Review: A History of Art in 21 Cats

Title: A History of Art in 21 Cats
Author: Nia Gould
Genre: Art, Humour
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 13, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Art history gets a fun feline makeover with 21 purr-fectly cultured cats in the styles of ancient and modern masters.

Become litter-ate in the basics of important art movements through a host of beautifully illustrated cats, each one inspired by a specific period in art hiss-tory: Surrealism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, Ancient Egyptian (of course), and many more. From Claude Meow-net to Jackson Paw-llock, these creative cats will introduce you to key themes and artists you won’t soon fur-get. Purr-haps even inspiring you to make your own version!

Review:

This book details different types of art, starting with Egyptian art and ending with modern street artists. Each section had an illustration of a cat, done in that particular style. Then, it broke down the image to show what each detail represents in terms of that art style.

This was a very entertaining book. I loved the pictures of the cats! I also learned a lot about those different art styles.

I highly recommend this book for art and cat lovers!

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You by Matthew Inman

Have you read A History of Art in 21 Cats? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – August 14

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. The expected publication date is August 27, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.

Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.

It was everything.

She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is. 

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Harley vs. Apokolips

Title: Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Harley vs. Apokolips
Author: Sam Humphries
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: December 11, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

You read that right. It’s Harley Quinn vs. Apokolips. The whole. Entire. Planet. Wait… what? A new era for Harley begins here in Harley Quinn Vol. 1, as writer Sam Humphries takes charge!

While on a tropical vacation, Harley Quinn is kidnapped by two Female Furies from Apokolips–and they’re making her an offer she can’t refuse: join the Furies, get super powers and do anything she wants! It’s a sweet deal, and all Harley has to do in return is hunt down rogue Fury Petite Tina. The bad news: Petite Tina is anything but petite!

Harley Quinn’s story starts a new era in this brand-new graphic novel! Writer Sam Humphries jumps behind the wheel, beginning with this all-new Vol. 1 jumping-on point. Collects Harley Quinn #43-49.

Review:

This volume is the start of the current series of Harley Quinn comics. Harley is one of my favourite superhero characters, so I was so excited to read this graphic novel!

This was a great story. Harley faced a few different villains in this book, including Granny Goodness. This book had three different storylines, so it was full of things to read!

I love when Harley reads comics and refers to the writers of her comics. It’s a great way of breaking the fourth wall, by recognizing that you are actually reading a comic!

I loved this graphic novel! I can’t wait to read the next one!

What to read next:

Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Harley Destroys the Universe by Sam Humphries

Have you read Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Harley vs. Apokolips? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Book Characters I’d Love to Be Besties With

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Book Characters I’d Love to Be Besties With. Here’s my list:

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

2. Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

3. Harley Quinn (DC Comics)

4. Suzannah Simon (The Mediator series by Meg Cabot)

5. She-Hulk aka Jennifer Walters (Marvel)

6. Betty Cooper (Archie Comics)

7. Nina Zenik (Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo)

8. Jude Duarte (The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black)

9. Mary Anne Spier (The Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin)

10. Nancy Drew (Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisom by Kelly Thompson)

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Review: Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase

Title: Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase
Author: Gary Russell
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: BBC Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: August 7, 2010
Rating: ★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

‘Why are you here? I mean – who are you, exactly?’

An archaeological dig in 1936 unearths relics of another time… And – as the Doctor, Amy and Rory realise – another place. Another planet. But if Enola Porter, noted adventuress, has really found evidence of an alien civilisation, how come she isn’t famous? Why has Rory never heard of her? Added to that, since Amy’s been travelling with him for a while now, why does she now think the Doctor is from Mars?

As the ancient spaceship reactivates, the Doctor discovers that nothing and no one can be trusted. The things that seem most real could actually be literal fabrications – and very deadly indeed. Who can the Doctor believe when no one is what they seem? And how can he defeat an enemy who can bend matter itself to their will? For the Doctor, Amy and Rory – and all of humanity – the buried secrets of the past are very much a threat to the present…

A thrilling, all-new adventure featuring the Doctor, Amy and Rory, as played by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill in the spectacular hit series from BBC Television.

