Book Review: Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes, and You by Mary Feliciani

Author Mary Feliciani tells us about the seven humanitarians that have inspired her in Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes, and You. This book may look thin to the eyes, being only a scant 39 pages, but it is quite filled with information.

I like the layout of this book. Each hero mini-biography contains information on an outstanding person that made a difference in the world, as well as quotations by that person and a reflection by the author. It is a brief text but bountiful with information.

I appreciate authors who include the references they used for their books. I was a little dismayed to see only websites used for retrieving information, and somewhat stunned that Wikipedia was referenced three times. It is expected in an age so fraught with technology that websites are a big source of information. Knowing that, I am still surprised that an author wanting to sell the written word (and being a teacher, no less) would refrain from using any book references and that, of the websites used, Wikipedia would be considered a good information source for youth to consider.

Barring that, I found the book enjoyable and enlightening with information. I am thankful to Mary Feliciani for sending me a copy of Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes, and You in exchange for an honest review.

Cross-posted on Goodreads

What else is Just Beyond My Bookshelf? 

Book Review: I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of.

In walks Ed Kennedy. He's a 19 yr old underage cab driver in an Australian small town. He's a loser with less than impeccable friends. He reads a lot, has no goals in life, is bad at sex, and good at foiling a bank robbery with his overly talkative buddy, Marv.

The Doorman is pretty important to Ed. Not the guy who holds doors open; it's the name of his 17 yr old dog that means the world to him. Almost as important as his best friend, Audrey - who he is completely head-over-heels in love with. Too bad she is into having sex without love, and Ed does not fit into her line of detached relations.

Not long after the hilarious bank robbery, Ed receives his first card in the mail - the Ace of Diamonds. Three addresses are listed on it. What is in store at each place? It is up to Ed to figure out what is going on and how to deal with it. After finishing off one card, the next Ace shows up. It's Ed who holds people's lives in his hands.

While making moves with the cards he's dealt, Ed is learning to do that in his own life. He has a rather difficult relationship with his mother, and he has no idea why it is the way it is.

"Ma?" I ask. 
"What?"
"Why do you hate me so much?"
And now she looks at me, this woman, as I make sure my eyes don't give me away.
Flatly, simply, she answers.
"Because, Ed - you remind me of him."
Him?
It registers.
Him - my father.
She goes inside and the door slams.

Two other quotes that made a huge impact on the story with me are:

Carefully no, her statement comes out. "Believe it or not - it takes a lot of love to hate you like this."

I love that old woman's smile. I love the patches of human wrinkles on her face ad the joy in her eyes.

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. I smiled, laughed, and teared up, too. This is my second of Zusak's books and I must say it reaches the level I expect after reading The Book Thief. Completely different but in no way lacking the poetic, genuine, and well-paced words that Markus Zusak is well-known for. This book has earned a spot on my favourites shelf, and I look forward to many re-reads to come.

Cross-posted on Goodreads

From just Beyond My Bookshelf

Book Review: Gemini The Heir by Kristen DaRay

 

Gemini The Heir (Goodreads)

 

This is the second book in Kristen DaRay's Gemini trilogy. It takes place a year after the first book ends. Carson is getting more comfortable with her new life as Princess Carsona of Emreiana. Having become proficient in the Emreian language, Carson and her mother are working on how to win the war on planets. Meanwhile, Carson is trying to stall her bonding ceremony with her betrothed, Aaronmon. The chemistry between Carson and Aaron is growing stronger, and more tests are appear around every corner. Will Carson be able to love Aaron in the way she desires? Will Aaron ever be the greatest love in Carson's heart?

 

With an ongoing and enjoyable plot, Kristen DaRay has done better with the editing process in this book than in the first. There is still further work to be done in spelling, grammar, and word choice but I am pleased at the ease I was able to enjoy this story. The plot build was much quicker in this book and made for a smooth, easy read.

 

I am looking forward to the third book in this series. The story has grabbed hold of me, the characters are likable and enjoyable, and I am anticipating good things to come with Kristen DaRay's next installment.

 

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

~ cross-posted on Goodreads



Book Review: Gemini of Emreiana by Kristen DaRay

Gemini of Emreiana (Goodreads)

Carson Emrel is eighteen years old with top grades, great friends, and is in love with her boyfriend. She has been raised by her aunt since her parents were killed in a car crash when she was just a baby. Putting together her valedictorian speech and looking into college should be her biggest issues in the near future.

 

Things change when Carson starts having strange dreams about a guy who later shows up in her kitchen, with her aunt, and informs her she is an alien. The guy from the dream is not only her bodyguard, sent to Earth by her very much alive mother, but he is also her betrothed husband to be. It seems that Carson's life just got a little more complicated.

 

Carson turns out to be the Princess of Emreiana, her birth planet. She is in danger, has to keep secrets from her friends and boyfriend, and is wondering how to trust her aunt that has lied to her for eighteen years. Carson is an enjoyable character and has a humorous, yet strained, relationship growing with her new betrothed, Aaronmon. His character is a great addition that helps round out Carson, move the plot along, and the relationship that grows between Carson and Aaronmon is a critical piece to understanding the story behind the storyline.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the story that Kristen DaRay has created in Gemini of Emreiana. Unfortunately, the grammar, spelling, and incorrect wording that fills the book was a hindrance to that enjoyment. I would love to see this manuscript again after a full edit. Leaving the book as is could hinder the book from getting the positive reviews that Kristen DaRay's story deserves. With a turtle-pace start because of the errors, some readers may be turned off and not give it the chance it deserves. The second half of the story builds up nicely and is quite enjoyable. I felt there were some descriptions during the main scene later on that were a little more graphic than I would have expected within the flow of this story. I also felt that having the definitions at the beginning of the story or on each page that the words appear for the first time would be very helpful. Being at the end of the book was pointless for me as I had already figured out what they meant myself.

 

Overall, I like Kristen DaRay's story idea that she presents in Gemini of Emreiana enough that I was happy to have the second edition to read right after finishing this one. I stand by the though that a good editing will raise the positive reviews for this book, and bring more followers to DaRay's trilogy.

 

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

~ cross-posted on Goodreads