February Book Reviews 2022
By Jessica Marie Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder 3/5 Stars I have very conflicting feelings about this book. I read the series in High School and I remember enjoying them, but I remembered absolutely nothing else, simply that I read them and liked them. I was curious and decided to give them another shot. Since I didn’t remember anything, it was essentially like reading them again for the first time. I read the entire book and read it rather quickly, I would stay up past my bedtime (yes, I’m an adult with a bedtime, and since I set the bedtime, I can break it, much to my morning self’s chagrin) to read just a few more pages. Snyder does a great job of ending every chapter on a cliffhanger that you simply must know what happens next. However, there was almost no character description or development. It is pretty much entirely plot driven. Which, the plot is full of twists and turns and constantly keeping you on your toes. But, I couldn’t really tell you anything about the main character or most of the side characters. I don’t really know who they are or what they want. I don’t think they have a dream, goal, or objective in any sense outside of their literal job in Ixia. Everyone is single-minded and one-dimensional. However, they at least weren’t making every stupid decision that a character could make. Like I said, very conflicting feelings. I enjoyed it, I have since finished book 2 in the series and am reading book 3. So, I do like the book(s), however, if you are looking for characters to fall in love with you may want to pass. But if you enjoy YA style fantasy, magic, and some political intrigue you’ll enjoy this book/series. The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien 5/5 Stars I watch the extended editions at least once a year and every 5-10 years I listen to the books on tape again. I don’t particularly love the style of writing, that’s why I listen on audio versus physically reading. But it’s good to see little bits and pieces that are left out of the movies or develop the characters in a way that is hinted at and simply knowing more of the story. Liberty & Tyranny by Mark R. Levin 5/5 Stars My Dad suggested we listen to this book on tape as that is how he prefers to consume books, and so we listened to it when went on rides through the country. We would pause and debate or go further in depth about what the author was saying. We started listening in 2020 and only finally finished it now. When we started listening, we were on opposite ends of the political spectrum, though a great many recent events have changed us and we see more eye-to-eye on most topics. We still have some differences, but we agree far more than we realized now. I think listening to this book helped us facilitate that. It gave us a chance to talk out thoughts, ideas, and opinions that we had. See from different perspectives and try to understand how the world works (politically) and what could be improved upon. No matter your political affiliation, I would suggest reading this book. You never want to be caught inside an echo chamber and only hear one idea or opinion. And you can hear ideas, perspectives, or facts implemented in a way you hadn’t considered before. Plus, learn more about how government works in general. Overall, good book and would suggest to anyone. Alone in Wonderland by Christine Reed 5/5 Stars I absolutely loved this book! I thought Christine really captured the essence of trying to navigate being a 20-something female in America today. Our society, culture, and what exactly is independence. I loved her insights into van-life, outdoor recreation, and being a woman. I didn’t realize how much internal gate-keeping I did to myself by believing I couldn’t enjoy or give myself labels as an outdoors-y or wilderness loving woman because I didn’t do it as well, as fast, as often, or as hardcore as someone else. How she wrestled with those feelings and did what she wanted to anyway, all while fighting internal battles. The fact that we aren’t ever fighting one battle at a time, but wresting with different ideas, concepts, values, and beliefs all at once. The book was told very candidly. It felt like sitting down with morning coffee with Christine and she would tell just a little bit more of her story. I resonated with a lot of her thoughts and struggles. Seeing her life play out, I could see the reflections in myself and in so many around me. If you like nature, wilderness, outdoors, and are a 20-something woman trying to find your place in this world, this book is for you. This wilderness, outdoors, adventure woman memoir is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres.
