Book Reviews: #social media & #life on a farm

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you’re doing well! I am nearing the finish line with my new poetry collection, Ever So Gently, to be released at the end of the month. But along with fine-tuning, I carve out quiet time to read. So, without further ado, I introduce two wonderful books by talented authors, Alex Craigie and Darlene Foster:

The Bubble Reputation by Alex Craigie – A social media eye-opener!

Connecting with friends and family, and posting about hobbies and travels is the allure of social media, right? While reading The Bubble Reputation by Alex Craigie I was reminded of the disturbing side. Social media is the ideal platform for mean-spirited people who intend to destroy others.

Emmie Hobson enjoys the exciting ride as a popular children’s book author and TV personality. She has a fabulous partner in life, Luke, who will support her to the end of time. Her relationship with her sister may be rocky, but she loves her parents dearly. What could go wrong? Her life seems picture-perfect. But Craigie introduces Ursula, a ruthless editor, who is searching for a juicy scoop. She zeroes in on Emmie to publicly mortify. The higher reader ratings are well worth the underhanded behavior. Emmie’s world is shaken, stirred, and turned upside down. The readers choose what they want to believe, whether the words speak the truth or whether they imply false information. And then social media is the ideal mode to spew the vitriol that spreads like wildfire.

I sympathized with Emmie and Luke, but Emmie’s relationship with her parents was heartwarming. Feeling a strong dislike for Ursula who caused Emmie’s life to crumble was effortless. I wished this story was pure fiction, but we all know these horrific situations headline the news, and some stories conclude with tragic outcomes. I was thoroughly engaged in Emmie’s dilemma, where I couldn’t put the book down. I had to find out how she would survive and come up for air.

The story is compelling from start to finish and enlightens the reader about the misuse of social media. You’ll have to read the book to find out if Emmie comes up for air! Highly recommended!  

You Can Take The Girl From The Prairie by Darlene Foster – Touching stories about family and farm living.

Foster compiles a lovely collection of short stories inspired by her memories of growing up on a prairie farm in Canada. Family is the touchstone in each heartfelt story, and Foster’s writing flows so genuinely as if she’s narrating her memories to a group of friends relaxing around a crackling campfire. She admits in the introduction that she didn’t appreciate her life on the prairie as a young girl. “But over time, I realized that what I had as a child was special – the freedom, safety, fresh air, home-grown food, friendly neighbors…”

You Can Take the Girl from the Prairie reveals how hindsight is twenty-twenty.

I’ve always lived in the city, but as I’ve grown older, the solitude offered in a country setting is appealing. So, I looked forward to reading about Foster’s life on the farm. She pays high regard to her parents and grandparents and everyone she has met on her path. There is no doubt she possesses a grateful heart.

I enjoyed this entire collection, but a few heartwarming favorites spoke about Foster’s baby brother entering her world as though out of a fairytale. The love in her heart for her cowboy, heroic dad shines, and when she writes about a special teacher, I thought of a teacher from my high school years who instilled the same positive effect. Foster infuses humor in “Good Hands,” which made me laugh when I read about her dad chasing a cow that jumped off the back of a truck on the way to the vet. But one story that made me teary-eyed and tugged at my heart is “Losing Tim,” which gave me a personal glimpse into the author’s life.

Each memory pulled me in deeper, so I read this book in one sitting. Each story draws out various emotions known to the human heart. I highly recommend this beautiful collection to anyone interested in life on a farm, but who also enjoys touching family stories.

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy reading!

~ Lauren ❤️

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.

105 thoughts on “Book Reviews: #social media & #life on a farm”

    1. Thanks for reading my reviews, Marina. I loved both of these! 🙂 And thanks for your excitement about my book. A few more tweaks and formatting issues and I’ll step over the finish line. Sigh. Sending hugs, my friend. xoxoxo

  9. Congratulations to Trish and Darlene on the excellent reviews! I had the same experience reading The Bubble Reputation, and I’m greatly looking forward to reading Darlene’s book.

    2. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

      Thanks, Liz! I hope to read Darlene’s next week – it’s had some wonderful reviews and this is another one.

