Tag: Book Review Monday

Book review: The Complete Learn Spanish for Adult Beginners by Worldwide Nomad

3 out of 5 stars

** Disclaimer for my review: I have taught English, Spanish, and ESOL at the high school and college (2- and 4-year college) levels. I have helped departments choose textbooks for all three specialties, so please take that into consideration when reading my review. I am probably a little pickier than the casual learner.

The Complete Learn Spanish for Adult Beginners Book (3 in 1) is a decent collection of grammar and vocabulary instruction and explanation, important phrases to know in various situations, and short readings to help aide the understanding in context of grammar and vocabulary learned in the previous two books. I would recommend using these books in the numbered order to ensure the best learning experience.

Book 1: Spanish Grammar Workbook for Beginners provides solid explanations of how Spanish is different across different populations and why it may not always agree with you might have learned previously. It doesn’t mean what you have learned was incorrect, it’s just that this is the vocabulary this book is using to prepare you for the later two books. There are good grids of comparative Spanish and English vocabulary. The chapters in this book are set up in a similar format of what follows: introduction, vocabulary/grammar grids/presentations (these are repeated a few times in each chapter, introducing a new set of vocabulary/grammar rules), and practice questions at the end of each chapter. The answer key for those questions is located at the end of Book 1.

Book 2: Spanish Phrase Book for Beginners is a good reference book for various situations in which you might find yourself. It ranges from explanation of money in different countries to transportation and medical phrases (and many other situational phrases) that might be important to help you throughout your travels. There are no practice questions in this book.

Book 3: Spanish Short Stories for Language Learners is a good collection of short readings ranging from one or two paragraphs at the beginning to almost full-page stories toward the end of the book. Each story has a similar format to what follows: Spanish story, same story in English, vocabulary list, questions for comprehension in Spanish and English, and historical notes. This format is effective in not only using the vocabulary and grammar in context that was learned throughout the first two books, but also in providing educational details about the readings themselves. To give an idea of reading level: if I were using these reading in teaching a traditional quarter or semester class, I would probably start in the last third of the first semester of learning and continue in the first part of the second class.

Overall, a decent set of books for learning. However, there are erroneous translations throughout the three books, as well as typos and formatting errors. The most egregious of these are some of translation errors. Translation is an art form and not everyone will agree on a single translation; however, I feel these books could have used another round of editing and proofreading to tighten up the knowledge provided. These books would have earned 4 out of 5 stars without those errors.

I received an ARC for this book. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Bone Pendant Girls by Terry Friedman

5 out of 5 stars

Bone Pendant Girls by Terry Friedman is a compelling paranormal thriller that draws in the reader from the beginning and doesn’t let go. The detail of the character building and the fact that the story is told from multiple points of view (including the murder victims themselves) give the novel an aura of empathy that a reader might not otherwise have for the characters’ plights.

Andi has struggled throughout her lifetime to deal with the Otherworld and the beings that inhabit it. Since life has not always treated Andi kindly, she has hardened her heart to the living, except for her best friend Fiona. Fiona is the perfect foil for Andi and understands her quirks and ability to talk to the deceased. When Andi discovers two bone pendants at a market that portray the faces of two young murder victims, she begins to her their voices and stories. Fiona and a cast of intriguing characters help Fiona discover what happened to the Bone Pendant Girls, Bennie and Mariah.

Throughout her description of Andi, Friedman takes time to show, and not tell, the reader the potential ups and downs of being able to communicate with the dead. There are moments of pure joy of receiving a message to be able to help solve a mystery; however, there are also moments of pure grief. Friedman never takes for granted the reader or their possible knowledge, or lack thereof, of the paranormal and how it functions in the richly defined world she has created for her characters.

I received an ARC for review. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: The Shoe Box Waltz by Kathleen Patrick

4 out of 5 stars

The Shoe Box Waltz by Kathleen Patrick is an enthralling novel that at times wraps its arms around to comfort the reader and at other times hits the reader with raw emotions. This book continues to showcase Patrick’s ability to observe the human condition and represent it in poetic language that leaves the reader knowing exactly what the characters are going through along their lifelong journeys.

With The Shoe Box Waltz, Patrick has built upon some of her short stories from her collection Anxieties in the Wilderness. Throughout the novel, the reader follows the members of the Daneli family, mostly the daughters Cora and Caitlyn, as they journey through love, broken hearts, bruised bodies, adventures, relationships with friends, and so much more to find what they both desperately seek: their true selves. And as the story is told from different characters’ perspectives, the reader gets a little closer to what it means to brave when all seems lost.

The novel starts with Cora’s adventures traveling through Europe as a young woman, and all the excitement that entails. She meets Nancy who opens Cora’s eyes to a different side of the world and educates her about art history, the performing arts, and taking chances. As travel companions, Cora and Nancy experience many of the ups and downs that plague two people who don’t know each other well but who have agreed to what hopefully is safety in numbers. They talk, cry, laugh, get frustrated with each other, squabble, apologize, and plan the next leg of their trip. Cora’s dream of traveling to Greece is suddenly put in peril as the young women go on one last Italian adventure, this time on sea. What happens on the boat will haunt Cora and Nancy for the rest of their lives.

The second part of the novel speaks to Caitlyn’s state of mind as she works through her latest revelation of what love means to her and how she defines herself through her relationship with Greg. This takes place years after Cora’s European travels, but the ghosts of the past have not left Cora in peace. At one time, the sisters had been very close. They played and laughed together and provided solace to each other throughout a somewhat turbulent childhood. They grew apart after Cora left for college, and had never been able to repair what they thought was broken between them. The reader grows attached to the sisters, understanding each one’s plight and the distance those plights create between siblings once so close.

In The Shoe Box Waltz, Patrick does what she does best: she creates an environment of empathy for her characters that brings the readers a little closer to the truth of the human condition. This novel might offer some triggers for some readers regarding violence and different forms of abuse.

I received this book as an ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Innocence Lost by Dan Grylles

5 out of 5 stars

Innocence Lost by Dan Grylles is the second installment of his Detective Remy Ferguson Thriller Mystery Book Series, and it is even more action-filled than the first book. Grylles continues to enthrall the reader from the beginning of the novel and keeps the mystery going until the final page.

Detective Remy Ferguson is providing security guidance for a donor event for Mayor Montero when shots ring out. What starts out as a possible attempted murder investigation leads Remy and his intrepid crew of CSIs and fellow police officers into an emotional and tangled web of clues, lies, half-truths, and additional crimes.

Some characters carry over from first book, and their continued development piques the reader’s interest. Grylles seamlessly blends new and old characters and technology into a believable and heartbreaking framework of big-city crime and the toll it takes on the folks who have to solve the crimes. The flawed humanity of the main characters adds a layer of intrigue to the novel and makes them more relatable to the reader.

I received an ARC of this book. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Unpredictable Stars by GM Katz

4 out of 5 stars

Unpredictable Stars by GM Katz is an urban fantasy romance novella that grabs ahold of the reader’s heartstrings and doesn’t let go.

Dr. Mora Keneally and Dr. Owen Lang are two astrophysicists who live on opposite sides of the United States. Neither scientist has really made time or room in their hearts for love. Both wistfully wish upon a shooting star that they may find their one true love someday. Someday happens to be a chance meeting months later.

Attracted to each other from the beginning, Mora and Owen long to turn a one-night stand into a long-distance relationship and maybe something more. Forces beyond their control prevent them from seeing each other as much as they would like. Do they finally get a chance to be together in the same place at the same time for a substantial amount of time or does the universe find a way to keep them apart permanently?

Katz weaves the fantasy and mystical worlds into a romantic adventure for the ages. Her world-building and character descriptions lend to a believable story of what it means to find your soulmate even when you don’t believe that you are worthy. There were a few moments where more description would have helped round out the story a little more, but overall, a wonderful novella.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Empath and Psychic Abilities for Beginners: the Highly Sensitive People Guide to Waken your Intuitive Self, Embrace the Universe’s Hidden Powers, and Find your Path in Life

4 out 5 stars

Empath and Psychic Abilities for Beginners by Alyssa Vera is a wonderfully informative read and one that is well written. While I wanted to read everything at once, I took my time to parse the information given in the 13 chapters. Vera is successful in showing her readers that this is a subject to be considered and weighed while being retrospective and respectful toward themselves and others.

Vera begins by telling the reader a little of her own journey. She states that everyone’s journey to recognizing their empathic and/or psychic selves will not be the same as hers. We all have different moments of recognition of these parts of ourselves that are not always celebrated.

Vera introduces the reader to empathy and several different types of empaths. Throughout the book, she weaves a connecting thread of psychic abilities and how they may apply to empaths (throughout the stages of recognition, development, protection, management, etc.). As Vera introduces us to the empath types and skills, she also takes time to delineate the difference between empaths and psychics by guiding the reader through how to navigate the world as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

The latter half of the book describes various types of protection and guidance to use along the empath journey. Vera defines and discusses chakra healing, Kundalini awakening, and reiki healing, and how to connect with your spirit guides. She then seamlessly goes into how to use these to help you with interpreting your dreams and further practical applications of empathy and psychic abilities.

Overall, this book is a wonderful introduction with thoughtful explanations of many aspects of empathic life. At times it feels like a college survey course for someone interested in a subject and wants to dip their toes into the water before fully diving in to commit to a major. I highly recommend this book for those who might want to know more about the full range of what it takes to recognize and strengthen their abilities. Also for those who might not be believers but who can appreciate what a beautiful and diverse world in which we live.

I received a complimentary copy, and this review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: Trauma’s Death by Deanna Repose Oaks

5 out of 5 stars

Trauma’s Death by Deanna Repose Oaks is a collection of 30 poems of varying rhythms and rhyming schemes centering around the topic of trauma and all of the emotions that go with it. The author poetically describes pain, (physical and emotional), falling down and getting back up, and two of the most important: growth and healing. At the end of the collection, Oaks leaves you with “My Pick Me Up Playlist” so you can share in the healing aspect as you read and listen. (Confession: I’m listening to the playlist as I compose this review.)

Anyone who has gone through trauma can relate to working through its various stages as they read through these poems. As Oaks writes through her memories, she connects with the reader and lets them know they are not alone, whatever they may going through. “Telephone Game” is a poem of miscommunication and applying our trauma filters to what the other person is saying instead of hearing what they are trying to communicate. “Tin Cans” talks of taking your trauma with you into fresh beginnings. “Self Evident” and “My Cocoon” are two of my favorite poems from this collection as they reached right into me and tugged at feelings I thought I had buried long ago. “Sunshine” is the appropriate poem to end this collection as it leaves the reader with recognition of growth and a sense of hope.

I highly recommend this poetry collection to have on hand if you need to be reminded you are not alone and want to be reminded there is hope.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.

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Book review: The Time Tourists by Sharleen Nelson

4 out of 5 stars

The Time Tourists by Sharleen Nelson is a story of time traveling, love, and mystery with a bit of science and history mixed in to the plot. Sci-fiction and time traveling tend to be a crowd favorite, but not everyone can pull it together like this. The character building is detailed and done with love. The scenery is well researched and described well enough you can almost see the scenes playing out in front of you on a screen.

Imogen Oliver is not a pushover. Her parents and grandmother helped shape her into a strong, educated woman who can adapt to whatever situation in which she finds herself. She also discovers that she has a secret talent, one that her parents shared but told her nothing about: She can time travel through photos. Imogen must use everything she has learned up to this point to survive situations that we in present day may take for granted: like the proper way for a lady in the early 1900s to cross a street, taking a photograph in that same time period (it’s not as easy as a click of a button), or how to carry a conversation using the proper vocabulary of the era.

Imogen creates a private detective business and calls it Dead Relatives, Inc. She uses her various talents to help solve mysteries of the past for people of the present. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll end up working on a few mysteries of her own.

The Time Tourists is a wonderful new take on the subject of time travel and the complications that may arise.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary. 

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Book review: Greed Box by Molly Garcia

3 out of 5 stars

Greed Box by Molly Garcia is a horror novella that builds on the “Be careful what you wish for” trope. The character descriptions are well done; however some of the setting descriptions could be filled out a little more. The reader can relate to the main characters’ (Jack and Meg) emotions as they find themselves in various predicaments seemingly brought on by bad luck. Who among us hasn’t made a wish or two in our lifetime? Also, would you give everything back if what you wished for brought more than you can handle? This story goes on to answer the question, “What would you do to ensure the success of your wish completion?”

Jack and Meg are out and about in town one day and come across a shop with an interesting store front. After entering the shop, Jack spies an intriguing and well-made wooden box. The shop curator soon tells the couple of the story and warning behind the box. In spite of the warning, Jack purchases the box almost as if bidden to do so by an unnatural force.

After having the box displayed in their home for a short while, Jack wonders if there was any truth behind the shop curator’s story. Jack contemplates what he should do as he and Meg suffer some setbacks. He picks up the box, opens it, and whispers his wish. What happens afterward is a bit predictable at times, but nonetheless keeps the reader cheering for Jack and Meg to overcome the new obstacles in their lives. Garcia’s thorough character descriptions keep the reader going until the end.

There are a few unresolved questions at the end (that might bother some readers), and various grammatical and punctuation errors throughout that detract a little from the story. However, this quick horror read is an interesting take on “Be careful what you wish for.”

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Happy holidays and good reading wishes to you and yours!

I’ve been working on building content for my language and book blog the past few months. Regularly scheduled book reviews appear every Monday. During this holiday time, I’ll be adding a few reviews a bit spontaneously as I finish books that I think would make good gifts.

The newest book review is about a LitRPG for young readers. A few more will be dedicated to short stories. If you are looking for poetry, feel free to peruse past blog entries for poetry on an array of subjects. Most of these books are available through Amazon in a variety of formats, though some might be available in local book stores as well.

My aim this years has been to help spread the word for indie authors who may not have as wide a reach as do some of the more established authors. Though from time to time, I try to stay current with mass-produced authors as well and include those reviews.

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