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bibliokyra's reviews
1108 reviews
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers
5.0
I felt all the f e e l s opening up this book mail. Thank you so much, Quirk Books, for my ARC of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (available 3/19). Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood first premiered on PBS on this day fifty-one years ago!
I was lucky enough to grow up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and I truly believe that his lessons contributed to me growing into a good human being. Mister Rogers helped children feel safe, acknowledged and accepted while teaching them lessons about emotions, empathy, and growing up. He also offered parents tips to help their children express themselves and thrive.
My son loves watching Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which is a series inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. All of the characters are children of the puppets from Fred’s Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood offers the same lessons and helps children develop social and emotional skills. My husband and I have learned priceless parenting tips from this show. It is mind-blowing to see Mister Rogers’ efforts come full circle within my own family.
Mister Rogers’ valuable lessons and lyrics are all compiled into this beautiful book of poetry. I’ll be buying finished copies for my family and for gifts. If you haven’t already, go watch the video of a young Mr. Rogers challenging the cuts for Public Broadcasting and stressing the importance of his educational program to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee. I promise, it will give you chills and bring tears to your eyes.
I was lucky enough to grow up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and I truly believe that his lessons contributed to me growing into a good human being. Mister Rogers helped children feel safe, acknowledged and accepted while teaching them lessons about emotions, empathy, and growing up. He also offered parents tips to help their children express themselves and thrive.
My son loves watching Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which is a series inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. All of the characters are children of the puppets from Fred’s Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood offers the same lessons and helps children develop social and emotional skills. My husband and I have learned priceless parenting tips from this show. It is mind-blowing to see Mister Rogers’ efforts come full circle within my own family.
Mister Rogers’ valuable lessons and lyrics are all compiled into this beautiful book of poetry. I’ll be buying finished copies for my family and for gifts. If you haven’t already, go watch the video of a young Mr. Rogers challenging the cuts for Public Broadcasting and stressing the importance of his educational program to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee. I promise, it will give you chills and bring tears to your eyes.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
4.0
All the heart eyes!!
Olive and Amy are identical twins but that’s where their similarities end. Amy is confident and blessed with luck where Olive considers herself one of the most unluckiest people on earth. Amy even won a free wedding and honeymoon for her and her dream guy but that’s when her luck comes to an abrupt end. Nearly everyone at Amy’s wedding gets sick from the free seafood buffet except for the two people who avoided it—her sister Olive and the grooms brother, Ethan.
Amy and her new husband find themselves hugging the nearest toilet and unable to go on their non-refundable honeymoon so they urge their siblings to take the trip. Olive and Ethan are a bit apprehensive because they cannot stand each other but who could pass up a free trip?
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The UNHONEYMOONERS was one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time. I haven’t ventured too far into the romantic comedy sub-genre but this book has turned me into a raving Christina Lauren fan. I bought a few more books written by the dynamic duo and cannot wait to read them.
Full of witty dialogue and loveable characters, I thought this book was perfectly executed. THE UNHONEYMOONERS touches on serious topics such as anxiety, body image issues, family drama, and communication issues while managing to keep it light with laugh out loud, snarky humor. This book was a breath of fresh air, kept me hooked and left me feeling giddy. I highly recommend it for anyone in need of a fun, feel-good read. Thank you @gallerybooks & @netgalley for this lovely book (available 5/14).
Olive and Amy are identical twins but that’s where their similarities end. Amy is confident and blessed with luck where Olive considers herself one of the most unluckiest people on earth. Amy even won a free wedding and honeymoon for her and her dream guy but that’s when her luck comes to an abrupt end. Nearly everyone at Amy’s wedding gets sick from the free seafood buffet except for the two people who avoided it—her sister Olive and the grooms brother, Ethan.
Amy and her new husband find themselves hugging the nearest toilet and unable to go on their non-refundable honeymoon so they urge their siblings to take the trip. Olive and Ethan are a bit apprehensive because they cannot stand each other but who could pass up a free trip?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The UNHONEYMOONERS was one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time. I haven’t ventured too far into the romantic comedy sub-genre but this book has turned me into a raving Christina Lauren fan. I bought a few more books written by the dynamic duo and cannot wait to read them.
Full of witty dialogue and loveable characters, I thought this book was perfectly executed. THE UNHONEYMOONERS touches on serious topics such as anxiety, body image issues, family drama, and communication issues while managing to keep it light with laugh out loud, snarky humor. This book was a breath of fresh air, kept me hooked and left me feeling giddy. I highly recommend it for anyone in need of a fun, feel-good read. Thank you @gallerybooks & @netgalley for this lovely book (available 5/14).
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
4.0
”Don’t go near the water, love. Stay away from strand or sea. You cannot walk on water, love; The lough will take you far from me.”
New York, 2001: Anne Gallagher’s grandfather, Eoin, took her under his wing after Anne’s parents died when she was just six years old. Anne grew to become a successful author and always felt a connection to her grandfather’s birthplace, Ireland. Sick with cancer and on his deathbed, Eoin begs Anne to return to Ireland to spread his ashes in the Lough near his childhood home. Anne arrives in Ireland, rents a small boat and rows out to the middle of the Lough to honor her grandfather’s dying wish. A mysterious mist descends on the Lough. Disoriented and overcome with grief, Anne feels herself being pulled into another time.
Ireland, 1921: Anne wakes to a bullet wound in her side and someone dragging her out of the water. Anne recognizes the man from photos as doctor Thomas Smith, a close friend of her great-grandfather and father figure to her grandfather, Eoin. When Anne returns to consciousness she realizes that she has somehow landed in her grandfather’s childhood home in 1921 when Ireland is teetering on the edge of war. To make matters more difficult, everyone (including young Eoin) thinks Anne is her great-grandmother, who she shares a name and bears a striking resemblance to. Anne’s great-grandmother was presumed dead along with her husband years before.
