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Breath of Joy: Ah, Autumn
In the cycles of the earth, glory rises and falls in the breeze. There is nothing like crisp Autumn air to make you feel alive. Let all things autumn slip under your skin in the rakishness of falling petals. A harvest time souvenir, Ah, Autumn is a deep breath of colorful joy. Inhale the pages to be filled with happiness and thanksgiving. Everyday life is now a novelty. Ah, Autumn should be shared at the harvest table and with the best of friends! Exhale brisk, musky memories penned by radio D.J. Kathy Joy, a girl with two Colorado and Pennsylvania.
Crash into the leaves of Autumn, if you are organizing a fall event. Plan to place the print version at each place setting for that special October or November gathering. You won't regret the discussions it generates!
Crash into the leaves of Autumn, if you are organizing a fall event. Plan to place the print version at each place setting for that special October or November gathering. You won't regret the discussions it generates!
40 pages, Board Book
Published July 30, 2018
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 8, 2019
2.5 Stars
This is filled with some pretty photographs, which apparently weren’t taken by the author, however, the way they are presented is somewhat choppy and uneven, with bits and pieces of photos interspersed with text that left me wanting more, especially since Autumn is my favourite time of year. I realize that this is supposed to be aimed at children, but even that doesn’t really come through. It just feels a bit lost with what it wants to be.
On the good side – it’s very short.
Published: 30 Jul 2018
Many thanks for the ARC provided by BooksGoSocial
This is filled with some pretty photographs, which apparently weren’t taken by the author, however, the way they are presented is somewhat choppy and uneven, with bits and pieces of photos interspersed with text that left me wanting more, especially since Autumn is my favourite time of year. I realize that this is supposed to be aimed at children, but even that doesn’t really come through. It just feels a bit lost with what it wants to be.
On the good side – it’s very short.
Published: 30 Jul 2018
Many thanks for the ARC provided by BooksGoSocial
October 11, 2019
Despite NetGalley classifying it as such, this is not a children's picture book. It's a pretentious free-verse poem with adult-level vocabulary illustrated with free photographs, bad Photoshop work, and a free font that that makes the whole thing look really amateurish (it's not Comic Sans... but it still looks awful).
There's nothing in here that's inappropriate for children, but it's simply not suitable for them:
Things of grace that
are borne in death,
Whispered prayers in
sacred spaces
and
hauntingly elusive
echoes of
voices gone before.
Does it
make it poetry
If I insert
random capitals
and
Line breaks?
Needless to say, the grammar here drove me batty. I understand artistic license, and I'm willing to overlook certain things... if they're done consistently. Here, though, they're not. Grammar and punctuation be damned; some pages just look like a bunch of words were thrown at them.
I'm also not a fan of books that are illustrated with stock photos. I mean, most of the photos are nice and all, but there are a few pages where the layout and/or Photoshop skills leave something to be desired.
I don't know who I'd recommend this to. A lot of adults aren't going to be impressed by the look of the book (what is that awful font that's used throughout?!) and kids probably don't want to sit through a poetic ramble where they don't understand half the words. Who's the audience?
I'm afraid I don't know...
Thank you to NetGalley and Capture Books for providing a digital ARC.
There's nothing in here that's inappropriate for children, but it's simply not suitable for them:
Things of grace that
are borne in death,
Whispered prayers in
sacred spaces
and
hauntingly elusive
echoes of
voices gone before.
Does it
make it poetry
If I insert
random capitals
and
Line breaks?
Needless to say, the grammar here drove me batty. I understand artistic license, and I'm willing to overlook certain things... if they're done consistently. Here, though, they're not. Grammar and punctuation be damned; some pages just look like a bunch of words were thrown at them.
I'm also not a fan of books that are illustrated with stock photos. I mean, most of the photos are nice and all, but there are a few pages where the layout and/or Photoshop skills leave something to be desired.
I don't know who I'd recommend this to. A lot of adults aren't going to be impressed by the look of the book (what is that awful font that's used throughout?!) and kids probably don't want to sit through a poetic ramble where they don't understand half the words. Who's the audience?
I'm afraid I don't know...
Thank you to NetGalley and Capture Books for providing a digital ARC.
September 29, 2019
Breath of Joy: Ah Autumn was a most welcome book to read celebrating the changes from the past to the present as this beautiful season comes to life. Kathy Joy vibrant description of the various scenes that we associate with autumn will bring moments of smiles and even tears of how the past use to be with the illustrated pictures. This book is beautiful with the layout of artwork to connect each thought. This is a perfect autumn book to display on a table with your fall decorations. It’s also perfect to give as a hostess gift for fall parties one might be attending.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Capture Books and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own sincere ones. I’ll be rereading this throughout the lovely autumn season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Capture Books and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own sincere ones. I’ll be rereading this throughout the lovely autumn season.
