Book Review: Dexter Is Dead

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

Dexter is Dead is the last season in the book series that led to the Showtime series – Dexter.  I have watched about half of the episodes of the show and read only 1 other book in the series.  There are definitely some differences from the book to the series.

In this final book, Dexter is facing a murder charge. The funny thing is, while Dexter is a serial killer, this crime he actually did NOT commit. His brother Brian comes to his rescue since his sister Deb has decided she wants nothing to do with him after getting custody of his children. The two are on the run and trying to prove that Dexter is innocent. Of course there is all sorts of stuff going on while they are trying to prove everything – but you’ll have to read the book to find out all the details 🙂

I really enjoy these Dexter books, probably because from watching the show I have an idea of what the characters look like and can picture all the characters without having to make up what they look like with my imagination. I’ll have to go back and read the rest when I find myself with some free time.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

After seven national bestsellers and eight seasons as one of the most successful shows on television, New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lindsay bids a thrilling farewell to his uniquely twisted and beloved serial killer, Dexter Morgan. Dexter Is Dead is the definitive conclusion of the character who has become a global icon.

Dexter Morgan has burned the candle at both ends for many years. Blood spatter analyst . . . husband . . . father . . . serial killer. And now, for the first time, his world has truly collapsed. Dexter is arrested on charges of murder. He has lost everything—including his wife, his kids, and the loyalty of his sister. Now completely alone, Dexter faces a murder charge (for a crime . . . ironically . . . he did not actually commit). His only chance for freedom lies with his brother, Brian, who has a dark plan to prove Dexter’s innocence. But the stakes are deadly, and the epic showdown that lies in Dexter’s path may lead, once and for all, to his demise.
Jeff Lindsay’s trademark devilish wit and cutting satire have never been sharper. Dexter Is Dead marks the end of a beloved series, but is also Dexter’s most satisfying and suspenseful outing yet.

Book Review: I’m with Cupid

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

I’m With Cupid is the first in the Switched at First Kiss series.  In this book, Lena and Marcus are at a party and are dared to go into a closet and kiss each other.  They both feel energy from the kiss and think maybe it is because they both secretly like each other.  But then they find out they actually switched powers.  Marcus is a match maker “like cupid without the diaper” and Lena is a soul collector.  Except now someone that Lena was trying to collect the soul of is instead in love with the mailman.  The two need to figure out how to get their powers to switch back and all their attempts at kissing to make things switch back are not working.

Will they eventually get their own powers back or will they be forced to do the opposite jobs forever?

This was a sweet book. It’s YA and based on a couple of 8th graders so it was cute to see Lena’s “things to do before I’m 14” list and what was on it and how much she was able to accomplish through the book.  I also liked reading how Lena and Marcus’ relationship changed throughout the course of the book and how they tried to help each other out.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Marcus is a Cupid. Lena is a Reaper. Opposites attract in the exciting new Switched At First Kiss series by the acclaimed author of The Dirt Diary.

When she’s dared to kiss the adorkable Marcus Torelli at a party, Lena thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to cross First Kiss off her list of “Things to Accomplish Before I Turn Fourteen.”

It’s only when she gets sent on an assignment the next day that she realizes something went horribly wrong. That ZING she felt wasn’t the thrill of her first kiss–she and Marcus have swapped powers! Lena is not your average eighth grader; she’s a soul collector with a serious job to do. And Marcus turns out to be a supernatural matchmaker (like Cupid, but without the diaper).

Now logical Lena finds herself with the love touch, and sweet, sentimental Marcus has death at his fingertips. The truth is that Lena should never have taken that dare…because one little kiss has Lena and Marcus in a whole lotta trouble.

Book Review: Out of Sight

Katie August 21, 2015 0 Comments

This book is about Rob, an American living in New Zealand. He loves music, but can’t sing or play. So he decides that maybe managing a band should be his path with music.  He forms a band with his friends called Out of Sight.  Rob also has a crush on this girl named Sarah who is having some medical treatments that are going to cost a lot money.  But, the prize money at a battle of the bands seems like it would be just enough to help Sarah out.  So he plans everything out and has the band ready to play their 12 minute set.  Except that he didn’t take into account the crowd liking him and clapping along and throwing off the tempo when a song needed to be sped up to be over in time for the 12 minute time limit.  After playing 15 minutes, Out of Sight is disqualified from the competition. There goes the prize money.

But wait – good managers get good gigs for their bands, right? And bands play charity gigs all the time to help raise money.  So could he put together a charity gig to raise the money that Sarah needs for his treatment?

I thought this book was great, obviously I loved the band and the band dynamic being a big part of the book, but it is also a bit of a love story with Rob and Sarah.  Young love and them both being a bit shy in the beginning to tell each other they like each other.  But then they learn to always tell someone that they like them so that they don’t lose them. Definitely a great lesson. One I’m still learning myself, a bit.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Start a band, make lots of money, change the world. That’s the goal.

Rob loves music. The trouble is, music doesn’t love him. People cover their ears when he starts to sing.

