travelingviabooks

[travelingviabooks]

The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

To appreciate beauty is to experience humility—to recognize that something larger and more powerful than oneself is at work in the environment.

Genre: nonfiction, biography, history

Country: USA

Short Summary:

This book follows the journey of Sarah Graves from her home in Illinois to California. She was part of the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who found themselves trapped in a snowstorm in the mountains and took extreme measures to survive.

Review:

This book is so well researched and it truly shows. I also love that the author followed the route the Graves family took and visited various locations so that he could see them and better describe what they may have seen or experienced on their journey. He writes in a way that pulls you in and helps you better understand the lives the pioneers led and the hardships they faced.

This is such a fascinating story!

Would I recommend this book?: 100%

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #nonfiction #biography #history #Daniel James Brown #the indifferent stars above #⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, contemporary, literary

Country: USA, Ireland

Quick Summary:

Review:

I almost didn’t read this book because of all the bad reviews. Most of them about how terrible of a person the author is, but it’s fiction and it’s just a character study. (Or maybe it’s not? Who knows?) Not every character gets or even deserves a redemption. Not every villain needs to have a backstory that makes you understand him. The point of this book is not for you to understand or forgive the main character, it’s for you to realize that he’s a terrible person and there is no reason for it other than he just is and I think the author was successful in this aspect.

I liked the writing style and overall found this to be an entertaining read.

Would I recommend this book?: It’s complicated. It’s not for everyone.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #diary of an oxygen thief #anonymous

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Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood (DNF)

Genre: fiction, fantasy, young adult

Country: USA

Quick Summary:

Andromeda is a debtera (exorcist) unable to get her license because her mentor kicked her out. To make ends meet she takes a job in a cursed castle that no other debteras have been able to cleanse.

Review:

I went into this expecting a lot more horror and this novel definitely started off strong. I loved the plot and the unique “ghosts”, but then it turned into more of a cringey romance and ultimately lost me. I didn’t like the romance between Andromeda and Magnus at all. Had their relationship been a little different, I might have stuck around. This book had so much potential and I wish it could’ve lived up to it.

Would I recommend this book?: Probably not

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #young adult #fantasy #within these wicked walls #Lauren blackwood

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Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, contemporary, romance

Country: USA

Quick Summary:

After her divorce, Helen decides to go on a survival expedition to turn her life around and prove to herself how strong she can be. Things don’t go exactly as planned when her younger brother’s best friend turns out to be going on the same trip.

Review:

I actually enjoyed this book so much more than I’d anticipated. I’m not going to say it’s perfect because it’s definitely not, but it was such an enjoyable and easy read.

Would I recommend this book?: Yes, I would.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #contemporary #romance #katherine center #happiness for beginners

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He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, fantasy, historical, lgbtqia+

Country: China, Australia

Reviews:

This book was as beautifully written as the first. However, I feel that it’s much darker and overall, it was a struggle for me to get through.

Would I recommend this book?: if you’ve read the first, you definitely need to read this one.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #fantasy #historical #lgbtqia #shelley parker chan #he who drowned the world

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Pocket Nature: Beekeeping by Ariel Silva

Genre: Nonfiction, Nature

Country: USA

Short Summary:

This is fun little book sharing facts about bees and beekeeping.

Review:

The overall tone of this book is very soothing and I honestly think that I would even enjoy an audiobook version.

It’s not an exhaustive amount of information but it’s very good information. I think it’s great for someone who is is interested in keeping bees or just curious about them. Even as someone with a lot of prior bee/beekeeping knowledge there was a fact or two that I didn’t know. It was a fun read for me!

Would I recommend this book?: Definitely. I actually might have to buy a few copies to give to friends who are interested in beekeeping and maybe some neighbors too.

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #nonfiction #ariel silva #pocket nature: beekeeping #nature #beekeeping #honeybees

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Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube by Blair Braverman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: nonfiction, memoir, sports, travel

Country: USA, Norway

Review:

This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but it was still so good. I anticipated more information about dogsledding, but this book is more of a journey of healing. There were some parts of this book that were hard for me to read, but the ending and it’s joy and hopefulness made it worth powering through.

