Remember the guy who wrote Bambi? (It was a good story before Disney got ahold of it. But that’s a discussion for another time.) Did you know Felix Salten wrote two other books, Renni the Rescuer and A Forest World? We’ve read both. Both are just as good – or maybe better – than Bambi. Today we’re focusing on the latter title.
A Forest World isn’t necessarily a quick read by modern day standards. But it’s a good one. Here’s why:
You’ve heard of the Academy Awards. The Emmys, Tonys, and Golden Globes. But you may not have heard of The Biggest Bow Wow of them all:
The Kimber Awards.
You may not have heard of this prestigious honor. That’s because I, Kimber, just made it up. Just in time for Thanksgiving.
Well, okay. Mom helped. A little. She lobbied for “World’s Most Super Duper, Seriously Splendid, Extra Excellent, Terrifically Talented, Genuine Genius-y, and All-Around Awesome Author Awards.”
I nixed that. After all. Someone has to be the adult in the room. Besides. Mom and I thought that with all this negative COVID-ish talk going around, something upbeat is in order. (Well, okay again. It was mostly me. But Mom helped a bit.)
Kimber here. Mom says she’s sometimes “biased” about certain books. I’m not sure what that means. But she says it applies to most any book that combines two of the best things in the world (besides bacon and more bacon): historical fiction and reading/literacy/libraries. (Okay. That’s four. But you get the picture, right?)
Well. Mom tends to love that stuff even before she opens the cover. So when someone suggested an historical fiction book about lady “Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky” serving destitute, isolated families in rural Kentucky during the Depression, Mom was like, “Oh yeah. Love this thing already.”
But Mom’s expectations are high. Here’s more from the Book Bias Queen:
That’s the basis of the latest installment in the Shards of Sevia series, Love Costs.
She’s Tur. He’s Sevian. While working as an interpreter for a war-torn Sevia, Radoslav discovers a man, his sister, and a baby. All are supposed to be taken to a refugee camp.
When Dunya asks “Rado” to find her lost cat, he agrees. But Coco has other plans. Just like the rest of the war-torn country.
Kimber the Magnificent here. Every once in awhile Mom and I get to do something super duper fun. Besides dinner. Or bacon. Or a nice, thick, juicy New York steak…
Wait. Where was I?
Oh yeah. Super duper fun. We get to do a guest post by new authors who write really good stuff. Today is one of those days! We’re delighted to introduce E.B. Roshan, author of the Shards of Sevia series. Today she tells us a little more about her background, writing process, and her book series. Take it away, E.B.:
Ever been up to your eyebrows in a dense-as-a-pea-soup-fog read? You come up for air, ravenous. Wipe the sweat off your brow. And look around for something light. Fluffy. Fun and delish. The literary version of a Denver omelet.
Hayden is an editor/writer for Seattle-based Natural Living Magazine. She likes to write, read, and hike. Hayden also owns a Himalayan cat (nobody’s perfect.) The cat thinks she’s queen of the world. Cuz she really is. (Kimber: You think I’ve got attitude? Wait till you get a load of miss feline sassy pants, Toots.)
This book may not be what you think it is. Yes, it’s an historical fiction account of an effort to help impoverished children in southern Italy by transporting them by train to better off families in northern Italy in the aftermath of World War II. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – or the shoe – in this hauntingly beautiful novel spanning some fifty years.
In honor of all who have served or are serving, on this November 11 we rounded up eleven best book titles. They’re set during world wars. If you love to read gripping, engaging stories about people and events set within compelling historical settings, these are among the best. Both fiction and non-fiction are included. How many have you read? (Psssst! Be sure to catch our upcoming November 13 post. Set in Italy just after WWII.)
Kimber here. I’m on the job. Talking Her Crankiness down from The Cliffs of Insanity. (You’ll get that if you get “As you wish.”)
Why is Mom up there? Well. It all started with a book blog tour. And, oh Lassie! Did those guys ever step in it! Here’s what happened:
1. The back cover blurb on this book is off base by about a mile and a half. Talk about misleading. Not a good start, folks.
2. The print quality of this book is atrocious. Hard to believe anyone would send out a book with so many pages in this condition. Great day in the ouchie! (See photo.)
3. Then, tour organizers only wanted positive reviews. Read: Not honest ones.
Nope
Mom and I? We don’t roll that way. So we bowed out of the tour. Here’s our honest review instead:
Ever gingerly opened a book, unsure where it may head, or how?
Stable Weightwas one of those books. When Mom and I sat down to read it, she let me in on a secret. I’ll explain at the end of this review. So stay tuned. And don’t tell Mom. Let’s just keep this our little secret, okay? Meanwhile, on to the review:
The Giver of Stars
Pages & Paws 