This is a difficult review to write because there were so many intricate layers to this plot. The story alternates between Anne’s point of view and Thomas’ journal entries which detail the history of the Irish Civil War. The romance that blossoms between Anne and Thomas and Anne’s relationship with Eoin is what really tugged at my heartstrings. WHAT THE WIND KNOWS is one of the most enchanting love stories I’ve read in a long time. Harmon’s gorgeous writing style evokes so many emotions. This is a beautiful book rich with history, romance, mystery and the most magical touch of time-travel.
New York, 2001: Anne Gallagher’s grandfather, Eoin, took her under his wing after Anne’s parents died when she was just six years old. Anne grew to become a successful author and always felt a connection to her grandfather’s birthplace, Ireland. Sick with cancer and on his deathbed, Eoin begs Anne to return to Ireland to spread his ashes in the Lough near his childhood home. Anne arrives in Ireland, rents a small boat and rows out to the middle of the Lough to honor her grandfather’s dying wish. A mysterious mist descends on the Lough. Disoriented and overcome with grief, Anne feels herself being pulled into another time.
Ireland, 1921: Anne wakes to a bullet wound in her side and someone dragging her out of the water. Anne recognizes the man from photos as doctor Thomas Smith, a close friend of her great-grandfather and father figure to her grandfather, Eoin. When Anne returns to consciousness she realizes that she has somehow landed in her grandfather’s childhood home in 1921 when Ireland is teetering on the edge of war. To make matters more difficult, everyone (including young Eoin) thinks Anne is her great-grandmother, who she shares a name and bears a striking resemblance to. Anne’s great-grandmother was presumed dead along with her husband years before.
This is a difficult review to write because there were so many intricate layers to this plot. The story alternates between Anne’s point of view and Thomas’ journal entries which detail the history of the Irish Civil War. The romance that blossoms between Anne and Thomas and Anne’s relationship with Eoin is what really tugged at my heartstrings. WHAT THE WIND KNOWS is one of the most enchanting love stories I’ve read in a long time. Harmon’s gorgeous writing style evokes so many emotions. This is a beautiful book rich with history, romance, mystery and the most magical touch of time-travel.
One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker
4.0
Many thanks to #LakeUnionPublishing @amazonpublishing for gifting me One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker!
This captivating family saga takes place on the desolate Wyoming frontier during the 1870’s. With the nearest town and settlers being over 20 miles away, the neighboring Bemis and Webber families have always relied on each other for survival. Their worlds are shattered when Ernest Bemis catches his wife, Cora, in a compromising position with their neighbor, Substance Webber. In the heat of the moment, Ernest murders Substance and lands himself in jail.
Two grieving, bitter families are left struggling to survive the harsh life on the frontier and winter is coming. The two wives, Nettie Mae and Cora, must work together and find a way past their heartbreak and betrayal in order to keep their families alive. This poetic story about forgiveness and redemption will transport you back in time and open your eyes to the many hardships of homesteading.
This captivating family saga takes place on the desolate Wyoming frontier during the 1870’s. With the nearest town and settlers being over 20 miles away, the neighboring Bemis and Webber families have always relied on each other for survival. Their worlds are shattered when Ernest Bemis catches his wife, Cora, in a compromising position with their neighbor, Substance Webber. In the heat of the moment, Ernest murders Substance and lands himself in jail.
Two grieving, bitter families are left struggling to survive the harsh life on the frontier and winter is coming. The two wives, Nettie Mae and Cora, must work together and find a way past their heartbreak and betrayal in order to keep their families alive. This poetic story about forgiveness and redemption will transport you back in time and open your eyes to the many hardships of homesteading.
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
4.0
Set in 1612 during the Pendle witch trials, this story follows 17-year-old Fleetwood Shuttleworth, wife of a noble house, who is on her fourth pregnancy and desperate to give her anxious husband an heir after miscarrying three times before. Fleetwood is heartbroken after discovering a hidden letter from a physician predicting that she will not live through the birth of her child.
Young Fleetwood is uninterested in ladylike pursuits and has a knack for adventure and riding in the woods. This is where she chances upon the mysterious Alice Grey who happens to be a successful midwife. Fleetwood hires Alice after she promises to do everything she can to bring her baby to term and the pair become unlikely friends. Alice uses unconventional methods involving medicinal herbs but manages to bring Fleetwood’s pregnancy further along than she’s been before.
Unfortunately, this was a cruel time in European history and the tale takes a dark turn when Alice is accused of murder and practicing witchcraft along with several others. Fleetwood must do everything in her power to prove Alice’s innocence and free the only true friend she’s ever had—Fleetwood and her unborn child depend on it. Weaving together fiction and historical truth, this is a beautiful story about the injustice against women, witchcraft, female connection and survival.
Young Fleetwood is uninterested in ladylike pursuits and has a knack for adventure and riding in the woods. This is where she chances upon the mysterious Alice Grey who happens to be a successful midwife. Fleetwood hires Alice after she promises to do everything she can to bring her baby to term and the pair become unlikely friends. Alice uses unconventional methods involving medicinal herbs but manages to bring Fleetwood’s pregnancy further along than she’s been before.
Unfortunately, this was a cruel time in European history and the tale takes a dark turn when Alice is accused of murder and practicing witchcraft along with several others. Fleetwood must do everything in her power to prove Alice’s innocence and free the only true friend she’s ever had—Fleetwood and her unborn child depend on it. Weaving together fiction and historical truth, this is a beautiful story about the injustice against women, witchcraft, female connection and survival.
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
5.0
Loved it. No, it wasn’t totally necessary but it gave me a sense of closure and I enjoyed the storytelling from different perspectives.