Sea Witch Rising (Sea Witch #2)

Stars 5/5

Sea Witch Rising by Sarah Henning

I loved the first book and I loved this second book in the Sea Witch series. Fingers crossed there will be a third book. I just love this world. This review is going to be vague because I don't want to spoil anything but I have to say that I just love Evie and am glad that things turn around for her. This book follows Runa, Alia's twin sister, as she tries to help Alia as a human to not come to the terrible end so Runa makes a deal with the Sea Witch, Evie. I don't want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but OMG this is a book to be read! 

The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create The World's Great Drinks

Stars 5/5

The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create The World's Great Drinks

by Amy Stewart

This book is truly packed full of botanical knowledge when it comes to alcoholic drinks. I really enjoyed it. It is always fun learning new things and this book definitely taught me a lot. I really don't consume alcoholic drinks mostly because I never really know what I would like to drink. What would taste good for me? This book goes into not only the making of each spirit but gives the reader recipes and ideas to create your own signature drink. I highly recommend it.

Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History

Stars 5/5

Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt

I really did enjoy this book but a few sections did make me a bit icky which is to be expected with this topic. The book discusses cannibalism in nature, animals, humans and more. Is breast feeding a form of cannibalism? Many different questions that make you think. I think the thing that most creeped me out was the discussion of placenta eating and the authors experience of tasting one. I definitely recommend this book just hold off on dinner for a bit!

Ethan Frome

Stars 5/5

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

WoW! I vaguely remember reading Edith Wharton's House of Mirth book a very long time ago but I believe I must of forgotten how wonderful her writing is because this book is only the second I have read of her work and I loved it. I will be adding more books of hers this year. This book was amazing! The story follows Ethan, a man struggling with his farm and with his life with his hypochondriac wife, Zeena. Zeena's cousin comes to the house to help out and that is what brings life back to Ethan. He falls in love with her until Zeena wants another girl to come and help out and is sending her cousin away. This story is about loneliness, heartache, love and a horrible tragedy. I highly recommend it!

Eugene Onegin

Stars 5/5

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

This is a translated story of verse and rhyme. I really enjoyed this story but wonder how much got lost in translation. The story follows Eugene, a man that is in search of peace in the country where he develops a friendship with an artist of poetry and his family. His sister shows a fondness for Eugene but it is not returned and thus an unrequited love that leads to tragedy. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this classic!

Treasure Island

Stars 5/5

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

This is definitely not my first time reading this classic but I wanted to re-read this book since it has been a very long time since I have. This book is one of my all time favorites. Who doesn't like a search for a hidden treasure! Jim Hawkins is a young man that is recruited to help search for this treasure along side the villain, Long John Silver. After a long ship voyage, it is a race for the treasure. I can not recommend this book enough. It is great for all ages.

Manson: The Life And Times of Charles Manson

Stars 5/5

Manson: The Life And Times Of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn

I have been wanting to read this book for quite some time so I thought it fitting to be the first book I read in 2020 for the #CuriousAdventure read-a-thon. The book is a chronological account of Charles Milles Manson's life. How he came to be born until his conviction for the murders. When I was very young, I took a class in criminology and so I wrote to Charles Manson for the thesis I was writing. He never responded. Fast forward twenty six years later, I got a letter from Charlie. What a odd day that was but I have to say that writing to Charlie all those years ago is what started my hobby of autograph collecting which I love and cherish to this day. I highly recommend this book. It is a wonderful and accurate account of his life and the lives he touched.