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The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Betty Edwards | 1979 | Art, Photography & Fashion, Reference, Technical
9
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
really great for building confidence and teaching basic exercises (2 more)
Perfect for people who think they "can't draw" (drawing is a skill, and perfectly learn-able)
Will help a whole lot if you are just starting
Will hold you back if you let it (1 more)
The neuroscience this is based on is sadly outdated
Great book, but FOR BEGINNERS ONLY
So this book is really, really good for beginners. I have bought multiple copies of it to give to people who are afraid to start drawing, and they loved how fast they improved. It also kind of helps you learn to learn more (if that makes sense)

If you cling to it afterwards, it will stunt you, though. It doesn't teach much in the way of perspective, color, composition, art historical precedents, or mastery of techniques and materials (but really, there are whole books and disagreeing theory families on each of those topics...)


To start drawing, I have yet to find something better. Just give it to someone else when you are done.
  
I enjoyed Ms. Dicken's work with this newest installment in the My Heart Belongs series. She is a superbly talented author and really swept me away with her coal mining setting and her beautifully chiseled characters. As a granddaughter of a miner, I really loved reading this time period. 

Alex and Leanna's characters were perfect! I was instantly captivated by them both and loved watching them grow in their feelings for each other. And, the sweet children! Oh how I adored them and was glad that they were in the story. 

This is definitely a 4 star addition to the series. If you are longing for a book that will take you away to a richly detailed historical setting, to a world where the characters become like family, and a book that is filled with beautiful messages of longing, hope and forgiveness, then grab this one up! Ms. Dicken has a new fan in me. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/CelebrateLit Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
FP
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm new to Ms. Johnson's work, but I won't be for long! I truly enjoyed this beautifully written novel. It's the 3rd book in her Keys Of Promise series, but it was still highly enjoyable, despite not reading the first two books.

In this novel, Ms. Johnson weaves the perfect combination of faith, hope, and love, along with beautifully depicted historical elements. I was instantly captivated from page one and this book took me on a whirl wind ride until the end. Catherine and Tom both stole my heart for the long run, and I loved following their story!

Ms. Johnson created a story well worth 4 stars, for sure! This is a quick, beautiful read and I am already anxious for more! I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in this wonderful series, and I look forward to adding Ms. Johnson among my favorite authors list! Well done, and bring on the next! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/?p=13719"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
GH
Grounded Hearts
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ms. Dickson is a new to me author. I really enjoyed getting to know her work through this wonderful historical fiction novel! From start to finish, I was pulled into the center of the story and kept there until the very last page was reached. 
This book was a double bonus for me! I have always loved Ireland(even if I haven’t ever visited there!) and I have always loved the World War II era. This book is the best of both those worlds. Filled with wonderful details of historic happenings, and characters like Nan and Dutch that quickly steal your heart, I felt like I was transported back into the world of Hitler, and emotions so strong that they become the reader’s emotions. 
Ms. Dickson is definitely an author I recommend. She created this 4 star novel with passionate detail to another place in time, and left me feeling all the feels with this book. I loved the story line of redemption and hope. I can’t wait to read another book by this talented author! 
  
BT
Between Two Shores
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been some time since I read a Jocelyn Green novel, and let me tell you this....it was so refreshing to get back to her books. This book, filled with beautiful historical detail, took me on a journey to Montreal, and kept me hooked until the last page was reached. 

Catherine, Samuel, Bright Star, and the amazing characters truly became a part of my soul. I loved following them on their journey. The rich detail of the French and Indian War was depicted beautifully. It came to life for me, making me feel a part of Catherine and Samuel's lives. 

If you love history, hope, longing and mercy, then grab this book up. It's tenderly written, and will wrap you up as you read through these pages. As a reader, the emotions will flow through you the further into the story that you get. I highly recommend this with 4 stars and two thumbs up. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Entry Island in Books

Mar 27, 2019  
Entry Island
Entry Island
Peter May | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not my usual sort of thing, but recommended to (more like thrust upon) me by someone whose taste in books is usually interesting. Not necessarily in this case, though: a competent mash-up of a contemporary police procedural thriller with a windblown historical romance set during the Highland clearances (younger readers, ask your dad): a Canadian cop starts having flashbacks (kind of) to his ancestor's life while investigating a murder on a remote island; he feels certain he knows the prime suspect, although she and he have never met before...

