February 7, 2023

Book Review: Shakira

Yet another book in the Little People, Big Dreams series  – this one tells the story of Shakira! How she grew up loving belly dancing and the stage (much to the annoyance of her classmates, at times!) and how she started to play guitar and write poems to help her family heal.  Shakira also wanted to be a good person in addition to being successful and made a promise to herself that she would help the orphans.  Once she found some success with her music after she released a few albums, she started a foundation to help bring education to those in her hometown as well as Hispanic children all over the Americas. This is a wonderful story of perseverance and success told in such a way that it would inspire any child!

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

About the book

From the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Shakira, the world’s most popular Latin American singer.

As a child, little Shakira knew she was born to be performer. Even as a little girl, she was full of natural rhythm and she was obsessed with singing, writing songs and dancing whenever she got the opportunity.

At 14 years old she recorded her first album, and although it wasn’t a success, she knew she had found her calling. She persevered, and within four years she had finally got her first hit! She soon became a Latin American icon, winning many awards and creating global hits across the world, becoming widely known as the Queen of Latin Music.

With her fame, Shakira started a foundation to help children in her native country, Colombia and other developing countries across the world, providing them with education and the chance of a better future.

This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the iconic singer’s life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

Book Review: Sex Talks

Talking about Sex, even with sexual partners, seems to be a bit taboo.  I have had guys surprised I want to discuss things before we dive in, but I have found that discussing things beforehand and both of you being able to manage expectations of what is going to happen and what is and isn’t on the table makes for a much more enjoyable time.  The book definitely touched on that so it seems like I am on the right track in wanting to talk things through but even takes it to the next level with a lot of quizzes about different things to find out where you and your partner may differ on things like what turns you on and how you feel about how sex is initiated in the relationship.  The author even has her partner talk about his side of things as well and how things aren’t always wild and kinky in their sex life and how they have had to work through their own issues in the bedroom as well.  Definitely a must read for anyone in a sexual relationship.

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

About the Book

The definitive guide to creating the sex life of your wildest dreams—just by talking about it!—from sexpert couple Vanessa and Xander Marin.

There are plenty of books about sex. But this is one of the only books that shows you how to actually talk about it. Because how are you supposed to have an extraordinary sex life if you can’t even discuss it openly with your partner? Sex Talks is here to change that. Together, sex therapist Vanessa Marin and her husband, Xander, show you that the best thing you can do for your sex life doesn’t even involve taking off your clothes.

Sex Talks covers the five essential conversations every couple needs to have:
1. Acknowledgement: a.k.a. “Sex is a thing, and we have it.”
2. Connection: a.k.a. “What do we need to feel connected to each other?”
3. Desire: a.k.a. “What do we each need to get turned on?”
4. Pleasure: a.k.a. “What do we each need to feel good?”
5. Exploration: a.k.a. “What should we try next?”

With gripping storytelling and an intimate peek at what really goes on behind other couples’ closed bedroom doors, Vanessa and Xander share their successful advice that has already helped hundreds of thousands. Sex Talks provides you with the sex education you wish you’d had, plus the tried-and-tested tools you need to create the sex life of your wildest dreams.

Book Review: Nerd Crush

Nerd Crush was a really adorable book and a quick read.  The book is about Ramona who is very shy but also nerdy and artsy.  Her best friend moved away and while they still talk with each other, she’s feeling a little bit lonely.  Her parents don’t understand her art or her love for cosplay.  She decides to write her school crush a note – as her cosplay alter ego – and see what happens.  She is pretty surprised when he emails her back and they pretty regularly chat with each other.  The two IRL end up working together and getting pretty close as well – but she doesn’t know how to tell him that she is Rel AND Ramona and that everything she’s told him as Rel is true for Ramona, as well.

Caleb ends up putting two and two together and figuring out that Ramona has been lying to him and is also Rel.  She isn’t sure what to do – she was just too shy to talk to him as herself and Rel gave her the confidence she needed.  She’s really upset that now Caleb isn’t talking to either Rel or Ramona and asks him to meet her at a Con to meet the real her.  Will he show up?