Would I recommend this book?:

I would definitely recommend this book, but with caution as the author does discuss sexual assault and emotional abuse.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #nonfiction #memoir #sports #travel #welcome to the goddamn ice cube #blair braverman

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Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, fantasy, historical, romance

Country:

Review:

Loved it. Honestly, what’s not to love about this book? The characters are solid and likable. The plot was unique and interesting. The slow burn romance is sweet perfection. The banter is top notch. This book has everything that I could’ve wanted. It was the perfect blend of adventure, action, and romance and it made me so happy. It will be a struggle to wait for the next installment.

Would I recommend this book?:

100%. I’ve already recommended this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #fantasy #romance #historical #empire of shadows #jacquelyn benson #raiders of the list arcana

[travelingviabooks]

Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: nonfiction, memoir, nature

Country: USA

Quick Summary:

The author purchases a rundown cabin in the Cascade Mountains to restore. The catch is, he doesn’t have any prior carpentry experience other than building forts in the woods as a kid. This book is the heartwarming and humorous tale of his struggles and successes with the help of good friends.

Review:

I expected this book to be more about the cabin itself, but I find that the author focuses a lot on the people too. This is not a complaint. I love that Hutchison talks a lot about the friends and acquaintances that helped make the cabin great. It makes the book feel so much more positive and heartwarming.

I also really enjoyed the humorous way the story is told. The author doesn’t take themself too seriously and overall, this gives the book a very lighthearted and overall cozy feeling.

It’s a love letter to a perfectly imperfect cabin. The perfect book for reading in your own cabin or while daydreaming about your own cabin.

Would I recommend this book?: Yes, if you love books about nature, friendship, and journeys of self-discovery, this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #nonfiction #nature #patrick hutchison #cabin #cabin: off the grid adventures with a clueless craftsman

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Malice by Keigo Higashino ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐��

Genre: fiction, crime, mystery

Country: Japan

Review:

This was a fantastic mystery. This one surprised me again and again, but the ending was perfection. I absolutely love Keigo Higashino’s mysteries because they’re always more focused on the how and why than the who. This was such a unique mystery and it I loved it.

Would I recommend this book?: Definitely yes! If you like mysteries with unreliable narrators, this is the book for you.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #crime #mystery #keigo higashino #malice

[travelingviabooks]

Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre:fiction, historical, lgbtqia+

Country: USA

Quick Summary:

After the death of her father Jessilyn Harney is left to fend for herself and eventually sets of in search of her estranged brother, outlaw Noah Harney, in hopes that he will come home and help her with the ranch. She disguises herself as a young male trick shooter and sets off with her trusty mare, Ingrid, in search of her brother. Her journey lands her under the employ of a governor bent on getting revenge against her brother. Eventually, this job helps her find her brother, but finding him only makes things more complicated.

Review:

After I watched the Billy the Kid TV series, I really wanted to read a western, but the typical westerns just didn’t fit what I wanted. I had read Sarah Gailey’s “Upright Women Wanted” a while back and I thoroughly enjoyed it so I knew that I wanted something along those lines. This was the book that was recommended to me.

It was so good. I liked the characters, the bonds between them, the setting, the plot. Lots of strong female characters. I will say that this book was a lot more brutal than I anticipated, but it didn’t take away from the book. This book was difficult to put down.

Would I recommend this book?: I definitely would! I would love to read more fiction from this author

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #historical #lgbtqia #john larison #whiskey when we’re dry #⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Contents May Have Shifted by Pam Houston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, contemporary, travel

Country: USA

Review:

After reading Houston’s Memoir Deep Creek all of her books feel autobiographical to me this one felt even more that way than her others. I liked this book, though not quite as much as her other books. I liked how it was broken down in a way that made it easy to find a stopping point.

Would I recommend this book?: Yes, but if you’re just getting into Pam Houston’s work, I’d recommend Cowboys Are My Weakness or Waltzing the Cat as a starting point.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #contemporary #travel #Pam Houston #contents may have shifted

[travelingviabooks]

Just finished a reread of this one. It’s my comfort book. I adored it just as much this time as the first time!