The structure of the book certainly works in its favour: whenever you get bored of the whodunnit, the switch to goings-on in the 19th century Hebrides is welcome, and vice versa. And, fair's fair, the story does pick up pace and interest in the final third after a slightly stodgy opening. However, neither the plotting nor the writing are what I'd call inspired; workmanlike is the word that springs to mind. Passes the time inoffensively but unlikely to linger in the memory.
  
<i>Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review</i>

What a lovely read. I like strong female characters, but I love strong female leads with visible flaws. Mariel is clever, resourceful, a great archeress…and absolutely terrified of her father which she is very open about to Robert. It was refreshing to read and made Mariel all that more endearing despite her also trying to prove repeatedly that she can “take care of herself.” Yes, that age old trope.

That being said, there are few men worthy of her, but Robert is definitely one of them. Faced with obstacles on all sides, Robert handles them all with ease and dignity all while trying to protect Mariel and not fall for her.

Historical romance can be hit or miss. With so many of them out there, it can be overwhelming to weed out the good ones. AEftA is great read worth your time. While not an original plotline, Watson’s breathes life into it fueled by dynamic characters and a powerful love story you can’t help but root for.
  
SO
Scandal of the Season
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An absolute delight to read. Nothing pleases me more than a couple who genuinely loves each other. It’s so hard to put into words how I feel about this novel. While it’s not groundbreaking or revolutionary, Scandal of the Season is a lovely read filled with mutual love built upon friendship. It’s such a change from the romances where the couple fight the entire time or fall in love because they are forced into each other’s presence for extended periods of time (a.k.a soulmates trope).

I am not sure what I can say about this book. It had a simple but enjoyable storyline, entertaining characters, and a tender love story. The writer also has an easy style that make the story a pleasure to read. The only negative comment I have is that the title is a little misleading. I am still not sure what the scandal was…

  If you are a fan of historical romance, this should definitely be on your TBR list.
  
Grace Thatcher is the granddaughter of the duke of Salisbury and due to his death and an issue with her and her siblings inheritance is strong armed by her waste of space gambler father, into acquiring, or at least pretending to a husband.Grace feels better her than her younger shy timid sister. What follows is series of events that puts the three main characters of the story in the spotlight. We have Grace, sweet caring and totally unspoiled by her unfortunate upbringing which was untill later life a background of poverty. mr Samuel Preston a kind charming gentleman still grieving for his dead wife Elizabeth but determined to live his life as she would have wanted and lastly Nicholas Sutherland Elizabeth brother a dark bitter gruff man who blames Samuel for the death of his sister and his bent on revenge. Saving Grace is a clean sweet romance which shows the characters evolving through their interaction, i breezed through very quickly and loved seeing the way everyone changed for the better a must read for all historical romance fans..
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) in Movies

Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)  
The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)
The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)
1955 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
7
6.8 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The original Hammer horror movie; the studio did actually know how to spell 'experiment', but the title refers to the 'X' certificate that all self-respecting horror films had at the time this was made. Astronaut comes back from space a changed man; the rest of his crew mysteriously vanished - just what went on out there? Professor Q must figure it out before the mutation afflicting the astronaut reaches its final form.

Actually really, really tame as a horror movie by modern standards, obviously, but also of great historical interest as the birth of a legend in British cinema. One can't help suspecting the TV show was a lot more thoughtful, but this still works pretty well as an SF movie, and an influential one at that, and the juxtaposition of B-movie SF ideas and images with post-war Britain is interesting. Imported American star Brian Donlevy is not very good as Professor Q (original writer Nigel Kneale claimed he was on the sauce all the time); Richard Wordsworth is mesmerising as the doomed astronaut.