Review: Eerie America Travel Guide of the Macabre by Eric R. Vernor and Kevin Eads

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

America is the land of the beautiful, but it is also a land of mystery and many haunted and bizarre places. With 150 images, addresses, and directions, go state-by-state to tour the macabre side of the United States. Journey to haunted old battleships, abandoned prisons, creepy lunatic asylums, the Amityville Horror House, the Winchester House, museums such as Edgar Allan Poe’s home, New Orleans Voodoo Museum, the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, and much more! In addition suggesting places to visit, where to stay, and places to eat, chapters on each state have a break down of how best to experience the curious and bizarre – sometimes just a building and other times a whole town. Come on this unusual but richly satisfying tour. You won’t be disappointed.

MY TAKE:
I'm not that brave, but as long as it's daylight, I like reading books and watching TV shows that document weird and strange things like this one does.

In Eerie America Travel Guide of the Macabre, readers are given short descriptions about the haunted or odd places around America. The sites are arranged by state, and addresses, websites, contact information, ticket prices and other pertinent information are included.

This book has a lot of potential use for people who like supernatural things and like going on road trips. Two things I liked about the descriptions in the book were the inclusion of places that were odd and bizarre, like a mob museum and the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices, as well as mentions of events that each place holds.

I recognized a number of the places mentioned, like The Catfish Plantation, because I've seen them on television or read about them before. I guess that's why I was a little bit disappointed with the book. I'm so used to books like this delving a little bit more on the ghosts or other interesting tidbits about the place. With this book, there were a number of places that only had vague descriptions of what to expect. I guess the assumption is, since this is a travel guide, you might be going there anyway and to save on space, some descriptions weren't included anymore. That's all well and good if you can travel to these places, but if you can't and you just like reading ghost stories or the history of haunted places, not all of the descriptions here can provide that.

I also noticed a number of grammatical and typographical errors, mostly in the first half of the book. I'm not sure if I got an e-ARC, but if I did, it's probably been corrected already before publication.

Thanks to NetGalley and Schiffer Publishing Ltd. for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It covers all the states.
2. It specifies places to stay and places to eat that fit in well with the book.
3. There are a lot of places included, especially for New York and Pennsylvania.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the descriptions feel a little lacking when it comes to descriptions of the ghosts. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. - St. Augustine 

READ IT IF:

1. You like shows like Ghost Hunters.
2. You want to go on a unique road trip through America.
3. You like odd things. 

RATING:


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Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The wisest doctors know that science is not omniscient.

American Ride Book Blast and Giveaway

Host of AMERICAN RIDE, 

Stan Ellsworth breaks the mold of the stereotypical High School history teacher.

Former history teacher Stan Ellsworth tours the country on a Harley Davidson for the television show “American Ride.” Ellsworth’s approach to American history in AMERICAN RIDE removes the “bow tie and sweater vest” of history professors, puts on the “skull rag and denim vest” and breaks down stereotypes. His adventurous spirit and love for the United States is contagious and engaging. His approach is more like an invitation to walk (and ride) with him through the footsteps of history. He hopes the stories and “postcards” from the highways and byways of the country will make American history relevant to today’s audiences, and motivate them to take an active part in the preservation of the values this country was built upon.
Now in the sixth season, Stan takes you across the world to see how the clouds of war gathered once again and what led America to enter WWII. New episodes air each Monday 9PM ET/ 7PM MT on BYUtv. If you've missed any episodes, you can catch up with all of the previous seasons online anytime at www.byutv.com/americanride

ABOUT STAN ELLSWORTH

The 6’ 2”, 300-lb muscle-clad Harley Davidson-riding host of BYUtv’s acclaimed American history program, American Ride, would like nothing better than to inspire the next generation of George Washingtons, Susan B. Anthonys and Thomas Jeffersons. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in the Carolinas, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Pennsylvania, Ellsworth was steeped in the landmarks and stories of American history throughout his formative years. His family lineage includes such historic luminaries as Revolutionary War patriot Ethan Allen; both Generals of the Cival War, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant (also the 18th president of the U.S.); and American folk heroes Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.
Ellsworth’s goal—both when he was in the classroom, and now in his weekly television program—has always been to “wake people up” to the stories of our founding fathers and mothers, and to the sacrifices they made in creating this nation. In his gruff baritone voice, he speaks eloquently of our heritage and extols the wisdom and bravery of those who came before.

“LET’S TAKE A RIDE” ~ Stan Ellsworth

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Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/17/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

FROM NETGALLEY:

Shifting Sands Life in the Times of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad by Kathy Lowinger
When Lunch Fights Back Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses by Rebecca L. Johnson
What's Great about New York? by Ann Malaspina

World Cup Mouse Blog Tour

For this blog tour, we have an interview with Richard Seidman, the author of World Cup Mouse, by the mouse, François DuBois.

Bonjour, I’m François DuBois.

I’m here interviewing children’s book author, Richard Seidman.

François: Richard, I enjoyed reading World Cup Mouse, 
especially the parts with me in it!
 Your books are really funny.

