Origin Story: A Big History of Everything by David Christian
4.5 stars
Basically, this an in depth exploration of life from the big bang to current humans. At times, it took some careful re-reading of the physics portions of this book but really this book is immensely readable and I found so much of it incredibly fascinating. I think the most important idea to take away from this book is that it really is a miracle that we are here, living the life that we do, because it took a lot of extremely ideal conditions for us to get to this point. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Delightful Take on The Story of Beauty and the Beast
The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard
4.5 stars
Thane, Duke of Beswick, was gruesomely attacked by bayonets during a battle and has secluded himself in his ducal estate. Lady Astrid's reputation was stained years before during her first season and now she is determined that the same thing won't happen to her beloved sister so she seeks the protection of the isolated Duke. This is a delightfully sweet historical romance that is well-written with likable characters and snappy dialogue. There are several of Beauty and the Beast re-tellings but this ranks among my favorite. I am also very interested in reading the next in the series, following Astrid's sister, when it becomes available. I received a digital ARC of this book through the Bookish First program in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Thane, Duke of Beswick, was gruesomely attacked by bayonets during a battle and has secluded himself in his ducal estate. Lady Astrid's reputation was stained years before during her first season and now she is determined that the same thing won't happen to her beloved sister so she seeks the protection of the isolated Duke. This is a delightfully sweet historical romance that is well-written with likable characters and snappy dialogue. There are several of Beauty and the Beast re-tellings but this ranks among my favorite. I am also very interested in reading the next in the series, following Astrid's sister, when it becomes available. I received a digital ARC of this book through the Bookish First program in exchange for an honest review.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
I've Been Waiting For This!
Night of the Scoundrel (Dukes of Dover #3.5) by Kelly Bowen
4 stars
I have read every one of Kelly Bowen's books and have been eagerly awaiting this book, as King is featured in many of her previous historical romance novels. King is an enigmatic man who deals in underground businesses and has a traumatic backstory. Adeline mysteriously shows up in London with a troubled history of her own. First of all, this is a novella which is extremely disappointing. These characters definitely deserved a longer, more fleshed-out story with an added 150 pages. Regardless of length, though, Kelly Bowen once again has managed to create two characters that I adore while creating a heart-stopping romance. She also seamlessly incorporated characters from her other books. I still enjoyed this book, while wishing (with all of my heart) that she had made this a full-length novel. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
I have read every one of Kelly Bowen's books and have been eagerly awaiting this book, as King is featured in many of her previous historical romance novels. King is an enigmatic man who deals in underground businesses and has a traumatic backstory. Adeline mysteriously shows up in London with a troubled history of her own. First of all, this is a novella which is extremely disappointing. These characters definitely deserved a longer, more fleshed-out story with an added 150 pages. Regardless of length, though, Kelly Bowen once again has managed to create two characters that I adore while creating a heart-stopping romance. She also seamlessly incorporated characters from her other books. I still enjoyed this book, while wishing (with all of my heart) that she had made this a full-length novel. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Steamy Contemporary
Hooking Up by Helena Hunting
3 stars
Amalie's wedding day is ruined by a despicable groom and an embarrassing situation with the groom's cousin, Lexington. When she decides to go on the honeymoon by herself, she runs into Lexington who is there on a business trip. I liked both of these characters immensely, by themselves, but something about their chemistry together just felt too forced to me. This is also a very steamy contemporary romance and I think I was looking for something lighter and more fun. I think this book just wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
Amalie's wedding day is ruined by a despicable groom and an embarrassing situation with the groom's cousin, Lexington. When she decides to go on the honeymoon by herself, she runs into Lexington who is there on a business trip. I liked both of these characters immensely, by themselves, but something about their chemistry together just felt too forced to me. This is also a very steamy contemporary romance and I think I was looking for something lighter and more fun. I think this book just wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Remarkable Woman
Carrie Fisher: A Life
on the Edge by Sheila Weller
Publication Date – November 12, 2019
4 stars
As I started reading this book, I was immediately
overwhelmed by the sheer number of names dropped, until I realized that it was
necessary because this woman just had SO MANY friends. And most of them were interviewed for this
biography. It creates a very clear
picture of the life and struggles of Carrie Fisher and just how much she was
beloved by her peers. I received a
digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest
review.
