very well, bringing out both sides at the appropriate times.
Since the story is the retelling of the famous Russian folklore, the book leans heavily on it. This can be a little hard if you have no idea about Russian lore. I knew bits and pieces, so managed without looking up the characters when reading.
The book deals with many topics like kindness, bravery, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, and a few more. It is a layered book but doesn’t feel heavy or overwhelming.
I loved the scenes where the characters show their vulnerability while trying to become a better version of themselves.
Little Bruno is my absolute favorite! I’m not telling you who he is. ;)
The book has a long ending, which felt a bit overdone. The intention is to lead book one to book two, but I’d have preferred some of it in book two rather than at the end of the first book.
To sum up, Vasilisa is an adventurous and entertaining story of a young teen protecting her dear ones from mystical creatures.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Voracious Readers Only. All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
One Liner: Slow start but engrossing and beautiful
Edenfall, Pennsylvania, 1919:
The Great War may be over, but its aftermath continues to affect people. Vasilisa’s father is presumed dead, and her mother is being pursued by an orge. Babka, her grandmother, assures her everything will be fine. But Vasilisa knows she needs to do something fast. The events appear beyond Babka’s control.
Ivan arrives in Edenfall with a task at hand. When Vasilisa’s and Ivan’s paths collide, they realize what they have to do. Baba Yaga and Koschei are right in the middle of the mess, and The Old Tales are the only way to set things right.
Vassy and Ivan need to take up their roles and rewrite The Old Tales. Good has to triumph over evil once more. But how hard will it be for these two young kids?
My Observations:
The book begins at a languid pace with the right amount of foreshadowing. As the story progresses, we see character development and world-building in parallel. The imagery is lovely.
Vasilisa’s character comes out alive on the pages. She’s such a delight to read. Ivan complements her character very well, bringing out both sides at the appropriate times.
Since the story is the retelling of the famous Russian folklore, the book leans heavily on it. This can be a little hard if you have no idea about Russian lore. I knew bits and pieces, so managed without looking up the characters when reading.
The book deals with many topics like kindness, bravery, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, and a few more. It is a layered book but doesn’t feel heavy or overwhelming.
I loved the scenes where the characters show their vulnerability while trying to become a better version of themselves.
Little Bruno is my absolute favorite! I’m not telling you who he is. ;)
The book has a long ending, which felt a bit overdone. The intention is to lead book one to book two, but I’d have preferred some of it in book two rather than at the end of the first book.
To sum up, Vasilisa is an adventurous and entertaining story of a young teen protecting her dear ones from mystical creatures.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Voracious Readers Only. All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Kudos to the intent and effort
Maxims from Mahabharata is a compilation of Slokas from the epic, dealing with an array of important topics. The Slokas are originally written in Sanskrit. The author sourced them from the Devanagri script and translated them into English. He included the context, the name of the narrator, and the meaning of the Sloka.
The book is short, crisp, and to the point. The author explains how he came up with the idea for the book and the amount of work required for the credibility of his translations. This book works more as a reference guide than a book one would read and keep on the bookshelf.
Our rich cultural heritage has many pearls of wisdom scattered at random. Maxims from Mahabharata contains such Slokas to help people get a better understanding of their day-to-day lives. The topics are divided as:
• Dharma
• Truth
• Principles Governing Punishment
• Karma
• Hygiene as Good Conduct
• Nature
• Faith
• Anger
• Reputation
• Eternal Values
• Mental Health
• Power of Words
The author is a lawyer, and it shows in his usage of certain words. In fact, a few meanings are written in the same long-winded sentences. The explanation of certain Slokas is too brief and doesn’t create much impact.
Moreover, the English translation is written in Sanskrit/ Devanagri style, making the whole thing sound awkward. English sentences should have English grammar. A professional editor would have ironed out the bumps (this helps when reading focus majorly on English text).
