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Several patterns for each month of the year (3 more)
Patterns range from retro, to modern, to classic
Beginners can learn how to embroider with detailed instructions and those who are experienced can pick up a few new tricks
Shows a variety of placement ideas, keeps you inspired to add designs to other places than framed art
Gorgeous patterns-For anyone who knows how to embroider and beginners like me!
I have been cross stitching for 30 years and learned how to punch needle 3 years ago. I have always wanted to learn the technique of embroidery. I love taking a piece of cloth and turning it into a piece of art but was always too intimidated to try my hand at embroidery. This week, I was able to put my fears aside when I received an ARC of A Year of Embroidery by Yumiko Higuchi from Netgalley.
A Year of Embroidery: A Month-To-Month Collection of Motifs for Seasonal Stitching, is a book which helped me get over the fear of embroidery and instilled a passion for learning!
My review is through the eyes of a beginner, but the book is for all levels of embroidery technique. I like that the book is not only chock full of patterns but helpful instruction and placement ideas, as well. The designs range from beautiful to whimsical and feature flowers, cacti, seashells, birds, people, reptiles, insects and animals. Each pattern also gives the DMC number for each floss the author used in her designs. Yumiko Higuchi made sure to include several designs for each month of the year, some with a retro feel and others with a more modern take on embroidery.
The ARC I received of this book is in a protected format and I am not able to make any of the patterns provided. With the wealth of information, A Year of Embroidery holds and the number of patterns I adore, this will be on my bookshelf as soon as it becomes available. I cannot wait to try my hand at this new needlecraft and hope that many others will enjoy it as much as I have.
I would like to thank the author, Yumiko Higuchi and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review.
A Year of Embroidery: A Month-To-Month Collection of Motifs for Seasonal Stitching, is a book which helped me get over the fear of embroidery and instilled a passion for learning!
My review is through the eyes of a beginner, but the book is for all levels of embroidery technique. I like that the book is not only chock full of patterns but helpful instruction and placement ideas, as well. The designs range from beautiful to whimsical and feature flowers, cacti, seashells, birds, people, reptiles, insects and animals. Each pattern also gives the DMC number for each floss the author used in her designs. Yumiko Higuchi made sure to include several designs for each month of the year, some with a retro feel and others with a more modern take on embroidery.
The ARC I received of this book is in a protected format and I am not able to make any of the patterns provided. With the wealth of information, A Year of Embroidery holds and the number of patterns I adore, this will be on my bookshelf as soon as it becomes available. I cannot wait to try my hand at this new needlecraft and hope that many others will enjoy it as much as I have.
I would like to thank the author, Yumiko Higuchi and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review.
Becs (244 KP) rated Travels with Sushi in the Land of the Mind in Books
Feb 10, 2020
Trigger Warnings: violent threats, kidnapping, murder, death, violence
I received a physical ARC from Smith Publicity to read and review for my honest opinion. I would firstly like to thank the author and publisher for the ARC. I would secondly like to say that everything stated down below is my own honest opinion and is no way skewed to be positive just for the sake of the free ARC.
When I first started Travels with Sushi in the Land of the Mind, I was absolutely intrigued with the story and the characters. This story was basically an Alice in Wonderland inspired novel about Quantum Mechanics and Morals. It was an instant love kind of thing and I started holding a higher expectation for the story right then and there. And the story held my interest for the first couple of chapters, wowing me as I wasn’t expecting the turn the story took. But things soon turned and I started dragging through the reading, not wanting to even pick it up to finish.
As I grew further into the book and closer to the end, the story lost a bit of it’s lackluster. I just felt like the story dragged on and was adding far too many details than what was needed. There was also the fact that parts of the plot grew confusing. What really threw me for a loop were the specific scenes and topics that were shown / talked about. These scenes and topics were defiantly not something that I would have expected to see in a children’s middle grade novel. Especially when the audience was perceived to be a younger age group.
The one positive thing that really drew my interest into the story and actually kept me reading, were all of the Quantum Mechanics and Moral lessons that were littered throughout the text. These lessons really shone brighter than the negatives and I am thankful that they were included. And honestly, this was a nice touch to this story.
Overall, this was an entertaining read but the author seemed to want to include far too much in such a small book. Resulting in an overwhelming world where each element was overlooked more than what was needed. Leaving these elements to seem like a bore.
I received a physical ARC from Smith Publicity to read and review for my honest opinion. I would firstly like to thank the author and publisher for the ARC. I would secondly like to say that everything stated down below is my own honest opinion and is no way skewed to be positive just for the sake of the free ARC.
