tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23331991297221400642024-03-20T02:09:54.160-07:00Anastacia ReadsIndie book blogger specializing in indie booksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-83921139994381431152015-12-31T04:44:00.001-08:002015-12-31T04:44:02.335-08:00I've MovedPlease update your links - I've moved to my own domain!<br />
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I'll be blogging at <a href="http://www.ramblingreviews.com/">Rambling Reviews</a> from now on! I'm still slowly moving posts over, and as I do, I'll be making the posts here disappear... I am super excited to be featuring indie authors regularly on my website, lots of book reviews, and starting in 2016 I'm going to try my hand at reviewing movies (occasionally) too!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-45941187719815423692015-11-16T02:00:00.001-08:002015-11-16T14:26:53.292-08:00Read This<div class="ReadThis" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 500px;">
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<em>Photo courtesy of <a href="http://anastaciareads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anastacia</a></em></div>
Welcome to Read This, a collection of book reviews and giveaways that were posted in the past week or so from around the web. This is a collection of book reviews & contests from real reviewers. If you want to be included in the next edition start with the <a href="http://readthis.us/guidelines/" target="_blank" title="Guidelines">guidelines,</a> then use the <a href="http://readthis.us/submit/" target="_blank" title="Submit">submission form</a>. Want to read more reviews? Check out <a href="http://readthis.us/" target="_blank">Read This</a> for a list of the latest reviews and stellar reviewers. You can also follow on <a href="https://twitter.com/ReadThisRomance" target="_blank">twitter</a> for the latest round ups. Read This is now accepting <a href="http://readthis.us/photo-submissions/" target="_blank" title="Photo Submissions">photo submissions</a> for each edition.<br />
<h3>
<strong>CONTESTS</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-conjurers-riddle-by-andrea-cremer.html" target="_blank">Paperback copy of The Inventor’s Secret and a hardcover copy of The Conjurer’s Riddle</a> (11/17)</li>
<li><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-and-guest-post-uncovering-cobbogoth-by-hannah-l-clark/">$120 Gift Card for Amazon, B&N or iTunes</a> (11/19)</li>
<li><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-giveaway-return-once-more-by-trisha-leigh/" target="_blank">$30 Gift Card and Swag</a> (11/25)</li>
<li><a href="https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/review-giveaway-the-soul-summoner/" target="_blank">$50 Amazon Gift Card INT</a> (11/25)</li>
<li><a href="https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/blast-giveaway-the-ifs/" target="_blank">$25 Amazon GC courtesy of J.D. POOKER</a> (11/25)</li>
<li><a href="https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/book-blast-giveaway-bookelves-anthology/" target="_blank">BookElves Anthology, Volume 2 – TWO paperback copies</a> (11/26)</li>
<li><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/exclusive-excerpt-and-giveaway-nirvana-by-j-r-stewart/">Papercopy of Nirvana and a poster of the cover. US/CAN</a> (12/11)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>NON FICTION</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/post-traumatic-church-syndrome/" target="_blank"><strong>Post Traumatic Church Syndrome</strong> by Reba Riley</a> ~<a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/" target="_blank">Heather @Based on a True Story</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/saving-simon/" target="_blank"><strong>Saving Simon</strong> by Jon Katz</a> ~<a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/" target="_blank">Heather @Based on a True Story</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/my-questions-for-nudists/" target="_blank"><strong>Naked for Lunch</strong> by Mark Haskell Smith</a> ~<a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/" target="_blank">Heather @Based on a True Story</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/sofia/i-am-malala-how-one-girl-stood-up-for-education-and-changed-the-world-by-malala-yousafzai" target="_blank"><strong>I Am Malala</strong> by Malala Yousafzai</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Sofia @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-INSPIRATIONAL/SELF-HELP</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/2015/11/design-life-you-love-by-ayse-birsel.html" target="_blank"><strong>Design the Life You Love</strong> by Ayse Birsel</a> ~<a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading is Better With Cupcakes</a><br />
<h4>
-MEMOIR</h4>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/moxxley/50-shades-of-truth" target="_blank"><strong>50 Shades of Truth</strong> by Josef</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Moxxley @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>FICTION</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-still-alice-by-lisa-genova/" target="_blank"><strong>Still Alice</strong> by Lisa Genova</a> ~<a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/" target="_blank">KissinBlueKaren</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/moxxley/at-the-corner-of-magnetic-and-main" target="_blank"><strong>At the Corner of Magnetic and Main</strong> by Meg Welch Dendler</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Moxxley @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-HISTORICAL FICTION</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://anastaciareads.blogspot.com/2015/11/review-stolen-crown-secret-marriage.html?m=1" target="_blank"><strong>Stolen Crown</strong> by Susan Higginbotham</a> ~<a href="http://anastaciareads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anastacia</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>YOUNG ADULT</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog/review-an-abundance-of-katherines-by-john-green/" target="_blank"><strong>An Abundance of Katherines</strong> by John Green</a> ~<a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog" target="_blank">Caroline Andrus</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/sofia/maggie-and-the-mercury-retrograde-by-anya-monroe" target="_blank"><strong>Maggie and the Mercury Retrograde</strong> by Anya Monroe</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Sofia @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
<code></code>-LGBTQIA</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-we-left-behind-by-robin-talley.html" target="_blank"><strong>What We Left Behind</strong> by Robin Talley</a> ~<a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading is Better With Cupcakes</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-COMIC</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog/review-saved-by-the-bell-comic-book/" target="_blank">Saved By The Bell by Joelle Sellner, Chynna Clugston Flores, Tim Fish</a> ~<a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog" target="_blank">Caroline Andrus</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-DYSTOPIAN</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-and-giveaway-the-revolution-of-ivy-by-amy-engel/" target="_blank"><strong>The Revolution of Ivy</strong> by Amy Engel</a> ~<span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/" target="_blank">KissinBlueKaren</a></span></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-FANTASY</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://iloves2read.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-enchanted-revenge-theresa-m.html?m=1" target="_blank"><strong>Enchanted Revenge</strong> by Theresa M. Jones</a> ~<a href="http://www.iloves2read.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anita</a></li>
<li><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-and-guest-post-uncovering-cobbogoth-by-hannah-l-clark/" target="_blank"><strong>Uncovering Cobbogoth</strong> (<em>Cobbogoth #1</em>) by Hannah L. Clark</a> ~<span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/" target="_blank">KissinBlueKaren</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-conjurers-riddle-by-andrea-cremer.html" target="_blank"><strong>The Conjurer’s Riddle</strong> by Andrea Creme</a> ~<a href="http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading is Better With Cupcakes</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-PARANORMAL</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog/review-shiver-by-maggie-stiefvater/" target="_blank"><strong>Shiver</strong> by Maggie Stiefvater</a> ~<a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog" target="_blank">Caroline Andrus</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-SCIENCE FICTION</h4>
<ul>
<li><span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-fairest-by-marissa-meyer/" target="_blank"><strong>Fairest</strong> (<em>The Lunar Chronicles #3.5) </em>by Marissa Meyer</a></span> ~<span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/" target="_blank">KissinBlueKaren</a></span></li>
<li><span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/review-nirvana-by-j-r-stewart/" target="_blank"><strong>Nirvana</strong> by J.R. Stewart</a> ~<span class="item-title"><a href="http://kissinbluekaren.com/" target="_blank">KissinBlueKaren</a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>NEW ADULT</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/worth-the-wait-by-k-m-neuhold" target="_blank"><strong>Worth the Wait</strong> by K. M. Neuhold</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">J. Hooligan @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/sofia/nerd-by-cambria-hebert" target="_blank"><strong>#Nerd</strong> by Cambria Hebert</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Sofia @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/bekah/ruin-by-rachel-van-dyken" target="_blank"><strong>Ruin</strong> by Rachel Van Dyken</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Bekah @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>ROMANCE</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog/review-shouldve-said-no-by-tracy-march/" target="_blank"><strong>Should’ve Said No</strong> by Tracy March</a> ~<a href="http://www.carolineandrus.com/blog" target="_blank">Caroline Andrus</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/bekah/breaking-up-with-barrett-by-katy-regnery" target="_blank"><strong>Breaking Up With Barrett</strong> by Katy Regnery</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Bekah @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<h4>
-ROMANTIC SUSPENSE</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://crazyforindies.blogspot.com/2015/11/tour-macyns-decision.html" target="_blank"><strong>Macyn’s Decision</strong> by S.L. Stacker</a> ~<a href="http://crazyforindies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kelli @Crazy For Indies</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>FANTASY</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/the-aeronauts-windlass/" target="_blank"><strong>The Aeronaut’s Windlass</strong> by Jim Butcher</a> ~<a href="http://www.spiritblog.net/" target="_blank">Heather @Based on a True Story</a></li>
<li><a href="https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/review-giveaway-the-soul-summoner/" target="_blank"><strong>The Soul Summoner</strong> by Elicia Hyder</a> ~<a href="https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Charlie @Girl of 1000 Wonders</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>SCIENCE FICTION</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://anastaciareads.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-cat-who-walks-through-walls-by.html?m=1" target="_blank"><strong>Cat Who Walks through Walls</strong> by Robert Heinlein</a> ~<a href="http://anastaciareads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anastacia</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>PARANORMAL</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/bob/next-stop-nina-by-robin-raven" target="_blank"><strong>Next Stop: Nina</strong> by Robin Raven</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Bob @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
