Scrapbook Saturday – August 2021 (pt 4)
Katie 
Field of Dreams Iowa
Book Review: Young Katherine Johnson
I absolutely love learning more about Katherine Johnson, so I was super excited to pick up the new Young Katherine Johnson book. This tells some stories about her growing up in the form of comic strips. A lot of funny ones but some series ones too about the racism she and her family had to deal with. I thought this was a fun approach to teach some good lessons and some history as well, both of which very important, in a way that kids would enjoy. It also has some interactive math related questions throughout with answers at the end of the book so you can see if you figured it out correctly.
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
A close and playful glimpse at the childhood of one of the world’s greatest geniuses and cultural icons, Katherine Johnson who was the subject of the hit film Hidden Figures!
Katherine Johnson grew up to be the first Black woman to work at NASA, figuring out the path for spacecrafts to go around the Earth and land on the Moon! But before she set her sights on outer space, she was busy making the Earth’s surface her laboratory!
Equipped with a mind for math, nothing gets past Katherine: how did Noah manage to put 48,000 animals on his ark, not to mention all that feed?!
Accompanied by her brother Charlie and her chicken Lucinda, Katherine makes the world her playground and sometimes dreams of a Moon that could answer her questions… or even, growing up in the early 1900s, a more equal society where black people and white people could have the same rights…
Book Review: Clay Play!
Clay Play! Whimsical Gardens shows you how to create over 30 magical miniatures! I’ve always wanted to start doing crafting with clay, but haven’t made the jump yet. The little mushroom homes in this book are so adorable though, one of these days I need to take the leap. The book starts out with various supplies you might need and some details on how to make certain shapes with the clay as well as how to store your clay when you’re not working with it. Then it dives right into the homes, which are made using jars! How clever! My favorite was the ladybug cottage that is also featured on the cover of the book. No whimsical garden would be complete without fairies, elves or gnomes! The accessories were all adorable too. Certainly a lot of adorable ideas to consider!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review from Net Galley. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Full-color illustrations and easy-to-follow directions explain how to transform simple balls and coils of polymer clay into more than 30 enchanting keepsakes that include fairies, gnomes, and elves with their adorable cottages and hideaways; popular garden ornaments such as a mini wishing well, birdbath, and welcome sign; and a variety of cute little plants and animals. The detailed, step-by-step instructions feature numerals corresponding to color photos that provide helpful examples. Crafters of all ages will adore these fun-filled projects, which make charming decorations and unique gifts.
Book Review: The Lonely Girls
The Lonely Girls in the 4th book in the Lucy Kendall Crime Thriller Series. You’ll need to read the other 3 before this one as it is not a standalone. I absolutely devoured books 1-3 over the weekend and then had a hard time getting back in the zone to get into this one. But once I did… oooh the twists and turns! One thing that ended up happening I did have a thought in the back of my mind that it may end up happening, sort of. It kind of went above and beyond anything my own imagination could come up with. But a young girl that Lucy helped when she worked for CPS goes missing and the crime scene is absolutely staged to look like the death of Lucy’s sister and Lucy is absolutely being targeted by someone. When her best friend goes missing next, she’ll do anything it takes to find her… and then things just start getting wilder and wilder! Definitely a great ending to this series – it ends with closure! Looking forward to reading some more books by Stacy Green in the future.
I received a free e-copy of this book from Net Galley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
The room spun and my legs gave way as I looked at my name scrawled in blood-colored lipstick on the mirror above the girl’s broken body. Was this young girl dead because of me?
When the body of a vulnerable teenage girl is found on a remote farm in the Maryland hills, Private Investigator Lucy Kendall knows her past has come back to haunt her. Lucy’s sister died when she was a young girl, and the dead teenager looks exactly like her—her dark hair dyed blonde, her wrists slashed.
Lucy’s name is scrawled on the bathroom mirror above the girl’s body, and the dead girl is clutching a silver coin in her small, fragile hand, identical to the one which has just been mailed to Lucy. Lucy is shaken to her very core, determined to find out why a cruel murderer wants her to feel responsible for this girl’s death.
