Review of Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon

 

Read for: Audiobook

Synopsis: "Listening length: approximately 3 hours

Academy award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon invites you into her world, where she infuses the Southern style, parties, and traditions she loves with contemporary flair and charm.

Reese Witherspoon's grandmother Dorothea always said a combination of beauty and strength made Southern women "whiskey in a teacup". We may be delicate and ornamental on the outside, she said, but inside, we're strong and fiery.

Reese's Southern heritage informs her whole life, and she loves sharing the joys of Southern living with practically everyone she meets. She takes the South wherever she goes with bluegrass, big holiday parties, and plenty of Dorothea's fried chicken. It's reflected in how she entertains, decorates her home, and makes holidays special for her kids - not to mention how she talks, dances, and does her hair (in this audiobook, you will learn Reese's fail-proof, only slightly insane hot-roller technique). Reese loves sharing Dorothea's most delicious recipes as well as her favorite Southern traditions, from midnight barn parties to backyard bridal showers, magical Christmas mornings to rollicking honky-tonks.

It's easy to bring a little bit of Reese's world into your home, no matter where you live. After all, there's a Southern side to every place in the world, right?"

My Review: I have had this book sitting in my audible account for a while now, and one of the library's reading challenges for the summer was to read a non-fiction, so here we are. I would really recommend the audio book, listening to Reese narrate the story just added to that southern charm this book exudes. While I was hoping for a bit more, it was a rather short story that really glazes over basic manners. With that said there are a lot of great tips in this book, some playlists, party menus and recipes, many of which I am really looking forward to trying.

My Rating: This definitely felt like a scratching the surface type book but it was still a really enjoyable audio book. I do really want to go back and download the extra content like recipes and playlists.  I give it a rating of Three Paws. 

Review of Willodeen by Katherine Applegate

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Favorite Authors/ Anticipated Release

Synopsis: "The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . .

Eleven-year-old Willodeen adores creatures of all kinds, but her favorites are the most unlovable beasts in the land: strange beasts known as “screechers.” The villagers of Perchance call them pests, even monsters, but Willodeen believes the animals serve a vital role in the complicated web of nature.

Lately, though, nature has seemed angry indeed. Perchance has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled. For as long as anyone can remember, the tiny animals have overwintered in shimmering bubble nests perched atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists from far and wide. This year, however, not a single hummingbear has returned to Perchance, and no one knows why.

When a handmade birthday gift brings unexpected magic to Willodeen and her new friend, Connor, she’s determined to speak up for the animals she loves, and perhaps even uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears."

My Review: Applegate is my all time favorite Middle Grade author so I definitely was excited about a new book from her. This one is just adorable and really captures some important issues without being heavy handed. The setting is unique but easy to imagine, with some creative creatures. I really enjoyed the way Applegate encourages acceptance of people for who they are with all their quirks. The emphasis on the environment and the way different elements of nature effects other elements, it is definitely a book that will spark up some great conversations. I read an eArc of this one but I will definitely be picking up a hard copy and I really hope there are some illustrations to really draw you even further into the story.

My Rating: Applegate always manages to deliver books that are so relatable with great messages but that are also imaginative and easy to read, and this book was no different. I give it a rating of Four Paws and Stump Wag!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley; the above is my honest review and opinion. 

You can find out more about Katherine Applegate and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Willodeen was just released on September 7th so you can pick up your own copy now in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.