Category: Reading



Acorna's World (Acorna, #4)Acorna’s World by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I can’t believe it! I finally finished reading an actual hardback book. Of course, it’s Anne McCaffrey. I started it on February 13, 2020, and finished two days ago. I have tracking issues and find paper books hard to follow. I have always had this problem, but since my 60s, it has been far harder. I’m thankful to be alive when we have Kindle Text-to-Speech or Audible. And anyone who knows me, I am addicted to reading. I was the girl who had to check out 10 (the limit) books every time I went to the library. And the library and bookstores are still my favorite places. But if I take it slow, I can get through a book.

This is book 4 of the Acorna series. I love most of the characters. RK the cat is the best. I am most disappointed that the series dedicated to the Unicorn Girl seems to be far less of her than everyone else. I would love more about Granddam. But maybe as the series continues, I will find more of what I want from the Unicorn people.

I have been fortunate to have most of Anne McCaffrey’s books in the first edition. This one was not, and neither are the next couple. But I will buy the hardbacks to keep reading “real” books. Meanwhile, I did pick up the Kindle version from Libby. With a trip coming up, I have to save my pennies. But next month, I will buy hardback #5.

By the way, I think Anne McCaffrey’s writing doesn’t age. It is so current, no matter what is going on here. Try them!

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The Rabbit HutchThe Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay, the truth is I am only 50% finished. And that was pushing it for a couple of nights.

No. Just no. I am not in the mood for little character discoveries. I am a deep-series person. Not getting to know my imaginary people any better than a pass on the street is not something I can handle.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not saying YOU won’t like it. You may very well love it. Check out the reviews. They are so varied. It’s just not for me.

I must admit to loving the voices of Tess Gunty (Author and narrator), Scott Brick (Narrator), Suzanne Toren (Narrator), and others. But it was not enough for me. I need more story in my books than what they offered.

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Catherine, Called BirdyCatherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I admit I wasn’t as in love with this one as Karen Cushman’s Midwife’s Apprentice. But maybe it is how that period was compared to how the main character portrayed her life. But had she not, the story would have been boring. And less educational. There was far more feminine leeway in what Catherine or Birdy did daily.

Still, as a read-aloud or read-along with middle-grade students, a teacher or parent could develop a considerable lesson plan incorporating everything from hygiene to the Crusades. In fact, as an adult, it was fascinating to learn all the crafts needed for survival that we engage in as hobbies now.

This was written diary form so that you could live the day-by-day of a young woman about to be married off. The abuses are blatant. The dangers of that time for newborns through older people are a given. That anyone lived through all this shows the human endurance of history.

So even though not as well-loved as a story, this is certainly worth the read and discussions that could develop.

I was able to read this on Libby. I will try to look up more of Karen Cushman’s work.

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The League of Gentlewomen Witches (Dangerous Damsels, #2)The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About halfway into this book, I thought of what I wanted to say about this book. It is:

Improperly provocative done properly. Another I thought of since:  Wickedly Proper

Witches, pirates, tea parties, and subtle romance keep this story going. So funny, I nearly spit my tea, yet subtle enough not to wake my husband with my guffaws.

Elizabeth Knowelden (Narrator) gave the proper voice to read this fun book.

I think I liked this one far more than India Holton’s first book, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. The witches versus pirates made my day!

If you are looking for a fun diversion from everyday torture, this book might do the job. I was lucky to find this audio version on Libby.

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The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of DenialThe Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial by David Lipsky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am really not finished yet. I am at 99%, but I wanted to write this review before closing the laptop.

This is highly political, but David Lipsky seems to have no favorites. He has much to say about the denial on both sides of the aisle. I love science, but this proves how human ambition can kill science and the people who would benefit most from knowing the answers, however they proved.

Mike Chamberlain (Narrator) did a reasonably good job reading the book, but there wasn’t much to work with. It seemed the thing I hated most about this book was how the author chose to pretty up the story with words or illustrations that seemed to entertain him. I found these annoying, and it took me out of the story he was trying to tell. Not to say this is fiction. It was history in light of science and politics.

