Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks: A Beginner’s Workbook for All Ages by Kritzelpixel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book starts out very simple with introductory exercises to warm up and loosen your hands with doodling and mark making and then it expands from there all the way to multiple different perspective exercises. Some are really easy and some are really sophisticated. It’s not “fun” but it’s serious and a great look at not just drawing techniques but how to get into the right mindset and how to hold the pen and move your arms etc. A very different and interesting guide. I’ve been really enjoying working my way through it.

with gratitude to Zeitgeist and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

View all my reviews

Art for Self-Care: Create Powerful, Healing Art by Listening to Your Inner Voice by Jessica Swift
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had read Jessica Swift’s story before but I didn’t remember it until I saw it again it this book. What a terrible tragedy she’s had to survive and what a wonderfully inspiring book this is. This is not a step by step book. It won’t teach you how to draw or paint. Instead if will teach you how to go within and access that part of you that can then create beautiful, amazing, meaningful art.

The book is also full of Jessica’s inspiring, colorful and beautiful art. It will make your fingers itch to create as you read it.

with gratitude to Quarry Books and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

View all my reviews

A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

this was a fast read of a whirlwind romance that takes place over many many years. It seems to have a huge following. I read it and loved it and already forgot it.

View all my reviews

Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gender Is Really Strange is a simple, high level and accessible introduction to how sex and gender differ and it also covers the history of different cultures and history of how we saw gender over the history. It also defines some of the categories including trans, intersex, non-binary, agender and several others (there was a mistake in this book conflating gender fluid and gender flux which are not the same thing but this book says they are.)

The book also talks about white supremacy and its impact on the gender definition and norms. There are several other related topics around science, physical activities, etc. It’s comprehensive and interesting and absolutely a great introduction in an easily consumable format.

With gratitude to netgalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Peter Heller’s books. I haven’t read a book by him that I didn’t love and The Last Ranger was no exception. His characters are always wonderful, memorable people. And I especially loved every single one in this story.

His settings are vivid, lush and transformative. Yellowstone is a wonderful place to set a novel and even though I knew about the story around reintroducing wolves into the park, I loved loved loved reading about it.

My favorite character was the wolf specialist and she will stay with me a long, long time. These literary novels with a bit of a mystery and incredible character and setting are his specialty and why I keep looking forward to a new Heller book every single time.

with gratitude to netgalley and Knopf for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

The Passengers by John Marrs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

Fast paced mystery with some interesting twists. A bit more lecture-y than I would have liked and likely a tiny bit too long. but it was good to read when i am stuck.

View all my reviews