To Read Or Not To Read Journal Book Review

 
Title: To Read Or Not To Read

Author: Ink and Willow Publishing

Genre: Nonfiction, Journal, Literary, Books, Interactive, Lists.

Plot: Every book-dragon and serious reader know that keeping track of the books you've read is a daunting task. Throw in keeping track of the books you want to read and you're pretty much guaranteed to be buried under piles and piles of unsorted books. This is when a journal such as To Read Or Not To Read comes in very, very handy. This journal is designed with book lovers in mind.

Beginning with the table of contents, there are blank spaces to write in the titles of the titles you review for easy future reference. Each page has a space for the book's title, year published, your rating, notes, your review, your final thoughts, why you read the book, and what impact it had on you. Furthermore, there are lists of books such as BBC Top 100 Reads to check off which titles you've read and introduce you to new favorite reads. There is a blank list in the back to list your own to be read titles, and a How Bookish Are You quiz. For a final treat, there are Author Spotlight sections on Flannery O'Connor, Shusaku Endo, Frederick Douglass, Dorothy Sayers, Richard Twiss, and Justo L. Gonzalez.

Likes/Dislikes: This is the first bookish journal I have (shocking, I know) and I absolutely love it! The paper is thick and smooth, the layout of each section is gorgeous and easy on the eyes, and the whole thing makes me excited about reading and discovering new books. I think it is an extra perk that the cover is blue which is my favorite color. All in all, this journal is highly recommended and should be at the top of every book lover's holiday wish list this season.

Rating: G-all ages, geared more toward teens and adults.

Date Reviewed: November 14th, 2020

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publishers for my honest opinion and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

The Salvation Of Dr Who Book Review

Title: The Salvation Of Dr Who

Author: Mike Rawle

Genre: Nonfiction, Devotional, Biblical, Bible Study, Television Show, Christian.

Plot: Connecting the dots between a classic secular British television show and the Bible is a tricky thing to do but pastor Mike Rawle manages to pull it off relatively successfully. This isn't a traditional devotional with verses and short bite-sized chapters but it can be used in addition to other while watching Doctor Who and looking up the reference verses in your handy Bible.

Doctor Who a long-running science fiction show about an ancient alien who uses humor, knowledge and a profound dislike for violence to save the day from nasty invading foes. There is a lot of good to be found buried in this show and connecting it to Christ's messages isn't necessarily hard to achieve. Most readers will read this and then go watch the show.

Likes/Dislikes: Fans of Doctor Who will adore this book. I personally didn't see a huge appeal beyond going, "Oh, it's about Doctor Who." But that's okay, I don't feel like I was the target audience. I still enjoyed reading the bits about the older episodes of the show and how you can see good in a secular interest.

Rating: PG-13 and up, mainly for reading level.

Date Reviewed: January 14th, 2020

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

The Paper Bag Princess 40th Edition Book Review

Title: The Paper Bag Princess

Author: Robert Munsch

Genre: Fiction, Children, Classic, Illustrated, Fairy tale, Princess, Dragons.

Plot: Princess Elizabeth is spunky, clever and madly in love with the handsome and pretty Prince Ronald. But there's a tiny wrench in her wedding plans: a local dragon. This dragon further throws things into chaos by attacking and burning down the castle, including all of the fine clothes in Elizabeth's wardrobe and then the dragon carries off Prince Ronald as his captive snack for later.

Undaunted by these events and the lack of decent clothes, Elizabeth determines to rescue her handsome prince. So she dons a paper bag and sets off on her mission, armed only with her wits and patience.

Likes/Dislikes: For 40 years, readers young and old have adored this simple and beautiful story. Elizabeth is a princess but she doesn't let that get in her way as she firmly establishes herself as the hero in her story. She is resourceful (see: the paper bag) and clever with a large store of patience at her youthful disposal. On top of that, she knows how to tell when someone is throwing her shade and how to put them back in their place. Her confidence has inspired girls everywhere and will continue to do so with this beautiful special edition of the classic book.

I read this a couple of times as a kid and always remembered it as the story with the girl wearing the paper bag. It wasn't until I was older that more of the story's subtle undertones clicked for me. Now I'm on the hunt for a copy for my girls so they can grow up with this book nestled in their subconscious. They can defeat dragons wearing only a paper bag and walk off into the sunset if they so choose.

Rating: G-all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Reviewed: January 11th, 2020

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Chocolate The Consuming Passion Book Review

Title: Chocolate: The Consuming Passion

Author: Sandra Boynton

Genre: Nonfiction, Chocolate, Food, Humor,

Plot: We all love chocolate (if you don't, why are you reading this book?) and there is nothing better than chocolate. We can have chocolate straight up, hot or cold, dark or milk, cover almost anything in chocolate and still be down for more chocolate later on.

