Sunday, October 6, 2019

Book Review - The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr



Photo Credit - Amazon

When famed poet Hugh de Bonne is discovered dead in his bath one day, his cousin Robert Highstead is tasked with helping Hugh with his last wishes. Robert is a post-mortem photographer and has to transport Hugh's remains for burial in a chapel where his wife's remains preside. The chapel, Ada's folly was built by Hugh sixteen years earlier as a dedication for his late wife and muse. However, since her death, the chapel has been locked and abandoned but, fans of de Bonne visit the site.

Ada's niece refuses to open the glass chapel for Robert unless he does something for her in return. She promises that she will allow Hugh's remains if Robert records Isabelle's story of Ada's and Hugh's love story over the course of five nights.  As Robert listens to Isabelle's story, he discovers secrets that closely align with ones he has been keeping secret. 

I love a good horror story but, this one didn't deliver. The beginning of the novel was very slow and it took a while before I became interested in the plot. I felt like there were no spooky elements but, only a few predictable surprises and a case of one too many mistaken identities. The novel fell short as a ghost story but, it had a few twists and turns.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Friday, October 4, 2019

Book Review - House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Photo Credit - Amazon

Annaleigh lives a privileged life at Highmoor with her sisters and her father and stepmother. She used to be one of twelve sisters but, one by one her four sisters' lives has been cut short. Each one of their deaths more tragic than the previous. There are whispers in the village that the family is cursed by the gods.

After a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh is convinced that there is something suspicious of her sister's deaths. The girls decide that they are done with mourning and decide to sneak out every night to attend balls and dance until dawn in their fancy silk gowns and shimmering slippers. Annaleigh is unsure if she stops them or joins them in their forbidden outings. She wonders who are they really dancing with as more darkness befall her family. Will Annaleigh be able to figure out who is behind her family's tragedies? 

I thought the novel was an engrossing and well-written read. I did find some parts to be a bit boring and the ending to be predictable. However, I did enjoy the world-building aspects of the novel and the different characters. At times, I felt that there was too much going on but, overall I did enjoy reading the book.


 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Book Review - Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough by Abby Hanlon

Photo Credit - Amazon
When Dory's big sister, Violet is having friend trouble at school, Dory tries to help. However, Dory's vivid imagination takes over and  Dory believes that Violet's problem involves pirates. And Violet's lost friendship bracelet is a hidden treasure that Dory needs to find. When Dory tries to help Violet locate her missing bracelet, she starts having her own friend troubles when her imaginary friend Mary, decides to go on vacation with another friend.

The novel was a quick and fun read. It has the perfect mix of silliness while teaching kids about building a lasting friendship. I enjoyed reading the fun adventures of Dory's overactive imagination.

  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 


Blog Tour Schedule

Week One
September 30 – Hopkins Homeschool – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
October 1 – Storymamas – Review + Activity
October 2 – Two Points of Interest – Review
October 3 – The Pages In-Between – Creative Instagram Picture + Review
October 4 – Drop and Give Me Nerdy – Review



BOOK DESCRIPTION

The fifth adventure in the enormously popular Dory Fantasmagory series takes on the tried-and-true theme of childhood friendships, and turns it on its head, Dory-style.
     When her big sister Violet has friend trouble at school, Dory tries to come to her rescue. But Dory's active imagination takes over, and she is sure that Violet's lost treasure (a friendship bracelet) has something to do with pirates. In search of the treasure, Dory meets up with a real pirate crew and finds that a pirate's life is harder than she thought. At sea, Dory longs for her imaginary friend Mary. But Mary has gone off with an exciting new friend of her own and Dory is crushed with jealousy. Just when things can't get any worse, Dory's old enemy, Mrs. Gobble Gracker shows up and Dory's ocean adventure takes a surprising turn.

     There's a ton of treasure in Dory's fifth adventure as Dory mixes in pirates, pals (real and make-believe), and her own imagination into one wild and wet free-for-all.

