Audrey

When life gets busy, reading tends to be one of the first things people give up. ‘Well-Read Mom' founders Marcie Stokman and Colleen Hutt discuss the importance of reading and why it should be among our top priorities. What's more, they discuss the impact of taking the time to read a good book (namely literature) and the impact it can have on your life as a Catholic.

I was excited to see a book like this as I don't often hear people discussing the correlation between reading (fiction) and spirituality. Although as I read on it became evident that I'm not entirely the target reader (the book being geared toward busy mothers whereas I'm a single/childless twenty-something), I still feel like I gained insight. There are also some great resources here such as reading journal prompts and scattered book recommendations.

While there was a lot I liked about the book, I did find myself struggling through the last quarter of it. It began to feel more like an advertisement for ‘Well-Read Mom' book clubs than a reading guide. I'll also say that the audience feels too limited, not only in demographic, but also the scope of books and types of readers. The goal of this book is to encourage people to take time and read thoughtfully, but at times dismisses mediums apart from physical editions of books.

Thanks to Ave Maria Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free digital ARC of the book!

Yunho and Myunghee are kids living in North Korea. Every day is a fight for survival, be it avoiding soldiers, bartering and scavenging for food, etc. They know their only hope for their futures is to sneak across the border to China, but even there they run the risk of being captured. Still, a chance at freedom outweighs the risks involved. The kids start off on different paths but are reunited after a chance meeting at the beginning of their escape.

I knew this was going to be a difficult read going in. It's hard to grasp that the events in this book aren't far off history or works of dystopian fiction. The book is set in 2013, but the situation is still relevant. The story and the illustrations portray this in a heartbreaking yet beautiful way. Despite the horrific things the characters face, this is a story filled with hope.

Thanks to HarperCollins/HarperAlley and NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC of the book!

It's the beginning of summer vacation and before the start of high school. Amber, Nico, and their friends have a strong friend group, but when Amber and Nico confess their feelings for one another, they notice a new distance between them and their friends. First love has the young couple oblivious to those around them and it takes a shared dream for them to realize their part in the rift. Their dream also provides a sounding board for their relationship. High school has made the already shy Nico even quieter, making him wonder why someone as upbeat as Amber would be interested aside from the fact they grew up together.

This was a sweet story accompanied by nice illustrations, especially during the dream sequence. I do wish there had been a deeper look at especially Nico's character in particular as there is a lot of vagueness around him. We don't see too much of Amber and Nico's connection until the dream. That said, this might not be as big of an issue for the younger readers this book is geared toward.

Thanks to IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley for providing a free digital ACR of the book! 

Such a cute and lighthearted read! I especially loved it because many of the illustrations reminded me of my little black kitten both in looks and personality. A great pick-me-up kind of book, especially if you're a cat lover.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a free digital ARC of the book to read and leave my honest review.

I'm fascinated with Roswell theories. Though the one I've latched onto the most doesn't involve aliens, I still like hearing the extraterrestrial takes. 

This book is a detailed account of Philip Corso's alleged encounter with the aftermath of the Roswell incident including documents and alien bodies. The story spans a surprising length of time and also discusses other UFO related situations around that time.

Do I believe the information presented? Parts of it. I like to keep my opinions objective. Some of what was said seems a little out there for me. However, what I struggled with was how many different subjects the book trialed off to. It was more about UFOs in general.