However, the book would work as a starting point for beginners trying to understand the intricacies of life, society, dharma, etc. Here are a few Slokas (meanings) I personally liked:
To sum up, Maxims from Mahabharata is the kind of book one could keep with them at all times and open a page when looking for affirmations or solace.
I received a review copy from Indica Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club.
One Liner: Kudos to the intent and effort
Maxims from Mahabharata is a compilation of Slokas from the epic, dealing with an array of important topics. The Slokas are originally written in Sanskrit. The author sourced them from the Devanagri script and translated them into English. He included the context, the name of the narrator, and the meaning of the Sloka.
The book is short, crisp, and to the point. The author explains how he came up with the idea for the book and the amount of work required for the credibility of his translations. This book works more as a reference guide than a book one would read and keep on the bookshelf.
Our rich cultural heritage has many pearls of wisdom scattered at random. Maxims from Mahabharata contains such Slokas to help people get a better understanding of their day-to-day lives. The topics are divided as:
• Dharma
• Truth
• Principles Governing Punishment
• Karma
• Hygiene as Good Conduct
• Nature
• Faith
• Anger
• Reputation
• Eternal Values
• Mental Health
• Power of Words
The author is a lawyer, and it shows in his usage of certain words. In fact, a few meanings are written in the same long-winded sentences. The explanation of certain Slokas is too brief and doesn’t create much impact.
Moreover, the English translation is written in Sanskrit/ Devanagri style, making the whole thing sound awkward. English sentences should have English grammar. A professional editor would have ironed out the bumps (this helps when reading focus majorly on English text).
However, the book would work as a starting point for beginners trying to understand the intricacies of life, society, dharma, etc. Here are a few Slokas (meanings) I personally liked:
"Wherever Krsna is, Dharma will be there, and where Dharma is, Victory shall be there."
"A forest without lions is destroyed, and lions without forest will perish."
"If the earth is properly treated, it becomes father, mother, child, and heaven for all creatures."
"The man who incurs evil as the consequence of his own wrongdoings should not blame others for his own failings."
"The daughter has been ordained to be equal to the son."
"Mental stress leads to physical ailments, similar to how calm water tends to boil when in contact with hot metal."
"As the destination of all rivers is the ocean, so the end of all embodied creatures is death."
To sum up, Maxims from Mahabharata is the kind of book one could keep with them at all times and open a page when looking for affirmations or solace.
I received a review copy from Indica Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club.
This is such a heartwarming and tender book from the POC of a tiny fern named George. The fern starts by hating and mistrusting Brenda, its human owner, but grows to love her for her kindness and good heart. But tragedy strikes, and George is at loss once again. A sudden development brings hope and maybe another chance at happiness.
This is a short story packed with loads of emotions. It has a light rambling style that suits the fern plant perfectly. The book will make you laugh, cry, and smile with tears in your eyes. The writing is impactful without being dramatic or overwhelming. Love it.
Rosh, thank you once again.
This is a short story packed with loads of emotions. It has a light rambling style that suits the fern plant perfectly. The book will make you laugh, cry, and smile with tears in your eyes. The writing is impactful without being dramatic or overwhelming. Love it.
Rosh, thank you once again.
Publication Date: 05th July 2022
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Nice
Tess Lane is the owner of Lakeside Books and loves the place with all her heart. What she loves even more is the weekly book club with her dear friends. Being widowed three years ago has left her feelings raw, but Tess does her best to get on with her life. She still wonders about the missing pieces of her husband Jared’s death.
River Harrison shows up at the bookshop, and Tess is enraged. He’s a former Marine, a private investigator, and Jared's ex-best friend. Tess hates River, but she wonders if his unexpected appearance is her chance to uncover the truth of Jared’s mysterious death.
Tess realizes how much she can enjoy her life when she begins to follow a trail with River. But the secrets come out and put Tess in a vulnerable position. Can she handle the truth and move over the past? Can she find hope to love again and lead a happy life?