October 9, 2019
There are two ways to look at this title.
If you look at it as a book, there are problems. The whole thing is less than article length, the images are stock photos and not very artfully arranged, and there's no actual narrative or cohesiveness. It wasn't until the very last page that the cold reader finds out that this is a collection of facebook "daily thoughts", which gives the missing context.
If you look at it as a nice little seasonal PDF, full of tiny vignettes of autumn joys -- that's where it makes more sense. And it's not unenjoyable that way. Reminders of the season's tiny pleasures are nice to have, and this collection definitely hits on quite a few, and the turn of the phrase is nice.
It's a hard one to rate, though, because it's presented as a book instead of a PDF/article, and on those expectations, it falls a little short. It just doesn't feel "done" enough to be a book yet. It needs context and visual cohesiveness for that, and I don't think it's there yet.
If you look at it as a book, there are problems. The whole thing is less than article length, the images are stock photos and not very artfully arranged, and there's no actual narrative or cohesiveness. It wasn't until the very last page that the cold reader finds out that this is a collection of facebook "daily thoughts", which gives the missing context.
If you look at it as a nice little seasonal PDF, full of tiny vignettes of autumn joys -- that's where it makes more sense. And it's not unenjoyable that way. Reminders of the season's tiny pleasures are nice to have, and this collection definitely hits on quite a few, and the turn of the phrase is nice.
It's a hard one to rate, though, because it's presented as a book instead of a PDF/article, and on those expectations, it falls a little short. It just doesn't feel "done" enough to be a book yet. It needs context and visual cohesiveness for that, and I don't think it's there yet.
October 4, 2019
There is nothing here to keep you dwelling in despair. The book launches you into Autumn with zest and a vibrant burst of colour. The pictures provide warmth and a sense of the familiar while the words are brief but capture that moment and levitate one’s mood.
“The past
pulling at your sleeves
The future
tugging at your hand.”
“Geese, black zig-zag
stitches sewing up the sky.”
“Counting your blessings instead of calories ...
Laughter being the best seasoning.”
“ Simmering down the harvest Preserving the sweetness
and honoring traditions.”
Pleased with every page. Transported by the photographs which are ignited by succinct words.
With over pages of words and pictures this is an instant happy fix to propel you out and face the day. Autumn is not everyone’s favourite time of the year but this book will tease out more enjoyment and brighten every upcoming day.
“The past
pulling at your sleeves
The future
tugging at your hand.”
“Geese, black zig-zag
stitches sewing up the sky.”
“Counting your blessings instead of calories ...
Laughter being the best seasoning.”
“ Simmering down the harvest Preserving the sweetness
and honoring traditions.”
Pleased with every page. Transported by the photographs which are ignited by succinct words.
With over pages of words and pictures this is an instant happy fix to propel you out and face the day. Autumn is not everyone’s favourite time of the year but this book will tease out more enjoyment and brighten every upcoming day.
August 6, 2019
Here are the best thoughts gathered in one enticing place that will bring back memories and spark new ones.
Quite an intriguing picture book. I am honored to have been chosen to review Kathy's book 2 in the series. What an amazing cache of beautiful Autumn moments. Perfect for your coffee table, to start conversations, or just to walk through and savor.
Highly recommend this book. It's a keeper!
5 of 5 stars
Quite an intriguing picture book. I am honored to have been chosen to review Kathy's book 2 in the series. What an amazing cache of beautiful Autumn moments. Perfect for your coffee table, to start conversations, or just to walk through and savor.
Highly recommend this book. It's a keeper!
5 of 5 stars
October 2, 2019
The photographs included in this collection are simply stunning. Each and every one is sure to evoke in the reader either a memory or a wistful longing.
At only forty-four pages, this is a quick read, but would be a wonderful coffee table book and would be the perfect Thanksgiving hostess gift.
I rate this book as four out of five stars.
At only forty-four pages, this is a quick read, but would be a wonderful coffee table book and would be the perfect Thanksgiving hostess gift.
I rate this book as four out of five stars.
October 16, 2019
Liked the idea of this book, but when I saw the imagery and wording to me was let down. But I think it is because I was expecting more than what is presented. There are some great sentences relating to fall/autumn and there are images that connect - the connection I think could be better.
October 9, 2019
I'm so confused as to the audience for this book. The photos are ok, but not really aimed for children. The words are not child like at all. Yet the entire book feels very immaturely put together. Sadly I'm not very excited about any part of this book other than the idea of it.
