We're Sinking But Not Tonight by Torgeir Higraff with Randy Green #RBRT

5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)
On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: it was submitted to Rosie's Book Review Team, of which I am a member.

In a Nutshell: An account of Torgeir Higraff's Kon-Tiki 2 Expedition 

I enjoyed this book a great deal, having an endless fascination for real life adventures of this magnitude; I think it's something about getting away from 'normal' life and seeing what one is made of that appeals.  Torgeir Higraff's aim was to re-enact the famous voyage of Thor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, but this time to do the return journey as well: from Peru to Easter Island and back again.

Both Higraff and Heyerdahl were keen to discover the origins of the Polynesian population, who also travelled by balsa raft over a thousand years ago; the aim was to see if the journeys back and forth were possible.  In this book, Higraff gives much historical detail which is most absorbing; aside from the ancient, he also talks about other raft voyages - I very much enjoyed chapter sixteen.

The rest of the book addresses the birth of the idea, the struggle for sponsorship and necessary permits, the actual building of the raft, and, of course, the voyage itself.  The storms.  The loss of vital supplies and deterioration of the logs and ropes that plagued them throughout.  However, the book is cheerful in tone, and Higraff talks a lot about his fellow sailors, both on Tupac and the sister raft, Rahiti.  The relationships between, their vastly different personalities and skills.

It's a highly readable book and I enjoyed it throughout.  During the time I was reading it, I watched the 2012 film based on Heyerdahl's voyage, Kon-Tiki, partly to give me a better understanding of the mechanics of inhabiting and sailing via raft.  If you're interested, click HERE for more about it, including trailers and where to watch.  I also looked at Torgeir's site - click on any of the photos and you can flick through all of them, they're great!  It's HERE

THE LAST QUEEN by Gemma Lawrence @TudorTweep

 4.5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)

On   Goodreads

How I discovered this book: a favourite author

In a Nutshell: Book 1 of the Chronicles of Cleopatra

I was surprised by this new book by Gemma Lawrence, as at first glance it seems like a world away from her other historical fiction, which is, in the main, English, European, Tudor, Plantagenet, Saxon and Norman. 

Then I began to read it and saw that, of course, it's not a world away, at all.  Amongst those who rule kingdoms, the story will always be about manipulation, danger, betrayal, alliances and moral issues.  This book covers the early part of Cleopatra's life about which, as the author states in the notes at the end of the book, very little is known.  The way Ms Lawrence has imagined it was entirely convincing, and I liked reading all the factual information contained in the earlier part of the book, as it concerns a place, time and culture about which I knew nothing at all.

A fascinating start to what I'm sure will be another excellent series.

FOOTNOTES: The History behind the Novels by Judith Arnopp @juditharnopp

 5 out of 5 stars

On Amazon (universal link)
On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: Saw it on X, big fan of this author

In a Nutshell: A selection of articles that give background information about the subject matter of the author's novels

In the introduction Judith Arnopp apologises for any repetition in this collection of blog posts and articles from previous years, as her books were in progress.  Yes, there was some repetition, but it didn't matter to me, because so many of the articles were fascinating.  

The chapter about the Mary Rose made me think, 'I have to see this', to the extent that I've looked up the site and trains, and asked my sister if she fancies taking the trip with me.  The one about Harlech Castle and Owain Glyndŵr made me want to read a book about the subject.  'The Mysterious Death of King William II' ensured that The Forest Dwellers will be the next book of Ms Arnopp's that I read.  Even the chapters about people I already knew a lot about, like Margaret Beaufort and Henry VIII's wives, I still enjoyed reading.

And now I want to visit all those ancient Welsh churches, too - this book is a little gem!

MAKE HIM A SANDWICH by Candace Owens @realCandaceO

 5 GOLD stars

On Candace's website - Canada and US only
On Amazon.com - ships to UK

On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: I saw it advertised on Candace's show.

In a Nutshell: 'Why real women don't need fake feminism'

My husband bought me this for Christmas; such was the demand for this elegant treatise of feminist culture that it didn't arrive until a few days ago.  Having just closed the book, I imagine most will agree with me that the wait was worth it.  MHAS is so well-written I became totally engrossed in every historical account, every 'celeb' incident, every aspect of the way in which the media and those who run it have manipulated young women to think that (for instance) getting your kit off on the internet for money is 'liberation'.

I particularly liked Chapter 4, Beyond the Pale, which outlines the origins of the movement, back as far mid 19th Century Russia.  So much I didn't know.  Oh, and don't miss Chapter 6: The Kardashian School of Plastic'.  Or #7, Along Came Hannah, about 'trad wife' Hannah Neeleman and her YouTube channel about life at her family home, Ballerina Farm. I was glued to the pages throughout!

MHAS compares the biology of men and women, the emotional differences, which made me think about aspects I hadn't previously considered.  The book is a light and 'easy read', wise, honest and straight to the point but always classy.  I watch Candace often, so I know how intricately she researches every detail, how careful she is before presenting facts.  She digs deeper than most, into both her subject matter and the motivations of others.

Something else I appreciated was the way the chapters themselves were structured - a masterclass in keeping the reader's attention.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.  It cuts through all the lies, myths,  hype and manipulation; the hows and whys about the overturning of Roe vs Wade was an eye-opener.

Make Him A Sandwich is informative, fascinating, funny, beautifully structured, and fears no man!  Or woman, of course.  😉