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Still. Something is missing. Something is off. So, how fucking spoiled am I, then? How fucking broken? What is wrong with me that I can have everything I could ever want and have ever asked for and still wake up in the morning feeling like everyday is a slog?

You and I— we’re just atoms that arranged themselves the right way, and we can understand that about ourselves. Is that not amazing?

Genre: Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction

Country: USA

Review:

I think this was my favorite book. Of all time. Not even just of this year. I borrowed this as an ebook and now I have to go out an buy it because I know I will read it again. And again. It was such a comforting read for me. It was like a warm blanket or a hug or a warm cup of tea or a good therapy session. I imagine that reading this book is how it would feel to sit with a tea monk in real life. I cried, but they were not tears of sorrow. I don’t think I’ve ever highlighted so many parts of a book. A book has never made me feel this nice.

I found Dex to be relatable and Mosscap is just so lovely. I love Mosscap and it deserves the world. We have non-binary representation. The world of Panga sounds incredible. It’s beautifully written. I enjoyed the story. I don’t have a single complaint about this book.

Would I recommend this book?: 100% yes!!

[travelingviabooks]

Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: fiction, short stories

Country: China, USA

Review:

A decent collection of short stories. The style was reminiscent of Anchee Min or Haruki Murakami. It’s a fairly quick read and the stories themselves are interesting and unique. I especially liked New Fruit.

Would I recommend this book?: I would recommend this to someone who’s looking for an easy to read collection of short stories.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #short stories #te-ping chen #land of big numbers

[travelingviabooks]

milk and honey by Rupi Kaur ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: nonfiction, feminism, poetry

Country: Canada, India

Review:

It’s been a while since I’ve read poetry and I’m definitely late getting to this book. I really like Kaur’s writing. It’s simple, but very moving. There were some poems that I didn’t care for, but I liked the majority of this anthology. I think it’s a great collection. Especially for someone who is maybe just starting to get into poetry.

Would I recommend this book?: Yes

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #nonfiction #poetry #feminism #rupi kaur #milk and honey

[travelingviabooks]

Woodswoman by Anne Labastille ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I hoped that a withdrawal to the peace of nature might remedy my despair.”

“True, some trees get blown over by storms; some stars burn out; some people encounter crippling misfortunes of health or finances. But the forest remains; the skies keep twinkling; and human beings keep striving.”

Genre: nonfiction, memoir

Country: USA

Review:

I expected this to be similar to Pam Houston’s Deep Creek, I think. There were similarities, but the writing styles were definitely very different. I find Labastille’s writing to be more matter of fact. She was very to the point. Also, while I know this memoir was mostly based around her life at her cabin, I was left with a lot of questions regarding her life before and away from the cabin.

I appreciated the hopefulness and love of nature throughout the book. Anne Labastille is an inspiration to women and outdoors people. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I had expected. However, I will definitely read her other books.

Would I recommend this book?: Maybe, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #nonfiction #memoir #Anne Labastille #Woodswoman

[travelingviabooks]

One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Write me a tragedy, Lev Fedorov,” she whispered to him. “Write me a litany of sins. Write me a plague of devastation. Write me lonely, write me wanting, write me shattered and fearful and lost. Then write me finding myself in your arms, if only for a night, and then write it again. Write it over and over, Lev, until we both know the pages by heart. Isn’t that a story, too?”

Genre: fiction, fantasy

Country: USA

Review:

The book that ended my reading slump.

First of all, I just adore Olivie Blake’s writing style and the characters that she writes. I loved this book as much as Masters of Death. As far as a Romeo & Juliet retelling, I think this book gives you everything that you’d want, but still holds it own. I really enjoyed this book. It’s humorous and heartbreaking and a little dark at times. And I think I fell in love with Lev Federov as quickly as Sasha did.

Would I recommend this book?: Definitely, it’s a great read.

#bookblr #book review #book reviews #fiction #fantasy #olivie blake #one for my enemy #⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️