Richard: Thank you, François. I love to make jokes
 and funny business. That’s one of the main reasons 
I enjoy writing – to amuse myself and children 
(and also the big children that we call “grown-ups”). 
For me, funny business is a way to love life, and it’s 
also a way to transform sorrows.

François: Why do you like writing about mice like 
me and Louie?

Richard: Some of my favorite literary characters are mice: Stuart Little,
 Dr. De Soto, Norman the Doorman, Desperaux. It’s fun to write about 
you mice guys.

François: Thanks. Where did you grow up, and what were you like as a child?

Richard: I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. I was a really shy child, and to tell you the truth, I’m still pretty shy. I didn’t really know how to play chess when this picture was taken, but I liked moving the pieces around. My father, Herb, was one of the best chess players in the U.S. When I was growing up, playing games and sports and reading were the favorite things I enjoyed, and they’re still the favorite things I enjoy today! In high school and college, my number one passion was running.

François: My last name, you know, means “of the trees.” I heard that you were part of a tree-planting organization.

Richard: Yes. In the 1970s, I moved to Portland, Oregon, and in 1989 I founded the nonprofit tree-planting group, Friends of Trees. I’m proud that all these years later Friends of Trees is still going strong. More than 10,000 volunteers have planted more than 500,000 trees since the beginning of the organization.

François: Wow, that’s a lot of trees! What other accomplishments are you proud of?

Richard: Well, I’m proud of the book I wrote for grown-ups, The Oracle of Kabbalah: Mystical Teachings of the Hebrew Letters. In 2014, I’ll be publishing a revised version, The New Oracle of Kabbalah. And I’m proud that in the fall of 2014, after training in the martial arts for eighteen years, I finally earned a black belt in Shotokan Karate.

François: Congratulations. Remind me not to pick a fight with you.

Richard (laughing): Don’t worry, François.

François: My cheese soufflé is almost done. Is there anything else you want to say about yourself before we close?

Richard: Yes. I’m a member of SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and a founding member of a local children’s book writing critique group. I helped create a nonfiction children’s book for Benchmark Education, I Am Deaf and I Dance: A Memoir. I now live in Ashland, Oregon with my beloved wife, Rachael Resch, our chickens, and our myriad stuffed animals and other small friends.

François: Any mice?

Richard: Only a stuffed toy Despearaux looking over my writing desk.

François: I guess that’s better than nothing. Well, thanks for the interview.

Richard: Thank you. Please say hi to Louie for me.

François: Oui. Au revoir.

ABOUT RICHARD SEIDMAN:

Richard Seidman loves to make jokes and, as he puts it, “funny business.” He says that’s one of the main reasons he enjoys writing – to amuse himself and children (and also the big children that are called “grown-ups”).

For Richard, funny business is a way to love life, and it’s also a way to transform sorrows. His ancestors, their hearts full of stories and hopes, fled to the U.S. from Poland and Ukraine in the early part of the twentieth century. Forty years later, Richard was born in Brooklyn, New York. 

When he was growing up, playing games and sports and reading were the main things he enjoyed, and they’re still the main things he enjoys today! 


Richard wound up in Portland, Oregon where in 1989 he founded the nonprofit tree-planting group, Friends of Trees. In 1996, he was honored as a “Community Hero” for his role as the group’s founder and carried the Olympic torch in its national relay. 

In 2001, St. Martin’s Press published his nonfiction book for adults, The Oracle of Kabbalah: Mystical Teachings of the Hebrew Letters. Richard will be releasing a revised edition, The New Oracle of Kabbalah, in fall of 2014.

He’s a member of SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and a founding member of a local children’s book writing critique group. He’s also the editor and compiler of a nonfiction children’s book published by Benchmark Education, I Am Deaf and I Dance: A Memoir.

In the fall of 2013, after training in the martial arts for eighteen years, Richard earned a black belt in Shotokan Karate.

He now lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife, Rachael. For more information about Richard and his books for children, visit www.richardseidman.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

“Where there’s a mouse, there’s a way,” says Louie LaSurie. But it will take more than lofty words for Louie to achieve his goal: to be the first mouse to play for France in the World Cup soccer tournament.
World Cup Mouse (May 2014) by Richard Seidman is a comic, action-filled tale of friendship and pursuing one’s dream even when it seems impossible. For example, how can Louie ever manage to kick a human-sized soccer ball and not just the dried pea with which he has been practicing? How can he avoid getting squished by the thrashing feet of the giant humans? And can he overcome his own self-doubts and fiery temper? Aided by his best friend, François, and the human girl, Rose, Louie gives it his best shot.
Louie's ambition and personality are brought to life through Seidman’s words and artist Ursula Andrejczuk’s illustrations in this book for seven to ten-year-olds. “I love the humor and absurdity of Louie’s aspiration,” Seidman says, “and at the same time I admire his crazy determination and chutzpah. He inspires me, even as he makes me laugh.”
Seidman will contribute a percentage of the profits of each book sold to organizations that support youth soccer around the world.
“I had tears in my eyes and chills up my spine,” reported one reader. 
Another reader said, “You know, I thought it would be for really little kids because there's a talking mouse, but actually I really enjoyed it and I'm almost eleven."
World Cup Mouse releases just in time for the 2014 World Cup tournament that begins in June in Brazil.
Richard Seidman lives in Ashland, Oregon where he writes books for children and adults. For more information, go to www.worldcupmouse.com.