The story comes in the third person POV.
My Observations:
The writing is easy to read and adds a good pace. I could finish 350+ pages in a couple of days (a total of 2.5 hours). Such books always get brownie points.
This is a series with standalone books (each book for each character). We don’t have to know their stories to read the book. There’s enough info to keep the book going.
The small-town setting and its warmth reflect throughout the book. Tess is a bookshop owner, and we also have a plan for a book signing event.
The story is pretty light and easy despite the heavy topics. Things happen conveniently. Even major emotional issues are resolved with a page or two. I don’t mind that much if it is consistent.
That’s where the ending didn’t fully work for me. It contradicts the easy resolution in the previous chapters. While it is still HEA, it feels as if the author wanted to cater to multiple target audiences at the same time.
The events either have to be realistic or convenient. A combination of both will create a sense of dissatisfaction, especially if the reader is rooting for the male lead.
Understandably, she needs time (even though she has accepted Ashley and Mia). Keep it light with the old ring. Say he’ll wait to give the engagement ring. The two-ring thing only for her to not say yes was overkill.
To sum up, The True Love Bookshop is a nice and lighthearted read with some sweet characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheTrueLoveBookshop
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Nice
Tess Lane is the owner of Lakeside Books and loves the place with all her heart. What she loves even more is the weekly book club with her dear friends. Being widowed three years ago has left her feelings raw, but Tess does her best to get on with her life. She still wonders about the missing pieces of her husband Jared’s death.
River Harrison shows up at the bookshop, and Tess is enraged. He’s a former Marine, a private investigator, and Jared's ex-best friend. Tess hates River, but she wonders if his unexpected appearance is her chance to uncover the truth of Jared’s mysterious death.
Tess realizes how much she can enjoy her life when she begins to follow a trail with River. But the secrets come out and put Tess in a vulnerable position. Can she handle the truth and move over the past? Can she find hope to love again and lead a happy life?
The story comes in the third person POV.
My Observations:
The writing is easy to read and adds a good pace. I could finish 350+ pages in a couple of days (a total of 2.5 hours). Such books always get brownie points.
This is a series with standalone books (each book for each character). We don’t have to know their stories to read the book. There’s enough info to keep the book going.
The small-town setting and its warmth reflect throughout the book. Tess is a bookshop owner, and we also have a plan for a book signing event.
The story is pretty light and easy despite the heavy topics. Things happen conveniently. Even major emotional issues are resolved with a page or two. I don’t mind that much if it is consistent.
That’s where the ending didn’t fully work for me. It contradicts the easy resolution in the previous chapters. While it is still HEA, it feels as if the author wanted to cater to multiple target audiences at the same time.
The events either have to be realistic or convenient. A combination of both will create a sense of dissatisfaction, especially if the reader is rooting for the male lead.
Spoiler
I would have liked it better if River gave Tess only the old ring (the one he bought to replace the one she lost). The promise ring wasn’t necessary when the old ring would work as a promise ring. Moreover, Tess isn’t ready to say yes, so why even have two rings separately. It makes their relationship appear imbalanced, as if River is giving 100% while Tess doesn’t want to give more than 70%.Understandably, she needs time (even though she has accepted Ashley and Mia). Keep it light with the old ring. Say he’ll wait to give the engagement ring. The two-ring thing only for her to not say yes was overkill.
To sum up, The True Love Bookshop is a nice and lighthearted read with some sweet characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheTrueLoveBookshop
Publication Date: 14th June 2022
3.8 stars
One Liner: The pacing is off but worth reading
Eden’s Isle has been Esta’s home forever. Being raised by her overly strict and God-fearing grandmother suffocated and scared Esta. She lost her parents and got scarred (on the face) in the same fire accident when Esta was three.
She grew up fearing the seawomen and yearning to enter the water. Living on a small island with rules established for women to be virtuous and pious affected Esta in many ways. She witnesses the Untethering (women who cannot conceive are dropped back into the sea as a sacrifice).