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January Book Reviews 2022
By Jessica Marie Song of the Forever Rains by E. J. Mellow 5/5 Stars I absolutely loved this book! I found it while looking through the new fiction acquisitions at the library. When I opened the book to start reading the first page to see if I was interested, I was immediately captured by the story and writing. The prose is very poetic and beautifully descriptive. The magic, characters, and world felt completely original and unique. I could not stop reading this book! If you like strong female characters, sisterly banter, unique magical worlds and powers, and fun story twists this fantasy story is for you! Loveable, Livable Home by John and Sherry Petersik 5/5 Stars My mom found this book for me at a library book sale. They have some really fun DIY home décor and design projects, good pictures, and good ideas for how to make your home beautiful while also meeting the needs and function of your family. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 5/5 Stars This was simultaneously a beautiful story and a heart-breaking story. Some issues are so universal and others are unique to a culture, country, or area. Going through her life and hearing her story helps one to understand how we are all the same and yet also very different. How our basic humanity is the same no matter where you are, but it is expressed differently depending on our culture. She’s an absolutely beautiful soul and her story is one that will touch your heart. A Thieving Curse by Selina R. Gonzalez 5/5 Stars Another amazing book by Selina R. Gonzalez! I couldn’t read the Mage and the Mercenary series fast enough and she didn’t disappoint in this novel either. Retellings aren’t generally my favorite genre as, for me personally, they tend to be predictable and they don’t feel like a fun original adventure as I read them. And while, like all retellings, this novel did have elements of that (it’s a beauty and the beast retelling) she had original takes on the elements of the story that I was able to truly get lost in the book. She has amazing characters, and I adore the banter in her stories. While I knew what was going to happen at certain beats, the original takes and nuances really surprised me and truly kept me engaged. I couldn’t read anything for a few days after finishing this book as I wanted to dive back into this world and story. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis 4/5 Stars I read this book a few years ago, and while I have my issues with Rachel Hollis, I do enjoy her content from time to time. Her books do help to motivate me and help me want to reach my goals. This time I listened to the book on audio and it was nice to hear her emphasis and intonation throughout the book. This book helped me look at certain mental obstacles in my life and think about them in a different light. Strong Looks Better Naked by Khloe Kardashian 5/5 Stars Keeping Up With The Kardashians is one of my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows. Khloe is also my favorite Kardashian. So, I got this book from a thrift book shop and was unsure how I would feel about the book and Khloe after reading it. But I really enjoyed it! Everything she talks about in this book is exactly what I am working on right now. I loved how down to earth she is in the book, it honestly feels like you are sitting down to coffee with Khloe and she is just giving you some life advice. I love her perspective, her genuine heart, and her willingness to share what she has learned and what she has left to work on. Conclusion I know it may seem like I give out five-star reviews like candy, but these books are genuinely good! If I find a bad book (to my very subjective personal opinion) I am not afraid to say it. But January was a good month, I got lucky and really enjoyed every book I had the pleasure of reading or listening to. I get the majority of my books from library book sales, the library, thrift stores, the Libby app, and generally secondhand. Hope you like my reviews from this month and I hope you can add some of these to your own TBR. Let me know in the comments if you have read any of these books and if so, what did you think of them! November Book Reviews 2021
By Jessica Marie The Socrates Express by Eric Weiner 5/5 Stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have not spent much time studying philosophy, but this book was a fantastic introduction to it. Many a time did I pause and laugh or think as I enjoyed how well written this book was. He puts things in such a unique light that ranges from the hilarious to the thoughtful. I enjoyed every page and every philosopher in it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an introduction to philosophy or simply for a good non-fiction read. Devolution by Max Brooks 5/5 Stars I haven’t listened to audiobooks in quite a few years, possibly more than five years ago. In the past I would listen to music and podcasts, in the last 2-3 years I listened almost exclusively to podcasts. But I’ve grown tired of it and decided there were books I would like to have read but I may not really want to spend the time physically reading them. My friend told me about Libby a few weeks ago and I have been hooked ever since. Free audiobooks downloaded to my phone via my library card! Sign me up! One of the books I listened to on tape many years ago was World War Z and I remember loving World War Z in audio book form. When I saw this available as an audiobook I immediately clicked "borrow" from Libby. I was not disappointed! I love the full cast reading of the book and I love the realistic nature of his books. Where you can almost be convinced it's a documentary and not a novel. Where There’s Smoke by Jodi Picoult 4/5 Stars This was another audiobook that I listened to in November. This was actually a compilation of two short stories. I’ll be honest, I'm not entirely sure I like Jodi's method of writing. She goes backwards and forwards through time every other chapter. The back cover descriptions sometimes sound more supernatural but somehow the story is always very realistic, as in real world. I generally prefer my fiction stories to be something a little more fantastical unless they are touching on some interesting topic. This is the second work of hers I've read. It's a good set of short stories. She is a good writer, she tells a story well, and the careers and knowledge of the characters she writes are well researched and feel real. It is nothing more than personal preference is why I am not a huge fan. I'd give these two stories 3.5 stars but I’m rounding up to 4. Who Am I? By Kurt Rieschick 4/5 Stars My Mom and I went to the 10 cent book sale that was hosted by our local library. She picked this one up just for fun. While she cooked dinner we all sat around the kitchen and I read the book out loud as we all tried to guess the answers to the questions. If you happen to know famous people from 1999 and before, then you’re going to rock this book. It was a fun evening! Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld 3/5 Stars This is an alternative history book in which Hillary Rodham never married Bill Clinton. The author then proceeds to see how Hillary’s life as well as the American political sphere may have been impacted by this change of events. This was another audiobook I checked out from Libby. I thought this was an interesting book. I found it fascinating Hilary and Bill go from lovers to rivals to enemies. There were some fun twists in the book. Though it was really strange to have sex scenes. These are public figures, not fictional characters, so the visuals are more than a bit strange. But overall, an interesting thought experiment. I would round up to 3.5 stars but Goodreads doesn’t let you, so 3 it is. On Wings of Ash and Dust series by Brittany Wang 5/5 Stars Wings of Betrayal, Palace of Potions, and Sea of Secrets are the three books in her series of six I finished in the month of November. I am going to hold off on giving a full book review on these until I finish the entire series. It is a fantasy series that takes place in a world where faeries rule and they are currently fighting for the crown to rule all of Faylan. There is a competition between all of the princes and princesses in each of the six kingdoms to compete against each other to win the crown for their kingdom, their family, and themselves forever. I was a little skeptical or rather trepidatious as I always am when starting a book from a new author. Especially one about faeries as it can be cliched or otherwise. But this series caught me from the start! I was and continue to be interested in the characters, the world, and the outcome. I am still really on my toes about what is going to happen as a lot is starting to pile up. If you are looking for a great new fantasy series (each book is around 100 pages long) I would suggest this one! Currently Reading: Forest of Blood by Brittany Wang The End of America by Naomi Wolf The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien Podcasts I'm Currently Listening to: Breaking Points Wise Traditions The Seven Songs of Merlin by T.A. Barron 5/5 Stars
Another fun story! I started off so frustrated with Merlin and by the end understanding his lessons and this story. A very fun read and I think good for young minds who are growing and learning but also older ones who need reminders. The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult 3.5/5 Stars This was an alright book. From the description on the back I thought it would be a little more mystical. But it was mostly an adult love triangle story and the consequences of life. Yes, fate was addressed but it just seemed a lot more mystical in the premise, whereas the story was very normal and down-to-earth. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but unless you enjoy non-fantastical stories, you won't particularly love this book. The Magnificent Black Mage by D.B. Carter Issue #1 5/5 Stars I have not read very many comics, as I always assumed one needed to read Marvel or DC. Those stories are so large and long-running, they were too intimidating for me to want to dive into. But this comic is great for people who want to get into comics but don't know where to start. While also supporting an indie comic creator. It's a quick read, but a fun story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series! Not a Nation of Immigrants by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz - 5/5 Stars
This is an amazing book. I think this is so important for every American to read. This is full of the facts and information that gets swept under the rug and needs to be aired out, faced, understood, and accepted. In order to truly understand our country and the issues faced by those who live in it, we must face the facts of our history. It's Not About the Burqua by Miriam Khan - 4/5 Stars This was a lovely and fascinating read. To hear the stories and experiences of Muslim women of color is, as they say in the book, 'something that is spoken of but we rarely get to hear from the women themselves'. It's but a glimpse into these women, their histories, and experiences. But to better have empathy for people, it's important to listen to their words and not the words people speak for them. August Book Reviews 2021 by Jessica Marie The Darkest Day By: Dennis L. McKiernan: I finished The Iron Tower series this month. As the story went on, I became more and more invested in the story and the characters. I started off reading it simply because I had the book, but in time I really grew to care about this story. I particularly enjoyed the last book, The Darkest Day. I thought the foreshadowing and characterization was well done and overall a fun read. If you enjoy fantasy, LOTR, and good versus evil you will enjoy this series. One of my favorite elements of the story was the idea that objects can have or help destiny. I thought it was a fun take on fantasy items and I enjoyed the outcome. The last book felt the most original, with its own twists and turns. Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats By: Jerry Belanger : Another Storey’s guide book for me. We are deciding between potentially getting dairy goats or miniature dairy cattle. So, I am in research mode, reading on care and other requirements. While also looking at our needs and how well they may or may not fit with different livestock options. This book was a great introduction into dairy goats. Some of it is a harsh look at how some people keep livestock, but overall, the information is very helpful for people looking into dairy goats. These books are great reference for once you have livestock as well. Ghosts of Fort Collins by Lori Juszak: This was a fun read! I am a big believer in ghosts, ghost stories, and other paranormal events. The other fun element of local ghost books like this is the history. The ghost stories come from somewhere, so they offer fun little looks into history. I lived in Fort Collins for over 12 years. This book offered some fun insights on places I knew very well from my time there. Places like the tunnels under Old Town, the old Armadillo restaurant, the road to LaPorte and more. Ghosts on the Coast of Maine by Carol Schulte: Another fun read! Not quite as much history as I was hoping, but there was some thrown in. As Maine was a part of the revolutionary war there is a lot of European history here, as well as Native history. Trying to assimilate to a new area, now that we live in Maine, I thought reading about the area might help me get to know it. History and local legends can help one to understand a place. She did her best to make you feel like you were meeting people and hearing their stories as she moved from account to account. I’m curious if the stories in this book will resonate differently when I have lived here for longer. When I know the area better and have been to more places to picture the stories being told. Note: All books I purchased myself. I read and reviewed of my own accord. I was not paid, prompted, or promoted to read or review these works in any way. I do not receive any money or other stipends from these reviews. Books I am Currently Reading: The Seven Songs of Merlin by T. A. Barron Storey’s Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock by Sue Weaver Podcasts I am Binging Right Now: Goal Digger Podcast The Sister Diaries |
AuthorJessica Marie Cunningham - Intentional lifestyle blogger, aspiring author, and podcast host. All things Slow Living, Books, Writing, Art, creativity, Christianity, and personal stories. Archives
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