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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
Nature Walks by Beverly Holoka is a beautiful collection of poems that are inspired by nature. She uses imagery to express her love for nature or compares natures to her feelings of life and love.
I had several favorites in this collection.
One was Brook.
I love that she associated the beauty of a brook and daylight with hope. The imagery just instills peace to one’s soul.
I also loved the poem I Admit it…
“I am free from everything, but not free from myself.” -line 19-20
One of the things I loved about her poems is that they are real. They all weren’t about peace, hope and love. They also discuss real emotions. Real concerns and hardships that one can experience. This quote is so relatable and real.
I also enjoyed these poems as well: My Friend The Rain, Stay in the Rain and Just as the Beautiful Leaves. These poems are so straightforward. There is nothing hidden or nothing that needs to be deciphered. She uses nature and imagery to remind us what is to come, washing away the pain, and beginning anew
I love nature so these poems really appealed to me! I love trail running and hiking. In fact I live only minutes away from some beautiful hiking trails.
I love going to the forest, sitting by the stream and taking in the beauty around me. That is where I feel most at peace and I think Beverly Holoka truly captured that in her poems. I definitely recommend her poems that find peace and inspiration within nature.
I had several favorites in this collection.
One was Brook.
I love that she associated the beauty of a brook and daylight with hope. The imagery just instills peace to one’s soul.
I also loved the poem I Admit it…
“I am free from everything, but not free from myself.” -line 19-20
One of the things I loved about her poems is that they are real. They all weren’t about peace, hope and love. They also discuss real emotions. Real concerns and hardships that one can experience. This quote is so relatable and real.
I also enjoyed these poems as well: My Friend The Rain, Stay in the Rain and Just as the Beautiful Leaves. These poems are so straightforward. There is nothing hidden or nothing that needs to be deciphered. She uses nature and imagery to remind us what is to come, washing away the pain, and beginning anew
I love nature so these poems really appealed to me! I love trail running and hiking. In fact I live only minutes away from some beautiful hiking trails.
I love going to the forest, sitting by the stream and taking in the beauty around me. That is where I feel most at peace and I think Beverly Holoka truly captured that in her poems. I definitely recommend her poems that find peace and inspiration within nature.
I have always loved fairy tales, mythology, folklore and legends. I loved the magic of it all. When I was in college, I took several fairy tale and folklore classes. (Yes, those classes exist.) We studied all different varieties of the classic fairy tales. We would write papers, analyzing each one and comparing it to different cultures. We also read several revisionist tales. I fell in love with those too. Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked:The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West became one of my favorite fairy tale revisionist authors! I had most of his books and found out he was going to have a short story in a Fairy Tale Retold collection. I pre-ordered Happily Ever After edited by John Klima. Well, it’s been about 6 years and I finally got around to reading it.
Check out the rest of my review at amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
Check out the rest of my review at amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
I absolutely love everything by Melanie Dickerson! Her newest book A Dangerous Engagement doesn’t disappoint. A Dangerous Engagement is the third installment of Melanie Dickerson’s The Regency Spies of London Series. One thing that I truly love about her books is how she ties all her books together! Felicity Mayson is a friend of Julia Langdon and Leorah Withinghall, the heroines of the first two books.
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Check out the rest of my review at
amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a Newbery Award recipient. If you went to school in California during the 90’s, then you probably read it in Middle School, like I did. I have read it several times since. Each time is more eye-opening than the last. The reason I read The Giver this time is because it was my book club’s September selection.
The Giver is about this community where they exist in “Sameness.” The concept is that everything is fair, safe and the same. There is no conflict, there is no emotion or feeling.
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The Giver is about this community where they exist in “Sameness.” The concept is that everything is fair, safe and the same. There is no conflict, there is no emotion or feeling.
