Review: Palace Walk

Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More like a 3.75, but I'll round up to 4 stars. This was one of the books assigned to another group when I had my Middle Eastern literature class at Mercyhurst College (now University) with Dr. Rieger. I learned a lot in the class and have slowly read all the books that she assigned to other people (I got The Satanic Verses for this particular assignment). I think this was the last one I had to read!

There were things I liked and disliked about this book. I especially appreciated the relationships between the women and liked all three women a lot. I really disliked the father, especially how hypocritical and controlling he was. However, the people in the story felt really real to me. There were times when the story dragged a bit, but I can definitely see why Mahfouz was compared to Tolstoy! I'm a bit on the fence about whether or not to continue the series. I'm glad I finally got around to this one though!

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Review: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series! I've had a hard time enjoying much middle-grade writing lately, but this series is truly exceptional. I told my husband and mom that the Harry Potter comparisons are not without warrant, but not because the plot is similar. Townsend definitely has an incredibly unique world, characters, and story. However, what I love about her writing is that she both writes a compelling main conflict/climax and about little mundane occurrences in an interesting way. Like Rowling, she infuses interesting foods, fun holiday celebrations, and more into her story which makes it feel more real. She describes in a way that makes me really want to visit Nevermoor! I hope these stories get as much attention as they deserve and blow up in popularity like Harry Potter. As I read, I just kept thinking, "This is so cool!" Townsend is very creative and this was a great second installment. I'm eagerly awaiting the third book.

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Review: Up a Road Slowly

Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars (I may round up in my goodreads rating later . . . Why don't they allow for half-stars on here??). I'm a sucker for a good coming of age story and this is the best one I've read in a while. It reminded me of L.M. Montgomery's writing, which is definitely a good thing in my book. I loved Julie's character and watching her mature. I wasn't excited to read this one, but I'm glad I finally got around to it and discovered a new favorite.

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Review: Immortal Reign

Immortal Reign by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a solid ending to a series I've really enjoyed. I hope Morgan Rhodes writes more!

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Review: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2019

The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2019 by Seth Kubersky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just dreaming at this point but I'm hoping to visit Harry Potter world sometime!! This is definitely a very helpful planning guide. I highly recommend these guides if visiting Orlando!

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Review: The Sun Is Also a Star

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a bittersweet and timely book that was both thought-provoking and enjoyable. I definitely liked it better than Everything, Everything and it has more important themes. I look forward to reading anything else Nicola Yoon writes!

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Review: Crystal Storm

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was a little disappointed by this one, honestly. I've loved every book in this series so far, but I just felt like not much happened until the end of this one. I'm jumping right into the last one though so I can finish this series! I hope I like the last one a little better.

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Review: How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7

How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I started with How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, but found this one to be much better for my kids' ages. I also just liked this format a bit better. Part one discusses Faber's basic strategies, but applies them to life with little ones. Part two addresses common struggles with young kids, such as mealtime battles, shopping with kids, sleep struggles, and more. It was very practical and I hope it will be very helpful. I haven't had much time to try these strategies yet to see if they really work, but I am hopeful. I definitely could buy into these concepts. I'll report back once I've tried them for a few weeks and may adjust my rating accordingly!

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Review: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.75 stars. A woman in my book club recommended it. I was getting a lot out of it, although some of it felt a little outdated to me (maybe not to everyone, but I don't know many people who think it is okay to hit your kid anymore. . . Which, to be clear, was one thing the authors were against). However, as I was reading, I found out that there is actually another version written for parents with little kids, How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7. I got it out of the library as well and ended up liking it better than this one. This one is good, but the other version seemed more applicable to my kids even though it had the same basic concepts.

I've just started trying some of the strategies with my kids, but we'll have to see how effective they are once I've had more experience with them. I do buy into most of the basic concepts. I just need more practice using these strategies (rather than using time-outs and counting down to get the boys to listen). I'll report back once I've had more time with the strategies. I do think I'd recommend it to other parents though!

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