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Showing posts from June, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday; Most Anticipated Cosy Mystery Releases for the Second Half of 2020

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It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Ten Tuesday post, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . The theme of the week was most anticipated releases for the second half of 2020 and I decided focusing on cosy mysteries. Here's my picks; For Whom The Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black Goodnight Moo by Mollie Cox Bryan Boston Scream Murder by Ginger Bolton Knit of the Living Dead by Peggy Ehrhart Penned In by Lynn Cahoon Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook Night Shift by Annelise Ryan Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits by A. L. Herbert Digging Up The Remains by Julia Henry Death of a Wicked Witch by Lee Hollis

Review; Where Life's No Longer Wild: Poems from the Urban Jungle by Marilyn Singer and Gordy Wright

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Last year, I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the book Where Life's No Longer Wild: Poems from the Urban Jungle by Marilyn Singer and Gordy Wright through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Humans may have built towns and cities, but we aren’t the only ones who live in them. Given the smallest chance – a park, a garden, a window box, a basement, a subway tunnel, a bridge – wildlife manages to survive in the city. Look around – you may discover you’re in an urban jungle! This beautifully illustrated non-fiction book tells the unique stories of the animals who have made their homes in urban spaces around the world. Each story is told through a short descriptive paragraph paired with colourful illustrations so children will discover the amazing wildlife we never knew were our neighbours. My Thoughts on the Book Wild in the Streets is a really fun poetry book. It contains both a poem

Review; One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker

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Last year I recieved an ARC of the noel One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads There was something in the air that night. . . Sarah has had enough of men. It’s time to rekindle her first true love – travel – so she books a sailing trip around the Greek islands with a group of strangers. The very last thing Sarah wants is to meet someone new… But then a gorgeous American man boards her yacht and she knows she’s in trouble. And when she also encounters a handsome silver fox who promises her the world, she realises that trouble really does come in twos. Will Sarah dive into a holiday fling, embark on a relationship, or stick to her plan – steer clear of men, continue her love affair with feta, and find her own way after all? My Thoughts on the Book One Summer in Santorini is a quick and light summer read. What annoyed me a bit was the love triang

Review; Twelve Unending Summers: Memoir of an Immigrant Child by Cholet Kelly Josue

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Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the memoir Twelve Unending Summers: Memoir of an Immigrant Child by Cholet Kelly Josue through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Bahamian. Haitian. American. Where can I fully belong? At age sixteen, Cholet Josué arrived on the shores of Miami in a wooden boat—and immediately put the past behind him. More than two decades later, the elusive question of identity pursues him, forcing him to confront a difficult truth: the cultures that formed him have each indelibly stamped his soul. Courageously, Cholet dismantles his own story to uncover a way to unashamedly, unabashedly fit in with three different worlds while belonging to none. Honest and compelling, Twelve Unending Summers is a deeply personal journey that resonates with the universal human need to find a home and embrace the legacy of family heritage. My Thoughts on the Book Twelve

Book Blogger Hop; Running Out Of Bookshelf Space, What Do I Do?

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It's Friday and time for a new Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the week was " When you run out of bookshelf space, what do you do? ". Book Blogger Hop In my case, it's stacking the books on the floor and/or in boxes until I get my hands on more bookshelves.

Review; From Venice with Love by Rosanna Ley

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(This post contains affiliate links.) Last year, I was fortunate enough to participate in the blog tour of Rosanna Ley's The Lemon Tree Hotel. This year I was asked if I wanted to particpate in the blog tour of her newest novel, From Venice With Love . Of course I couldn't resist and I got my ARC from Netgalley. So today, I'll participate in the blog tour by posting my review. Description from Goodreads The best-selling author of The Lemon Tree Hotel returns with an enchanting new holiday listen about family bonds and following your heart, wherever it might take you.... With her marriage in danger of falling apart, Joanna returns home to the beautiful but dilapidated Mulberry Farm Cottage in rural Dorset, where her sister Harriet is struggling to keep the farm afloat and cope with their eccentric mother. When Joanna discovers a bundle of love letters in the attic, written by a watercolourist named Emmy, she is intrigued and sets out to discover Emmy's true

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge; My "Go To" Movies for a Pick-Me-Up

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It's Wednesday, which means it's time for a new Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge, courtesy of  Long and Short Reviews . The theme of the week was my "go to" book or movie for a pick-me-up. For me, there's a couple of movies that always works as a pick-me-up and that's Dracula - Dead and Loving It, The Addams Family Values, Sleepy Hollow and Beetlejuice. Some might think I'm a bit weird, but that's how I am. You can't take the goth kid out of me no matter how hard you try.

