Category: Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction

A #WyrdAndWonder Wednesday | “Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow” by Peter David

Posted Wednesday, 26 February, 2025 by jorielov , , 2 Comments

#WyrdAndWonderWednesday graphic made by Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Book By: I started hosting blog tours with The Write Reads in 2020 and prior to hosting with Dave (who runs the tours and has built an incredible community of the socially bookish behind it) I was following their feeds via Twitter. I took an unexpected hiatus from hosting their tours until Summer, 2024 wherein I reconnected with Dave and started to get back into the tours as they were available to join.  I love finding new Independent publishers as much as I love finding new niches of fiction and Non-Fiction alike in which to absorb a story or style of narrative I haven’t yet come across and through hosting for The Write Reads I am finding my journey of discovery is regularly heightened to travel into new spheres of where story can take us all.

I received a complimentary copy of “Buddy and the Queen of Sorrow” from the author Peter David in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Why this particular story impressed me and why I wanted to read it:

I was particularly attached to my stuffies growing up as I believe most children are as they find the comfort and friendship in stuffed animals. I had such a wide variety of stuffies, too, including my teddies – each of them were their own unique personality and had their own distinctive names, too. I still have most of them today – though, sadly, not exactly with me as their packed away. Whilst deciding how to feature the novel socially for the blog tour – I took inspiration by other book bloggers who were showcasing the book alongside their own teddies. And, mine will reflect a new addition to my shelves as well as a few friends who also give me loads of smiles by being present in my readerly life.

The concept of the story is what truly gave me courage to read the novel as I was quite intrigued by how the author set the tone and the narrative to begin. I also knew that he might be mistaken quite a lot for the ‘other’ Peter David of whom I had the pleasure of meeting once at a Trek convention and one of who wrote some of my favourite stories in the world of Trek. I was also wicked happy to find a #newtomeauthor of Middle Grade Fantasy as that is one of my focuses whenever I am seeking out new Fantasy novels to read.

In fact, I try to hone in on new voices in both Middle Grade and Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. I have quite a few I’m reading at the moment – leftover from last year when my work hours went bonkers and time elapsed off the clock before I could fully tuck into the stories. Those will be featured in the coming weeks as March starts to arrive and I’m able to finally settle into the novels I received at the close of (2024).

I wasn’t sure what I would find within the pages of Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow but as I started to read this story, I found it quite wondrous indeed! It is as if David was able to peel back the layers of time and entreat us all a reprised visitation to our own childhood wherein toys and stuffies and teddies occupied our hours with endless imagined play and the curious adventures we took them as we lived our lives. It is a testament to the joy of being a child whilst firmly still embracing the innocence of childhood as an adult, too. It has poetry and lyrical prose as much as it has heartwarming sequences of brave courage. There is a bit of everything in this novel but what leaves you the most JOY of all is having taken the journey David envisioned us all to undertake. And, that is the best blessing of all, truly. 

I found a particularly wicked good interview with Peter David about this novel, too!

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

A #WyrdAndWonder Wednesday | “Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow” by Peter DavidBuddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
by Peter David
Source: Author via The Write Reads

Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear.

He’s a Knight, crafted by The Nameless Wizard himself, and sworn to protect his Person, 10-year old Mieya, from all the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.

When Mieya is cursed into a magical sleep, it’s up to Buddy and his friends Esteban the Bard, Sasha the Warrior-Princess, and Copper the Butterfly to journey across The Realm-Under-The-Bed and find the one responsible.

But this is no ordinary Quest. The Realm is a dangerous place, filled with jungles, deserts, lightning storms, and Monsters. But worst of all is The Queen of Sorrow who waits for them in her dark castle in the crags. To break her curse, Buddy will need more than his skill with a blade, Esteban’s witty songs, or Sasha’s ferocious might.

He’ll need Heart.

Genres: Children's Literature, Middle Grade, Fantasy Fiction, Middle Grade Fantasy



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 979-8227115102

Published by Self Published

on 30th August, 2024

Format: Paperback Edition

Pages: 168

About Peter David

Peter David

A native son of Massachusetts, Peter has been living in the Deep South for over 25 years. By day, he’s an insurance professional, saving the world one policy at a time. But at night, well, no one really wants to see him fighting crime in his Spider-Man onesie.

