The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
A collection of poems divided into four parts that piece together the life of the author. The poems explore life and all of it's love, loss, and grief, as well as, healing and empowerment.
I thought this was a beautiful collection of poems that was relatable. This book looks at the hurt a life can bring and turns it into lessons learned and strength gained. A quick read but worth it.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
In the mid 1930's, Louisa Durrell, a widow living in England, sells her home and moves with her four children to the Greek island of Corfu. In his memoir, youngest son Gerald, recounts the family's often hilarious escapades during their five year adventure on Corfu. For Gerald, who grew up to become a world famous naturalist, it was an idyllic time of collecting specimens, studying the local fauna, amassing an impressive collection of pet creatures, and laying the foundation for his life's work.
For me, this book was a pure delight. Eccentric would be an accurate term for every single member of the Durrell family and their antics never cease to entertain. Reading this book made me long for a wonderful adventure myself, the descriptions of daily island life were so vivid and inviting. My family and Other Animals is just a wonderful memoir and fascinating look into another time, place, and a truly remarkable family.
The book is available as an ebook as a part of The Corfu Trilogy.
With the Jazz Age roaring across the country, Casiopea Tun is fed up with her small-town life in southern Mexico, stuck under the control of her wealthy grandfather and lazy cousin, Martin. Casiopea's life is turned updisde down when she discovers the key to the locked chest at the foot of her grandfather's bed. Opening the box, she releases Hun-Kamè, the ancient Mayan god of death, who forces her to assist him in reclaiming his throne from his deceitful brother. Facing creatures from stories she used to believe were just myths, and avoiding her cousin who has been tasked with chasing her down, Casiopea finds herself on a cross-country adventure unlike any she could have imagined. Success promises the life she has always wanted, but failure means the end of her life, completely.
This is such a unique book and yet offers massive appeal to a wide range of readers. Mythology enthusiasts, historical fiction fans, or those just looking to expand their reading experience and learn more about another culture-all can find what they're looking for in this book. Setting the story in 1920's Mexico (a place rarely explored in literature thus far) and mixing it with Mayan culture, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has created a fantastic love letter to her heritage, filled with complex characters and exciting action that readers wil love to explore.
