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I have mixed feelings about this book. I can't say it's bad, because I've taught 95% of the projects before. they're great projects! But as an artist and art instructor, I've seen kids do more than what is in this book (for some of the projects). Some of the projects are very simple things you could find over the internet. Some are things you do in elementary school. It's got a broad mix of really cool projects with a lot of potential, and really dull projects that I know kids don't really respond to very well.

However, I did find three or four projects that are pretty cool, that I'm definitely implementing aspects of in my extended camp this summer!

That being said, this book is great for students who want to do art but don't have any kind of local art class institution, teachers who are looking for a good collection to fit a wide age range, and maybe homeschool parents who want their kids to have art but don't know where to start.

Kids art class teacher? not so much. You probably already know them.
  
HT
Here There Are Monsters
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was lucky enough to be able to read an early copy of this. This is outside of my normal genre but the cover called to me. It is so well done that anyone who sees it will want to pick it up and see what it entails. It definitely fits that vibe of the cover. It is dark, spooky, and so goth.
When a bone monster of Skyes making tells her how to get her sister, whom she lost on her watch, back it all goes to heck. You jump right in only to be smacked by a brick wall. That wall is six months in the past. I dislike books that jump you forwards and backwards between chapters. It jarrs me and kind of ruins the continuity. The two main characters, the sisters, are little jerks. Neither of them really has any redeeming qualities. They are hard to like and I did not enjoy the fact that neither of them grows.
While it says horror it has more story than straight horror.

Thank you for letting me read an early copy on Netgalley.
  
When I Wake - Single by Better Off Barefoot
When I Wake - Single by Better Off Barefoot
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Better Off Barefoot is a duo based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, they released a charming indie-pop tune, entitled, “When I Wake”.

“Hope you go to sleep now. I let myself fall away. I hear what you’re saying. How did I let you stay? I’m not holding back now. Let go of my old ways. Let go of my troubles knowing we’ll be okay.” – lyrics

‘When I Wake’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is optimistic about the future.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, soft vocals, and mellow instrumentation flavored with alternative and indie elements.

“‘When I Wake’ is about the process of finding your peace in all the chaos. Learning to let go, bouncing back, and in a new light moving into who you want to be.” – Better Off Barefoot

Better Off Barefoot met in Chicago three years ago. Since then, they’ve been making music together and perfecting their sound.

Bradley produces the music and Elle sings and writes the songs. They describe their music as a mixture of pop, indie, and electronic music.
  
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Andy Garcia recommended The General (1998) in Movies (curated)

 
The General (1998)
The General (1998)
1998 | Drama
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I would go back to Buster Keaton’s The General. The accomplishment of that movie in those days, you know… First of all, Buster Keaton as an actor — and as a comedian — but as an actor really, was… again, I think the word “sublime” comes across, because of that sort of deadpan quality that he had. When he was still, you felt as though his feet had roots, and they were sort of embedded and grounded into the ground. And, you know, a hurricane could come and it would never push him over. So that sense of stillness that he had, that had this kind of emotional weight inside of it, created juxtaposition to the stuff that he would do. Even if he was moving around, there was always a sense of a “man against the world” kind of thing that was always very compelling. But that movie, what he did with that movie, with that train, and the kind of stunts he was doing on his own, and just running around… I mean, just the accomplishment of that movie from a technical standpoint in those days was quite something. So that’s my list as of today."

Source
  
Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors
B.A. Paris | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
9
8.0 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
158 of 250
Kindle
Behind Closed Doors
By B A Paris

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do.

You’d like to get to know Grace better.

But it’s difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart.

Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows.

Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie.


Absolutely chilling! The whole book I just couldn’t put it down! It’s 1:37am and I just had to finish it! This is not a book if normally pick up but so glad I did! I had this knot in my stomach that hurt so much till o knew he was dead!! And what a fitting death. Highly recommend!
  
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Merissa (12894 KP) rated The Tea House in Books

Oct 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)  
The Tea House
The Tea House
Amanda Meuwissen | 2021 | Horror, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE TEA HOUSE is a novella with a perfectly timed release - just in time for spooky season. Because that's what this is - spooky. There is some blood and gore but nothing too bad. Instead, you get that feeling of creepiness, that something is about to happen, you know it, you just don't know when.

Logan and Jaime are the perfect counterfoils for The Tea House and it starts off sweet enough. Be prepared for it to change though, and maybe not in the way you're expecting!

This is a short read that I enjoyed, but I will admit to wanting more. More from Jaime and him accepting certain things. More from Logan and his history, present, and future. And more of them together.

I did enjoy the ending, and it left me with a hopeful (evil) gleam in my eye!

A short one but absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
Oct 13, 2021
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Body in the Cattails in Books

Aug 5, 2023 (Updated Aug 5, 2023)  
The Body in the Cattails
The Body in the Cattails
Catherine Dilts | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Come Make New Friends and Solve a Murder
Drew Brauner has been in Rose Creek, Oklahoma, for a couple of months now but has yet to really make any friends, so she decides to go to the new book club forming. Before the meeting is over, the women have spotted a dead body floating in the creek behind the story. As they begin to investigate, they begin to bond. Will they figure out what happened?

Really, there are four main characters, and we get to see the story from all of their points of view. They also have their own arcs. But it is all balanced wonderfully. It never becomes too much or overwhelming, and I loved every second of it. This is all juggled with the main mystery, which kept me engaged before becoming a pager turner at the climax. This is one of those books you don’t want to end because you don’t want to leave the characters behind. I already can’t wait for book two to come out. Get this utterly charming series debut today. You’ll be glad you did.
  
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Merissa (12894 KP) rated A Lightness in My Soul in Books

Jan 18, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
A Lightness in My Soul
A Lightness in My Soul
Annette Oppenlander | 2020 | Biography, History & Politics
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A LIGHTNESS IN MY SOUL is a fictional novella based on a true story, one that happened in Germany many years ago.

Just like the British evacuated their children, so did the Germans, although not everyone was put into homes, but camps instead. This is a heartbreaking and harrowing tale, told in the first person, as Arthur goes to a KLV camp. You stay with him as he begins to question just what is going on, then the Americans arrive, and you stay with him in the aftermath of that.

The conditions Arthur has to face are very well-written, managing to give the reader the horror and hopelessness of the situation without making it gruesome or unnecessarily violent.

For anyone with an interest in the history of WWII, especially if you are interested in the German perspective, then this is definitely one for your bookshelves. A one-sitting, engrossing read highly 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!
Jan 18, 2021
  
    The Secret To Money

    The Secret To Money

    Lifestyle and Finance

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    The Secret to Money is an app that is designed to change the way you think about money, and to...