I’d Rather Be Reading is a lovingly curated compendium is a love letter to all things literary, and the perfect gift for bookworms everywhere.
About I’d Rather Be Reading
For anyone who’d rather be reading than doing just about anything else, this book is the ultimate must-have. In this visual ode to all things bookish, readers will get lost in page after page of beautiful contemporary art, photography, and illustrations depicting the pleasures of books. Artwork from the likes of Jane Mount, Lisa Congdon, Julia Rothman, and Sophie Blackall is interwoven with text from essayist Maura Kelly, bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, and award-winning author and independent bookstore owner Ann Patchett. Rounded out with poems, quotations, and aphorisms celebrating the joys of reading, this lovingly curated compendium is a love letter to all things literary, and the perfect gift for bookworms everywhere.
My Thoughts
This adorable book is the story of my life! I would honestly rather be reading when it comes to most things. Reading is a special, magical journey for the reader. It takes us away on an adventure, gives us confidence, helps us relate to the world around us and hope for our future. Books can teach lessons and give advice and become a best friend.
Not everyone is born a reader, instead this love is learned and discovered when we find that first good book and when someone ensures we have the opportunity to develop this love. This can be a parent, a grandparent or a friend. Whoever it is, it is so important that each child has the opportunity to develop this love and relationship with books. This book highlights that spark of love and the impact others can have on our reading journey.
This gorgeous book is perfect for all book worms. It is a small, hard covered book full of bright, bold illustrations and three essays woven throughout the book. The beginning gives us a look into Guinevere’s childhood and when she developed her love of books. Each page has a beautiful poem, quotes and illustration highlighting the love and importance of books and reading.
I’d Rather Be Reading is a beautiful gift for every bookworm in your life. It has been wonderfully designed and illustrated with some of the most meaningful quotes about reading.
Guinevere de la Mare is a San Francisco–based writer, author, book lover, and the founder of Silent Book Club, a pop-up speakeasy for readers worldwide.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
In A Name Unknown, she’s out to steal his name. Will he steal her heart instead?
About A Name Unknown
Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets-now they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary’s challenge of a lifetime comes when she’s assigned to determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. How does one steal a family’s history, their very name?
Rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can’t help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the crown-so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstop pretending to be a well credentialed historian, Peter believes she’s the right person to help him dig through his family’s past.
Anger and danger continue to mount, though, and both realize they’re in a race against time to discover the truth-about Peter’s past and about the undeniable attraction kindling between them.
My Thoughts
A Name Unknown is an exciting tale of intrigue, suspense and hope.
We first have Rosemary, a young woman growing up on the streets of London. She has learned so many hard lessons at such a young age. Life was not easy for the majority during these times in London and we get a good picture into the lives of these children who have been orphaned or left alone in the world. Rosemary builds a new family out of children who are in the same predicament as her and they become almost like her children. She learns a trade that so many of the youth on the streets know all too well – stealing. She has a rare and special talent for this and becomes the best of the best. This is what lands her the job of a lifetime – finding out the loyalties of a certain young man of German origins.
This young man, Peter, is a shy and awkward man. He has trouble socializing and your heart goes out to him so many times throughout the novel. He can be so painfully awkward but so kind-hearted and sweet at the same time. When Rosemary arrives, we see a whole new side of Peter as well as in Rosemary. They bring out the best in each other, even though each of them is holding a little bit back from the other. As one tries to uncover his past while writing a novel and the other is trying hard to earn the name and money she so desperately needs, we uncover a series of events and hate. As these mysterious events become more dangerous, we are kept on our toes as to who could harbour such hate towards Peter.
The ending of the novel was incredible and definitely not what I was expecting at all but well worth it. We uncover the secrets of the past, find out who has been behind the hateful and dangerous events as well as have a realization that love is stronger than any other emotion.
A Name Unknown is a beautiful story of hope, faith, love and trust. We watch as our characters struggle through each of the stages throughout the novel in the backdrop of misunderstanding and hatred fueled by race. It is a well written novel that I just could not put down.
Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of over a dozen historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her British series. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to make their way into her novels . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly boring. She passes said boring life with her husband and kids in the beautiful mountains of eastern West Virginia
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Evil has a new enemy. Aranya, Princess of Immadia. Dragon Shapeshifter.
About Aranya
Chained to a rock and tossed off a cliff by her boyfriend, Aranya is executed for high treason against the Sylakian Empire. Falling a league into the deadly Cloudlands is not a fate she ever envisaged. But what if she did not die? What if she could spread her wings and fly?