November 10, 2019
What an experience! I've bought several of these gift books because every time I open it up, the pages have the power to transport me into a different time, a different world, made up of memories and hopes combined. It's an ideal host/hostess gift for autumn parties.
Autumn is my favorite time of year, so I was happy to help edit this book. I am also partial to the deep hues and tones in this beautiful book. It presents the changing of seasons, memories, frights and the threads that hold together human hearts in a bundle of wonder. I have given this book, the hardcover mainly, to many people as gifts, and they have also exclaimed over the mysterious and powerful book. Is it poetry? Is it self-help? Is it simply a celebration? Whatever it is, I love it.
Autumn is my favorite time of year, so I was happy to help edit this book. I am also partial to the deep hues and tones in this beautiful book. It presents the changing of seasons, memories, frights and the threads that hold together human hearts in a bundle of wonder. I have given this book, the hardcover mainly, to many people as gifts, and they have also exclaimed over the mysterious and powerful book. Is it poetry? Is it self-help? Is it simply a celebration? Whatever it is, I love it.
November 5, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
1.5 stars
I liked some of the photos in this book, though I'm assuming they weren't taken by the author (Page 3 credits the photographers in small print, which is quite a joke considering the only merit of this book are the cosy images of autumn themselves). There were great snaps of maple leaves, lighthouses, sunsets and things that left me feeling warm and cosy.
Unfortunately, everything else is a huge mess.
The quotes mostly made no sense, were utterly forgettable and spoiled the pictures. The layout is awful and awkward, with images put together into stiff collages and sharp angles.
The font, which does not match autumn and the pictures at all, is simply awful and cringe-worthy. There are also unaligned + random spacing and line breaks in the text.
Honestly, how the each page looks is a huge turn-off and I don't know which editor/publisher/designer approved this book.
Autumn is my favourite season but alas, this book doesn't exactly convey its vibe. And I've never come across a less aesthetically pleasing 'photobook'.
1.5 stars
I liked some of the photos in this book, though I'm assuming they weren't taken by the author (Page 3 credits the photographers in small print, which is quite a joke considering the only merit of this book are the cosy images of autumn themselves). There were great snaps of maple leaves, lighthouses, sunsets and things that left me feeling warm and cosy.
Unfortunately, everything else is a huge mess.
The quotes mostly made no sense, were utterly forgettable and spoiled the pictures. The layout is awful and awkward, with images put together into stiff collages and sharp angles.
The font, which does not match autumn and the pictures at all, is simply awful and cringe-worthy. There are also unaligned + random spacing and line breaks in the text.
Honestly, how the each page looks is a huge turn-off and I don't know which editor/publisher/designer approved this book.
Autumn is my favourite season but alas, this book doesn't exactly convey its vibe. And I've never come across a less aesthetically pleasing 'photobook'.
October 7, 2019
The author tried, but this collection just doesn't quite do it for me. The photographs are nice, but I didn't care for the way they were laid out, collaged over each other awkwardly and haphazardly in places. In some layouts, the banners of text cover the photos too much, detracting from them. It could use an overhaul- give the book more pages, so the photos can be seen individually, instead of being stacked on each other, and can be less covered by the text. Make the text smaller, maybe add some quotes, passages, poems about autumn to supplement the author's words. As is, the book looks amateurish- it's a good idea, just not well executed. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
#BreathOfJoy #NetGalley
#BreathOfJoy #NetGalley
September 4, 2018
I've decided to buy several of these gems for gift-giving. Packed with warm and comforting words, this book is equal parts encouragement and enchantment. The images are like so many memories gathering in my own living room!
I'd also recommend this book for bedtime reading to the youngsters, as the words, spoken out loud, could gently waltz a little one to la la land.
So many highlights, but I think my favorite page is the one showcasing barns: "The steadfast industry of farming and old barns: silent cathedrals of times gone by, like paperweights holding down the earth."
I'd also recommend this book for bedtime reading to the youngsters, as the words, spoken out loud, could gently waltz a little one to la la land.
So many highlights, but I think my favorite page is the one showcasing barns: "The steadfast industry of farming and old barns: silent cathedrals of times gone by, like paperweights holding down the earth."
October 1, 2019
Lovely book! I can't wait to see a hard copy of it in color! Autumn is my favorite season and this poems just tug at my heart. They bring back memories for me from long ago. They make me feel alive and present and enjoying another autumn.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
October 20, 2019
Beautiful photography which brings back wonderful memories with the accompanying text, a lovely coffee table book. One that brings happy memories when you have one of those days, that maybe best forgotten.
November 4, 2019
A beautiful book full of pictures and moments of reflection. This book made me feel warm and cosy as I thought about the different things on each page. It made me feel grateful for all I had and was able to experience. Perfect to use to take a moment to reflect on life.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews