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Showing posts from January, 2018

Review: Dream of the Butterfly #1: Rabbits on the Moon by Richard Marazano and Luo Yin

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Dream of the Butterfly: Volume 1 is a fable about a lost girl in a land ruled by a mysterious emperor who seeks the power that controls the weather. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? It takes a kind of person to enjoy fables and fairytales, hence if you enjoy a slow-burning, leisurely-pacing anthropomorphic tale (irregardless of whether you are an adult, teenager, or a child), then this might be for you. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The story gets better with time and the art looks unique and gorgeous. The characters took tike to come alive but the rewards would certainly come if you stick with it. The cliffhanger at the end signals a sign of better things to come. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Dream of the Butterfly Volume 1: Rabbits on the Moon by Richard Marazano and Luo Yin is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Lion Forge for review copy.

Review: Lee Hammond's All New Big Book of Drawing: Beginner's Guide To Realistic Drawing Techniques

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Lee Hammond's All New Big Book of Drawing is a step-by-step tutorial to mastering realistic drawing techniques. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Artists of intermediate and advanced skills will pick up many tips from this book. Though the sub-title of this book says it is for beginners, I think most beginners might struggle simply because the book does not cover some basics, e.g perspective. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT Because the author is self-taught, there is a simplicity and directness to his tutorials. He makes drawing concepts simple and easy to follow. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Lee Hammond's All New Big Book of Drawing: : Beginner's Guide To Realistic Drawing Techniques by Lee Hammond is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to F+W Media for review copy.

Review: Dragon Age: Knight Errant by Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis

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ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY Dragon Age: Knight Errant follows the adventures of a squire and her knight (one of the survivors of Ostagar) and how they subtly influence the politics and power in the region. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Fans of the Dragon Age franchise would love this one. Newbies to the franchise won't get lost and the story can be enjoyed without any knowledge of what's happened before. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT There is a focus on the Free Marches cities (e.g Starkhaven) and we are able to see Sebastian (of the Dragon Age 2 game fame) who is now ruling the place. Also, fans of Varrick would be pleased to know that the Viscount of Kirkwall features heavily in this volume and is still his jovial, scheming self. More importantly, the book shows the evolution of the Inquisition's power in Dragon Age's world and how wide it has spread. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Dragon Age: Knight Errant by Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis is available t

Review: Happiness Is A Choice You Make: Lessons From A Year Among The Oldest Old by John Leland

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Happiness Is A Choice You Make is a documentation of a middle-aged man's experiences among six elderly acquaintances about what makes people happy and fulfilled. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? If you love the spiritual, self-help, or personal development genre, then this is right up your alley. A word of warning, though - this is not a book with rah-rah, you-can-do-it, seven-steps-to-greatness ideas. A large chunk of it is full of discussions about diseases, aching bodes, amputated appendages, and death. Yet it is a book brimming with laughter and hope. It is difficult to put into words, but if I would summarise it with fewer words, then this is it - RAW AND REAL. It is for people who love "raw and real". WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT IT In an individualistic western culture where elderly advice is not sought often and mostly discarded when it is, I was curious to see a book that wants to engage with a community of the elderly.  The demographic it engages is known

Review: Low Sugar So Simple: 100 Delicious Low-Sugar, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Recipes for Eating Clean and Living Healthy by Elviira Krebber

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Low Sugar So Simple is a compilation of food recipes that include healthy sugars (or none at all). WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Foodies or non-foodies looking to eat healthy, yet delicious meals. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The recipes look simple to prepare and the health benefits are listed. From sauces to bread to pizza, there is enough variety to experiment with. Also, the food looks great. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Low Sugar So Simple: 100 Delicious Low-Sugar, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Recipes for Eating Clean and Living Healthy by Elviira Krebber is available to buy from on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Fair Wind Press - Quarto Publishing Group for review copy.

Review: Elsewhere: Volume 1 by Jay Faerber, Sumeyye Kesgin, and Ron Riley

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ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY Elsewhere: Volume 1 is a fantasy adventure about Amelia Earhart who seeks to return to her home after being sucked into a different dimension where strange monsters and alien creatures roam. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Fans of light fantasy (by light, I mean without heavy lore and numerous names) will have fun reading this. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT The story, despite not being complicated, is quite interesting and has enough miles in it to go for a while. The setting is beautiful yet intriguing. The book is perfect for a light, fun read. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Elsewhere: Volume 1 by Jay Faerber, Sumeyye Kesgin, and Ron Riley is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Image Comics for review copy.

Review: Anxiety is Really Strange by Steve Haines

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Anxiety Is Really Strange is a look at the nature of anxiety and its diverse manifestations in people. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Anyone who suffering anxiety (chronic or not) or anyone living close to someone who suffers from such. Professionals who deal with anxiety-prone people might benefit from the illustrated medium used by the author to examine the subject. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT I love the graphic novel format. There is a way illustration bring a new life to a topic that is sometimes difficult to pin down and this book does that well. The author gives detailed explanations and references are done in a way that does not interfere with the enjoyment of the book. MEMORABLE PASSAGE ....... Anxiety is Really Strange by Steve Haines is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Singing Dragon (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) for review copy.

Review: A Life Of One's Own by Joanna Field (Marion Milner)

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A Life Of One's Own is one woman's examination and recording of her own thoughts, daydreams and inclinations over several years and how observing these things pointed her to who she really is and what makes her happy. WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT? Anyone with interested in how human minds work and our popular opinions influence us would be interested in the author's findings. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT I love the tone of unashamedness in this one. The frankness and scientific approach of the author towards her own private daydreams is something to be admired. Most importantly, what her findings reveal about my own inner world is something that would stay with me for a while. This is a book worth reading. MEMORABLE PASSAGE "I now began to understand why it was no good arguing against obsessive fears or worries, for the source of them was beyond the reach both of reason and common sense. They flourished in the No-man's land of mind where a thing could