Book Review - How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World by Steven Johnson

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Living in a country where we have access to clean water, electricity, and indoor plumbing, we sometimes take simple luxuries for granted. Most people take for granted small luxuries that weren't available to the masses a few years ago. Innovation doesn't start overnight, most people notice a problem and utilize discoveries to create new solutions. This book highlights six innovations that helped make the modern world as we know it today. The book is organized into six topics - glass, cold, sound, clean, time, light.


I found the book to be interesting and informative. It was easy to read and understand. I like how the book connected ice blocks to movie theaters and modern conveniences such as fridges.  I found the book to be enjoyable and perfect for all ages. The book reminded me of my history textbooks but, this was definitely more fun to read.

**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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.** 

Book Review - The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

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In the year of 1944, a young woman is clutching her young infant while weighing her impossible situation.  The father of Amelia's child was shot down in the South Pacific during the war. She loses hope as she lost her job and has no money. She decides to reach out to her infant's paternal grandparents as her beau always spoke highly of his childhood and upbringing.  Amelia and Jimmy take the train to meet Jimmy's grandparents and Amelia hopes they would take her and her son in. When she arrives an unfortunate accident causes her situation to become more dire, but when she finds out that his family is rich, would Amelia still be able to go through her plan?

This was the second novel I read by Melody Carlson. Both novels had central themes of Christmas and losing someone, but also redemption. The novella was a quick and lighthearted read with a "Christmas Miracle" sprinkled in.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**