Years pass, and Esta is married to a man decided by the Elders. Her motheryear has been decided by the Eldermothers. Can Esta conceive before the time is up, or will she be sacrificed to the sea? Is there any hope for the women on the tiny island who have to act according to the rules of the Elders?
The story comes from Esta in the first-person POV.
My Observations:
The setting of the cult island is as dark and depressing as the theme. Get into the book with the right expectations to feel the oppressive mood of the island.
The shift/ progress in Esta’s thoughts from her childhood to pre-teens to teenage is done well. However, she sounds the same at all ages. And she continues to sound more like a guest than a resident. Not to mention, she’s also more self-aware than other characters in the book.
The characterization of Sarl (Esta’s grandmother) and Father Jossops was spot on. Their presence was a constant thing in the book. Sometimes, I felt these two outshone Esta in characterization.
The tone is almost distanced and gets a little monotonous in the middle. It’s more like Esta is explaining things to the reader. The slow pacing doesn’t help either. Things start to happen after 75%.
There’s a bit of fantasy (if you can call it that) but nothing spectacular. This works for the story as it keeps things rooted in reality.
The theme isn’t that unique per se (witch trials, abuse by church heads, oppression of women, etc.). However, that doesn’t take anything away from the book. I won’t compare it with The Handmaid’s Tale because I haven’t read it yet (don’t judge me).
This book belongs to Esta. It doesn’t belong to the island or anyone else. The setting has been created for her, which means the closure comes only for Esta. There is no blanket ending.
The writing has a very YA feel to it until towards the end. This should work for older teens who don’t mind reading depressing and dark subjects.
Since this is a dystopian setting, suspension of belief is necessary. Some things seem farfetched, but the story demands them to be that way. Take it in stride.
The ending is the highlight of the book. I would’ve loved an epilogue, though. The Untethering chapter acts as a prologue, so it’s only fair to have an epilogue.
My major grouse with the book is the lack of mermaids. The entire plot is hinged on the seawomen, and we hardly get to see one. The tiny instances don’t count. I think I wanted more from the book, which left me a little dissatisfied.
To sum up, The Seawomen is a slow-paced dystopian drama with powerful evil characters. Looking forward to more releases by the author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheSeawomen
3.8 stars
One Liner: The pacing is off but worth reading
Eden’s Isle has been Esta’s home forever. Being raised by her overly strict and God-fearing grandmother suffocated and scared Esta. She lost her parents and got scarred (on the face) in the same fire accident when Esta was three.
She grew up fearing the seawomen and yearning to enter the water. Living on a small island with rules established for women to be virtuous and pious affected Esta in many ways. She witnesses the Untethering (women who cannot conceive are dropped back into the sea as a sacrifice).
Years pass, and Esta is married to a man decided by the Elders. Her motheryear has been decided by the Eldermothers. Can Esta conceive before the time is up, or will she be sacrificed to the sea? Is there any hope for the women on the tiny island who have to act according to the rules of the Elders?
The story comes from Esta in the first-person POV.
My Observations:
The setting of the cult island is as dark and depressing as the theme. Get into the book with the right expectations to feel the oppressive mood of the island.
The shift/ progress in Esta’s thoughts from her childhood to pre-teens to teenage is done well. However, she sounds the same at all ages. And she continues to sound more like a guest than a resident. Not to mention, she’s also more self-aware than other characters in the book.
The characterization of Sarl (Esta’s grandmother) and Father Jossops was spot on. Their presence was a constant thing in the book. Sometimes, I felt these two outshone Esta in characterization.
The tone is almost distanced and gets a little monotonous in the middle. It’s more like Esta is explaining things to the reader. The slow pacing doesn’t help either. Things start to happen after 75%.
There’s a bit of fantasy (if you can call it that) but nothing spectacular. This works for the story as it keeps things rooted in reality.