Instead, Peter develops new worlds of adventure influenced by his love of science fiction, mysteries, music and fantasy. Whether it’s running role-playing games for his long-time friends, watching his beloved New England sporting teams vie for another championship, or just chilling with a movie, his wife, two boys, one puppy and three cats, Peter’s imagination is always on the move. It’s the reason why his stories are an eclectic blend of intrigue, excitement, humor and magic, drawn from four decade’s worth of television, film, novels and comic books.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com Read More

Divider

Posted Wednesday, 26 February, 2025 by jorielov in #EnterTheFantastic, #TheWriteReads, #WyrdAndWonder Wednesday, 21st Century, Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Blog Tour Host, Children's Literature, Fantasy Fiction, Jorie Loves A Story Features, Juvenile Fiction, Middle Grade Novel, Modern Day, Organised Blog Tours, Portal Fantasy, Post-911 (11th September 2001), Supernatural Creatures & Beings, Supernatural Fiction, Witches and Warlocks

Jorie’s #KidsLit Summer | feat. “The Phoenix and the Firebird” by Alexis Kossiakoff and Scott Forbes Crawford

Posted Thursday, 29 August, 2024 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

Children's Lit Summer photo collage created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: jorielovesastory.com

Acquired Book By: I started to notice I was receiving quite a few enquiries on my blog the last few months – in respect, to authors reaching out to me directly about reviewing their novels and one publicity firm I hadn’t worked with in the past as well. Mr Crawford was one of those lovely authors who reached out to me and told me about the novel he co-wrote with his wife. I was taken by the premise of it and asked a few questions as potential trigger warnings for the book in respect to violence or other issues I might be unaware of as a potential reader. I have been actively asking these questions for certain stories in Children’s Lit (ie. Middle Grade and Young Adult) as more times than not, these stories can sometimes be inclusive of scenes and depictions I am not interested in experiencing as a reader. Blessedly his responses reassured my concerns, and I realised the novel was written for an Upper Middle Grade or early Young Adult reader in mind. 

I received a complimentary copy of “The Phoenix and the Firebird” direct from the authors Alexis Kossiakoff and Scott Forbes Crawford in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Why this particular story impressed me and why I wanted to read it:

I have oft sought out the stories which speak to me to read – stories which have the tendency of being independently published and outside the scope of the mainstream, too. Especially if you consider all my top favourite reads within Speculative Fiction (ie. Fantasy, Science Fiction and Cosy Horror) are either published by Indie publishers, Small Trade Press or are self-published by the authors themselves. I love seeking out the stories which might not have a wide audience yet and are as eager to find us as readers as we desire to find them to read. I love finding stories which are uniquely told, share a different perspective and have incredible world-building. Which is why when I read the message from the author asking me to consider this for review, I was immediately smitten with curiosity.

I am also one of the few readers who doesn’t judge a book or select a book strictly on cover art alone – it has to have some teeth behind it in respect to plot, character and the overall arc of journey. I love to feel emotional connections to the stories I’m reading, too whilst finding myself carted off to someplace new – whether that is by location, time or dimensional shift. I love exploring timescapes as much as worlds – seeing how writers choose to tell their tales but also how they develop the world round the story, too. In essence, one of the reasons I love reading SpecFic is because it is redefined and evolved through each new writer who writes a story within its scope of the craft.

When it comes to Mythological Fiction – that is something I credit as an interest of my own to a fellow book blogger and friend of mine, Louise @ FoxesFairyTales who developed the readathon #Mythothon years ago. I was one of the first to join the ranks of readers and bloggers and the socially bookish to follow in her stead and see where that challenge took us. For the initial challenge, I took it a step further and sought out Mythological stories in Fantasy and Fiction which parlayed into the prompts. It is still an on-going quest of mine to read those books in full and to travel prompt by prompt of the other events she’s held over the years, too. I am endeavouring to participate in the current round of #Mythothon whilst being active with the community of the event via Discord this year as Round 9 Climb the World Tree begins this September!

