Sidney, Stella and the Moon by Emma Yarlett (Children's, Picture Book, 9.5/10)

March 2013, Templar

32 pages, Hardback

Review copy 

Themes 

 Siblings, learning to share, fighting, bickering, personal boundaries clearly defined between the siblins, toys fought over, major big oops moment, guilt trips, genius idea, pulling together, temporary truce, problem solved (but reaction of other characters not documented which was annoying since everyone had missed the moon so much)

Content

 Lots of laughs and a few gasps of shock 

Summary from Templar 

Sidney and Stella do everything together… except share!

This debut picture book is a tour-de-force of the imagination by exciting new talent Emma Yarlett. Twins Sidney and Stella love doing everything together… everything except sharing. When a quarrel over a bouncy ball spells moon-sized disaster, the twins must face their biggest ever challenge: working together to find a new moon!

Nayuleska's thoughts 

It's the smaller details in the book such as the realistic line drawn in their bedroom, dividing up their personal boundries which made me laugh even more at these squabbling siblings.

You can find out more on Emma's website. 

Suggested read

For a book about two friends who fight and have to work things out check out Ribbit, Rabbit by Candace Ryan & Mike Lowery

Neptune's Tears by Susan Waggoner (Science Fiction & Romance, good read)

1st September 2012, Piccadilly

224 pages, Paperback

Review Copy

Science Fiction, Love Story

Some non-graphic violence with the emphasis on the love story

Summary from Piccadilly Press

What would you risk for the one you love?

It is love against the odds. There is his world, and there is hers. How can they feel so connected?

It's 2218 and Zee McAdams is in her second year as a healing empath at a busy London hospital. When a mysterious young man arrives for treatment, Zee's hard won calm is pierced. She will need all her courage if she's to follow her heart. Especially when David reveals a devastating secret.

The Mole's Review  

I picked this one up, reading between the lines that it would be science fiction with a love story. I can go with that as I have read many Sci-Fi and Fantasies with a love story included. And the Sci-Fi element is a powerful one with plenty of scope to create a really good story. Sadly I found it the other way round. A good love story with a bit of Sci-Fi thrown in. Well that's not fair really, but all the Sci-Fi is rushed and the tension doesn't build up. It's a shame really because the story has lots of potential and the possibilities for the action that does happen in this book were really under done. 

Overall though I did enjoy the book but nothing like as much as I expected to.

Another book with a better (for me anyway) action/love balance is Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Pea's Book of Big Dreams by Susie Day (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)

Note: There is a slight change in style of review, as explained in this post. I'm putting more info in the themes section, putting content (humour, mature etc) separately and sticking with 1 line for my thoughts as to what made the book sparkle. 

 

January 2013, Red Fox 

320 pages, Ebook

Personal Copy 

Themes: sibling rivalry, living with a teen sister, being disheartened, all or nothing view point, experimenting, trying out new aupairs, missing the past, an insanely mischievous younger sister, trials of living with a writer, being away from friends/family, putting pressure on yourself, moments when life sucks, the powerful force of a mother on the rampage, the randomness of writers

Content: laughter on virtually every page, tissues most definitely needed

Summary from Random House Children's Books

 After securing herself a best friend and settling into London life, Pea is now contemplating her future and what exactly she should be when she grows up. Should she be a writer (like Mum)? An artist (like their crazy new au pair Klaudia)? A footballer? A pet therapist? Join Pea as she attempts to find out the answers - with hilarious results!

Nayuleska's thoughts 

Pea's sisters are a scream - I love the 10 minute rule for Clover, and can't believe how devious Tink is. 

You can find out more on Susie's website. 

Suggested read 

Definitely read Pea's Book of Best Friends also by Susie. 

Silent Saturday by Helen Grant (Young Adult, 10/10)

April 2013, Bodley Head

416 pages, Hardback

Review copy 

Summary from Helen's website (too early to be on Random House website)

Seventeen-year-old Veerle is frustrated with life in suburban Brussels. But a chance encounter with a hidden society, whose members illegally break into unoccupied buildings around the city, soon opens up a whole new world of excitement—and danger.

When one of the society's founding members disappears, Veerle suspects foul play. But nothing can prepare her for the horror that is about to unfold when an old foe emerges from the shadows... No one is safe, and The Hunter will strike again... 

Nayuleska's thoughts 

This isn't a book you want to read at night if you get freaked out easily. I adore Helen's book because they deliver suspense and intrigue to a high level of quality. I was pretty jumpy while reading Silent Saturday, because Veerle both witnesses and endures a few terrifying horrors. I was intrigued by what she did, because I'm very much a 'keep to the rules' person. I enjoyed getting into Veerle's head and learning why she was such a rebel. The ending wasn't a total surprise, but it was by no way any less exciting. I'm eager to see what lies in wait in book 2, for book was mostly definitely an emotion packed, thrilling 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Helen's website. 

