  Gaudí's work was influenced by his passions in life: architecture, nature, and religion. Gaudí's work enjoys global popularity and continuing admiration and study by architects. His masterpiece, the still-incomplete Sagrada Família, is the most-visited monument in Spain. Barcelona would never be what it is without Gaudi. Visiting Barcelona and the beautiful creations of Gaudi, I came across this book in a gift shop in Parc Guell. The more I walked around the streets of the Catalonian capital, the more impressed I was by Gaudi’s creations. I wanted to know more also about the man who created such unique architectural designs. This book is short and offers little information. Still, I know more after reading it. Like many great people, Gaudi was a simple man with a vision, as says the subtitle of the book. He knew what he wanted, he had the talent. Despite all the barriers that life itself put in his way and his poor health, he managed to create ad leave such majestic works. Gaudí is usually considered the great master of Catalan Modernism, but his works go beyond any one style or classification. They are imaginative works that find their main inspiration in nature. “For Gaudi, the theory of architecture was inseparable from the analysis of the laws of nature and religious symbolism,” says the author. My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads 
0 Comments
 Captivating and engaging from start to finish.
Blurb: “The year is 1304 A.D. in the Yorkshire area of England. King Dunstan reigns in Europe over the Kingdom of Misty Hill. The King’s castle stands large, beautiful and strong surrounded by large fences and all of his knights and their squires. Not far off from the castle lives the townspeople enclosed by the safety of the Northern Woods and the mystery of the Dark Woods to the South of the Castle. The story showcases a young squire named Jai and his best friend, the beautiful princess Amelie. As the story unfolds we follow both of them on their adventures from their secret meetings in the Northern Woods to their forbidden steps through the Dark Woods. Most especially, though, we follow Jai who quickly develops an unforeseen talent for seeing visions. As Jai and Amelie journey along their days, another kingdom from across the land arrives for The Medieval Games. As The Medieval Games begin, Jai uncovers secrets about the other kingdom to imply that they are more than what they seem - secrets that only he and Princess Amelie are privy to. What will they do with those secrets? What is the other kingdom really there for, if not for The Medieval Games? If he keeps secrets from the King will he risk his chance at knighthood?” This is a sweet and captivating story. The beautiful picturesque writing style is the key element to the plot. The events take place in the year was 1304 A.D. in the Yorkshire area of England. The main characters are squire Jai, a tall young man, and Lady Amelie, his best friend, and the beautiful Princess of the land, both about 18-years-old. As they are friends for many years, despite their difference in their noble status, the reader can easily predict and except them to be together in the future. But the story takes us in witnessing something even more special. “There was a strange yellow door that only Jai could see. A ray of light shot down through the treetops far above them and highlighted the door, standing in the dirt in the middle of the woods.” The visions bothered him because he knew he was the only one seeing them, he knew they were not real, yet he did not understand why he was seeing them. Jai’s vision isn’t something explainable at first but it will save the Kingdom. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep reader’s interest. The ending leaves you with answers and also questions that will make you eagerly expect the next book in the series. I warmly recommend. My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  Brilliantly crafted cozy mystery.
