Audio Book Review: The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, read by Gerard Doyle

Alice in Wonderland is not my favorite book and so it’s unlikely that I would have picked up The Looking Glass Wars if it hadn’t been featured on my library’s digital book homepage, and if I wasn’t in a hurry. But I needed to quickly choose and download an audio book and The Looking Glass Wars was there, so I decided to chance it. And boy am I glad that I did because this book was really fantastic.The looking Glass Wars is an alternate version of...

My Mini-Vacation (and some gloating)

Yesterday, while you all were going about your regular daily routines I was enjoying a min-vacation at the Dead Sea. And yes, I'm writing this post just to gloat.Last week my husband had surprised me by announcing that he was sending me away for a night's stay at a hotel by the Dead Sea. I was getting too grouchy, he said, and seemed like I could use a bit of a break from the kids. And I forgave him for saying that (and really, who wouldn't be a...

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

It’s been years since I last read a book by Orson Scott Card and so I was thrilled when Tor provided me with a copy of his newest book, The Lost Gate. for review. I had loved Card's Alvin the Maker series when I was younger and I was eager to delve into another of his wonderful fantasy worlds.When the powerful gatemaker Loki closed off all the gates to the magical world of Westil, all of the Gods were cut off from the source of their power, leaving...

New Scifi & Fantasy Releases: Week of January 23

Finally, some new releases that I'm actually excited about!I've been eager to read The Warlord's Legacy, by Ari Marmell, since I enjoyed The Conqueror's Shadow so much, when I had read it last year. The False Princess is a book that I only came across a couple of days ago but the glowing review that I read of it had me immediately adding it to my TBR pile. There is also The Fallen Blade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood, which I am currently halfway through...

The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

Wow, that a fantastic book!In The Kabul Beauty School Deborah Rodrigues shares her memories of her time in Afghanistan, from her first visit with the Care for all Foundation (CFAF) to her decision to return as a beauty school instructor. Deborah Rodrigues was a hair dresser from Michigan with two sons and an abusive husband. Needing an escape from her troubled marriage, Deborah signed up for disaster relief training given by the CFAF. A year later...