Review Shots: A punch bowl of cartoon, watercoloring and a 30 day challenge

Remember that new shiny thing we started last month? Not the Flyaway Friday feature, I know it is a fabulous. But the other one – yeah my way to overcome the long pending backlog of review books.

Oh yes, we are making that regular feature based on the comments I saw on that post. So every month the first Monday review edition oh Elgee Writes will have the bite sized edition of book reviews and the other Mondays will continue to have long (and longer) review (rather book rants) as usual.


Book Name: Herding Cats

Mini review: Cartoon

Author: Sarah Andersen

Genre: Fiction – Cartoon

If any of has seen my social feed you will know that I have an unhealthy obsession (for an adult) over cartoons and comic strips. So when I saw that the Sarah Andersen publication was offering Herding Cats for review at Netgalley I downloaded it before I could even read the blurb. Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen was the last book I read in 2017, and to be precise on 31 December 2017 after 10 PM. Yes it was worth staying in cuddled with my e-reader instead of partying on the New Year’s Eve.

Herding Cats is a very short (100+ pages) collection of Sarah’s depiction of her love for cats and other pets, autumn as well as her trying to adult. It is the third part of the Sarah Scribbles series. Every one I know will be able to relate to her cartoons and it will sure leave a grin on their faces. It is one of those books that will make you feel ‘Glad I am not the only weird one’ and wish it was longer.

But if you are looking for a common thread of cartoons (like the others in the series), you won’t find any. It is seemingly a bunch of random cartoons (that we love and are fabulous) by Sarah strewn together.

Final thought: Loved it.

Recommended to: All book lovers, millennials and cartoon lovers.


Book Name: Everyday Watercolor

Mini review: Cartoon

Author: Jenna Rainey

Genre: Non-Fiction; – Art

You all know how craft challenged I am, and my last water coloring project made me question all my ‘sensible shopping’ techniques. So when I stumbled across Everyday Watercolor by Jenna Rainey in Netgalley, I decided I will give water coloring a final try. And Jenna Rainey delivered exactly what it promised. NO I didn’t turn out to be an artist but now I at least now I can make a not so messy painting (which is by itself a grand achievement).

Everyday Watercolor teaches simple techniques to paint right from brush strokes and increasing the complexity day by day (in 30 days). I liked Jenna Rainey’s encouraging tone and attention to small details while teaching. I definitely will not throw my water color supplies yet.

Final thought: Perfect starter pack for learning water color.

Recommended to: Anyone interested in learning water coloring.


Book Name: Find Your Awesome:

Mini review: Cartoon

Author: Judy Clement Wall

Genre: Non-Fiction; – Self help

Find Your Awesome is an entertaining step by step instruction workbook that will help you introspect and learn to love yourself. This book is in the form of a 30 day challenge, but you can shorten or lengthen the period according to your need. I took more than 30 days to do some and I didn’t even do those challenges in that order (which probably is not how you should do).

If you are looking for a life changing piece of advice, then Find Your Awesome may not be your book. But you will definitely love it if you are up for fun and encouraging challenge to do. The book has place for you to write your lists and goals (like a journal) but I ended up using the good ol’ pen and paper.

Final thought: Entertaining way to introspect and accept self love.

Recommended to: Self help lovers who are looking for a monthly challenge.


Pin me!

Mini review: Cartoon

Let us chat

Do you like reading these tiny non fiction books? Should I continue with these review shots? Let me know whatever you think.

30 Comments

  1. Vani | Off-Color Lit

    I love this! What a great way to feature books that don’t necessarily need a whole long review!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Exactly. I read a lot of short books which I want to feature but I absolutely have no space on my schedule and hence the feature. Glad you get it.

      Reply
  2. Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks

    I also felt like Herding Cats was totally random. Since that’s the first book of hers I’ve read, I wasn’t too impressed 😀 although of course, I loved the cartoons 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      That is exactly what I felt too – random! But of course her work is hilarious and so relatable.

      Reply
  3. Andreea

    I love your review shots! I might even borrow your idea if I may.
    Also, I love Sarah Andersen’s illustrations. I lvoed her first book and I am looking forward to read this one too!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Please do. They work for books that you don’t or can’t talk for 500 words or so. I am liking this feature as well.

      Reply
  4. Megan @ Ginger Mom

    I love this idea 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Glad you like it.

      Reply
  5. Stacey

    Not reviewed books like this before, nor really looked at them. Great post and some fab covers.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Glad you did make an exception for my blog <3

      Reply
  6. terriluvsbooks

    I never go out on NYE. I don’t think I read this year, but I know I’ve read in the past. The watercolor book you mentioned sounds interesting. I recently started painting using spray paint on canvas and I find it very therapeutic.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      My ‘artworks’ are still messy but am not giving up yet! Do share your works, would love to check them out.

      Reply
  7. DJ Sakata

    Love this post – it made me smile

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I am glad you liked it!

      Reply
  8. Stormi

    I like these snapshot reviews!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I am planning to do a lot of them in the future.

      Reply
  9. Katie @ Book Ink Reviews

    I love the idea of bite-sized reviews! It looks like you’re doing an awesome job at beating your backlog!

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      That is what am aiming at. Also those non fictions need some love too, don’t you think?

      Reply
  10. Nikki

    Nice post! I meant to ask- how was your recent trip?? Georgia was it?

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh it was super good, Nikki. I have been meaning to write a post about the trip but have not got to it yet. Will line that up soon.

      Reply
  11. Natasha

    I really want Herding Cats. Having 6 cats in my household makes us a bit cat obsessed. 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh you will love it then. Try it out soon.

      Reply
  12. Jo Linsdell

    I like the sounds of all 3 of these.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      I am glad you like them.

      Reply
  13. Jenn @ Bound to Writing

    I like this segment. It brings light to many books all at once. I’m intrigued by the watercoloring book. I haven’t used watercolors in a long time, but I would love to try again.

    Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh I had art classes at school and used to fail on those subjects terribly. I am trying so hard to get artsy.

      Reply
      • Jenn @ Bound to Writing

        I completely understand! I’m not the best artist either. Besides, watercolors are so much fun!

        Reply
        • Gayathri

          Yes they are, even if they end up a mess.

          Reply
    • Gayathri

      Oh then you are in for a treat if you try this one. It is on Netgalley as well.

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Spotlight Sunday: #05 One about Emirates Lit Fest 2018 | Elgee Writes - […] Review Shots: A punch bowl of cartoon, watercoloring and a 30… […]

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Gayathri

Gayathri

Gayathri has been reviewing books since 2010. When she is not reading books or creating online content, she works as a writer and a digital marketer. Head over to meet me!