  11. Family stories are the best. So happy to read your reviews on these two seemingly amazing reads. Thank you.
    And all the best in the book. End of month. So cool. Blessings

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Selma, and I’m glad you enjoyed my reviews. I hope you get a chance to read these great books. And I hope you enjoy mine when you have time, too. 😉 Thanks for your kind wishes about my book also. Greatly appreciated! Have a lovely tomorrow and weekend ahead. 💞🙏🏻

  12. When you said you enjoyed Alex’s and Darlene’s books, you weren’t kidding. Lol. Yes, we were on the same “page,s” literally! Great reviews, Lauren. Huge congrats to Darlene and Alex on the wonderful start their books are getting. 😀

    2. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

      Thanks for pointing this review out to me, Diana – I had no idea it was here and it’s given me so much pleasure. I love both of Lauren’s reviews and I’ve been fairly buzzing with happiness going from your lovely boost to this one. ❤

  13. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on both of these compelling collections! I love how different and yet equally interesting both are. ❤

    1. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

      Thanks, Layla! I love Lauren’s review and she’s convinced me to read Darlene’s book!

  15. Thank you Lauren for sharing your favorite reads.
    The one on social media looks very interesting, as it is really a society subject. As for the other one, I love the idea of going through people memories of place an time.
    I am sorry I’d enjoy both.
    I will add them to my list for sure.
    Take care and have a nice evening!

    1. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

      There’s few expressions more wondrous to an author than hearing that someone is going to add your book to their list – many thanks!

  17. Curt Mekemson's avatar Curt Mekemson

    The first tale is one that needs to be told, over and over again, Lauren. I think there should be a special hell for the trolls that abuse social media so terribly. As for the second book, I like the cow that jumped out of the truck. The Washington Post had a photo and an article yesterday about a cowboy chasing down a cow that had escaped onto the freeway. 🙂

    1. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

      Thanks, Curt. It’s a topic that really worries me. People can invent stories online and others will believe them. It’s a pernicious threat and one that social media companies seem unable to control.

      2. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

        Absolutely, Curt. Anything that encourages footfall to the site is exploited – and that means distortion or, as you say, downright deception.

    2. Hi Curt, Alex’s book was truly enlightening even though it was fiction, and I feel the same. What a hilarious image that was of the cow jumping out of the truck, and funny about the article you mention. But I hope the cowboy caught the cow before it made to the freeway. Yikes! Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend.

  18. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

    This was a wonderful surprise, Lauren! Thank you so much. Congratulations on your imminent publication of Ever So Gently. I’m looking forward to it already. ❤

    1. You’re very welcome, Trish! I didn’t want to steal Diana’s thunder by mentioning it on her post. 🙂 But I sent you a message on Goodreads. I’ve had some pain that knocked me off my feet yesterday, so sorry for the delay. I should’ve emailed you. Anyway, I’m so happy you like my review because I loved your book! And thanks for your support about my book too. I look forward to reading more books from you also. 🩷

      1. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

        So sorry to hear about the pain, Lauren. I hope it’s gone now. I do love blogs like this because I get to read reviews about books I’d never come across normally – and they’re little gems!

      2. Thanks so much, Trish. It’s a new foot condition that will take a few months to mend. The pain is random and intense which is why yesterday was an eye-opener, but one day at a time. Anyway, I don’t mean to bore you…
        I feel the same about finding new books on other blogs. 🤗

    1. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie

      I agree! I’m increasingly anxious about people’s dependence on it and their gullibility, too. 😦

  21. Beautiful reviews for two beautiful books Lauren. I loved Alex’s book and I will get to Darlene’s. Congrats to both talented ladies. ❤ xx

  22. First of all, I’d like to thank you for sharing these insightful reviews, Lauren. Next, I’ll extend “congratulations” to Alex and Darlene. As someone who grew up on a farm, I can relate to that lifelong connection to rural living; so many great memories!

  26. Lovely reviews, Lauren. Both books sound interesting, each in their own way.
    “YouCan Take The Girl From the Prairie”sounds fab.
    Well, I am from the Canadian prairie, so I might be showing bias!
    Thank you to you, Lauren, and to the authors- Alex Craigie & Darlene Foster!

Comments are closed.