The most adorable little book ever! Im loving coloring it it and reading the junimo "secret" messages. The flipbook junimo is just one of many gorgeouThe most adorable little book ever! Im loving coloring it it and reading the junimo "secret" messages. The flipbook junimo is just one of many gorgeous little touches that add an element of charm and whimsy. The designs are clearly drawn with affection for the subject material and will be colored in with love. The stapled binding is slightly flimsy and one side tore a little when i opened it flat but it's still worth 5 stars :)...more
Very cute book that i basically read beginning to end in one session (until 2am, no less). Great characters, humour and setting. Would definitely readVery cute book that i basically read beginning to end in one session (until 2am, no less). Great characters, humour and setting. Would definitely read more; it felt sad to let these characters go....more
A cosy and delightful read that should hopefully herald a new genre of fantasy novels: wholesome, sweet and urban. I read this book in two days (wouldA cosy and delightful read that should hopefully herald a new genre of fantasy novels: wholesome, sweet and urban. I read this book in two days (would've been one sitting but i had to sleep) and now feel a sense of sadness that I have to let these characters go: if only until another book releases....more
This one took me months to read. It was... really rather dull and Ki basically had her personality drained from her. It was due to the Limbreth ofc, bThis one took me months to read. It was... really rather dull and Ki basically had her personality drained from her. It was due to the Limbreth ofc, but that didnt change thr meandering pace....more
Extremely entertaining. I enjoyed the characters, the monster, and the way Alex solved the issue. I hope to read more stories about these two in the fExtremely entertaining. I enjoyed the characters, the monster, and the way Alex solved the issue. I hope to read more stories about these two in the future....more
The second HMB i have read (it was bound with the first) and this one i enjoyed more. There was more tension, for a start. In guessing these titles arThe second HMB i have read (it was bound with the first) and this one i enjoyed more. There was more tension, for a start. In guessing these titles are targeted to the middle age (35-55?) market, since this one also had the focus on single parents and blended families. Also, as is often found in romance novels: writers and editors. They do say "write what you know". Found the dialogue a little tedious, as there were very few contractions, but maybe people in Texas prefer to enunciate each word clearly and not blend them together.
Overall, fun read. I'm starting to see the sort of structure to them now. Does this mean i'll ever try and write my own? Probably not. It's likely harder than it looks.
Also fairly tame, so clearly that's part of this subsection (Western). I should probably be looking to the red covered ones if i want a steamier read.
Also, looking at the cover, the person they have chosen to represent Liam is not at all as i imagined him....more
This is my first time reading a HMB but the plot interested me enough to try it. It was... fine, i guess? There wasn't a lot of conflict and I've readThis is my first time reading a HMB but the plot interested me enough to try it. It was... fine, i guess? There wasn't a lot of conflict and I've read steamier sex scenes, but the characters were well... nice, i guess. They were also pretty reasonable about discussing the little deceptions/omissions until right towards the end. Cute enough story, dont know if I'd read another. Epilogue felt a bit cheesy but hey, it's a Mills and Boon: i was expecting a light romantic read and it served up fine....more
I loved this book as a kid and recently unearthed my mildewed, yellowed copy from my parents' garage. So i figured I'd read it one last time before coI loved this book as a kid and recently unearthed my mildewed, yellowed copy from my parents' garage. So i figured I'd read it one last time before consigning it to the bin.
It was as fun as i remembered, with quite sophisticated language given its intended audience was fairly young, including a rather clever cryptic crossword clue (and answer).
As a child, i wanted a parrot. My parents never obliged to that but we did get into breeding smaller parakeets and other birds. This book, amongst others, was both encouraging of my love of birds and also inspired me to write my own books later in life.
Dick King-Smith is largely forgotten now, alas, but he was very prolific in his day, and i am sure captured the hearts and imaginations of many of my generation....more
I started this earlier this year, read it obsessively for about 3/4s then set it aside and figured i wouldnt finish it cos the plot was somewhat prediI started this earlier this year, read it obsessively for about 3/4s then set it aside and figured i wouldnt finish it cos the plot was somewhat predictable. Then, lacking anything else to hand, i picked it up again and finished it in that sitting.
