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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated New Lands (The Chronicles of Egg, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Egg and Guts are headed to the New Lands to try to find the treasure map they've found. But their journey will be dangerous with hostile Natives and a settlement that has an edict against foreigners. Will they survive long enough to explore the wilderness?
A great middle grade novel, this one picks up where the first one ended (so read it first). The characters are fun, charming, and feel real. The plot takes some great twists and I was shocked a time or two by what Egg learns along the way. Can not wait for the third and final book to come out.
NOTE: I won an ARC of this book in a contest.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-new-lands-by-geoff-rodkey.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
A great middle grade novel, this one picks up where the first one ended (so read it first). The characters are fun, charming, and feel real. The plot takes some great twists and I was shocked a time or two by what Egg learns along the way. Can not wait for the third and final book to come out.
NOTE: I won an ARC of this book in a contest.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-new-lands-by-geoff-rodkey.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated True Stories in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This collection of 10 non-fiction stories feature stories of shipwreck and bear attack from the 1800’s, the life of Blues musician Muddy Waters, and growing up with six older brothers in Vietnam. Personally, I want to start exploring creeks like the guy who wrote the last chapter here.
I don’t normally read non-fiction, but I enjoyed all 10 of the stories here. They were entertaining, which is what it takes to keep me reading. Middle school guys will love it, and anyone looking to learn something in an entertaining fashion will enjoy it.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book, but no review was requested or promised. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-guys-read-5-true-stories.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I don’t normally read non-fiction, but I enjoyed all 10 of the stories here. They were entertaining, which is what it takes to keep me reading. Middle school guys will love it, and anyone looking to learn something in an entertaining fashion will enjoy it.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book, but no review was requested or promised. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-guys-read-5-true-stories.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Heirs and Graces (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Lady Georgiana is asked to come to an estate in 1930's England to teach the new heir to the dukedom proper upper society manners. This heir has just been discovered and has been raised in the Australian Outback. However, not too long after this heir arrives, Georgie has to add sleuthing to her list of things to do when someone gets a knife in the back - literally.
These trips back in time are always fun, and this one was no exception. I loved the new characters and the tension was so thick I always had a hard time putting it down.
I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Please read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-heirs-and-graces-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
These trips back in time are always fun, and this one was no exception. I loved the new characters and the tension was so thick I always had a hard time putting it down.
I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Please read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-heirs-and-graces-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated City of Darkness and Light (Molly Murphy, #13) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a case Daniel is working on turns dangerous, Molly and Liam leave New York to join Sid and Gus in Paris. But when her reception is not what she expected, is Molly in more danger now than she was before?
More than any other book in the series, I felt this one had a large number of real people popping up in Molly's fictional world. The plot was good with some twists I didn't expect and the characters are so real by this point I just love visiting them. All told, it was a great trip back to 1905.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-city-of-darkness-and-light.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
More than any other book in the series, I felt this one had a large number of real people popping up in Molly's fictional world. The plot was good with some twists I didn't expect and the characters are so real by this point I just love visiting them. All told, it was a great trip back to 1905.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-city-of-darkness-and-light.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Stickmen's Guide to Your Mighty Muscles and Bones by John Farndon and Venitia Dean is well-written with clear text and illustrations. The diagrams are labeled well and easy to understand. Children will enjoy the interesting diagrams throughout the book. The book contains a large about of information that is presented in a way that is accessible by the reader. An illustrated timeline shows the history of muscle and bone is fascinating. It has an added bonus of providing a sense of how understanding of our skeletal system grows. The timeline also provides extra information about muscles and bones.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the human body and how it works.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group and Hungry Tomato in exchange for an honest review.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the human body and how it works.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group and Hungry Tomato in exchange for an honest review.

Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Fight to Learn: The Struggle to Go to School in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Fight to Learn by Laura Scandiffio brings interest and excitement to going to school. While most people have heard of Malala, they may not have heard of all of the great people in Scandiffio's book: people helping to change education for poverty-stricken Indians and Roma, Pakistanis denied an education because of their gender, children ripped away from schools becoming soldiers, and separate, but not equal, schools on First Nation land.
Liked that the book was divided into different challenges children face rather than by geography. It even included an example in the U.S. I also liked that the book highlighted the people, many of whom are children, who are finding solutions to this issue.
A fantastic resource for older students.
I received an ARC copy from Annick Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Liked that the book was divided into different challenges children face rather than by geography. It even included an example in the U.S. I also liked that the book highlighted the people, many of whom are children, who are finding solutions to this issue.
A fantastic resource for older students.
I received an ARC copy from Annick Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Fables & Fairy Tales to Cross Stitch in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Fables & Fairy Tales to Cross Stitch Véronique Enginger is a wonderful collection of fairy tale themed projects with stitching charts and finishing suggestions. It's perfect for those with knowledge of cross stitching and those interested in stitching up their favorite classic fairy tales.
The book is easy to use, organized from which are the fables section and the fairy tales section of the book. Every project is in a visual format. A very straightforward and simple guidance, very nice visual patterns book, which you can easily follow and copy the design exactly. I love the designs and think the author did a great job reviving the fables and fairy tales of many others and my own childhood with these beautiful cross stitch patterns.
I received an ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is easy to use, organized from which are the fables section and the fairy tales section of the book. Every project is in a visual format. A very straightforward and simple guidance, very nice visual patterns book, which you can easily follow and copy the design exactly. I love the designs and think the author did a great job reviving the fables and fairy tales of many others and my own childhood with these beautiful cross stitch patterns.
I received an ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Forgotten Room in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever read a book that captured everything so perfectly? Well, this is that book for me. The Forgotten Room is a beautiful book that tells the story of a love that knows no bounds.
I was fascinated by the plot of this book and it was amazing to see the twists and turns in this book. The characters were intriguing and I didn't want the book to end. I took my time with this book. I usually devour these kind of books but I had to slow my pace to truly appreciate the minute details that we woven into this book.
Even though I own an ARC of this book, I will have to buy it. This was just one of those books that needs a spot on my bookshelf.
Have you ever read a book that captured everything so perfectly? Well, this is that book for me. The Forgotten Room is a beautiful book that tells the story of a love that knows no bounds.
I was fascinated by the plot of this book and it was amazing to see the twists and turns in this book. The characters were intriguing and I didn't want the book to end. I took my time with this book. I usually devour these kind of books but I had to slow my pace to truly appreciate the minute details that we woven into this book.
Even though I own an ARC of this book, I will have to buy it. This was just one of those books that needs a spot on my bookshelf.

Paul Smedley (141 KP) rated How It Ends (2018) in Movies
Jul 14, 2018
Special effects (1 more)
Acting
How it ends? It doesn’t!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Most disaster films nowadays are made with the notion of concentrating on the story arc of the characters and don’t feel the need to explain the reasoning behind the disaster.
This film is no exception!
For a road movie it is fantastic. Lots of suspense and thrills built on trust issues and a road trip for a father and son-in-law who are trying to get to their daughter/partner, starting as two people who don’t see eye to eye and gradually becoming friends.
However, I was left wanting more from the final scenes and disappointed with the last frame.
If you’re stuck for something to watch on Netflix then give it a go but remember that nothing will be explained (and I mean nothing!!)
This film is no exception!
For a road movie it is fantastic. Lots of suspense and thrills built on trust issues and a road trip for a father and son-in-law who are trying to get to their daughter/partner, starting as two people who don’t see eye to eye and gradually becoming friends.
However, I was left wanting more from the final scenes and disappointed with the last frame.
If you’re stuck for something to watch on Netflix then give it a go but remember that nothing will be explained (and I mean nothing!!)

Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Separate Lives in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I absolutely loved Separate Lives! I was hooked from page one by the writing style. The characters were well developed and relatable in a lot of ways, tho I wasn't fond of Pippa and her intentions toward Alex. I could also identify with Susie quite a bit tho I wish she'd had more backbone in dealing with Alex at the end of their relationship. The entire time I was reading this book I was so engrossed that it almost felt like the characters were friends of mine. The ending answered a few questions but it left me wanting to know how things wound up with Susie and Will. Overall I truly enjoyed my time with these great characters and will be looking forward to more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!