Lucy vows to track down this twisted killer who seems to know so much about her family’s tragic past. But when her closest friend Kelly is abducted and Lucy receives a phone call saying she has forty-eight hours to find her, she knows the evil perpetrator won’t stop until she comes face to face with him. As the clock ticks and Lucy frantically tries to track him down, she is sent messages showing her friend growing weaker and weaker. Lucy cannot let another innocent life be taken. But can she find Kelly in time? And what will her abductor want in return?
Gripping and spine-chilling, The Lonely Girls will keep you up all night, unable to put it down until the final heart-pounding twist. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner and Robert Dugoni.
***Previously published as All Fall Down.***
Book Review: The Girl in the Cabin
The Girl in the Cabin is the 3rd book in the Lucy Kendall Crime Thriller series. This book is a continuation from 1 and 2 and if you’ve made it this far, you’ll end up hooked like me. In this book, Lucy’s friend has gone missing and she has reason to believe he has gone after the serial killer that has been part of the sub plot in books 1 and 2. This time, she’s determined to find her and her friend, before it is too late. But her reputation precedes her and while the law enforcement assigned to the case appreciate her insight and help, they warn her not to go off on her own and investigate. She promises, but can she keep it? These books are absolutely impossible to put down and I love all the twists and turns they take. I still have one more left to read and while I’m hoping there won’t be another cliffhanger at the end – I’m also not sure what I’ll do with myself once I am done! Lucy is sort of like a female Dexter. And I absolutely love her, even though I often times don’t know if I should be rooting for her or not.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
She can stop the killing. But at what price?
When the body of a sixteen-year-old girl is found in a remote hunting cabin in the middle of the snowy Maryland woods, a shiver runs down Private Investigator Lucy Kendall’s spine. The handprints around her neck, her broken bones, and the incense left burning at the scene are vital clues to who committed this terrible crime—Mary Weston, a notorious serial killer. She has outwitted the police for many years and left many parents without daughters. Is the girl in the cabin a sign she is killing again?
Working closely with the police, Lucy is determined to catch this evil woman. But when the bodies of three other teenage girls are found in remote locations, it’s almost like Mary is toying with them. Lucy is determined to bring her to justice before more innocent lives are snuffed out.
But then Mary’s son Chris—one of Lucy’s closest friends—disappears. Lucy is convinced Mary is responsible, and she will do anything to find him. So when Mary sends Lucy a message asking to meet her alone, Lucy knows that she must face her darkest fears and risk her own life. She is the only person who can stop Mary. But what will she need to sacrifice?
You won’t want to stop turning the pages of this unputdownable crime thriller. Fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni, and Kendra Elliot will be reading The Girl in the Cabin late into the night.
***Previously published as Gone to Die.***
Book Review: Rebel Girls Rock
Rebel Girls Rock features tales of 25 women in music – including Bjork, Dolly Parton, Lizzo and Olivia Rodrigo. Each of the “girls” has a one page bio including their birthday and where they are from and a one page illustration of them. It was interesting to learn how some of them got their start and what made them want to go into the music industry. At the end of the book there are some blurbs on some other girls who rock who didn’t make it into the main book – like Beyonce, Billie Eilish and Jojo Siwa.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
TRUE STORIES OF WOMEN WHO RAISE THE ROOF!
This collection features 25 stories of extraordinary women in music—women who have moved hearts and minds with their lyrics, uplifted other musicians, and gotten people to jump, dance, and sing along with their music.
Belt out pop anthems with Lizzo, bang on the drums with Nandi Bushell, and write country hits with Dolly Parton. The women in this book come from all around the world. They play different instruments, experiment with new sounds, and stand out in their genres. But one thing is true of them all: They rock!
With a forward by iconic rocker Joan Jett and activities curated by Gibson Guitars, this book will have readers everywhere jamming out! Plus, scannable codes let you listen to more stories on the Rebel Girls app.