The Military and Global Warming
All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon's Perspective on Climate Change by Michael T. Clare
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
3.5 stars
I was really looking forward to this book so that I could factually counteract global warming skeptics with facts about our Department of Defense's actions to fight the consequences of climate change. I can say that this information was there, but it didn't really feel like anything new, if you are up to date on the current issues. It also felt somewhat repetitive. Overall, this was good but I guess my expectations were higher. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
3.5 stars
I was really looking forward to this book so that I could factually counteract global warming skeptics with facts about our Department of Defense's actions to fight the consequences of climate change. I can say that this information was there, but it didn't really feel like anything new, if you are up to date on the current issues. It also felt somewhat repetitive. Overall, this was good but I guess my expectations were higher. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Reading Life of an Artist
Bowie's Bookshelf: The Hundred Books That Changed David Bowie's Life
by John O'Connell
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
4 stars
In the years before Bowie died, he put together a list of the hundred books that impacted his life. The list is extremely interesting and O'Connell takes this list and applies it to different facets of the musician's life. I can't say that I will read many of these books, which range for art to large nonfiction tomes about fascism but it does provide a remarkable look at the reading life of a generational icon. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
by John O'Connell
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
4 stars
In the years before Bowie died, he put together a list of the hundred books that impacted his life. The list is extremely interesting and O'Connell takes this list and applies it to different facets of the musician's life. I can't say that I will read many of these books, which range for art to large nonfiction tomes about fascism but it does provide a remarkable look at the reading life of a generational icon. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November Releases
Wild Life: Dispatches From A Childhood of Baboons and Button-Downs by Keena Roberts
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
5 stars
This memoir follows the author's dual lives as she follow her parents to their work in Africa with monkeys to Pennsylvania where she attends a normal school. The adjustment is not an easy one for her and the resulting coming of age tale is filled with honesty, growth and humor. Her descriptions of Botswana are breathtaking and the stories she tells of the animals she come into daily contact with are amazing. This is definitely my favorite memoir of the year. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beyond the Known: How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take Us to the Stars
by Andrew Rader
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
4.5 stars
Starting with the earliest humans and ending with the future of space travel, this book celebrates exploration among all cultures and the advances that inevitably follow. This is one of those reads that are filled with new information and google rabbit holes. I quite honestly learned so much more than I thought I would and it lead to a new stack of books on my TBR as follow-up. Very entertaining and educational and one that I highly recommend. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era
by Gareth Russell
Publication Date - November 19, 2019
3.5 stars
So many years later, the sinking of the Titanic still holds the imagination and inspires new works of literature. Russell takes a bit of different tact and explores Britain and America around this time and how the Titanic sank at a time right before the onset of one World War after another, when society began to change. I thought this fascinating, and I think his research into the first person accounts of the sinking had incredible depth. The tangents, especially in the first part of the book were somewhat overwhelming and there was just too much information introduced, but overall a thoroughly enjoyable read. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jay-Z: Made in America by Michael Eric Dyson
Publication Date - November 26, 2019
3.5 stars
I was extremely interested to pick this up because I am not as familiar with Jay-Z's work as I am with his talented wife's songs. It is interesting to see his lyrics listed in print because they do read like poetry and it exemplifies the way he uses language to address social issues in a way palatable to those who just want to enjoy the music as well as the message. I did at time feel as though the author was a bit fawning and while he acknowledged some of the issues with some of Jay-Z's songs (such as the misogynistic language), I do think he let him off the hook more than I would have liked. I did find this really interesting and understand the cultural and societal importance of the art that Jay-Z is producing. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
5 stars
This memoir follows the author's dual lives as she follow her parents to their work in Africa with monkeys to Pennsylvania where she attends a normal school. The adjustment is not an easy one for her and the resulting coming of age tale is filled with honesty, growth and humor. Her descriptions of Botswana are breathtaking and the stories she tells of the animals she come into daily contact with are amazing. This is definitely my favorite memoir of the year. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beyond the Known: How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take Us to the Stars
by Andrew Rader
Publication Date - November 12, 2019
4.5 stars
Starting with the earliest humans and ending with the future of space travel, this book celebrates exploration among all cultures and the advances that inevitably follow. This is one of those reads that are filled with new information and google rabbit holes. I quite honestly learned so much more than I thought I would and it lead to a new stack of books on my TBR as follow-up. Very entertaining and educational and one that I highly recommend. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era
by Gareth Russell
Publication Date - November 19, 2019
3.5 stars
So many years later, the sinking of the Titanic still holds the imagination and inspires new works of literature. Russell takes a bit of different tact and explores Britain and America around this time and how the Titanic sank at a time right before the onset of one World War after another, when society began to change. I thought this fascinating, and I think his research into the first person accounts of the sinking had incredible depth. The tangents, especially in the first part of the book were somewhat overwhelming and there was just too much information introduced, but overall a thoroughly enjoyable read. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jay-Z: Made in America by Michael Eric Dyson
Publication Date - November 26, 2019
3.5 stars
I was extremely interested to pick this up because I am not as familiar with Jay-Z's work as I am with his talented wife's songs. It is interesting to see his lyrics listed in print because they do read like poetry and it exemplifies the way he uses language to address social issues in a way palatable to those who just want to enjoy the music as well as the message. I did at time feel as though the author was a bit fawning and while he acknowledged some of the issues with some of Jay-Z's songs (such as the misogynistic language), I do think he let him off the hook more than I would have liked. I did find this really interesting and understand the cultural and societal importance of the art that Jay-Z is producing. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, November 4, 2019
Re-imagining Camelot
The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White
4 stars
I made the mistake of reading a couple of reviews of this book beforehand that were rather harsh which made me leery, especially since I don't read a ton of Young Adult fantasy books, however, I really enjoyed this book. Following the Arthur legend while also turning it on its head, the characters were interesting, the plot moved steadily forward and the magic was perfectly imagined. I am looking forward to seeing how she interprets the next part of this story in the next book. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
I made the mistake of reading a couple of reviews of this book beforehand that were rather harsh which made me leery, especially since I don't read a ton of Young Adult fantasy books, however, I really enjoyed this book. Following the Arthur legend while also turning it on its head, the characters were interesting, the plot moved steadily forward and the magic was perfectly imagined. I am looking forward to seeing how she interprets the next part of this story in the next book. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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