Search
Search results
The Guardians of Earth
Book
A middle grade fantasy novel teaching kids about the protection of the environment. ...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life in Books
Sep 21, 2017
Fascinating, important look into microbes
This is complex, I'm not going to lie. At times some of the science went over my head as I wasn't concentrating. However, the idea that microbes live on all surfaces and beings like a planet and have such an important role in creating and even treating diseases is fascinating.
Ed Yong opens our eyes and invites us to marvel at ourselves and other animals in a new light, less as individuals and more as thriving ecosystems. We learn the invisible and wondrous science behind the corals that construct mighty reefs and the squid that create their own light shows. We see how bacteria can alter our response to cancer-fighting drugs, tune our immune system, influence our evolution, and even modify our genetic make-up. And we meet the scientists who are manipulating these microscopic partners to our advantage. Great book for science nerds like me.
Ed Yong opens our eyes and invites us to marvel at ourselves and other animals in a new light, less as individuals and more as thriving ecosystems. We learn the invisible and wondrous science behind the corals that construct mighty reefs and the squid that create their own light shows. We see how bacteria can alter our response to cancer-fighting drugs, tune our immune system, influence our evolution, and even modify our genetic make-up. And we meet the scientists who are manipulating these microscopic partners to our advantage. Great book for science nerds like me.
Interesting premise (1 more)
Kids with powers and no adult supervision
I really like the premise of this book. While we've seen stories that include an area being blocked off from the rest of the world by a dome like barrier, there are other things going on that make this original and different from similar stories. The kids are acquiring powers that allow them to do all sorts of things from being able to move at the speed of light to being able to heal any injury which adds something else to this story. The animals have also mutated in the form of talking wolves, flying snakes, etc. The kids are having to learn how to form a functioning society and fend for themselves since anyone 15 and over has disappeared from town. While all of this is happening, the fight between Sam and Caine for power and leadership holds your interest and keeps you reading. I will definitely be reading book 2.
I love this book. There is a huge variety of large and small shapes, animals and flowers, ocean and sky. But they all go so well together, and they are all so fanciful with a touch of random goth. Upon first glance some of them look fairly normal, until you notice the little details hiding in the images, and they become something else entirely. Each of the designs are apparently pulled from the patterns in Tula’s different fabric lines. Each of the patterns are on the back of the page. (that being said, my quilting friends, check out Tula’s quilting books!)
The pages are perforated for easy removal, and are blank on the back side. The paper is a bit thin though so you’d have to avoid markers or pens.
With more than 75 designs, this book will keep me busy for a while. I’m loving it so far! Recommended for all ages.
The pages are perforated for easy removal, and are blank on the back side. The paper is a bit thin though so you’d have to avoid markers or pens.
With more than 75 designs, this book will keep me busy for a while. I’m loving it so far! Recommended for all ages.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated A Pocketful of Crows in Books
Mar 2, 2019
A gorgeous grown up fairytale.
At first, this seems to be an innocent fairytale, but it swiftly becomes more of a proper, adult fairytale. It's a warning to the Folk that they shouldn't break their promises to the Travelling Folk.
The main character is a young girl with no name: to name her is to tame her. She falls in love with the local Lord's son, and he DOES name her. She loses the ability and the freedom to travel in the bodies of wild animals (I really liked this part). He betrays her, and she decides to exact her revenge on him so that she can get her magical abilities back. It's a beautiful story with some lovely illustrations, and each new section has a quote from a Child Ballad or an old wives/ folk saying.
It's novella size, so a quick read (I could have read more!), and well worth it.
The main character is a young girl with no name: to name her is to tame her. She falls in love with the local Lord's son, and he DOES name her. She loses the ability and the freedom to travel in the bodies of wild animals (I really liked this part). He betrays her, and she decides to exact her revenge on him so that she can get her magical abilities back. It's a beautiful story with some lovely illustrations, and each new section has a quote from a Child Ballad or an old wives/ folk saying.
It's novella size, so a quick read (I could have read more!), and well worth it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids in Books
Mar 23, 2018 (Updated Mar 23, 2018)
A hard-headed look at a number of famous cryptids (legendary animals) from a palaeontologist (Prothero) and a 'professional skeptic' (Loxton), attempting to determine if cryptozoology really is a genuine science (Michael Sheard just writes the introduction). Also goes on to consider the further question - if people aren't actually seeing monsters, then why do they think they are?
Pretty much guaranteed to make your average Bigfoot hunter or Nessie spotter squeal in outrage, but the writers' main proposition - that the famous cryptids are essentially products of 20th century pop culture - is coherent and well-argued, if nothing else. Some of the chapters are a bit more accessible than others, and they do take a variety of approaches - the section on sea serpents mainly focuses on the cultural development of the idea of such a creature, while the one on the Congo dinosaur is a fierce critique of creationist attempts to hijack science. A thoughtful and persuasive book.
