10 Dec

Posted at 15:28h in Reviews by

Book Review: An Elephant in the Garden: Inspired by a True Story by Michael Morpurgo When I stumbled upon An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo, I was immediately intrigued. The thought of a family risking everything to protect an orphaned elephant during WWII was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Morpurgo, renowned for his ability to weave gentle yet profound stories, invites us into an unusual narrative that reels you in, making you ponder the complexities of war, love, and survival. Set against the backdrop of bombed Dresden, we...

04 Dec

Posted at 16:36h in Reviews by

A Journey Through Healing and Community: My Thoughts on The Forget-Me-Not Library When I first stumbled upon The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber, I felt an instant connection, and it wasn't just because I've adored her previous works. The title alone conjured images of enchantment and nostalgia, and as I delved into the pages, it did not disappoint. It brings to mind the profound impact of memories, both cherished and lost, which resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt disoriented in their own life choices. Webber's storytelling shines as...

31 Oct

Posted at 12:34h in Reviews by

Embracing the Wilderness: A Journey Through My Side of the Mountain When I first encountered My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, I was immediately intrigued by its premise. A twelve-year-old boy, Sam Gribley, decides to escape the hustle and bustle of his family's cramped New York City apartment to venture into the vast wilderness of the Catskill Mountains? It felt like a nostalgic whisper from my own childhood, beckoning me to revisit that dream of living off the land, a fantasy that many of us have...

29 Oct

Posted at 15:27h in Reviews by

Book Review: The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb There’s something undeniably magnetic about Wally Lamb’s storytelling that draws you in and keeps you tethered, even when the subject matter tugs at your heart in the most painful ways. As a long-time fan of Lamb, I was eager to dive into The River Is Waiting, especially when I learned that it was an Oprah’s Book Club pick. It’s a rare gem that promises emotional depth, and I was more than ready for the ride. The novel centers around Corby Ledbetter,...

18 Oct

Posted at 07:50h in Reviews by

Review of Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle When I first stumbled upon Singing with Elephants, I was immediately drawn in by the title and the promise of poetry intertwined with a profound narrative. Knowing that Margarita Engle, the Young People’s Poet Laureate, was the genius behind the story only heightened my excitement. I’ve long admired her knack for weaving complex themes into beautifully crafted verse, and this latest work is no exception. The journey of Oriol, an 11-year-old Cuban-American girl navigating the challenges of identity and belonging, unfolds...

14 Oct

Posted at 14:36h in Reviews by

Under a Greek Sky: A Journey of Healing and Discovery There's something about a book that whisks you away to sun-soaked shores, and Francesca Catlow’s Under a Greek Sky does just that. I was drawn to this enchanting tale not just by the promise of the stunning island of Corfu, but by the exploration of family secrets and the subtle strength found in embracing change. After all, who among us hasn’t wished for an escape when life seems a little too heavy? The novel centers on Lorena, a young...

27 Sep

Posted at 10:36h in Reviews by

Book Review: The Wombats Go Wild for Words by [Author's Name] As a lover of unique words and whimsical stories, I was instantly drawn to The Wombats Go Wild for Words. There’s something enchanting about a picture book that promises not just a delightful tale but also the joy of language. Upon diving into this latest offering, I found myself giggling at clever puns while basking in the colorful illustrations that make this book truly a visual feast. The essence of The Wombats Go Wild for Words lies within the...

07 Sep

Posted at 09:30h in Reviews by

The Nature of Middle-Earth: A Journey into Tolkien’s Imagination As someone who has immersed myself in Tolkien’s vast universe—having tackled all 12 "History of Middle-earth" books, the two-part "History of the Hobbit," and now The Nature of Middle-Earth—I felt an irresistible pull to dive into this latest release. It’s as if I’ve passed an elaborate test set within the pages of Arda: I will diminish, and go into the West and remain Mitchell, a devoted traveler on this literary journey. Tolkien’s writings, always a feast for the imagination, unfold...

01 Sep

Posted at 03:05h in Reviews by

Embracing Life’s Messy Growth: A Review of Super Bloom When I first stumbled upon Super Bloom by Rita Williams-Garcia, I was instantly drawn in by its vibrant cover and intriguing title. Who hasn't felt their life could use a bit of that euphoric explosion of color and joy that comes with nature’s most beautiful phenomena? With themes of resilience and growth, I was eager to see how Williams-Garcia would weave these elements into a story about young lives teetering on the brink of change. The novel centers around the lives...

25 Aug

Posted at 14:02h in Reviews by

Embracing Nature, One Poem at a Time: A Review of A Nature Poem for Every Night of the Year As someone who often finds solace in the gentle embrace of nature, the title A Nature Poem for Every Night of the Year immediately captured my heart. Compiled by the talented editors at Batsford, this anthology promises to whisk readers away into a world woven with the beauty and bounty of the natural environment, offering a poem for each night as a soothing prelude to sleep. I decided to keep...