When I first started Travels with Sushi in the Land of the Mind, I was absolutely intrigued with the story and the characters. This story was basically an Alice in Wonderland inspired novel about Quantum Mechanics and Morals. It was an instant love kind of thing and I started holding a higher expectation for the story right then and there. And the story held my interest for the first couple of chapters, wowing me as I wasn’t expecting the turn the story took. But things soon turned and I started dragging through the reading, not wanting to even pick it up to finish.
As I grew further into the book and closer to the end, the story lost a bit of it’s lackluster. I just felt like the story dragged on and was adding far too many details than what was needed. There was also the fact that parts of the plot grew confusing. What really threw me for a loop were the specific scenes and topics that were shown / talked about. These scenes and topics were defiantly not something that I would have expected to see in a children’s middle grade novel. Especially when the audience was perceived to be a younger age group.
The one positive thing that really drew my interest into the story and actually kept me reading, were all of the Quantum Mechanics and Moral lessons that were littered throughout the text. These lessons really shone brighter than the negatives and I am thankful that they were included. And honestly, this was a nice touch to this story.
Overall, this was an entertaining read but the author seemed to want to include far too much in such a small book. Resulting in an overwhelming world where each element was overlooked more than what was needed. Leaving these elements to seem like a bore.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Spells (Wings, #2) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: 4.5
(Spells is the sequel to Wings, so I’m not going to include a summary to keep it spoiler free.)
I’m going to try really hard not to say anything to spoil this book for you. Let’s just say this—read it.
Spells was better than Wings. Though both were equally addictive (what? no! I can’t sweep, I’m in the middle of chapter twenty-one!) Spells just had more meat to it: more complications, more plot, more drama, and more romance. There are twists and unexpected surprises that spring out of nowhere and have you sitting on the edge of your seat forgetting to breathe. There is heart pounding and heart shredding romance that makes you grin and cry. And like every good book, there is a surprise at the end that leaves you saying, “Wait… what?”
Spells is a fantastic sequel to Wings. I’m anxiously awaiting the third book in the series, and I hope to one day have the whole collection sitting on my bookshelf where it belongs.
Content: clean romance, mention of sex, no language
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading it soon after Wings, since for the first chapter or so I was a little lost (I read Wings almost as soon as the ARC was sent out for review, some time last May or June) and even throughout the book I kept thinking “wait, who is that?” and “wait what happened again?”
This book was part of the Borrow My ARC Tour from Bloody Bad. Check out the other tour stops for more reviews.
(Spells is the sequel to Wings, so I’m not going to include a summary to keep it spoiler free.)
I’m going to try really hard not to say anything to spoil this book for you. Let’s just say this—read it.
Spells was better than Wings. Though both were equally addictive (what? no! I can’t sweep, I’m in the middle of chapter twenty-one!) Spells just had more meat to it: more complications, more plot, more drama, and more romance. There are twists and unexpected surprises that spring out of nowhere and have you sitting on the edge of your seat forgetting to breathe. There is heart pounding and heart shredding romance that makes you grin and cry. And like every good book, there is a surprise at the end that leaves you saying, “Wait… what?”
Spells is a fantastic sequel to Wings. I’m anxiously awaiting the third book in the series, and I hope to one day have the whole collection sitting on my bookshelf where it belongs.
Content: clean romance, mention of sex, no language
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading it soon after Wings, since for the first chapter or so I was a little lost (I read Wings almost as soon as the ARC was sent out for review, some time last May or June) and even throughout the book I kept thinking “wait, who is that?” and “wait what happened again?”
This book was part of the Borrow My ARC Tour from Bloody Bad. Check out the other tour stops for more reviews.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Batgirl, Volume 2: Son of Penguin in Books
Feb 1, 2018
I fell in love with Babs again when her story was reintroduced in DC's New 52 and she got a costume redesign. As much as I enjoyed Gail Simone's run, it was the collaboration of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr that pulled me back in. I became obsessed with the new costume and loved Babs Tarr's art style. I adored issues 35-52, but then there was another change with DC Rebirth and Batgirl left Burnside. I was not quite as invested in the first few issues (plus I didn't enjoy the art), but that was soon remedied with the introduction of Penguin's son.
The story arc contained in Volume 2: Son of Penguin felt more like the New 52 Batgirl I fell in love with, again. Although the plot was predictable at times, it will still enjoyable. Both Hope Larson's writing and the talents of the artists gave me hope that Batgirl's run will continue to improve. As she is my favourite female superhero (other than Wonder Woman, I truly couldn't choose) I cannot wait to see where this team takes her story.