Previously, I did start to dip my toes into Mythologically inclined stories or stories which bent into other aspects of SpecFic into their plots such as The Ghost Bride. However, by participating in #Mythothon off/on over the years, I’ve become much more inclined and open to seeking out a wider variety of stories in this scope of literature. Including my on-going project to read The Cycles of Norse Mythology.

And this brings to the book I am featuring today. My journey as a reader has been evolving these last eleven years, I’ve been a book blogger – each new story and writer or co-author team I find offers a new window into literature and a new way of experiencing a ‘story’. Thereby without the journey leading into today, I might not be reading The Phoenix and the Firebird because I might not have been ready to read it. I’m hunger for stories like this right now and I am grateful I started opening doors into books like this one a while ago now to where I can pivot and dive into a novel like this one and savour every single second of it.

This one is meant to be at the intersection Middle Grade and Young Adult – as it could appeal to both readers of those kinds of stories. What perked my interest the most was the premise itself – combined with the research the authors did on the story’s behalf and how they lived in China, too. Their a unique writing team and there was just something wicked special about this story that felt like a story I could really sink my teeth into and become entranced by it.

It is considered Historical Fantasy rooted in the authors’ own family’s journey during the Russian Revolution. Described as a merger of Chinese and Slavic myths – we entreat into the 1920s and follow in the footsteps of Lucy whose father has been kidnapped. I love stories which feature brave children facing incredible circumstances and how their journey is both external and internal, too. This one feels like the kind of story the Wyrd And Wonder community would appreciate, too, based on the fact it parallels both the fantastic and the reality in which we all know.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

I did find this interview by the authors, but I didn’t read it until I read the story myself as I wanted to keep the experience of discovering the story to myself for a bit longer. Sometimes I read interviews ahead of reading stories and other times like now, I keep them to read afterwards. It just depends. I hope by sharing my thoughts and reactions on behalf of reading The Phoenix and the Firebird – I might inspire you to take a chance on reading it, too!

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Jorie’s #KidsLit Summer | feat. “The Phoenix and the Firebird” by Alexis Kossiakoff and Scott Forbes CrawfordThe Phoenix and the Firebird
by Alexis Kossiakoff and Scott Forbes Crawford
Illustrator/Cover Designer: Dinara Mirtalipova (cover artist)
Source: Direct from Author

War and revolution took almost everything from them. Now they must brave a world of magic and monsters to save what’s left.

A bullet-riddled train staggers into the station, delivering an ominous message that will change Lucy Markov’s destiny: her father, a Russian officer, has been kidnapped. A refugee who lost so much before she found a home in China, Lucy refuses to lose her last remaining family. Guided by a mysterious feather, she must cross into an enchanted realm to find him.

Lucy’s quick-witted, spirited friend Su joins her quest. Following the clues, they discover a warlord commanding an army of human soldiers and magical beasts has seized Lucy’s father – and now plots to invade their city. To save her father and their home, Lucy and Su must confront the criminal underworld, cross a haunted forest, and outsmart creatures they thought lived only in fairytales. With each step closer to the warlord’s lair, dangers test their courage and their bonds to each other. Will they unlock the secrets of the feather in time?

The Phoenix and the Firebird melds the turmoil of 1920s China with the majesty of Slavic and Chinese myth. Join Lucy and Su as they soar into a world woven from history and folklore and learn whether friendship is the strongest weapon of all.

Genres: Children's Literature, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, YA Fantasy, Historical-Fantasy, Mythological Fantasy



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-9888843381

on 20th August, 2024

Format: Paperback Edition

Pages: 224

Published by: Earnshaw Books

Follow @EarnshawBooks (via Instagram)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

11th Annual Jorie Loves A Story Cuppa Book Love Awards badge created by Jorie in Canva. Coffee and Tea Clip Art Set purchased on Etsy; made by rachelwhitetoo.

