The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey by T. J. Mueller : A Lesson in Courage and Connection

​We all have grand aspirations, but it’s often our own inner voice of fear that becomes the biggest discouragement. “The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey” illustrates this meaningful concept perfectly. In just thirty-nine perfectly written pages, this small book imparts timeless wisdom to budding minds, crafting a beautiful narrative about overcoming one’s own insecurities and fears through meaningful and supportive relationships. 

This is far more than a simple story; it’s a guide to believing in oneself and understanding that every dream is achievable.​The book excels in its ability to present these profound life lessons within a well-paced and engaging narrative. The literary structure is certainly one of its greatest strengths; the author has skillfully organized the tale from beginning to end, using correct, evocative words that never hinder the story’s flow. The incidents are introduced at regular intervals, maintaining an even pace that keeps young readers thoroughly engrossed. It’s rare to find such a perfectly constructed piece of children’s literature that feels both effortless and meticulously crafted.

​The story centers on the unlikely duo in the Walker’s garden: Honey, the Italian greyhound dog, and Hubie, the worldly pond frog. Their friendship is founded on the thrill of adventure, fueled by Hubie’s incredible tales of his travels outside the garden’s boundaries. Honey’s great desire to see the outside world becomes a powerful illustration of dreaming big, but it is Hubie’s presence that provides the crucial spark of right guidance. This scenario beautifully conveys how important it is to circle yourself with friends who uplift your mindset and give you the courage to take the first step.

​The ensuing journey is an eventful trek that teaches children the necessity of helping each other in need and the pure joy of having fun together. No matter how daunting the world outside the garden may seem, the duo shows that if you are perseverant enough, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals. 

​Apart from the compelling narrative and its inherent moral value, the book is a visual delight. The vivid and beautiful illustrations certainly add another layer of depth, making the journey resonate even more strongly with the reader. 

Overall, “The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey” is a well-written and well-meant book, a must-read for children and adults alike who need a reminder that adventure awaits just beyond their comfort zone.

Rating: 5/5

My China Dream: What I learned from teaching in China by Scott A Morrill

A humorous story of a lawyer’s journey of discovery in the Middle Kingdom. Follow along with his and his wife’s experience teaching young, impressionable Chinese university students western ways as they learn about China and eastern ways. Pandas, certificates and Red Stamps are staples of Chinese society, but the people, food and culture is what won them over.

Title: My China Dream: What I learned from teaching in China

Author: Scott A Morrill

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 236

My review

My China Dream by Scott Morrill is an eloquent memoir reminiscing the time author and his wife spent in China. It all started when they got an unexpected offer to consider teaching positions at Zhejiang University in China. Accepting this offer means, leaving the comfort and safety of home and travel to an unknown country with zero knowledge in their language. Ultimately he decided to take a break from his soul-squishing law practice and bring a sense of novelty and adventurous spirit to his life. Moving to China, a country that has surrounded by a fair share of prejudices and speculations in the western world were not easy. But their experience in China proved them all wrong.

This is a unique blend of emotions. It is heartwarming and humorous at the same time. For someone who lived almost all of his life in the modernized western world, China offers quite a big cultural shock at the first instance. But soon they have accustomed to its ways, thanks to the people who welcomed them with big hearts. The Eastern world is completely different by all means. The government, law, ethics, educational system, culture, faith…everything has its difference. But I really liked the author’s perspective towards them. He looks into this new world with an open mind and enthusiasm. His positive outlook on life is quite evident from the beginning of the book. He keeps this attitude throughout the book.

One of the best features of this memoir, which I liked most is its impeccable narration. The author has narrated every bit of his experience with utmost honesty. It is flawless and captures the emotions behind the words very easily. He included his thoughts, beliefs, frustrations and everything else which made his China dream a blend of sweet and sour. This memoir will make you laugh, excited and sad at times. But, it will certainly leave you with a big smile in the end.

Purchase link: Amazon.com

A brown man in Russia: Lessons learned on the Trans-Siberian by Vijay Menon|Review

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Title: A brown man in Russia: Lessons learned on the Trans-Siberian 

Author: Vijay Menon

Pages: 232

The world is fighting against a pandemic. People are tied to their homes for an unpredictable period. As a travel enthusiast, it is a dreadful period which no one wants to remember. But books can rescue anyone from any danger. Travel memoirs are one of my favorite genres because thry let me travel without leaving my home. I adore them. From the title itself, we can deduce that this is a journey of a brown man to Russia via trans-Siberian.
From the first page itself the author is calling the readers to join this journey with him. His parents were keen to inculcate an unconditional love for travel in him from a very young age. He was a 5-year-old boy who received National Geographic magazine as a Christmas gift. Here he is now planning to travel across Russia through Trans-Siberian railway to Mongolia to celebrate Christmas along with his Duke friends and this too in the heart of winter! The journey was not smooth, it has its ups and downs. But the author has managed to tell a travel story with a pinch of humor.

His unquenching thirst for adventure is the most striking part of this memoir. Perhaps it is the core that drives this story alone. But you can’t blend adventure with unpreparedness. It was something that I didn’t approve of. As a traveler it is essential to know and prepare for your journey especially if you are going to a totally strange country. But if I think about this from a new perspective, I can find some sort of adventure in it. Vijay’s struggle in Russia with language and people might be a lesson for some and adventure for some others. Anyway he managed to narrate his experience flawlessly.
I believe that only the writing skill can rescue an author in a travel memoir. The ability to narrate travel experiences without losing their underlying emotions, let alone drive the story. Apart from the portrayal of the scenic beauty of Russia through words, I liked the element of honesty and friendship he has. They made this journey even more sweater. If a reader can give his undivided focus to this memoir, then he could experience a beautiful journey with these friends through Trans-Siberian to enjoy a Mongolian Christmas.

Reccommended for every travel enthusiasts out there.

Rating:5/5