Long ago, Dragons ruled the Island-World above the Cloudlands. But their Human slaves cast off the chains of Dragonish tyranny. Humans spread across the Islands in their flying Dragonships, colonising, building and warring. Now, the all-conquering Sylakians have defeated the last bastion of freedom–the Island-Kingdom of Immadia.
Evil has a new enemy. Aranya, Princess of Immadia. Dragon Shapeshifter.
My Thoughts
Dragons, shapeshifters, an evil empire and a strong female heroine – all of this can be found and more in Aranya!
I fell in love with the plot line of this audiobook, we have Aranya who is the Princess of Immadia. She was taken by her Father’s soon to be enemy. On the way there, they are faced with attacks and Aranya falls in love with the enemy. She wants to see the good in him and at times she can but the ultimate betrayal comes when he is forced to execute her. While everyone fears her dead, the most amazing thing happened – she shifts into a dragon!
Shapeshifting was a talent long thought lost to her people. Dragons were just a memory from long ago and an image that no one could imagine. This starts an incredible journey for Aranya as she learns her true inner strength, courage and skills. She is just a young princess but she is carrying quite the burden on her shoulders. When she meets her Dragon Rider, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, battles and the bond between the two of them. The Dragon and Dragon Rider have an incredible bond, full of humour, respect and love. It was amazing to watch the two grow – especially her Dragon Rider!
The final battle is full of surprises! I was so shocked and could not stop listening at that point. We had enemies that turned friend, new friends that were long thought gone and an impossible battle to fight! Aranya and her Dragon Rider were in the thick of it all.
The story is very well narrated, I liked how it felt that at the beginning Aranya sounded more timid and agreeable but by the end her voice was full of power and strength. It follows how the plot developed and Aranya grows in her own physical, mental and emotional strength.
Aranya is an excellent story from start to finish – it is a little long but well worth every moment!
Marc is a South African-born dragon masquerading as an author, who loves writing about dragons and Africa, preferably both at the same time. He lives and works in Ethiopia with his wife and 4 children, 2 dogs and a variable number of marabou storks that roost on the acacia trees out back. On a good night there are also hyenas patrolling the back fence.
He’s the author of 21 fantasy books in 3 languages (2 more languages coming this year – watch this space!), including 8 rip-roaring dragon fantasy bestsellers. Dragonfriend won a Gold Award for Fantasy in the 2016 IPPY Book Awards. Look out for Whisper Alive, his latest release. The 4th tale in the Dragonfriend series, Dragonstar, is coming soon!
When he’s not writing about Africa or dragons Marc can be found travelling to remote locations. He thinks there’s nothing better than standing on a mountaintop wondering what lies over the next horizon.
About the Narrator
A native of London, England, Shiromi Arserio is a stage actor, voice talent and audiobook narrator. She holds a B.A. in Theatre from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. In addition to narrating dozens of audiobooks, her voice can be heard in documentaries, e-learning projects and video games such as Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion. Shiromi currently resides in the Seattle area with her husband and her two furbabies.
Just 2 minutes each day can change your family meal time for a lifetime.
About A Spoonful of Grace
A Spoonful of Grace is a collection of 366 evening meal graces taken from all 66 books of the Bible and designed to provide meaningful exposure to prayer and the Bible at a most opportune time: the family evening meal.
The Scripture/grace devotions are inviting, can be grasped at several levels, and are brief enough (about two minutes) to hold the attention of hungry kids. Here’s why:
Each day has an application section called Grace Notes: ideas and quotes to further illustrate the message and stimulate conversation.
Sundays are for Story Graces. These 52 devotions are a bit longer to afford the suspenseful, engrossing reading of stories such as David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, and Jonah and the big fish.
Special Graces are celebrations such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays.
Each grace:
Supports discussions of God’s attributes and of faith-based values, offering moral examples like forgiveness, friendship, honesty, trust, even table manners.
Creates curiosity about the Bible and ways in which Scripture can be applied to today’s issues.
Demonstrates how the act of praying together lifts one’s own spirit; fosters praise; and increases mutual feelings of appreciation, gratefulness, and accountability.
Teaches without overt instruction, similar to hiding extra veggies in the spaghetti sauce.
Remind us that our food, as well as God’s countless other daily blessings, is a gift.
