1964: Eyes of the Storm by Paul McCartney

August 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment


1964: Eyes of the Storm by Paul McCartney
Publisher: Liveright, an imprint of WW Norton & Co
Genre: Non-Fiction, Historical, Photography
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Taken with a 35mm camera by Paul McCartney, these largely unseen photographs capture the explosive period, from the end of 1963 through early 1964, in which The Beatles became an international sensation and changed the course of music history. Featuring 275 images from the six cities—Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami—of these legendary months, 1964: Eyes of the Storm also includes:

• A personal foreword in which McCartney recalls the pandemonium of British concert halls, followed by the hysteria that greeted the band on its first American visit

• Candid recollections preceding each city portfolio that form an autobiographical account of the period McCartney remembers as the “Eyes of the Storm,” plus a coda with subsequent events in 1964

• “Beatleland,” an essay by Harvard historian and New Yorker essayist Jill Lepore, describing how The Beatles became the first truly global mass culture phenomenon

Handsomely designed, 1964: Eyes of the Storm creates an intensely dramatic record of The Beatles’ first transatlantic trip, documenting the radical shift in youth culture that crystallized in 1964.

What a great book for the time.

I liked this window in the year 1964 through the eyes of Paul McCartney. I can’t even imagine being in his shoes in that year or that perfect storm. So much screaming and crying. This book is filled with photographs of that time from his lens. I liked the window into his life, but I also liked that it’s amateurish. He doesn’t make pretenses about his ability. He was learning and this is what he came up with. I liked the intimacy in the photos, too. No, there aren’t any big revelations among the images, but it was nice to see the Fab Four at play and at rest. They weren’t always on, and it was nice to see that. Plus, there are little essays by the author talking about the time, the place the photos were taken and the mood. It’s quite interesting.

If you’re looking for images of the Beatles in 1964 and want something a little different, then give this book a try. It’s worth the read and viewing.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Will on the Inside by Andrew Eliopulos

August 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Will on the Inside by Andrew Eliopulos
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Inspirational, LGBTQ, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

After dedicated soccer player Will is sidelined from the season—and his friend group—due to complications from his newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease, he finds himself figuring out who he really is on the inside in this heartfelt and thoughtful middle grade novel that’s perfect for readers who love books by Maulik Pancholy and Christine Day.

Will loves playing center midfield on his middle school soccer team. This year, though, Will hasn’t felt like himself; his stomach has been bothering him, and he has no energy at all. When his new doctor diagnoses him with Crohn’s disease, Will hopes that means he’ll start feeling better soon and he can get back to playing with his team before the season ends.

But Will’s new medicines come with all kinds of side effects, Forced to sit out afternoon practice, Will finds himself hanging out with a kid at school, Griffin. This could be a real problem, seeing as Griffin just asked Will’s best friend to the spring dance. As in, guy friend. What would Will’s teammates say if they knew the whole story? Not to mention Will’s friends at church.

With all these changes happening faster than he can process them, Will knows that he has a lot to figure out about who he really is on the inside.

Andrew Eliopulos’s novel is a memorable, affecting story that will have wide appeal.

Growing up isn’t always easy.

What an achingly realistic depiction of middle school angst! Some of the most memorable scenes were the ones that explored how quickly things can change for kids that age. Will’s friendship group was evolving just as rapidly as his relationships with his parents and older sister were. No sooner did he think he had everything figured out than another growing pain would appear as he or someone around him tested the boundaries of what people their age should say or do. It was so interesting to see how Will showed glimpses of his younger, more playful self in some scenes and bursts of maturity in others. The author captured the preteen years wonderfully there.

I would have loved to see more attention paid to the dietary aspect of Crohn’s disease. When I was Will’s age, I was diagnosed with a different illness that includes food restrictions and know how difficult it can be for a kid to suddenly not be able to eat all sorts of dishes their friends and family members can still enjoy. Food plays such a major role in socialization and bonding that it can be painfully isolating to be left out of those rituals, especially if it’s due to something completely out of your control. Had Will’s food restrictions and his thoughts about what he could and couldn’t eat been given more attention, I would have chosen a full five-star rating.

This was one of the first, if not the very first, books I’ve ever read that include both inspirational and LGBTQ+ themes. While the main storyline was focused on Will’s difficult adjustment to his diagnosis and his struggles as a young athlete with a life-threatening illness, I enjoyed seeing how his faith and his questions about his sexual orientation shaped his life as well. People’s identities can be complex sometimes, and it was refreshing to see how much nuance was included every time these topics came up. There was no preachiness to be found anywhere, only honest questions about Will’s relationships with God and the people around him.

