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The Encyclopedia of Italian Food by The Coastal Kitchen

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Cookbook  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Those who know me know I absolutely love Italian food, especially pastas, and am constantly on the lookout for new dishes/recipes to try. This book is absolutely perfect with so many recipes there’s bound to be something for everyone. I liked the way in which the recipes were split up with pasta having its own section, and recipes on making each type as well as complete dishes, as well as pizzas and focaccia since I also love focaccia. The dishes with meat, those with seafood and plant-based being separated is great as it makes it easier when cooking for people with dietary restrictions such as a pescetarian or a vegetarian. The recipes themselves are easy to follow and laid out well with the ingredients to one side making it easy to check you have everything before you start. I also liked that at the top of each recipe is an active time and a total time...
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This Winter by Alice Oseman

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Short Story, Teen, Christmas, Mental Health  Thoughts: I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book since it was 0.5 so I read it first and the blurb doesn’t give much away but it is so worth the read. I think Charlie’s mental health was handled really well even though some family members didn’t handle it the best you can tell they’re trying. I was also impressed with how well the family dynamic, specifically between siblings, was well explained/established in such a short period of time, and even though Oliver himself only gets a few pages to show his thoughts and feelings. Favourite Quote: “When people know you're mentally ill, most people either want to ignore it completely or they treat you like you're strange, scary, or fascinating. Very few people are actually good at the middle ground The middle ground isn't hard. It's just being there. Being helpful, if help is needed. Being understanding even if they don't understand everything”
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Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Teen, LGBTQ+ Thoughts:  Charlie and Nick are so cute and I could really sense the longing and confusion from the pages. I like the way the author placed the month in the story to show how slowly (and naturally) the feelings develop, especially Charlie as he is now questioning himself. I can also see the way in which Charlie felt the need to research when he started to get close as I’m sure many other teens and young adults who are figuring themselves out do. I knew going in there were 5 published books and one just being promoted but I had no clue that ending was coming and I definitely regret only borrowing the first from the library instead of bringing them all home. Favourite Quote: “You can't tell whether people are gay by what they look like And gay or Straight aren't the only two options Anyway, it's very rude to Speculate about people's sexuality”
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Snowflake Sugar Wedding by Janet Koops

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Romance, Short Stories  Thoughts:  So this may not be a formal book but I received a copy through Janet’s newsletter and I absolutely love anything Kringle Cousin so I had to read and share it with you all, maybe it’ll inspire you to check the series out a little. Now this installment is really short and falls in after the first three books and includes the main characters from all three while focusing on Rosie and Jack. I really enjoyed this book with the characters being touched back on, especially a hint of Nora and the furthering of the romances between them all. I especially liked the way in which the vows were handled which were soo cute and how they both used their own skills to make the day special in their own ways (flowers for Rosie and setting for Jack). Favourite Quote: “When I was a little girl, my mother told me that snowflakes were love letters from the sky. Each one was different, she said, because each one was meant for someone specific...
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The King's Fool by Mahi Binebine

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Fiction, Morocco, Historical Fiction Thoughts: This was a little difficult for me to read as it is a culture unlike my own and I had to keep googling things which meant I was rereading to fix the disjointedness I created by stopping but I learnt so much and am glad that I did read it. The king is a complex character with the toughness to rule being in full view when Mohamed reflects on the past but the vulnerability of a dying man shows in stark contrast as he shares the current moments with each other. I also found the contrast of all the different personalities of people in the antechamber interesting and how they got along (or not) when it came to their days and the king's favour. Favourite Quote: “Before harming others, hatred poisons the heart of those who harbour it, and it erodes and gnaws away at you, kills you, bit by bit.”
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Always Remember Your Name by Andra and Tatiana Bucci

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Memoir, Holocaust  Thoughts:  This book is so enlightening seeing the sisters journey for so long. The first half of the book covers before the war and their experiences in the concentration camps. It’s interesting that the block leader took enough of a liking to them to ultimately save their lives but it’s such a shame they couldn’t save Sergio as we can feel the guilt and regret that left them carrying their own lives. I enjoyed learning of their time in Lingfield as a Brit I had no idea of the place but I think I’ll be looking further into it now, especially knowing of the work Anna Freud does and that it was a project of hers. It’s great that they were able to get a happy reunion despite thinking their parents dead as most of the books I’ve read there was no such luck and it was great to see the other side since I know some families did have some members survive. I think the ending was so important, especially since it was translated in 2020 so was ...
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Dogman by Dav Pilkey

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Childrens, Middle Grade  Thoughts: I managed to get my hands on this book second hand for a steal and had to read it to check the age was appropriate for the boy I had bought it for or if I needed to keep it for a few years. Not only is it the perfect age and hopefully able to entice him into reading but it also made me smile in a few points too.
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