Blurb: “When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement from Braxton College, he finds a dead body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell. Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family. Could one of them be guilty of murder? Soon after, the college's athletic program receives mysterious donations, a nasty blog denounces his father and someone attempts to change students' grades. Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up. With the help of his eccentric and trouble-making nana, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way. And if that wasn't enough already, his own past comes spiraling back to change his life forever. In the debut novel in the Braxton Campus Mysteries Series, you'll discover a cozy, secluded Pennsylvania village full of quirky, sarcastic and nosy residents.” “Academic Curveball” is the first book in the "Braxton Campus Mysteries series", which, at the moment, contains five books. The sixth one is to be released in 2020. All books in the series can be read as standalone. This is the third book I have read from this author and it is proof that I'm already a big fan. The story is about solving a murder mystery. Kellan, the main character, returns home for his father's retirement party, where he is also supposed to meet a woman concerning his job back in Los Angeles. At the party, a dead body was found in the stairwell. Kellan's adventures start there as he is trying to reveal the truth. He is not a detective and he barely knows the victim, but there's nothing and no-one that could stop him from digging into the case. Not even the Sheriff, who is constantly stating her disapproval. The story is really enjoyable, it has both suspense and humor. I came acquainted with Kellan, Nana D, and some other participants in this mystery while reading “Broken Heart Attack: Death At The Theater (Braxton Campus Mysteries #2)”. Well, I may not always follow the order and if you happened to have read another book from this series before reading this one, you may agree with me that it gives you a special fun but, at the same time, not a clue whatsoever to help you solve the puzzle faster. This is not just a cozy mystery book. You get much more through the author’s skilled pen. The turn of events goes smoothly and every little aspect, being Kellan’s daughter love for animals, Nana D.’s great cooking or Myriam’s way of speaking with constant usage of Shakespeare’s quotes adds an extra something. It certainly keeps you reading until you find out the truth. The characters seem real and likable, even Kellan’s father with his short temper or the suspects and the killer/s. In my opinion, this adds to the growing mystery and the tough job of discovering who did it. My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website  Brilliantly crafted ADHD book for kids and not only.
Blurb: “From thinking fast, to thinking slow, from feeling high, to feeling low; this busy child wishes adults could see inside her head. Based on the author's personal experience with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, "Hi, It's Me" shares the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences of a child dealing with the many challenges of ADHD. Offering insight into the world of ADHD and presenting a list of tips and a printable coloring/journal pages; this rhyming picture book helps children struggling with ADHD feel empowered. It lets kids know that the diagnosis does NOT define them and that there are so many gifts beneath the diagnosis. It communicates that they can find peace knowing they're not alone in how they think and feel.” This book impresses the reader not only through meaningful words but some amazing illustrations. This is one of the best descriptions I have read for ADHD - “A stands for Adventurous, D stands for Determined, H stands for Hyper-focused, D stands for Dreamer.” The author was diagnosed with ADHD when she was ten. This and her professional background gave her the ability to deliver a really fun book that will be a pleasure to be read by any child. Children will be able to better understand themselves and to realize that they are special and not at all alone. There is nothing wrong with being an Adventurous Determined Hyper-focused Dreamer. On the contrary, ADHD kids are lively, intelligent, fun and creative. From what I can see, this book may be read by the child alone or together with their parents. Often we can’t explain how we feel. Children with ADHD have a harder time with this as there is so much going on inside them, they feel that they are different than others, they just don’t know why or how to put those feelings into words. In case you struggled to communicate with your ADHD child, use this book as a discussion opener. I’m sure it will help. ADHD doesn’t have to be a negative diagnosis if the family members, close friends, relatives, peers choose to accept it and those who have it for who they are and how wonderful they are. At the end of the book, the author offers few tips for children, parents, and teachers delivered in a simple, yet profound way. I wish this book will reach the hands of all the kids with ADHD, their parents, the teachers, but also other kids to help them understand their buddies better. PS: In my mission towards acceptance and understanding of ADHD, I'm always happy to see new authors and books supporting the cause. My rating: 5/5. Find it on Amazon Author’s website  A great read, with fantastic and tensed fight scenes.
