Rebecca Hill
“That'll be the day..” - John Wayne
Some of my best memories from growing up center around John Wayne. My grandfather loved his movies, and he passed that down to my father, and me. I grew up on his movies, and I am now passing that on to my children. You know you have a parenting win when you hear your kids using some of his quotes from movies, and you just know you are doing something right,
In “John Wayne Speaks” we get the iconic quotes, a bit of background, and fleshing out the man himself. As I was reading this book, I laughed, I remembered scenes from the movies, laughed some more - then finally had to turn the movie on to watch. So between bouncing through the book and the movies, it took me a bit to finish this one - because I didn't want it to end!
Mark Orwoll did a fabulous job - and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it and share my thoughts on the book. For John Wayne fans, you are going to love this one. For those who are not sure who John Wayne is (blasphemy), this is a great starter into the larger-than-life actor.
Abraham Lincoln was a fabulous orator, and some of his speeches have become some of the most read - and studied. The Gettysburg Address is one of the most read of his speeches, and highly important in American history. While all his speeches have a purpose, the three delved into through this book are ones that really highlight important issues of the day.
Diana Schaub takes an in-depth look at three of the speeches, giving an analysis and view that delights those who are interested in both politics and history. For those that love Lincoln - these three speeches give a better viewpoint into his skills as a orator and his dedication.
This book was a great read, and one that I highly recommend!
Most of what we know of Ancient Jerusalem comes from the Crusades, and the male rulers - those who were navigating through the tumultuous times.
However, there were queens that ruled, those who held power that was not seen in many other corners different kingdoms.
Katherine Pangonis has shared meticulous research, and bringing the stories of these women out of the shadows. The book begins with Melisande, touches on Empress Matilda (the Cousins War), and ends with Sibylla, a woman who managed to defend and hold Jerusalem against Saladin and the Saracen army.
I truly enjoyed reading through this book! As I stated, the research was well done, and these women are given their rightful place in history. While women are mostly relegated to the shadows, and the margins of books, the stories of these women are starting to be shared and told.
For history lovers, this is a book you need to read! Highly engaging, and there are some surprises hiding in the pages – but I am not going to spill those here!
Get the story of the First Thanksgiving, and the events that preceded it in a cute little story! This is told from a Native American perspective, and the plants that nourished the native tribes, as well as those who came to settle the land.
I absolutely loved this book! It was adorable, and one that should be read to all kids!
Take a walk through Acadia, the National Park in Maine. Here, you will find fascinating trails, breathtaking views, and several deaths that dot the history of the park. From accidents, daredevils, murder, and more - you will find some great stories through this book and learn more about deaths that happen in this national park.
Mimi wants to prepare the most beautiful garden for the fairies, and she works tirelessly to ensure that it is perfect. Free from anything that might hurt or make the fairies feel threatened or welcome. In her strive for perfection, she learns a valuable lesson on the health of a garden, and what the fairies truly want in a garden home.
Cute little story, and one that is easy to read and understand for kids.
One thing that never disappoints is a book that is well-researched. Pen and Sword has a proud history of producing books that are enjoyable to read!
Pirates - every kid wanted to be one, and we all wish that there were days that we could hoist that black flag while sailing off in the sunset. Over the past few years, there has been a resurgence of the “pirate craze” where there are several books all centered around pirates, their daring deeds, and for some of them - historical notoriety through time.
Graham Thomas takes this history and gives us a fabulous look at the effort to end piracy. The Royal Navy waged a grand campaign against those that they were determined to eradicate and put a stop to the age of Piracy.
Set sail with this amazing book, and get lost in history.
The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases
The Murder Room is a book based on the Vidocq Society. It was formed by three friends, William Fleisher, Frank Bender, and Richard Walter.
As you read through this book, you are going to be blown away by some of the cases that they cover. But you are also going to get a look at what the men behind this amazing society are like. Richard Walter I think was my favorite. He is someone that I would love to sit and have a conversation with. Frank Bender - you love to hate him, but he would still be interesting to chat with. William Fleisher is another you could sit and have coffee with for hours.
