This was a highly anticipated title--I loved the idea of a horror retelling of Peter Pan. And while the writing was gorgeous, it didn't quite meet the expectations I had.

The prose was indeed lovely--the author gives us a vividly drawn world that feels dark, eerie, and cold and I appreciated the setting of WWI London. I would absolutely seek out more of her work. I'm a sucker for lyricism in books and this was beautifully poetic.

Our Wendy is also a sympathetic and likable character. She is certainly someone I enjoyed following.

However, this was overall a bit too much of a slow burn for me. Even at under 300 pages it felt long and it took me about a month to finish--much slower than I normally read. Most of the major action unravels quickly around the 80% mark, but by then I still wasn't quite sure about Pan's backstory--where he came from, what his deal was, etc. There was a lot of repetitious imagery with crows and feathers and sounds of whispers and children's laughter/voices, but rather than fill the reader with a sense of dread and purpose, it served instead to water down the horror of it all.

But what a great concept! Though the book didn't quite work for me, I could absolutely see this being a movie script, and for that I would definitely buy tickets.

Thanks very much to Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC through LibraryThing.

Polly Giantonia’s Remember the Sweetness is the perfect weekend read for any poetry lover. Lovely selection of poems that are emotionally resonant and very accessible—especially those that center around grief and loss. I’d love to read more from this author. Many thanks to Rootstock Publishing for the complimentary copy of this ARC!

This was a fabulous little cookbook! It's been a goal of mine to start incorporating the Mediterranean diet into my meals, but it always seems just a little overwhelming. I know the basic tenets of it, but when it comes to starting? Well Google searches turn endless and the several cookbooks I've tried seem to be for an audience a little more advanced than I am--the recipes either call for ingredients that aren't readily available/aren't economically viable (pricey one and dones vs. something that could be pantry stock) or call for cooking techniques that are above my pay grade (this diet is for me alone; other family members are not interested, so I need the basics at the moment). What does this long winded explanation have to do with the review at hand? Well for starters, Lisa Anderson's Complete Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners is that exactly. It's refreshingly simple--perfectly accessible for the beginning chef or just someone who wants to start this diet without pretention. Recipes are easy to follow and contain ingredients that just about anyone would have access to. I can't wait to dive in!

Thanks so much to the author for providing a copy of this book for review through LibraryThing.

A fabulous narrative—Tim Carpenter’s account of a seemingly average couple’s theft of thousands from graves around the world is told with such skill, you sometimes forget this is a true story. It’s a lyrical as any fictional story for much of this book. But there are parts I felt lagged a bit and the pacing was a little off—there’s a lot of “grunt work” here, and while it’s interesting to have this in depth look at behind the scenes FBI work, it bogs down the narrative.

Thanks to Harper Horizon for this free review copy through LibraryThing.

I'm a big fan of the family drama, so The Accidental Favorite sounded like a book that would appeal to me. It did not disappoint.

I loved the premise of this book--every parent says there's no way they could pick a favorite child, right? So when our dad, Patrick Fisher, seems to do just that in the heat of a potentially deadly situation, his other children are shocked.

Fran Littlewood's prose sparkles, and she gives us such richly drawn characters. I really enjoyed following these sisters. I found it a little distracting how the narrative shifted so often between the characters and timelines, but overall, I found this to be a compelling read. I'd absolutely recommend this, and now I'm off to find this author's other works.

Thank you to Holt Books for sending me a free copy of this book to read and review through LibraryThing.

There are so many diet/wellness books on the market these days, so it's hard to know where to start when looking for one. The Cortisol Detox Diet Plan, at just over 100 pages, is a great place to start. I've been noticing a lot of health and fitness influencers talking about cortisol and its effects on women, so I was interested to find out more. Author Jerry Hannon presents his information in such a quick and accessible way and gives thoughtful advice and an easy-to-follow action plans in terms of getting cortisol levels in balance through both diet and movement. It's directly aimed at female biology, which is appreciated: as Hannon points out, most diet/exercise plans, especially those that call for less food/more movement, are designed for male bodies.