Blurb: “The most dangerous women in the world dare the most dangerous place in the world. The Shingora, a place known and dreaded by all, the name driving those who hear it to mutter prayers and make signs for protection. None who have gone to that island ever came back… until now. The trade guilds sent an expedition there, hoping to find a wellspring of natural resources. Only one man returned, his experience having reduced him to gibbering madness. Now the guilds are sending a new expedition, three hundred strong and armed for war, to learn the fate of the previous one and rescue the survivors… if there are any. Joining them are the Chosen sisters: Aleena Kurrin, the Battle Queen, gifted by the gods in war, and Baezha Ambrose, the Witch Queen, gifted by the gods in magic. Sworn to recover any survivors, they are joined by a host of new friends and brave an island teeming with bizarre creatures. And on the Shingora, everything kills. Yet an even darker discovery awaits them in the Shingora’s depths, an unnatural horror far worse than anything the island’s sinister reputation ever hinted at. And while immersed in all the island’s perils, a traitor threatens the company from within. With treacherous enemies at their backs and engulfed by a horde of abominations, the sisters will be tested as they’ve never been tested before… and even those Chosen by the gods have their breaking point.” Though listed as book 3 of the series Sisters of the Storm, this is a stand-alone novel. Packed with a great adventure, an almost impossible goal to achieve, a team of warriors, sorcerers, physicists, and a great dose of magic, this book is a ‘hell’ of a ride. The best people were carefully selected for a mission to the island Shingora, named also 'The eight hell' as no one ever returned alive from there. The offered payment was impressive as the job seemed a tough one. Will they succeed? Will they return to be actually paid or they will have the same destiny as anyone else that set foot on Shingora? The characters, the scenes, and all the descriptions are wonderfully done. There are two main characters: Baezha Ambrose, a gifted sorceress, and Aleena Kurrin, her adoptive sister, a gifted warrior. Beautiful, talented, gifted, intelligent, super-powerful and yet sensitive. The success of the missions depended a lot on them. They were soon the target of gossip and constant verbal and physical attack. Graff was the main reason behind. He was a guild member but paid by someone else to prevent the success of the mission as there were certain people that wanted things to stay unchanged on the island. In fantasy or real world, humans have the same characteristics and most of the time the good ones win. Despite the fact that a big part of the story is filled with action, magic, and alchemy I was pleasantly surprised seeing that the author tackled a bit of humor and lots of emotions too. I don’t want to reveal more as not to spoil the fun of reading. I do want to congratulate the author on his writing skills and abundant imagination. Quotes from this book: “Suggestion spells only work on minds susceptible to them,” Baezha said. “Any other mind would realize it when someone tried to use one on them. If you’re worried about me using one on you and Reegan, it’s obvious I haven’t.” “How?” Reegan demanded. “Because I would’ve suggested you and Graff make love before the main mast at mid-day, yowling like cats.” A few chuckles bubbled through the crowd.” “But I warn you now,” she said, her voice hardening, “do not mistake my patience for weakness. When my patience is spent, it is utterly spent. There will be no room for compromise or negotiation, I will accept no excuses or justifications from you, and whatever I do I will do with a clear conscience, because gods know I gave you plenty of opportunities to drop this and leave me in peace.” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  Wonderfully written fantasy novel.
Blurb: “A human spirit banished to the body of a cat. Merliss has seen centuries of change, centuries of trouble. Something nasty has come through one of the ley gates. It walks upright. It talks. And it looks like an oversized cat, but as Merliss can attest, it doesn't smell like a cat. It's a cat sidhe on the hunt for slaves, anyone with opposable thumbs. Merliss travels to unknown territories to rescue a friend and encounters more trouble making her way home. The situation on the moors is far more dire than Merliss and her friends could have imagined.” Where can we find human spirits? In this fantasy paranormal adventure, they are in the bodies of animals and birds. The main protagonist is Merliss, a human spirit banished to the body of a cat. She, the cat, is supposed to be centuries old that she alone can’t remember anymore. Already from the beginning, we meet Saerwynn, Farland’s apprentice that she is yet to discover