Welcome to Erica Talks Books. Here I review books--new and old, as well as those yet to be released.
I read books across the board, but I do have favorite categories. That being said, you'll notice that some genres on my site are packed full of books, while others are a bit starved for attention. I unabashedly confess that nowadays I tend to prefer my books with an extra large helping of magic, wonder and whimsy, served with a hearty dash of inspiration.
As a person who loves both gardening and cooking, this book really resonated with me. It had interesting characters, good world building, and a plot that felt both magical and universal. It was fun, mysterious, and compelling.
Another memorable book by Robin McKinley. This one had a very interesting and unique premise with some delightfully clever details. Great world building and characters.
A cute and educational story. I really loved the incorporation of evolutionary science into the story. It's a great way to learn.
I love this! This is a book about embracing your true self and not succumbing to the pressures of conformity. It's also an empowering message about the impact a single person can make when they embrace their differences.
Clear and concise writing. This book covers a wide array of health ailments that are organized into intuitive categories, such as “Digestive Health,” “Cardiovascular Health,” etc. And in each section there are a large assortment of recipes, allowing for some flexibility if you grow your own herbs.
First, let me say that there is a lot, lot, lot, lot of information in this book. It is more than a refresher on grammar rules. It's more like the Holy Grail of grammar rules—learn them all and you will rule the grammar world!
I love pizza, and I generally make it at home a few times a month, so this book was instantly exciting to me. And holy wowza, I have received a thorough pizza-making education!
A lovely classic with lots of witty banter and plenty of moments of intrigue. Good rising and falling action.
What a thrill of a ride! Fun. Gritty. Lots of action and intrigue. And I loved the premise for this one. It was conceptually unique and instantly compelling. I can definitely picture it as a TV show with its non-stop action and diverse characters.
A sweet book about loss, gardening, and friendship. I definitely recommend this for any kids that like gardening, or to any whose best friend just moved away.
What a surprisingly fantastic book. Once I got into it I blew through it, unable to put it down. The characters are strong, yet vulnerable. The plot is full of intrigue and mystery. The world building is rich and enthralling. And the main character's suitors are both equally captivating—dark and brooding and thoroughly mysterious. I loved how the slow burn romance continued to tease and tantalize throughout.
I always worry about short stories, because they are so hard to pull off. But this story had elegant prose; and bold, visceral imagery that was both haunting and sublime. There was solid character development, great world building, plot, and some interesting subtext regarding the creatures we become in order to survive.