Annette Hubbell earned her undergraduate degree in Marketing from San Diego State University, her M.B.A. from Cal State University in San Marcos, and a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. She has been featured in over 160 performances, and starred in the DVD, “Witness to Gettysburg” edited by 33-time Emmy Award winner, Robert Gardner. She was awarded Presenter of the Year twice at the Civil War Round Table of San Diego, and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Hubbell lives in San Diego, California with her husband of 33 years, Monte. They have a daughter, Amy. She and her husband Scott live in Los Angeles, California. For more information
In a world of religious fervor, devastating sickness, and incessant greed, can the alliance of their forefathers survive? Or will New England feel the wrath of tragic, bloody war?
About My Father’s Kingdom
In 1620, more than 100 devout men and women crossed the treacherous Atlantic Ocean and established a colony in the New World where they could build a righteous and Godly society. Without the fortuitous friendship of the Wampanoag people and their charismatic leader Massasoit, however, it is doubtful the holy experiment would have survived.
Fifty years later Plymouth Colony has not only survived, it has prospered, and more and more Englishmen are immigrating to New England. The blessed alliance with the Wampanoag, however, is in severe jeopardy. Massasoit has passed away along with most of the original settlers of Plymouth Colony, and their children and grandchildren have very different ideas about their historic friendship.
Thrust into the center of events is Reverend Israel Brewster, an idealistic young minister with a famous grandfather and a tragic past. Meanwhile, Massasoit’s son, known as “King Philip” by the English, is tormented by both the present and the past. He is watching the resources and culture of the Wampanoag nation fade away at the hands of the English and desperately wishes to restore hope and security to his people .In a world of religious fervor, devastating sickness, and incessant greed, can the alliance of their forefathers survive? Or will New England feel the wrath of tragic, bloody war?
My Thoughts
This incredibly powerful story is based in Puritan New England and tells the story of the struggles of both the Native Americans and the Englishmen immigrating. This time period is told from the eyes of both the Wampanoag, through Linto and Metacomet, and the Englishmen through Reverend Israel Brewster. It is based during the time before that is known as King Philip’s War. I had studied history in University and we are taught many history lessons throughout high school (in Canada) but not once was this war ever mentioned. This is actually quite disappointing as once I finished the book and started doing research on it, this was actually considered one of the deadliest wars to have ever occurred between the Native Americans and the settlers, with both sides suffering decimating loss of life.
The two groups had originally come to an agreement fifty years earlier – the Wampanoag people helped the Englishmen survive and in turn the English gave them items from the new country such as pots, blankets and more. Fifty years later and following the passing of Massasoit, this alliance is being threatened. The newly arriving Englishmen are not as kind and devoted to the original alliance. There are some that are weary of the alliance and can’t see beyond their prejudice that the Wampanoag people are just like them. Then there are others like Reverend Israel Brewster who questions everything he has ever been taught when his wife dies and believes that the Wampanoag people are just like them. The Wampanoag people are tired of seeing their people suffering, they are suffering from disease, alcohol, deceit, stealing of their land and the murder of their people.
This is an important novel that is well written and narrated. It explains the story honestly and accurately (with an authors note in the end with regards to some changes he had made with language and the naming of the Native American people). It was charged full of emotion, there were so many time that I found myself outraged, angry and in tears at the suffering and injustice. Some of the more emotionally draining moments come near the end of the story which also helped sparked my interest in the real life events leading up to and after this time period.
I strongly believe that this audiobook and accompanying novel should be a must read for all high school students in the US and Canada. It gives a real, honest look at life during this time through the eyes of both sides. It helps to spark curiosity, understanding and empathy. It was well written and narrated from start to finish, I loved every moment.
You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Audible and Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
James W. George is a debut author currently residing in Virginia. He is a graduate of Boston University, a military veteran, and a lover of historical fiction.
About the Narrator
Angus Freathy was born and educated in London – that’s the one in England, for you Ohio folks!
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, he went to Switzerland to join Nestlé for a 2-year wandering assignment, which lasted 37 years and involved travel and work on every continent (except the cold ones at the top and bottom).
Periods of residence in the U.S., Hong Kong and Switzerland have resulted in a network of friends and acquaintances with an amazing range of world insight and a wide repertoire of mostly excellent jokes.
Since retirement, Angus and his (still working) wife, Debra have lived in Oregon, Maryland and are now in Dublin, Ohio, ‘the only place we have actually chosen to live since we have been married!’.
Following a crushing rejection by the BBC at the age of 19, Angus is re-activating a long-held ambition and launching a new career in voice-over, with the sole intention of having some fun and being in touch with some very talented people.
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