her gifts. The main problem is their encounter with a bad creature, a cat sidhe, a witch that shifted too many times into the shape of a cat. Not at all a regular cat. A mean, killer oversized cat. Merliss decides to go after the sidhe and save Saerwynn but she falls into several traps on the way, bordering with great dangers and we are yet to find if she survived. As the story unfolds we meet other characters too, animals or humans. The story is dark at moments. The descriptions of the places and the characters are wonderfully written. I may not be a big fan of fantasy but the author deserves my respect for his imagination and writing skills. Type of reader: Fans of fantasy adventures searching for something new. Quotes from this book: “Tell me. What do you profit from our bargain?” “Why, a friend,” said the pooka without a moment’s hesitation. “The value of a true friend exceeds their weight in gold or some such wisdom.” “I’ll owe you a favor,” said Saerwynn. “There will be no debts among friends. If you must think of my kindness as a transaction, consider it a favor to Merliss, first among felines of the moor.” “I believe your gifts will bring wisdom to your work. Time will answer. Patience before uncertainty is a hard lesson to learn. Let your gifts guide you in their own time.” “There are many kinds of fear. Sometimes it drives you to feats you didn’t think possible. Sometimes you cower behind it. Fear is natural. You cannot suppress it, but you must be the master of your fear. If it does not work for you, it will kill you.” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  Memoirs of nurse training in the 1970'
Blurb: “Hurry up Nurse is a nurse memoir that follows the ups and downs of a trainee nurse in the 1970's. Written with humour and candour, it follows the experiences of the author as she and her friends come to terms with the non-stop hustle and bustle of hospital life. This book treats the reader to a peep behind the scenes as we enter the hospital wards. The author shares the discipline, laughter and inevitable sadness as she learns to cope with the strains of shift work. 'The Sister called to me. 'Nurse Brookes, set up a trolley for a lumbar puncture.' 'I have never set up a trolley for a lumbar puncture Sister.' 'WELL LEARN!' She shouted and stormed of up the ward.” As well as an insight into nurse training, hurry up nurse provides a glimpse into the social history of life in the 1970's and early 1980's. This heart warming book will make you laugh and make you cry. This book is a MUST read for anyone who loves nursing memoirs.” Although this is a memoir, it is written in a conversational style that made it easy to read. I found the writing style of the author relaxing and to this the humor at times surely helped. We are presented with the life of a nurse in the 1970’s. I applaud the author’s honestly saying that she didn't feel the call when she first enrolled in the training for becoming a nurse but she surely find it later. I also applaud her integrity that she seemed to have kept over the years. It takes hard work, tough nerves, good physical condition, a great empathy and much more to make a great nurse. Surely doctors have their big role in curing a person and saving their lives, but nurses’ role should not go ignored. I would compare it with the neck and the head expression. During my high school years, I had a wish to continue my studies either as a nurse or further on as a doctor but life circumstances played their role. Maybe this was an additional reason why I have enjoyed reading this memoir, as I was offered to a detailed insight of how my life may have been, should I have chosen that path and I can say that I wouldn't have regretted. Interesting read that will most probably make me go for the sequel too. Type of reader: Fans of memoirs but also for those wishing to have an insight into the life of a nurse and what was like to work in a hospital in the 1970s. Quotes from this book: “I want to know why you were shouting at me.’ ‘Oh.’ Finally the penny dropped. It had been the first time she had ever used a telephone, and as she was fourteen miles away, she had thought she needed to make up the distance and had shouted at the top of her voice to Matron, who had been almost deafened on the other end of the phone. We were in stitches at this story, imagining the scene and imagining poor Matron with the phone in her hand. She explained this to Matron who saw the funny side of it, reprimanded her and let her go; I expect she chuckled afterwards.” “‘Thanks,’ she said as she drifted off, and that was a reminder of what the job was all about; helping people at their most vulnerable times when all the guards are down. What a privilege and an honour it was to be a nurse, I thought, and somehow I was re-invigorated.” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  For the wine lovers.
