Freedom is for the Birds JM Sutherland

Freedom is for the Birds by J.M. Sutherland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Freedom is for the Birds by JM Sutherland is about a group of hawks with anthropomorphic qualities, i.e. they speak like humans and have human emotions. This book is a bird infused fantasy and follows a pair of hawks, K'Lar and D'Ree on their migration to find and repair their old nest. As the book progresses, we begin to understand the society and culture of hawks, their respect for Mother Nature, themselves, and others. There are a lot of comparisons between humans and hawks, and the hawks seem to rise above as superior beings. Humans tend to destroy the land, and take for granted the big beautiful world. This book really captures the hardships and trials that animals experience living in the natural world. A compelling read for those interested in conservation, preservation and the lives of Red-Tailed Hawks.

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5 Evolutions for Sustainable Weight Loss by Dr. Tommy Voris

5 Evolutions For Sustainable Weight Loss: Evolve Your Mind to Transform Your Body (Weight Loss Motivation) by Tommy Voris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

5 Evolutions for Sustainable Weight Loss by Dr. Tommy Voris is an expansive look at the subject of weight loss and how we have been doing it all wrong for a long time. Covering familiar ground Dr. Voris examines the emotional and psychological aspects of trying to lose weight. He then puts a plan into action. This book is all about making your mind work for you when it comes to losing weight. Full of helpful questions that target how you feel about your weight loss journey, this book puts the challenge of weight loss in proper perspective. An inspirational book that can apply to many areas of one's life. Readers will be inspired to adopt the practices that Dr. Voris suggests, and to lose the weight once and for all. Keep this book on hand to review and retain the information it contains.

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The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman by Brady Stefani

The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman: A Novel by Brady Stefani is about the quirky imaginings of Courtney, a young 15 year old girl who thinks that aliens are visiting her. Are they or aren't they? After a bizarre incident with her grandfather when she was just 7, Courtney thinks that aliens are visiting her during the night. She also has an imaginary friend, Astra, who keeps showing up at the most inopportune times. Courtney's mother thinks she's crazy and has her institutionalized for a bit. Through a series of misadventures and connecting the dots with the past, Courtney attempts to arrive at the truth. This book has an intriguing premise and was well executed by the author who managed to capture not only the angst of the teenage years, but the fine line between perception and reality. An interesting read for the YA crowd with some mild language in places.

The Tresspasser by Tana French

I love Tana French's writing. It doesn't get much better. You have to immerse yourself into her books to understand them, the writing is dense and thick, every word matters. It pains me to say I didn't care for this book. It plodded along for me. I have no problem with a complicated lead character, in this case, Antionette. She was grumpy(with reason) and not a pleasant person. Okay, no big deal. I don't know, it just didn't work on some level. The conversations all seemed too long, too involved, there was little time in the story outside of the squad room. Kind of like a one setting play. With that component, it was tedious at times. Every previous book by this author has been exceptional, with ethereal qualities you just don't get in most literature today. I was so looking forward to this book. Hoping for a better installment in the Dublin Murder Squad next time.

Call Me Pomeroy by James Hanna

In the opening of the story, Edward Beasley, aka Pomeroy, is introduced to the reader as a full-time vagrant, Vietnam vet, and statutory rapist. If that doesn't grab the reader's attention, nothing will. This novel is described as one full of satire and political dissent. That may be so, but you have to look through the layers of Pomeroy's dealings and his personality to uncover the essence of the story. Pomeroy, the vague anti-hero wanders the streets, gets involved in protests for no apparent reason, and tips waitresses extravagantly even though he is poor. A biting novel by James Hanna, Call Me Pomeroy takes the reader on a seemingly wild ride with the main character, and subtly questions so-called traditions of today's society. It seems as though the book and Pomeroy himself is trying to resurrect the 1960's. This book is not for the faint of heart, due to protracted use of foul language and explicit descriptions of sexual acts.

Author Sharon Ellis- American Housewife

A raucous collection of stories that answer the question-"what did you do all day?". From a naughty book club to Stepford-like wives, this is a fun diversion. Great quote- "She does yoga" is Southern lady code for witch. Ha!

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

This is what RiverHead Books just did and endorsed?!! Sign me UP! Can't Wait to read this book! "We're so excited for @sschweblin's Fever Dream that we sent it to reviewers w/ FAKE WORMS - because that's a thing people do, right?"

Not Cool: by Greg Gutfeld

Even if you're not a fan of Greg Gutfeld, you should read this book. Well, maybe not. His appeal is lost on those who are not fans, and why waste talent. I sometimes watch the Five, and have seen Gutfeld rant, rave and generally behave like an entitled ass. But alas, he is right on a lot of issues, and is quite entertaining to watch, and is certainly a notch above his peers on the Five. That's why I bought this book, albeit a little late to the party. This book is entertaining, and reads just how Gutfeld speaks, which is sometimes offensive(it's meant to be), and always politically incorrect. That's why I liked it. It is laugh out loud funny, outrageous and just what the doctor ordered for this world weary Mom, yes a capital M, who is sick of everyone being deeply offended over nonsense. Highly recommend this book, looking forward to catching up on reading Greg's other books too!

Wynfield's Kingdom by M.J. Neary

Wynfield's Kingdom by M.J. Neary tells the story of the London slums during the Victorian era, amidst the squalor, disease and horrifying conditions. I loved this book; the writing was intense, filled with great descriptions, the language was appropriate for the setting and amplified the despair of the main characters. Wynfield was taken in as a boy by a Dr. Grant, and subsequently was joined quickly by an infant girl, who would soon be named Diana by Dr. Grant, because that was the only name that popped into his head. He even admitted he gave more thought to naming his dog. Wynfield and Diana develop a twisted relationship through the years, at first platonic, then borderline romantic, then just obsessed and violent. These two reminded me much of Bill Sykes and Nancy; enslaved in poverty and desperation in Oliver Twist by Dickens. It seems everyone is stealing, taking opium just to deal with life, and slowly and irretrievably, dying. A highly entertaining, dark book with a lot of depth. If you love historical novels about London, this is a great book to jump into.

A Second Less Capable Head: And Other Rogue Stories by James Hanna

James Hanna has written an interesting collection of stories with his A Second, Less Capable, Head: And Other Rogue Stories. A good combination of Twilight and Stephen King, each story stands on it's own with great characterization and unique situations. The first of the nineteen stories begins with Virgil Ploughright growing a second head! With that as the start of this collection, you as the reader are in for a wild ride. Each story stands well on it's own, with fairly well thought out plots. The stories seem to attempt to deal with current issues in society, but may not be entirely effective in that endeavor. At times humorous and sometimes thoughtful, this collection of bizarre stories will keep the reader entertained. Highly recommend for those readers who enjoy a challenge and are not offended by coarse language.