I would definitely check out this book in its physical form--the format of a PDF ebook makes it a little difficult to go back and access certain parts that I would need for putting a plan in action, but I'd recommend this.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to rate and review this title through LibraryThing.

An absolutely fascinating narrative about the science of nightmares. Michelle Carr writes clearly and concisely—this is an accessible text for anyone. She presents the science of our dreaming minds and gives the lowdown on why some are more prone to nightmares and what they might signal about one’s health. It’s a quick read and quite insightful for those of us who may frequently experience these types of lucid dreams. I enjoyed the conclusion and how one might harness one’s dreams as a creative outlet.

The cover to this is also perfect. This was one of my highly anticipated titles and it did not disappoint.

Thanks very much to Holt for providing a free ARC in exchange for a review through LibraryThing.

This is such a beautiful book!
I’m a longtime fan of all things Anne of Green Gables, so I was immediately interested in Tundra Books’ chapter book series based on this beloved story. It’s really quite lovely. Though Anne Dreams is the last in the series, it’s something I would love to give to any young reader (and not just this—I would absolutely get the whole series). It’s beautifully illustrated and perfectly captures two great scenes from the original source material—the failed hair dye and Anne going off to university to study to be a teacher. A must for any fan of Anne.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy to review through LibraryThing.

Special thanks to Zibby Books for providing a copy of Emma Grey's Pictures of You to review through LibraryThing.

I absolutely love books with an amnesia theme. There's an immediate emotional pull when you think how devastating it must be to wake up and not remember your life and loved ones. So I was eager to read Pictures of You. And I must say, it exceeded my expectations.

I loved the format of the book, how Grey chose to reveal fragments of Evie's life through a past/present narrative, though the eyes of both Evie and her former best friend, Drew. It was a nuanced tale; my initial impression of Evie's misguided obsession with Oliver--one that had me shaking my head at how she could ignore so many red flags, turned into a much more compassionate one. I don't want to give too much away, because the twists and turns this books takes is one of the best things about it. Just when you think you (and Evie) have figured something out, Grey yanks the rug from right under you.

I'm absolutely looking forward to reading more from this author. I love her immersive setting and rich prose. This is a book I'd recommend for sure.

Overall, Sleep Tight was a fairly solid read, though I'm not even sure how I'd summarize it--there was so much going on. There's a serial killer (killers?), so let's just say it's a serial killer book. But there's also a clear Catholic angle as well as issues of mental health and surviving/processing trauma. The writing was strong and this is really where the author drew me in: the setting/atmosphere was clear and I was pulled right into the spookiness. We're also given flawed characters who felt real (though he was really laying it on thick how amazing/hot Justin was: no female authors draw cheating spouses this sympathetically, and it was irritating how much Tess felt blame should be on her). At the same time, however, I felt the pacing was a bit off. Usually I can fly though horror/thrillers in a couple days, even if they're on the longer side; Sleep Tight dragged a bit, and the 406 pages (my copy) felt overly long. The number of POV changes seemed unnecessary. I like my thrillers fast paced and plots streamlined; I don't need lectures and tangents from female characters about lying to their husbands about birth control (one example that threw me out of the story). And I'm very sorry to say, but the villains were just odd. It's very hard to take a bunch of weirdos in masks bleating like sheep seriously. I wish there was a little more closure on all of this--why on earth were they like this or drawn into the cult to begin with? Is it just the drugs? There's mention of show more Catholic imagery in all this, but as a current church goer myself in a more metropolitan area than the setting of this book, there's just not a lot of us left, never mind enough to fill out a cult like this. And there are just so many villains, from the "one that got away," to "Father Silence" to the "Pied Piper" of "Lost Children" to the drug addled sheep/bull/giraffe guys to the "one that really got away," to who really is Tess and what did she do? It just felt a tad unfocused. That all being said, I won't cross this author off my list--I tend to rant a bit in my reviews at times, but overall, I liked the concept of Sleep Tight, as well as the writing style. So even though the execution wasn't completely for me here, I'd seek out more. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this book to review through LibraryThing! show less