<li> <a href="http://www.crazyforindies.com/2015/11/review-scattered-ashes.html" target="_blank"><strong>Scattered Ashes</strong> by Annie Anderson</a> ~<a href="http://crazyforindies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kelli @Crazy For Indies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2015/11/review-redemption-by-mary-reason-theriot.html" target="_blank"><strong>Redemption</strong> by Mary Reason Theriot</a> ~<a href="http://www.justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Just Another Girl and Her Books</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>HORROR</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2015/11/review-horror-in-night-by-mary-reason.html" target="_blank"><strong>Horror in the Night</strong> by Mary Reason Theriot</a> ~<a href="http://www.justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Just Another Girl and Her Books</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>
<strong>THRILLER</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2015/10/review-deadly-combination-by-mary.html" target="_blank"><strong>A Deadly Combination</strong> by Mary Reason Theriot</a> ~<a href="http://www.justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Just Another Girl and Her Books</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.platypire.com/papervida/leverage-by-nancy-s-thompson" target="_blank"><strong>Leverage</strong> by Nancy S. Thompson</a> ~<a href="http://www.platypire.com/" target="_blank">Papervida @Platypire Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-22867458213261009952015-10-09T07:40:00.000-07:002015-12-10T08:29:56.383-08:00Review: Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6534.Postmortem" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta, #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1341835831m/6534.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6534.Postmortem">Postmortem</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1025097.Patricia_Cornwell">Patricia Cornwell</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61039451">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Boy, times have changed since this book was written!<br />
<br />
This is another reread for me, and another one that I was pretty bored with. The technology has changed so much, and at first it was laughable, and then it just got boring. I was hoping to get back into the series so I'd know what my next dozen books would be (I'm stuck in a rut with my reading right now, having a hard time getting into anything) and I'm just not feeling this one either, though when I first read it years ago, I enjoyed the series. According to goodreads, I reread this one at least once before, in 2009.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-9278885555325904692015-10-01T06:05:00.000-07:002015-11-11T06:06:40.030-08:00Artisan Preserving<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20342688-artisan-preserving" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Artisan Preserving: Over 100 recipes for jams, chutneys and relishes, pickles, sauces and cordials, and cured meats and fish" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408315536m/20342688.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20342688-artisan-preserving">Artisan Preserving: Over 100 recipes for jams, chutneys and relishes, pickles, sauces and cordials, and cured meats and fish</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/318444.Emma_McDonald">Emma McDonald</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1051894897">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I requested this book to read & review from netgalley (in exchange for my honest review) because I am a beginner canner - or at least, I consider myself a beginner canner, as this is only my second year. The photos are inspiring & beautiful; the directions are clear, and the recipes well laid out & I would have no problem in following any of them.<br />
<br />
The book, however, is a little artsy for me - well, it is in the title after all! I can simple foods, and cook even simpler, so the chutneys, sauces, and cordials are wasted on me. I live in a tiny apartment (my garden is elsewhere) so even if I wanted to cure my own meat & fish, I have no space to do so, so that section is all wasted on me.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, there's not really a single recipe in this book that I think I'd ever actually make ;/.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-5398254427278107272015-09-30T07:38:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:39:42.419-08:00The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7148256-the-red-queen" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Red Queen (The Cousins' War, #2)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1281335912m/7148256.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7148256-the-red-queen">The Red Queen</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9987.Philippa_Gregory">Philippa Gregory</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/131254843">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I didn't enjoy this one as much as I was expecting.<br />
<br />
Margaret Beaufort was just written so unappealing. I don't believe any person is that one dimensional. I get obsession, I get being religious, but she was written in such a way that that was the only two things she cared about - getting her son (who she really didn't even know) on the throne, and God.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-3951830067184168892015-09-16T06:11:00.000-07:002015-11-11T06:12:32.151-08:00Apocalypse<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18372322-apocalypse" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Apocalypse (The Wasteland Chronicles, #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377387921m/18372322.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18372322-apocalypse">Apocalypse</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4571430.Kyle_West">Kyle West</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/902937551">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I'm a huge fan of 'end of the world' type of movies, love dystopia, yet I don't really read 'end of the world' books. So I was thrilled to snag this book for free from amazon and began reading it immediately.<br />
<br />
It's a fast, quick read - fairly short - and took me about 90 minutes to read.<br />
<br />