Book Review: Little Lost Souls
Little Lost Souls is the 2nd book in the Lucy Kendall Crime Thriller series. This book picks up where Book 1 left off, so I would say it could not be read as a stand alone as you’ll need the backstory to fully understand it. Lucy is a private investigator who tries to help children who are victims of pedophiles since she lost her sister after she was abused as a child. In this second installment, she tries to solve the mystery of while teens are being snatched and where they are going. She ends up getting involved in trying to bring down a sex trafficking ring. But once again, everyone has secrets and Lucy has to figure out who she can trust in order to remain safe and to get the correct information to put those in charge away. There is also a sub plot that continues from book 1 and is still not resolved. Guess it’s time to read #3 now…
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
To save the lost children of the city, she must put herself into terrible danger…
On the streets of Philadelphia, as the snow falls and black ice settles in dark back alleys, lost and vulnerable teenagers are being snatched off the streets. When one of them is found alive, Private Investigator Lucy Kendall knows she will never forget the sight of the boy’s brown eyes, forever dulled. She vows to find the monster behind the suffering.
Desperate to save the lost children of the city, Lucy goes into the dark places where the police cannot. But when a key witness is found dead, and a strand of Lucy’s long red hair is located near her body, Lucy suddenly finds herself under suspicion and on the run.
The chief of police knows all about Lucy’s own dark past and is convinced she’s guilty. Hiding in the shadows, unable to trust anyone, Lucy continues her search for the real killer. At last, in a dangerous suburb of the city, she befriends vulnerable fifteen-year-old Riley, who claims to know who the murderer is.
But when Riley disappears, Lucy must race to find the twisted soul responsible for snuffing out the lives of these little lost souls before another innocent girl is taken. Lucy is determined to get justice even if it costs her freedom… or her life.
A gripping, page-turning thriller full of mystery and suspense. Perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan and Robert Dugoni.
***Previously published as See Them Run.***
Book Review: The Girl in the Pink Shoes
The Girl in the Pink Shoes is the first book in the Lucy Kendall Crime Thriller series. Lucy is a Private Investigator who tries to help children who are victims of pedophiles as she lost her sister after she was abused as a child. In this book, Kailey goes missing, she never made it home from her walk to school with a couple of older neighborhood girls. Lucy talks to Kailey’s mom, Jenna, who agrees to let her help. Secret after secret begins unraveling as Lucy worries that an old client of hers, out of prison but not needing to register as a sex offender may be involved as he lives across the street. And his brother is one of the detectives on the case. There were a TON of twist and turns in this book and I absolutely could not put it down (and then quickly read books 2 and 3 – reviews on those coming soon) I absolutely loved the writing style, how you’re not sure which characters you should or shouldn’t be rooting for and the rollercoaster of a ride.
I received a free e-copy of this book from Net Galley to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
My baby girl. This morning she was so excited for school. I bought her new shoes last night. Pink, sparkly shoes. She loved them so much. She wore them for the first time today. And now she is gone…
It is every mother’s worst nightmare. Eight-year-old Kailey Richardson skips out of the school gates in her brand-new pink shoes and never makes it home. Between the school and the safety of her shiny red front door, someone has taken her.
Private Investigator Lucy Kendall sees the fliers of a smiling gap-toothed Kailey and knows she won’t be able to sleep until the little girl is found. Having lost her own sister to the darkest evil, she is determined to help find Kailey before it is too late.
As Lucy talks to Kailey’s friends, desperate to find out who has taken the happy little girl, she begins to form a worrying picture of the days before Kailey’s disappearance. The blue car idling in the street outside the school. The friendly man across the road. And Kailey’s mother, Jenna, hollow-eyed and jumpy, clutching Kailey’s teddy bear and not telling Lucy everything.
Lucy has promised Jenna she will do everything to find her daughter. But then she discovers Jenna has a connection to the prime suspect in Kailey’s disappearance… and one which brings Lucy’s past rushing back to haunt her. Time is running out to find Kailey, but will Lucy be able to save this innocent little girl before her own demons destroy her?