There are various opinions about this book in the reviews. Maybe you will love it? Or not? Try for yourself to see.

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The Midwife's ApprenticeThe Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish books didn’t need tags like ‘middle grade’ or ‘young adult’ as this book had so much depth for all ages. Maybe somewhere, we could say, middle grades could read this. Young adults can relate. But I think this would make a great read-aloud to share. A teacher or parent could do the reading. There are a lot of conversation starters built in that people should enjoy.

For someone who entertained the occupation of midwifery, this called me as much as the show, ‘Call the Midwife.’ The miracle of birth and mothering are passions of mine.

This was a Libby Kindle that I was able to use text-to-speech. I think I would have loved a narrator, but the TTS did a great job all the way through. Can anyone tell me why TTS can’t say ‘finger’ but rather says ‘finJay’? That was the only word I had to take a moment to understand. But that was okay. Your brain adjusts to small inconsistencies like that.

Apparently, there are discussion booklets and book group helps. I would love to have been a part of one of those.

I am now a fan of Karen Cushman and can’t wait to read more of her books. I hope you like her, too.

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Dragon Mage Academy The Complete Series: Books 1-7 Box SetDragon Mage Academy The Complete Series: Books 1-7 Box Set by Cordelia Castel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this. I did trudge through as there were threads of plot I wanted to see to the end. But I had the series on Kindle with text-to-speech on speed level 3. It almost sounded like the chipmunks were reading it, but I could follow the storyline and stay with it. I had pushed it aside, but I ran out of stuff to read for a moment, and there it was, so I tried again.

The characters were unrelatable. And I don’t know about you, but as much as I loved seeing books of girls defeating the male-dominated societies by pretending to be boys, I prefer stories of females making it in equalitarian societies. All things being equal, I love the dragons in this story. They are intelligent and bond with humans to get things done.

Go read the reviews. They are quite mixed. You may love this book. You may hate it. At least you’ll have a decent read for a few nights.

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Each of these books introduces another layer of paranormal being. We meet a poltergeist in this one. Sadly, we don’t get to know the ghost in the depth we have in the others, witches and vampires. Maybe that is yet to come? I suggest it.

Anyway, as fun as the previous books were, this one didn’t let me down. I’m getting used to not sleeping because the book has me wrapped up in all the yarn tangles.

I love the author’s way of telling a story and I think that Sarah Zimmerman brings it all to life. Her ability to switch accents or voices to act out each character.

My biggest problem is not being able to find another boxed set for books 10-12. Seems like I’ll have to read them one by one.

Bring ’em on! I love this series!


Each of these books introduces another layer of paranormal being. We meet a poltergeist in this one. Sadly, we don’t get to know the ghost in the depth we have in the others, witches and vampires. Maybe that is yet to come? I suggest it.

Anyway, as fun as the previous books were, this one didn’t let me down. I’m getting used to not sleeping because the book has me wrapped up in all the yarn tangles.

I love the author’s way of telling a story and I think that Sarah Zimmerman brings it all to life. Her ability to switch accents or voices to act out each character.

My biggest problem is not being able to find another boxed set for books 10-12. Seems like I’ll have to read them one by one.

Bring ’em on! I love this series!


Each of these books introduces another layer of paranormal being. We meet a poltergeist in this one. Sadly, we don’t get to know the ghost in the depth we have in the others, witches and vampires. Maybe that is yet to come? I suggest it.

Anyway, as fun as the previous books were, this one didn’t let me down. I’m getting used to not sleeping because the book has me wrapped up in all the yarn tangles.

I love the author’s way of telling a story and I think that Sarah Zimmerman brings it all to life. Her ability to switch accents or voices to act out each character.

My biggest problem is not being able to find another boxed set for books 10-12. Seems like I’ll have to read them one by one.

Bring ’em on! I love this series!

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