There's some grammatical errors and the book is in need of a better editor. Large portions of the book just seemed written by an amateur, and the premise is lacking. The author, West, does a lot of "telling" in the book instead of "showing", and leaves a lot open to the imagination instead of really setting the scene for us.<br />
<br />
There's a fair mix of genres in the book - end of the world, zombies, meteors, bad guys, action, etc. There's not really any new ideas or themes, but all in all, it's not a bad read (especially for free).<br />
<br />
I won't be buying the rest of the series, but would probably read the next one if I could pick it up for free again.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-69759758743166295292015-09-08T07:01:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:04:16.093-08:00Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Shaughnessy<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87953.Motion_to_Suppress" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Motion to Suppress (Nina Reilly, #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320470767m/87953.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87953.Motion_to_Suppress">Motion to Suppress</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48867.Perri_O_Shaughnessy">Perri O'Shaughnessy</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1360372520">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I first read this book many years ago - before I joined goodreads, I believe - and read the first few in the series. Back then I was really into mysteries, legal thrillers, crime dramas, etc. I read so many of them I got sick of the genre and haven't read a single similar book in probably close to 15 years.<br />
<br />
Recently I've been kind of "stuck" - can't get into any books - so I've been rereading the Wagons West series and decided maybe what I needed was to try a different genre again, so I requested this one from the library.<br />
<br />
I did enjoy it - but I'm still burnt out on the genre. I was bored throughout most of the book. Of course the book is dated, too, with outdated technology especially, and I remembered who the murderer was the mystery part of the book wasn't a mystery to me. <br />
<br />
I do recommend the book to those who do enjoy the crime / legal dramas
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-89804407739160626662015-09-03T15:08:00.000-07:002015-11-15T15:09:33.550-08:00soap craft<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16192363-soap-craft" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Soap Craft: 31 Recipes for Creating Amazing Handmade Soaps" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404580291m/16192363.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16192363-soap-craft">Soap Craft: 31 Recipes for Creating Amazing Handmade Soaps</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6596750.Anne_Marie_Faiola">Anne-Marie Faiola</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/690288574">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Years ago - before I knitted, before I designed, before I taught fiber arts, before weaving and spinning and dying, back when I did other crafts that didn't involve yarn, crafts like scrapbooking and latch hook and embroidery and cross stitching, I made homemade soap. I didn't make a ton of it, but I made soap, and it was fun.<br />
<br />
When this book popped up on netgalley, I remembered how much fun it was to make soap. I didn't make anything fancy or honestly anything that even looked pretty, but it was fun. And reading this book made me remember how much fun it was to make soap and why I enjoyed making soap in the first place, and makes me long to make soap again (even though honestly, it won't happen because I'm a little too busy with the knitting, crocheting, hopeful weaving, sometimes spinning, always dying yarn and fiber, and oh yeah the designing and the occasional knitting class, too. Not to mention the reviews. And oh, seeing your husband every other Sunday). <br />
<br />
Anyone's who's thought of trying a new craft or is looking for a new hobby or perhaps something different to sell at a craft show, should try this book. There's great details and lots of photos, besides amazing end products that you can actually make.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-1050349940775152672015-09-01T06:19:00.000-07:002015-11-11T06:20:01.261-08:00Innocent Traitor<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/111218.Innocent_Traitor" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Innocent Traitor" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388228144m/111218.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/111218.Innocent_Traitor">Innocent Traitor</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583.Alison_Weir">Alison Weir</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/129159059">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I love Alison Weir, though I haven't read nearly as many of her books as I would have liked to.<br />
<br />
I actually started reading this book last year, and didn't finish it before I had to return it to the library. This time, I started again from the beginning & finished in just a few days.<br />
<br />
This is the story of Lady Jane Grey, the very young, naive queen of just 9 days. Forced to live her entire life under the rule of manulative, even abusive, parents, she ended up marrying a man she didn't love (or even like) and worse yet, convinced to become Queen of England.<br />
<br />
The book is told in multiple voices (a story telling device I do not like). Most of the book, this is fine, but I had issues in the beginning, with Jane's voice being very adult, even when she was only a few years old. Yes, she was supposedly very mature as a child, but it was hard to like her as a child when she spoke with such an adult voice.<br />
<br />
The book is pretty factual - there are a few interesting speculations in the book that Weir concludes, but for the most part, this is pretty true historical fiction & Weir takes on a new genre well (this is her first historical fiction novel).<br />
<br />
Jane's story is especially compelling at the end - even though I know how her tragic tale will end, you still hope that Queen Mary will pardon her on the same.