Fluffle Bunnies: Buns Gone Bad tells the humorous story of three bunnies who, after being abandoned by their mother, need to figure out how to reclaim their home and hole from fellow critter bullies. The narration from the grizzled neighborhood lightning bug makes this a fun, lighthearted read. And though parents might not want to cheer for the bunnies' diabolical scheme, those of us who attempt spring and summer gardens know that these critters are anything but cute and innocent, as the raccoons will soon find out. The illustrations are adorable (and would be even more standout in color) and the story is simple and easy to follow. It's recommended for children ages 6-9, and would also be a great starting point for reluctant readers. Thanks to Tundra books for the gifted copy through LibraryThing!

This is quite a lovely book. I was drawn in by a “new” poet, being unfamiliar with Robert Hillier’s work. It’s meaty—quite unlike what is being published today, so it was a welcome introduction. I appreciated the illustrations as well as his Dutch translations and the essay to go along with the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and this is a book I can see myself revisiting again and again. But my favorite was perhaps “New England,” a short but remarkable piece which absolutely evoked the dreariness of our cold winters. Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book through LibraryThing.

My Vietnam Your Vietnam is a stunning book. I love its cover, which is the first thing that drew me to read this. I don’t really gravitate towards memoirs, but I was intrigued by the dual father/daughter perspectives of this one. It did not disappoint. The writing is as lovely as the cover and there was much to learn from Nghia’s and Christina’s narratives. I will definitely be recommending this one. Thank you to the publisher and LibraryThing for providing a review copy of this book.

This is a fantastic family cookbook, with full color illustrations of all recipes (something I particularly look for, because it's helpful for me to visualize what I'm making). The recipes come from all over the globe and are a mix of the familiar as well as foods new to me, and I'm really looking forward to making each with my kids. They're easy to follow and I'm so excited poutine was included!

Thank you to Huqua Press and the author for the free copy to review through LibraryThing.

Overall, Chelan Harkin's Wild Grace is a lovely selection of poetry that is accessible and full of warmth. The short selection makes it easy to digest and is something that I would come back to again and again. Highly recommended--there's a religious component to the poems, so it may not be the cup of tea for a more secular audience, but I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to Monkfish Publishing for providing a complimentary copy of this ARC in exchange for a review through LibraryThing.

This edition of Narwhal and Jelly is an absolute joy. It’s actually a combination of the original first two books of the series, so it will give readers new to it the perfect introduction. It’s perfect for those new to reading/interpreting graphic novels, but for the reluctant reader as well. Kids will love the cute illustrations and themes of friendship, adventure, and bravery. I’ve also shared a review of this book to my Instagram profile @bookwifebooklife Special thanks to Tundra Books for providing a complementary copy of this book through LibraryThing.

Julia Monroe Begins Again is the faith-centered story of a forty-year-old woman and mom of two grown boys who finds herself having to "begin again" after the death of her husband left her reeling for years. But she's reeling again after she sees Samuel Reed, the college sweetheart who crushed her heart, in church.

I found this to be an easy, satisfying read. I didn't think Julia always acted like the forty year old she's supposed to be, but I liked her story. It's heavy on the church going, which not all titles from this publisher are, so not everyone will find this to be their cup of tea, but for those of us that follow that kind of lifestyle, it's nice, and I'd recommend it.

Thanks so much to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book to review through NetGalley and LibraryThing.

Like the others before it in the series, Narwhal's School of Awesomeness is a great early reader graphic novel. This offering has Narwhal and Jellyfish as substitute teachers for Mr. Blowfish. It's a delightful scientific romp, with the duo trying to figure out how many waffles would feed a school of fish, among other cute activities. My seven-year-old, reading middle grade at the moment, always loves coming back to this series and found it just as charming as the others. Thanks very much to Tundra Books and LibraryThing for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.

