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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind in Books
Jan 21, 2018
Sweet read but not for everyone
A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind is literally a cleaning manual for those who follow spirituality as part of their general course. Shoukei Matsumoto, a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, has created a simple guide for those who want to be mindful about their daily chores and why monks themselves do each task with such vigour and importance.
While the book itself is sweet, with lovely picture representations, I did feel that some of it may not apply to a secular western household as they speak of how to repair an altar. And when you live by yourself, sharing chores is not really an option. With that in mind, the book is geared for a certain audience, many of which may have to read this as just a pleasant handbook.
While the book itself is sweet, with lovely picture representations, I did feel that some of it may not apply to a secular western household as they speak of how to repair an altar. And when you live by yourself, sharing chores is not really an option. With that in mind, the book is geared for a certain audience, many of which may have to read this as just a pleasant handbook.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Nate the Great Goes Undercover (Nate the Great) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The pint sized detective is back for his second case, this time trying to figure out for his neighbor Oliver who is breaking into Oliver’s trashcans every night. Nate’s excited for his first night time case, but can he catch the culprit?
This is the second picture book to feature Nate the Great, and it is a lot of fun. We are introduced to Oliver and Nate’s dog Sludge, who would become main characters in the series, here. The mystery is good with Nate hitting a couple of dead ends before he reaches the conclusion. The pictures might be a little dated, this is from the mid-70’s after all, but that’s my only issue, and it’s a very minor one.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-nate-great-goes-undercover.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the second picture book to feature Nate the Great, and it is a lot of fun. We are introduced to Oliver and Nate’s dog Sludge, who would become main characters in the series, here. The mystery is good with Nate hitting a couple of dead ends before he reaches the conclusion. The pictures might be a little dated, this is from the mid-70’s after all, but that’s my only issue, and it’s a very minor one.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-nate-great-goes-undercover.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Waiting is Not Easy! (Elephant & Piggie, #22) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he’s going to have to wait to see what it is. The problem is, he really has to wait, and he’s not very patient. Will the surprise be worth the wait? Can Gerald hold out long enough to find out?
As always, the lesson (that good things come to those who wait) is illustrated with great humor and fun. The dialogue and illustrations are clever and fun, and kids and their parents will be entertained. It would have been nice if Gerald and Piggie distracted themselves to try to make the time go faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. Really, that’s my only complaint in this fun picture book.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-waiting-is-not-easy-by-mo.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, the lesson (that good things come to those who wait) is illustrated with great humor and fun. The dialogue and illustrations are clever and fun, and kids and their parents will be entertained. It would have been nice if Gerald and Piggie distracted themselves to try to make the time go faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. Really, that’s my only complaint in this fun picture book.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-waiting-is-not-easy-by-mo.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Commander Toad and the Voyage Home in Books
Jan 14, 2019
Unexpected Voyage Home
This book finds Commander Toad and the crew of the Star Warts winding down their mission to explore the galaxy. After several years in space, they can now head home for some much needed rest. So, Commander Toad puts the command into the computer. Only, when they arrive, they don’t recognize the planet at all. What has happened?
This is the final picture book about these characters, but all the charm is still here. There are plenty of laughs and puns. The storyline is good and gets resolved in a way the intended audience will understand. Parents might have to help young reader with a few words, but it is a good challenge when the time comes to expand young readers’ vocabulary. The illustrations perfectly capture the story while also sliding in a few extra jokes.
This is the final picture book about these characters, but all the charm is still here. There are plenty of laughs and puns. The storyline is good and gets resolved in a way the intended audience will understand. Parents might have to help young reader with a few words, but it is a good challenge when the time comes to expand young readers’ vocabulary. The illustrations perfectly capture the story while also sliding in a few extra jokes.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated To Kill a Mockingbird in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I think it's safe to assume that most people know this book is about a girl named Scout Finch growing up in the American south of the 1930's as it still deals with racism. Seeing as the book is primarily about the experiences of a young girl, the parts about Atticus Finch defending a black man at trial, while important to the plot, are not nearly as prominent as some might recall from having read the book at school, myself included. Still, it's always an interesting book, full of remembrances of youthful activities that are likely to stir up at least an occasional moment of fond nostalgia among most people. While there is a lot that is very specific to the south in here, the principal themes are pretty universal; growing up, our relationships with & views of our families, learning to deal with society's expectations for us, and of course, just how messed up that society can often be. It may perhaps paint a slightly too rosy picture of the way things were at the time, but the inherent optimism fits in with the perspective from which it's being told. It's very hard not to be moved by this book. Whether it wants you to feel joy, suspense, or sorrow, it does a masterful job of bending you to its will. A true American classic.
Little Concepts: ABC French: Take a fun journey through the alphabet and learn some French! by Daniel Roode is an alphabet book introducing mostly animal nouns A-Z based on their French words with the English noun below.
The illustrations are brightly colored and in a cartoon-like style kids should enjoy. This is a fairly good intro to French vocabulary. I say only fairly good because not all of the animals have their article before them and in French you've got to know if it is le or la to say it correctly. The description says there is a pronunciation guide, but it was not included in the preview so I can't comment on it. In addition, the pages for letters I, J, K, M, Q, R, V,W,X, and Y were also not included. I hope that this gets fixed before it is published; otherwise, it is a great introduction book to French.
If you're looking for a foreign language picture book or a different kind of alphabet book, this is a visually attractive option. I would love to have this added to my classroom/ school library.
I received this ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster, Jr. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 3.5/5 stars. If it was not missing pages or information it would receive 5/5 stars.
The illustrations are brightly colored and in a cartoon-like style kids should enjoy. This is a fairly good intro to French vocabulary. I say only fairly good because not all of the animals have their article before them and in French you've got to know if it is le or la to say it correctly. The description says there is a pronunciation guide, but it was not included in the preview so I can't comment on it. In addition, the pages for letters I, J, K, M, Q, R, V,W,X, and Y were also not included. I hope that this gets fixed before it is published; otherwise, it is a great introduction book to French.
If you're looking for a foreign language picture book or a different kind of alphabet book, this is a visually attractive option. I would love to have this added to my classroom/ school library.
I received this ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster, Jr. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 3.5/5 stars. If it was not missing pages or information it would receive 5/5 stars.
RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated Feud of Four Houses in Books
Jul 24, 2019
In Feud of Four Houses: Curse of The Fairy Kingdom by Chrishel Smith; Since the beginning of the Alaire and Dagen family lines there has been a Feud going on between the families struggling to gain one another's power the Goddess gifted them or so they thought. This all begins to change when Amara Alaire goes to her family library to do research on the family feud. There she finds a picture of her and her enemy, Tristan Dagen. But, it turns out not to be them and that there was a curse placed upon their house which started with the people in the photo. Throughout the book they go off and try to break the Curse overcoming obstacles on the way. Who are the people in the photo? And what does that have to do with them? And why was the curse placed upon their houses? To find this out you will have to read the book.
This book has a twist on fantasy and romance like none I have read before, and many unexpected plot twists. The book also starts off slow but starts to pick up a few chapters in. I honestly loved it. The book made me feel as though I was there with them feeling all their emotions and struggles. The ending was unexpected and very emotional.
This book has a twist on fantasy and romance like none I have read before, and many unexpected plot twists. The book also starts off slow but starts to pick up a few chapters in. I honestly loved it. The book made me feel as though I was there with them feeling all their emotions and struggles. The ending was unexpected and very emotional.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated The Berenstain Bears Learn About Heaven in Books
Jan 4, 2021
Some children might start thinking about what it's like after someone passes away. The Berenstain Bears Learn about Heaven can help your child or children learn about what Heaven is? It does it in a way that children can learn without having to make it too complicated.
I know adults might have this same question and do not know all the answers to them. This book talks about them as well. This one has geared children but who says we can not read it and make more sense of it. This book is done well with its illustrations.