The theme isn’t that unique per se (witch trials, abuse by church heads, oppression of women, etc.). However, that doesn’t take anything away from the book. I won’t compare it with The Handmaid’s Tale because I haven’t read it yet (don’t judge me).
This book belongs to Esta. It doesn’t belong to the island or anyone else. The setting has been created for her, which means the closure comes only for Esta. There is no blanket ending.
The writing has a very YA feel to it until towards the end. This should work for older teens who don’t mind reading depressing and dark subjects.
Since this is a dystopian setting, suspension of belief is necessary. Some things seem farfetched, but the story demands them to be that way. Take it in stride.
The ending is the highlight of the book. I would’ve loved an epilogue, though. The Untethering chapter acts as a prologue, so it’s only fair to have an epilogue.
My major grouse with the book is the lack of mermaids. The entire plot is hinged on the seawomen, and we hardly get to see one. The tiny instances don’t count. I think I wanted more from the book, which left me a little dissatisfied.
To sum up, The Seawomen is a slow-paced dystopian drama with powerful evil characters. Looking forward to more releases by the author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheSeawomen
Poppy’s Own Spot is a cute little story of a poppy seed that grows into a plant and then blooms into a flower. The Little Poppy flower meets its mommy and daddy and other flowers in the garden.
The short book is mainly about nature and the co-existence of elements like the sun, moon, wind, rain, earth, flowers, insects, etc. The book is for little kids to know how everything around us is interlinked.
The illustrations are beautiful and have ladybugs, bees, worms, grasshoppers, caterpillars, etc., scattered throughout. I love how each page shows the insects as an integral part of plant life or a garden. This will help stop kids from being afraid of insects and hurting or removing them from the garden.
To sum up, Poppy’s Own Spot is a sweet book about nature with lovely illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
The short book is mainly about nature and the co-existence of elements like the sun, moon, wind, rain, earth, flowers, insects, etc. The book is for little kids to know how everything around us is interlinked.
The illustrations are beautiful and have ladybugs, bees, worms, grasshoppers, caterpillars, etc., scattered throughout. I love how each page shows the insects as an integral part of plant life or a garden. This will help stop kids from being afraid of insects and hurting or removing them from the garden.
To sum up, Poppy’s Own Spot is a sweet book about nature with lovely illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
Publication Date: 19th July 2022
4 Stars
One Liner: Hard to slot into a genre; Twisted
Vera Crowder has to go home, and she does. Her mother, Daphne, is dying. It’s now Vera’s business to sort the house. But the house was built by her father, Francis. Every part of the house has a memory and is alive with emotions and stories.
As if life with her mother is not bad enough, Vera has to deal with an artist, James Duvall. He is one of those artists who pay to stay in their ‘legendary’ home and get inspired. He continues to hound Vera for information about her past, especially the one that involves her father. Vera is determined to keep him at bay. But she also knows there are secrets that need to be unearthed and carefully wrapped up again.
As strange things happen in the house, Vera has to decide how much she can handle. After all, buried secrets rot faster than infested wood. Can Vera deal with the past and present? What will happen to Crowder House once Daphne dies?
My Observations:
The book is dark, twisty, and messed up, just like the main characters. However, slotting it into any single category will affect the outcome for the reader. I’m not sure why this was marked mystery/ thriller. Yeah, there’s some mystery (a slow burn), but it didn’t require figuring things out. The hints were more than enough to know the ‘mystery’ part.
This could work more as a dark psychological horror but will not fully appeal to hardcore horror readers. Newbies in horror will not like it either. It might be too much for them. It falls somewhere in the middle, and that is not a good sign for the book.
The gothic part is done very well. The house is super creepy and claustrophobic. Some of it is gross and yucky, too (if you don’t like such stuff). Luckily, I was in the right frame of mind for the book and didn’t remember the genre it was supposed to be.
