Book Review: The Time Traveling Fashonista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile

The Time-Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile by Bianca Turetsky reviewed by Sarah Kramer

4 out of 5 stars.

This book, third in the Time-Traveling Fashionista series (see also The Time-Traveling Fashionista on Board the Titanic and The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette) is a pure delight to read. Main character Louise Lambert is obsessed with vintage fashion, and has discovered that certain pieces of vintage clothing take her back in time. This third adventure takes place in the ancient past, where Louise gets to experience life as a servant to Cleopatra, and all of the dangers that come with that position. Author Bianca Turetsky manages to teach you about history in a fun way, without making you feel like you're sitting through a lecture, and also makes you want to learn more about the different time periods in which Louise finds herself.  Speaking of main characters, Louise is quite likable; a 12 year old who is struggling to find the confidence to be herself, no matter how different that might make her from her classmates. The drawings throughout the book only serve to round out the story. It's not often you find illustrations in a book aimed at this age group, but these are a treat.

Book Review: Me Before You

Me Before You  by Jojo Moyes reviewed by Nina

A brief overview, I don’t want to reveal too much!
Louisa “Lou”, a young woman that had never left her small town worked in a local tea shop, and when the tea shop closed she had to look for other employment.  With little experience or training she accepts a position as a caregiver for Will, who was a high flying executive before an accident left him paralyzed. They gradually warm to each other and develop a touching friendship.
It is a beautiful, touching story with endearing characters.

***** Stars

Book Review: Audrey Bunny

Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith, Illustrated by Breezy Brookshire Reviewed by Sarah Kramer

Audrey Bunny, a picture book by Angie Smith, is a heartwarming standout. It tells the story of a stuffed bunny who's ashamed of a mark on her fur, and afraid that because of it no child will want her. However,when a little girl named Caroline chooses the bunny, names her Audrey, and makes her a treasured part of her life, the newly-named Audrey Bunny discovers the sweetness of loving and being loved. Through it all, though, Audrey Bunny is afraid that when Caroline discovers her mark, she will stop loving her. Thankfully, there's a happy ending, and kids (and grownups) will be encouraged by the message that we are loved, imperfections and all. The cozy illustrations by Breezy Brookshire are an added treat.

5 Stars

Book Review: Extinction

Extinction: A Thriller by Mark Alpert Reviewed by Sergio Ragno

I’m going to be honest with you.  I picked up Extinction because of the cool cyber arm on the cover.  I have a real weakness for Sci-Fi Espionage stories, and I guess I just have good instincts because Extinction ended up being a member of that rare genre, and an excellent one at that!  Extinction uses very topical world events such as the War on Terror, Wiki-Leaks, and Artificial Intelligence as a foundation to explore the boundaries between man and machine, and reveals the line to be more ethereal than one may assume, and on a more haunting note, may vanish via our own misguided machinations.

Book Review: The Wife's Tale

The Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens reviewed by Ellen

The story centers around obese, middle-aged Mary Gooch who has lost herself in food trying to fill the voids in her marriage and in life in general. When her husband bails after 25 years of marriage, she sets off in search of him. We realize long before Mary does that subconsciously she is really in search of “Mary”. Along the way she befriends all kinds of quirky, but heartwarming characters who teach Mary that for every loss, there’s an eventual gain.

(I give it 4 ½ stars.)