You won’t want to stop turning the pages of this unputdownable crime thriller. Fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni and Kendra Elliot will be reading The Girl in the Pink Shoes late into the night.
***Previously published as All Good Deeds.***
Scrapbook Saturday – August 2021 (pt 3)
Iowa State Fair
Matt Nathanson at Daryl’s House
In December, Matt Nathanson announced a tour. After his fall tour I had joined his patreon which got me early access to tickets – which was a good thing because the show at Daryl’s house sold out very quickly. Shortly after I got an email that Stephen Kellogg would also be playing and when I went to the website to see if it was true – I saw an earlier show was added and snagged a ticket before it had even been announced anywhere. Two concerts with 2 of my faves in one day? Amazing.
Then I decided I was going to be an overachiever and write the review for the first show in the break between the shows and keep track of the setlists and… then I was told “we’re putting all the single tickets together up front, is that ok?” and was brought to the table right underneath the microphone and was one “row” back. I couldn’t be typing out setlist notes during the show with them right on top of me! So all that went out the window and now you’re getting 2 shows 1 post.
Stephen did a slightly shortened opener set due to the two shows and short turnaround. He did only 1 song repeated during both sets – that one being To the Ones Who Need It Most. His first set was great but otherwise uneventful, though he did seem to be a bit emotional. During the second set, there were some LOUD people at the bar which was obviously really getting on his nerves and he ended up dedicating To the Ones Who Need It Most to them – after telling them he hated them – since the song is about loving the people who are the hardest to love. I’m not sure they ended up getting the hint and supposedly they also were the ones causing issues during Matt’s setS as well. Yes. Plural. He also gave me a punch in the arm before leaving the stage after his second set which absolutely baffled the woman next to me. (There were 3 “singles” both shows – but one swapped out to the bar for the second show so this woman didn’t know that we were there the first time and also that I kind of “know” Stephen after having gone to so many of his shows over the years.)
Matt mixed up his sets pretty decently as well – both shows had 17 songs but other than a handful of what I’d consider to be the “staples” for this leg of the tour he mixed things up a lot and he mixed up what was on the setlist a lot too – even taking requests from the audience. I believe Sad Songs was one of the requests and he was glad the requester was right across from him so he could connect. There were some asking for Wedding Dress but he said he played it his entire last tour and also because he’s been having vocal issues it probably wasn’t an option and he’d try to play it for that person next time. Then a couple shouted out for Little Victories – one being a woman who used it to help her learn to walk again after breaking her pelvis while she was pregnant. This story won over Matt and he added it to the end of the set. He also broke out into a random St Elmo’s Fire in the middle of the set. The second show he started playing the Sweet Child O Mine riff and the audience just took over and sang most of the song, much to Matt’s delight. The second show there was MORE yelling for Wedding Dress (he kept saying no!) but after several were yelling for Bill Murray he ended up giving it a go – even though again he referenced his vocal issues and said he had some tea so he’d give it a go. There also was a conversation about testicles that went on for far too long – and even made its way into the second set as well.
Apparently the yelling out is a common occurrence at Matt shows – and a lot of fans have been bringing it up as being really obnoxious and people need to know when to back off and when to keep going. I feel like Matt eggs them on a bit too, which doesn’t help because then everyone who wants some sort of attention ends up joining in. While it does lead to some fun back and forths, it also can be incredibly disruptive… (Though I will say the guy who yelled out a song that ended up with Matt doing a Cookie Monster song request impression was gold)
I was happy to survive the best seat in the house – after the first set I figured I’d be fine if they put us there again, as Matt tended to look out instead of down – but then ended up asking me about covid in the middle of the second show instead and saw my not so pleasant reaction to him mentioning Taylor Swift which caused him to shrug. (I think it was before he did “I Saw” which after some googling apparently caused some beef between him and Taylor since she might have taken some lyrics from him…)
When SK was announced as the opener I had considered adding a few more shows – though I am glad in the end I didn’t because the weather ended up being quite ick. While it would have been nice to see them a few more times, this double header was a ton of fun and I’m looking forward to the next tours for both of them.