This story took the award for BEST Middle Grade Fantasy.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com Read More

Divider

Posted Thursday, 29 August, 2024 by jorielov in #EnterTheFantastic, 20th Century, Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Autobiographical Fiction & Non-Fiction, Book Review (non-blog tour), Bookish Discussions, Childhood Friendship, Children's Literature, China, Chinese Folklore, Chinese Literature, Coming-Of Age, Compassion & Acceptance of Differences, Cosy Horror, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Earthen Magic, Equality In Literature, Family Life, Fantasy Fiction, Folklore, Folklore and Mythology, Geographically Specific, Good vs. Evil, Historical Fantasy, Indie Author, Inspired by Stories, Multi-cultural Characters and/or Honest Representations of Ethnicity, Russian Folklore, Russian Literature, Seers, Shapeshifters, Supernatural Creatures & Beings, Supernatural Fiction, Teenage Relationships & Friendships, the Nineteen Hundreds, Upper Middle Grade, Witches and Warlocks, World Literature, YA Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction

An #Audiobook for Children | “Out, Mouse!” by Valerie L. Egar, narrated by Paul Collins courtesy of #NetGalley

Posted Monday, 29 August, 2022 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

Children's Lit blog badge created by Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Book By: In February (2020) I joined NetGalley for the first time as they finally announced they were going to be offering full-length audiobooks for reviewers. I was never able to join NetGalley due to having chronic migraines and being unable to read ebooks. I started requesting audiobooks to review as soon as they opened their audiobook catalogue in July, 2020. I am an eclectic reader and thereby, you will see all genres in Fiction explored from both markets of interest: mainstream and INSPY as well as from Major Trade, Indie Publishers & Press and other routes of publication, too. There might be the occasional Non-Fiction title appearing in my NetGalley queue of reviews as well. This marks a new adventure for me seeking stories for review consideration and I look forward to seeing where the stories lead me to venture.

I received a complimentary digital and temporary audiobook copy of “Out, Mouse!” direct from the publisher Whistle Oak Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All audiobooks via NetGalley are able to be heard via the NetGalley Shelf which is why I was thankful to be gifted an android tablet by my parents to celebrate my 7th Blog Birthday on Jorie Loves A Story in 2020. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

NOTE: As a new reviewer on NetGalley, I’m sorting out how to get the Press Materials for each of the audiobooks I’m reviewing when I share them on my blog Jorie Loves A Story. When I contacted NetGalley Support they informed me that if a separate Press Kit is not included on the audiobook’s book page we’re allowed as reviewers to use the book cover and synopsis provided when we go to share our review of that audiobook on our blogs; as long as we give attribution as I have done at the bottom of this review in “Sources”. Those materials are provided with permission of the publishers to be used by reviewers via NetGalley.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Why I wanted to read &/or listen to “Out, Mouse!”:

I have been wanting to find Children’s Literature audiobooks for a while now as I’ve been dipping my toes into this section of audioreads for a few years now. I’ve enjoyed where my adventures have previously taken me especially when it came to exploring the world of a circus within the audio narrative of  “The Marvelwood Magicians” which I listened to during Year 4 of #WyrdAndWonder!

When it comes to short story formats in audiobooks, I notice that if a narrator can hook me into the story within the first few minutes of their narration, I am on pins to find out how it ends! This time round, it took seconds not minutes to feel captured by Collins narration style as he rounded out the character of Finn so dearly charmingly it pulled you directly into the spirit of the story Egar had written whilst allowed you the lovely escape into the world of Mr and Mrs Mouse as their lives expanded dimensionally through the letters of Finn!

Originally in print this would be considered a picture or chapter book for younger readers but as an adult reader, who is still happily charmed by Children’s Lit across the board – (including Middle Grade & Young Adult) – it is a timeless story for all ages as you will find out from my ruminative thoughts on my review. It was mentioned this is based on Irish folklore though I am unfamiliar with the original story attached to this adaptation – it works wonderfully as a ‘first listen’ kind of story without the further background of its origins, too! One day I hope to chase down which Irish folk story it was attributed to having been inspired by and thus, expanded. Perhaps that information is in the print edition?

