THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON - Book Review

 

5 STARS - I am still warm from the feel of this book.

I couldn't remember who had suggested to me that I read it, so I was a bit hesitant to start. But my Overdrive hold was lifted and the Audio Book was available, and I thought, "I'll just give it a try". Last famous words:).

Not all of us are brave, ready to take on the world. Yet life happens, and that is what this story unfolds. It is Grace's story. How she has fled to a life in downtown London, before the war. Her story will warm your heart, leave you thinking, and leave you wanting to be better.

SPELLBREAKER and SPELLMAKER

by Charlie N Holberg         

5*s:  Top pick for a fun read - with a bit of magic, intrigue, and a touch of romance;)

This was completely enjoyable! You will find yourself needing a spellbreaker after you get caught up in the spell of this interesting story.  

Age: For Young and Old, I bought it for my 15 year old daughter. Yet we are reading it at our adult book group tonight! 

The UNEXPECTED MRS POLLIFAX - FANTASTIC MYSTERY

 I have not read a really Good Book in a while.

AND THIS was an "UNEXPECTED" Surprise!

I LOVED IT! 5 stars!

You will laugh, you will smile, you will wonder what in the world? You will ask, How can she possibly survive this? It's such a great story, I am on to the next book in the series and looking forward to it!

Also I am off to purchase this book, I want to own it!

(I read a library copy)

ENOLA HOLMES - Book Review

 THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS

5 Stars! 

I admitt - I did first watch the movie - and loved it! So I thought I'd check out her book. I was pleasantly surprised at how clever and enjoyable Nancy Springer is as an author. The books basic plot matched the movie - and yet there were many surprising differences that made this book purely fun to read. If I had little children at home - I would buy this in a second for them to read. As it was, I bought it in a second for me to have/read and then for my 15 year old daughter to also enjoy.

I have just started book two - stay tuned:)

The Heavens are Open by Wendy W Nelson

5 stars!
I first had a subscription to Deseret book Audio books and listened to this book.  Immediately I was drawn in - and easily finished it.  
How much did I enjoy it?  Well, I've now bought the book and shared it with several friends. It's short, full of stories and left me changed - left me thinking and doing things a little bit different - better.
She has such a wonderful way of just "talking" to you.  She is humble, yet strong in her speech.  She is truly amazing and I learned so much!  
One of my favorite Chapters was 8.  Below is a quote from that chapter.  
Enjoy:)

2018 Favorite Reads

I. had. no. idea.  I was visiting WA DC, and while touring museums I heard a little bit about how women got the vote and thought, "I know nothing about this".  I went home and started looking for information on the Suffragette story.  My local Barnes and Noble had NOTHING, my local library had ONE junior book on Susan B Anthony, but that was it!!  Finally after more looking, researching and reading, I found this book.  This book was amazing. Her story is shocking, she tells it in a no nonsense, easy to read way. I underlined and underlined my way through this incredible story.  How could I not have known this?  I bought my daughter this book, I bought myself this book, I had my book group read it... yes, it's that good!  And yes, it's that important!  P.S. It's free on Amazon:)

(byw this is NOT the movie Suffragette, yes, same topic, but not Emmeline's Story)

This was a surprising find from our city Library.  I loved it!  One of those fun stories that just pulls you through.  Easy to read, full of adventure, with twists and little bit of love.  Remember to grab a blanket as you enjoy this frosty story.

more coming.....

We will Not be Silent by Russell Freedman

5 Stars - Don't Miss this Story of Courage among the Youth during WWII

Great true story of courage!  

We read this aloud on a road trip and everyone loved it!  The story pulled us right through to the end!  I loved all the large pictures that kept it real, and kept it interesting!  

This would be a great read for ages 11+.  Not quite a picture book, not quite a novel - this is the perfect book with a message that leaves you wanting to be better, and amazed at the goodness in the world!

Book of the Month: THE HIDING PLACE

If there is ever a book that surprised me, it was this one. 

 It left me feeling ....  GRATEFUL!

This is the perfect book to read for the month of November.  I was hesitant to read it at first.  Not ready to dive into the harshness of WWII.  But I was so surprised!  The first half of the book took me by pleasant surprise ....and the ending left me feeling....grateful!

Book of the Month - A LADY IN DISGUISE

 by Sandra Byrd

I am excited to review October's book!  You will love it!  It's perfect for the month of spooks - as it is packed with mystery from beginning to end.  The suspense kept me turning the pages and I could not put it down.  Thus it was a quick but engaging read!

I loved the suspense, the intrigue and danger that were laced tightly into this story.  Sandra Byrd did a fabulous job.  Gillian is a strong heroin that whose character builds and reveals itself throughout the trouble she finds herself mixed in.  I love her straight forward, honest and brave way of dealing with what life has dumped into her lap.  

Finally, I think what sealed the deal was the great historical fiction that runs throughout the story.  Oh, and that the dashing Viscount Thomas Lockwood did not ride in and take over, but was a mysterious figure that kept you guessing as to what was going to really happen in the end!  Will he come in and save the day and take away all her troubles?  Or will Gillian stay true to her character and solve her father's mystery?  Enjoy:)

7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness

Five Stars      

What caught my eye was that several of the 7 women I had never heard of.  The author made a great selection.  My interest was piqued.  That he started with Joan of Arc was perfect.  A girl, age 14, did all that? 

Also in the introduction this phrase caught my eye, “When I consider the 7 women I chose, I see that most of them were great for reasons that derive precisely from their being women, not in spite of it; and what made them great has nothing to do with their being measured against or competing with men.  In other words, their accomplishments are not gender-neutral but are rooted in their singularity as women” . 

Finally one of my favorite things about this book is that I don’t have time to read a full biography on all of these women, but I do have time to delve into a short bio.  I was thoroughly pleased.  This is a captivating book.  Amazing lives of women who have been amazing with their circumstances and what life gave them.  The author has made a classic work that will be discussed in book groups throughout the years.  I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gladys Aylward the Little Woman

Five Stars *****

This book was AMAZING!  

How have I not read this till now?   

Why did I like this book?  Let me count the ways....

1. Amazing, can't believe it, incredible adventure.
2. True Story - this really happened?  Wow!
3. Love it's small size - it doesn't need to weigh as much as my first born son to be great
4. Left me inspired, motivated, driven to be better.
5. Oh ya, it's well written and keeps a steady pace, although at times I do wish there had been more detail.

4 Stars
This is Elizabeth Camden's newest book - and I loved it!  Great read - I think one of the reasons I love her books - besides a great story, is how naturally she goes into her historical fiction.  Each book she writes is rich in it's depth of a new topic that entwines the characters.  Don't miss this one!  I got it for Christmas and am so glad:).

Doing No Harm

5 Stars.  It was such a warm beautiful story, I read it and savored each chapter.  I thought - can she really keep this up?  The author did not disappoint.  Doublas Bowden is a retired Surgeon from the Royal Navy and is ready for a break.  Thus he heads off and finds himself visiting a small Scottish Village.  What he finds in Miss Olives Tea Room and amidst the driftwood surprises everyone. This Historical Fiction,  clean romance is an amazing story of how the goodness in ordinary people can go a long way.

This author has a wide variety - but from the books on her clean read list I have been impressed.  Be warned that not all her books are clean and good reads.  Here are 2 others I loved.

2015 Favorite Reads

My teenage daughter got me interested in this great read.  Don't miss it!  Did you know she is rated one of the top 12 children who changed our world?  True Story.  Current Event.


Fantasitc from the first page to the end.  Thick pages - full of visual examples, light on words, this is a fantastic look at how our boring note taking can turn.  I loved incorporating these ideas into my note-taking at church, my to-do lists and conferences I attend.  This was also big for my kids who are more doodle/visual learners.  I then got the Sketchnote Workbook too (so glad).  Both books are being well used!



Okay - this is a Regency Clean Romance.  I have to say the author created a unique story that was such a good read it turned into my favorite Regency read of the year:).  Oh, your going to enjoy this one!



