Be Normal Book Review

Book: Be Normal

 

Author: Brittany Nicole Sanford

 

Given by: Author via Goodreads Giveaways

 

Rating: 2/5 Won-derfuls (It was okay)

 

This is a book with tons of potential. It has a solid idea but needs a good edit and some reworking. I was also a bit bothered by the message of the book not seeming to match the conclusion. It caused some cognitive dissonance that I do not believe was intentional. Rather than being challenging or causing thought it was just kind of confusing.

 

That said, there are some very interesting characters and relationships. There were several times that I wanted to scream at a few of the "teachers" because they were so good at being awful. Emotions were complicated and diverse throughout. The setting of a boarding school to teach kids how to be "normal" was unique for modern times.

 

My recommendation would be to wait until a more polished edition of this book comes out before reading it.

 

For other reviews or to buy the book click here.

Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg: Spotlight and Giveaway!

I am so excited to have "The Chase" stop by the blog for their blog tour.  Below you will find a blurb about the new book and a link to enter to win a free T-Shirt. My review will be up by the end of the week, but so far - so awesome! Happy Reading!

Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, New York Times bestselling authors of The Heist, return in this action-packed, exciting adventure featuring master con artist Nicolas Fox and die-hard FBI agent Kate O'Hare. And this time around, things go from hot to nuclear when government secrets are on the line.

Internationally renowned thief and con artist Nicolas Fox is famous for running elaborate and daring scams. His greatest con of all: convincing the FBI to team him up with the only person who has ever caught him, and the only woman to ever capture his attention, Special Agent Kate O’Hare. Together they’ll go undercover to swindle and catch the world’s most wanted—and untouchable—criminals.

Their newest target is Carter Grove, a former White House chief of staff and the ruthless leader of a private security agency. Grove has stolen a rare Chinese artifact from the Smithsonian, a crime that will torpedo U.S. relations with China if it ever becomes public. Nick and Kate must work under the radar—and against the clock—to devise a plan to steal the piece back. Confronting Grove’s elite assassins, Nick and Kate rely on the skills of their ragtag crew, including a flamboyant actor, a Geek Squad techie, and a band of AARP-card-carrying mercenaries led by none other than Kate’s dad.

A daring heist and a deadly chase lead Nick and Kate from Washington, D.C., to Shanghai, from the highlands of Scotland to the underbelly of Montreal. But it’ll take more than death threats, trained henchmen, sleepless nights, and the fate of a dynasty’s priceless heirloom to outsmart Fox and O’Hare. 

Want to win a free "The Heist", "I <3 Morelli", or "I <3 Ranger" T-Shirt??

 ENTER HERE

Bookmobile

I was recently driving across the Navajo reservation and came across this epic library on wheels!! It is part of the outreach program at Flagstaff City - Coconino County Public Library. Patrons can check out and return books when the bookmobile stops by on its regular route. People can also request books or movies and the bookmobile will deliver them on the next trip out. How amazing is that!?!



I talked to the driver/librarian and he said that he enjoys bringing books to isolated communities. The bus also makes stops at the local assisted living facility.







While we were looking around a four legged bibliophile decided to drop by for a visit. I wonder what books he requested...








More information about this awesome library can be seen here.

War of Wings Blog Tour

 

 

Great news! War of Wings blog tour is coming up next month. I am so excited! This book looks epic. Over the next couple weeks I will post info about the book and author. My review will be up on March 18. More coming soon!

This is the Garden Book Review

Book: This is the Garden

 

Author: Giulio Mozzi

 

Given by: Open Letter Books via Goodreads

 

Rating: 4/5 Won-derfuls (I loved it)

This is such a beautiful work. It is an award winning compilation that was translated into English from Italian by the talented Elizabeth Harris. I picked it up to read after winning it in a giveaway without knowing quite what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. This text can be appreciated on many different levels. It can be as complicated or as simple as the reader decides it should be, which makes it both readable and contemplative. I chose to read each of the eight works with a day in between to digest and I am so glad I did! There are common strands throughout, but each section provides plenty to chew on independently. I look forward to rereading this book again. It can mean different things when read in different moods, different times of day, or different times in life.

