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Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Lila and the Crow in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard is a beautiful story dealing with and sad and very
real issue. Lila arrives at her neScreen Shot 2016-06-21 at 9.04.55 PMw school with the hopes of making new friends; however, instead of being welcomed with open arms she is welcomed with a mean comment. It only takes that one comment to destroy her confidence.
The first day with the first comment was the start of ruining her confidence. The comment came from one student but there are other students who either stand by and allow the comments to come or join in laughing. Eventually, Lila decides not to let the differences defy her but to embrace the differences. This book will show children that there will be situations where other children will hurt of mock them but that they should stand up and not allow the situation to ruin their day, month or year.
This book will open the floor to have a discussion about bullying and how it should not happen and if it is, that you should help the person instead of joining in the bullying or being a bystander. Everyone is different and this book can teach children to embrace and accept the differences.
The illustrations are wonderful, they show such great emotion in the characters as well as creating a mood that fits the story. Lila and the Crow will be a great asset to any home, classroom or library.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard is a beautiful story dealing with and sad and very
real issue. Lila arrives at her neScreen Shot 2016-06-21 at 9.04.55 PMw school with the hopes of making new friends; however, instead of being welcomed with open arms she is welcomed with a mean comment. It only takes that one comment to destroy her confidence.
The first day with the first comment was the start of ruining her confidence. The comment came from one student but there are other students who either stand by and allow the comments to come or join in laughing. Eventually, Lila decides not to let the differences defy her but to embrace the differences. This book will show children that there will be situations where other children will hurt of mock them but that they should stand up and not allow the situation to ruin their day, month or year.
This book will open the floor to have a discussion about bullying and how it should not happen and if it is, that you should help the person instead of joining in the bullying or being a bystander. Everyone is different and this book can teach children to embrace and accept the differences.
The illustrations are wonderful, they show such great emotion in the characters as well as creating a mood that fits the story. Lila and the Crow will be a great asset to any home, classroom or library.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Crime of the Ancient Marinara in Books
Jan 27, 2021
Good Mystery Smothered
After a month of hard work, Nell Valenti is ready to oversee the opening of Villa Orlandini as a cooking school lead by the famous Chef Orlandini. In fact, the first group of Americans are arriving at the Tuscany villa in just a couple of days. Nell is hoping that the worst of her problems will be Chef’s broken arm, a bocce ball accident. But then the guests arrive, and they aren’t what Nell is expecting. They seem to be a difficult lot. When one of them is poisoned by Chef’s famous marinara, Nell realizes she has real trouble on her hands. Can she figure out what is going on?
While I did struggle with some things in the first book in the series, I still enjoyed it. Unfortunately, those same issues are present here. The most prominent is Nell’s struggle with Italian. While we always know what is going on, it is presented in such a way that it keeps us out of the story. It’s a shame because I do like the returning characters, and the suspects grow as the story progresses. The mystery takes a while to truly get going, although we are meeting suspects. It’s a shame the pacing isn’t better since there is a good mystery buried in the book. There was a major editing error, as well, that resulted in a character being in two places at once. The book left me craving Italian food, so the recipes at the end are a nice bonus. The first book had its fans, and they will enjoy this entry as well. But if you struggled with the first one, you’ll struggle with this one.
While I did struggle with some things in the first book in the series, I still enjoyed it. Unfortunately, those same issues are present here. The most prominent is Nell’s struggle with Italian. While we always know what is going on, it is presented in such a way that it keeps us out of the story. It’s a shame because I do like the returning characters, and the suspects grow as the story progresses. The mystery takes a while to truly get going, although we are meeting suspects. It’s a shame the pacing isn’t better since there is a good mystery buried in the book. There was a major editing error, as well, that resulted in a character being in two places at once. The book left me craving Italian food, so the recipes at the end are a nice bonus. The first book had its fans, and they will enjoy this entry as well. But if you struggled with the first one, you’ll struggle with this one.
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated How to Walk Away in Books
Jul 26, 2018
The kind of book you're enjoying so much that you can't wait to finish it but at the same time will hate to see it end, author Katherine Center managed to such a feat in How to Walk Away.
While as a disabled individual, I'm often disappointed by the way that popular culture portrays disabled characters as either saintly, pitiable, or evil, I was impressed by the way that Center creates a fully three dimensional heroine who goes through a wide range of emotions after surviving a horrific plane crash.
And although on the surface, the thought of adding a romantic comedy subplot to the novel seemed way out of left field, because Center kept the protagonist so firmly grounded in reality, it wound up working really well.
The second recent upbeat romance involving a disabled lead to be chosen as an official selection by Book of the Month alongside Helen Hoang's sexier title The Kiss Quotient, while some of the contrivances in How to Walk Away's final fifty or so pages move it into cliched romcom territory, it's such a sweet, well-earned finale that it's easy to forgive.
A terrific disabled centric beach read, this one will walk away with your heart.
While as a disabled individual, I'm often disappointed by the way that popular culture portrays disabled characters as either saintly, pitiable, or evil, I was impressed by the way that Center creates a fully three dimensional heroine who goes through a wide range of emotions after surviving a horrific plane crash.
And although on the surface, the thought of adding a romantic comedy subplot to the novel seemed way out of left field, because Center kept the protagonist so firmly grounded in reality, it wound up working really well.
The second recent upbeat romance involving a disabled lead to be chosen as an official selection by Book of the Month alongside Helen Hoang's sexier title The Kiss Quotient, while some of the contrivances in How to Walk Away's final fifty or so pages move it into cliched romcom territory, it's such a sweet, well-earned finale that it's easy to forgive.
A terrific disabled centric beach read, this one will walk away with your heart.