Now, as you delve into The Murder Room, you discover what makes these men tick. Find what caused them to look for the justice that was lost. Then you will cry over the cases. So many heartbreaking cases that cry out to be solved. There are so many out there that have yet to find closure, but someone knows something.
I absolutely LOVED this book! I wanted more. I was not ready for it to end. I read at any chance I could get, and I could not devour the pages fast enough. This is one of my top reads for the year. Finally, for those that love true crime, this is a book you CANNOT miss!
Grab a copy, and discover the heartbreak and redemption found in this story.
I discovered that this was part of a series - although that really didn't deter from the book at all. There are a couple of references in the book to previous ones, but again - no biggie.
Decent read, but there were areas where the book felt flat and forced. It was an interesting “sit back and relax, didn't have to think too hard” read for me.
Ever wonder what happens to sea life at Low Tide? Now you can read all about it in this fabulous book! Discover more about the different species, and what they do to ride out the low tides, and more about the environments that they thrive in.
Absolutely loved this one! I would love to get a copy of this one for my bookcase at home! Perfect for kids of all ages!
I rated this one lower, but there are a few reasons for that. I will share, so that I can be clear with the reasons, and why the rating is the way it is.
First, I did enjoy the stories. I love reading more about different cultures, and learning their mythologies, and delving more into the essence of each one. It also gives me something to draw on and share with students as we are moving through different areas of study. I like being able to have different resources for them to draw on - from books, documentaries, websites and much more.
Now for the lower rating. The four corners region is alive with the Native American cultures. As you attend different functions, you can sit and listen to stories, watch the dances, try the foods and see the amazing pieces that they turn out. Listening to the native storytellers is magical. Their voices almost draw you into a trance, and you lose track of time they sing song through the different stories.
The stories in the book, while interesting, just lack the magic. It was a bit flat on the page, and while there are some good stories, and perfect for those who have not heard the native storytellers, it just didn't resonate with me.
I will still be recommending this book to students - as they can draw on the materials.
This was an interesting read. Get lost in a mystery unlike any other.
I am going to admit that this book took me a little bit to get into, but I think it was more the unusual style that it was written in. It comes through a correspondence style, emails and messages back and forth.
Overall, this was a fantastic read, and you are going to have a lot of fun putting all the pieces together and figuring out who dun it!!
Perfect beach read material!
Death in Yellowstone was an amazing book! I am so excited to share this review with you - and some of my thoughts!
Throughout the history of the National Park, there have been countless accidents, deaths, a few murders, suicides, and so much more. When we view Yellowstone, we have a more romantic view of the park - one of wonder and raw beauty. Yellowstone contains all of that - and more. Now, I am going to begin with a warning - if you have a weak stomach, there are a few places in this book that can cause it to turn.
Now, onto the book!
Death in Yellowstone documents and discusses the many accidents and deaths that have occurred in the park. It also notes some that occurred just right outside the boundaries as well. Weather, fortunes, and so many other areas have affected incidents, and some just stop you cold. The cases that involve children are always the hardest for me. As a mother, those are hard to read. But there are many other cases, many other circumstances that are also discussed.
The author takes you on a journey, throughout the history of the park, showcasing and noting the different types of occurrences. The book breakdown also has the cases grouped together by type as much as possible.
Death in Yellowstone Book Blurb:
The chilling tome that launched an entire genre of books about the often gruesome but always tragic ways people have died in our national parks, this updated edition of the classic includes calamities in Yellowstone from the past sixteen years, including the infamous grizzly bear attacks in the summer of 2011 as well as a fatal hot springs accident in 2000. Written with sensitivity as cautionary tales about what and what not to do in one of our wildest national parks, these accounts range from tragedy to folly as Whittlesey recounts deaths from freak avalanches to the goring of a photographer who got just a little too close to a bison. Armchair travelers and park visitors alike will be fascinated by this important book detailing the dangers awaiting in our first national park.
