Book Review – Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin

 

Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin is about a man, Oliver "Ollie" Ines, who dreams of becoming an astronaut and the sacrifices he makes to achieve that dream.

On January 28, 1986, shortly after launch, the Challenger space shuttle falls from the sky into the sea. Around that same time, Oliver Ines is born.

Ollie spends his childhood in a small English village with a bedroom covered in space memorabilia. Decades later, his dream comes true, and he becomes one of the most renowned astronauts of his time.

He receives news that an enterprising billionaire wants him to lead a landmark mission to the distant moon, Europa. Ollie is thrilled by the opportunity, but he worries about the impact his decision might have on his loved ones.

As the mission ventures into deeper uncharted territory, Ollie finds himself reflecting on his past. He remembers his university days, the years he spent in the navy, and the relationships he built and lost, most notably becoming a husband and father. However, the one question that weighs on his mind is whether the world he remembers will still be the same when he returns.

I had picked up this book because I thought the cover looked interesting. The book was an okay read. I didn't like that the author kept jumping back and forth between the past and present, as it sometimes made the story hard to follow. Ollie was an okay character, but I wasn't invested enough in him to really care about what happened. Overall, it was an okay read, but nothing particularly noteworthy that will stay with me after putting it down.

Book Review – A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman

 

A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman is about the MacBride family, whose lives are forever changed after one tragic accident.

In 1958, in a remote part of Western Australia, the MacBrides have lived on a vast sheep station called Meredith Downs for generations. The station spans a million acres and is surrounded by dry, unforgiving land.

Patriarch Phil MacBride is driving with his two sons when he swerves to avoid a kangaroo. The accident leaves Phil and his eldest son dead. Matt, the youngest son, survives but is left with lasting physical and emotional scars.

Matt tries to move on from the accident and live his life as it was before. However, after another unfortunate incident results in the death of another sibling, he finds himself on a difficult moral and emotional journey, unsure of what to do. As he uncovers long-buried secrets from the past, Matt realizes he must choose between love and duty, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness.

The book was beautifully written with an interesting story, but it is a long read. At times, there were so many characters that I found myself getting confused about how they were related to one another and how they fit into the story. There were also parts that felt drawn out to the point where my eyes started to glaze over. However, I still enjoyed the book. Even though it was a bit dark, it had a few redeeming qualities.

Book Review – Nugget and Tenders's Eggcellent Adventure: A Star Chapter Book by Kaz Windness

   

Nugget and Tenders's Eggcellent Adventure by Kaz Windness is about two chicken friends trying to stop an evil scientist from taking over the world.

Tenders and Nugget discover that an evil scientist wants to take over the world. To make matters worse, their baby chick, Waffles, has been kidnapped and mind-controlled by the evil mastermind. The duo realizes that to stop the scientist, they will need help from some of the greatest minds in history. Will they be able to stop the evil doer before it’s too late?

The book is the second in the series. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the books in order. The graphic novel was easy to follow and had some mild chicken humor. It is a quick read with short chapters that are suitable for young readers. I love the inclusion of four strong women who mostly focused on STEM fields (except, technically, Rosie the Riveter). I thought this was a fun way to introduce young readers to influential women and their contributions.

 Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review – Bawk to the Future: A Star Chapter Book by Kaz Windness

 

  

 

Bawk to the Future: A Star Chapter Book by Kaz Windness is about two chickens, Tenders and Nugget, who try to escape a laboratory only to accidentally travel back in time.

Nugget and Tenders are being held captive in an evil laboratory, where they are accidentally fed a serum that makes them super smart. While trying to flee their captors, they accidentally get trapped in a time machine and are sent back to the time of the dinosaurs. While in the past, they must devise a way to save themselves from the dinosaurs and change the past to save their future. Will they be able to succeed?

The graphic novel is a short read with small chapters, making it great for young readers. The artwork is done in a black, white, and red color scheme. Personally, I would have preferred full-color illustrations instead. The book has some fun and humorous moments. Since this is the first book in the series, it will be interesting to see what other adventures the chickens go on. 

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review – I Need Space by Molly Harris

 

I Need Space by Molly Harris is about a rocket ship that gets overwhelmed and needs a break.

Rocco is a rocket ship who treats space as one big playground. He loves playing in the playgrounds, but he realizes that not everyone follows the rules. Rocco tries to be patient and understanding with those who break the rules, but sometimes, he can’t take it anymore. He decides to take some space and cool his jets before he explodes. He realizes that all he needs is a few minutes of peace by himself and that space has plenty of room for everyone to have fun.

The picture book is beautifully illustrated, with fun drawings that are colorful and vibrant. I liked that the story was easy to follow. I also liked that the back of the book includes suggestions for kids to use when they feel overwhelmed. These suggestions can be a good starting point for adults and little ones to talk about different stressful situations and how to cope with them.

I think the moral of the story is important for little ones. It helps show that sometimes you can’t control other people, but you can control how you respond to a situation. It also illustrates that things can sometimes feel overwhelming or stressful, and you might need to take a break to regulate your feelings. The book also shares the important message that it’s okay to need space and have boundaries. Lastly, the cute space facts are a fun added bonus that make this a lovely book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.