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MaryAnn (14 KP) rated An Unexpected Role in Books

Mar 5, 2019

An Unexpected Role

Leslea Wahl | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

It's hard being a teenager, but when your mother is an author and uses your life as inspiration it can make living difficult. That was life for Josie DelRio. When her mother's newest book comes out, it sends Josie's classmates into a frenzy of malicious teasing, so Josie heads to North Carolina to spend the summer with her aunt.

Josie plans on spending her summer on the beach, taking it easy and trusting that she can find a place to fit in and have a summer on anonymity.

This was a delightful story, everyone can relate to being a teenager and what high school can be like. It is full of mystery, suspense, and some romance.

I enjoyed this book, it was a fast easy read. I do like that the author was able to insert Bible verses to help encourage the main character. What I saw in the book is that sometimes you just have to let go of things, don't carry your problems... let God take control and see what He can do!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Kudos

Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Pines (Wayward Pines, #1) in Books

Mar 15, 2018

Pines (Wayward Pines, #1)

Blake Crouch | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry

7.4

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

I started reading this as a result of the ads for the upcoming adaptation on Fox, which made it look somewhat cheesy, but intriguingly weird. I was right about the central plot being weird, but luckily, the book is not really cheesy. While on a mission to locate 2 missing Secret Service agents, Ethan Burke finds himself stranded in the mysterious town of Wayward Pines after a car accident which killed his partner. His identification, money and phone are all missing and while the town seems outwardly idyllic, there is something pretty clearly off about it. As Ethan tries to figure out what is happening to him, things get progressively stranger, until he finds himself in a fight for his life. Things get surprisingly creepy and the ending provides a pretty big, and wholly unexpected, explanation for what is going on. While the author claims inspiration from TV show "Twin Peaks", and there is evidence as such, I found it read like one of Stephen King's more sprawling works, but condensed down to its core focus and with a more satisfying conclusion than he often comes up with. I still think the show looks likely to be sort of cheesy, but the book is anything but, and I highly recommend it to fans of suspense, horror or sci-fi.

Kudos

Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Inspiration Kantha: Creative Stitchery and Quilting with Asias Ancient Technique in Books

Jun 14, 2018

Inspiration Kantha: Creative Stitchery and Quilting with Asias Ancient Technique by Anna Hergert explores the ancient technique of kantha.

The earliest written record of kantha appears in the book Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita which was written over 500 years ago. It is a traditional quilting/embroidery from the Indian peninsula and surrounding areas. It was a traditional thrifty method of binding together worn saris and dhoti into layers to use as coverlets. In white, red and blue stitches over the fabric helps to stabilize and decorate the fabric.

The author did extensive research to learn about kantha. The book begins with detailed information in the introductory chapters. The beginning chapters tells how the traditional quilting patterns and materials used depends on the different area.

Supplies and stitches follow the historical introduction, which are well photographed and described. Motifs are followed by specific projects more or less in order of difficulty. Beautifully photographed and with clear finishing instructions, there are many lovely things including a bucket bag (bag with round bottom), notebook cover and a drawstring bag.

At the end is a useful, well arranged appendix with line drawn motifs and stitch tutorials. There is also a useful, well referenced glossary and further reading list.

I receive this ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.