This adorable little book covers all things chocolate (please don't eat the book, it isn't covered in chocolate), as well as giving a few fascinating chocolate facts and handy charts that explain how white chocolate is not real chocolate.

Likes/Dislikes: My kids love Sandra Boynton's board books so obviously I had to read her chocolate book when I spotted it at the library. My kids looked through it too and asked for chocolate. I strongly recommend buying some chocolate to nibble while reading this book, it will help satisfy the cravings.

Rating: PG-all ages (though not for young readers who will eat the book)

Date Reviewed: Dec 17th, 2019

Book Girl Book Review

Title: Book Girl

Author: Sarah Clarkson

Genre: Nonfiction, Christian, Reading, Educational, Books, Reading Lists, Family

Plot: Influenced from a young age to love books and reading, Sarah Clarkson became a book girl. Now, in her own book with a little book girl of her own on the way, Sarah explores what it means to be a book girl and how to apply the lessons learned in her books to everyday life.

The book is divided into ten chapters with their own little theme and two or three accompanying book lists which fit that theme. There is a chapter on making reading lists with advice on ways to maximize your reading (don't just binge on all those yummy mysteries or romances―throw in some poetry, nonfiction and a biography or two). There are also chapters on taking action in life, cultivating the soul and healing the soul after a great grief.

For each chapter, Sarah draws on her own experience and what books taught her about life before giving her recommendations for our own future reading.

Likes/Dislikes: This book strongly reminded me of my childhood and teen years wrapped up in the classics and devouring everything I could find. I'm a bit more picky about what I read now though I do binge-read whatever attracts my interest at the time. I liked a lot of the reading lists in here, especially the one for children and the one on books to help navigate the current culture. I did have a tricky time reading this book though as it is very obviously written by someone who is college educated and used to writing very long wordy and repetitive essays to convey her point. This type of format is all fine and dandy but not my preferred format of reading and I zoned out several times as she went on and on about something she had already mentioned several times before. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book.

Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for reading level

Date Review Written: April 4^th, 2019

God Bless You And Goodnight Book Review

Title: God Bless You And Goodnight

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Genre: Children, Christian, Bedtime Story, Animals, Picture Book

Plot: The sun is going down and it's time for babies of every shape, color and size to have a midnight snack, get all snuggled up in their pajamas and get tucked into bed lovingly by their parents so they can recharge for another exciting day tomorrow.

There's a fox family snuggled in the hay, a raccoon mama rocks her babies to sleep, a baby penguin gets all dressed up for bed and many others will delight little readers as they graduate from the classic board book to the picture book edition with this lovely story.

Likes/Dislikes: This book is for the growing readers who loved the board book edition but feel they are too old for it now. Enter the picture book edition with it's glossy grown-up pages for them to eagerly turn themselves as they encounter new and familiar faces across each page. My girls, 4 yrs. and 19 mos. old, both enjoyed this book (not having yet encountered the board book edition). They were delighted by the story and really enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from their collection pop up. The 4 yr. old was particularly taken by the adorable baby penguin while the younger one wanted to turn the pages herself. Very cute book.

Rating: G-all ages, (more so 4+), highly recommended.

Date Review Written: February 17th, 2018

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Booklook Bloggers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinion expressed in the above review is my own.

Summer Shower

A drop fell on the apple tree,

Another on the roof;

A half a dozen kissed the eaves,

And made the gables laugh.

A few went out to help the brook,

That went to help the sea.

Myself conjectured, Were they pearls,

What necklaces could be!

The dust replaced in hoisted roads,

The birds jocoser sung;

The sunshine threw his hat away,

The orchards spangles hung.

The breezes brought dejected lutes,

And bathed them in the glee;

The East put out a single flag,

And signed the fete away. 

~ Emily Dickinson

Summer at North Farm

Finnish rural life, ca. 1910

Fires, always fires after midnight, 

the sun depending in the purple birches 

and gleaming like a copper kettle. 

By the solstice they’d burned everything, 

the bad-luck sleigh, a twisted rocker, 

things “possessed” and not-quite-right. 

The bonfire coils and lurches, 

big as a house, and then it settles. 

The dancers come, dressed like rainbows 

(if rainbows could be spun), 

and linking hands they turn 

to the melancholy fiddles. 

A red bird spreads its wings now 

and in the darker days to come.

~ Stephen Kuusisto

Bed in Summer

In winter I get up at night 

And dress by yellow candle-light. 

In summer, quite the other way, 

I have to go to bed by day. 

I have to go to bed and see 

The birds still hopping on the tree, 

Or hear the grown-up people's feet 

Still going past me in the street. 

And does it not seem hard to you, 

When all the sky is clear and blue, 

And I should like so much to play, 

To have to go to bed by day?