<br />
<br />
(library)<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-33594350639406189132015-08-28T07:06:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:38:41.141-08:00The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9542439-the-lady-of-the-rivers" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Lady of the Rivers (The Cousins' War, #3)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327946219m/9542439.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9542439-the-lady-of-the-rivers">The Lady of the Rivers</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9987.Philippa_Gregory">Philippa Gregory</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1341133644">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I have a love / hate relationship with Gregory's books.<br />
<br />
I have always been fascinated with history - especially British history - and her books made me obsessed. Because of her books, I've spent hundreds of hours doing research, basically fact finding every book I've read of hers, and loving every minute of it. And boring my husband to pieces as I babble to him about the descrepances.<br />
<br />
But that's exactly the fun of her books - you know the history is crap, and sometimes downright completely made up, but I've accepted that and can enjoy her books for what they are - a light, enjoyable, romp
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-85591031386063661032015-08-26T06:12:00.000-07:002015-11-11T06:13:26.706-08:00Planet Urth<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18930277-planet-urth" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Planet Urth (Planet Urth, #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428894879m/18930277.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18930277-planet-urth">Planet Urth</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818401.Jennifer_Martucci">Jennifer Martucci</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/914767075">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I've been really big into dystopian/end of the world type of books & movies lately, so I was thrilled to grab this book on amazon, which I read in one afternoon.<br />
<br />
There's some minor & major plot holes (for example, killing a large, 300 pound animal by jumping out of a tree, and mentioning technology that the characters would have absolutely no idea about), but all in all, the book is a good read. There's no new concepts here, but if you are looking for a quick, sci-fi romp, this will fit the bill.<br />
<br />
The biggest drawback is the book doesn't end, so much as just ... well, stops. I understand it's part of a series, but it seems like more and more indie authors are creating series because the book just got too long, instead of a well written story that has a beginning, middle, climax, and ending (like Harry Potter, where every book has a conclusion, yet leaves you desperately wanting more).<br />
<br />
I picked this book up for free on amazon.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-74021976997669996762015-08-21T07:34:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:34:54.886-08:00The Stand by Stephen King<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/149267.The_Stand" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Stand" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1213131305m/149267.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/149267.The_Stand">The Stand</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King">Stephen King</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27734099">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
all time favorite book
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-7404563785553119922015-08-10T07:29:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:29:40.236-08:00Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68487.Royal_Assassin" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Royal Assassin (Farseer Trilogy, #2)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387145228m/68487.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68487.Royal_Assassin">Royal Assassin</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25307.Robin_Hobb">Robin Hobb</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25123110">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
This is another reread for me.<br />
<br />
I really struggled with finishing this one. Which was greatly disappointing as I loved, loved this series when I read them the first time, and wanted to reread them immediately. I waited for YEARS, savoring the thought of how much I would enjoy it a second time, and I could barely finish the book. What a disappointment.<br />
<br />
I finally finished the last 250 pages, all in one sitting, refusing to do anything else until I finished.<br />
<br />
I'll take a break before getting the next one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-40332826786589501522015-08-03T14:54:00.000-07:002015-11-16T14:34:38.893-08:00Scarlatti's Cat by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18350721-scarlatti-s-cat" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Scarlatti's Cat" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385468661m/18350721.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18350721-scarlatti-s-cat">Scarlatti's Cat</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/79240.Nathaniel_Lachenmeyer">Nathaniel Lachenmeyer</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/788239254">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Scarlatti's Cat is a cute children's story about an Italian music composer, Scarlatti, and his beautiful and smart cat, Pulcinella, and how his cat composed a sonata. Man, I wish my Wedgie was talented like that - does this mean his scratching on my furniture is really a display of artistry? <br />