But maybe there’s another way Rob can make an impact. He’s got a bunch of friends who are really talented. David can make the guitar do anything he wants. Jimmy is a star on the drums. And David’s little sister Michelle turns out to be an ace on the bass. Together they form Out of Sight.

Now they just need a manager with initiative. Rob sees a vacancy.

Then there’s Sarah. She’s the smart, cool friend everyone needs, and the band’s no. 1 fan. But Sarah needs to raise money for medical treatment overseas. Maybe Out of Sight could stage a charity gig.

Rob sees an opportunity to launch the band and show his friends just how much he cares.

Book Review: An Introduction to 3D Printing

Katie August 14, 2015 0 Comments

3D Printing is something that fascinates me. It’s amazing to see what can be made on a printer and how it can help people. I’d love to have a 3D printer myself. Not that I have any idea what I’d make with it, but it would be fun. This book is for people who are curious about printing and want more information without going too in depth as well as people who are new to the field who need information and quickly.

The book has a lot of great information in it, with a lot of photos to go along with it.  At the end of each section there is also resources that you can check out if you are looking to find out more about each of the areas of 3D printing. Some of the things shown in this book are amazing – from figurines to castles to prosthetics.

This book was very interesting and I am still hoping that some day I’ll be making something with a 3D printer!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review.

About the Book

This book is aimed at an audience consisting of two kinds of readers. The first is people who are curious about 3D printing and want more information without necessarily getting deeply into it. For this audience, the first two chapters will be of greatest interest. They provide an overview of 3D print technology. They also serve to take the confusion out of the jargon and make sense out of such shortcuts as SLA, FFM, FFF, FDM, DLP, LOM, SLM, DMLS, SLS, EBM, EBAM, CAD and others. They describe the basic processes, the materials used and the application of the technology in industry, space, medicine, housing, clothing and consumer-oriented products such as jewelry, video game figures, footwear, tools and what must now seem like an infinity of bunnies, eagles and busts of Star Wars and Star Trek figurines in a dazzling array of colors.

This book also addresses the needs of people new to the field who require information in a hurry. Chapter 3 serves as a guide to generating a 3D model by reviewing scanning methodology, the various types of software available to create a model and the steps needed to insure a useful printed object from the 3D model. The chapter has numerous references which, together with the information in the text, will help one find quickly any additional information available on the internet.

Victoria E. Zukas received her bachelor’s degree in Interactive Media and Game Development in 2009 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She completed her Masters of Professional Studies in Digital Media in 2013 at Northeastern University. She has spent her time since then working as a Freelance Graphic Designer on a number of projects. Her background is mainly focused on creating 3D models for video games. Her published game BLASTiators can be found on the Google Play store.

Jonas A. Zukas, received his doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of Arizona. He is widely known for his work in numerical modeling of the behavior of structures and materials at high rates of strain. He has co-authored and edited a number of books and conference proceedings and is the author of the monograph Introduction to Hydrocodes published by Elsevier. He is co-developer of the ZeuS code for the analysis of impact phenomena and was a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the American Academy of Mechanics

Book Review: Paper Jewelry

Katie August 14, 2015 0 Comments

Paper Jewelry has 55 projects for reusing paper within it. The projects are split up by the type of paper that you use in order to create: Maps, Booklets, Newspaper, Candy Wrappers, Cardboard / Cards, Stationery, Magazines, Napkins, Books, and Comics (and a few more than that too!) The beginning of the book talks about how you should start by collecting a lot of paper and keep a paper diary so you can see small swatches of all of the paper you have collected.

For each of the pieces of jewelry included in the book there is a list of materials you will need and tools you will need and then instructions on how to make it.  The instructions are step by step and even include photos to help you along with folding, etc. Throughout the book there are also tips to help you out along the way.

It is amazing all the different ways you can use the paper to make some wonderful jewelry!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review.

About the Book

With detailed instructions, templates, and colorful photography, this book shows how to craft fifty-five paper jewelry projects. Colorful and graphic designs range from necklaces, brooches, earrings, and womens beaded bracelets to hair accessories. Learn how to find inspiration in a wide variety of recycled papers. Projects re-use maps, stationery, comic books, cardboard, magazines, and even candy wrappers. The various projects appeal to a wide variety of aesthetics, from the more traditional and refined to the more contemporary and flamboyant. There are also projects for a wide range of skill levels, making this an inspiring and practical book for everyone from beginners to established jewelry artists.

Book Review: The Santa Shimmy

Katie August 14, 2015 0 Comments

The Santa Shimmy is an adorable book with steps on how to do the dance and to get ready for Santa’s arrival.  A fun book, great illustrations and a perfect bedtime story for any child who is getting ready to head to bed and waiting for Santa to arrive!

I received an e-copy of this book in order to write this review.

About the Book

Shimmy and shake like Santa in this interactive holiday board book. The rhyming text and energetic art will keep kids (and adults!) moving and laughing in anticipation of the holiday season.
For ages 0-2. From the Holiday Jingles series.
*Fun for the whole family*Playful and interactive rhyming text encourages movement and dancing*Great for Christmas promotions*Original, creative board books that will keep little ones entertained