Category: Reading


Review: Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones by Carolyne Larrington

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May 23, 2016

Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones (20151021)Winter is Coming: The Medieval World of Game of Thrones by Carolyne Larrington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I picked this book up from NetGalley.com free for review.

My husband, my friends, and my adult kids and I are fans of GoT (what nerds call Game of Thrones). We are so invested that we read every book and listened to the awful Audible narrator, listened to tons of podcasts (Boiled Leather comes to mind) and we talk about the books and the TV series all the time. I love the series so much that I could have it playing all day long. The music is fantastic! So when I saw this calling to me on NetGalley, I couldn’t resist. And it was a fun, interesting read.

My favorite parts of the book were the direct quotes either from the books or the TV series. My least favorite was that it ended with last season’s stuff. I hope the author comes back to add to it when this season has finished. So many answers have come up, yet more challenges to the authors to bring us something even better! Yes, this challenge is for both George R. R. Martin and the author of this book, Carolyn Larrington.

I loved that she delved deep into history and literary history too so correlations between Westeros and Essos and Europe’s and Asia’s past And I think she was quite inspiring to the person that likes history or literature with her extensive bibliography attached at the end of the book. I am almost tempted to see about reading a couple of the books she mentioned.

I highly suggest this read to those who are fans of Game of Thrones.

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Review: Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby

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May 7, 2016

Spare Change (Wyattsville, #1)Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finally, I understand! I have read other books by Bette Lee Crosby but sorely out of order. Not that the books were bad having read them that way, but there were holes of understanding that I couldn’t quite grasp. This book is the first of the series Wyattsville whose characters show up in another series Memory House. Now to fill in those holes better I will try to read both sets in order.

The cover gets to me every time I look at it. And that is the spirit you feel for one of the main characters in the book. Poor kid. But the adults in this book are equally downtrodden and you grow to love a few of them while growing animosity for others.

These books almost seem to be collections of characters and their development. Except they are developing at the same time and living their own lives. Sometimes life crosses their paths and unites people who might not have gotten together. That is what makes these stories believable.

What Ms. Crosby brings out best is how love, expected or not can mend hearts and save lives. I can’t wait to read the rest of these… in order.

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Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

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The MartianThe Martian by Andy Weir

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe I didn’t write a review for this a couple days ago when I finished it. I’ve done nothing but talk about it and relive it over and over.

THIS is science fiction at it best. You can keep Star Wars and all those warring space epics. I like, I dwell in the books that are about invention, exploration, and survival. And this book took me there. Since Podkayne of Mars by Heinlein, that I read in junior high, I have been crazy about Mars. Great to finally get another Mars fix. I haven’t had one since I finished the Saving Mars series: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show….

One might think that I would be disappointed that this book is written by a male author and stars the same. But I never felt the author being chauvinistic in any way. The stranded astronaut could have easily been a female. In fact, Mr. Weir had one of the leading officers on the mission a female who attempted the impossible to find her missing shipmate. And women play important parts in trying to get the astronaut back home. It is coincidence that the left behind is a brilliant male scientist rather than a brilliant female scientist. So I was right in there relating to the main character and rooting for him the whole way.

As much as I loved the story, I loved the author’s notes at the end of the book. I felt the research that must have gone into this story. Could I prove or disprove any of it? Of course not. It all sounded reasonable. It flowed properly for a science fiction. Sci-fi authors don’t need to have their science perfectly proven. Just get the reader to believe it is possible. That is how many of the inventions we use today got here: sci-fi writers.

I think the hardest part for me to believe is how well the main character held up to being stranded alone for so long. The humor that Andy Weir played out could possibly get a person through it, but how would he be able to keep his spirits up all the time like that? But I suppose Disco and 70s sit-coms could help. At any rate, the main character, Mark Watney, remains the hero of his own life. And became a part of my heart.

I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH THE MOVIE!!!!!

Oh, shoot! I nearly forgot to include my thoughts of the magnificent narrator, R. C. Bray. Fantastic job!!!!

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Review: Theft at the Fair and Other Stories by Gita V. Reddy

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April 21, 2016

Theft at the Fair and Other Stories (It's a Mystery)Theft at the Fair and Other Stories by Gita V. Reddy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was given this book for an honest review.

