Rate: 6.5/10
Format: Paperback
Genre: Adult Colouring
Acquired from: Pan Macmillan Publishing
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
Well this was definitely a first in my short adult life. Dot-to-dots? Heck yes! I loved these suckers as a kid, and clearly I love them now! Throughout this compact little book there are hundreds of dot-to-dot activities that are extremely satisfying and mature! From foxes to trees and mermaids to bees, this book has it all. One of the best things is going in having no idea what you will be creating, and emerging with an amazing picture you can proudly say you drew! "Anti-Stress" though? I'm not so sure about that! I nearly threw it across the walls trying to find number 59 and 347... All round, an excellent book to have with you no matter where you are or what you're supposed to be doing.
Rate: 6.5/10 Format: Paperback Genre: Adult Colouring Acquired from: Pan Macmillan Publishing *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
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It has been quite a while since my last review; 3 weeks to be exact! Things have been pretty heckers, and I'll write a post on my LifeBlog to update you all soon.
I was so excited to receive a copy of 438 Days as it is the incredible true story of Salvador Alvarenga, who is the longest person to survive lost at sea. Let me just say now that I love a great survival story! There is something so authentic about how the human mind and body shifts and adapts when forced to live relying on our basic instincts to fulfill our basic needs. Alvarenga was a professional fisherman living illegally off the coast of Mexico, when in 2012, he and his first mate were ambushed by an almighty storm. At only 25 miles from land, their engine died and they were swept away. For Alvarenga, it would be 438 days before he was back on solid land, and for his mate, Cordoba, he never would be again. An extremely emotional and raw recount of how Alvarenga battled wild weather, near starvation and dehydration, the loss of his only friend, sharks, severe depression and suicidal thoughts for almost 15 months. Author Jonathan Franklin spent a year interviewing Alvarenga and his friends, families and witnesses in order to explain how, against the extreme odds he survived and thrived lost at sea. I really enjoyed reading this book, which I did on a return trip to Southern Queensland to visit my sister and brother-in-law post Christmas. The whole time I was stopping and starting to fill in my parents and older brother on what was happening and to explain where in the Pacific ocean he was at that point. It was such a great experience, especially knowing that I piqued my bother's interest enough for him to actually want to read it himself. Rate: 7/10 Pages: 274 Format: Paperback Genre: Non-Fiction Acquired from: Pan Macmillan Publishing *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
I have really, truly been looking forward to sinking my (metaphorical) teeth into this book for a good while. It tells the tale of 23 year old Kika, who is a wonderlusting travel bug stuck in a 9-5 office job in New York City. With her memories of how it feels to be on the road; she jumps at the opportunity to work as a nanny for a family in London; where she can catch up with friends, be on the world's doorstep and rekindle an old flame. Kika cannot believe her luck when everything begins falling into place exactly as she planned; but when all seems to begin to unravel, she must decide whether she will fight for what she has never dared dream of, or return to the life she once desired.
I was a bit disappointed in the beginning of this book, as I had so many expectations which I felt weren't being met. Kika's character was quite immature, and while there were a million things I could relate to her with, there were a million more I couldn't. However, as happens in life; once I let go of my expectations and just accepted things as they were, I began to enjoy it a whole lot more. I even ended up devouring it in two sittings! I enjoyed the romance dynamics in this novel and loved how Kika's growth and attention didn't focus around that. I loved how bold, unique and honest she was throughout, and in many ways, she is a friend that I would love to have in real life. Overall, it is an easy read which inspires creativity and the desire to dream, and it is a book I would definitely take with me on a trip away. Rate: 7/10 Pages: 366 Format: Paperback Genre: NA Fiction Acquired from: Penguin-Random House Australia *I received these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own* Chewbacca, a notorious rebel ally, is wanted for crimes against the Empire. Not often seen without his partner-in-crime, Han Solo, this Wookiee has evaded capture on multiple occasions, due in no small part to the fastest freighter in the universe, the Millennium Falcon. Chewie, as he is more commonly known, has a sizeable bounty on his head. Can you find this furry criminal before other accomplished bounty hunters beat you to it? A uniquely illustrated search and find format, perfect for Star Wars fans young and old! Imagine Where's Wally?! on Star Wars steroids! Like really good, geek-loving, aesthetically pleasing steroids! This book is perfect no matter the age; no seriously, 5, 20, 90, its all good. It is almost so good that I was going to share it with my students; but then too good that I didn't because I wanted to protect it... Rate: 8/10 Format: Paperback Genre: Children Fiction Acquired from: Hardie Grant Publishing *I received these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
Motivational speaker and life coach Gabrielle Bernstein shows how to make happiness a way of life. Designed to bulldoze negative thought patterns and create personal change through positive affirmations, physical activity and visualization meditations, she guides the reader to happiness via her 'ing Equation'.
I found Spirit Junkie to be an uplifting and enjoyable guide on learning how to listen for and trust the spirit within us. There were many flashbacks into her life before The Guide by Marianne Williamson, which Bernstein claims turned her life around. I enjoyed the flashbacks and found her transformation from drug-addict to spirit junkie inspiring. On the whole, the book was based off The Guide, with constant reference to it, which got a bit tiresome as everything felt a little second hand, as though she was just repeating stuff. There were a lot of great activities and tips throughout this book and I learned quite a bit about my self and my journey. Rate: 6/10 Format: Paperback Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Growth/Spirituality Acquired from: Hay House Australia *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own* |
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