The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping
Ivor Davis and Roger Cullum-Kenyon
Book
The number of people interested and active in keeping bees at an amateur level has continued to...
Chaos Evolves (After the EMP Book 6)
8.0
Rate It
Book
A month into the apocalypse, would you still be alive? Colt survived an emergency landing, a...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated The Chocolate Clown Corpse (A Chocoholic Mystery, #14) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Clowns are the theme for the annual winter carnival in Warner Pier, which is ironic since the man who ran the clown themed store in town was murdered about a month before it starts. Since that store was next door to TenHuis Chocolade, Lee Woodyard is hoping to buy it to expand the business. That’s how she meets the family and gets further involved when evidence begins appearing suggestion the homeless man who has been arrest for the murder might be innocent. But if he is innocent, who actually did it?
The book started out a little slowly, but once it gained speed, I found it hard to put it down, as always. I did spot the ending a little early, but I was having so much fun I didn’t mind. Lee, her husband Joe, and the new characters are great, but I do wish we could see more of the supporting cast – another common complaint when it comes to this series. Still, fans of Lee’s will gobble this book down like always.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-chocolate-clown-corpse-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started out a little slowly, but once it gained speed, I found it hard to put it down, as always. I did spot the ending a little early, but I was having so much fun I didn’t mind. Lee, her husband Joe, and the new characters are great, but I do wish we could see more of the supporting cast – another common complaint when it comes to this series. Still, fans of Lee’s will gobble this book down like always.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-chocolate-clown-corpse-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1747 KP) rated A Valentine's Breakfast in Bed (Mariana Books Rhyming #6) in Books
Feb 17, 2022
A Valentine's Breakfast in bed is a sweet story. It shows how the kids love their parents by making breakfast in bed on this special day. This book is excellent for showing love and showing that Valentine's day is for all types of love. Children will learn that Valentine's day is not just for the couple but for all those that we love.
This story is well done. The family in this story is a different one and different ethnicity. I enjoyed that as the author wants to show diversity. This one is good for this book and still has a black history month relation. I do not know if that stood to be that. I love that he has done so. It can stand shown that way and what this memorable holiday in the middle of February is all about.
The pictures are colorful. The story is mainly set on the two children making breakfast for their parents for this special day. They show it by making a few breakfast food for them. How will they enjoy the day with their mom and dad?
This book also will help children learn rhyming and some kindness and love. Parents will enjoy having this book along with the rest of the series on their bookshelves. They can read along with their children.
This story is well done. The family in this story is a different one and different ethnicity. I enjoyed that as the author wants to show diversity. This one is good for this book and still has a black history month relation. I do not know if that stood to be that. I love that he has done so. It can stand shown that way and what this memorable holiday in the middle of February is all about.
The pictures are colorful. The story is mainly set on the two children making breakfast for their parents for this special day. They show it by making a few breakfast food for them. How will they enjoy the day with their mom and dad?
This book also will help children learn rhyming and some kindness and love. Parents will enjoy having this book along with the rest of the series on their bookshelves. They can read along with their children.
The 30-minute Cook
Book
Discover quick and tasty dishes in Nigel Slater's The 30-Minute Cook. Quick, delicious meals from...
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Mother's Day Out in Books
May 10, 2018
**I received this book as a part of Goodreads Giveaways**
Margie Peterson is your typical stay at home mom. As if carpool lines, PTA fundraisers, and school newsletters weren't enough to keep her busy, she decides to take a part-time job to help with the family finances. The job she took is not one that is typical of a stay home mom, but it's one that is sending her on quite an adventure. She gets the opportunity to work for a private investigator. The job is simple, but could be dangerous at times. Her first case goes off without a hitch(almost). The second, on the other hand, get really complicated really fast when she finds a dead body in the bathroom of a gay bar!
Margie Peterson is the mom we all hope that we could be. She's strong, fearless, and is able to think quickly on her feet. All great characteristics of a private investigator, but it tends to also get her in trouble from time to time.
This book had me laughing out loud, and sitting on the edge of my seat. There is a twist around every corner and mystery that you have to get to the bottom of. I enjoyed this book, but only gave it three stars because even though it had me on the edge of my seat, it took a while for me to get there. It took me nearly a month to read this book. Some because my life has gotten busy and there is hardly any time to read. But books that are hard to put down find a time to get read.
I do recommend this book for mystery/thriller/chick-lit. And I will read more from this author and this series.
Margie Peterson is your typical stay at home mom. As if carpool lines, PTA fundraisers, and school newsletters weren't enough to keep her busy, she decides to take a part-time job to help with the family finances. The job she took is not one that is typical of a stay home mom, but it's one that is sending her on quite an adventure. She gets the opportunity to work for a private investigator. The job is simple, but could be dangerous at times. Her first case goes off without a hitch(almost). The second, on the other hand, get really complicated really fast when she finds a dead body in the bathroom of a gay bar!
Margie Peterson is the mom we all hope that we could be. She's strong, fearless, and is able to think quickly on her feet. All great characteristics of a private investigator, but it tends to also get her in trouble from time to time.
This book had me laughing out loud, and sitting on the edge of my seat. There is a twist around every corner and mystery that you have to get to the bottom of. I enjoyed this book, but only gave it three stars because even though it had me on the edge of my seat, it took a while for me to get there. It took me nearly a month to read this book. Some because my life has gotten busy and there is hardly any time to read. But books that are hard to put down find a time to get read.
I do recommend this book for mystery/thriller/chick-lit. And I will read more from this author and this series.
November Project: The Book
Brogan Graham, Bojan Mandaric and Caleb Daniloff
Book
November Project is the story of how two way outside-the-box fitness fanatics are flipping the...