<br />
This book is beautifully drawn, and I especially love the drawings of Pulcinella, who reminds me a lot of my beloved Zorro. There's a great drawing of Scarlatti holding Pulcinella, with Handel's dog nearby.<br />
<br />
The book also teaches young readers to follow their hearts, their passions and their dreams. Though being a proud and crazy cat lady, I was very sad to read the ending.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-43310952143062732612015-08-01T05:29:00.000-07:002015-11-15T05:30:51.909-08:00A Beginners Guide to Companion Planting: Companion Gardening with Flowers, Herbs & Vegetables by Jeffreys, Mel<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18662249-a-beginners-guide-to-companion-planting" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="A Beginners Guide to Companion Planting: Companion Gardening with Flowers, Herbs & Vegetables (Simple Living)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442341105m/18662249.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18662249-a-beginners-guide-to-companion-planting">A Beginners Guide to Companion Planting: Companion Gardening with Flowers, Herbs & Vegetables</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7338790.Jeffreys_Mel">Jeffreys, Mel</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/794115024">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
I consider myself an avid vegetable gardener, but I've only had a garden two years so I'm definitely still in the beginner camp. I've been reading a lot about it, but I've learned the most just from talking to other gardeners. My boss has had a huge, successful garden for most of 30 years, and he's taught me the post, and he was teaching me about companion planting before I had ever heard of the term or knew what it meant.<br />
<br />
This book is really rather basic, doesn't present anything that hasn't been mentioned before, and the drawings/illustrations are so tiny as to be useless (I looked on kindle keyboard & on my kindle nook app, which is in color). If you try to enlarge the screen (which I did) the drawings end up blurry.<br />
<br />
The only "good" thing about this book is its length - and the reason why I gave this 3 stars. The book is very short, but it makes it very easy for you to find the information you are looking for. If you are about to plant peas, for example, and you can't remember what to plant with it or what not to plant with it, it's easy enough to find that section in the book. <br />
<br />
The other good thing is the author does talk about what flowering plants are good for your garden - something I attempted to do last year, but all my flowers died, defeating the purpose.<br />
<br />
I got this book on amazon when it was listed for free.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-86758800545628073542015-07-30T15:19:00.000-07:002015-11-15T15:20:53.720-08:00<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18394146-dead-dreams" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Dead Dreams (Dead Dreams, #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377702747m/18394146.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18394146-dead-dreams">Dead Dreams</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7036571.Emma_Right">Emma Right</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/763000051">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Dead Dreams is about two young girls, Brie, who wants to become independent and is living on her own for the first time, and Sarah, an independently wealthy secretive know-it-all.<br />
<br />
The book is supposed to be a psychological thriller for YA, but reads more like chick-lit with the light, casual, conversational feel of the book, with some mystery thrown in. There's lots of twists and turns that will keep you reading - the part that I enjoyed, along with the good writing.<br />
<br />
But Brie is so, so stupid and unbelievably immature. She's always whining about her mother, who is just there to watch over her & to protect her and to make sure she's safe. And clearly Brie needs watching over, because she starts off by making a bad decision and just keeps on making bigger and badder mistakes. She knows she's making bad decisions and just goes ahead and makes them anyway - trying to prove her independence and maturity, perhaps? But all she's doing is proving what a sniveling child she really is. Can you tell I'm NOT a Brie fan?<br />
<br />
So, if I dislike Brie so much, why am I rating this book 4 stars? Well, because of the character of Sarah. She's so secretive and mysterious and sure, is beyond manipulative, but that's exactly why I like her - it's like hate watching certain tv shows. You know it's awful, but you can't help watching and yelling at the TV screen anyway. That's exactly how I felt about Sarah.<br />
<br />
The book ends with another twist, and leaves you feeling very confused - so confused in fact, I honestly wanted to give the book 3 stars for this reason. Yes, you want a cliffhanger at the end of any book in a series, but this feels like Right ended the book literally in the middle of the book, not written in such a way that opens up the next part to the story.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-89498601986649647592015-07-15T15:09:00.000-07:002015-11-15T15:10:06.296-08:00raising goats<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17780508-raising-goats-naturally" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Raising Goats Naturally: The Complete Guide to Milk, Meat and More" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367339988m/17780508.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17780508-raising-goats-naturally">Raising Goats Naturally: The Complete Guide to Milk, Meat and More</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5041688.Deborah_Niemann">Deborah Niemann</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/690370498">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
