Friday, April 22, 2016

Review: The American Association of Patriots Presents: How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety

The American Association of Patriots Presents: How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety The American Association of Patriots Presents: How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety by Zachary Auburn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book. It sounded like it was going to be very funny. It just wasn't. It was a pretty even mixture of trying too hard and not trying hard enough on the text. The pictures were pretty funny but some of them were pretty poorly done. I can't really fault that though as it was probably intentional. So much potential here. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood.

This review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.

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Thursday, April 21, 2016

Review: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Whiskey Tango Foxtrot by David Shafer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I forgot I had a copy of this on my kindle. I'm embarrassed to say, it took me a while to notice the joke in the title. I thought about it and realized I don't pay much attention to the meaning in titles, unless it occurs to me that I can't make sense of it. I need to pay more attention. That aside, this was an interesting idea. There's some conspiracy theory, some plausible horribility, and unique characters. The only problem I had is the plot dangles at the end and I would have liked to see more of where this story could have gone.

This review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.

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Saturday, April 16, 2016

Review: Stars Above

Stars Above Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not bad. Cute little back stories. The only problem is that Thorne's seemed really familiar. I feel like I read some or all of that in one of the other books, but I'm not really sure. Nice little epilogue for all the tales as an end story.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Review: Soundless

Soundless Soundless by Richelle Mead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liked the setting. Liked the idea. Liked the characters. Liked that even though this feels like it could be a series, it works all on its own. Fun read.

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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Review: Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out: Discover Secrets to a Slimmer, Sexier, and Healthier You

Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out: Discover Secrets to a Slimmer, Sexier, and Healthier You Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out: Discover Secrets to a Slimmer, Sexier, and Healthier You by JJ Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked the ideas presented in this book and am going to give them a shot. What's the worse that can happen? I do a detox and eat healthy for a while? Gosh. I've actually always wanted to do a real detox but have never looked into it so I feel like this could be a good thing. I think the first 21 days of this plan sound really difficult. No caffeine, sugar, or meat is much more intense than anything I've tried before but easing back into those things are a great way of finding out what your body doesn't like, even though your mind tells you it does. My favorite thing I learned from this book is that you can get a portable, personal steam sauna from amazon for right around $100. Now I know what I'll be saving up my amazon codes for next!

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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Review: The 13th Continuum

The 13th Continuum The 13th Continuum by Jennifer Brody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure this book would have nabbed my attention, as I'm a little worn out by the YA dystopia trend, but the publisher was so excited about this book that it made me a bit excited too. To be fair, once I started reading this, it felt more like old fashioned sci-fi than dystopia. It starts off from a point of ruin but works towards a place of hope. I also liked that there was a mixture of environmental challenges, from outer space to deep sea. This is one of those really well-crafted adventure stories that you can picture in your head, unspooling like a movie, as you're reading along. It would probably do very well as an actual movie. I can't wait to read the next book and see where it goes from here.

This honest review is in exchange for a free copy I received from the publisher.

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Friday, April 8, 2016

Review: A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy

A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's so easy to blame the parents when children perpetuate horrible crimes. It's easy to forget how much we tried to hide from our own parents when we were children, and how often we could be successful about it if we wanted. This book was a very good reminder about not jumping to blame and trying to remember that the parents of the shooters went through something horrible as well.

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Review: Fifteen Dogs

Fifteen Dogs Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting idea to ponder man's existential angst through the eyes of a dog. I really don't think this would have worked though the eyes of any other animal. This book has made me very interested in this author. You just have to wonder what other ideas are rumbling around his brain.

Awesome.

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Monday, April 4, 2016

Review: The Badass Body Diet: The Breakthrough Diet and Workout for a Tight Booty, Sexy Abs, and Lean Legs

The Badass Body Diet: The Breakthrough Diet and Workout for a Tight Booty, Sexy Abs, and Lean Legs The Badass Body Diet: The Breakthrough Diet and Workout for a Tight Booty, Sexy Abs, and Lean Legs by Christmas Abbott
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I felt like there was a lot of writing with not a lot of useful information. The diet and exercise guidelines boil down to just a few pages. The rest of the book felt pretty unnecessary. You could probably save yourself some hassle and buy a more informative book on macronutrients.

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Review: How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live with

How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live with How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live with by Clarice Rutherford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good information but it's the same good information that is in most other books. If you've already bought training books, you don't need this one.

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Review: The Art of Raising a Puppy

The Art of Raising a Puppy The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Slightly more philosophical approach to training, which shouldn't be surprising if you consider the authors. The beginning of this book is different as it follows the development of a litter of puppies from their birth until they are ready for adoption. Very interesting approach and I felt like I learned a bit more as I've not had the experience of being around puppies during those weeks. A lot of the training tips were pretty universal and can be found in other books but I would recommend this book anyway just for its thoughtfulness.

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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Review: The Low GI Diet Revolution: The Definitive Science-Based Weight Loss Plan

The Low GI Diet Revolution: The Definitive Science-Based Weight Loss Plan The Low GI Diet Revolution: The Definitive Science-Based Weight Loss Plan by Jennie Brand-Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been following a partial GI diet for a while now and the foods are really good and I've been feeling happier about what I've been eating. Might try switching to a more thorough approach.

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Review: Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Your Happy Healthy Pet

Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Your Happy Healthy Pet Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Your Happy Healthy Pet by Debra M. Eldredge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good information in general about the breed and some things that set its personality apart in the fields of training. Dvd was nothing new in the way of training tips but I suppose it was good to see it done in practice instead of just reading the instructions.

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Saturday, April 2, 2016

Review: My Brilliant Friend

My Brilliant Friend My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow! What an ending. I need to find out if book 2 resumes the tale or starts a new one. I'm guessing it's the former since there's no real resolution to the conflict introduced in the very beginning of the book. My favorite quote about the author listed in the end of this book is "Imagine if Jane Austen got angry and you'll have some idea of how explosive these works are." (John Freeman) The story did move a little slower in the middle but it's well worth your time. This is definitely a case of don't judge a book by its cover. The cover is just plain awful and makes it look like there wasn't much effort put in to the production but it all went in to the writing. Excellent!

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