Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World

by Susan Veness

This book shares interesting little secrets to look for on your visit to Walt Disney World. It covers all four theme parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, and goes through each park section by section. Some of the secrets are smells to notice, significant pictures that you may not notice unless you know they are there, stories the cast members can tell you if you ask them, sounds to listen for in different areas, interesting background information about some of the attractions, and things to open or pull to get an extra bit of fun. At the end of each chapter, there is a timeline for the park, telling what year each of the parks and their attractions opened and when some were closed and what they were replaced with.

The book was well organized so that it would be easy to look up the area of the park you are in to look for the secrets, but it didn't quite come up to my expectations. I had hoped for bigger secrets, but I guess the author could not write about what wasn't there. I have never been to Walt Disney World, so the book might be more interesting to someone who has been there, especially if they plan to return, because they might be amazed at how many things they missed or were not aware of. Also, I found a couple of grammatical errors; I don't remember the first one, but the second was on page 126: "sites" should be "sights".

Note: This review has been written for the BookSneeze website in exchange for a free copy of the book.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Be Thrifty*

by Pia Catton and Califia Suntree

A collection of thrifty tips and articles on home repair, food, travel and more.

While there is a lot of useful information in this book, I found the layout somewhat annoying and hard to follow.

Monday, April 18, 2011

National Velvet

by Enid Bagnold

14-year-old Velvet Brown wins a piebald horse in a raffle. With the hired man's help, she enters the Grand National Race.

I started reading this book to my children, ages 9 and 12, but stopped after a couple of chapters because they had trouble understanding the story and it was inappropriate for young children. I finished it by myself and enjoyed it.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Room

by Emma Donoghue

A novel about a young woman who is kidnapped and kept in a 12x12-foot shed as a slave for seven years. The story is told from the viewpoint of her child born in captivity. A bit disturbing, but not as much as one might expect.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Handmade Beginnings

: 24 sewing projects to welcome baby

by Anna Maria Horner

Nice designs, inspiring colours. Includes projects for mama, baby, family and nest.

The Cheapskate Next Door

by Jeff Yeager

Encouragement and tips for living below your means. Good emphasis on sustainability. Good book.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Silent Governess

by Julie Klassen

After an attack in which her neck is injured and she temporarily loses her ability to speak, Olivia is hired to work with children in a mansion where there are many secrets.

I found this historical Christian romance very interesting.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Have a New Husband by Friday

by Dr. Kevin Leman

A number of ways to improve your relationship. I didn't agree with Dr. Leman on several issues, but I think this book could help struggling marriages.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Preserve It!

by Lynda Brown

This excellent reference book on preserving covers drying fruit, freezing, making jams, pickles, preserving meat and more.