Review: Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business and Life: A Fable of Self-Discovery

 At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this book.  It seems geared towards those in management/business, and since that does not apply to me, I wasn't sure I'd be able to relate.
However, it didn't take me long to get into the story.  I enjoyed how the characteristics of each animal were used to illustrate the things that help people to succeed in life, not just in their business ventures.
I still feel that this book is most appropriate for those in business, but it was an enjoyable read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: The Maiden's Hand

The Maiden's Hand by Susan Wiggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Having read the third book prior to books one & two, some of the suspense was removed for me. I knew that Lark and Oliver would end up happy in their marriage, and I knew that their baby would be a daughter named Phillipa. However, there was still much that was a surprise. The source of Phillipa's name, for instance, was a touching moment not far from the end of the book. The whys and wherefores of Oliver and Lark coming together as a couple, and Oliver learning to be an adult rather than continuing to act the spoiled adolescent - both fun to read throughout the book.

I must say (and call me a prude if you wish) but I really like that there is not much sex outside of marriage in these books, and that which is mentioned is indicated as something that really is not appropriate and there are no details. Granted, there are some steamy sex scenes in these books, but every single one of them takes place within a marriage. With all of the flippant attitudes towards sex these days, it's nice to see something with a little more of an "old-fashioned" tune.



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Review: At the Queen's Summons

At the Queen's Summons by Susan Wiggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I had the misfortune of not being able to tell where this book fell in the series before reading it, so I ended up reading this one first, despite its being the last book in the trilogy. For what it's worth - I did not feel as though I had missed anything by not reading the previous books. This would have worked just fine as a stand-alone novel, and I am hoping that the other two books in the trilogy are equally as enjoyable.



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Review: Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night, and One Woman's Quest to Become a Mother

Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night, and One Woman's Quest to Become a Mother by Peggy Orenstein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Even though the circumstances that led us to infertility are very different, the fact remains that I, like Peggy, am coming into my late 30s and trying to conceive a child. This book voiced many of the concerns I have - am I too old? Will this ever work? Should I just give up? Financial considerations aside, each couple has their own emotional limits, and each family can only stand so much heartache.

I enjoyed the matter-of-fact way that Peggy presented her experiences with infertility treatments. It was also interesting for me to see someone else's perspective on the roller coaster that is infertility.



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Review: Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy

Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Joan of Dark a.k.a Toni Carr

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



So many fun project ideas, so little time!! There are many projects in this book I would love to create.



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Review: Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Once again, I would have preferred to give this book three and a half stars. And once again, the comedy in the book is what swayed my hand from three to four when deciding which way to go.

There is still sex in the book, but the sex scenes seemed less graphic, and less prevalent. This book was less about Christian's dominance over Ana and more about her figuring out a way to tell him how she feels without it causing both of them to shut down.

I am not loving these books, and I don't find them to be particularly erotic, but I am enjoying them.



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Review: One Eye Laughing, the Other Eye Weeping: The Diary of Julie Weiss, Vienna, Austria, to New York, 1938

One Eye Laughing, the Other Eye Weeping: The Diary of Julie Weiss, Vienna, Austria, to New York, 1938 by Barry Denenberg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoyed the character of Julie because she reminded me a lot of myself at that age (12). She frequently mentions how much she loves to read, and how important books are to her. One quote in particular really jumped out at me:
"I HATE borrowing books from the library. I don't like being compelled to return them by a certain, specified time. . .All last night I imagined I could hear the book loudly ticking away as I tossed and turned, vainly trying to go to sleep.

TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK, READ ME NOW, OR TAKE ME BACK"

As someone who frequently has fines at the library due to keeping things past their due dates - this really resonated with me - as well as making me laugh.

I do question her name, though. Julie does not strike me as an Austrian name. It seems to me a name chosen specifically so that during the story, someone can make fun of her and use her name to point out the fact that she is Jewish by calling her "Jew Lee."



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