Laura Ingalls Meets Nellie Oleson: The True Story (Book Review)

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The continuing saga of the struggling Ingalls family AFTER they have built their "little house on the prairie" and stopped to settle in a little sod house by the "banks of plum creek" where they get livestock, plant crops and the girls attend school for the first time and meet Nellie Olsen. (Gasp!)

They also encounter hardships (of course) like blizzards, failed crops, and LOCUSTS!

Well written, interesting, and appropriate for ALL ages from young children right up to old fogies (like me). Enjoyable for boys and girls, men and women, and with so much more depth and realism than the 1970s TV show, this would be perfect for a family read-aloud time.

NOTE:
About mid-way through this ebook, I decided to give a listen to it in audiobook format when I read a review stating it had a wonderful narrator. So here is my review specifically "speaking" 😉 to that format.


AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:

It seems strange to hear someone else speak the words that have so far been only in my voice and in my head throughout these many years. But it's good to have a new experience with the book and Cherry Jones does a lovely job reading it with her calm and expressive voice. I get a fresh perspective when I hear her different inflections and how she emphasizes different things than I do.

But audiobooks are never quite as good as being directly engaged with the written word, no matter who is reading it. And the harsh fiddle music they have inserted in between some of the chapters feels more like an interruption. Although a good idea, it might be better if they chose music better suited to the tone of the story or event they are attempting to enhance at that moment. Or perhaps just someone with a better singing voice. (Sorry, sir, whoever you are.) As it is, it only serves to remind me how much this version is missing the Garth Williams illustrations which have become synonymous with this series of books for generations.

Also, since being able to read is not a requirement for an audiobook, I'm lowering the Age Suitability to three years old. Actually, you can go even younger if you can locate a two-year-old that will stay in one location longer than ten seconds! 😉


Main books in the "Little House" series:

1. Little House in the Big Woods
2. Little House on the Prairie
3. Farmer Boy (Almanzo Wilder's story)
4. On the Banks of Plum Creek
5. By the Shores of Silver Lake
6. The Long Winter
7. Little Town on the Prairie
8. These Happy Golden Years
9. The First Four Years

I hope all this information is helpful. Thank you for reading it.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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Cuddle Your Children with Max Lucado (book review)

Just in Case You Ever Wonder Educator's Guide by Max Lucado
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Words: Max Lucado, Illustrations: Eve Tharlet

NOTE. There is more than one version of this book, but each with a different illustrator. I am reviewing and recommending the one with drawings by EVE THARLET and my rating mainly reflects her contributions. Which I make more fully understandable in the review below. LL


This book is what I call a "Cuddle Book". You take a young child into your arms and gently flip through the pages as they see fit and just enjoy your time together.

As far as what Max Lucado contributes, it doesn't really matter. His talent is to use words to create an emotional bond to God. But that's not really required here because there are few words on few pages. They are used primarily as the structure to hold the pictures together and give them a coherent order, as well as to depict the general theme of our worth to God.

This book is primarily about the contributions of illustrator Eve Tharlet, even though she gets secondary credit. And what wonderful illustrations they are! Calming with their muted colors and full of little details that are fun to search for, as your child gets you to read it for the umpteenth time. Like, in the "Bric a Brac" shop there is a stuffed animal in the front window and the tricycle on the sidewalk. They aren't referred to in the words, so why are they there? Maybe you and your child could imagine your own reason or story for the answer.

I would look at this book as a chance to share some quiet, quality time with the child/children in your life. Probably by the time they are past six years old the opportunity with this particular book will be over. So grab at this deeply satisfying opportunity now.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tommy Nelson (I love that name) for allowing me to have an advanced look at this book in exchange for an honest review. Even though I don't have a small child in my life right now, I can always appreciate beautiful pictures and the lower blood pressure I enjoy when I browse through them. (sigh)

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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Mankind Through Alien Eyes (Graphic Novel Review)

 

The Uprooted by Fred Duval
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm still quite new to Graphic Novels as a genre (format ?), so I never know exactly what to expect. But upon receiving my free copy of Renaissance: The Uprooted from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion (which is what you know you always get), I was very pleased to receive a "comic book" (which is what they were called in my day) made for adults.

Although it has no profanity, graphic sex, and only mild violence and is therefore okay for pre-teen or sensitive readers, it deals with the themes of marriage, family, death, loyalty, greed, individuality, and mankind's' future, even though the story is about aliens. All of these are cleverly woven through an interesting, quick-paced, and complex plotline.

The illustrations are lush, detailed, and set a perfect other,-worldly yet familiar ambiance, while the written words do exactly the same. In fact, it's a rare case where the different contributors each add their uniqueness to telling the story, yet work so well to enhance each other that it's hard to believe we are dealing with more than one writer.

I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to review it and happy that "Renaissance" was so enjoyable that it's certain I'll be continuing to read more Graphic Novels in the future.

Thanks for reading another one of my reviews.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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A Dystopian Hour (Graphic Novel Review)

 

ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times by Andrew MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm still pretty new to Graphic Novels as a genre. I remember when they were called "Comic Books" and you usually read them over and over, while laying on your stomach on the floor with a snack in one hand as you slowly browsed the various pictures. It was supposed to be something to do to relax and enjoy yourself. So I still approach each Graphic Novel with that same "la-dee-da" attitude and ready to quietly meander wherever the story and pictures take me.

With that in mind, I was also not expecting great literature or an on the edge of my seat thrill-ride. Which is good, because I didn't get either of those things with ApocalyptiGirl. What I did get was an interesting, all be it run of the mill, dystopian story with a likable main character ... and her cat.

Aria is a young woman on earth with the assignment to seek out any unknown transmissions and a hidden power source, while trying to survive two warring factions, and the occasional attack of cannibals and mutant dogs. In between her searching and kicking serious butt, Aria wanders through her everyday life making the most out of her isolation as the only normal human being left on earth.

I found it a satisfying action story with a few funny moments and a few poignant moments added. Aria ponders some weightier issues but not for long because the action keeps at a pretty steady pace. The illustrations are not complex, but still hold some interesting details that you don't want to miss. So don't flip through them too quickly. But it's her interaction with her cat, Jellybean, that is definitely the high point of this read. And I personally enjoyed all the different creative words used to identify sounds. Like "skritch, skritch" to depict Aria scratching Jellybean's head.

Although it has many violent fight scenes, they aren't illustrated too graphically. And with only mild profanity (hell) and no sexual content at all, I would say it's okay for pre-teens and above.
It's not a very long book, so if you're looking for an interesting Graphic Novel with a strong and capable young woman as the protagonist, ApocalyptiGirl is a good way to spend a relaxing hour. May I personally recommend you get yourself a package of Strawberry Twizzlers licorice as the corresponding munchie of choice?

Thanks for reading another one of my reviews.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee 

P.S. Note that the book cover depicted here is not the actual one and does not reflect the book's illustrations. It must be a throwback to a previous version.

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Hit by The Governess

 

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you are familiar with my reviews I'm sure you know by now that Romance is NOT one of my favorite genres. Even/especially Christian romance novels which I find repetitive and pappy. But I'm glad to say this one is a cut above the rest.

The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a fictional, historical, stand-alone, romance novel with a Christian foundation. It starts with a widowed governess who accompanies her five charges to their new home at Penwythe Hall after they are orphaned and must go to live with their uncle. It proceeds as the usual book of this nature does. There is a time of adjustment, various enigmatic characters are introduced as well as a hidden past and a big mystery hinted at and "unspoken passions" constantly referred to. Same old, same old. (sigh)

However, I got my copy of this popular book from my library so I had to initially wait weeks for it, couldn't renew it immediately, had to wait weeks for it again, had to give it back, and then decided to switch to the audiobook format in order to finish it. I was surprised to see myself so determined to complete something that was "same old, same old". But the characters are what make this journey worthwhile. More complex than one would usually find in a book of this nature, I found myself continually drawn to them even if not finding the story itself anything unique. But in the final chapters, there were some events that were rather thrilling and unexpected and family relationships (apart from the main " Romance") that were complex and rang very true to life.

As far as the Christian elements, they are mostly in the periphery and merely hinted at as our main characters ponder human nature, how to deal with their pasts, and conquer their fears. That is until we are led to the deathbed of one of the "periphery" characters who hits us with God's truth right between the eyes, into our brains, and then planted into our hearts. So much so that I found myself reaching for something to wipe my eyes with. Yes. I admit I cried. Though not very willingly.

But I am happy to say my "standing" in the Holds lineup was worth my wait, the book worth my time, and the Governess of Penwythe Hall worth my recommendation.

Without any profanity or graphic sex and only some mild violence (some shoving, a few punches, and gunshots ringing out) it is appropriate for preteens as well as sensitive readers.

May I also add that the audiobook format was well done by English lady, Jude Mason. She read it with a good amount of emotion without being melodramatic and varied the voices and accents without overdoing it. There is a fine line between narrating a book and performing it. One enhances while the other upstages.

Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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"Ahead" to England's Past" (Audiobook Review)

 

Full Steam Ahead: How the Railways Made Britain by Peter Ginn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is added information to the popular BBC living history TV show with Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn, and Ruth Goodman. Read by the two authors, Peter and Ruth.

Full Steam Ahead discusses how the advancements of train travel spurred on the industrial revolution and touched EVERY aspect of life in the UK. To say it holds a wealth of information is a gross understatement for both this book and the TV series it is based on, which has three historical experts thrust back to recreate and experience what life would have been like during this time period in Scotland, Wales and England.

This audiobook is definitely a case of "too much, but not enough". It serves to enhance and add things that there wasn't enough time to show in the TV series but misses the thing which makes the show version so great. It's spontaneity. Although the enthusiasm for the subject comes through while Peter and Ruth take turns narrating the following chapters, they are READING it not LIVING it. What has made their series of living history documentaries so wildly popular is that through the years and previous series these three people have gone from colleagues to friends to family. Not just obviously to each other but to us the viewers as well. Funny, informative, poignant, thoughtful, and heartfelt describe the show but are elements missing from the book and therefore you are left feeling unsatisfied.

But if you've seen the series, Full Steam Ahead, and can't get enough of this sweet and unique "family" of historians run amok, go for the book in audio or paper. But it will never take the place of watching them attempt to fulfill their hearts' desires; bringing the past to life to understand those who lived it ... and ourselves.

TV Series with Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn, and Ruth Goodman:
(Currently available for free viewing on YouTube)

Full Steam Ahead
Tales of the Green Valley
Victorian Farm
Edwardian Farm
Wartime Farm and
Secrets of the Castle

Thank you for reading my review and I hope you avail yourself of the opportunity to watch these warm, entertaining and somewhat addictive series' as well. Be prepared for some binge-viewing that's safe for the entire family.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

PS. Ruth Goodman is my hero. I want to be her when I grow up. 😊

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Full Steam Ahead: Episode One

Victorian Farm: Episode One

Ready Reader One. Nope!

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline


I know this book is massively popular. Mr. Spielberg made it into a massive movie. But after a couple of attempts at reading it, I decided I didn't want to spend a massive amount of time on it. So I DNF.

Life is too short and I have too little of it left to spend all the time reading this book will require. Escapism just isn't enough for me anymore. I want amazing! The fabulous! The thoughtful, clever, inspirational and edifying. And I suspect I have a better chance of finding those things elsewhere than I will continuing to read this ENTIRE book and hoping through the whole thing that they may show up at some point.

So basically this is a non-review review. Stop reading it and go hug someone you love. Right now!

Laura-Lee 💓

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Lawhead and Langdon: Match Made in (Book) Heaven

Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stephen Lawhead does his best work when he writes a series of books, but if I had to choose one book that displays all his talents, this stand alone novel would be the one. It's also the first one that got him noticed on a worldwide scale, has been translated into several languages, and has never been out of print. If I were to introduce Lawhead to a person and could do it with only one book it would be Byzantium. And once you've read just one of his books, you are a hardcore fan (a Lawheadian) and go out to buy his complete catalog. He's that good.


UPDATE:
I just finished for the first time Byzantium as an audiobook. Read by Stuart Langdon. Fortunately, Mr. Langdon understands the difference between Narrating a book and Performing a book. He also understands the gem of a book that he was reading and truly warmed to the task. This book takes more than 25 hours to be read. SO worth the time!

However, an audiobook is not quite the same or as good as the real thing. It helped tremendously that I've read Byzantium many times on my own because there are several terms, place names, and historical references that might be overlooked without the words in front of you. But for me, it was pure enjoyment and just reaffirmed while I still call Stephen Lawhead my favorite author more than twenty years after discovering him.

"All hail Jarl Lawhead, King of Wordsmiths!" (I still don't know if I need quotation marks if I am quoting myself!)

Thanks for reading my review. Now, go reward yourself by reading something -anything- by Stephen Lawhead.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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