My Review of Death in Yellowstone:
This is a huge 5 star read for me! I think that it has been my favorite book so far to date. There were so many cases, and some heartbreaking stories contained within this book, but there are also some “here is what to do” sections, if you decide to visit the park. I found this one hard to put down, wanting to read more, pushing the book hangover to the next morning. There are some books that draw you in, and this is one. You almost feel as though you are in the park. You can feel the heat from the springs. The cold from the waters seep into your bones. The despair. The anger. The hurt. All the emotions are felt, and witnessed through the pages and stories recounted.
This is going to remain high on my favorites for a long time. If you decide to read this book and enjoy it, there are many others that are similar in nature. Yes, they did all go into my “want to read” mountain!
Maisie Dobbs always brings a bit of fun to a mystery, and this one was no different. If you have enjoyed the first few books in the series, you are going to love this one!
They just get better as the series progresses and the character becomes more defined.
Dive into the beginning of WWII, and a disappearance that will leave you wanting even more of the story!
Oh my goodness! I absolutely ADORED this book!!
The images that Edward Curtis took are a haunting and mesmerizing collection of photographs of the Native Americans.
I think that everyone needs to take a bit to look at this book, and the images are perfect for using as illustrations within the classroom. Everyone needs to have a copy of this book in their library.
I was so excited to read this book, and dive a bit deeper into the popular culture that has arisen around mummies, vampires and zombies. There has been no shortage of books or films about the subjects, which opens so many more doors to other possibilities.
While I enjoyed the book overall, the first part seemed to really fly by - engaging, interesting, and full of some fabulous information. I did find that the book felt really slow and tedious on the last half - which in no way detracts from the beginning, but just made it harder to sit and finish out the final portion.
Overall, decently done and well rounded. A fun look into how this morphed into popular culture and what we have today!
Thank you to Pen and Sword and Edelweiss who granted me an e-copy for an unbiased review.
If you love bread - any kind of bread, you are going to want to check out this book!
Oh the yumminess!! I tried several of the recipes that were in this book, and we did not find one that disappointed at all! The smell of fresh baked bread in the house was just an added bonus to this book.
Whether you are an experienced baker, or a novice - these easy to follow recipes are sure to delight you and your family all year long!
Well - I am not entirely sure what I want to say about this book....
Prepper's Medical Handbook - I figured it was going to be something along the lines of “if you get XXX while doing XXX, you can use XXX in a medical emergency..” but no. That is not the premise of this book. I am going to admit to being a bit disappointed. Having a military background, many of the tips in this book make sense, but its not a true prepper's medical handbook. The sources are suspect, and the information is more general.
I think it has a good premise, but the title needs a change, there needs to be better checking of medical sources, and perhaps an updated version of the book in the future will address some of this.
Not one of my favorite reads of the year, but definitely kept me entertained for a few hours..
Women in aviation - it was something that was unheard of, and the pioneers that pushed it forward are heroes today.
There are five women discussed in the book, and each makes their own mark on the history of aviation - and ushers in a new era.
History lovers, you are going to LOVE this book! It was perfection in a book. Grab this one and read it now, you will not regret it.
This was an interesting book - the story of Alexander Bonnyman was engaging, but I got lost with the authors personal narrative through the book. I could see some of the need for SOME of it, but there were other places where I felt it would be better to have sidelined, or redlined out.
Enjoyed the history that was provided, and appreciate the search for the authors grandfather, and the effort to bring him home.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for a copy for my unbiased review
I love anything Ancient Egypt - and enjoyed reading through the pre-pharaonic times in Egypt. This archaeological evidence is amazing, and the author did a fabulous job in researching and putting together this information. There are so many different peoples who have lived in Egypt over its varied history, and the author really highlights and discusses the important aspects of each.
Egypt has a rich history, and the information that was shared was super interesting. In my opinion, I think there is a little uplift that needs to be done - it got a little draggy, and for those that are not really “in-the-know” it can drag down and I think cause many to not want to finish reading through the material.
Overall, one of my favorites from the year so far! For history lovers, I highly recommend this book!
Oh good heavens - I never think the next book can top what I have read, but I was wrong. These stories were some of the very best that I have read from Scare Street. I was hooked! I started reading, and didn't stop until the book was complete.
Get ready for stories that will leave you breathless, and looking at some of the objects in your home with distrust - you never know where evil will lurk....
Fabulous as always!