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Everyone knows the story of Sleepy Hollow, or will immediately recognize the name. It is the short story written by Washington Irving and first published in 1820. This was my book club’s second selection for October! We loved the descriptions and themes that really channel the Halloween spirit. I would like to note that there are spoilers ahead. However, I feel weird warning you about spoilers since this is an almost-200 year old tale.
The story takes place in 1790, in a settlement called Tarry Town. In Tarry Town, there is a glen called Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod Crane is the schoolmaster and is described as tall and lanky. He is also very superstitious! He discovers that the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel is the only daughter and heiress of a wealthy farmer and tries to woo her. Abraham Van Brunt, “Brom Bones”, the town hero, is also vying for Katrina’s hand. Both of them begin competing for her hand. Brom Bones plays a series of pranks on Ichabod.
Check out the rest of my review at www.amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
The story takes place in 1790, in a settlement called Tarry Town. In Tarry Town, there is a glen called Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod Crane is the schoolmaster and is described as tall and lanky. He is also very superstitious! He discovers that the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel is the only daughter and heiress of a wealthy farmer and tries to woo her. Abraham Van Brunt, “Brom Bones”, the town hero, is also vying for Katrina’s hand. Both of them begin competing for her hand. Brom Bones plays a series of pranks on Ichabod.
Check out the rest of my review at www.amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
After we finished reading (and watching) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, my son could not wait to start reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Like most of us, my 5-year-old son was captivated by the Harry Potter universe.
In the 2nd book, Harry starts out pretty down. It’s hard not be upset, especially living with the Dursleys. Even more so, after Dobby shows up and tries to prevent Harry from going to Hogwarts. Dobby doesn’t succeed, thanks to Ron, Fred and George Weasley. After an illegal car ride, Harry is back at Hogwarts with his friends! However, soon Filch’s cat turns up petrified and with a terrifying message written on the wall. Now Harry and his friends are determined to discover who the Heir of Slytherin is and how they opened the Chamber of Secrets.
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In the 2nd book, Harry starts out pretty down. It’s hard not be upset, especially living with the Dursleys. Even more so, after Dobby shows up and tries to prevent Harry from going to Hogwarts. Dobby doesn’t succeed, thanks to Ron, Fred and George Weasley. After an illegal car ride, Harry is back at Hogwarts with his friends! However, soon Filch’s cat turns up petrified and with a terrifying message written on the wall. Now Harry and his friends are determined to discover who the Heir of Slytherin is and how they opened the Chamber of Secrets.
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I am a huge fan of fantasy novels! So, when I found out I won The Tower of the Arkein by Chase Blackwood from Goodreads, I was excited! I read the premise and knew it would be something that I would enjoy. When I received it in the mail I was shocked to find that the book is 700 pages. This made me a bit nervous. Not many people can write a 700 page fantasy novel and keep the reader hooked all the way through. However, the book came with a personal note from the author, and I can really see that the author has immense passion for this story.
This story actually follows two-story lines. The first story is that of the annalist. The annalist is on a mission. He is trained in the ways of the Arkein. His mission is to find the Kan Savasci. The Kan Savacsi goes by many names but is greatly feared. The annalist discovers that in order to find the Kan Savasci, he must learn his back story.
The second story line is the history of the Kan Savasci. But instead of being called the Kan Savasci, he is known as Aeden. Aeden is captured as a slave and sold to the Jal. He does the Jal’s bidding in order to keep his friends safe. However, Aeden is a brilliant fighter and can take down anyone in his path. There is a series of events that lead him to a university where he begins to study and yearns for knowledge of the Arkein. However, danger lurks around every corner.
This is a very complex story. It is filled with many characters and places with their own history. The characters are fascinating and vibrant. There wasn’t a character in the book that I found dull or uninteresting. Aeden, the main character, is fierce and loyal. He has a tendency to fight before thinking things through. Thea has to be my favorite character. She doesn’t care what others think of her and is often serious. However, she is smart and strong. She is the reason why I want to read the next book. She has a fascinating back story, one that I don’t want to spoil.