The characterization of Vera, Daphne, Francis, and James was interesting. None of them are likable. Yep. Yet, I couldn’t help but root for Vera throughout. The family dynamics (between Francis, Daphne, and Vera) are crucial to the plot. In fact, the relationship between the characters felt like a tangible element throughout the book.
I’m not a fan of repetitions or slow-paced plots. However, this one worked for me. The repetitions showed Vera’s current state of mind. A lot of things that seem boring or irrelevant are a part of the bigger picture and make sense towards the end.
The book picks up pace after 80%. That was good because I was starting to feel a bit annoyed with the meanderings. The book could have been a bit shorter and just as effective.
The twist and the subsequent ending were good to read. They suit the story, title, and cover (should I even mention just how fab that cover is!). However, that is not the ending a mystery book would usually have. It leaves the reader wanting more or wondering what happened when a wrong genre is attached to the book.
Call this dark fiction and psychological drama instead. It’ll set the right tone and expectations. There are a few triggers, too, so sensitive readers beware. This isn’t a book you pick up lightly or for fun.
To sum up, Just Like Home is a twisted dark drama with messed-up characters. Go for it when you are in the mood for something slow and creepy. I'm definitely reading the author's other works.
Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Tor Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#JustLikeHome #NetGalley
4 Stars
One Liner: Hard to slot into a genre; Twisted
Vera Crowder has to go home, and she does. Her mother, Daphne, is dying. It’s now Vera’s business to sort the house. But the house was built by her father, Francis. Every part of the house has a memory and is alive with emotions and stories.
As if life with her mother is not bad enough, Vera has to deal with an artist, James Duvall. He is one of those artists who pay to stay in their ‘legendary’ home and get inspired. He continues to hound Vera for information about her past, especially the one that involves her father. Vera is determined to keep him at bay. But she also knows there are secrets that need to be unearthed and carefully wrapped up again.
As strange things happen in the house, Vera has to decide how much she can handle. After all, buried secrets rot faster than infested wood. Can Vera deal with the past and present? What will happen to Crowder House once Daphne dies?
My Observations:
The book is dark, twisty, and messed up, just like the main characters. However, slotting it into any single category will affect the outcome for the reader. I’m not sure why this was marked mystery/ thriller. Yeah, there’s some mystery (a slow burn), but it didn’t require figuring things out. The hints were more than enough to know the ‘mystery’ part.
This could work more as a dark psychological horror but will not fully appeal to hardcore horror readers. Newbies in horror will not like it either. It might be too much for them. It falls somewhere in the middle, and that is not a good sign for the book.
The gothic part is done very well. The house is super creepy and claustrophobic. Some of it is gross and yucky, too (if you don’t like such stuff). Luckily, I was in the right frame of mind for the book and didn’t remember the genre it was supposed to be.
The characterization of Vera, Daphne, Francis, and James was interesting. None of them are likable. Yep. Yet, I couldn’t help but root for Vera throughout. The family dynamics (between Francis, Daphne, and Vera) are crucial to the plot. In fact, the relationship between the characters felt like a tangible element throughout the book.
I’m not a fan of repetitions or slow-paced plots. However, this one worked for me. The repetitions showed Vera’s current state of mind. A lot of things that seem boring or irrelevant are a part of the bigger picture and make sense towards the end.
The book picks up pace after 80%. That was good because I was starting to feel a bit annoyed with the meanderings. The book could have been a bit shorter and just as effective.
The twist and the subsequent ending were good to read. They suit the story, title, and cover (should I even mention just how fab that cover is!). However, that is not the ending a mystery book would usually have. It leaves the reader wanting more or wondering what happened when a wrong genre is attached to the book.
Call this dark fiction and psychological drama instead. It’ll set the right tone and expectations. There are a few triggers, too, so sensitive readers beware. This isn’t a book you pick up lightly or for fun.