AUTHOR BIO
Abby Hanlon has taught creative writing and first grade in the New York City public school system. Inspired by her students' storytelling and drawings, Abby began to write her own stories for children, and taught herself to draw after not having drawn since childhood. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn.


PRE-ORDER LINK

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/600197/dory-fantasmagory-tiny-tough-by-abby-hanlon/

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Steve Laurant Eye Shadow - Blueberry










The powdery eyeshadow provides full coverage with one swipe. The color can be described as a bright neon matte blue. Personally, I felt like the formula was a bit chalky and hard to work with. I think I might use it as an eyeliner.

Monday, September 30, 2019

Book Review - Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James + Idea - Dinner Theme




Photo Credit - Amazon


Eleven-year-old Tilly Pages find comfort in book and stories since her mother disappeared. She lives at her grandparents' bookstore, Pages & Co and loves the company of books. However, her world is turned upside down when her favorite characters, Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland, start to appear in the bookstore. Tilly's adventures become very real when she finds out she can follow characters into their books and bookwander to any story she chooses. 

As Tilly tries to understand her ability, she discovers a few secrets about her family. Tilly realizes that it is up to her to solve the mystery behind her mother's disappearance. However, she might soon realize that danger is lurking beyond the next page. Will Tilly be able to find out what happened to her mother?


This book was an absolute joy to read. I love how it celebrated both readers and books/authors. My favorite part was when one of the characters said: "make sure your story is worth telling". I thought that was an inspirational and perfect quote for children who are still trying to decide how to make their mark in the world. However, the beginning portion of the novel was a bit slow. Overall,  the book was a cute and fun read.


Topic - Dinner Theme - Tea Time!

I think my favorite character to invite to tea time will have to be Tilly, Alice, and Anne because it will more fun to invite more than fewer people to a gathering.  I think the evening would be perfect with an array of sugary treats, scones,  and tea sandwiches served with Tilly's favorite hot chocolate!

 The stories and the memories that will unfold...

  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**




Schedule

Week One
September 16 –Because.my.mother.read – Creative Instagram Picture
September 17 – Wishful Endings – Moodboard
September 18 – Dad Suggests – Reflection Piece
September 19 – Novel Novice – Top 5 Fictional Characters I’d Like to Meet/Hang out with

Week Two
September 23 – Vicariously & Voraciously – Dream Cast
September 24 – The Bumble Girl – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
September 25 – Brandi O Donnell – Top Five Favorite Quotes
September 26 – Imaginary Book Stack – Bookstagrammers Interview: What character they would most want to meet, where, etc + Creative Instagram Picture

Week Three
September 30 – Two Points of Interest – Review + Favorite Character + Dinner Theme
October 1 – AEB Book Reviews – Review

BOOK DESCRIPTION

An enchanting story about the magic of books and the power of imagination from debut author Anna James. Perfect for fans of InkheartThe Land of Stories, and Story Thieves. Soon to be a major television series!
     Since her mother's disappearance, eleven-year-old Tilly Pages has found comfort in the stories at Pages & Co., her grandparents' bookshop. But when her favorite characters, Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland, start showing up at the shop,Tilly's adventures become very real. Not only can she follow Anne and Alice into their books, she discovers she can bookwander into any story she chooses. Tilly's new ability leads her to fun and exciting adventures, but danger may be lurking on the very next page...

     When new secrets are uncovered, it's up to Tilly to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago. From debut author Anna James comes a charming and exciting adventure about a bookish young heroine, a mysterious librarian, and a magical bookshop that will delight book lovers everywhere.


AUTHOR BIO
Anna James is a writer and journalist. She was a school librarian before joining The Bookseller as their Book News Editor. She now writes for a variety of newspapers and magazines, and chairs events at bookshops and literary festivals across the UK. She lives in north London, in a flat full of books. Visit Anna online at anna-james.com. Follow her on Twitter @acaseforbooks.

