Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

from goodreads

4 stars

I can't believe it is already past the half-way mark of September. Seriously, where did the time go. Since school has started I am starting to get into a bit of a familiar groove. Having two little ones at home is a nice change, though I do miss my older ones. During the day I only have one child coming with me with demands and desires instead of three. (The baby doesn't count, while he likes to eat he isn't super demanding.)

Now I just need to get into the groove of doing things for me again. Get into my schedule. I am looking forward to that!

Synopsis

Jacob loved hearing the stories behind his grandfather's pictures but that is what they were to him, stories. When his grandfather is horrifically killed Jacob decides to go to the orphanage, on an island off the welsh coast, where is grandfather grew up to find out more about him. What he finds is not what he expects.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure I would. The cover made me think it might be more creepy or more of a horror genre, which I am not into, but it wasn't and I was able to really get into the story.

The story was simplistic but there was a depth to it. You didn't get lost in details but there was a depth in character and story line that I liked.

I loved the concept that the author used of taking old pictures and then putting a story around them. Some of the photos were incredible and even though they didn't seem that they were connected Riggs was able to do it in such a clever interesting way that made complete sense.

Jacob's father was an interesting character, definitely an anti-hero. He was a good juxtaposition against Jacob.

The time loop thing was a bit wonky. I got confused by it a little bit. But I'm sure, if you are into time loops and know a lot about them it would make complete sense.

There are two more books in the series and I am excited to read them... I will have to stick them into my never ending to read list!

Homemakers: A Domestic Handbook for the Digital Generation by Brit Morin

from goodreads

3 stars

My home seems to always be in flux. There is no such thing as a time warp here. With kids growing and their tastes evolving and changing there is no room for stagnation. I am currently trying to learn the balancing act of having a home I feel comfortable in and one where my kids can be kids. Sometimes those things don't always mesh well, but I am trying.

The whole premise of the modern day homemaker is of great interest to me. While the term homemaker can seem rather outdated, the premise of it is the same. We want to make our homes one where love, learning and feeling safe can abound. If we can make it look nice, well, that's a bonus.

Synopsis

Brit Morin from Brit+co, looks at the role of Homemakers in todays techological world. She gives some tips on cool gadgets and technologies that help us be creative and really make our home.

My Thoughts

This was an okay read. I didn't really find anything completely mind blowing myself, but if I was someone new to the whole creative, make things yourself scene this could have the potential to being a life changing and mind blowing book. So it all depends on where you are coming from in your life.

This book is more geared to those who are just starting out in their life. They may have been solely focused on their education and career and did not have much of a chance to learn simple life skills or creative diy skills.

It did have some cool project ideas that I am definitely going to pin on my pinterest board. I liked how she highlighted different apps that we may find useful in our daily lives. I also like how she saw the future and gave us some insights into technologies that may be coming in the not so distant future. My favourite futuristic techonology was the 3-D printing of clothes and clothing recycling. That seems pretty cool.

The pictures taken were beautiful and colourful. I love that the book was not just another white and beige knock off, but, embraced colour.

I like how she shows you don't have to be a complete computer geek or a complete anti-techonology pioneer woman. You can bridge these two mindsets together for a beautiful and creative collaboration.

This is a book that I would get from the library first before purchasing as there may not be enough content in it for you. But, this may be a great gift for the young 20 something in your life who wants to make their apartment feel like a home and for cheap.