It's actually a lovely tale of friendship and being upfront with emotions - not lying to others, or in fact yourself, and learning when to compromise and when to say "this is not the path that makes me happy." It's also about the family we make, as well as forming bonds with the family we are born into, even if they are slightly dysfunctional.
The characters are fun, and the balance of emotion and humor feels pretty close to spot on. I'm not sure you'll quite cry, but you should experience feelings.
Every author starts somewhere, and as a long time Robin Hobb fan, it was interesting to read these, her earliest works. Her world building and evocatiEvery author starts somewhere, and as a long time Robin Hobb fan, it was interesting to read these, her earliest works. Her world building and evocative use of language is evident from the start, and the characters and story drew me in. Whilst not nearly as strong or emotionally powerful as her more recent works, Harpy's Flight is a strong debut novel and i have quickly moved on to read the remainder of the series!...more
Having met Enzo himself (he used to grace my parents with his presence), I absolutely had to buy this book. Russian Blues have a lot of personality, aHaving met Enzo himself (he used to grace my parents with his presence), I absolutely had to buy this book. Russian Blues have a lot of personality, and Belinda captures it well: that slightly superior attitude, coupled with a strong desire to prove himself brave.
This is a fun read, filled with excitement and entertaining characters - coupled with some very perilous situations. If you've ever wondered what your cat gets up to when they're out and about exploring the neighborhood? Well, maybe they're a secret agent for PAWS?
The villain was suitably fiendish, and her minions likewise comically wicked. My only sorrow? That hyena are, once again, cast as antagonists. I suppose they make it convenient, by being vaguely unpleasant, but I would like, just for once, to see a story that displays their more clan-orientated side.
I loved this book as a child (it's older than me!) and, having recently retrieved my childhood copy from my parents, decided to see if it could still I loved this book as a child (it's older than me!) and, having recently retrieved my childhood copy from my parents, decided to see if it could still hold my interest today. And it did! I read it all in one sitting. I'm not sure if my love of birds came before or after reading this book, but the splinter birds lingered forever in my memory, along with the "Whatever you do, don't laugh" chapter. And not only fun, but it had an ecological message as well!...more
How could you not love a cozy little murder mystery where the "detectives" are an elderly (retired, if not by her own choice) fairy godmother and a kiHow could you not love a cozy little murder mystery where the "detectives" are an elderly (retired, if not by her own choice) fairy godmother and a kind-hearted - if not always sharp-minded - talking cat? Throw in some fairy tale references, some folklore, and a dash of pop culture, and you've got yourself a twisty-turny tale to entertain and amuse on a cold winter night (or a mild spring day).
Carpenter has created a wonderfully whimsical world, painted with evocative prose. This is an absolutely charming story, with a cast of characters that you will want to get to know better. I hope that there are many more stories in this series, as this one asks almost as many questions as it answers, dropping hints at what further adventures the future holds for Ella and Tom.
The cover is quirky and colorful and a perfect advertisement for the story inside....more
It was entertaining and short, enough to keep me turning the pages. Some social commentary, almost metaphoric about folks setting their descendents upIt was entertaining and short, enough to keep me turning the pages. Some social commentary, almost metaphoric about folks setting their descendents up for failure but nothing too kick-in-the-teeth. Felt superficial, like if one were to dig too deep, many plotholes might reveal themselves: the most obvious of which was what if they just discontinued the cycle?...more
A beautiful and nostalgic tale of friendship, love, and dedication to one's craft that spans the birth and rise of video games. There is jealousy and A beautiful and nostalgic tale of friendship, love, and dedication to one's craft that spans the birth and rise of video games. There is jealousy and tragedy and this book darned well made me cry of my lunch break. I loved it, and i love the power of platonic love....more
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