Book Review - The Glare

About the Book
In The Glare after living off the grid for more than a decade, a teenage girl must play a dangerous game—and face the shadows of her past—to save the world from a dangerous dark force. A chilling techno-thriller for fans of Black Mirror and #MurderTrending—now in paperback! After ten years of living on an isolated, tech-free ranch with her mother, sixteen-year-old Hedda is going back to the world of the Glare -- her word for cell phones, computers, and tablets. Hedda was taught to be afraid of technology, afraid that it would get inside her mind and hurt her. But now she's going to stay with her dad in California, where she was born, and she's finally ready to be normal. She's not going to go "off-kilter," like her mom says she did when she was just a little kid. Once she arrives, Hedda finally feels like she's in control. She reunites with old friends and connects with her stepmom and half-brother. Never mind the terrifying nightmares and visions that start trickling back -- they're not real. Then Hedda rediscovers the Glare: the real Glare, a first-person shooter game from the dark web that scared her when she was younger. They say if you die thirteen times on level thirteen, you die in real life. But as Hedda starts playing the so-called "death game" -- and the game begins spreading among her friends -- she realizes the truth behind her nightmares is even more twisted than she could have imagined. And in order to stop the Glare, she'll have to first confront the darkness within herself.

My Take on the Book
This was definitely a scary book. Through characters playing the Glare freaky things start happening to them. The author also incorporates in some of the more troubling things that come these days in regards to the internet, addiction, social media, gaming and more. The book really makes you think, but also makes you uncomfortable and unsettled when it comes to the main concepts. The book is filled with scary descriptions that really keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are a fan of horror, this is a great book for you!

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Book Review - Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting

About the Book
In Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling YA author Roseanne A. Brown's middle grade debut about a pre-teen vampire slayer with a strong helping of Ghanaian folklore.

For most kids, catching fireflies is a fun summer activity. For twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng, it's a matter of life and death.

That's because Serwa knows that some fireflies are really adze, shapeshifting vampires from the forests of Southeastern Ghana. Adze prey on the blood of innocents, possessing their minds and turning them into hulking monsters, and for generations, slayers like Serwa and her parents have protected an unknowing public from their threats.

Serwa is the best adze slayer her age, and she knew how to use a crossbow before she could even ride a bike. But when an obayifo (witch) destroys her childhood home while searching for a drum, do Serwa's parents take her with them on their quest to defeat her? No. Instead, they dump Serwa with her hippie aunt and cryptic-obsessed cousin in the middle of Nowheresville, Maryland "for her own safety." Now, instead of crossbows and battle armor, she's dealing with mean girls and algebra, and for the first time in her life she doesn't have to carry a staff everywhere she goes, which is . . . kind of nice, actually.

Just as Serwa starts to get the hang of this whole normal girl who doesn't punch vampires every day thing, an adze infiltrates her school. It's up to her to whip some of her classmates into monster-fighting shape before all of them become firefly food. And when she uncovers a secret that upends everything she thought she knew about her family's role in the slayer vs. adze war, Serwa will have to decide which side of herself--normal girl or slayer--is the right one.

After all, seventh grade is hard enough without adding vampires to the mix.

My Take on the Book
If you are a fan of stories such as Rick Riordan, this is a book that you will love. The book has amazing characters that really connect well together. I also appreciated that the book brought in Ghanaian mythology. I can say I knew nothing about this, but the book does a great job of allowing the reader to learn more about and appreciate this. The characters are not perfect, but instead the author has added in flaws to Serwa and other characters. She lets Serwa make mistakes and it is these flaws that makes her and other characters relatable. The book inserts tough topics from microaggressions to discrimination to other forms of overt racism. The book was fast paced and in the end it sets up the reader to be excited for a sequel!

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Book Review - Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure

About the Book

In Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure, when her cherished Ma Millie falls ill, a timid housecat ventures into the wild to seek help in this adventure about love, loss, and finding the truest version of ourselves.