When Olivia and Zach meet in Italy, their whirlwind romance ends in an engagement. But their parents aren't thrilled about the news: Zach's mom, Amy, isn't willing to let her baby go, and Olivia's mom, June, thinks her daughter is far too young. She should be focusing on her upcoming law school courses, not jumping into being a wife. Will the young couple's love persevere? Or will they give in to their families' demands to drop plans for a wedding?
Forever Hold Your Peace is a charming book. The writing is lovely and the characters relatable. Though I was more on the moms' side--Olivia and Zach seemed a bit too immature for their ages/situations. But I did immediately get Amy's and June's feelings about the wedding (maybe because I'm leaning on the side of their ages vs their kids). That, unfortunately, stopped when Amy became a bit too meddling to be sympathetic. No thanks on the MIL taking over wedding planning like she did--especially going to the store to make the registry! And I did reach a point where I kind of lost interest--about halfway through. Not much happened in this book other than wedding angst, and I eventually just started skimming to get to the end to find out whether or not the nuptials were still on. But I enjoyed the writing style, so I would check out more from these authors and recommend them.
Thanks very much to Alcove Press for giving me a copy of this book to read in exchange for a review through LibraryThing.

Let me start off by saying that the premise and the cover of Double-Decker Dreams are absolutely adorable--and I can't say no to a British-set romantic comedy. I eagerly dove into this one. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations or hold my interest. I just couldn't take Kat seriously (she's supposed to be 30+?) for how long she imagined this persona for/relationship with a guy she sees on a bus while looking out her window.
Thanks very much to Alcove Press for giving me a copy of this book to read through LibraryThing in exchange for a review.

A very cute series for young readers; I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my daughter.

What a great book! I've been intending to incorporate yoga and meditation into my home wellness routine, and this book provides an accessible sequence through easy to follow illustrations. Also included is a quick history of yoga, a explanation of breathing and meditation techniques and extra resources. I'd definitely recommend this to beginners like me.

Thanks to the author for proving me a copy of this book to review through LibraryThing. Opinions are my own.

This is only the second book I've read by this publisher and each time I've been pleasantly surprised. The Words We Lost is lovely, from the simple, but elegant, cover to the prose. It's a dense book (not in a bad way) that packs in plenty of emotion--a must for me. I would recommend and read more from author Nicole Deese--I really enjoyed her voice.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a review on LibraryThing.

I wave the white flag. I read until “fragile male egos” on page 180 and I just can’t do it anymore. Because this lady is as fragile as they come and she has the audacity to bring that nonsense to the table.
This book is suffering from a serious identity crisis and the dreaded “mismarketed as heck” syndrome. I was initially interested in the premise. I thought this could go a couple ways: it would be a twisty domestic thriller pitting two spouses against each other, or perhaps, a similar plot, but with a descent into the deepest depths of postpartum depression.
But it’s neither, and it’s clear that, without even reading the cover bio, the author has no kids. Which is fine, but Liz has zero authenticity as a mother. She is vapid and vacuous, a child of privilege who jumps into an even more privileged marriage and uses her nanny, the Virtuous Lesbian, who forsakes her own life to be at the Bennett’s beck and call so that Liz can escape all responsibilities, like having the 5 minute conversation about a husband’s text message that would have avoided this book altogether.
I’ll skim the rest to see if I’m missing some big point, but I’m not holding out hope.
No, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Company for sending me this gifted copy in exchange for a review through LibraryThing.

I remember reading First They Killed My Father for a genocide class years ago, which was one of my first introduction to what happened in Cambodia under Pol Pot. Under the Naga Tail is the memoir of Mae Bunseng Taing from that same period. Mae's son, James Taing helps tell his father's tale with moving clarity, full of the terror Mae faced and the humanity he found once he escaped. Though it's a hard story to read (I've got an interest in genocide history, but it's not for everyone, certainly), it's such an important one to keep alive. I also appreciated the included maps and selection of photographs. This is a book I'd recommend for sure. Thanks very much to the Greenleaf Book Group for sending a copy of this book in exchange for a review through LibraryThing.