Blurb: “Biodynamic. Naked. Organic. Laura McLove goes back to school. Spiritual school. She lures Leon - a hot, young, French natural wine expert - with the law of attraction and together they go on the road - Leon in pursuit of wine, Laura in pursuit of him. A "Natural Wine" noir, for lovers of the movie 'Sideways', and writers Bukowski And Fante.” In this book, we are witnessing to an important period in Laura’s life. Searching for a meaning, a spiritual awakening type, and probably a man that will stay, Laura, a 46 year red-haired good looking woman, left London after the death of her mother and moved to the countryside to study agriculture. She didn’t necessarily want to be a farmer but she saw this as an escape from London’s life. She thought and felt that she could be a writer but somehow the time was never right. There she met Leo, a French good looking guy, 17 years younger. The odds of him being interested in her seemed small. But apparently, with the help of the law of attraction, she got the chance to spend a night with him before the school ended. A few days later he invited her to join him on his trip to North America. He wanted to be a bio-dynamic wine producer on his parent’s farm so he was planning to visit vineyards worldwide in order for him to be prepared for his big dream. No, unfortunately, this is not a romance novel, but it does have a happy ending for Laura, despite her suffering a lot on this trip, that could have turned differently. At first, Leo seemed to have lots of positive characteristics, but he turned out completely different. Still, this journey was something that Laura needed. On top of that, she was finally going to write her book, something that she was trying to for a longer time now. With an interesting writing style, with humor and sarcasm at times, full of info for the wine lovers, this book made me enjoy not only MC's thoughts but also the description of all the places mentioned in the book. Type of reader: Fans of bibliographical kind of stories, though this is a work of fiction, with a lot of insight into bio-dynamic wine producing and info about many places in Europe and North America. I found this being an intriguing story, definitely, a must read. Quotes from this book: “The days continued. The sun shone, the rain fell, the water feature trickled its soothing sound in the background, Lilly went out to wander and Lilly came back again. I went to classes. I tried to write, I thought about Leo, I took long walks. I wrote out my gratitude journal. I didn’t go out of my way to try to find him because The Universe would drop him in my lap again, I felt sure.” “I don’t think he was by nature unpleasant. He was popular at college, others would call him ‘such a nice person.’ He had become hard with me. I was dealing with a hard wall, a person who was giving nothing. No kindness. Not normal. I wondered at my ability to attract such an experience. These were my thoughts as I tucked into basmati rice à la Leo. And still I stayed.” “The Universe wasn’t out there, responding to requests. It was in me. It was me. I was in it. A part of my consciousness and the energy that creates worlds was entangled in a quantum mystery. If I had a thought or a wish, it was happening in that quantum field too. If I fully believed in it, what I wanted might come quicker.” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon  This book was written and published in the Romanian language so, for the time being, my review is for Romanian speaking readers only. Here you can read the review for the first book in the series.
Și totuși, ce ai de făcut pe o insulă pustie? Blurb: „Voiam să mă iubească! Voiam să însemn pentru ea mai mult decât un puști oarecare pe care-l tolera în casa ei. Așa mă considera la început: un puști aiurit, obsedat de sex. Poate că și eram. Istoria penibilă dintre mine și sora ei nu reușise câtuși de puțin să amuțească în mine foamea de trup de femeie care mă mistuia. Eram tânăr, la naiba! Foamea era tot acolo. Iar ea era tot acolo, la îndemână. În primele luni, după ce mă mutasem la ea, îmi potoleam foamea în fiecare noapte, iar foamea reapărea din nou, în noaptea următoare. Oricare altă femeie m-ar fi considerat nebun, dar ea mă accepta așa cum eram.” Citind primul volum am știut deja la ce mă pot aștepta. Nu am fost dezamăgită din nici un punct de vedere. Sarcasmul și umorul negru sunt în continuare prezente, dar din păcate și limbajul vulgar. Sunt conștientă însă că fără acest mod colorat de a relata povestea, autorului i-ar fi fost poate ceva mai greu să ne amuze și să ne enerveze așa de rău. În acest volum avem posibilitatea de a afla evenimente noi din viața lui Tiberiu pe o perioadă de cinci-șase ani. Povestea nu se termină aici. Tiberiu și Eva tot