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Review: Amazing Magic Tricks by Thomas Canavan

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Make coins disappear, bend spoons, and read through sealed envelopes! Anyone can be a magician with the help of this guide, which explains how to perform mystifying sleight-of-hand maneuvers and feats of mental agility with playing cards and common household items. Humorously illustrated, step-by-step directions explain the magic behind dozens of captivating tricks.

MY TAKE:
I've always been fascinated by magic, even though I'm more interested in learning the science behind it than actually being able to perform the tricks.

In Amazing Magic Tricks, readers are shown through step-by-step illustrations how to perform magic tricks. The tricks range from magical escapes and illusions to number tricks. There are also a few joke tricks mixed in.

I appreciated the variety of magic tricks because that means there's something for everyone, even those who aren't as good at sleight-of-hand tricks. My favorite tricks were the number tricks because they were quite easy to do and yet they were still impressive because it's harder to guess how they work. I also thought the "exactly the same number" trick was funny and definitely worth a try, especially if you're a good comedian.

The use of illustrations and step-by-step instructions was perfect because it's easier to follow. The bunny is pretty cute too. However, I think it would be much better if there were also explanations included which detailed the principles behind how the trick works. Of course, with some of the tricks, it's pretty obvious, but some of the tricks use science and mathematical concepts, and it would be cool to see the science behind the magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dover Publications for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. The illustrations and step-by-step instructions are easy to follow.
2. There are many kinds of tricks included.
3. Some of the tricks can be done right away, even if you're a beginner. 

THE BAD:

1. It would be better if there were explanations detailing the science behind some of the tricks included. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Magicians call quick tricks "throwaway gags."

READ IT IF:

1. You want to learn magic tricks.
2. It's easier for you to follow step-by-step instructions with illustrations than if the instructions were in paragraph form.
3. You like number tricks. 

RATING:


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Review: Green Mama What Parents Need to Know to Give Their Children a Healthy Start and a Greener Future by Manda Aufochs Gillespie

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

What are the most pressing problems facing new parents today? As the world has gotten increasingly more complicated, so has parenting. New parents are concerned about pervasive toxins in the environment and anxious to raise their children in ways that will protect them as well as safeguard our already-fragile world. Manda Aufochs Gillespie, The Green Mama, discusses a variety of topics that affect the health and well-being of our children.You'll find help getting back to the basics, at a time when the "basics" are being redefined: clean air, nutritious food, simple play, healthy indoor and outdoor environments, and less stuff. Manda covers prenatal care for mothers-to-be, detoxifying the nursery, cloth versus disposable diapers, baby skincare, nutritious baby food, children's toys, and car seats. The Green Mama helps parents to become what they were always meant to be: experts on the care of their own children.

MY TAKE:
I've always meant to go green when it comes to raising my child, but going completely green seems too tough, expensive and inconvenient sometimes.

In Green Mama What Parents Need to Know to Give Their Children a Healthy Start and a Greener Future, parents are introduced to the concept of raising their child in a safe, healthy, chemical-free environment.

This book is one of the most useful "green" books I've encountered. For those who are already practicing most of the things in the book, this book can be used as a reference, particularly a chart of harmful compounds you might encounter, as well as their effects.

There were several concepts and philosophies I encountered here that I either tried immediately after or found out that I was doing it correctly all along. I tried to do the elimination communication thing right after reading this book yesterday, and while it hasn't been successful yet, it looks promising, even if my kid laughs at me when I do the "ehhhh" sound.

I already share the same philosophy when it comes to food. While organic is harder for me to do, I definitely don't buy or use commercially-available baby food. My husband's family warned us against using those kinds of food because it tends to make kids picky eaters when they grow up. I figured that all the chemicals and sugar would definitely do that. I'm also wary about giving my kid too much salt or sugar so I tend to give him bland things. It's nice to know that it's okay to add a little flavor, like the ones suggested in the book (butter, etc.).

As for keeping the TV exposure to a minimum, that's easier said than done in our household, but I'm glad to know that my decision to just let my child do as he pleases in his crib (free play, supervised), actually makes sense.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn for the e-ARC. Publication date of Green Mama What Parents Need to Know to Give Their Children a Healthy Start and a Greener Future is on June 14, 2014.

THE GOOD:

1. There are plenty of useful information.
2. There are recipes for baby's skincare products (bum cream, baby wipes, etc.).
3. It's well-researched and really makes you feel like going green isn't that difficult and is the best option. 

THE BAD:

1. It can make you feel a little bit paranoid. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

You can "decode" the PLU code to decipher the food in your grocery store, If the code begins with 9 it's organic, 4 it's conventional, 8 it's genetically engineered. 

READ IT IF:

1. You're thinking about going green.
2. You're looking for a good resource for "green" parenting.
3. You want your child to be as healthy as possible. 

RATING:


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