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

An #Audiobook for Children | “Out, Mouse!” by Valerie L. Egar, narrated by Paul Collins courtesy of #NetGalleyOut, Mouse!
by Valerie L. Egar
Source: Audiobook Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Narrator: Paul Collins

Mouse Problems? Professor Dunderbutt advises writing a polite letter to the mice suggesting a better place to live. If the first letter doesn't work, try again. And again. His method NEVER fails. But....the two mice in Finn's cottage are fussy. They expect indoor plumbing. A library. Raisin scones. Finn searches the Irish countryside for a house that will please his unwelcome guests. He writes polite letters. Will the professor's advice work?

Based on an Irish folk belief, Out, Mouse! is a humorous early chapter book for children 6-9.

13 chapters, 78 pages (print version).

Genres: Children's Literature, Early Reader Stories



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-1733593335

ASIN: B094JTPHD3

Published by Whistle Oak Publishing

on 12th May, 2021

Format: Audiobook | Digital Review Copy (NetGalley)

Length: 32 Minutes, 58 Seconds (unabridged)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Published By: Whistle Oak Publishing

Converse via: #KidsLit, #ChapterBook, #AudioReads for Children
and #audiobook or #audioreads as well as #OutMouse #NetGalley

Available Formats: Trade paperback, Audiobook and Ebook

Follow the author: Site

Read More

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • 2022 Audiobook Challenge
  • 2022 Backlogue Reviews
Divider

Posted Monday, 29 August, 2022 by jorielov in Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Audiobook, Book Review (non-blog tour), Children's Literature, Early Reader | Chapter Books, Folklore, NetGalley, Picture Book

A #WyrdAndWonder Book Review | featuring “Tree Magic” (Tree Magic series, Book One) by Harriet Springbett, published by @ImpressBooks1

Posted Sunday, 23 May, 2021 by jorielov , , , , 0 Comments

#WyrdAndWonder Book Review badge created by Jorie in Canva.

Gifted Book By: Last year, I had the chance to feature this lovely series by Impress Books UK twice – for a Spotlight & Extract as well as an author interview for the tour celebrating the sequel. I enjoyed hosting for the touring company attached to these tours, but during late (2020) I decided to pull back from a few of the touring companies I was hosting and re-focus on the blog tours, publishers & authors I regularly host more often. My memory is a bit foggy if I was conversing with the publisher about ‘Tree Magic’ before or after the second blog tour. In that conversation, I was mentioning the book wasn’t yet released stateside in a print edition and I wasn’t sure (at the time) when I’d be able to purchase a copy as 2020 was quite an adverse year for my family all told. Especially for medical emergencies and/or ER visits in particular. Thereby, when the publisher offered to send me a copy of ‘Tree Magic’ when it was available in print, I thanked them for their gracious offer and knew once my migraines calmed down, I wanted to dive into this novel!

The months passed by and as 2021 started off with adversities of its own, I can honestly say, it wasn’t until May this year, during #WyrdAndWonder where I could read past the first few pages of ‘Tree Magic’!! I am overjoyed I could wait until now to talk about this novel and the series it begins as I felt such a strong attachment to this book and the world it is set in due to the showcases I hosted last year. I had eight migraines in September, 2020 after the five I had in May, 2020 – so betwixt and between both those months, I’m equally in the dark if I received this for review consideration or for my own personal readerly curiosity. 

Thereby, I was gifted a copy of “Tree Magic” by the publisher Impress Books UK without being obligated to post an honest review. I am sharing my thoughts on behalf of this novel for my own edification and a continued journey of sharing my readerly life on Jorie Loves A Story. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Note: I received the Press Materials last year from the publisher and vaguely remember asking if / when I was able to read this novel if I could re-use the materials given to me on both blog tours and being given permission to do that if / when the time arose. Therefore, this is why the Press Materials for this series are included on this review.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I have had a firm attachment to the natural world ever since I was a young girl – growing up with a fascination and wonderment about nature, wildlife and especially of trees! This is why when I first saw this blog tour being announced, I was super giddy about participating on the tour because any writer who can celebrate and champion the natural world in a pro-positive way is an author I would love to feature on Jorie Loves A Story!