To sum up, Just Like Home is a twisted dark drama with messed-up characters. Go for it when you are in the mood for something slow and creepy. I'm definitely reading the author's other works.
Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Tor Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#JustLikeHome #NetGalley
Publication Date: 01 Nov 2022
4.5 Stars
One Liner: Beautiful!
A little girl is sent to live with a new family in Ireland. She knows nothing about the reason or strangers in rural Ireland who welcome her with loads of love and affection. She is surprised by the love they give her (something she has never had) and begins to bloom. However, she is unsure of how things stand when the reason is finally revealed.
This is a short book brimming with emotions and beautiful prose that reflect the complexity of human life. The story comes from the nameless girl’s POV.
Oh, what do I say? I’ve become a fan of the author’s writing after reading [b:Small Things Like These|58662236|Small Things Like These|Claire Keegan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627655660l/58662236._SX50_.jpg|86476810] last year. This book is no different and packs a punch in less than 90 pages.
We have a little girl of probably seven or eight years who tells us what she feels, thinks, and understands during her stay with the Kinsellas. There is so much to the story than the given plot line. We see an undernourished girl have a better life for a few days. It’s not just the food either. It’s nourishment in all forms- care, affection, correction, gentle advice, and love.
The writing is evocative yet understated. Most of the story relies on the reader to understand what’s not being said. Take your time to read this one and cherish it. Award-winning books and stories make me wary, but this is an exception.
I felt for the girl and the Kinsellas. I wanted them to have a happy ever after. The ending is bittersweet and suits the story. But I wanted more. I understand why the author ended it at that point, but I needed more from this book.
The ending is a bit vague, so if you are like me, check out this blog on Julian Girdham’s website . It’ll make you feel better.
To sum up, Foster is a beautiful and bittersweet story about life and human choices. It’s a short read but will stay with you for a long time.
Thank you, NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Grove Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#Foster #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
One Liner: Beautiful!
A little girl is sent to live with a new family in Ireland. She knows nothing about the reason or strangers in rural Ireland who welcome her with loads of love and affection. She is surprised by the love they give her (something she has never had) and begins to bloom. However, she is unsure of how things stand when the reason is finally revealed.
This is a short book brimming with emotions and beautiful prose that reflect the complexity of human life. The story comes from the nameless girl’s POV.
Oh, what do I say? I’ve become a fan of the author’s writing after reading [b:Small Things Like These|58662236|Small Things Like These|Claire Keegan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627655660l/58662236._SX50_.jpg|86476810] last year. This book is no different and packs a punch in less than 90 pages.
We have a little girl of probably seven or eight years who tells us what she feels, thinks, and understands during her stay with the Kinsellas. There is so much to the story than the given plot line. We see an undernourished girl have a better life for a few days. It’s not just the food either. It’s nourishment in all forms- care, affection, correction, gentle advice, and love.
The writing is evocative yet understated. Most of the story relies on the reader to understand what’s not being said. Take your time to read this one and cherish it. Award-winning books and stories make me wary, but this is an exception.
I felt for the girl and the Kinsellas. I wanted them to have a happy ever after. The ending is bittersweet and suits the story. But I wanted more. I understand why the author ended it at that point, but I needed more from this book.
The ending is a bit vague, so if you are like me, check out this blog on Julian Girdham’s website . It’ll make you feel better.
To sum up, Foster is a beautiful and bittersweet story about life and human choices. It’s a short read but will stay with you for a long time.
Thank you, NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Grove Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#Foster #NetGalley
Oh, my Gosh! This is the cutest, sweetest, loveliest book ever!
Library Girl is the story of Nancy Pearl, the most popular librarian in the US. She dons many hats as an author, literary critic, and public speaker. Since the book is written for kids, her story has been presented to suit the age group.
It’s no surprise that Nancy loved books all her life. She escaped into the world of bookish adventures even as her friends teased her as a library girl. When the school librarian gives a hand-drawn map to the public library near her house, Nancy’s life changes forever.