Suggested read

If it's thrills you're after, check out The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson

What are YOU reading? #159

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.

Read

Pea's Book of Big Dreams by Susie Day

Children's, 9 years +

(This 2nd book is as hilarious as book one, with several parts making me cry and many more making me laugh.)

10/10

Cinder by Melissa Marr

Young Adult

(My 1st cyborg read, based on the Cinderella fairy tale, is extremely awesome!!!! )

10/10

Wildlife by Paul Thurlby

Picture book

Non-Fiction

(Facts about various animals are presented with striking illustrations.)

9/10

Sidney, Stella and the Moon by Emma Yarlett

Children's, Picture Book

(Will the siblings put aside their differences and work together when a catastrophe strikes?)

9.5/10

Watched 

AKB0048

Anime, Japanese version

10/10

(Inspirational watch about reaching for your dreams and never giving up - lots of fun, memorable songs too!) 

Winx Club: Season 5

Anime, English version

10/10

(We're on chapter 18 now, and Tritanus is getting craftier. I'm adoring the girls learning how to use their new powers of Sirenix - it's so fab!) 

Angel's Friends

Anime, English version

10/10

(No matter how much Raf's friends and teachers try and keep her apart from Sulfus, the enemy manages to put them together and create havoc...) 

The Unit

REWATCH! - Drama, English

10/10

(This is my 'go to' human drama [that with H20 Just Add Water] - a little known fact about me is that if my health had been different, I'd have joined the armed forces. Watching shows about them is the next best thing!) 

Care Bears: Care-a-lot Collection

Anime

9/10

(I finished this series which I watched when I was little. When I got onto episodes I remembered I had so much fun! I will be giving this series away now though, as I prefer the modern one.) 

Lemon Angel Project

REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version

(After getting into AKB0048 I wanted to see this one again. I'm  not sure when I'll watch the next episode - I may wait until I'm done with AKB0048 [which will be a while as it's so good I'll keep rewatching it!]...) 

Lilpri

REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version

10/10

(The girls get shrunk to the size of ants [well, marginally bigger] and need the help of their side kicks to save them...) 

Shugo Chara

REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version

10/10

(I'm loving Rima smiling more and being happier with Amu and the other guardians!)

My Little Pony: "Gryphon Bust Up"

Anime, English version

10/10

(I love the life lessons on friendship which are taught through this series - and the ponies are so funny!) 

Yumeiro Patissiere

REWATCH! (for now) - Anime, Japanese version

10/10

(It's scary because Ichigo's team mate Matoko is keeping his promise to a mean, conniving patissierre diva and is on her side. I keep telling myself it will sort itself out in a few episodes or so...) 

Prisoner's Wives

Drama, English

9/10

(The story is gaining lovely twists, and next week's episode looks AWESOME!) 

Craft

I've done a little bit of sewing, but not enough to show you anything. I have got new crochet hooks, as the one I like is lost and using the others I have isn't all that easy with my weak hands. I've got cushioned ones - I think I like the purple one best, but I've yet to try them out. 

Nayu's News #59 A permanent schedule change

Hi everyone! Hope you're all having a good weekend (or at least with some good parts to outbalance the not so good parts). I've spent most of it watching Bones

and The Unit

and various anime including my beloved Shugo Chara

Thanks to watching the anime Heidi I checked out the ebook versions, and managed to get for free! 

 Got a few others for free too (Little Women) not sure when I'll read them, but at least I have them now. 

What's next....?

Now, down to business. I promise that the new and permanent schedule change is nothing bad. It's something that's been coming a while really, and in truth isn't much of a change from what's been happening already. 

"What's going on?" (Quote by Nayu, pic of an AKB0048 anime member)

Before you all look at me like I'm weird (even though I am...) here's the deal. With pain relief now in better control, I'm having time & energy to check out other areas of life. It turns out that although I thought I was resting more, I wasn't. 

"That's not a good thing..."

Dratticus. 

So with help from a friend (who is wonderful), I've worked out how to get more rest in. Reviews will be a little shorter. They were supposed to be shorter and quicker a year ago or so, but somehow they ended up taking longer. Books which aren't received for review purposes (ones I buy/possess) may only get mentioned in my What Are You Reading? meme on Mondays. This takes extra pressure off me a little (made up pressure by me to me and from me) which is good as I manage to create work for myself from next to nothing. Maybe that isn't a skill I should be so proud about...

"What do you think?"