Review:

It’s rare for me to rate a book 3 stars or less. I liked the general plot of this story but it had some problems that I couldn’t get past.

There was an archaeological dig in this story which unearthed a space ship. I was hoping that the recurring character who is actually an archaeologist would appear, but sadly, that didn’t happen. It would have been great to have River Song appear since she is an archaeologist, but it may not have fit into the storyline of the show when this story takes place.

I found many parts of this story extremely sexist. Amy is a strong and intelligent character on the show, but she seemed dumb and boy crazy in this story. She kept talking about her love triangle between Rory and the Doctor, which is not something she does on the show. There was also a masculine woman, who the Doctor and Rory referred to as a man. I found that very inappropriate.

I wouldn’t recommend this story.

What to read next:

Doctor Who: The King’s Dragon by Una McCormack

Have you read Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – August 12

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase by Gary Russell.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Harley vs. Apokolips by Sam Humphries.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading The Love Solution by Ashley Croft.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – August 11

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 9 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m reading Doctor Who: The Glamour Chase by Gary Russell.

Goodreads Synopsis:

‘Why are you here? I mean – who are you, exactly?’

An archaeological dig in 1936 unearths relics of another time… And – as the Doctor, Amy and Rory realise – another place. Another planet. But if Enola Porter, noted adventuress, has really found evidence of an alien civilisation, how come she isn’t famous? Why has Rory never heard of her? Added to that, since Amy’s been travelling with him for a while now, why does she now think the Doctor is from Mars?

As the ancient spaceship reactivates, the Doctor discovers that nothing and no one can be trusted. The things that seem most real could actually be literal fabrications – and very deadly indeed. Who can the Doctor believe when no one is what they seem? And how can he defeat an enemy who can bend matter itself to their will? For the Doctor, Amy and Rory – and all of humanity – the buried secrets of the past are very much a threat to the present…

A thrilling, all-new adventure featuring the Doctor, Amy and Rory, as played by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill in the spectacular hit series from BBC Television.

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – Fictional Places I’d Love to Go On Holiday

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Fictional Places I’d Love to Go On Holiday. Here’s my list:

1. Hogwarts

2. Narnia

3. New Reynes

4. Riverdale

5. Genovia

6. River Heights

Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of Fictional Places You’d Love to Go On Holiday?

Review: Abby in Wonderland (Whatever After #10.5)

Title: Abby in Wonderland (Whatever After #10.5)
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Down the rabbit hole . . . 

I’m spending the day with my best friends, Frankie and Robin, and — UGH — snobby Penny. I’m not expecting anything magical to happen, until Frankie falls into a mysterious hole behind Penny’s house . . . and we all wind up in the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!

I’ve visited fairy tales before. But in Wonderland, everything is topsy-turvy. There are potions that make you grow, cakes that make you shrink, bossy caterpillars, and a horrible Queen of Hearts who wants to put us on trial.

Now we have to:
– Solve a riddle from the Cheshire cat 
– Attend a wacky tea party with the Mad Hatter
– Become BFFs with Alice
– And find Frankie

. . . Or we’ll be stuck in Wonderland for good!

This special edition is extra-long, extra-enchanting, and comes with puzzles, games, and a Q&A with the author!

Review:

This is the first special edition of the Whatever After series.

This story is different because Abby enters a story with her friends, instead of her brother. It’s also the first time she enters a story that isn’t a fairytale.

There were some other ways that this story was different from the other books in the series. The girls follow Alice’s adventure backwards. They don’t end up meeting Alice until the end. That part made sense for this plot, because Abby’s friends had to go on the journey along with Abby. It would have been very confusing to have five girls as main characters traveling through this adventure.

I really enjoyed this book. I hope there are other special editions in the future!

What to read next:

Two Peas in a Pod (Whatever After #11) by Sarah Mlynowski

Have you read Abby in Wonderland? What did you think of it?