Top Ten Tuesday; Books With Diverse Characters

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It's Tuesday again and time for a new Top Ten Tuesday, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . As Top Ten Tuesday is 10 years this week, we could choose to re-do a previous prompt or do one we hadn't done yet. I decided to go for books with diverse characters, from back in the day when TTT was hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Those who has followed my blog for a while, probably has noticed I sometimes try to highlight diverse books and authors as I feel they're sometimes a bit overlooked by publishers and readers. I can't remember if I've done this prompt before or not (I wouldn't be surprised if I've actually done it), but nevertheless, here's my picks. Wooing the Farmer by Jenny Frame (LGBT+) Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (LGBT+) The Winter Loon by Lori Henriksen (LGBT+) If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan(LGBT+ and muslim) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (black) Que

Review; The Winemaker's Secret by Cynthia Ellingsen

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(This post contains an affiliate link.) Last year I was lucky enough to recieve an ARC of  The Winemaker's Secret by Cynthia Ellingsen through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review of the book. Description from Goodreads Someone is out to destroy the family vineyard—and expose its secrets—in this atmospheric novel from Cynthia Ellingsen, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper. Abby Harrington’s family has dedicated their lives to cultivating the family vineyard and collecting vintage wines. But it takes only one night for the priceless collection to vanish, stolen during Abby’s grandparents’ sixtieth anniversary celebration. Then a devastating plane crash leaves her grandfather clinging to life in intensive care. Desperate to take action, Abby sets out to discover who stole the precious wine—and why. The clues lead her to dark truths about her family she is not prepared to face. Soon Abby begins receiving threatenin

Review; The Winter Loon by Lori Henriksen

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(This post contains affiliate links.) Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of historical fiction novel  The Winter Loon by Lori Henriksen through Netgalley. I read the book shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now as I wanted to focus on LGBTQIA+ books and books with a summer theme this month. Description from Goodreads In the shadow of the Great Depression, long before historical changes leading toward LGBTQ advocacy and equality, unpretentious eighteen-year-old Ruth Thompson defies her family's expectations to marry Duke, her long-time sweetheart. Instead, she joins a rodeo circuit with her cousin in order to earn money for college and comes of age in the rough and tumble male-dominated culture of rodeo competition. Ruth returns home to Minnesota a prize-winning competitor and resumes her familiar relationship with Duke. Once at college she grows increasingly restless in her role as a sorority girl with Duke as her escort for all

Review; Camp Cocktails: Easy, Fun, and Delicious Drinks for the Great Outdoors by Emily Vikre

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(This post contains affiliate links.) Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the book  Camp Cocktails: Easy, Fun, and Delicious Drinks for the Great Outdoors by Emily Vikre through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Learn how to plan, pack, and whip up great drinks in the great outdoors. Cabin trips, hikes, patio parties, camping adventures—however you enjoy the great outdoors, it should be fun and easy. And so should the drinks! Simplicity, though, doesn't mean you're limited to a bottle and a mixer. With Camp Cocktails, you'll have a variety of options for simple and tasty drinks that are ready to go wherever you go. Cool off after a hot day spent hiking through the woods with a Flask Boulevardier or the Northwoods Sidecar. Break in the campsite with a Grilled Orange Cobbler or the ultimate beer-based cocktail. Bundling up around the fire? Warm up with the Salted Nutella

Book Blogger Hop; Do You Visit Indie or Secondhand Bookstores?

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It's Friday and time for a new Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The questions of the week was " Do you visit indie and/or secondhand bookstores? Also, have you ever worked in any? ". Book Blogger Hop Yes, I visit such bookstores all the time. There is a fun secondhand bookstore called  Løvås  in Stavanger where I often stop by and I have also worked at an indie bookstore in Stavanger called  Bokhuset .

Review; Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past and Present! by Arabelle Sicardi and Sarah Tanat-Jones

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(This post contains affiliate links.) Last year I recieved an ARC of the non-fiction book  Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past and Present! by Arabelle Sicardi and Sarah Tanat-Jones through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads This beautiful, bold book celebrates the achievements of LGBT people through history and from around the world. It features full-color portraits of a diverse selection of 52 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies that focus on their incredible successes, from Freddie Mercury's contribution to music to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, this title will show children that anything is possible. My Thoughts on the Book Queer Heroes had a variety of people from lots of different places and it had some really great and colourful illustrations. It also had a glossary and additional resources

Omtale; Vandreturer i Norge av Terje Karlung

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I fjor mottok jeg et leseeksemplar av boka Vandreturer i Norge av Terje Karlung fra forlaget. Den har ligget litt på vent, men jeg har nå lest den og idag kommer omtalen. Beskrivelse fra forlaget Få steder i verden kan tilby så flotte og varierte vandreturer som vi finner i Norge. I denne boka finner du naturskjønne vandreruter i hele landet, alle ledsaget av kart og forslag til overnattingssteder og severdigheter langs veien. Her vil du garantert finne turer som frister, enten du ønsker å vandre langs kyststier, på fjellet, i skogen, langs pilegrimsleder eller opp bratte fjell med panoramautsikt. Turene er av ulik lengde og vanskelighetsgrad. I samme serie som Opplev Norge og Toppturer i Norge. Mine tanker om boka Vandreturer i Norge gir en grei oversikt over turer en kan ta i dette landet. Det er assortert utvalg med turer og vanskelighetsgrader, samt geografisk, så det er nok å velge mellom til at en kan finne noe som passer for en hver smak. Denne boka er kanskje spesielt

Top Ten Tuesday; Books on My Summer 2020 TBR

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It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Ten Tuesday post, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . The theme of the week was books on my summer 2020 TBR. I figured out I had plenty of fantasy novels in my TBR pile, so I decided focusing a bit on those this summer. My picks are; The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samamtha Shannon Seraphina by Rachael Hartman Heartless by Marissa Meyer The Cruel Prince by Holly Black A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

Review; Seeing Gender: An Illustrated Guide to Identity and Expression by Iris Gottlieb

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(This post contains affiliate links.) Last year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the non-fiction book  Seeing Gender: An Illustrated Guide to Identity and Expression by Iris Gottlieb through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards, but I haven't published my review until now. Description from Goodreads Seeing Gender is an of-the-moment investigation into how we express and understand the complexities of gender today. Deeply researched and fully illustrated, this book demystifies an intensely personal—yet universal—facet of humanity. Illustrating a different concept on each spread, queer author and artist Iris Gottlieb touches on history, science, sociology, and her own experience. This book is an essential tool for understanding and contributing to a necessary cultural conversation, bringing clarity and reassurance to the sometimes confusing process of navigating ones' identity. Whether LGBTQ+, cisgender, or nonbinary, Seeing Gender is a must-read for intelli

Review; Build-It-Yourself Birdhouses: 25+ DIY Birdhouses and Bird Feeders by Chris Peterson

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I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the non-fiction book Build-It-Yourself Birdhouses: 25+ DIY Birdhouses and Bird Feeders by Chris Peterson way back. Today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Step-by-step instructions for 25+ unique birdhouses tailored for specific birds—pick the one that fits your neighborhood's birds and get building! Join home improvement pro Chris Peterson as he shares a variety of creative designs for birdhouses and bird feeders, from the classic bluebird house to a mid-century modern home. While all the designs are handsome, most are also approachable for beginning woodworkers. Squares, triangles, and simple joining are used throughout the book. For woodworkers with some experience, Peterson shares a variety of customization techniques that can enhance the designs. Every project contains a showstopping photo of the finished house and step-by-step instructions (with additional photos) to take any guesswork out of the assembly. Y

Book Tag Saturday; The Summer Bucket List Book Tag

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I came across The Summer Bucket List Book Tag over at  The Book Dutchesses  (originally made by  Read by Tiffany ) and I decided to play along. Rules Link back to the original creator in your post. Feel free to use any of my graphics in your post, or create your own! Tag 5 other people at the end of your post, and let them know you’ve tagged them. Hit the Beach A Book Set by the Water Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie Watch Fireworks A Book That Had a Firey Romance Honestly, not quite sure. Go For a Roadtrip A Book That Involves a Journey An African in Greenland by Tété-Michel Kpomassie Camp Under the Stars A Book That Left You StarStruck Nevermoor - The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend Marathon Some Movies A Book You Couldn’t Put Down The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright & Cass Grafton Go Out for Ice Cream A Book with a Sweet Romance The Little Bookshop of Love Stories by Jaimi