So on good days there are more likely to be book reviews, and on not so great days there will be more anime reviews. It's pretty much what has been happening this year - when I'm up for it I've written book reviews, when I haven't been up for it I've put up an anime review. Reading uses energy, as much as I'd like to pretend that it doesn't, so sometimes it will be a little less reading and a little more anime watching. And chocolate tasting. And sewing. And crochet. And jigsaws - pretty much all the things other than reading and writing, which I do to relax, depending on my energy levels. 

Amu from the anime Shugo Chara (with her chara Ran)

More rest is better in the long run. It'll take a bit of time to get used to, and I suspect my grumbles to myself may be on a par with Muse in a huff, but I've got to do this. I don't post when I'm in a mood...it's really not a good idea! 

Muse/me/Holo from the anime Spice & Wolf in a mood

If I can't get a review of anything up, I'll just put a pretty picture (I have a lot) and a caption for fun ^o^ 

Super cute & pink random pic!

 Because that's what NRC is about at the end of the day, the fun side of life! Hope you all have a good start to the week, because I am - the first volume of Winx season 5 has BEEN DISPATCHED!!! 

This is a time when a picture is 1000 words. Or just one - WINX!!!!!!

I'm starting the week super happy - just like Holo from the anime Spice and Wolf can be (she loves food)

Nayu's News #58 Strawberry Shortcake anime news!

All the gang with Strawberry Shortcake in the middle.

This week I discovered a wonderful piece of information. Now I adore the latest version of Strawberry Shortcake, (link goes to a main website for the show) which I watch in French and is called Charlotte aux Fraises. I have all of the first season and the first film, and the first English volume of the second season. There are actually 3 seasons, although the second and third overly long. 

From the left Lemon Meringue/Mimi Citron, Orange Blossom/Fleur d'Orange

The awesome news is that I can watch them ONLINE! How cool is that! I can see what happens before I get the dvds! Whoohoo! I personally love Cherry Jam as the new character addition - she is down to earth, the total opposite of a diva. 

This is taken shortly before Strawberry meets Cherry

So my advice for this Friday is do check around online, as there are many legal sites where you can watch your favourite shows. It just takes a teensy bit of hunting around and is so worth it! 

Good shows feel warm and cosy, like cats do!

What The Spell? by Brittany Geragotellis (Young Adult, 7/10 )

Funky cover!

January 2013, Simon and Schuster 

336 pages, Paperback

Review copy 

Themes: magic, keeping secrets, trying to avoid detection, diverse opinions on using magic, messing around with spells, not knowing your own strength, becoming a diva, being too materialistic, not seeing the bigger picture, mistreating friends, picking the wrong side, being mean, frequent & moderate teen romance, occasional swearing (I think...I read this over a week ago!)

Summary from Simon and Schuster

Brooklyn is nearly sixteen-years-old and feels like she's invisible. She desperately wants to be pretty and popular, and to be adored by a cute guy. Luckily for her, she's a witch about to come of age ~ so she's only a few spells away from making it all happen.
 

On her milestone birthday, Brooklyn's conservative parents finally unbind her powers, and this newfound freedom leads to a spell-assisted dream makeover. Her crush, Asher, finally notices her, and so does the Queen Bee of the popular, cool clique. Even better, Brooklyn discovers her true power: the ability to magically match couples with a love spell.

But Brooklyn's quest for popularity is not without its price, and as the clique escalates their initiation tests, the more she relies on her powers to complete the tasks. Can Brooklyn keep her magic hidden from their scrutiny? Like her Salem ancestors, if caught, she could be vilified. But worst of all, Brooklyn runs the risk of losing what she really cares about ~ Asher ~ unless she can work a little magic of her own.

Nayuleska's thoughts

Now this sounded amazing from the blurb. How cool would it be to suddenly be able to do magic, to have spent ages waiting to use an ancient power that others used, albeit secretly? There's so much stuff Brooklyn could have done...and she acted like an air-head. She disregarded the sound advice from her guidance counsellor (who is a sweetheart and one of Brooklyn's true friends) and her parents. Okay, I understand teen rebellion can involve changing your body image, but I was rather annoyed at Brooklyn for being so shallow. There were times when she had depth of character, but she does get in over her head and being popular grows on her. She takes bigger & bigger risks - some which are most definitely going to haunt her not too distant future. 

Putting her character aside, some of her powers were tremendously awesome in execution and style. Brooklyn showed her true potential and it rocks! I was wowed by some scenes, and I can't wait to see what she'll do as her powers grow. That's what saved this book, that and the hope that Brooklyn will eventually see the error of her ways and try hard to make amends. I didn't necessarily agree with all of her parents' views, but some Brooklyn should have paid more attention to. She feels she finally has friends - what she doesn't realise is that her new self is pushing away her old, true friends. This was a mixed read, but yes I'll be looking out for the sequel to this 7/10 read.

 

You can find out more on Brittany's website. 

Suggested read 

For another awesome series with magic check out Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schultz