pe insulă sunt. Iar noi, cititorii, putem afirma cu siguranță că Tiberiu nu este o persoană cu calități plăcute și cu siguranță caracterul lui nu pare să îl favorizeze în viață. Modul în care vorbește despre femei în general, homosexuali și femei obeze în special, este abominabil. Sunt momente în care se pare că poate se va schimba. Dar și în acele momente, se întâmplă altceva și mai uimitor și ne schimbăm repede părerea. Dar cel puțin dragostea și respectul lui Tiberiu pentru copii, Gabriela, fiica Miei sau copilul pe care urma să-l nască Laura, îi dă o notă de om normal. Nu avem posibilitatea de a vedea dacă este ceva de termen lung pentru că planurile îi sunt date adesea peste cap de cele mai multe ori fiind singur vinovat. În rest, nici nu e de mirare că a ajuns de atâtea ori la psihiatrie. De cele mai multe ori șocant, dramatic, grotesc și scandalos, și acest roman te ține prins. La momente am avut impresia că e o variantă mai autentică a filmului Borat. În mod sigur prevăd cel puțin încă un volum. Câteva citate din carte: “Am întors niște ochii înlăcrimați spre tipa aia. I-am văzut întâi fața, apoi am coborât privirea ceva mai jos și în momentul acela am înțeles de ce-mi se păruse familiară vocea de la telefon: era șatena din tramvai, tipa cu... ceasurile și era însoțită de același fund mortal. Doctorul îmi promisese c-o să zâmbesc când voi ieși din cabinet, dar eu zâmbeam de pe-acum. Ea, însă, nu zâmbea. Nu avea memoria fețelor.” “Am oftat și m-am îndreptat spre casă. Afurisita de sărăcie s-a ridicat și ea de pe bancă și m-a însoțit. Unde mergeam eu, hop și ea! Mă călca pe nervi. Nu reușeam niciodată să mă obișnuiesc cu prezența ei.” My rating: 4/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon Author’s website  Interesting plot, great descriptions, and nice setting.
Blurb: “They all have a decision to make… After four years, Lucy feels that it is more than time that Matt pops the question. But Matt has an irrational fear of the “M” word and just can’t say the four words she so desperately wants to hear…. Should Lucy wait, or give Matt an ultimatum? And then the gorgeous Jake comes into the picture and things get even more complicated… Olivia has always been unlucky in love, then one day she meets Pierre online. A mysterious Frenchman ... could he be her knight in shining armour? Vic and Sam have been married for years, but suddenly Sam’s new high profile job has him out until all hours. Will he succumb to the thrills of the singles scene? What will Lucy and Matt do? Will Vic decide she’s had enough of being stuck at home with the children? Will Olivia give her heart to someone over the internet? A tongue-in-cheek, fun and light-hearted look into love and relationships.” This beautiful, relaxing book makes you feel that you are watching a romantic comedy movie. The main character, Lucy, is a young, beautiful, funny, clumsy, curious, smart but no so the workaholic type of person, and a good friend to have around. She has also Matt by her side, the guy she is in love with and have been in a relationship for already four years. Something is missing: His wish to commit. This proves to be a really big issue for Lucy as she doesn't feel sure of his love and that he will ever pop the so-long-awaited question. It is due to this exact issue that this novel has some sad parts too and the main reason that drives the action to evolve the way it did. One day, Lucy decides to leave Matt, despite her deep feelings for him. Then, her life moves on, she meets Greg, then Jake, in between she has some real complications in her life due to a Mr. Delano. Is this what she wanted? Did she take the right decision when she left Matt? Is maybe Jake the right guy for her? What about her best friend Olivia? Will she have with Pierre the relationship she hoped for? What about Vic? Will her marriage with Sam be saved? and last, but not least, will she be proposed to? These all are the questions that you will find the answer for if you choose to go to give this novel a try. Quotes: “Jake would be arriving at around noon. I was looking forward to seeing him but had mixed feelings about finding myself with both Jake and Matt here.” “I missed having him around. It seemed that everything was more fun when he was around…” My rating: 5/5. Find it on Goodreads Follow the author on Amazon |
Categories
All
Message to you:In order to be a good writer, one has to read a lot. And I do and I love it....and I chose to share my readings with you. Feel free to share with me any of the books you have read or wrote, if I find them interesting I will add them to my list. I'll post my reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and all my social accounts. |
RSS Feed
Photo used under Creative Commons from krecimag