A warm, cozy lap. The toasty smell of baking bread. Tasty food served in a bright-blue bowl. These make Haven’s life as an indoor pet heaven. All thanks to her beloved human and rescuer, Ma Millie. But when Ma Millie becomes too sick to care for her, the cat’s cozy life is turned upside down, and Haven decides she must seek out another human for help. Anything for Ma Millie! Her vow pulls her out of her safe nest into the shadowy forest and down unfamiliar and dangerous roads. When her first plan fails, Haven meets a wilderness-savvy fox who volunteers as an ally, and their perilous journey together brings some victories. But Haven finds herself pitted against creatures far wilder than she ever could be, testing her strength and spirit to their limits. Will her loyalty to Ma Millie—and her newfound confidence in herself—be enough to help Haven see the quest through to its conclusion? Can she stand up against the fierce predator that is tracking her every move?


My Take on the Book
I love cats and this is a story of a kitten with a ton of personality that has an amazing adventure as she works to get help for her human who was ill. The thing that was amazing was that Haven the cat had never been in the forest, but was determined to find help for her human. Throughout the book Haven meets new friends that helps her along the way. This was a wonderful book that I would highly recommend to all!

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Book Review - Alliana, Girl of Dragons

About the Book

For fans of Shannon Hale and Gail Carson Levine, comes an enchanting fairy tale retelling of the Japanese Cinderella, set in the magical world of Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch.

Once upon a time, Alliana believed in dreams and fairy tales as sweet as spun-sugar clouds. Alliana wished on shooting stars, sure that someday she and her grandmother would be able to travel to the capital city to see the queen. Then her grandmother passed away—and those dreams disappeared in a disenchanted puff.

Now Alliana’s forced to attend to the whims of her wicked stepmother—with long days of cleaning her stepfamily’s inn as her skin burns raw or staying up until the crack of dawn to embroider her stepsister’s ball gowns. Until she meets two beings who change her life forever—the first is a young nightdragon who Alliana discovers she can magically talk to. And the second is Nela, a young witch.

Nela needs Alliana’s help navigating the mysterious abyss, filled with dangerous beasts, a place Alliana knows by heart. Alliana sees Nela’s request as a chance to break free of her stepmother’s shadow and to seize a chance at a life she’s barely dared to hope for—but there’s a risk. If caught, Alliana will be stuck working for her stepmother for the rest of her life. Can Alliana truly make wisps of dreams into her own, better-than-a-fairy-tale happily ever after?

Inspired by the Japanese Cinderella story and set in the same world as the Eva Evergreen series, this story can be read as a standalone.

Find Alliana Girl of Dragons on Amazon.

 
My Take on the Book
I have seen the Cinderella story retold in a number of ways in the past and this was a completely new way that I had never seen before. The book takes Cinderella, mixes in dragons, witches and more. While I had not read all of the Eva Evergreen books in the past, this book could easily stand on its' own. In reading the book itself, the heroine is definitely one that you want to root on throughout the book. I found that the book was a quick read and one that I did not want to put down.  

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Book Review - Twelfth

About the Book

In Twelfth, Better Nate Than Ever meets The Parker Inheritance in this heartwarming mystery about finding your people and accepting others as they are.

Twelve-year-old Maren is sure theater camp isn’t for her. Theater camp is for loud, confident, artsy people: people like her older sister, Hadley—the last person Maren wants to think about—and her cinema-obsessed, nonbinary bunkmate, Theo. But when a prank goes wrong, Maren gets drawn into the hunt for a diamond ring that, legend has it, is linked to the camp’s namesake, Charlotte “Charlie” Goodman, a promising director in Blacklist Era Hollywood.

When Maren connects the clues to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, she and her new friends are off searching through lighting booths, orchestra pits and costume storages, discovering the trail and dodging camp counselors. But they’re not the only ones searching for the ring, and with the growing threat of camp closing forever, they're almost out of time.


My Take on the Book
This was a powerful and important book that all need to read. Through the book you are challenged by the gender issues that are presented to every reader. The things I appreciated is that the author has done a great job at making these challenging topics fun and entertaining. Also, the author has created a strong main character that not only has to learn to accept themself, but also has to learn to grow, love and understand others labeled as different. This book really allows the reader to reexamine one's own humanity.

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Book Review - Cress Watercress

About the Book

In Cress Watercress you get a lavishly illustrated woodland tale with a classic sensibility and modern flair—from the fertile imagination behind Wicked.

Gregory Maguire turns his trademark wit and wisdom to an animal adventure about growing up, moving on, and finding community. When Papa doesn't return from a nocturnal honey-gathering expedition, Cress holds out hope, but her mother assumes the worst. It’s a dangerous world for rabbits, after all. Mama moves what’s left of the Watercress family to the basement unit of the Broken Arms, a run-down apartment oak with a suspect owl landlord, a nosy mouse super, a rowdy family of squirrels, and a pair of songbirds who broadcast everyone’s business. Can a dead tree full of annoying neighbors, and no Papa, ever be home? In the timeless spirit of E. B. White and The Wind and the Willows—yet thoroughly of its time—this read-aloud and read-alone gem for animal lovers of all ages features an unforgettable cast that leaps off the page in glowing illustrations by David Litchfield. This tender meditation on coming-of-age invites us to flourish wherever we find ourselves.


My Take on the Book
This was a delightful tale about a rabbit family. The worlds are rich and the author's creation of the world through vivid storytelling really makes the book move page-by-page. Amazing imagery surrounds the book and really transports you as a reader into middle of the storyline and the plot moves you through the book very quickly and by the end you will be wanting more! The book keeps you on the edge of your seat and is full of kindness, friendship and more!

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Book Review - Healer & Witch

About the Book
After eleven young-adult novels, best-selling and award-winning author Nancy Werlin casts a brilliant new spell in a middle-grade historical fantasy for fans of classic fare.

Nancy Werlin’s first story for middle-grade readers, Healer and Witch, tackles and transcends traditional fantasy tropes: can a young woman gifted with magic learn to manage her powers—and claim her strength—without violence? Sylvie and her mother and grandmother are beloved, trusted healers in their medieval French village, though some whisper that fifteen-year-old Sylvie and her grand-mere deal in more than herbs and medicines. Perhaps they’re a bit . . . witchy? After her grandmother dies, and an attempt to use magic to heal her mother’s grief brooks tragic consequences, Sylvie leaves her village in search of a teacher. The journey subjects her to strange alliances, powerful temptations, danger, and deceit. In the end, there may be only one wise woman Sylvie can trust in a world that would define her limits: herself. Beautifully crafted, this quietly powerful work for younger readers assures a whole new audience for an established author.


My Take on the Book
From beginning to end this book really is a page turner. The book is a mix of history and fantasy and the author does a great job at creating characters that you will connect with, but also draws you into a world that is well developed, rich and lush. There is great interplay and connection between the characters and throughout the book you come to truly care about each of the characters!

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Book Review - Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden

About the Book
In Behold Our Magical Garden you get witty and inspiring upbeat poems that are poised to cultivate a new crop of gardeners, aided by Daniel Duncan’s bountiful illustrations. 

In our garden, can you see? 

A grand adventure? And it’s free! 

A green delicious fantasy? 

Behold our magical garden. 

There’s a lot more to gardens than meets the eye! In this collection of buoyant poems filled with fun facts, young nature enthusiasts and budding gardeners are called on to help solve a mystery by the compost bin, join a Wild West–style standoff between some good bugs and a few bad ones, interview the sun to find out what happens when it drinks a glass of water, and learn the fancy names of plants to spice up dinner conversation. They’ll be spurred to grab their own gardening tools, drop in some seeds, encounter a few insects, gather fresh vegetables, and find a whole lot of magic. Allan Wolf’s playful poems and Daniel Duncan’s whimsically detailed, welcoming illustrations combine in a charming celebration of the many wonders and lessons to be learned from a school garden. For further inspiration, engaging notes on the poems and an author’s note on jotting down observations can be found in the back matter.

My Take on the Book
This was a great collection of poetry, art, science and so much more. I loved the mix of poetry that was spread throughout the book. The poems are fun and really create a picture that create a picture in your mind's eye. If you have a budding artist, poet or writer, they will love this book!

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Game Review - Van Life

About the Game

In Van Life, adventure is calling on the open road, so grab your keys and head out on a road trip with Van Life from Ridley's Games! In this fun, travel-themed board game, players compete to see who can explore the adventurous island of Vantopia for a year and experience the most awesome 'Van Life'! As the seasons pass and events unfold, players travel around the board, visit the destinations in their hands, and earn Adventure Points for each completed journey. Learn new skills that earn you bonus Adventure Points at specific destinations on your travels. Try to be the player with the most Adventure Points when the year is up! Perfect for friends, families, travel and road trip enthusiasts, it's suitable for ages 10+, 2-5 players, and has an average 30-60 minute gameplay. Made using FSC materials and printed with soy inks.

• ADVENTURE BOARD GAME – Adventure is calling on the open road, so grab your keys and head out on a road trip with Van Life from Ridley's Games! In this fun, travel-themed board game, players compete to see who can explore the adventurous island of Vantopia for a year and experience the most awesome 'Van Life'!
• EASY TO PLAY – As the seasons pass and events unfold, players travel around the board, visit the destinations in their hands, and earn Adventure Points for each completed journey. Learn new skills that earn you bonus Adventure Points at specific destinations on your travels. Try to be the player with the most Adventure Points when the year is up
• FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – Gather your friends and family, young and old alike, and let the games begin! Ideal for 2-5 players and ages 10+, this adventure cooperative board game has an average 30-60 minute gameplay and is excellent for social gatherings, parties and family nights. It’s also perfect for any travel and road trip enthusiasts!
• INCLUDES – Includes 50 Adventure Cards, 50 Let's Go Cards, 10 Life Cards, 10 Tour Cards, 10 van tokens, 10 action tokens, 5 wooden van meeples, 1 first player token, 1 gameboard, and instructions.
• RIDLEY’S – Ridley’s Games invents exciting, original, quality games and toys to spark imaginations, banish boredom and open up a world of immense fun. Our games offer players a truly unique experience, with innovative bespoke packaging and game play.

My Take on the Game
What I loved about this game is that it was one that really brought my family and I together. The game was fun and allows you to explore Vantopia as you are moving from season to season and traveling around the board. What was great is that this is a game you can play with all of your friends and you can play the game in less than an hour, which is a great amount of time. All-in-All this was a ton of fun for the while family!

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Book Review - Where Did I Come From? 50th Anniversary Edition

About the Book
Where Did I Come From? is a classic for 50 years! With over 2.5M copies sold, this illustrated children's guide about the birds and bees has helped parents all over the world have “the talk” candidly with young, inquiring minds —with a dash of humor and without any nonsense. “I give this book top grades for humanness and honesty. Some parents will find that its humorousness helps them over the embarrassment.” —Dr. Spock

An international and beloved bestselling classic, Where Did I Come From? helps parents and their curious children get up close and personal with the intimate world of human sexuality. Told in an age-appropriate voice respectful of young people’s natural intelligence and warmly and relatably illustrated throughout, Where Did I Come From? creates a safe space where families can learn about the traditional facts of life—from the different parts of the body to orgasm to birth.


My Take on the Book
This was a book that my parents gave to me as a teenager, so I was surprised to find that there was a new version and that this book was still available today. The book really does offer a healthy view of what sex is. The book does look at everything from puberty to masturbation to sex, birth and more. The book is open and does not hold back. However, in saying this, the book shares the information in a tasteful way that parents can appreciate and that kids can understand. While the topics in the book may be hard to talk about, the authors are open and honest about so many topics that will help kids to better understand their changing bodies and lives.

