Book Review: The Lost Forest: An Unexpected Discovery beneath the Waves by Jennifer Swanson
Early Book Review: Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time by Rebecca Siegel
Early Book Review: The Astronomers' Library: The Books that Unlocked the Mysteries of the Universe by Karen Masters
Book Review: Bespoke & Bespelled by Karen Healey
Bespoke & Bespelled by Karen Healey is a contemporary romance with a touch of paranormal mystery. Stitch-witch and costume designer Marnie Taylor knew she was taking a risk when she left her solid studio job in L.A. and returned to New Zealand for a job on the film adaptation of her favorite fantasy book series. But she didn’t expect supernatural sabotage on set – or her inconvenient but pressing attraction to the leading man. A-lister Rider Adams was excited for something new – the lead in an adaptation of an iconic series. Instead, he’s trapped with a terrible script and a cursed production plagued by mysterious problems from flat tires to costumes that seem to almost magically resize overnight. And for some reason, he can’t stop making an idiot of himself in front of the gorgeous costume supervisor.
Bespoke & Bespelled is a fun and fast read with some great characters. I thought Marnie was a well thought out character that I enjoyed, although I still would have liked more from and about her. I felt like I got even less about Rider and the secondary characters. I liked them, and I liked the witchy and mystery aspects of the story as well. I just felt like there could have been more of everything. More backstory of the main players, or more group interaction with the movie cast and friends, more detail on the growth of friendship and romance. All the pieces were there, but I felt more like I read the overview rather than the nitty gritty, which is what I love to read about. The book is sweet and entertaining, a great one day or weekend read that you can enjoy in the moment without getting overly attached to any of the characters.
Book Review: The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal by Chris French, Narrated by Michael Langan
The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal by Chris French, audiobook narrated by Michael Langan, is an introduction to the world of paranormal beliefs and bizarre experiences. Ghostly encounters, alien abduction, reincarnation, talking to the dead, UFO sightings, inexplicable coincidences, out-of-body and near-death experiences. Are these legitimate phenomena? If not, then how should we go about understanding them? Chris French investigates paranormal claims to discover what lurks behind this "weird shit" and provides authoritative evidence-based explanations for a wide range of superficially mysterious phenomena, and then goes further to draw out lessons with wider applications to many other aspects of modern society where critical thinking is urgently needed. Using academic, comprehensive, logical, and, at times, mathematical approaches, The Science of Weird Shit convincingly debunks ESP, communicating with the dead, and alien abduction claims, among other phenomena. All the while, however, French maintains that our belief in such phenomena is neither ridiculous nor trivial; if anything, such claims can tell us a great deal about the human mind if we pay them the attention they are due.
Early Book Review: The Incredible Octopus: Meet the Eight-Armed Wonder of the Sea by Erin Spencer
The Incredible Octopus: Meet the Eight-Armed Wonder of the Sea by Erin Spencer is a children's nonfiction book that is currently scheduled for release on April 16 2024. Readers are introduced to the fascinating biology of the octopus, from its 3 hearts and 9 brains to suction cups and how they work, and learn all about what it’s like to be an octopus: how they use camouflage and ink, what they eat, and how they reproduce (nests and eggs!). The book also explores the intelligence and playfulness of this animal—and, of course, the famous stories of octopuses who escaped their tanks. Readers will meet 13 different species of octopuses and find out what makes them unique, from the most venomous and best disguised to the deepest and coldest. They'll also get a glimpse into exciting octopus research, technology inspired by octopuses, and ways to help conserve our oceans.
The Incredible Octopus is an interesting book that will hold the interest of young readers that have interest in animals, the ocean, and science. I thought the text and facts were well written and chosen. I also like that they addressed the octopi versus octopuses debate. I liked that there was a glossary, information and links for further research, and books that readers might want to explore for further reading.
The Incredible Octopus is an informational, interesting, and engaging text for your readers interested in the octopus.
Early Book Review: Hidden Places by Claudia Martin
Book Review: Arquivistas: 150 Spectacular Rare Crystal Images by Tatiana Dorow
Book Review: Frenemy Fix-Up (Six Gems) by Yahrah St. John
Early Book Review: Timeboxing: The Power of Doing One Thing at a Time by Marc Zao-Sanders
Early Book Review: Royal Scandal (Royal Blood) by Aimée Carter
Early Book Review: Mysterious, Marvelous Octopus by Paige Towler
Book Review: Recipe For Mr. Banksy (Recipe for Life) by Anni Rose
Book Review: The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish
Early Book Review: Nothing Special, Volume One Through the Elder Woods (A Graphic Novel) by Katie Cook
Early Book Review: Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris
Pretty Ugly is a new look at several old adages. Our young hero finds out that when you are making silly, funny, or scary faces it really can stick that way. Even us parents thought it was made up and just an attempt to make the madness stop! I love the illustrations, and how poor Anna tries so hard to stop looking so darn cute. I also love her literal interpretation that beauty is on the inside. This is an all around fun book, with splendid illustrations, and I hope this will become a favorite for many, and that no one tries Anna's beauty secrets.