Rescued by Peter Zheutlin

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the opportunity to read and review Rescued by Peter Zheutlin. Rescued by Peter Zheutlin is about the all-encompassing wonderfulness of dogs. Each chapter opens with a quote sharing and stating the unconditional love of dogs and then tells of experiences when people’s lives have been touched by dogs. Beautiful, touching, humorous and deserving of a solid 5 stars for a book for all dog lovers!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.

Queso! by Lisa Fain

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to read and review Queso!: Regional Recipes for the World’s Favorite Chile-Cheese Dip by Lisa Fain! Queso! by Lisa Fain is a wonderful cookbook containing delicious variations on the chile-cheese dip. The queso recipes vary by region and ingredients. There’s even a recipe for sundaes. The history of queso is included, along with descriptions and suggestions for cheeses and peppers to use in your own queso recipes. The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that I would prefer the photos to be labeled with its recipe name. 5 stars for a scrumptious cookbook that made me crave queso!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration!

Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to read and review Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season by Elisabet der Nederlanden! Holiday Cookies is a wonderfully festive book full of lovely photos and delectable cookie and candy recipes. I like the setup of a recipe followed by its picture then another picture and its recipe. I love cookbooks with photos accompanying each recipe! I plan on purchasing this book worthy of 5 stars!

The Booth Brothers by Rebecca Langston-George

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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The Booth Brothers by Rebecca Langston-George opens on April 26, 1865 when John Wilkes Booth was hiding inside a barn as a fugitive for shooting President Abraham Lincoln. The book jumps back to six years previously, describing the Booth family and the difference between the brothers. The assassination plan is described throughout its transformation, from the idea of killing four people to who was taking part in the plot. The killing of Abraham Lincoln tore the Booth family apart and even though John Wilkes Booth wanted to kill President Lincoln so he would be thought of as a hero by Southern believers, he died only a criminal. 5 stars for this informative nonfiction resource of Lincoln’s death.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.

Epic Cardboard Adventures by Leslie Manlapig

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read and review Epic Cardboard Adventures by Leslie Manlapig. The book is categorized into four different sections of creativity along with a general materials list of supplies needed for every project. A materials list is also included with each individual project and its instructions. Epic Cardboard Adventures will help anyone use their imagination to make the shown creations and even create their very own unique ideas. Fun, colorful and wide open for ideas, Epic Cardboard Adventures will inspire creativity and make life more interesting -5 stars!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.

Project You by Aubre Andrus

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read and review Project You by Aubre Andrus! Just reading the Table of Contents made me feel relaxed and helped me look forward to reading the book. Full of de-stressing activities to help you take care of yourself and feel at peace. Self-care and self-help tips for almost every stressor plus feng shui principles, calming recipes and activities as well as energizing and replenishing tips are found in this book, along with happy music lists categorized by decade, ideas for starting a new hobby and the importance of laughing, ideas about a gratitude journal and a worry box and a cupcake for one recipe for a single serve treat. The book also has a section that explains the benefits of exercise and sunlight and sections for ideas for 30-day challenges to tackle goals, nature journals, inspiring songs list to energize, challenging yourself to build confidence and recipes and ideas for pampering yourself. Project You gives the reader help and resources for a variety of reasons. I am buying this book for the school library. 5 stars!
*I received a complimentary arc of this book for voluntary consideration.

I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart. Kevin Hart is known for his hilarious ranting and his extreme expressions. His memoir shows all that is funny about Kevin Hart and also the serious side of his life and how he became the energetic comedian he is today. Photos are scattered throughout the book, including pictures of Kevin throughout his life and a family picture with his mother and brother. The three of them resemble each other so much that it surprised me. I especially enjoyed his acknowledgments which contain some hilarity of their own. Even his disclaimer is funny. 5 stars for a memoir that opened my eyes to the real Kevin Hart!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.

To Look a Nazi in the Eye by Kathy Kacer with Jordana Lebowitz

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Second Story Press for the opportunity to read and review To Look a Nazi in the Eye by Kathy Kacer with Jordana Lebowitz. The prologue tells of the Nazi soldier, Oskar Groening, being guilty of persecution by aiding and abetting at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The now ninety-four year old soldier has been brought to court for justice to be served. Before the prologue, a brief description of statistics states the small number of Auschwitz guards that actually faced justice, it’s astoundingly appalling. Jordana attends a Jewish Day school and she travels with schoolmates to tour concentration camps. Jordana’s impressive efforts created a temporary Holocaust exhibit showing other genocides around the world and comparing them to what took place during the Holocaust. I appreciate her idea of bringing to light other genocides as well, to teach and hopefully prevent more atrocities. Jordana continues to spread the knowledge of the Holocaust and advocates for human rights. The author, Kathy Kacer, learned about the Holocaust from her parents who were both survivors of the persecution. 5 stars for this example of strength and perseverance in the midst of awfulness.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Easy Steps by Alan Gelb

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to read and review Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Easy Steps, Third Edition: Crafting a Winning Personal Statement by Alan Gelb. Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Easy Steps by Alan Gelb. The ten steps are listed in the table of contents as understanding the narrative, finding your topic, point of view, getting it down, “big picture ” editing, second draft, self-editing, third draft, pulling it together and finishing up. Examples of real student essays can be found in the appendix, as well as help for parents, teachers and students. Essential information needed to write your essay is included and this book gets down to business. Recap at the end of each chapter summarizes and reviews the needed information. This very helpful book, worth 5 stars, will be beneficial to anyone having to write a personal narrative and not just for college admissions essays. Will be purchasing for school library!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary review consideration.

How to Grow More Vegetables, ninth edition, by John Jeavons

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to read and review How to Grow More Vegetables, ninth edition, by John Jeavons. How to Grow More Vegetables should possibly be named How to Grow More Crops. This gardening instructional guide covers soil preparation, creation and upkeep; composting; soil fertilization and nutrition; planting with seeds and/or plants; companion planting; crop rotation; insect control; garden charts, plans and tools. The book is based on the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method of gardening and is a more complex instructional gardening book than I need, but is still very helpful; 4 stars.