Geology Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Explore Rocks, Gems....by Garret Romaine

Geology Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Explore Rocks, Gems, Geodes, Crystals, Fossils, and Other Wonders of the Earth's Surface by Garret Romaine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We are a homeschool family, so my children will love doing some of these labs along with their schoolwork. I've always loved collecting rocks and have passed on this love to my children.
Geology Lab for Kids included photos with to help explain each lab. The labs are separated into topics that include crystals, sediments, space rocks, as well as others. Each section includes a group of labs to help the student learn about each topic in a hands-on way. There are many edible labs included, as well as non-edible ones. I can't wait to do some of these with my children. I may have more fun doing them than the kids!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

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Just for Fun: Drawing by Lise Herzog

Just for Fun: Drawing: More Than 100 Fun and Simple Step-By-Step Projects for Learning the Art of Basic Drawing by Lise Herzog
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has lots of information about breaking things down into the basic shapes of whatever it is you are wanting to draw. I liked the directions for how to work with horizontal planes and vanishing points.
My son will love reading through this and looking at the illustrations that are clearly showing the steps to take. I expect to have him bringing me all kinds of drawings in the next few days, and I can't wait.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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A Is for Asteroids, Z Is for Zombies: A Bedtime Book about the Coming Apocalypse by Paul Lewis

I really wanted to love this book...

A Is for Asteroids, Z Is for Zombies: A Bedtime Book about the Coming Apocalypse by Paul Lewis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I thought this book would be something new and different. Well, it is. It brings up many things that we should pay attention to and be worried about. There are also a few ideas that are stretching it a bit, but that's okay too. It's a story about real things that could happen, but also some that probably won't.

I had planned to let my kids read this. I thought they would like the subject matter and find it interesting and even funny. However, I changed my mind because of one page. I feel the page that took it a bit too far was the one that took a political turn. I don't think this should have been added to this book. Others may have a different opinion. The actual subject matter, nuclear war/bombs, is a real threat that could happen one day. I just feel it should have been presented in a different way. If you read this book, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. There was no need to include the person that was on that page. This could have been a great book to explain to kids the threats that are out there, but to put that kind of opinion in the book did not seem appropriate. The author and illustrator are going to alienate a large audience of people that do not agree with them.

The other pages were great, and the father's face in the lower corner of each page was pretty funny. However, the book pretty much turned me off when it turned political. This is unfortunate because I usually enjoy things like books and movies with zombie themes.

I really wanted to love this book. I would have gladly given this book a 5 star review if that one page hadn't been presented in the way that it was.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Plume by Isabelle Simler

Plume by Isabelle Simler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Plume is a short, colorful book about birds and how to identify their feathers. My daughter loved seeing Plume, the kitty, hiding on each page. She said Plume looks like out cat Midnight.
We also collect feathers, like Plume, and this will help us identify some that we find in our backyard and when we go for walks.

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A Knit before Dying by Sadie Hartwell

A Knit before Dying by Sadie Hartwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yet again, I was up until the early morning hours to finish this book. I also didn't realize until I started reading, that there is a book that came before this one. I will have to read it soon.
First of all, I love the diversity of the characters in the story. There's a mix of younger and older, but the sense of friendship within the knitting group at Miss Marple's Knits is very strong, and only grows stronger when trying to solve a murder or two.

Now, the story seriously had me confused as to who the murder was, but in a good way. The ending was full of twists and turns and I was surprised at who it ended up being. I try to pick up on any hints that may be tossed out throughout the story, but this one had me going in all directions. Hartwell did a great job on the ending. Usually with stories like this, I can pick out who did it around half way though the book, but she had me changing my mind until the very end.

The epilogue was hilarious as well. I had to try not to wake my husband at 2am while reading it.
There are also a few knitting patterns in the back of the book. I can't wait to make some of them!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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See other books in the Tangled Web Mystery Series  

Murder Wears Mittens by Sally Goldenbaum

Murder Wears Mittens by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The flow of the story was great and it had me guessing who the murderer was the whole time. Just when I thought I had it figured out, nope, try again. I admit that I was awake until 2am just because I wanted to finish the book and finally find out who did it.
The author included a list of characters in the front of the book since there were so many to keep up with. I really wish more authors did this. I very much enjoyed Murder Wears Mittens and hope to read more of this series in the future.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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About the series:

Seaside Knitters Mystery Series (11 books)

Herbs: A Seasonal Guide to Cooking and Growing by Judith Hann

Herbs: A Seasonal Guide to Cooking and Growing by Judith Hann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is so much information in this book. I love that Judith breaks down the herbs into seasons and what to do with them such as planting and pruning. She also provides recipes for each herb and includes some gorgeous photos. I had never thought to use herbs in ice cream! There are so many things I can't wait to try in the next few months with the herbs from my garden. I really enjoyed this book and learned quite a few new things I can implement here at home.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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A Fatal Collection (Keepsake Cove Myster #1) by Mary Ellen Hughes

A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed my first visit to Keepsake Cove and meeting Callie (Calliope) and hope to read more from the series in the future.
This is a great cozy mystery and I'll admit it took me a bit to decide who I thought the suspect would end up being. I figured it out towards the end, but it was still a surprise in a way.
The story flows nicely and the author's description of the town and shops definitely sounds like a place I'd love to come across while traveling.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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I Love My Bread Machine by Anne Sheasby

I Love My Bread Machine: More Than 100 Recipes for Delicious Home Baking by Anne Sheasby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm going to have to dig out my bread machine! The tips that are included will be very helpful, as I have only made regular white bread before. I can't wait to try a few of these. I had no idea that there were so many kinds of breads that could be made in my machine. The Flowerpot Breads were adorable.

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Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite by Stacy McAnulty

Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite by Stacy McAnulty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My 6 year old daughter loved the book and thought the ending was very funny. We have 5 cats and there is no way she could pick a favorite, although we all have a certain kitty that has taken up with each of us.

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Catsass by Claude Combacau

Lecciones de vida por catsass by Claude Combacau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's cute. Really wish it was a paperback version instead of digital so I could color it in and cut out some of the funny signs.
My daughter would love it, but there are some adult words in the book.
Overall, it made me laugh because I have 5 cats and they all do the things mentioned in the book.

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