I could immediately connect with the premise with this novel which is why I am trying to seek out a copy of this in print through my local library – there is something quite magical about how trees are the guardians within the natural habitats we visit whilst hiking or walking in natural landscapes; they know things and they remember everything. This is partially why it is soul-crushing whenever there are huge wildfire seasons like the ones that are affecting the Western United States right now and/or the fires in Australia at the turning of the New Year. Nature grieves for the losses those fires bring to those habitats but I oft felt the trees especially are full of the grief of what could not be protected and what fell at their feet due to how the forests have not been able to withstand fire as they had in the past. I still remember hearing about the old growth forests of the Redwoods recently and of how achingly hard it was to see them aflame.

I have regularly spoken about the natural world on Jorie Loves A Story – from the stories I am reading to the context of the stories which seek to bring an ecological mindset and heart for conservation onto my blog because I believe strongly those stories are necessary for today’s world. Not just due to the climatic changes we’re all experiencing but to help re-connect readers with the knowledge about the natural ecosystems they might overlook and not be as familiar with as I have become myself. Knowledge is the first step towards change and to remain connected to the connectivity of how the natural world and our world intersect is one step closer to finding better balance in how to keep Earth a healthier place.

– previously I shared this introduction to why I was wicked curious about Tree Magic

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

There is one reason I held off reading this novel –  it took me until May to reconcile how to read Tree Magic was because of a gutting loss of trees in my neighbourhood which were uncalled for and mercilessly butchered by a bulldozer rather than cut with respect with a chainsaw. The trees were sacrificed due to a ridiculous expansion of a sidewalk which had zero benefit to the neighbourhood and took out a total of seven trees for reasons NO ONE understood lest of all the trees! I will never forget that feeling of knowing the trees were trying to defend themselves and the murmuring after effects of their death. These were full-grown cedar trees – whose rings in their trunks showcased their years of life and the emptiness of their protective shade has never felt more absent than the arrival of Summer. I still feel affected by what happened and how it was done – why cities plan their designs to erase more of the natural world than preserve it is not something I’ll ever comprehend.

This is why I had to let this novel sit on my shelf even longer than planned – I just couldn’t bring myself to read about trees and our connections to them until I could deal with the loss of the majestic cedars which once stood silently against storms and sun and whose presence was a kind reminder of how quietly trees whisper to us throughout the year.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

A #WyrdAndWonder Book Review | featuring “Tree Magic” (Tree Magic series, Book One) by Harriet Springbett, published by @ImpressBooks1Tree Magic
by Harriet Springbett
Source: Direct from Publisher, Gifted

Thirteen-year-old Rainbow discovers she can communicate with trees.

But that’s just the beginning. Her magic hands can shape trees at her will, but her gift is dangerous and has fatal consequences. An accident that leaves Rainbow unconscious leads her mother to make a confession that will change Rainbow’s life forever. Are her abilities a gift or a curse? Can Rainbow really trust her mother? From England to France, through secrets, fears and parallel worlds, Rainbow’s journey to understand her powers takes her beyond everything she’s ever known.

To find the truth, she must also find herself.

Genres: Young Adult Fiction, YA Fantasy, Magical Realism



Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-1-911293-63-7

ASIN: B087MCBT53

Also by this author: Tree Magic, Tree Slayer

Published by Impress Books

on 2nd June, 2020

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 440

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

The Tree Magic series: (a trilogy)

Tree Magic by Harriet SpringbettTree Slayer by Harriet Springbett

Tree Magic (book one)

Tree Slayer (book two)

Tree Sacrifice (book three) ← forthcoming Autumn, 2021!

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Published by:  Impress Books (@ImpressBooks1)

Available Formats: Trade Paperback and Ebook

Converse via: #YALit, #Trees and #Magic, #MagicalRealism, #YAFantasy
as well as #TreeMagic or #Fantasy

About Harriet Springbett

Harriet Springbett

Harriet Springbett’s childhood on a small farm in West Dorset gave her an early exposure to nature, which continues to inspire her writing.