Gita V. Reddy, the author, lives in India. Her books take place in India. So, I suggest that this presents an educational opportunity for parents and teachers. Pull out the encyclopedias, books about India, and/or make sure Google is available. Though Gita takes the time to explain terms or words within the story that are regional, it would stop the flow of the story to explain everything India. And this set of stories keeps you reading, even as an adult.

The mysteries are right up front. I love that they help the reader to learn to use their powers of observation. That was the only super-power I would allow my children to use. (Otherwise, with cape flowing they would have jumped from second story windows. So no capes or pretending other powers.)

Since I should have written this yesterday, I can’t remember exactly, but I think each of the stories was about some kind of theft. (Well, duh! it is there in the title of the book! **wink, wink**) I did wonder if there was a higher incidence in India than America. But realized that it could be localized here, also. I live in a small town (population approximately one thousand) and I assume we have as much crime here, per capita as L.A. usually drug related. So India is probably comparable. AND I prefer a mystery that has to do with theft over kidnapping or murder. And in this case, it is the smart children that figure it out. Hopefully, that comes with the conversation that kids who see something should say something to parents, teachers, authorities, etc. So this book is valuable for all that the reader puts into it.

The author mentions money statements. Another Google shows us what that means and how it translates to American money. But more than anything else, these stories are fun and show us how much we have in common and teach us about other people, respecting others and their properties. And did I mention, these stories are fun?

I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially parents and teachers to facilitate a great learning experience.

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Review: The Way Back from Broken by Amber J. Keyser

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April 16, 2016

The Way Back from BrokenThe Way Back from Broken by Amber J. Keyser

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yay! I won this book in a contest by Cidney Swanson. Here is her page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show…

I think I would have finished this book a long time ago had it been in Kindle format. But this way I will be able to share not only the signed book but the swag of postcards that came with it. I’ll add the BookCrossing BCID at the bottom of this review.

This book addresses the children of families that have lost babies, either pre or post birth. It may seem silly that we leave the siblings out of the grieving process for these situations but this shows the depth that kids of all ages feel for their departed loved ones. And though ‘lost infants’ is the focus of the mourning process, and though the book is aimed at children or young adults, I think this might be a great book for other ages and other types of losses.

With the topic that is so sad and frustrating for the young characters in the book, I found the book slow for me. But for those whose eyes can handle the font, this might read faster. Still, I felt the author said what needed to be said for the reader, and the characters. And please don’t give up if it doesn’t move along fast enough. It will pick up toward the end and you will be so happy that you stayed with it.

I finished reading the book a couple days ago. I just didn’t want to let go of the characters or adventure that they find themselves a part of. I miss all of it. I miss them. I want to know more of what happens next. I don’t know if the author plans a sequel. The reader isn’t left on any cliff. But I would love to see the story continue.

Congratulations, Amber J. Keyser, on a book well done and on a subject matter not covered very often.

Here is the BCID: 118-13963555

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Review: Cowgirl by Java Davis

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April 2, 2015

CowgirlCowgirl by Java Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun little story. I loved the main character and her independent ways. I loved how caring she was as a person, leaving safety and comfort to protect her younger brother from people who were mean and judgemental. I loved how she invested herself and her monies to those who needed her help. Best of all, I loved that she was a Jewish cowgirl in Nevada. That made a very different novel than other ‘westerns’ I have had experience with.

Unfortunately, I found the writing to be, I don’t know, removed? I never quite felt I was there with the main character on her adventures. Maybe I needed more senses involved? Maybe the passive writing was more passive than I am used to? I really can’t say what it was.

On the other hand, I felt the author took chances with some very brave motives. Hitting on child abuse, sexual preferences, religion, Java Davis, author, handles these themes with finesse. Then, of course, there was a wonderful horse and dog to carry the story the rest of the way. I feel this book could be read by anyone from the young adult on. We all need to see how life was in other times, and for people who are different that ‘average’.

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Review: The Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West

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The Ruth Valley MissingThe Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you, Chris, for recommending this read to me. It was all you said it was, and more! It was free with Kindle Unlimited when I picked it up, but it is free either way, right now. It is worth the read!

Tired of city life, Jameson Quinn, finds a quaint little town to call home. But you know how small towns are, she barely arrived and everyone knew her name and business. But that wasn’t her problem. She welcomed that layer of openness after not knowing any of her neighbors back in the big city. She made a couple friends right away and found a great little two story cabin to live in on the sheriff’s property. What could go wrong? This is a town where no one locks their doors. Safe, right? Then she gets involved in the church.