What Happens Next is a solid Christian mystery. It centers around Heather Crane, who disappeared in 1997. She was never found and was presumed dead. Her family, however, without a body, was never able to have closure. When her sister, Brooke, reaches out to Heather's best friend Faith (present day), she's hoping the former investigative reporter-turned true crime podcaster can help find the truth behind her sister's disappearance. Told in three POVs--Faith (present day), Dora (Heather's mom, present day), and Heather (past), the reader gets a picture of the crime as well as the resolution. There's a poignant picture of grief here: of a family who is trying to move on and a mother who can't let go. The Christian aspect is low key--I love that it's there, but it's not something that a non-believer would feel interferes with the text. It's a solid whodunnit and I'd be interested in looking up other books by this author. Special thanks to Bethany House and LibraryThing for providing a free ARC in exchange for a review.

Everything is Just Beginning reads like a love letter to music and musicians. I love the format Bartels chose for this one, using things like "liner notes" and "tracks" to bring life to the story. Like her other novels, the prose sings (pardon the pun). I didn't expect to connect to Michael and his story that much, but it was a great read.

Special thanks to LibraryThing and Revell for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

If you're like me and you have terrible, rocky soil, or you live in a city with minimal "green space," you may have considered containers or raised beds to create a garden space. I struggled for a few years planting in-ground--the yield was not great. Soil conditions, pests, weeds out of control--I wanted fresh produce, but I needed to do something different. In came the planters. And while I *think* I have a good enough handle on it, I'm always looking for new resources and new tips to get better. So I was thrilled to check out Emma Andrews's Raised Bed and Container Gardening. And while it seems to be geared to the beginner, there was much I could find useful in here as well, particularly the charts on spacing and companion plants (always good refreshers or to have handy), and the many resources the author provides at the conclusion. If you're in the market to grow your own food (trust me, there's nothing like fresh tomatoes and good old basil, rosemary, and thyme), but aren't sure where to start, a few containers are a great place. And this book will be a nice help to guide your garden journey. Special thanks to LibraryThing and the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

First of all, the cover alone of this ARC was worth the price of admission. And it perfectly captures the overall feeling of this book.

I've developed a new interest in the retellings of ancient history, having recently fallen in love with The Witch's Heart and Ariadne. I'm a little late in the game though, not yet having already read books such as Circe or even having a frame of reference for Cercei Lannister (I know *who* she is only; I've never seen an episode or read anything in GoT), but now is as good a time as any to catch up.

My Greek history is a little rusty, but I have distinct memories of studying its literature in high school; for some reason, Agamemnon stands out--but I do remember a towering hero, not the monster of this novel. It was interesting to come at his story in a new light. I also recall reading Antigone and enjoying it, so it's great that there are so many stories of these ancient ladies seeing the light of day. Sophocles is great and all, but he's not exactly contemporary.

Clytemnestra is one fierce lady, and Costanza Casati's simple and elegant prose truly brought her and her Spartan world to full life for me. I'm sorry that I've overlooked her story for so long, but am glad I got to start with this one.

As for supplementary material, I always enjoy family trees when they're included (is that weird?) and there's also a glossary of Greek terms. I'm looking forward to checking out the finished copy as well, because I'm curious to see the reader's show more guide and conversation with the author.

Thanks very much to SourceBooks Landmark and BookishFirst for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for a review. I'm looking forward to see what Casati comes up with next--if it's as pretty as Clytemnestra, I can't wait to add it to my bookshelf. show less

Sometimes I want a book that has a little more meat than a webpage “listicle” but one that’s a little denser than a traditional history book. History Compacted always comes through there. This charming book is chock full of quirky stories, from Shirley Temple to alien abductions. But now I’m worried—how many hydrogen bombs have been lost out there? Oh my…

Definitely pick up a copy if you’re looking for light, fun, history. This was a quick, delightful read.

Special thanks to History Compacted and LibraryThing for the chance to read this book in exchange for a review.