Bitty Book Nook

Introduction It's been quite a while since I've had the pleasure of reading a historical fiction novel, and when author Verne R. Albright brought me Playing Chess with God in exchange for an honest review, I knew that it would be a good idea to accept. And I was right! Focused on the California Gold Rush of 1848 and 1849, Playing Chess with God follows a humble young man through thick and thin in his own personal adventure of seeking fortune and finding himself--and I loved every page! My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Synopsis: "Henning Dietzel, at the urging of a Chilean prostitute named Encinas, investigates rumors of gold in California prior to the 1849 rush. Intrigued he heads to the Gold Country to stake his claim. When others flee a brutal winter, Henning perseveres, and by the time the Forty-Niners arrive, he's already a wealthy young man. His saga is a sweeping tale of fortune and misfortune, discovery and tragedy, love and loss. From the backwaters and bo...

Introduction This is completely unlike any book I've reviewed before on Bitty Book Nook! Ashes by author Sharon Gloger Friedman is abundant in culture, hardship, and beauty--an inspiring tale of perseverance for a Jewish family in the early 20th century. The author was kind enough to give me a .mobi file of the novel for free in exchange for an honest review, so, without further ado, let's get to that rating! My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Synopsis:   "Easter Sunday, 1903 ushered in three days of government-sanctioned brutality on the Jews of Kishinev, Russia. In the aftermath of slaughter, rape, and destruction, Meyer and Sadie Raisky escape to New York City with their thirteen-year-old daughter, Miriam. Their home and business gone, reeling from devastating personal tragedy, the Raiskys cling to the promise of a better life in America. But upon arriving in New York City, Miriam and her parents quickly learn that promises are easily broken in the tenements of the L...

Introduction Mid-October is, arguably, the most stressful time of year for a college student, and I am certainly not the exception of that idea. That being said, in the midst of all of my midterm exams, I was absolutely delighted to have such an amazing book to read during study breaks. Mr. Jackson Ellis sent me Lords of St. Thomas as an .epub file in exchange for an honest review, and I was pleased to find out what a touching and heartbreaking tale Mr. Ellis' debut novel posed for me. My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Synopsis: "In the Mojave Desert, at the southern end of the isolated Moapa Valley, sat the town of St. Thomas, Nevada. A small community that thrived despite scorching temperatures and scarce water, St. Thomas was home to hardy railroad workers, farmers, shopkeepers, teachers, and a lone auto mechanic named Henry Lord. Born and raised in St. Thomas, Lord lived in a small home beside his garage with his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Ellen, and his gra...

Introduction Croatian author Bernard Jan approached me on Twitter and offered me a copy of his memoir, A World Without Color , as a free .mobi file in exchange for an honest review. This story is a heartwarming and emotional ode to the last three days that the author spent with his cat, Marcel. Although I read far more fiction than nonfiction, I enjoyed the book and was honored that Mr. Jan would offer to share such a personal memoir with me and the rest of the world. Mr. Jan also generously allowed me an extension for the publication date of this review, which I am very grateful for! However, I must insist that this in no way affects my honesty in writing this review.   My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ Synopsis: "What do you say to someone who is dying? And what do you say when that someone can't understand a word you are saying? How do you comfort each other throughout...and beyond? 'My love, if you go away in a few days, the world will lose its colors an...

Introduction Author J.K. Imathiu (known on Goodreads as J Imathiu) contacted me on Twitter towards the end of April and offered me a free ebook copy of The Other Side of Me in exchange for an honest review, and I have to say, it was nice to have a change of pace in my reading selections! I've been trying to do that a bit more with my Novel Subgenre Checklist for the year, but I hadn't yet read a drama until now. The book takes place in Kenya as well, which contributed to the uniqueness of the novel and how it strayed from the usual type of books I read. My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ Synopsis: "How well do you know the person you think you know the most? I turned into someone I didn't recognize and I found out I didn't know myself. Before that, I was part of the hustle and bustle of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. I was up at the crack of dawn to get to work to earn a living and make my dreams come true. I walked a straight path and gave my work my all. I expected th...