Showing posts with label Non-Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Non-Fiction. Show all posts

15.8.17

Review: Text, Don't Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life by INFJoe


Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website
An illustrated guide to the challenges and pleasures of the introverted life

Introversion is “in.” But there are still many misconceptions about introverts in the world. They’re shy. Anti-social. They don’t want to have close relationships. They’re all cat people. They don’t like big parties (okay, that last one might be true).

INFJoe, the cartoon persona of artist and introvert Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, is here to set the record straight. Filled with charming comic book style illustrations, this book provides invaluable insights into the introverted life with plenty of humor and wit. Full of moments that will make introverts say, “That’s so me!” as well as helpful tips on surviving at parties and in the workplace, Text, Don’t Call is the perfect gift for your quiet friends, or the extroverted ones who could use some help to better understand the introverts in their lives.
Review: 

When I was first offered the chance to read and review Text, Don't Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life, I was intrigued. As someone who's always hovered between being an introvert and an extrovert, I find it interesting to read more about the "introverted life," especially when I can fully relate to what is being said. After reading an excerpt from Text, Don't Call, I could say 100% I could not only relate to what INFJoe was saying but I also wanted to see what else INFJoe had in store for us! 

Text, Don't Call is a mix of text and illustrations. I truly enjoyed the addition of the illustrations. Not only did they spice up the text, but they also really managed to make me laugh out loud and think "yeah, been there, done that." The book is separated into nine sections. The sections tackle topics such, as "Know Thyself," "#IntrovertProblems," "Surviving Large Groups," and "Navigating the Workplace." I thought INFJoe did a fantastic job of setting up the scene (I guess you would say) for this book. First, he really digs deep into how he's an introvert, what being an introvert means, and tacking life as an introvert. While some of the details and information shared I already knew, I did learn some new things about the introverted life. Additionally, as I've said before, I really managed to relate with what was said, as I'm sure many other introverts and half-intorverts will be able to as well. The two sections I found the most relatable was "Surviving Large Groups" and "Getting Through the Holidays and Other Celebrations." I don't know about you all, but surviving large groups and being around a large amount of family around the holidays can be so incredibly exhausting for me. There's always so much small talk as well as finding a good midpoint between saying too much and saying too little. I'm always more than ready to disappear and read a book after a large celebration such as those, so it was interesting to see INFJoe to tackle that in this. 

In all, Text, Don't Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life is an eye opening book perfect for readers who are introverts and need that reminder that it's okay others are right there with you. It probably goes without saying as well that this book is perfect for fans who are already familiar with INFJoe. 

Grade: B+ 

Text, Don't Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life is now out! 

Source: paperback copy provided by publicist/publisher 


Some of My Favorite Illustrations: 

pg. 79 - A big YES to the middle smilie face - I feel that way all the time. 
pg. 49 - I LOVE this one! I need to start doing this in my apartment 
pg. 124 - I think all book lovers can relate to this one! 

Buy Links: 


Author Links: 


Tell Me in the Comments: 

Are you an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between? 
Have you heard of INFJoe before? 
Can you relate to any of the illustrations I shared? 

10.8.17

Review: Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek by Elisabeth Voltz


Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website
There is no shortage of struggle when you’re growing up on a farm. For Elisabeth Voltz and her large family, farm life meant early mornings, late nights and many hours in between spent tending to and caring for livestock and pets in rural Pennsylvania. The twist? This was no ordinary farm, but a hospice for the sick, dying, and undesirable animals in their local community. Wolf Creek Farm was the last hope for ill animals that had become a burden to their owners. Though, to Elisabeth and her family, it was much more. It was a place of love and compassion, filled with life lessons that shaped them all.
Review:

When I was first offered the chance to read and review Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek I was slightly hesitant. It was vastly different from my average read, and typically, I only read one to two nonfiction books a year. However, I was swayed by the beautiful cover as well as the raving reviews.

As it turns out, Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek by Elisabeth Voltz is the prime example of why you should occasionally step out of your preferred genres and take a chance on a book.  I absolutely loved this book - it's actually become one of my favorites of 2017! Containing not only stunning prose but also beautiful, drool worthy illustrationsShoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek is much more than the typical nonfiction read.

Shoebox Funeral is told in a series of what I would call short stories. Elisabeth Voltz discusses the wide variety of animals that graced her family's farm over the years. I particularly loved the stories about Elisabeth's cats. Her writing made it so easy for me to picture what was going on, to feel as if I was right there with her when she was nurturing Monet & Pancake, two her lovable & unique cats, or being annoyed with her brother's rat Iago. This book was so easy to get lost in - I stayed up far past by bedtime, telling myself just one more chapter, just one more chapter. The illustrations also added a lot to the story itself. They were simply stunning. I also enjoyed the addition of a photo album at the end. It was fun and interesting to see the people and animals Elisabeth talked about in the duration of the book up close. Surprisingly enough, everything looked just as I had imagined it to - Elisabeth is just that great of a writer!

I don't really know what else to say besides READ THIS BOOK. It's unique, so different from anything I've read before. I think that's what makes it so incredibly special. It's definitely earned a place on my permeant bookshelf.

Grade: A+ 

Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek is now out! 

Source: finished copy provided by publicist/Publisher - thanks Brianne & Animal Media Group! 


Buy Links: 
Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Thanks to the Brianne & Animal Media Group, I also have the opportunity to share 
illustrations from the book. My four favorites are included below: 

8.10.10

Boyology: A Teen Girl's Crash Course in All Things Boy by Sarah O'Leary Burningham

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

A crash course in understanding boys, Boyology delves into the many mysteries of teen guys, dissecting flirting tactics, offering dating suggestions, and providing tips on forming solid friendships. It's an up-close-and-personal look at boys in their natural habitats, with analyses by teen girls—and insight from the boys.
Review:

As you can probably tell by the cover, title and summary, Boyology is a go-to manual for all things boy related. Since from flirting techniques to breaking up to first dates, Boyology covers just about all of it for girls out there dying to know just a little bit more about boys, those unusual but beautiful and addicting creatures out there.

Boyology is told in a very fun way because not only does it include chapters about different things guy related by Sarah but pictures, Celeb Shout-Out/Guys Tell It Like It Is/Grant On... sections, quizzes, and song play lists, leaving it to be a great guide for all teen/ tween girls out there. I also liked the fact that it talked about boundaries and how to say no in an effective way.
While I do feel a bit more could have been talked about in Boyology, it still was a decent, fun, and quick read for girls out there looking to find out the difference between 'boy friend' and 'boyfriend and to hook your own hottie.

Grade: C+


Source: Author/Publisher. Thanks, Sarah/Chronicle books!
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