On a more concrete note, this book is well translated, edited, and published. This allows the reader to focus on the text and allows the imagination to take hold. I look forward to recommending this book and am so grateful I had the opportunity to read it!

Interested? Find out more here.

10 Minute Valentine - Music of My Heart

This one is a bit cheesy, but Valentine's Day is a cheesy holiday so it works out. Remember making paper people chains in elementary school? This card is basically one of those.

Supplies:

• Sheet music

• Colorful or patterned paper

• Scissors

• Glue or double sided tape

• Stamps or pen for your message

Accordion fold the sheet music.







Cut out a heart chain. Be careful that the hearts stay attached. I only say this because I had a second grade flash back of frustration when I accidentally cut through the fold and had to redo it. Which took a whopping 30 seconds. But still...


If you are using stamps, you may want to put in your message before attaching your heart chain. I used "You are the music of my heart" in true cupid style.




Attach your hearts by using a small piece of tape or dot of glue on the end two hearts.









 I decided I wanted a heart on the front of my card.











I didn't like it much, so added a border. Much better! Easy peasy lemon squeezy, yes?

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I.T. Confidential Book Review

Book: I.T. Confidential

 

Author: C.D. Rahm

 

Given by: JKS Communications

 

Rating: 3/5 Won-derfuls (I liked it) 

 

This book was a short read at 119 pages and would make a PERFECT gift for the I.T. or computer nerds we all love so much. I think it is especially good as a congrats for college graduation or for a new job in the technology world.

I.T. Confidential is a guide to the I.T. world for new comers or outsiders. Computer vets will recognize every hilarious character and company type in this book. Think I.T. version of "The Office". I loved the insider's look into this quirky world!  Let's just say that I now have a whole new level of empathy for our technology department at work. 

The only downside I could see was that there seemed to be a bit of repetition even though it is such a short book. Still, I am so glad I read this book! It was worth the laugh.

Interested? Check out the book  here.

Stealthy Book Box

I had a great time making this box! It ended up being a bit harder than expected, but with the right tools I think it would go rather quicker. Most of the time spend was sawing. and sawing. and sawing. Whew! If you use a hand saw like I did, prepare yourself for a workout. I took pictures of my methods. They are not always pretty but I am satisfied with the end product. Here we go!

Supplies:

•  Set of Books
• Bookmark
• Mod Podge
• Brush or sponge
• Wood Glue
• Saw
• Belt, weights, or clamps

Set aside two books. These will serve as the sides of your box.











 Glue the bookmark into the book you wish to be in the center if your box. This will be the handle used to pull off the lid.






 Make an "L" of glue on the cover of each book. This should attach the binding and top sides of the books. The spines will be the front of the box and the glued together tops will be the lid.







Use your belt, weight, or clamps to hold the books tightly together while the glue dries.






Mod Podge the crap out of the pages all the way around each book. Let it dry completely.











Draw a line across the top of the books about two inches from the spines.







Now for the tough part. Saw along the line to separate the two inch section of binding from the rest of the books. Saw until your fingers bleed and your arms fall off. Okay, well stop if your arms fall off...





















It should look something like this...

 

Glue the spine front to the two books you set aside earlier. I chose to Mod Podge the pages of the two books closed before this step, but you can leave it so the books can still open if you wish. Set this part aside to dry.

Next it is time to make the lid. More sawing! Yay! If you are doing this by hand, may the force be with you. If you have and electric saw, I hate you.  Cut about and inch and a half from the top of your spineless book stack. Cut that spineless stack! Cut it!








 

Mod Podge all sides of the lid.











My lid expanded a bit during the sawing process. I chose to belt the pieces together while the Mod Podge dried to keep it the right size.









Take a look at the covers you have left in your book stack. Choose those that you would like to be used for the back, bottom, and interior of the box. First, cut two of the covers the the size of the interior of your box. Glue one on the inside and one on the back.

Place you box on one more of the covers and trace the bottom onto the cover. Cut it out and glue in the bottom piece.



 

Let it dry and you're done! If you want the lid to stay attached, it would be easy to add a hinge. I feel so stealthy having this on my bookshelf. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of me winging a project without a real plan. If you decide to try it I would love to see your pictures! Until next time, happy doing!