I would definitely recommend her Batgirl of Burnside arc from the New 52 and her new story in Rebirth to fans of comics and interesting female characters. I may also be biased because in this iteration she is a grad school student who is currently studying to become a librarian, which is exactly what I am doing - so I feel like we are kindred spirits, or twins. Whatever.
The story arc contained in Volume 2: Son of Penguin felt more like the New 52 Batgirl I fell in love with, again. Although the plot was predictable at times, it will still enjoyable. Both Hope Larson's writing and the talents of the artists gave me hope that Batgirl's run will continue to improve. As she is my favourite female superhero (other than Wonder Woman, I truly couldn't choose) I cannot wait to see where this team takes her story.
I would definitely recommend her Batgirl of Burnside arc from the New 52 and her new story in Rebirth to fans of comics and interesting female characters. I may also be biased because in this iteration she is a grad school student who is currently studying to become a librarian, which is exactly what I am doing - so I feel like we are kindred spirits, or twins. Whatever.
RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated The Grace Year in Books
Jul 24, 2019
Title: The Grace Year ARC
Author: Kim Liggett
Read Dates: June 25th- July 3rd 2019
Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because it was sent to me as an arc
Did I like it? I love it it's a very emotional story
Five things I liked about this book (Spoiler Warning skip to one character I disliked if you don't want spoiler's):
1. I love how the main character isn't like all the other girls.
2. I love how Michael saved her. I knew he was the one that veiled her from the beginning.
3. I love the love story between her and Ryker. I love how she ends up having his baby and she ends up being the one she dreams about.
4. I love how she helps the other Grace Year girls and the Grace Year girls in the years to come.
5. I love how she didn't judge Gertie like the others and ended up being friends with her in the end.
One character I disliked: Michael's father
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a very wonderful book. It's very emotional and has an unexpected turn of events and ending.
What is one similar book I think you'd like if you also love this book? Hunger Games or Divergent or Maze Runner
Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book? How'd you like it?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. What's your favorite book and author?
Author: Kim Liggett
Read Dates: June 25th- July 3rd 2019
Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because it was sent to me as an arc
Did I like it? I love it it's a very emotional story
Five things I liked about this book (Spoiler Warning skip to one character I disliked if you don't want spoiler's):
1. I love how the main character isn't like all the other girls.
2. I love how Michael saved her. I knew he was the one that veiled her from the beginning.
3. I love the love story between her and Ryker. I love how she ends up having his baby and she ends up being the one she dreams about.
4. I love how she helps the other Grace Year girls and the Grace Year girls in the years to come.
5. I love how she didn't judge Gertie like the others and ended up being friends with her in the end.
One character I disliked: Michael's father
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a very wonderful book. It's very emotional and has an unexpected turn of events and ending.
What is one similar book I think you'd like if you also love this book? Hunger Games or Divergent or Maze Runner
Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book? How'd you like it?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. What's your favorite book and author?
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated X-23 (2018-) #2 in Books
Nov 30, 2020
Gabby: "Why are you party pooper?"
Laura: "It's arguably in my DNA."
That quote comes only a couple pages or so into Issue 3. It is probably the most fun dialogue in a story arc that is anything light in nature. And honestly, that is one of the aspects that really wowed by Ms. Tamaki's opening arc: she can balance the dark and the light, the humor and the not so humorous. I liked Tom Taylor's initial beginnings on ANW, but that so became imbalanced, as he chose to focus more on humor, rather gritty plot elements.
Through this issue, as well as the first one, it is clear that we will truly be "inside" Laura Kinney's head. Tamaki provides us with Laura's thoughts and reflections, further adding to the character's complex inner workings. It aids in defining a character who is often underutilized and written poorly (*cough* Bendis *cough* Hopeless *cough cough*).
As fantastic as the writing is on Laura's new book, I really want to stress how AWESOME Juann Cabal's art is to the series! Prior to witnessing his art, I found David Lopez's art (re: ANW) to be all aces! And while it is still quite good, Cabal just builds off of that and gives us so much more! I truly, truly hope that Marvel is smart enough to pay him well and keep him on board for the run of the series.
Overall, this was another great issue, and if you are a fan of Ms. Kinney, you will not be disappointed!
Laura: "It's arguably in my DNA."
That quote comes only a couple pages or so into Issue 3. It is probably the most fun dialogue in a story arc that is anything light in nature. And honestly, that is one of the aspects that really wowed by Ms. Tamaki's opening arc: she can balance the dark and the light, the humor and the not so humorous. I liked Tom Taylor's initial beginnings on ANW, but that so became imbalanced, as he chose to focus more on humor, rather gritty plot elements.