Will on the Inside was a hopeful, encouraging, and dare I say inspiring read.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Little Things by M. Jean Pike

August 17, 2023 By 3 Comments


The Little Things by M. Jean Pike
Publisher: White Rose Publishing, Pelican Book Group
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Inspirational
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

A decade ago, Rochelle Delany made a decision that changed her life forever.
Wanting more than just football games and potluck suppers, she boarded a bus for California and didn’t look back. But instead of a glamorous life, she became trapped in a nightmare of labor trafficking. Now, she’s made a daring escape and returns home to Ohio.

Sandy Fairbrother has a problem with trust.
Twice betrayed, he now puts his faith only in God. He’ s a single dad doing his best to grow his construction business and raise his young son. But haunted by an impulsive kiss Rochelle gave him fifteen years ago, her unexpected return has him rethinking things. He’ s been given a second chance to win her heart. And this time, he plans to succeed.

Rochelle barely remembers Sandy, but she’s drawn to his goodness. But just when she thinks she’s found peace, her past catches up with her, and she finds herself in danger of losing the only safe haven she’ s ever known.

Returning home to a small down in Ohio isn’t Rochelle’s first choice, and things quickly take a surprise turn!

I loved reading Ro and Sandy’s story! They live in a small town, giving the story that fun small-town charm, while keeping me glued to the pages with plenty of surprises! Sandy is a great character, and a wonderful father. I adored seeing him with Jace his young son, and seeing Jace with Gus! Gus is a bulldog and the bond Jace shares with him in this story is precious!

While this is a fun small town read, it does deal with the tough topics, include labor trafficking and broken families. I enjoyed seeing how the author wove these difficult yet daily issues into the story. It worked well in this one, and as Ro’s story unfolds I found myself drawn into the story more with each new twist! Author M. Jean Pike does a good job of talking about difficult issues with finesse and tact, keeping it subtle and with minimal detail will still alerting readers to the situation. I appreciated her efforts to both bring awareness to these issues while still providing readers with a clean and delightful read!

The romance was also wholesome and heartwarming in this one! It isn’t easy for either of them to trust after the bad hand life has dealt them, so seeing Sandy and Rochelle both overcome there past mistakes and betrayals, learning to work together. Their relationship is sort of a second chance romance, paired with the ‘girl-who-got-away’, so I enjoyed seeing them reunite early on the the story, and loved getting Sandy’s side of things, and especially loved seeing how he regarded his feelings for Jace when considering pursuing a relationship, wanting to be sure Jace has a good life as well. The blooming relationship in the story is a sweet one, and I enjoyed getting to meet these characters!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dying Inside by Damien Boyd

August 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Dying Inside by Damien Boyd
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

In this thriller from the bestselling DI Nick Dixon crime series, a brutal murder looks like a gangland execution… until the next body is found.

Newly promoted DCI Nick Dixon is stuck behind a desk when the peace of the Somerset countryside is shattered by a spate of sheep killings. Dixon recognises a sinister pattern: the animals have all been slaughtered with a crossbow, the power increasing with each kill. It seems whoever is responsible is practising, but for what?

Then the owner of a yacht that capsized on a suspected drug run is found dead, pinned to a tree by four crossbow bolts. Convinced that the killing is a gangland execution, the organised crime unit take over the investigation.

Dixon is sure the motive lies elsewhere, but is forced to watch from the sidelines—until another body is found.

Leading a major investigation team at Avon and Somerset Police headquarters, and with internal politics threatening to thwart him at every turn, Dixon must find the murderer before he kills again. And again…

After a recent promotion, DCI Nick Dixon finds himself sidelined from the field work and detective work he loves. His schedule crammed with meetings and performance appraisals and webinar training sessions, Dixon is finding himself drowning in the boring slog of police work which doesn’t satisfy him. So when a local farmer rocks up out front of the station with the six decaying sheep carcasses killed with a crossbow bolt to make his concerns taken seriously, Dixon is thrilled to finally have something – no matter how small – to actually investigate. When a body with the same crossbow bolt markings soon turns up, Dixon can see the sheep carcasses for that they really are. Practice. And now the killer is ready for his real targets – humans.