This is another book I requested to read from netgalley on a whim - I honestly saw "goats" and translated that to "fiber" in my head, so I thought it was a book about raising fiber animals. That being said, this wasn't exactly the book I thought it was going to be, but I agreed to read the book, and so I read the book. It was more interesting than I thought it would be, even though I'm not going to be raising a goat anytime soon.<br />
<br />
The book begins on explaining how to buy a goat, what to look for, what things to consider, the different breeds of goats. Niemann explains why raising a goat for a dairy animal is easier, simpler, and smarter than buying a dairy cow. There is a small section about fiber producing animals, but the bulk of the book is on the milk and meat products.<br />
<br />
Every aspect of care is discussed, from parasites, to housing / shelter, bedding, fencing, food, companionship (goats like to be with other goats, not just other animals), protecting from other animals, and so on. There's lots of photos to help you on your journey of goat ownership.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-82748199913290338142015-07-09T07:15:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:16:00.353-08:00The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop by Dora Ohrenstein<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18796087-the-crocheter-s-skill-building-workshop" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402591056m/18796087.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18796087-the-crocheter-s-skill-building-workshop">The Crocheter's Skill-Building Workshop</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3329835.Dora_Ohrenstein">Dora Ohrenstein</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1177989451">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
<br />
This is a great little book for anyone out there who wants to learn more about crochet or to improve upon their crochet skills, from beginners to oldies like me :). The book has the absolute basics, but also discusses things like yarn choice and various crochet stitches.<br />
<br />
Each lesson builds upon the previous ones, but you can certainly skip around if there is a particular topic that catches your eye. It's definitely a must have for anyone interested in developing their crochet skills, but is definitely more geared towards beginners or those who haven't crocheted in a long time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
--<br />
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and was not paid for my review.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-76286107614366044542015-07-08T15:07:00.000-07:002015-11-15T15:08:22.738-08:00Review: Mastering Fermentation: Recipes for Making and Cooking with Fermented Foods<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16280120" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Mastering Fermentation: Recipes for Making and Cooking with Fermented Foods" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367256567m/16280120.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16280120">Mastering Fermentation: Recipes for Making and Cooking with Fermented Foods</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2761078">Mary Karlin</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/690424271">5 of 5 stars</a>
<br />
<br />
Mastering Fermentation: Recipes for Making and Cooking with Fermented Foods<br />
<br />
by Mary Karlin<br />
<br />
A beautifully illustrated and authoritative guide to the art and science of fermented foods, featuring 70+ recipes that progress from simple fermented condiments like vinegars and mustards to more advanced techniques for using wild yeast, fermenting meats, and curing fish.<br />
<br />
Yup, it's another book that I had to read because of my garden!<br />
<br />
A year ago was my first and only attempt at fermentation - an idea I'm fascinated by because I have IBS, and let's face it, fermented foods are my friend, and the idea of making my own fermented food is even nicer. I had a bunch of tomatoes from my garden that needed to be used up, no way to can, no more space in the garden, and I had just bought a bunch of garlic, onions, and various peppers from a farmer's market, so I decided to make salsa. I found a recipe online for making fermented salsa, spent hours dicing up the veggies and doing everything I was supposed to, only to find out our water had gotten infected by e.coli and the water was unsafe to drink without boiling first - which, of course, I hadn't done because I was trying to ferment the salsa. I had 6 pints and an odd quart jar of salsa that I had to toss because it just wasn't safe to try to eat the salsa.<br />
<br />
All that to say I haven't forgotten the idea of fermenting foods. I even debating about taking a class on fermenting foods at my local trade school at night, but at $39, did I really need to take a class when I could just get a book from the library? Or heck, just do more googling? I liked the idea off hand holding, but $39 was a lot of money to spend on a night class for something like fermenting foods. and then this book fell into my lap, and I'm in love with this book and the ideas and information contained inside enough to purchase a copy for my own library. Okay, I'll probably wait & get a used copy, but still... I'm going to buy a copy.<br />
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Add all of that in, and then add recipes I haven't seen anywhere else - like mushroom ketchup - I mean, come on, mushroom ketchup!