Through this issue, as well as the first one, it is clear that we will truly be "inside" Laura Kinney's head. Tamaki provides us with Laura's thoughts and reflections, further adding to the character's complex inner workings. It aids in defining a character who is often underutilized and written poorly (*cough* Bendis *cough* Hopeless *cough cough*).
As fantastic as the writing is on Laura's new book, I really want to stress how AWESOME Juann Cabal's art is to the series! Prior to witnessing his art, I found David Lopez's art (re: ANW) to be all aces! And while it is still quite good, Cabal just builds off of that and gives us so much more! I truly, truly hope that Marvel is smart enough to pay him well and keep him on board for the run of the series.
Overall, this was another great issue, and if you are a fan of Ms. Kinney, you will not be disappointed!
Autumn (430 KP) rated There's Someone In Your House in Books
Sep 28, 2017
The premise. (1 more)
The mind games. Adds some suspense, even though you come to expect it since it’s the killer’s trademark.
The romance. Too much for this type of book. (2 more)
The identity was revealed too early.
The motive.
Overall, it was a fun, quick read. I wouldn’t call it scary, though.
I like a good slasher movie, and even some bad ones, but have come across few books with a similar story. So, I applaud this author for taking a risk and writing it, especially since this isn’t her typical genre. It kept my attention and I enjoyed it, even though there were a few things that bothered me.
I received an arc of this book through a giveaway by the publisher, giveaway was posted on Goodreads.
I like a good slasher movie, and even some bad ones, but have come across few books with a similar story. So, I applaud this author for taking a risk and writing it, especially since this isn’t her typical genre. It kept my attention and I enjoyed it, even though there were a few things that bothered me.
I received an arc of this book through a giveaway by the publisher, giveaway was posted on Goodreads.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Enders (Starters, #2) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I have been waiting for [Enders] by [Lissa Price] since I read [Starters] as an ARC. I absolutely love the premise of these stories. I have recommended(and will continue) to recommend them to my students. In fact I have pretty much made [Starters] required reading for the kids in my Future Problem Solving group.
The characters are strong and I am always happy to see a female in a strong role which thankfully has been the trend in YA literature (with one blaring exception recently).
The story is fast paced, in fact I read the book in under 24 hours. [Enders] picked up right where [Starters] left off. I look forward to reading more books written by [Lissa Price].
The characters are strong and I am always happy to see a female in a strong role which thankfully has been the trend in YA literature (with one blaring exception recently).
The story is fast paced, in fact I read the book in under 24 hours. [Enders] picked up right where [Starters] left off. I look forward to reading more books written by [Lissa Price].
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated You're (Not) the One in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I loved, LOVED this book! As soon as I finished I found myself wishing I had other books by Alexandra Potter that I could read. She has such an easy-going, entertaining writing style. I literally could not put this book down!
It tells the story of Lucy & Nate, 2 teenagers studying in Venice who meet & share an amazing summer. Of course they move back to the real world on separate continents thinking that they are meant to be together forever. I don't want to say anymore than that because I don't want to spoil the fantastic arc of the story! If you want to know more, I guess you'll just have to read the book yourself! I promise you will NOT be disappointed!!!!
It tells the story of Lucy & Nate, 2 teenagers studying in Venice who meet & share an amazing summer. Of course they move back to the real world on separate continents thinking that they are meant to be together forever. I don't want to say anymore than that because I don't want to spoil the fantastic arc of the story! If you want to know more, I guess you'll just have to read the book yourself! I promise you will NOT be disappointed!!!!
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated Flawed in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I Received an ARC copy from netgalley for an open and honest review.
I really loved this book, I'm a big fan of Cecelia Ahern's and this book didn't disappoint.
It was such a refreshing storyline. In this day and age we all strive for perfection, to be better than our peers, but if your perfect you won't make mistakes and you won't grow as a person, you won't learn and you'd lose a part of yourself. You need to make mistakes to get better and this story really encompasses that.
What is right and wrong? Is not all black and white and it just takes that one random act of kindness to set a chain reaction.
Can't wait for perfect in March next year :)
I really loved this book, I'm a big fan of Cecelia Ahern's and this book didn't disappoint.
It was such a refreshing storyline. In this day and age we all strive for perfection, to be better than our peers, but if your perfect you won't make mistakes and you won't grow as a person, you won't learn and you'd lose a part of yourself. You need to make mistakes to get better and this story really encompasses that.
What is right and wrong? Is not all black and white and it just takes that one random act of kindness to set a chain reaction.
Can't wait for perfect in March next year :)