There are books a plenty about WWII - but the night the Berlin Wall was put up?  Great read - don't miss this chance to let your brain think about a time like no other.  Adventure packed, this kept me on the edge of my seat, almost fell off a couple times:). YA


Okay - the world is going crazy with these fun new Adult coloring books.  Yet this is not a coloring book this book shows easy, clear examples of how you can doodle your own beauty!  I love the 2 alphabets that are demonstrated in this book.  Don't miss the dangles too.  Really - I've been packing this book around feeding off the inspiration since I got it. (thanks to my sister-in-law for showing it to me)


I love it when I am reading a book, find I can't stand a certain character, and then find things turning and twisting until in the end, I am cheering for that character.  This author turned away from mysteries and wrote a clean Regency Romance that was a hit!



Kimberly Bradly has written another YA hit.  I was so excited to drift into this WWII story.  You will not be disappointed.

Not By Sight

4 Stars

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

Don't miss this new book that is sure to make you smile:)

I started this book - and thought ahh, just another regency story I've read before - so I skipped ahead about 20 pages - and started to read a little more to see if it was worth my time - and let me tell you - the book did not rest after that!
You will be pleasantly surprised with the story, it twists and turns and gives you a tale you have not read before.  Go ahead - buy it, take it on vacation, lock your door, lie on the beach - any way you slice it, it's there for you to enjoy!

Favorite New Find

While on vacation last week my daughter and I were shopping at Barnes and Noble and I stumbled upon this little book.  

I bought it and I love it!

Do you love to sketch or doodle?  

This little 4"x4" book is an easy way to sketch a little each day.  

I think this book is perfect for:

1.  Adult or Teen

2.  Those who love to draw/sketch

3.  If your wanting to improve, a little sketch a day - hones and improves your skills

4.  Great Birthday gift - for old or young

5.  Fun Different Gift - give some pens or brush markers with it

There is Actually an entire Line of books - Large size and the mini - these would make unique and fun Birthday and Christmas gifts for the writers and sketchers in your life!

the CURIOSITY KEEPER

4 Stars!!

First of all I must say that this is Sarah’s best book yet.  She writes a great story.  I found The Curiosity Keeper to be full of mystery, danger, treasure, betrayal and love.  I didn’t want to put it down.

Camille works in her father’s Curiosity Shop on a street in London that breeds only the hardest of people.    When danger strikes she is thrown into a puzzle she didn’t know existed.  Jonathan is an Apothecary.  Normally he would never visit the shop Camille works at – but a curious mix of events throws  them together.  With love and treasure  there is always a darkness that is covered.    Is Jonathan and Camille what they say they are?  Who is being betrayed? 

Part of the reason this book was so enjoyable was that I loved the fresh set of events and settings.  Most regency novels escape into castles and amazing gardens on grand estates.  This book takes you into the seedy streets of London where thieves and scoundrels rule, while the weak are crushed.  You will find yourself wanting to stand in Camille’s Curiosity Shop and have a look around yourself. 

A truly enjoyable read.  Don’t miss it.  

I received this book  in exchange for an honest review.

THE SKETCHNOTE HANDBOOK

This Summer my kids and I are learning how to sketch.  



Not just for the fun of it - 
but to also increase their ability to listen and remember - 
 at school or at church.

This author shows you how to get down ideas - "Sketchnotes are a way to think on Paper using Images & Words"



The pages are amazing - not the boring text you usually get - but a visual feast of ideas - I finished reading it completely full of enthusiasm.   I'm not only excited for me, but I'm excited for what this can do to for my children! 



Go ahead - grab this book, a pen and give it a try!:)  I promise you will not be disappointed!  I count this my "FIND" of the year:)!  (If I was Oprah this would be one of my FAVORITE THINGS of 2015)

*****This book is Definitely a 5 Star
This is the book you want to own and buy for all your friends!:)

"Sketchnoting helps your concentration.  
When your mind and body are working in tandem, 
there is little room left for distractions."

"As you train your ears and mind,
your ability to listen and to capture ideas 
will keep improving."

"Engaging your whole brain has other positive effects, 
like improving your memory and recall."