Expeditions Unpacked by Ed Stafford Master of the Phantom Isle by Brandon Mull 5/5 StarsI love all of Brandon Mull’s books but this story just seemed… extra funny and even more adventurous than usual. Seth has no memory of his identity and is with Ronodin in the Phantom Isle. Kendra and her friends travel from Wyrmroost to the Crescent Lagoon, both for protection and to help the fallen sanctuary of Crescent Lagoon. We’re introduced to new characters, like a giant,…
Expeditions Unpacked is a book I didn’t know I needed in my life and now that it’s there I want 100 more just like it. This book covers 25 explorers who were the first to accomplish a goal in their field, such as the first person to climb Everest, walking the Amazon River, or the first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe, to name a few. Each entry has a list accompanied by illustrations of 20-30 items the explorer had with…
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson 4/5 StarsI love that Magnusson says she is aged “between 80 and 100” and that this is her first book. I thought this would be more about decluttering (like The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up) but I feel that this book would most benefit someone over 50. It is geared towards those thinking of gradually really paring down and getting rid of things to the comfortable necessities so when…
Nobody Cares by Anne T. Donahue 4/5 StarsI really enjoyed these essays and can relate to Anne in many ways (anxiety! Titanic! Harry Styles!) but towards the end she got pretty politically preachy. I listened to the audiobook version and really enjoyed that the author read it. The essay format and humor was a breath of fresh air compared to what I usually read and I look forward to more from this author. Overall I liked it and would recommend.kindle,…
I’m pretty surprised at how many books I read (12) and reviewed (10) this month. Now that I look back it’s fewer than I read in June but I guess July was busier for me. We’re getting ready to head out on a summer road trip. I’m only bringing my kindle so I won’t be putting a dent in my physical TBR pile but I have an even worse problem digitally because of so many free or really cheap books….
I was delightfully surprised with how much I enjoyed Sparrowhawk. Artemisia has had a difficult time (mostly with her stepmother and one of her half sisters) growing up as an illegitimate child. Set in mid-nineteenth century England, Artemisia has spent her time as a lady’s maid for her sister Elizabeth, who has just died. Fortunately the sister she is close with, Caroline, is still alive. Elizabeth was set to marry someone who would help their family’s financial situation, but now…
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula BrackstonI really like many aspects of this book. Xanthe is an antiques dealer who can “hear” certain pieces telling her their story. She discovers one piece that causes her to travel back in time and ties her to an angry ghost who is looking for her daughter’s name to be cleared of a crime. My issue with this book is that it seems a few great ideas (time travel, ghost, magical realism)…
Circle of the Moon by Faith HunterI feel so torn about these books. I love the characters, the setting, everyone’s different magical abilities. But. After reading about mysterious ailments throughout so many books between the Soulwood and Jane Yellowrock series, I don’t think I can take anymore. They seem to get weirder and more unexplained as it goes on and the novelty has worn off for me. Unfortunately I think this is my last Faith Hunter book, for now.3/5 Stars…
I’m not a reader of thrillers or erotica but I am a fan of the writing Danielle has done under the name of Juliette Sobanet, so I was both excited to try something new and not sure what to expect with this erotic thriller. I was absolutely blown away by how much I loved it. I’ll jump right in to a few of my favorite things about this book: It was a fast-paced, immersive read. I didn’t have to make…
The Glass Woman by Caroline LeaBefore my trip to Iceland I came across a write-up about this book and its upcoming release. 1600’s Iceland and odd things happening; it sounded like a perfect Iceland souvenir to pick up while I was there. I did end up finding it in Reykjavik and since Iceland is so expensive the darn thing cost me $40. I was really disappointed by this book. I think if every part that has the main character, Rosa,…