 

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Book Review - Culture Rules: The Leader's Guide to Creating the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

About the Book
Culture Rules is a clarion call for leaders around the world. The pandemic has magnified the essential role that culture plays in an organization’s health, vitality, and sustainability—some passed the test with flying colors while others are seeing with fresh eyes, deeply rooted issues and challenges within their culture.

After completing a global study with over 5,000 participants from ten countries, Mark Miller and his team have exposed the most predominant fissures and their fixes. Culture Rules showcases leaders and organizations who are building strong, enduring cultures.

Most important, this book is not just another compilation of case studies. Culture Rules makes the case for why leaders should invest their time and energy on building culture and gives them three simple, actionable rules they must play by if they want to stay in the game and win!

These rules and their accompanying best practices enable leaders to:

• Clarify and communicate the organization’s cultural aspirations.
• Reinforce the aspiration through their daily activities.
• Maintain relevance and vitality by constantly enhancing their culture.

When leader’s play by these rules, their actions become more strategic and productive while giving their organization a huge gift—a place where untapped potential is released and transformed into performance. Culture Rules!


My Take on the Book
This book really presents you a great array of advice for anyone looking for business success. In reading this I will say that I found not only things that I could use as a leader in my own environment, but things that I think every leader can use. The advice is practical, and you can put them into place immediately. The book take on culture within an organization, explains this and helps all leaders to better gain a broader perspective on how to maintain, build and keep a solid culture within an organization. Setting up and keeping a culture is so important and I can say that in reading this, I was very impressed by the wide array of things that the author provides as he guides leaders towards creating a culture that truly lasts.  

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Puzzle Review - Bibliophile Diverse Spines 500-Piece Puzzle

About the Puzzle

In the Bibliophile Diverse Spines 500-Piece Puzzle you get:

• 500-PIECE PUZZLE: The 500-piece bookstack puzzle is just the right level of challenge for booklovers and puzzlers. Encased in a box shaped like a book.
• PERFECT FOR LITERARY LOVERS: A useful and fun puzzle for Goodreads users, voracious readers, booklovers, aspiring writers, book club members, librarians, and English teachers as well as fans of Jane Mount, Ideal Bookshelf, Jamise Harper, and #DiverseSpines.
• DISCOVER UNSUNG LITERARY HEROES: A wide variety of books written by BIPOC authors, over 60 in all, are featured in this puzzle, like Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, There There by Tommy Orange, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, and more.
• EXPERT AUTHORS: Using their keen knowledge of all things literary, Jamise Harper (founder of the Diverse Spines book community) and Jane Mount (author and illustrator of Bibliophile) have curated expertly devised bookstacks featuring a wide range of underrepresented voices.
• COOL OBJECT: With an elegant box shaped like a book, this makes a special gift and an enviable coffee-table centerpiece.

My Take on the Puzzle
As someone that loves books and someone married to a librarian, this was the perfect puzzle! It brought in our love of books but also was a fun puzzle to complete as well. In the end, if you love books and puzzles this is one that I would highly recommend!

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Book Review - Sunny and Oswaldo

About the Book
In Sunny and Oswaldo you get a moving story of friendship, family, and the importance of empathy from award-winning author Nicole Melleby, expertly rendered with vibrant, expressive illustrations from Alexandra Colombo.

 
Sunny does not like cats—especially Oswaldo. He’s cranky and mean.

 
Sunny’s dad loves Oswaldo. She does not understand why.

 
When Oswaldo doesn’t come home one day, Sunny is happy. But her dad is sad.

 
Sunny wants her dad to be happy, so she helps him look for Oswaldo.

 
But can Sunny and Oswaldo ever get along?

My Take on the Book
This is a very cute story that brings in humor as well as a great story of an adopted pet and how it sometimes takes some time to find that connection with a pet. This was a story of love and understanding underneath it all. It was a great story that I loved to read and share with my own daughters.

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