Nancy reads all books she can find and learns that she can be anything she wants to be. That’s when Nancy decides to be a librarian, and as they say, the rest is history.
The illustrations are wonderful. The imagination parts have a different hue while the rest of the illustrations are ethereal with a beautiful glow. I love how beautiful the pages are. Just wish the text was a bit bigger.
To sum up, Library Girl is a must-read for little ones who love books.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Sasquatch Books, and Little Bigfoot and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#LibraryGirl #NetGalley
Library Girl is the story of Nancy Pearl, the most popular librarian in the US. She dons many hats as an author, literary critic, and public speaker. Since the book is written for kids, her story has been presented to suit the age group.
It’s no surprise that Nancy loved books all her life. She escaped into the world of bookish adventures even as her friends teased her as a library girl. When the school librarian gives a hand-drawn map to the public library near her house, Nancy’s life changes forever.
Nancy reads all books she can find and learns that she can be anything she wants to be. That’s when Nancy decides to be a librarian, and as they say, the rest is history.
The illustrations are wonderful. The imagination parts have a different hue while the rest of the illustrations are ethereal with a beautiful glow. I love how beautiful the pages are. Just wish the text was a bit bigger.
To sum up, Library Girl is a must-read for little ones who love books.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Sasquatch Books, and Little Bigfoot and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#LibraryGirl #NetGalley
How can you resist a book with a title like that? I didn’t, and now I know a lot more things about some ridiculous (and dangerous) animals (& birds & insects). The illustrations are super cute (who taught a caterpillar could look that artsy!) and will help in teaching kids about some amazing animals without scaring them.
The information is provided in two ways- a small block of text and handwritten (font) pointers around the illustrations. The language is informal, simple, and funny (yeah, ridiculous too).
Here are a few animals I loved reading about (not sure I want to meet any of them in person, oh well).
• Sea sheep- these cuties are chloroplasts!
• Decorator crab- designer pieces indeed.
• Bee hummingbird- nectar vampires, lol.
• Okapi- donkey, zebra, giraffe?
• Wattle-cup caterpillar- a series of ouches!
• Tardigrade- ridiculously tiny extremophiles, rofl.
• Zombie snail- one toxic cycle that!
• Hairy anglerfish- built-in LED. ;)
• Marine iguana- salty sneezes. Oops!
• Peacock mantis shrimp- some combo this!
• Exploding ants- such sacrifice, poor things.
• Orchid mantis- cute cannibals (or is it mantisbals?)
To sum up, The World's Most Ridiculous Animals is a cute and highly informative book about how animals have adapted to the changing conditions on the earth and thus survived when others perished. A lesson for us, humans, right?
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheWorldsMostRidiculousAnimals #NetGalley
The information is provided in two ways- a small block of text and handwritten (font) pointers around the illustrations. The language is informal, simple, and funny (yeah, ridiculous too).
Here are a few animals I loved reading about (not sure I want to meet any of them in person, oh well).
• Sea sheep- these cuties are chloroplasts!
• Decorator crab- designer pieces indeed.
• Bee hummingbird- nectar vampires, lol.
• Okapi- donkey, zebra, giraffe?
• Wattle-cup caterpillar- a series of ouches!
• Tardigrade- ridiculously tiny extremophiles, rofl.
• Zombie snail- one toxic cycle that!
• Hairy anglerfish- built-in LED. ;)
• Marine iguana- salty sneezes. Oops!
• Peacock mantis shrimp- some combo this!
• Exploding ants- such sacrifice, poor things.
• Orchid mantis- cute cannibals (or is it mantisbals?)
To sum up, The World's Most Ridiculous Animals is a cute and highly informative book about how animals have adapted to the changing conditions on the earth and thus survived when others perished. A lesson for us, humans, right?
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheWorldsMostRidiculousAnimals #NetGalley