Are You in the Loop?

Tales From the Loop by Simon Stalenhag

In Sweden, in the countryside of  Malaroarna, deep under ground there is the world's largest particle accelerator.  The local people call the compound The Loop.  Strange things happen there.

This book is equal parts strange science fiction tale and art book.  The artwork is beautiful and at a quick glance can be taken for photographs.  But at the same time the images are slightly eerie.  Taken together with the recollections of a man who lived above The Loop it has an unsettling feeling, in the very best way.  It is told in short memories of various things that happened in the area. At the end you are left not knowing if the childhood was happy or scary, or if The Loop was a power for good or not.  I really enjoyed it and plan to look for more work by Stalenhag.

 Tales From the Loop starring Daniel Zolghadri

Under the townspeople's feet is a machine used to explore the mysteries of the universe.  Above the ground the townspeople experience many strange and unexplainable events.

This is an eight episode mini-series.  The cast of characters stays the same throughout the series, but each episode focuses on a different odd incident.  It is a science fiction series that actually takes place in the past.  Which, I think, gives it an interesting feel.  Like all these things are out there right now and we just don't know about it.  The stories are not scary exactly.  They are more creepy and unsettling. Even though they all revolve around The Loop, they all have different, interesting concepts that make you come back for more.  This was a very entertaining series that made me wish there were more episodes.  

Series vs. Book:

There were things in the book that you do not see in the series but there are also things in the series that you do not see in the book.  I think the series does a really good job of keeping the eerie feeling of the book.  Many of the images in the series are exactly the same as the art in the book.  Although there are some big differences between the two, I think the series did a really good job of bringing the book to the screen.  This is a rare occasion where I can't say which one I liked better.  I enjoyed them both.  I will read more books by Zolghadri, and if there is a second season (which I hear there will be) I will definitely watch it.  

At What Cost the Stars

 Star Splitter by Matthew J. Kirby

Jessica is being transported across space to meet her parents on the spaceship, Theseus.  Or so she thought.  But she wakes up in a blood-stained crash site on an unknown planet.  She needs to find out what happened and what to do now.

I thought this book was a lot of fun. I always wanted to get back to it so I could find out what happened next. I liked the way it was told in 'before' and 'after' sections, so you see where she ended up and then go back to figure out how she got there. There is adventure and danger and excitement, but it also makes the reader think about what makes you, you. It presents a lot of questions about identity without becoming overly philosophical to the point that it interferes with the flow of the story. There are some things that happen that don't seem to have any logical (or any other) explanation. And there is a scene (a rather long one) that seems to have nothing to do with the plot. But I have to admit it didn't bother me at the time of the reading. I assumed it would all come together at the end. I was only disappointed when it was over and things that I felt needed to be explained were not explained. It had a couple of hiccups, but I still found it enjoyable and would be interested in reading more by Kirby.

I got a free copy of this book from Bookish First.

Her sting packs a punch

 The Wasp Queen by Julie Stielstra

An impulsive curse changes the course of the lives of several people, including the royal family.  Some people have benefitted but some have not.  Can they all figure out how to reverse the curse?  And does everyone want to?

It is a fairytale.  It is a fun story with a cast of interesting characters.  The story moves fast and keeps your interest all the way through.  I like the whole concept of it.  There is someone to root for, someone to hate, and the conflicted character that you hope does the right thing in the end.  The story was rather simple, in keeping with the fairytale feel.  What let me down a little was the very convenient circumstance that came up without reason and disappeared when it was not needed any more (also without reason.)  And the solution to the problem was simple and I knew it all along, as will most readers, while the characters seem unable to figure it out.  But I still enjoyed the book.  It is a fun. light read you will be able to finish in a day or two.  

I got a free copy of this book from Librarything.com, Early Reviewers.

Go Get Them, Girl!

 Mrs. Plansky's Revenge by Spencer Quinn

Mrs. Plansky finds that she has been a victim of fraud.  All of her savings and investments are gone.  The police tell her the odds of getting any of her money back (or even catching the criminals) are very low.  Mrs. Plansky, unwilling to be a helpless victim decides to track down the criminals on her own.

I like Mrs. Plansky.  I like the fact that she refuses to fall behind the times just because she is getting older.  I like that she is determined to still find joy and fun in life even though she is a recent widow.  And I loved how she did not panic and fall apart when she finds out her money is gone.  She is a fun character and I enjoyed following her adventure and listening to her internal dialogue as she works through everything.  There were a lot of fun and interesting situations that she gets herself into.  And you even start to like some of the people who scammed her.  I was a little disappointed that this intelligent, savvy woman fell for a scam that seemed so obvious to the reader.  And when she gets to Romania there are a lot of conspicuous coincidences that start to strain believability.  But the book is a lot of fun to read and any criticism I have mentioned here did not lessen my enjoyment at all.

I got a free copy of this book from Bookish First.

That's Quite A Banana

 Banana by Zoey Abbott

A dad does everything with his daughter.  Thay always have a great time together.  But then dad gets a banana.  At first, they have fun together with the banana but then dad starts spending all his time with the banana instead of his daughter.  What should she do?

I think it is fun that it is banana that distracts the father.  The point is it could be anything.  So why not a magic banana?  And I think it is cute that when the dad feels bad the daughter knows exactly what to do to make him feel better.  But.  I do think this is a cautionary tale aimed more at the parent reading the book than the child the book is being read to.  Which is not necessarily a bad thing.  If you can inform the parent while entertaining the child that is a good thing.  But the major problem I have is the message it gives the child that if they think something is taking too much of their parent's time, they should destroy it.  I think this book encourages children to just get rid of things they don't like and I don't think that is a good message.  Probably not something I will read to my nieces.  

I got a free copy of this book from Librarything.com, Early Reviewers.

Follow the Elephant

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Peter was told that his baby sister died at birth, but what if she didn't?  When a fortuneteller tells him she is still alive and an elephant will show him the way to her what will Peter do?  What elephant?  How will an elephant show him the way?  But Peter has hope and determination and sets out to find his sister.

This is a sweet story of hope, belief, family and forgiveness.  DiCamillo sets up a rich setting and develops characters with depth.  Peter's world starts out rather bleak and dark.  And then the elephant appears, literally by magic.   And somehow this event sends ripples through the town, touching everyone.  It is a beautiful story as hope, and wonder, and love start to change the dark lives of the people of the town.  The ending is a little predictable, but it is still wonderful to read.  There are a few dark moments in the story but ultimately it is about the power of family, hope, wonder, friendship, and forgiveness.

The Magician's Elephant starring Noah Jupe

Peter, an orphan being raised by a soldier, has always believed that his baby sister had died.  But when a fortuneteller tells him she is still alive he is determined to find her.  He is told to 'follow the elephant'.  And his quest changes his life and the lives of those around him in unexpected ways.

In a once magical town, hope has disappeared along with the sun.  But then a desperate magician makes an elephant appear and things start to change.  It is fun to watch the town slowly start to come back to life, mostly in the background so make sure to watch, as Peter goes on his quest to find his sister.  There are a wide cast of characters that the audience becomes attached to.  And you feel for Peter as everything seems to want to stop him in his search.  It's fun to watch the characters, some of whom start out sad and lost, change and grow through the story.  It is a fun, beautiful, emotional story about the power of love, empathy, family, and forgiveness.  And it shows you what can happen if you dare to ask the question, "But what if?".  

The movie stays close to the basic story of the book.  There are lots of moments that you will recognize from one to the other.  But there are lots of differences too.  Starting with how the soldier raising Peter got him to how Peter gets the elephant.  Some things are vastly different.  There are new characters in the movie that don't exist in the book.  I, personally, do not like the addition of the king.  He might have been put in as some comic relief (it can get a little dark at times) but I don't think his goofy character fits the feel of the story.  And the added drama from the way Peter gets to the elephant is probably considered important in a movie but was unnecessary in the book.  I liked both of them but, if forced to choose, I would say the slightly simpler, more concise story of the book has a slight edge.

For Lovers of Wildlife

 Beautiful Serengeti starring Simon Shrimpton-Smith

A documentary about life in the Serengeti.

This documentary has 12 half hour episodes.  I watch a lot of wildlife documentaries but there was footage here of things I had never seen before.  There was a lot of new information for me, which is nice when it seems like all the documentaries now have been done before and are just repeating each other.  The cinematography is beautiful and the narrator does a good job.  I also like how they split the information into categories for each episode.  (ie. The Hunt, Defence, Family and such)  I really enjoyed the series and would recommend it to anyone who likes wildlife.  My only critique is that they use the same footage several times, and not just the footage, the narration is the same too, so you know it is the exact same clip.  I binge watched the series so it was very evident, if you space them out you might not notice as much.  It is still definitely worth a watch.

It is available on Amazon Prime right now.

If Clothes Could Talk

Deetjen's Closet by Debbie Noble Black

Sara has moved to a new town where she is being bullied for her belief in magic.  On her quest to prove that magic is real she stumbles upon a coat that talks and introduces her to more talking clothes.  Is this the proof she needs to stop her tormentors from bothering her?

Being so far removed from my 10 years old self I probably don't connect with Sara as much as someone from the target audience would, but I like her.  She is a girl who just wants to be herself.  But it's hard since being herself gets her bullied and teased.  I'm glad Sara doesn't decide to fight back in a traditional way, instead she decides to try to understand the girls who are terrorizing her.  Maybe there is something in their lives that makes them so mean.  It is a very mature approach and watching Sara come to this decision was a pleasure.  I also enjoyed the real historical stories that the clothes told.  (Although I have to admit I learned more about Levi Jeans than I really needed to know.)  But I felt the story of Sara's plight was put on hold to listen to the clothes tell their stories and the clothes became more of a means to tell the history instead of a part of Sara's story.  I did like that at the end certain connections were made so it didn't all seem so random.  But it ended too abruptly for me.  I know it is meant to be a series, but I wanted some sort of conclusion or wrap up and I got none.  It is an interesting concept, and it will probably appeal to a certain young audience, but I was never intrigued enough to wonder what happens next.

I got a free copy of this book from Librarything.com, Early Reviewers.

Do You Keep Your Promises?

 Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

The principle of Urban Promise Prep School has been murdered.  Three boys happened to be in detention that day and all three had a motive.  With everyone willing to believe that any or all of them could have done it, can they trust each other enough to work together to clear all their names?  

This book grabbed me from the beginning.  I like the way it is told from different perspectives.  I think I got to know the characters more by hearing them all speak in their own voices.  I also liked how you got a different piece from everyone, and you got to try to piece them together like a puzzle.  The writing was good.  Everyone had a unique voice so they didn't all sound alike and they were all believable.  You could meet these people.  You could also feel the frustration as, even in a school that is supposed to be helping them, the deck is stacked against them.  They feel powerless: against the school that feels more like a prison, against the principle who has a wonderful reputation but is not always just, and against the instant belief of almost everyone that they could have done this.  The only issue I have with this book is they try to solve the crime themselves.  I understand that they could not trust the police but sneaking around, breaking into places and confronting possible murderers do not seem like actions that should be condoned as a solution to your problems.  But I liked it all the same.  I like how the characters drew me in.  I like how it explored some weighty issues with honesty but was still able to fit it all into an engaging and entertaining story.  I liked how it kept a good pace and never dragged and how I liked all the different perspectives the same and didn't find myself suffering through someone's story just to get back to someone else's.  There is a lot to recommend this book and I hope to read more by Nick Brooks.

I got a free copy of this book from Bookish First.

There's What in the Attic?

The House on East 88th Street and Lyle, Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber

A family moves into a new house only to find that a crocodile already lives there.

So, the idea of a crocodile living with a family is a fun idea.  But I'm not sure why these stories became so popular.  I can get over the fact that people are happy for their children to be playing with a crocodile, it is fiction after all.  But he is living in a house all by himself and no one wonders how he is surviving.  And the man who got Lyle into show business is a terrible person.  Am I supposed to hate him?  Because I do.  I don't even think Lyle likes him that much.  But then he acts like they are good friends.  So that relationship confused me.  Maybe I am just too cynical.  Maybe a more light hearted person (like a child) would be able to overlook all the odd bits that bothered me.  I won't be reading the rest of the books in the series.  But if you want to try them make sure you start with The House on East 88th Street, that is the first one and some of the stuff in Lyle, Lyle Crocodile I found confusing until I went back to the beginning.

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile starring Winslow Fegley and Javier Bardem

A family moves into a new house only to find that a singing crocodile lives in the attic.

Lyle is cute.  And you do warm up to him just like the family he lives with does.  It's a fun story with a villain who is suitably scummy and a nice heart warning ending.  But why can Lyle sing but not talk?  That bothers me.  Just have a talking crocodile, or not.  I do like the relationship Lyle has with the pampered cat next door.  It is fun to watch and I think kids with like it.  But for me it is just average.

How does the movie compare to the book?  A lot of the same elements and scenarios show up in both.  And the story is pretty much the same story, with slight variations.  The biggest difference is that Lyle can sing in the movie but not the books.  But in the books Lyle is a performer so it isn't totally off base.  I think the book to movie transition was a good one.   I think I liked the movie slightly better because it seemed to have a little more explanation of how everything came about.  (Not how Lyle came to be able to sing, unfortunately.  But you can't have everything.)   And the entertainer who got Lyle into show business was more firmly put in the villain category so I didn't have to wonder about that relationship.  I think the movie is worth a look but I wouldn't recommend the books.

The Friday 56

 

 Rules:

* Grab a book, any book.

* Go to page 56.  Or 56% on your ereader. 

* Find a snippet, short and sweet.

* Post it and add the url to your post at Freda's Voice

My book this week is The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy by Jennifer McCartney.  This book reminds us to slow down and enjoy the moment.  Not exactly a new thought but in our world of constant motion, perpetual activity and a thousand list of things your supposed to do, books you are supposed to read and places you are supposed to go before you die, it is nice to be reminded that sometimes you can just stop for a moment.  You can read my review here.

The Friday 56:

This is page 56 of the book.  There are a lot of words in the book just not on this page.  But you do get to look at this cute sloth.  And who doesn't want to look at a cute sloth?

That's Some Brave Ham

 

Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer

Ham comes from a long line of vampire hunters.  He has always been the odd pig out in his family.  But when all the other vampire hunters in the family meet tragic (and stupid) ends it is up to him to carry on the family tradition.  So he sets out to save a village from the vampire that has been terrorizing it.

Ham may not be as brave as his vampire hunting relatives but he is determined to carry on the Helsing vampire slaying tradition.  Along the way he meets many quirky characters, including a ninja pig, an evil hench-chicken, a werewolf, undead minions (aka - strips of bacon) and, of course, the vampire.  Ham is endearing and adorable as he heads off with nothing but his resolve to help him kill a vampire.  Soon he part of a rag tag group who together learn not to judge people (or pigs) too quickly, how to be selfless in order to help others and the benefits and joys of working as a team.  The story is told with lots of humor and the illustrations are cute, detailed, hilarious and expressive.  It is just a lot of fun to read for young and old alike and it ends leaving you wanting more.

Taking it Slow

 The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy by Jennifer McCartney

In the fast paced world in which we live it is a good idea to slow down some times.  This book takes some ideas from the lives of sloth to help you slow down and enjoy the moments along the way without always being worried about the destination.

Everyone has heard that you should stop and small the roses.  But what if you don't even want to smell the roses?  What if you want to take a nap instead?  This book reminds us that we do not have to be doing something all the time.  Sometimes it is okay just to be.  Sometimes self care is a spa day or a run in the fresh air but sometimes it is sitting on the sofa in your pajamas with a cup of coffee.  And you shouldn't feel guilty about that.  This book reminds you that you don't always have to live up the the world's fast paced expectations.  And it gives you some pointers on how to slow down, physically and your brain activity, including a reading list, a play list and some slower paced sports to try.  It is a good read when you start to feel guilty that you still haven't finished that book, or tried the eight recipes you printed off the internet, or ever run a marathon.  And the occasional, adorable sloth illustration along the way doesn't hurt.  If you are feeling harried and overwhelmed, take a breath and some slow advice from a sloth. 

The Friday 56

 Rules:

* Grab a book, any book.

* Go to page 56.  Or 56% on your ereader. 

* Find a snippet, short and sweet.

* Post it and add the url to your post at Freda's Voice

My book this week is The Hummingbird's Gift by Sy Montgomery.  It is about two women who are trying to raise orphan hummingbirds.  They got them before they even had feathers.  They had to be fed every 20 minutes.  If you feed them too little they die, if you feed too much they die.  Raising hummingbirds is a tricky business.

The Friday 56:

The little bird zigzags after the flies, seizing them in a tweezer-like bill that has grown at least a quarter inch since I saw him.  Zuni's flights last only seconds and sound like a propeller plane - but to me, they are miraculous. 

Apparently when a hummingbird makes a lot of noise when it is hovering it means he is not very good at it.  Zuni is still learning here.  But since mites could kill him, poison to kill mites could kill him, too little or too much food could kill him, everything is seems could kill this delicate little thing it was a miracle he was alive at all.  It was an interesting story and I learned some things I didn't know about hummingbirds.  And at only 79 pages it is a quick read.

Brindille Review

Brindille by Frederic Brremaud (author) and Federico Bertolucci (artist)

A young girl runs from a fire, loses consciousness and wakes up with no idea who she is.  She must face the forest and her fears to figure out who she is.

The illustrations are beautiful.  They are lush, detailed and expressive.  And the little creatures that rescue the girl are adorable.  But the story is all over the place.  A lot of it felt very random.  And I don't know how all the characters fit together.  There were all these people who knew about her somehow, some trying to help, some trying to hinder, and I never knew why.  Even at the end where everything was supposed to be explained I was still confused about most of it.  It seems like the story could have been very interesting if a few more things were explained.  As it is, I feel Brindille is more enjoyable for it's art than it's story.  

Don't Go Into the Forest

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford

Leelo has spent all her life on an island surrounded by a poisonous lake and protected by a forest that is alive and wants blood.  Outsiders are not allowed on the island and if they find themselves there they are sent away.  None are ever seen again.  Leelo is told it has to be this way, for the safety of everyone she loves.  But as the day approaches where her brother will be sent away for not having magic, and she meets an outsider that seems anything but evil she starts to question everything.  She finds that the home she loves may not be what she thought and she is caught in a web of lies and secrets and must decide what she will believe.

I love a conflicted main character.  And I think it is done well here.  Leelo is likeable and I feel for her as she struggles between being loyal to her community and her family and doing what her heart tells her is right.  And there is a good amount of tension that Rutherford was able to keep up through the book.  Leelo is danger but sometimes you are not sure who she is in danger from.  And you (and Leelo) know there is so much that she doesn't know and the mystery as it unfolds is entertaining and gripping even if it is not all completely unexpected.  I also think there were some things that could have been explored a little more.  I wanted to know more about this malevolent forest.  And, quite frankly, I was never really sure what it was that the magic of the islanders did.  (Except lure people to their deaths.)  There was a wolf that was mentioned once, seemed like he would be a significant part of the story, but then he never surfaced again.  I enjoyed the book.  It had a lot of interesting concepts and I like the mix of fantasy and romance with a slight horror edge to it.  But there were a couple of things that made me stop short of love for this one.

I got a free copy of this book from Bookish First.

Seelie or Unseelie? That is the Question.

 

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman

Seelie is a changeling raised in the human world as twin sister to the one she was meant to replace.  But as an autistic changeling she has trouble fitting in.  And the two sisters find themselves out on their own and on the run when they become mixed up in a mystery that involves both the human and fae worlds.

Unseelie is fun to read.  I like the idea that the girls' mother was unwilling to give up the changeling and raised both children as her own.  I think the characters are well written and interesting, although the good guys are better developed than the bad guys.  It was a fun journey as this unlikely group travels around, bouncing between the human and fae worlds, fighting magical enemies and learning to trust one another.  But there were a few times when it started to drag a little and I was ready for the plot to move on.  There were also a few things I wish had been explained a little better, there were just a couple of things that seemed rather random.  And at the end there are a lot of unresolved things that you have to wait until the next book to get closure on.  I didn't really like the way several things were sprung on me right at the end and all left as questions.  But it did exactly what it was supposed to do.  It piqued my interest and I will more than likely read the next book to see how it all works out.  Because I enjoyed reading about these characters and I want to know what happens to them.  I was happy to have read it and I think lovers of fantasy will find it an entertaining journey.  

I got a free copy of this book from Bookish First.

What is Your Strategy

Strike the Zither by Joan He

The Xin dynasty is divided.  Zephyr, a great strategist, has decided to help Xin Ren, a warlordess who is loyal to the empress.  But can Zephyr help Ren without Ren losing her honor?  

The book starts off quickly and introduces a cast of bold, interesting characters who grab you right from the start.  I was uncertain I liked them at first because they are all arrogant and self-important.  But there is something compelling about this rag tag group of underdogs and I couldn't help rooting for them even as I tries to figure out who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.  Or even if there were good guys and bad guys.  It was interesting to see the battles more from the strategy side as opposed to the fighting side.  I liked the different approach.  I was unsure about the big fantasy twist in the middle.  At first, I thought it was pointless.  But as I continued to read, I got a new perspective on characters that I thought I knew, and it started to make sense.  There is a lot going on here, a lot of pieces, plots and characters.  It is an epic story.  A story too big for one book so I was left hanging at the end, but I was engaged enough to want to come back for the next book.

I got a free copy of this book from Bookish First.

You're Okay

 

I'm So Happy You're Here by Liz Climo

These cute animals will give you a pep talk to get you through a hard day.

A host of adorable animals tell you things that everyone needs to hear sometimes:  don't listen to the haters, the mistakes from your past don't define you, believe in yourself, and such.  It is touching and heartening even though you have heard most of these messages before.  It is a good little book to read if you are having a day, or week, or life, where you feel badly about yourself, and it would make a great gift for a friend who is having a hard time.  

Lunch at Midnight

Night Lunch words by Eric Fan pictures by Dena Seiferling

Owl runs a lunch cart for all the animals who come out at night.

The illustrations are beautiful.  I like how the sepia tones and lack of hard lines give it all a dream like quality.  And all of the animals that come to the cart are fun.  The story is nice, watching Owl make lunch for everyone and sharing what he has with a poor mouse who has nothing.  But I wish the words had more of a rhythm to them.  At times it starts to fall into a rhythm but never quite does.  It's a pleasant enough picture book but it isn't one I see myself reading to my niece and nephew over and over again.

I got a free copy of this book from Librarything.com, Early Reviewers.

What is a cordial bar?

I wanted to go out and wanted to try someplace I had never been before.  And my husband and I also wanted someplace near a train stop because we planned to get drunk.  So, I looked around and found The Kenmore.  It was right by the Kenmore MBTA station.  The menu was mostly burgers and hotdogs, but I didn't want fancy.  Besides the "K" burger was only $5.95, and they had a good selection of sours, so it seemed perfect.

We get there on a Tuesday night at around 4:30.  It is not a big place but it was comfortable and inviting.  On a Tuesday night it was not busy and we easily got a seat at the bar.  We were told they had some specials where you could get a hotdog for a dollar or a burger for two.  We didn't try it so I don't know how big they were, but you can't complain much when you only pay two bucks for a burger.

We always start with a drink and we wanted some bourbon.  But we couldn't get any because they didn't have any.  The bartender told us they were a cordial bar and didn't carry it.  No straight whisky at all.  No straight anything as far as I could tell.  Fireball, Jack Daniels Honey, Dr. McGillicuddy's?  Sure.  But a drink of scotch, no.  They did have Slow & Low: Rock and Rye, which is a premixed old fashioned.  And since we were already there and didn't want to find some place else we settled for that.  It was tasty, a little sweet, but not what we were hoping for when we went out.  

The food was good.  We started with the steak and cheese eggrolls.  They were cheesy and crispy and delicious.  Then we both got the "K" Burger with a side of fries.  The burger was tasty.  It was not the biggest burger in the world but it was the size you expect for $5.95.  And the shoestring fries were delicious.  

I tried to get into the spirt of thing and got some Fireball.  Which I like.  So that was fine.  But then I asked for some amaretto and was told they had none.  No amaretto in a cordial bar?  I don't get it.  In fact, I really don't get the whole thing.  It's not that I don't enjoy a good cordial, but I want the option of getting a neat drink of whisky.

The service was... indifferent.  We got there between shifts, so we were served by two bartenders.  The first was, shall we say, casual.  She was attentive enough and gave me a sample of a sour because I finished off the sour on tap while I was there but she was not the friendliest bartender I've ever seen.  The second bartender spent more time sitting with his friend at a table than he did behind the bar.  I know it was a slow night but I had to wait for him to come back to order something a couple of times.

I can see that this might be a place some people might like to hang out in if beers are all you are after, but I will not be going back.

Campari oh, oh. Campari oh, oh, oh, oh.

Campari.  What is Campari?  The bottle just says 'product of Italy' and 'bitter'.  Which is accurate but not that very helpful.  If you Google it you get some more help.  It is considered an aperitif and is obtained by infusing herbs and fruit in alcohol and water.  I, personally, would not want to sip on Campari by itself.  Because it is pretty bitter.  But it does make some really tasty cocktails.

Siesta Cocktail - very well balanced so the bitter and the sour all come together into a very pleasant cocktail.

Jungle Bird

Jungle Bird - is actually slightly sweet with the pineapple juice to counter the Campari

Garibaldi - simple, just orange juice and Campari, it is nice, not as bitter as I thought it would be

Boulevardier - a lot of deep flavors here so it is a rich cocktail, I think if you like

Siesta

bourbon you will like this

Old Pal - another bourbon cocktail, this one with dry vermouth which makes it slightly lighter than the Boulevardier

Negroni - a classic, the bright flavor of the gin is a nice counterpoint to the Campari and vermouth

Garibaldi

Pink Tutu - just a hint of Campari, a refreshing cocktail

Bobbo's Bride - the sweet peach liquor stops this one from being too bitter, but the Campari is in the
forefront, so it isn't sweet either

Lost Lake - a lot of fruit juice in this one gives it a tropical drink feel, it's tasty but you need a lot of ingredients

Mojito Italiano

Venetian Blush - another one that has some specialty ingredients, but it is worth it, this is one of my favorites

Mojito Italiano - the fizz of the soda is replaced by Prosecco, and the Campari adds a little depth

I feel like I'm drowning in this book

 Watersong by Clarissa Goenawan

Shouji runs afoul of some very important people and has to flee for his life.  But he has to do it without his girlfriend who is no where to be found.  Will he ever see her again?  Where could she possibly be?

I had a hard time deciding how I felt about this book.  There are some interesting concepts here.  But nothing ever really took full shape for me.  Everything felt hazy and unreal.  Shouji, and the reader, just seem to be floating along.  Going no where in particular, just letting the current take us... wherever.  And in the end I never got back to shore.  I was still lost at sea.  I can't say it was not entertaining to read.  But at the same time I can't tell you any particular part of the book I liked.  I didn't connect with any of the characters and none of the plot lines or scenarios felt very real.  And the whole thing left me feeling unresolved.  Like a trip that didn't go anywhere.  I will not be reading anything else by Goenawan.

I got a free copy of this book from Librarything.com, Early Reviewers.

It's all about the hair

 Frizzy written by Claribel A. Ortega, art by Rose Bousamra

Marlene has curly hair.  And she has been told all her life that it is not 'good hair'.  That to look her best she must get it straightened.  But why?  Why isn't her hair 'good hair'?  Why can't curly hair be pretty too?  Why can't she just be herself?  

This graphic novel, aimed a middle school aged children, is full of heavy issues: bullying, self-image, racism, growing up, standing up for yourself.  They are all handled deftly and the story never gets heavy handed.  I like the balance Ortega achieves in her characters.  Marlene is slightly defiant but not disrespectful of her mother.  Her mother doesn't understand Marlene but she is loving and not unkind.  It is a enjoyable journey as you watch Marlene try to navigate some tricky life issues.  She is being told to be herself but also being told (by the same person) that she should change.  She is very relatable as she tries to make her mother happy but at the same time not lose herself.  The ending is a bit idealized I think.  It almost seems too easy.  I think there would have been more tension in the real world.  But it is very satisfying and heartwarming.  The expressive, vibrant artwork is wonderful and brings this lovely story to life.  Anyone who has been told they are less because of who they are, or that they have to become someone they are not to fit in will relate to Marlene and her story.

Are you supposed to root for the bad guy?

 Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone

Violeta wants to keep her brother safe.  So she has to keep his dark magic a secret.  But when the Lord of the land, Rowen, known as The Monster, finds out about it and wants to use his magic to break a curse she is not even sure who he needs protection from.  As they all work together Violeta realizes she may be the only one who has the power to break the curse.  But she may have to sacrifice everything to do it.

The story is dark and creepy.  I love the Lord Under.  He is sinister and evil but somehow still alluring.  The plot: the curse, the corruption, how it came about, and how they are going to fix it, along with the hints that you are going to find out a dark secret from Violeta's past, did keep my interest so I did want to get back to it every time I had to put it down.  But I don't like Violeta.  She is determined to save everyone whether they want it or not, in fact against their protests.  She keeps doing things she promised not to.  She keeps making decisions that affect everyone without consulting anyone.  She didn't come off as the selfless hero I think she was supposed to be and I didn't want her to be the hero of the story.  Although I was entertained the enjoyment was lessened because I spent much of the book wishing any other character was the protagonist.  I'm torn about reading the second book.  This one entertained me but it also irritated me a little.  But I have to admit that it did leave me wanting to know what happens next.