My latest Blogging For Books review is for Where The Light Gets In by Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
I don't personally know anyone with dementia, so I can't imagine how devastating it must be to go through this disease with a loved one. Kimberly Williams-Paisley does the perfect job of describing the feelings that happen after you hear the diagnosis and dealing with the disease with your loved one. It's written very honestly and captures all the ups and downs.
The book is not just about Kimberly's reaction but also the toll it takes on her siblings who take turns caring for their mother, and her father who has to cope with losing his wife while she is still alive. The book is not entirely depressing or sad to read, it strikes the right balance of hope and uplifting moments too.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with this disease in their family.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Loved this book. I never heard of Paul Tremblay before, but he's excellent. If you're looking for a thriller-this takes the cake.
The story is about this family whose eldest daughter Marjorie starts to act...possessed. But the question is- Is she really??? The family turns it into a reality show and things spin out of control. I don't want to give away the plot, but I'll say this - Marjorie's possession is not everything you think it is...yet, there is something creepy about her that isn't quite right.
The book takes place in flashbacks by Marjorie's younger sister, Merri. Merri is now an adult writing a book about the experience and voicing her opinions about the exorcism on a blog where she uses a pseudonym. Through Merri we get an new view of everything that happened years before.
Creepy, suspenseful, not a back that will put you to sleep. Great stuff! I love finding a new author I love!
The story is about this family whose eldest daughter Marjorie starts to act...possessed. But the question is- Is she really??? The family turns it into a reality show and things spin out of control. I don't want to give away the plot, but I'll say this - Marjorie's possession is not everything you think it is...yet, there is something creepy about her that isn't quite right.
The book takes place in flashbacks by Marjorie's younger sister, Merri. Merri is now an adult writing a book about the experience and voicing her opinions about the exorcism on a blog where she uses a pseudonym. Through Merri we get an new view of everything that happened years before.
Creepy, suspenseful, not a back that will put you to sleep. Great stuff! I love finding a new author I love!
Friday, June 17, 2016
A Haven On Orchard Lane
My latest review for Bethany House Publishing:
Judge a book by it's cover on this one! I just love it! The old English cottage filled with blooming gardens and a 'Come on in " open gate...it's the prettiest cover I've seen in a long time and it reflects the story well.
The main characters are Charlotte and her estranged daughter Rosalind, although (spoiler alert) they don't estranged for long, which I'm happy about because it wouldn't be the same without their mother-daughter relationship. The two of them are brought together after Charlotte's mini-breakdown and stay at the titled cottage on Orchard Lane, England, during the 1880's.
The lesser characters are just as charming. There is Mr.Pearce-the humble book store owner, Mrs. Hooper the town Busybody, Mrs. Deamer-a charmer who makes the perfect friend for Charlotte, and Coral-the meek but growing family cook. Together they make a great little ensemble of characters in this small English haven.
The story flows along in authentic Olde English tone ('by the by' and a 'cuppa' tea while playing 'draughts') with some low level drama. It's the perfect escape that leaves you feeling happy and charmed, with nothing grisly or scandalous. It's a sensible story for all ages.
I haven't read any other books by Lawana Blackwell, but this one makes me want to check out more. Perfect setting, great characters, and worth the time to read!
Judge a book by it's cover on this one! I just love it! The old English cottage filled with blooming gardens and a 'Come on in " open gate...it's the prettiest cover I've seen in a long time and it reflects the story well.
The main characters are Charlotte and her estranged daughter Rosalind, although (spoiler alert) they don't estranged for long, which I'm happy about because it wouldn't be the same without their mother-daughter relationship. The two of them are brought together after Charlotte's mini-breakdown and stay at the titled cottage on Orchard Lane, England, during the 1880's.
The lesser characters are just as charming. There is Mr.Pearce-the humble book store owner, Mrs. Hooper the town Busybody, Mrs. Deamer-a charmer who makes the perfect friend for Charlotte, and Coral-the meek but growing family cook. Together they make a great little ensemble of characters in this small English haven.
The story flows along in authentic Olde English tone ('by the by' and a 'cuppa' tea while playing 'draughts') with some low level drama. It's the perfect escape that leaves you feeling happy and charmed, with nothing grisly or scandalous. It's a sensible story for all ages.
I haven't read any other books by Lawana Blackwell, but this one makes me want to check out more. Perfect setting, great characters, and worth the time to read!
Saturday, June 4, 2016
The Book of Joan by Melissa Rivers
My latest book review for Blogging For Books....
I can tell Melissa Rivers has inherited her mother's comedic genes because this book is filled with 'Rivers' quality' jokes and barbs. Each page has a laugh-out-loud moment, with chapters like Death Be Not Loud, and F's and U's and P's and Q's.
This book is a great capsule of Joan's life, too,you learn about what she was like behind the jokes. Melissa's relationship with her mom will remind everyone a bit of their own mothers; the love, the exasperation, and the admiration as you grow older. It's another reason why the book is so relatable, it's not only about Joan and Melissa, it's those situations we've had with our own mothers that will make you laugh as you read along.
Very Funny, very sweet, and a great weekend read.
I can tell Melissa Rivers has inherited her mother's comedic genes because this book is filled with 'Rivers' quality' jokes and barbs. Each page has a laugh-out-loud moment, with chapters like Death Be Not Loud, and F's and U's and P's and Q's.