I’ve been enjoying this series for quite some time now and I’m thoroughly pleased that this author has only grown from strength to strength. I heartily sympathized with Dixon – caught between a rock and a hard place. With his management squeezing him into a slot he has no real desire to fill Dixon has been trying to work his own solutions but his streak of luck is finally running out. Grabbing a hold of this multi-faceted case though has finally put some spark back into Dixon’s work life and it’s really interesting to follow along with him and see where it all leads.

In many respects this is an average or normal type of case, a number of different elements – a sunken yacht, dead sheep and a murder victim – all tied together through either coincidence or very thin threads, but watching Dixon and his team tie everything together and uncover what’s really going on what excellent reading. This is not a crack-paced, fast action thriller, but it’s also not a plodding or boring police procedural story. I did feel some of the office politics was a little boring – though I can readily admit it gave quite a bit of tension and structure behind just how pinched and trapped Dixon felt with where his career had turned. I felt all these different elements wound together to form a really interesting, well paced and very well plotted murder mystery.

Readers can be assured they can easily pick this story up by itself. Despite it being the latest in a decent length series the plot and setting and characters are all very well explained and while I enjoyed seeing the various elements of Dixon’s team work together and felt the ending was quite satisfying on a number of levels.

An excellent British police procedural story with a realistic and compelling plot, some great characters and a delicious story to add into this series. A great book.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Touch the Earth by Julian Lennon

August 11, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Touch the Earth by Julian Lennon
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Childrens (Ages 0-8 yrs), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A New York Times bestseller that TODAY calls “beautiful” and “stunning!” Boys and girls can take to the air and learn how precious the Earth and her natural resources are.
This interactive book immerses children in a fun and unique journey. Jump aboard the White Feather Flier, a magical plane that can go wherever you want!

Just press a button printed on the page, and point the plane up in the air to fly, or down to land it!
Fly to the top of a mountain!
Send clean water to thirsty people!
Dive deep into the ocean (the Flier turns into a submarine!) to pick up pollution and bring back the fish!
Explore the planet, meet new people, and help make the world a better place!
The Flier’s mission is to transport readers around the world, to engage them in helping to save the environment, and to teach one and all to love our planet.
An inspiring, lyrical story, rooted in Lennon’s life and work, Touch the Earth is filled with beautiful illustrations that bring the faraway world closer to young children. The book includes words to a special poem written by Julian Lennon, specifically for Touch the Earth.

The first book of a bestselling trilogy that includes Heal the Earth and Love the Earth. A portion of the proceeds from book sales will go to support the environmental and humanitarian efforts of the White Feather Foundation, the global environmental and humanitarian organization that Lennon founded to promote education, health, conservation, and the protection of indigenous culture.

Sometimes we need to see the bigger picture before we can work on a smaller scale.

This book is fantastic in that it’s about the earth and how we can change what’s going on, but on a smaller scale. I liked that it’s lyrical and pretty, while educational. Lennon writes in a way that’s empathetic, but also sweet. It’s a love story to the earth, wrapped in a children’s book, and educational without being pushy. We need to fix the earth so we can all enjoy it. I loved it and the illustrations are beautiful.

If you’re looking for a book that’s pretty, educational and fun, then give this one a chance.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Thank You, Neighbor by Ruth Chan

August 11, 2023 By 1 Comment


Thank You, Neighbor by Ruth Chan
Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens
Genre: Contemporary, YA, Childrens (4-8 yrs)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Celebrate all the people, places, and things that make our neighborhoods special with Thank You, Neighbor! Selected as a best picture book of the year by Publishers Weekly.

Join our narrator and her dog on their daily walk as they greet the people in their neighborhood—from the mail carrier and bus driver to the sanitation workers and grocery clerks and more.

Whether listening, asking, helping, or just saying hello and thank you—it is our patience and kindness that make a neighborhood feel like home. This charming story gently reminds us to slow down and be grateful for all the people, places, and things around us.

With funny and heartfelt illustrations, this charming book includes an author’s note about how Ruth Chan’s own Brooklyn community inspired her to create this special picture book. Perfect for sharing at home or in the classroom.

Cute book with a great message!

I liked this book because it showed the people in the neighborhood. The writing is sharp, and the story moved along at a great clip, too. I loved the colorful illustrations and felt drawn right into the story.

In some places, it’s hard to know the neighbors. This book shows how it can be much easier if you just open yourself up a little bit. I liked that the main character used her dog as a reason to get out into the community and that she was willing to open up and simply say hi. It showed that just because you don’t look like your neighbors doesn’t mean you can’t be friends.

If you want a story that’s got a great message and it’s fun, then this is the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang

August 10, 2023 By Leave a Comment


My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang
Publisher: Make Me a World
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school.

This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat wearing a little backpack and armed only with a single oar. On the way, he is confronted by giant crested waves, heavy rainfall and eerie forests where fear takes hold of him. Although daunted by the dark unknown, An realizes that he is not alone and continues to paddle. He knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination–one familiar to children all over the world.

Growing up definitely has some perks.

I haven’t come across many mysteries written for this age group, so I was excited to find this one. There were a few clues included about where An was going. People who pay close attention may be able to figure it out before he gets there! It was so much fun to find all of these hints and keep track of them as I turned each page.

There were a few times when I felt the plot was a little thin. As much as I wanted to give this a perfect rating, the storyline was not quite complex enough for me to do that. I loved the spooky atmosphere of it and the big reveal at the end, but I needed something more from the text to be fully satisfied.

The world can feel like a big, scary place sometimes for kids. I was impressed with how well this picture book captured that emotion, especially considering how familiar An would have already been with the route he was travelling. It takes extra effort to add suspense to a moment like that, but it was well worth it for this reader.

My First Day was a memorable adventure.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen

August 9, 2023 By 1 Comment


On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen
Publisher: The Cornell Lab Publishing Group
Genre: Children’s (0-8 yrs), Animals, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

ON BIRD HILL took readers on a surreal journey with a boy and his dog, as they stopped, looked, and noticed things along their path, ultimately discovering the miracle a hatching baby bird.ON DUCK POND continues their journey, this time in a new place―a serene pond, filled with birds, frogs, turtles, and other creatures going about their quiet business. Their intrusion stirs the pond into a cacophony of activity, reaching a climactic chaos before slowly settling back to a quiet equilibrium.

This beautiful and enchanting sequel is sure to delight ON BIRD HILL fans and millions of readers of Jane’s popular classics.

Beautiful story about a day at the pond.

I’ve never thought about a day at the pond this way. This is a beautiful story about a man watching the ducks come to the pond. It’s a great story of realizing what’s happening, taking a moment to take it all in and observing what’s around us. I loved it and will look at time at the pond or out in nature a little differently.

If you’re interested in a story about nature and observing, then this is the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Purplicious by Victoria Kann Elizabeth Kann

August 9, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Purplicious by Victoria Kann Elizabeth Kann
A Pinkalicious book
Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens
Genre: YA, Childrens (5-10 yrs), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Pinkalicious, a young girl remains true to herself and discovers that pink isn’t only a pretty color, but also a powerful one.

While everyone knows Pinkalicious’s favorite color is pink, the bullies at her new school don’t agree. All the girls are wearing black, painting in black, and making fun of Pinkalicious for loving pink. “Pink is for babies and stinks!” they tell her. Pinkalicious feels left out until she learns that pink can be a powerful color, and that the most important thing is to be yourself.

Pink isn’t just a pretty color, it’s powerful.

I liked this book because it took on the topic of peer pressure and being true to yourself. Many young people feel they have to cave to peer pressure because it’s so strong. This book shows how this young lady started to give in, but also found strength she didn’t know she had. I liked her journey and am glad I went with her on it.

The other girls tell her black is the best color and pink is for little kids or pink isn’t cool any longer. It’s up to Pinkalicious to decide what she wants. It’s a fun story, but also shows young people that it’s okay to be original.

If you’re looking for a book about being true to yourself and giving yourself a chance to explore, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Dog’s Day by Jane Cabrera

August 8, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Dog’s Day by Jane Cabrera
Publisher: Orchard Books
Genre: YA, Childrens (0-6 yrs), Animals
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Dog has a very busy day with his animal friends, swinging from the trees with Monkey, flying through the clouds with Bird, and hopping and jumping with Rabbit.

Fun with Dog!

I picked up this book because of the dog on the cover. The colors simply popped. The story is very simple, but that’s okay. I liked it because it showed young readers what this particular dog is up to and teaches interactions, but also does it with bright colors and a fun storyline. I liked that younger children could read this to themselves. It’s simple, but that’s the beauty of the story. Dog has a great day doing all sorts of things and it’s fun.

If you’re looking for a short book to read with your blossoming reader, then this is a fun one to consider.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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