by Alan Gratz (Author) A Children’s Book Review by Jackie Houchin BAN THIS BOOK by Alan Gratz, is an excellent book for middle grade and middle school kids (And older! Hey, I liked it!). It’s the story of Amy Ann, a 4th grade girl, and her reaction (and the good and bad consequences that happen) when she discovers…
#BLOGanuary (a month of blogging) question for January 30, 2023. . What would you title the chapters of your autobiography? At first, I thought, that is just TOO hard. I don’t WANT to write an autobiography or even a memoir. (Although a friend in my writer’s group has been encouraging us to do just that.…
by Irene Howat (Author) A Young Adult Book ReviewY\ by Jackie Houchin Scotsman, Robert McCheyne’s life story is told here in a very accessible way for young readers. They will relate to his fun times as a boy as well as the seriousness of his call to tell others about Jesus and salvation. He was a talented preacher, poetry…
by Jackie Houchin In the #Bloganuary challenge today, WordPress.com wants to know the PROS and CONS of procrastination. OKAY. Procrastination. Not a good thing. For me. Even though it begins with PRO, there aren’t many “pros” about it. Sure you feel great avoiding something that has to be done but you don’t want to do…
Chronicle Books (Author, Publisher), Allan Corduner (Narrator), Juha Sorola (Narrator) An Audiobook Review by Jackie Houchin NORDIC TALES is a good variety of 16 fables and tales from Scandinavia involving poor, but brave and kind peasants who do good and are generously rewarded; fights with goblins and giants and dragons and trolls to win back stolen inheritances, the hearts of fair…
by Katie Gayle (Author) — (Katie Gayle is, in fact, two of us – Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel) A Book Review by Jackie Houchin AN ENGLISH GARDEN MYSTERY, first of three books in the Julia Bird cozy mystery series is another irresistibly written book. I don’t know what exactly it is that endows a book with…
by Jacqueline Vick (Author) A Book Review by Jackie Houchin Jacqueline Vick had done it again with her tongue-in-cheek humor and her oh-so-different but still partners-in-solving crime Harlow brothers. Staid and proper is Edward who writes books on proper manners, while fun loving Nicholas works as his secretary. Not only does Edward write under the pseudonym of…
Kathryn Lasky (Author), Nancy Peterson (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher) An Audiobook Review Kathryn Lasky’s LIGHT ON BONE is the most “wow” book I have read in many years. It is an adult mystery (not for objectionable sex, language, or violent content, but for the eloquent, high quality of writing, and seriousness of theme). The protagonist is the painter, Georgia O’Keeffe. The…
#BLOGanuary Question – What is most annoying about your home? by Jackie Houchin I love my home, it is perfect* for a couple of retired, active people. It’s in a nice sunny area in Orange County, California, in a good neighborhood, on a slight hill and away from brush areas so we have no flood…
J. Michael Orenduff (Author), Austin Rising (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher) An Audiobook Review by Jackie Houchin. Orenduff’s writing of his hero Hubie Schuze is so funny. I loved this book (and series). Hubie is really very smart and talented but the author gets him into situations and places that baffle him. Fortunately, he has a good friend and partner in crime…
Words and Reviews 