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/690424271">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-63464221857101628122015-07-05T14:58:00.000-07:002015-11-16T14:34:24.274-08:00Quilting with a Modern Slant<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17355264-quilting-with-a-modern-slant" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Quilting with a Modern Slant: People, Patterns, and Techniques Inspiring the Modern Quilt Community" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404577711m/17355264.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17355264-quilting-with-a-modern-slant">Quilting with a Modern Slant: People, Patterns, and Techniques Inspiring the Modern Quilt Community</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/126949.Rachel_May">Rachel May</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/764904156">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
First, I want to say I am not a quilter, but I am a fiber artist and teacher and have long, long been obsessed with quilts. I own a ton of quilt books for their inspiration and even own a fabric stash & a sewing machine, though I can barely sew. I want to be a quilter, but the fiber life has a mind of its own.<br />
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The book starts with the basics, explaining how to make a simple quilt (6 parts) and defines what modern quilting is, and what different people feel about quilting and modern quilting in particular. There's a lot of writing from lots of different quilters from all walks of life, talking about how they make quilts and why and how they got started. You'll reconigize some of the names included in the book if you have any interest in quilting at all.<br />
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The book also has gorgeous, inspiring photography on each and every page.<br />
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I enjoyed the improv section the most, which makes sense because I love freeform the most in my fiber journey.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-44010912261849514542015-07-01T07:31:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:32:25.210-08:00I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227711.I_Know_This_Much_Is_True" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="I Know This Much Is True" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1373532198m/227711.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227711.I_Know_This_Much_Is_True">I Know This Much Is True</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3505.Wally_Lamb">Wally Lamb</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27736011">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I thought I had read this one when it was first published, but after reading the book, I only vaguely remembered the beginning, so I think I never actually read it.<br />
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A story about brothers, a subject I know nothing about (having no siblings), it's an interesting, twist and turn story. It's not the type of book I normally read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the same.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-52789478506191070942015-06-15T07:28:00.000-07:002015-12-10T08:24:57.693-08:00The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/349.The_Moon_is_a_Harsh_Mistress" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424349425m/349.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/349.The_Moon_is_a_Harsh_Mistress">The Moon is a Harsh Mistress</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/205.Robert_A_Heinlein">Robert A. Heinlein</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25126209">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I believe I've read this three times so far, and every time I get something out of it.<br />
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I read it once, I listened to it as an audiobook once, and just reread it again.<br />
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I definitely got more out of it after reading some of Heinlein's other books, as the story line - and characters - are just so intertwined with each other - past, present, and future.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-4773424680062229422015-06-03T15:12:00.000-07:002015-11-16T14:34:15.026-08:00Great Little Gifts to Knit<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17572499-great-little-gifts-to-knit" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Great Little Gifts to Knit: 30 Quick and Colorful Patterns" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388444644m/17572499.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17572499-great-little-gifts-to-knit">Great Little Gifts to Knit: 30 Quick and Colorful Patterns</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/139008.Jean_Moss">Jean Moss</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/746592750">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I'm a little confused because I vividly remember reviewing this book, going through all the patterns & adding my thoughts and comments about each one, and I can't find a copy of my review anywhere either online or on my hard drive. So here I am trying to recreate it, playing catch up as I am always doing.<br />
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I love Jean Moss's designs and I'm always looking for "gift" related patterns. I only knit for a few people & usually socks, because generally speaking those are the only items that anyone ever appreciates (it's why I knit a lot for charity). This book has a lot of gift giving ideas that maybe, just maybe might actually be appreciated by family.<br />
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Patterns are clearly written, terms and abbreviations are explained, and items are well photographed.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-62107187254539342202015-06-02T07:05:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:06:10.966-08:00Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10870589-growing-up-amish" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Growing Up Amish" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406514526m/10870589.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10870589-growing-up-amish">Growing Up Amish</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4740585.Ira_Wagler">Ira Wagler</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1296707437">2 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I am a bit obsessed with reading about other faiths than my own, and reading about the amish rates up there. There's not a lot of non-fiction about them, fir obvious reasons, so I was very happy to find this book.<br />
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Unfortunately, I wasn't happy to actually read the book.<br />
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the overarching theme of the book, to me, is "poor ira". Gah, nothing I hate to read about more than the self-serving martyr sydrome. In Ira's case, its "poor Ira I have a family who loves me and wants me ti be happy". Oh, poor baby! ira never once explains why he's so unhppy; just vaguely explains that deep down he knows he won't fit in. even as he's proposing marriage to an amish girl, he claims he knows it won't work. how selfish. ira leaves four times before finally leaving the fifth and final time; how much hell do you think he brought his parents who only wanted what was best for him?<br />
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I can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be ti giveup everything - its why I am so disappointed with this book. If only I got some sense of what the author was feeling, instead of the constant excuses for his failures thriughout his early life.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2333199129722140064.post-89638767526587402212015-05-15T07:24:00.000-07:002015-11-10T07:25:00.369-08:00Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb<a chref="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45107.Assassin_s_Apprentice" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320339497m/45107.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45107.Assassin_s_Apprentice">Assassin's Apprentice</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25307.Robin_Hobb">Robin Hobb</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25123090">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I loved this book when I first read it years ago, and read many of Hobb's other books in the series. She's since written more, and I thought it would be fun to reread and catch up with the series.<br />
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I was a little disappointed.<br />
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I still really liked the book, the plot, and the characters, but I didn't like Hobb's writing as well as I had remembered.
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<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1259503-anastacia">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00439415395996754994noreply@blogger.com0