The first half of the book is dedicated to getting to know James and her new neighbors. But the second half moves so much faster as the suspense grows, danger around every corner. Who can you trust? How can you help your friends? Wow! I couldn’t stop reading. I had to see what was going to happen.

The ending? Well, threads were tied up. But I would sure like to know what the next part of Jameson’s life is about. Please, Amber West, write a book two! This was fun!

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Review: Girl On Horseback – Volume I by Eileen Tidwell

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March 30, 2015

Girl On Horseback - Volume IGirl On Horseback – Volume I by Eileen Tidwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My 12-year old self would have loved this book!

When I was in fifth grade and sixth grade, I had a friend who lived next door and she had a horse and a donkey. I would help her every day to feed, brush and clean up after these two. My friend, whose name was Marlene, told me I owned half of the donkey, Jenny. I never knew which half I owned but we would go riding a lot together and I preferred the donkey. One day we were riding on the hill behind our grade school. Marlene coaxed her horse to gallop downhill. I wasn’t about to be outdone, so Jenny and I started our run. But Jenny had a sense of humor. She stopped mid-stride and I tumbled head over hers and landed in front of her. Jenny hee hawed her amusement as did Marlene. I wanted to cry but couldn’t be seen as the cry-baby so I started laughing too. Jenny was forgiven immediately and we continued our trek, more slowly.

Anyway, like all girls that age, I spend my days drawing donkeys and horses. Still do in my doodling times. I dreamed of our times out riding. I still wish I could get out and ride horses. So this book gave me that experience. I was impressed with how vivid the author, Eileen Tidwell, painted the pictures of how to bridle or saddle or otherwise deal with horses.

Though this is labeled as a Christian book, it isn’t preachy. It merely states that the main character, Abby, went to church on Sunday and so didn’t get to ride her horse at that time, and she prayed when her horse was ill. I didn’t think that either of those story items necessary, but it didn’t distract from the story. The book is mostly about the girl learning her way around being with horses.

Maybe because of my age, I found the book less than exciting. I kept reading because it was about horses. But except for the bit about a flood near the end, the excitement just wasn’t there as I would have liked. Even so, I have book two ready for when I can get to it!

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Review: Running with Curves: Why You’re Not Too Fat to Run, and the Skinny on How to Start Today by Jill Angie

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March 28, 2015

Running with Curves: Why You're Not Too Fat to Run, and the Skinny on How to Start TodayRunning with Curves: Why You’re Not Too Fat to Run, and the Skinny on How to Start Today by Jill Angie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

People may wonder, as I do, why I read things that are a bit far removed from my reality. I think I collect books and read them as a sort of dream-board idea. Sometimes for research for writing, but, in this case, a sort of hope, that someday I will be well again and be able to challenge my body to fun. Running looks like fun. I doubt I will be ready for it for quite a while as I am just now able to take an occasional walk. But with spring in the air, I plan to get out more and more. Who knows, maybe a sprint or two will result here and there.

This book doesn’t get into the damages that can be done to legs or knees when a person is overweight or out of shape. But assumes that the person has figured out how far one can push themselves. It is more a book of inspiration. You can do it. Don’t worry about how you look to others, regain your own self-confidence. If I gained nothing else from the book I did pull that into my being. It is something I need to work on. And so my walks will be a part of that.

Thank you, Jill Angie for writing a book about running for people like me.

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Review: The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-Wise Cat by James Bowen

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The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-Wise CatThe World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-Wise Cat by James Bowen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Warmed my soul! I have to thank my friend, Cher, for recommending this book to me.

This was actually book two. My library didn’t have book one on Kindle or OverDrive so I’ll have to wait until I have the money to buy it. Still, I didn’t feel lost. Bob continues to be the author’s savior and best friend. I can certainly understand how furry friends help us all. And Bob looks like my Teddy! He has helped me when I feel my worst with my fibromyalgia.

Though the title is The World According to Bob, it is more or less the story of James Bowen and how his cat has helped him. He doesn’t try to get into Bob’s head and try to understand things from the cat’s point of view. This stays with James’s interpretation of the world while being buddies with a wonderful feline.

I recommend this book to all. It is heartwarming. We all need that kind of tale from time to time. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

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