Book Review - Charlotte Brontë Before Jane Eyre by Glynnis Fawkes + Giveaway



Photo Credit - Amazon

Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is a well known classic and beloved by people of all ages. It is known as a literary masterpiece. This graphic novel shows how Jane Eyre was born out of Charlotte's personal hardship and tragedy. The work was originally published under Currer Bell. In Jane Eyre, Charlotte tried to show characters who were often ignored in popular literature at the time.

Fans of Charlotte Bronte will love this graphic novel. I found the book shows an interesting point of view of Charlotte's life. It was interesting to see how she was struggling to find a job that she could support herself with. Overall, it would the perfect book for any Charlotte Bronte fan.


  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**


CHARLOTTE BRONTE BEFORE JANE EYRE ASSETS
About the Book:
Title: CHARLOTTE BRONTE BEFORE JANE EYRE
Author: Glynnis Fawkes
Pub. Date: September 24, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Pages: 112

Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!--I have as much soul as you,--and full as much heart!

Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is a beloved classic, celebrated today by readers of all ages and revered as a masterwork of literary prowess. But what of the famous writer herself?


Originally published under the pseudonym of Currer Bell, Jane Eyre was born out of a magnificent, vivid imagination, a deep cultivation of skill, and immense personal hardship and tragedy. Charlotte, like her sisters Emily and Anne, was passionate about her work. She sought to cast an empathetic lens on characters often ignored by popular literature of the time, questioning societal assumptions with a sharp intellect and changing forever the landscape of western literature.


With an introduction by Alison Bechdel, Charlotte Brontë before Jane Eyre presents a stunning examination of a woman who battled against the odds to make her voice heard.



About Glynnis:
I'm an cartoonist and illustrator living in Burlington, VT.

My most recent book is Charlotte Bronte Before Jane Eyre, Center for Cartoon Studies Presents series, will be published in September 2019 by Disney/Hyperion. Also in September, Secret Acres will publish Persephone’s Garden, a collection of autobiographical comics that have appeared in the New Yorker and other places.

I began working on excavations as illustrator in 1998 and have worked on sites in Greece, Crete, Turkey, Israel, Cyprus, Syria, and Lebanon.  I continue to work in Greece every year.   My illustrations have been published in several books and many articles.  

Many of my personal comics reflect a career in archaeology and family life.  Greek Diary is about working on a dig and traveling with children.  My drawings about my children were published regularly on Muthamagazine.com  and were nominated for an Ignatz Award at the Small Press Expo in 2016.

Another project, Alle Ego, is about my first trip to Greece and how it launched my work in the direction of archaeology.  A draft of this book won the MoCCA Arts Festival Award in NY in 2016.  I drew most of it during a residency at La Maison des Auteurs in Angouleme, and I plan to return to work on this book in the future.

I’m currently working on a middle grade adventure set after the eruption of Thera in Late Bronze Age Greece.




Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive finished copies of CHARLOTTE BRONTE BEFORE JANE EYRE, US Only.


Rafflecopter link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
9/2/2019- Odd and BookishExcerpt
9/3/2019- Country Road ReviewsExcerpt
9/4/2019- dwantstoreadReview
9/5/2019- A Dream Within A DreamExcerpt
9/6/2019- Lifestyle Of MeReview

Week Two:
9/10/2019- Careful of BooksReview
9/11/2019- Character Madness and MusingsExcerpt
9/12/2019- FictitiouswonderlandReview
9/13/2019- Fyrekatz BlogReview

Week Three:
9/16/2019- Little Red ReadsExcerpt
9/17/2019- Book-KeepingReview
9/18/2019- Life of a Simple ReaderExcerpt
9/19/2019- Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews- Excerpt
9/20/2019- Inspired by Savannah- Review

Week Four:
9/24/2019- Wishful EndingsExcerpt
9/25/2019- Just Another ReaderReview
9/26/2019- Jade Writes BooksReview
9/27/2019- Rants and Raves of a BibliophileReview

Week Five:
9/30/2019- two points of interestReview