This was a really sweet story about being yourself no matter what and I truly enjoyed it.  I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Happily Ever Afters meets You’ve Got Mail  in this geeky, Black Girl Magic filled debut romance about cosplay and finding the courage to be yourself. 

Ramona Lambert is a typical shy, artistic sixteen-year-old. She has a best friend whom she’s known since they were in diapers; parents who love her; a love for cosplay; and a crush on the cute boy in her class.

The only problem? Her best friend moved away; her parents don’t quite understand her love of cosplay; and she is pretty sure her crush has no idea she exists.

To escape her troubles, Ramona turns to cosplay and her original character, Rel, who gives her the confidence and freedom that she lacks in real life. Embracing this confidence, she decides to strike up an email conversation with her crush, Caleb Wolfe, from her cosplay account in the hopes getting to know him . . . and maybe win his heart. Then as Caleb and Ramona are swept up in their emails back and forth to each other, and Ramona falls even harder as he opens up about his hopes, insecurities, and his own geeky loves. However, as Caleb starts to grow closer and closer to Rel, he also strikes up a friendship with Ramona, who knows she can’t keep the truth about Rel from Caleb but isn’t sure she is ready to risk losing him. With an important cosplay convention coming up and the anxiety of her double-life weighing on her, Ramona has to decide if she’ll hide behind her cosplay character forever or take the chance and let Caleb see the real her–because he might actually like her for who she is.

Book Review: Freddie Mercury

Some of my favorite books to read are from the Little People, Big Dreams series that quickly tells you the biography of someone famous in a way that kids will understand.  The most recent one I just read was about Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen.  It told about his life growing up, how he had more teeth than the average person but he thought that made him sing better (ie your differences may be what helps make you successful!) and how he was famous with Queen and stopped touring once he found out he had AIDS. At the end of the book there is a timeline of his life with real photos and I just think these little books are so great to help little kids learn more about some famous figures!

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

About the Book

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Freddie Mercury, the trailblazing musician who rocked the world!

Born on the tiny island on Zanzibar off the coast of modern-day Tanzania, young Farrokh dreamt of having a fabulous life. When his parents sent him to boarding school in India, he discovered his true talent for singing, as well as a love of playing rock ’n’ roll songs on the piano.

By the time he finished school, Farrokh knew he wanted to be a musician. After moving to London, he became the singer of a rock band called Queen … and the rest is history! Freddie became the biggest glam-rock star ever, touring the world and charming the world with his exuberant zest for life.

This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the musician’s life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

Book Review: Destiny Finds Her Way

Destiny Finds Her Way is about a sloth in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica.  The sloth had fallen out of the  tree and was rescued and brought to an animal rescue center where they fixed her up and tended to all of her needs. Due to how weak she was, they weren’t sure if they’d be able to return her to the wild or not. Destiny had an eye that was sick and she didn’t get her sight back. But the scientists helped prepare her for the wild anyway.  But once they took her to the wild, she looked around with her good eye and took back off into her home!

This book also tells a lot about the other sights and sounds in the rainforest as well as has a lot of photos of other animals you might see around where Destiny lived as well.

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

About the Book

Ages 4-8

Explore the Costa Rican rainforest with Destiny, a rescued orphan baby sloth who must learn to return to the wild, in this heartwarming true story from Newbery Honor winner Margarita Engle.

Destiny must learn to be strong and confident after she loses the use of one of her eyes. Without her mother to protect her or teach her, Destiny is found and taken to a rescue center in Costa Rica. The little sloth soon befriends other orphaned sloths. Her poor eyesight, however, makes it hard for her to keep her balance. Eventually Destiny begins to use all of her senses to explore the world around her. But can she learn to climb? Can she master the other skills she needs to survive on her own? And will Destiny be brave enough to return to her wild, forest home?

Join award-winning author Margarita Engle and photographer Sam Trull as they introduce you to the world of sloths in this inspiring story about overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself.

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