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Beginner's Bible Carry Along Treasury Book Review

Title: The Beginner's Bible Carry-Along Treasury

Author: Beginner's Bible

Genre: Children, Christian, Bible, Carry-Along,

Plot: From Creation to the Fall, to Deborah, Samson, King David, the birth of Jesus, His ministry and His death and resurrection, this little treasury is perfect for beginners and for small hands to carry it along on adventures, to church or even just around the house. Filled with bright colors and the now classic Beginner's Bible artwork, this book is a must-have for anyone with toddlers and young children.

Likes/Dislikes: My three yr old loves this book! She carries it around everywhere and reads the stories to her stuffed animals. The ten month old enjoyed the bright colors and eagerly ripped a page so not for tiny hands that are better suited for board books. But they both listened as I read the stories and they enjoyed them. I personally liked how accurate they are to the actual Bible passages and that lesser known stories such as Deborah's were included.

Rating: G- all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Review Written: June 2nd, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BookLook Bloggers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Fireflies in The Garden

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies, 

And here on earth come emulating flies, 

That though they never equal stars in size, 

(And they were never really stars at heart) 

Achieve at times a very star-like start. 

Only, of course, they can't sustain the part.

~ Robert Frost

The Flowers

All the names I know from nurse: 

Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse, 

Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock, 

And the Lady Hollyhock. 

Fairy places, fairy things, 

Fairy woods where the wild bee wings, 

Tiny trees for tiny dames-- 

These must all be fairy names! 

Tiny woods below whose boughs 

Shady fairies weave a house; 

Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme, 

Where the braver fairies climb! 

Fair are grown-up people's trees, 

But the fairest woods are these; 

Where, if I were not so tall, 

I should live for good and all.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

The Wild Flower's Song

As I wandered the forest,

The green leaves among,

I heard a Wild Flower

Singing a song.

'I slept in the earth

In the silent night,

I murmured my fears

And I felt delight.

'In the morning I went

As rosy as morn,

To seek for new joy;

But oh! met with scorn.'

~ William Blake

Ah! Sunflower!

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time.

Who countest the steps of the Sun;

Seeking after that sweet golden clime

Where the travellers journey is done.

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow:

Arise from their graves and aspire.

Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

~ William Blake

Leaves Compared with Flowers

A tree's leaves may be ever so good,

So may its bar, so may its wood;

But unless you put the right thing to its root

It never will show much flower or fruit.

But I may be one who does not care

Ever to have tree bloom or bear.

Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,

Leaves and bark may be tree enough.

Some giant trees have bloom so small

They might as well have none at all.

Late in life I have come on fern.

Now lichens are due to have their turn.

I bade men tell me which in brief,

Which is fairer, flower or leaf.

They did not have the wit to say,

Leaves by night and flowers by day.

Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,

To lean against and hear in the dark.

Petals I may have once pursued.

Leaves are all my darker mood.

~ Robert Frost

Wind and Window Flowers

LOVERS, forget your love,

And list to the love of these,

She a window flower,

And he a winter breeze.

When the frosty window veil

Was melted down at noon,

And the cagèd yellow bird

Hung over her in tune,

He marked her through the pane,

He could not help but mark,

And only passed her by,

To come again at dark.

He was a winter wind,

Concerned with ice and snow,

Dead weeds and unmated birds,

And little of love could know.

But he sighed upon the sill,

He gave the sash a shake,

As witness all within

Who lay that night awake.

Perchance he half prevailed

To win her for the flight

From the firelit looking-glass

And warm stove-window light.

But the flower leaned aside

And thought of naught to say,

And morning found the breeze

A hundred miles away.

~ Robert Frost

Spring Rain

I thought I had forgotten, 

But it all came back again 

To-night with the first spring thunder 

In a rush of rain.

I remembered a darkened doorway 

Where we stood while the storm swept by, 

Thunder gripping the earth 

And lightning scrawled on the sky.

The passing motor busses swayed, 

For the street was a river of rain, 

Lashed into little golden waves 

In the lamp light's stain.

With the wild spring rain and thunder 

My heart was wild and gay; 

Your eyes said more to me that night 

Than your lips would ever say. . . .

I thought I had forgotten, 

But it all came back again 

To-night with the first spring thunder 

In a rush of rain. 

~ Sara Teasdale

The Year's at the Spring

The year's at the spring,

And day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hill-side's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in his Heaven— 

All's right with the world! 

~ Robert Browning

First Day of Spring

First day of spring--
I keep thinking about
the end of autumn.

~ Matsuo Basho

Spring

To what purpose, April, do you return again?

Beauty is not enough.

You can no longer quiet me with the redness

Of little leaves opening stickily.

I know what I know.

The sun is hot on my neck as I observe

The spikes of the crocus.

The smell of the earth is good.

It is apparent that there is no death.

But what does that signify?

Not only under ground are the brains of men

Eaten by maggots.

Life in itself

Is nothing,

An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.

It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,

April

Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.

~ Edna St. Vincent Millay