Heaven can be different for everyone so there are no right or wrong answers. This one all starts with a few phrases that Lizzy says that makes Sister Bear start thinking. The way this book is done can help with asking questions about a big topic.
The pictures are wonderfully done. I was looking at the picture a bit more to just look at. There seem to be different explanations for what heaven looks like for each person that Sister Bear asks. This book is good for Sunday school teachers or even churches. Parents can have this on their bookshelves for children to read or to be read to about. If you are a Berenstain Bears fan, you will want this book in your library or bookshelves.
I know adults might have this same question and do not know all the answers to them. This book talks about them as well. This one has geared children but who says we can not read it and make more sense of it. This book is done well with its illustrations.
Heaven can be different for everyone so there are no right or wrong answers. This one all starts with a few phrases that Lizzy says that makes Sister Bear start thinking. The way this book is done can help with asking questions about a big topic.
The pictures are wonderfully done. I was looking at the picture a bit more to just look at. There seem to be different explanations for what heaven looks like for each person that Sister Bear asks. This book is good for Sunday school teachers or even churches. Parents can have this on their bookshelves for children to read or to be read to about. If you are a Berenstain Bears fan, you will want this book in your library or bookshelves.
Merissa (11805 KP) rated Hunter's Moon (Wildeward Academy #1) in Books
Aug 5, 2020
Hunter's Moon is the first book in the Wildeward Academy series and we are introduced to a world where magic, and curses, are real. Told from different perspectives, we learn how Victoria's mother disappeared and her father still searches for her. With the wards failing around their home, Victoria has no choice but to attend Wildeward where she meets new and old 'friends'.
This book has a steampunk feel to it, along with the magic. All the characters are interesting and so very different from each other, and I love how they interact with each other. The setting is clear enough to picture and will definitely leave you wanting more.
There were parts of this story that I was unsure about but I am more than happy to keep an open mind and see where book two takes me. I especially want to know more about Doyle's past and why he has reacted the way he has.
For a debut novel and the start of a new series, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book has a steampunk feel to it, along with the magic. All the characters are interesting and so very different from each other, and I love how they interact with each other. The setting is clear enough to picture and will definitely leave you wanting more.
There were parts of this story that I was unsure about but I am more than happy to keep an open mind and see where book two takes me. I especially want to know more about Doyle's past and why he has reacted the way he has.
For a debut novel and the start of a new series, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11805 KP) rated Picture this (Birds of a Feather #3) in Books
Dec 5, 2018
Picture this (Birds of a Feather #3) by Lena North
Picture This is the third book in the Birds of a Feather series, and we find out more about Mary. At the beginning of the story, she is with Kit, but you can see immediately that it is going nowhere. Mary yearns for that 'catch your breath when you see them' relationship that her friends all have. She knows she won't get that from Kit so she breaks it off with him. On her way home, Mary is kidnapped and held hostage. When she is rescued, feelings begin to show.
I loved how this book was written. Mary may be younger than *** (I won't say who because it doesn't say in the blurb and I don't want to ruin it!), but she certainly isn't immature. I thought how she handled situations that would have been stressful for anyone was brilliant. Mary knows what she is, what she wants, and isn't afraid of hard work to ensure it happens. She also isn't a doormat!
With the full cast of characters, you get more insight into all of them, whilst still maintaining the focus on the main ones. Absolutely brilliant addition to the series. I loved it, and have no hesitation in recommending it!
* Verified Purchase ~ July 2018. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I loved how this book was written. Mary may be younger than *** (I won't say who because it doesn't say in the blurb and I don't want to ruin it!), but she certainly isn't immature. I thought how she handled situations that would have been stressful for anyone was brilliant. Mary knows what she is, what she wants, and isn't afraid of hard work to ensure it happens. She also isn't a doormat!
With the full cast of characters, you get more insight into all of them, whilst still maintaining the focus on the main ones. Absolutely brilliant addition to the series. I loved it, and have no hesitation in recommending it!
* Verified Purchase ~ July 2018. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!