She qualified as an engineer but, during a Raleigh International expedition in Chile, she realised she preferred words to numbers. She abandoned her profession, moved to France, studied French and then worked as a project manager, feature writer, translator and TEFL teacher. She now lives in Poitou-Charentes with her French partner and their teenage children.

Since her first literary success, aged 10, her short stories and poetry have been published in literary journals and placed in writing competitions, including a shortlisting in the 2017 Bath Short Story Award.

Harriet leads writing workshops, has judged the Segora international short story competition.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com Read More

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • #WyrdAndWonder
Divider

Posted Sunday, 23 May, 2021 by jorielov in 20th Century, Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Book Review (non-blog tour), British Literature, Brothers and Sisters, Cats and Kittens, Childhood Friendship, Coming-Of Age, Content Note, Death of a Sibling, Death, Sorrow, and Loss, Dendrology (Study of Woody Plants or Trees), Disillusionment in Marriage, Divorce & Martial Strife, Earthen Magic, Earthen Spirituality, England, Environmental Conscience, Environmental Science, Family Drama, Family Life, Fantasy Fiction, Father-daughter Relationships, Fathers and Daughters, Fly in the Ointment, Folklore and Mythology, France, French Literature, Green-Minded Social Awareness, Horticulture, Indie Author, Magical Realism, Modern British Literature, Modern Day, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Mother-Son Relationships, Nature & Wildlife, Realistic Fiction, Rescue & Adoption of Animals, Siblings, Single Mothers, Spirituality & Metaphysics, Sustainability & Ecological Preservation, Teenage Relationships & Friendships, The Natural World, Treeshaping, Young Adult Fiction

A Non-Fiction Audiobook Review | “My Life in Plants” (Flowers I’ve Loved, Herbs I’ve Grown, and Houseplants I’ve Killed on the Way to Finding Myself) by Katie Vaz, narrated by Taylor Meskimen courtesy of #NetGalley

Posted Thursday, 3 September, 2020 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

#AudioReads banner created by Jorie in Canva. Unsplash Photography (Creative Commons Zero) Photo Credit: Alice Moore

Acquired Book By: Earlier this year, in late Winter (February) I joined NetGalley for the first time as they finally announced they were going to be offering full-length audiobooks for reviewers. I was never able to join NetGalley due to having chronic migraines and being unable to read ebooks. I started requesting audiobooks to review as soon as they opened their audiobook catalogue in July, 2020. I am an eclectic reader and thereby, you will see all genres in Fiction explored from both markets of interest: mainstream and INSPY as well as from Major Trade, Indie Publishers & Press and other routes of publication, too. There might be the occasional Non-Fiction title appearing in my NetGalley queue of reviews as well. This marks a new adventure for me seeking stories for review consideration and I look forward to seeing where the stories lead me to venture.

I received a complimentary digital and temporary audiobook copy of “My Life in Plants” direct from the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All audiobooks via NetGalley are able to be heard via the NetGalley Shelf which is why I was thankful to be gifted an android tablet by my parents to celebrate my 7th Blog Birthday on Jorie Loves A Story. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

NOTE: As a new reviewer on NetGalley, I’m sorting out how to get the Press Materials for each of the audiobooks I’m reviewing when I share them on my blog Jorie Loves A Story. When I contacted NetGalley Support they informed me if a separate Press Kit is not included on the audiobook’s book page we’re allowed as reviewers to use the book cover and synopsis provided when we go to share our review of that audiobook on our blogs; as long as we give attribution as I have done at the bottom of this review in “Sources”. Those materials are provided with permission of the publishers to be used by reviewers via NetGalley.

Rainbow Digital Clip Art Washi Tape made by The Paper Pegasus. Purchased on Etsy by Jorie and used with permission.

Why I was intrigued to listen to
“My Life in Plants”:

What first drew me into wanting to hear this story about one woman’s life centred round the plants which populated her memories was the fact I needed a segue story to resume my current reading queue as the world’s news headlines were getting to me this week. We all have our level of tolerances for how much news we can sustainably read before it all becomes a bit too much to filter and this week, my tolerances simply vacated.