This book is a great capsule of Joan's life, too,you learn about what she was like behind the jokes. Melissa's relationship with her mom will remind everyone a bit of their own mothers; the love, the exasperation, and the admiration as you grow older. It's another reason why the book is so relatable, it's not only about Joan and Melissa, it's those situations we've had with our own mothers that will make you laugh as you read along.
Very Funny, very sweet, and a great weekend read.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Wonderland by Amily Shen
When I first saw this book being offered from Blogging For Books my inner child jumped for joy. The Alice in Wonderland story as a whimsical adult coloring book! Receiving it was like Christmas Day.
I've heard all about the adult coloring book craze but I had yet to take part in it myself, one pack of colored pencils later and I am hooked!
Wonderland is loaded with high quality paper pages. I used colored pencils (fine markers would also work well) whatever you use you will need a sharp point because the details are very fine! Besides the fanciful drawings there is also the classic Alice in Wonderland tale, along with a few other activities like a seek and find that goes through the story, or a page to finish drawing your own version of the butterflies.
There are not just hours of entertainment in this book-there are weeks and months worth! However much detail you want to fill in is up to you. Time flies and you can spend half an hour just perfecting the details on a small corner of a page. It's so relaxing and an activity any age would enjoy.
Five+ stars! Make anyone happy by giving them this book.
I included some images of examples from the pages within the book:
I've heard all about the adult coloring book craze but I had yet to take part in it myself, one pack of colored pencils later and I am hooked!
Wonderland is loaded with high quality paper pages. I used colored pencils (fine markers would also work well) whatever you use you will need a sharp point because the details are very fine! Besides the fanciful drawings there is also the classic Alice in Wonderland tale, along with a few other activities like a seek and find that goes through the story, or a page to finish drawing your own version of the butterflies.
There are not just hours of entertainment in this book-there are weeks and months worth! However much detail you want to fill in is up to you. Time flies and you can spend half an hour just perfecting the details on a small corner of a page. It's so relaxing and an activity any age would enjoy.
Five+ stars! Make anyone happy by giving them this book.
I included some images of examples from the pages within the book:
Monday, April 25, 2016
Point of Origin / Patricia Cornwell
I picked this book up for 10 cents at a garage sale four years ago, (yes, I have four year old book piles) and I'm finally reading it. This is my blog-as-you-go review, because right now I'm about three chapters in. So far, pretty good. There's been a huge fire at the horse stables and the question is-is it arson?? And who is the mysterious woman melted under the shower door? And there's a side story of Scarpetta's niece and her psychotic lesbian lover, I don't know how that is going to pan out. I haven't read any of the four books earlier in this series, so I'm kind of piecing things together at this point. So far: I give this a B.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
The Bee Friendly Garden
My Blooging For Book's review of The Bee Friendly Garden
The weather is finally warming up here in the midwest making it the perfect time to consult The Bee Friendly Garden book. I was out uncovering my garden plots and checking out areas that could use some new plants, but before I start planting I want to pick out the best plants to help with the diminishing bee population. After all, beautiful gardens + more bees is a win-win for all.
It's so easy to start a bee friendly garden. I know, because the first year I started a little garden by the side of the house, I threw down a couple of packets of wild flower seeds and let nature take it's course. By the end of summer I had towering sunflowers and bold orange cosmos with little effort from me.
Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowers to grow and bees love them. Black eyed susans and cosmos also make the list. There is nothing better than to watch the growth of a garden from the start of the season to the end. It's a highly addictive activity and before you know it you'll be expanding your gardens in all directions.
The Bee Friendly Garden book has bright, full color pics of the flowers bees are most attracted to, along with lists of the best annuals and perennials to plant. Many of these are popular varieties that are easy to find at any home and garden center in the springtime, which makes it easy for anybody to get started. Or, if you don't have the time for a full garden, then a cluster of perennials will do. As long as everybody tries, the problem of diminishing bee populations can be helped.
This is a great book for any would be gardener. The plight of the bee gives an extra incentive to plant a garden to enjoy and while also helping the ecosystem.
The weather is finally warming up here in the midwest making it the perfect time to consult The Bee Friendly Garden book. I was out uncovering my garden plots and checking out areas that could use some new plants, but before I start planting I want to pick out the best plants to help with the diminishing bee population. After all, beautiful gardens + more bees is a win-win for all.
It's so easy to start a bee friendly garden. I know, because the first year I started a little garden by the side of the house, I threw down a couple of packets of wild flower seeds and let nature take it's course. By the end of summer I had towering sunflowers and bold orange cosmos with little effort from me.
Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowers to grow and bees love them. Black eyed susans and cosmos also make the list. There is nothing better than to watch the growth of a garden from the start of the season to the end. It's a highly addictive activity and before you know it you'll be expanding your gardens in all directions.
The Bee Friendly Garden book has bright, full color pics of the flowers bees are most attracted to, along with lists of the best annuals and perennials to plant. Many of these are popular varieties that are easy to find at any home and garden center in the springtime, which makes it easy for anybody to get started. Or, if you don't have the time for a full garden, then a cluster of perennials will do. As long as everybody tries, the problem of diminishing bee populations can be helped.
This is a great book for any would be gardener. The plight of the bee gives an extra incentive to plant a garden to enjoy and while also helping the ecosystem.
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