Review: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 by Bob Sehlinger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the best, most thorough Disney guide I've read! I didn't plan to read the entire thing, but once I started, I couldn't stop. :) They rate every hotel, restaurant, and ride. They provide countless tips and ideas and include some touring plans in the back. I really enjoyed it and it definitely helped me get excited and ready for our upcoming Disney trip!

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Review: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've always wanted to learn more about the Romanovs, and this was a very approachable book for just that. It was simply written, but provided a lot of information about the family, about Rasputin, and the condition of the country before the Russian Revolution. It was a perfect basic book to start with, but it did leave me wanting more. It left me wanting more about the children and more about Rasputin's relationship with the empress especially. The author did a nice job going back and forth between the family and the suffering of the Russian people. You really understand what led to revolution, although I'm sorry it didn't go better for them. I was really upset that all the children were murdered, although I knew that already of course. Honestly, I didn't feel that sorry for the Tsar or Tsarina because it seemed as though they truly didn't care about their people and Tsar really did live up to his nickname "Bloody Nicholas." However, the children were innocent and I was hopeful that somehow one or more of them miraculously escaped, although I knew they didn't.

It was an easy read and very interesting. I may read more about the Romanovs and the Russian revolution in the future.

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Review: The Thirteenth Princess

The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sweet story that I probably would have enjoyed more when I was in middle school. :)

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Review: Attachments

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 at least. I'm debating about giving it closer to 4 stars, but I think I will wait a couple of days and see how I feel about it then. I read it slowly (as I read all my kindle books because I only read them as I put my boys to sleep when all the lights are off), but there is something about Rainbow Rowell's characters that I find so much more compelling than a lot of characters in other realistic fiction (particularly romance). They seem so much more relatable and they really like they could be real people (with real insecurities and body types and feelings . . .). I will say that although I thought this was great, I think I liked other books by her more (Eleanor & Park and Fangirl especially).

I just realized, unfortunately, that I think I have read all of Rainbow Rowell's books now! That makes me so sad and I hope she writes more soon!! I especially hope that she writes more adult books. Although I have enjoyed her YA books more, I relate more to her adult characters, now that I guess I am an adult as well. She is definitely an "auto-buy" author for me and I'm glad I finally got around to reading this. :)

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Review: Night of Cake & Puppets

Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. It was a short, light read, and I really enjoyed it. It was a happy story because you already know what will happen, but seeing how the two characters got there was sweet and satisfying. I loved Zuzana's voice when the story was told from her perspective, and it reminded me how entertaining the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy was. Now I can't wait to read Strange the Dreamer!

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Review: The Copper Gauntlet

The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really like these! It's a great middle-grade series for fans Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. I personally give Harry Potter 5 stars, Percy Jackson 3 stars, and this series rests comfortably in between the two for me at a solid 4 stars. I think I liked the first one slightly more, possibly because I quite enjoyed the school setting, and the action in this book meant that it didn't take place at the school as much. It definitely leaves you with a lot of questions and you can see how this series will likely develop more, although it had a satisfying ending for this book on its own. The main character and his group of friends are interesting and complex. It's just a really fun, quick, and exciting read! I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

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Review: The Magnolia Story

The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. My book club picked this book for February, but I've actually never seen even one episode of Fixer-Upper, the authors' TV show. It was fine, but I really didn't care about it because I don't really know who they are. They seem like perfectly nice people, but I probably would have enjoyed it more if I actually knew who they were. :)

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Review: Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max

Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These are very cute!

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Review: Enchantment

Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very enjoyable time-travel fantasy. I really liked the main female character and the powerful roles women played in the novel. The story was engaging, the characters were compelling, and there was a nice mix of humor and seriousness. The plot was also well-paced and creative.

I will say that although I really enjoy Card's writing, I am very concerned by some of his vocal views politically, particularly his views on homosexuality (voicing his opinion that laws against homosexual practices should remain on the books - see https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/wp-c...). After reading this book, I learned more about his positions and it is enough to make me wonder if I ever want to read more by him. Before learning about his views, I would have said "absolutely" without hesitation, especially since I loved Ender's Game as well. However, after reading what he has written on some of his political and personal views, I really don't know that I can (or that I'd be able to enjoy it in the same way).

My copy of this book was purchased at a book fair, and therefore he did not receive any support from my purchase, although perhaps my positive review of his novel is doing more than my purchase would have. I am certainly conflicted because although I really enjoyed the novel, I do not want to support his rather extreme views. I am not sure what the right course of action is here. I struggle with the question whether or not you can or should enjoy art by a problematic artist. I don't know the answer, but I had to at least share my concerns with this review. Did I enjoy the book? Yes, very much. However, my enjoyment was hampered by Card's comments, leaving me ultimately confused.

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