However, this story has its faults. I found out after reading this book that there is a prequel. That would have helped greatly. It took me awhile to understand the layout of the story. The world is vast and there are several titles of rulers, who govern the lands. It was difficult to pinpoint what the titles meant. There is no explanation or build up to understand this fascinating world. There was a lot of time spent trying to figure out who was who, from where and what their relation was to story.
If there is a prequel, I definitely recommend that one first. That would probably introduce the world and make this book much more enjoyable! That being said, this story has so much potential! It definitely is a great fantasy read. Kudos to the author for creating such a unique world!
This story actually follows two-story lines. The first story is that of the annalist. The annalist is on a mission. He is trained in the ways of the Arkein. His mission is to find the Kan Savasci. The Kan Savacsi goes by many names but is greatly feared. The annalist discovers that in order to find the Kan Savasci, he must learn his back story.
The second story line is the history of the Kan Savasci. But instead of being called the Kan Savasci, he is known as Aeden. Aeden is captured as a slave and sold to the Jal. He does the Jal’s bidding in order to keep his friends safe. However, Aeden is a brilliant fighter and can take down anyone in his path. There is a series of events that lead him to a university where he begins to study and yearns for knowledge of the Arkein. However, danger lurks around every corner.
This is a very complex story. It is filled with many characters and places with their own history. The characters are fascinating and vibrant. There wasn’t a character in the book that I found dull or uninteresting. Aeden, the main character, is fierce and loyal. He has a tendency to fight before thinking things through. Thea has to be my favorite character. She doesn’t care what others think of her and is often serious. However, she is smart and strong. She is the reason why I want to read the next book. She has a fascinating back story, one that I don’t want to spoil.
However, this story has its faults. I found out after reading this book that there is a prequel. That would have helped greatly. It took me awhile to understand the layout of the story. The world is vast and there are several titles of rulers, who govern the lands. It was difficult to pinpoint what the titles meant. There is no explanation or build up to understand this fascinating world. There was a lot of time spent trying to figure out who was who, from where and what their relation was to story.
If there is a prequel, I definitely recommend that one first. That would probably introduce the world and make this book much more enjoyable! That being said, this story has so much potential! It definitely is a great fantasy read. Kudos to the author for creating such a unique world!
“You are as real as anyone, and your doubts make you more real, not less.”-Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
John Green, you have done it again. I just closed the book about a half hour ago and I am still processing my emotions, so just bear with me.
Aza Holmes is a high school student who struggles with intense anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Her thoughts control her everyday and trap her into her whirling mind. Her best friend is Daisy. Daisy is outgoing, fierce and the author of some great Star Wars fan fiction.
One day, a billionaire mysteriously disappears. There is a $100,000 reward for anyone who has information. As it turns out, as a child, Aza was friends with the billionaire’s son, Davis. Daisy is convinced that if they investigate, they can get the reward money. The investigation causes Aza to renew her friendship with Davis. As they navigate the this mysterious investigation, Aza’s thoughts grow at an overwhelming rate. How is she to become close to those she loves, if she can’t control what is happening in her mind?
Check out the rest of my review:
amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
John Green, you have done it again. I just closed the book about a half hour ago and I am still processing my emotions, so just bear with me.
Aza Holmes is a high school student who struggles with intense anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Her thoughts control her everyday and trap her into her whirling mind. Her best friend is Daisy. Daisy is outgoing, fierce and the author of some great Star Wars fan fiction.
One day, a billionaire mysteriously disappears. There is a $100,000 reward for anyone who has information. As it turns out, as a child, Aza was friends with the billionaire’s son, Davis. Daisy is convinced that if they investigate, they can get the reward money. The investigation causes Aza to renew her friendship with Davis. As they navigate the this mysterious investigation, Aza’s thoughts grow at an overwhelming rate. How is she to become close to those she loves, if she can’t control what is happening in her mind?
Check out the rest of my review:
amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com