Pretty much guaranteed to make your average Bigfoot hunter or Nessie spotter squeal in outrage, but the writers' main proposition - that the famous cryptids are essentially products of 20th century pop culture - is coherent and well-argued, if nothing else. Some of the chapters are a bit more accessible than others, and they do take a variety of approaches - the section on sea serpents mainly focuses on the cultural development of the idea of such a creature, while the one on the Congo dinosaur is a fierce critique of creationist attempts to hijack science. A thoughtful and persuasive book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Gila Monster (Mirage Mysteries #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When the head of the Venomous Animals Research Institute is found dead in the lab with a Gila monster next to him, Joe and Tom are called in to find out what is going on. It might be an accident, but they don’t think so, especially when they realize just how few people actually liked the victim. With more incidents happening, can the pair find the killer?
I’ve really been enjoying rereading these books, and this book was no exception. I did remember who the killer was about half way through, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment at all. I never wanted to put the book down. The suspects are strong and become well developed as we get to further into the book. There are really only three main characters, but I’m enjoying getting to watch them grow.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-gila-monster-by-sandy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve really been enjoying rereading these books, and this book was no exception. I did remember who the killer was about half way through, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment at all. I never wanted to put the book down. The suspects are strong and become well developed as we get to further into the book. There are really only three main characters, but I’m enjoying getting to watch them grow.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-gila-monster-by-sandy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Cutie's Big Adventures: Cutie Meets Mr. Lizard in Books
Jun 16, 2018
Cutie’s Big Adventures: Cutie Meets Mr. Lizard by Felicia Di John is a wonderful story.
Cutie is a sweet, curious and adventurous dog who lives in a house in the desert. Her mom Ava Rose is six years old and loves Cutie very much. She would like to play with her all day, but she must go to school. Cutie is never happy when her mom leaves her for school because that means she will be home all alone. So today, Cutie decides to go outdoors by herself to play. She explores the desert around her, makes a new friend, and finds that some animals eat strange things. She is having so much fun that she almost forgets to get back home before her mom arrives.
I read this book to my 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students. They loved the book and begged for more stories of Cutie. The story was captivating and the pictures appeared to jump off the page.
Cutie is a sweet, curious and adventurous dog who lives in a house in the desert. Her mom Ava Rose is six years old and loves Cutie very much. She would like to play with her all day, but she must go to school. Cutie is never happy when her mom leaves her for school because that means she will be home all alone. So today, Cutie decides to go outdoors by herself to play. She explores the desert around her, makes a new friend, and finds that some animals eat strange things. She is having so much fun that she almost forgets to get back home before her mom arrives.
I read this book to my 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students. They loved the book and begged for more stories of Cutie. The story was captivating and the pictures appeared to jump off the page.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Big Flood: The Story of Noah and the Ark in Books
Jun 18, 2018
The Big Flood: The Story of Noah and the Ark by Paul Gully is a wonderful new look at the story of Noah and the Ark. The illustrations are well done, very fun to look at and would definitely appeal to youngsters. The text is rhyming and easy to understand, just right for little ones to enjoy. This is a well adapted Bible story.
The story teaches young kids about the unshakeable faith that Noah portrays when God asks him to build an ark and then take care of all the animals on board. He alerts Noah to the fact that He is sending a huge rainstorm that will result in the flooding of the entire earth and He warns Noah that all the non-believers will perish if they refuse to come onto the ark which will be a safe haven for them.
I received an ARC from Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story teaches young kids about the unshakeable faith that Noah portrays when God asks him to build an ark and then take care of all the animals on board. He alerts Noah to the fact that He is sending a huge rainstorm that will result in the flooding of the entire earth and He warns Noah that all the non-believers will perish if they refuse to come onto the ark which will be a safe haven for them.
I received an ARC from Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Purrsistently (46 KP) rated The Life of Pi in Books
Jun 24, 2018
Ew.
It wasn’t the worst thing ever but definitely should have a content warning for graphic dismemberment of people and animals. I was not prepared for that at all and still would have read it but wouldn’t have been so broadsided.
I really didn’t enjoy this at all. I wouldn’t quite say “Don’t read this” but wouldn’t recommend it either. I didn’t find the thoughtful parts to be anything particularly profound, but I expected and would have enjoyed more of those and less extensive descriptions of feces.
I’ve never been one for this kind of story in general unless it featured really great characters. Life of Pi is no The Martian.
If you’re merely curious about it, I would recommend watching the movie instead because it will waste 10 less hours of your time if detailed defecation scenes aren’t your cup of tea.
I really didn’t enjoy this at all. I wouldn’t quite say “Don’t read this” but wouldn’t recommend it either. I didn’t find the thoughtful parts to be anything particularly profound, but I expected and would have enjoyed more of those and less extensive descriptions of feces.
I’ve never been one for this kind of story in general unless it featured really great characters. Life of Pi is no The Martian.
If you’re merely curious about it, I would recommend watching the movie instead because it will waste 10 less hours of your time if detailed defecation scenes aren’t your cup of tea.