WTF by Cathy Yardley

by Carol1 Comment
Amber and I were talking yesterday about what makes me a geek - because I'm obviously a geek. Just the fact that I write book reviews for fun probably qualifies me, but add in our weekly board game night and the fact that we literally had a 45 minute discussion on monster types the other day and there's little doubt. But I don't have any geeky female friends like the women of Geek Actually. I do wish I had a group of friends like them. In this episode, we meet all the women and learn a bit about where they're at in their lives. We see their jobs, husbands and lovers. It's fun and sexy but it also touches on some heavier topics  like body image and sexism. I love the diverse cast of characters and people who I have something in common with (not that I ever go out of my way to swing by a PokeStop). I have read serial...
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Baseball Faith by Rob Maaddi

by Carol1 Comment
Baseball season is just around the bend, and I'm a baseball fan, as is my husband, so Baseball Faith grabbed my attention. It's a good book, a nice devotional for baseball fans, especially maybe teenage boys who are into the sport. The setup is well done. Each player's piece starts with a scripture quote and is followed by the player's thoughts on why that scripture is important to him or about how faith and the Bible are important in his life. Each devotion can be read in less than 2 minutes. The following two pages contain some of the player's stats and an interesting fact, like "McCutchen cut his dreadlocks before the 2015 season, and proceeds from the sale of his hair benefited Pirates Charities." Yeah, we're Pirates fans around here. And have been for ages, even when we were absolutely terrible. I was glad to see our McCutchen in the book. The devotions are short and simple. I like that many of...
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All In by Joel Goldman and Lisa Klink

by Carol2 Comments
All In is a fun, breezy thriller - danger, bad guys, gambling, and a touch of romance. From a New York penthouse to a luxury yacht on the Mediterranean, it's just a fun ride. There's plenty of action and not a slow spot in the book. Both Cassie and Jake are fabulous and will take your money. Cassie because it's her job - and she's very good at her job. Jake because he's a good poker player- not lucky, he just knows the odds and can read people very well. Together, they are quite a team, even if they'd rather not be and are not sure how much to trust each other. And of course there are sparks between them, even though Cassie at first and then Jake want to resist the attraction for their own reasons. Okay, so it's a fairly typical book, one that I could totally see as date movie, but the authors do it really well. The story...
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A Hot Glue Gun Mess by Mr. Kate

by Carol2 Comments
Maybe I'm too old or maybe I'm just not cool enough, but A Hot Glue Gun Mess didn't really inspire me. There are a couple of cute projects that I may try, like the heels with bows or the mercury glass vase, but I really don't need a feather crown or pom-pom cushion. The photos are all well-done and the layout is nice. It's kind of a memoir meets DIY book. The book is full of short stories from Kate's privileged life, each followed by a craft project that may or may not be related. Most of her stories are from her childhood/teen/college years and though some were amusing, eventually I just didn't care. She drops names and shares more than I really want to know. Actually, I quit reading them and just looked at the pretty pictures. I enjoy crafts and there are a few here I'd like to try.  Maybe I'll just photocopy those pages and send this book...
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The Dead Key by D. M. Pulley

by Carol1 Comment
I liked the sound of this one and it's set in Cleveland, which is kinda cool. I just couldn't get into and finally set it aside. I doubt I'll pick it up again. I just didn't care about any of the characters, in '98 or the '70s. Maybe it was the back and forth between times periods and points of view that kept me disconnected or maybe I just picked it up at the wrong time. Maybe I just couldn't relate to either of the main female characters. They just seemed so young, especially Iris, who should have been an adult with a career but was more intent on drinking than working at least in the section I read. The writing wasn't bad, and the characters could have been interesting, but for me it was blah. I had to give up and move on to something I'd enjoy more. I think this is my first DNF of the year....
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Homemakers by Brit Morin

by Carol5 Comments
I was so excited when Homemakers showed up in the mail. It's bright and happy; I love crafts, do-it-yourself projects, and cooking. I like her writing style and she's fun and friendly. There are a lot of ideas and projects in the book, and it's all presented with vibrant, colorful photographs. It's a visually appealing book. Unfortunately, I just don't think I'm the right audience. Some of the info I appreciate, like what type of glass to use with which wine - not that it really matters, because I usually drink it out of coffee mugs. She covers a lot of topics, from recipes to making cement serving trays, but most of the recipes were dishes I had already cook or don't care about and most of the projects are a little  silly. Like covering a footstool with pompoms - cute but just not practical. Some of the apps she mentions might be useful and her vision of what the future will...
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