I decided to see if I could find a short audiobook about something completely outside my own purview as a reader and as an audiobook listener to where it would be a dynamic shift outside my current wanderings as much as be a story I could get behind because of its own authentic voice to tell its own story. What I found was a curiously titled Memoir about a woman who stored her memories from the seeds and experiences she had with plants. To me that was a wholly original concept and I wanted to follow in her stead!

What I found was a thought-inducing Memoir which helps you think about your own life as your listening to her adventures whilst finding inspiration along the way. The only downside for me (despite how much I loved this book!) is that some of the chapters and snippets of her life are quite on the shortened end of the spectrum – so don’t be too surprised if you’re hugged into one of her memories and suddenly that chapter ends!Rainbow Digital Clip Art Washi Tape made by The Paper Pegasus. Purchased on Etsy by Jorie and used with permission.

A Non-Fiction Audiobook Review | “My Life in Plants” (Flowers I’ve Loved, Herbs I’ve Grown, and Houseplants I’ve Killed on the Way to Finding Myself) by Katie Vaz, narrated by Taylor Meskimen courtesy of #NetGalleyMy Life in Plants
Subtitle: Flowers I've Loved, Herbs I've Grown, and Houseplants I've Killed on the Way to Finding Myself
by Katie Vaz
Illustrator/Cover Designer: Katie Vaz
Source: Audiobook Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Narrator: Taylor Meskimen

From stumpy potted houseplants to intricate and delicate flower arrangements, My Life in Plants is a heartfelt, honest memoir that intertwines the complex nature of houseplants with a journey of self-discovery.

From Katie Vaz, author of Don’t Worry, Eat Cake, the beloved Make Yourself Cozy, and The Escape Manual for Introverts, comes My Life in Plants. Her newest book tells the story of her life through the thirty-nine plants that have played both leading and supporting roles, from her childhood to her wedding day. Plants include a homegrown wildflower bouquet wrapped in duct tape that she carried on stage at age three, to a fragrant basil plant that brought her and her kitchen back to life after grief. The stories are personal, poignant, heartwarming, and relatable, and will prompt readers to recall plants of their own that have been witness to both the amazing moments of life and the ordinary ones. This illustrated memoir covers the simplicity of home, the sharpness of loss, the lesson of learning to be present, and the journey of finding your way.

Genres: Biography / Autobiography, Botany, Horticulture, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Self-Improvement & Self-Actualisation



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781524864019

ASIN: B08FJFKJDC

Published by Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing

on 1st September, 2020

Format: Audiobook | Digital Review Copy (NetGalley)

Length: 1 Hour, 36 Minutes, 58 Seconds (unabridged)

Published By: Andrews McMeel Audio
an imprint of Andrews McMeel Publishing (@AndrewsMcMeel)

Genre(s) of Interest: Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Self-Help and Botany
as well as Gardening & Horticulture and Foodie centric memories

Formats Available: Hardback, Audiobook and Ebook

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

7th Annual Jorie Loves A Story Cuppa Book Love Awards badge created by Jorie in Canva. Coffee and Tea Clip Art Set purchased on Etsy; made by rachelwhitetoo.

This story received my award for Best Non-Fiction: Memoir.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Enjoy a preview of the artwork in the book!:

Rainbow Digital Clip Art Washi Tape made by The Paper Pegasus. Purchased on Etsy by Jorie and used with permission.

Read More

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

Divider

Posted Thursday, 3 September, 2020 by jorielov in 21st Century, Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Anthology Collection of Stories, Audiobook, Autobiographical Fiction & Non-Fiction, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Book Review (non-blog tour), Botany, Diary Accountment of Life, Epistolary Novel | Non-Fiction, Horticulture, Indie Author, Jorie Loves A Story Cuppa Book Love Awards, Journal, Memoir, Modern Day, NetGalley, Non-Fiction, Philosophical Intuitiveness, Short Stories or Essays, Vignettes of Real Life