Tag: journal entries

Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 (The Unselected Journals #5) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 261 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 24th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.
“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.
“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.
I do not believe the psalmist wrote,
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum. The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Readers have compared Beth Brower’s writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L.M. Montgomery.

CHARMING AS ALWAYS.

I love this series and how every time I’m cranky about a book slump (or a string of bad reads) this series cures me every time. These book are a delight. I love how quick they are to read but how the time moves slowly as you watch Emma grow and learn.

This had some beautiful themes of working through grief and strong friendships. I love all of these characters and look forward to continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), depictions of grief

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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. #2) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 162 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I was sitting at my desk reading, with a cup of tea, my windows flung open, when I heard The Tenant enter his garret, just on the other side of the wall from myself.”

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

PROGRESSIVELY INTRIGUING.

For 160 pages, this did take me a lot longer to read than I was hoping for. BUT. I will say as things went on I became more and more involved. I think I’m starting to understand Emma’s voice in the story and the journal entries make for a quirky set-up.

I’m especially involved in the touches of potential romance throughout. I love the sprinkle of romance but I NEED MORE. I think Emma is flat out hilarious and I laughed many times throughout.

I’m excited to continue reading these as I love the narrator and how nice of switch up it is from whatever big books I’m generally holding. These are light, humorous and will definitely bring a smile to your face.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirtations
  • Violence: none
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents

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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (The Unselected Journals #1) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 121 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

I AM INTRIGUED.

At the behest of many friends I finally picked this one up! It’s biggest hurdle is the unique writing style, but once I got the hang of it, I adored this y’all.

Emma is FUNNY. I laughed out loud multiple times and the succinct way she expresses herself is perfectly written. This is a very fast paced book (120ish pages) and offers up a lot of good beginning things to further the story as the journals go along.

I really look forward to seeing more romance, how Emma is able to take control of her situation and more. Regency fans, don’t skip this one if you’re looking for something to mix it up with.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency/Historical
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: none
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one

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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 (The Unselected Journals #3) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 230 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 25th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“It has been a day ordained by the fates, for how else could one explain the wholly cursed chain of events?” The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London Neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plan for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

CHARMING.

These books make me laugh and grin and I just love Emma’s voice every time. I love the world Emma Lion is creating for herself and how continually resilient and optimistic she is about what life has thrown her way.

There’s also this really sweet found family being created and I love that too. It’s so very different reading a historical fiction book as journal entries vs. how I usually read them. The journal entries are creative and you will be right there with Emma through the ups and downs.

And I might have spied the tiniest bit of romance brewing?? I know this series is planned to be very long and I am here for the haul. They’re quirky and light, filled with good messages too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: grief depiction, loss of a friend (recounted), mentions of war

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