Top Ten Tuesday: 2025 bookish discoveries

 This week's topic is bookish discoveries from 2025.

I read my first (but not last) Lynn Painter book:

I really loved this romance - written by a guy 

I read this book on a recommendation and loved it.

And then I decided to read more epistolary novels because I love them

I read my first advent book (I confess I read it in one sitting instead of waiting)

Read a historical fiction set at the Grand Canyon

Been wanting to read this book for year, I loved the first half where they talked about Tiffanys. And it inspired me to seek out some Tiffany glass.

Read my first paranormal fantasy in years - remember why I love the genre. 

What discoveries did you make?

Middle Grade Review: Confessions from a Group Chat

Virginia has three best friends, but she doesn't always feel that they're friends. Virginia hasn't found her niche yet. Her friends pigeonhole her, making it hard for her to grow. In reality, Virginia hides her hobbies from her friends because she knows they won't "approve" because her hobbies are not cool. After a terrible fight, her friends leak her mean texts from the group chat on a school social media account run by students.

Viriginia knows it was wrong to make those comments. And most of them she didn't even mean. She felt pressured by her friends to be someone she doesn't want to be. Luckily, she has the help of her older sister and a new friend to guide her through this friendship crisis. 

My Thoughts: This one has ALL the friendship drama. I just wanted to give Virginia a hug. She had terrible friends (who were really bullies/mean girls). I loved her relationship with her new friend whom she texts when things go sideways.  They have great chemistry. I love the public librarian and how she tried to steer Virginia in different directions. I love how Virginia started playing around with photography and had conversations with her former friend about pictures. I loved the text messages in this one. This book was hard to read at times, but I also didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to see what Jodi Meadows writes next.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Why I Read This: I adored Bye, Forever I Guess by the same author

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public library collections

Picture Book Review: A Books of Maps for You

A map of the town filled with secrets.

I loved this book - it's clever and fun. Who doesn't love pouring over maps. I loved the twist at the end. This might be one of my favorite picture books of the year. 

Plant a Seed: Summer Reading Kids (3)

 

We talked about CRAFTS and STEAM programs, this week it's all about books:

Picture Books about Nature

Picture Books about Gardens

Picture Books about Flowers and Seeds:

I know these picks are just scratching the surface and I didn't even touch Chapter books or nonfiction books. 

Personally, I use the summer reading themes to beef up my collection and make it stronger. I will be looking at some gardening and flower nonfiction this year. 

Board Books: Literacy Development

I recently bought these books for my library. And they are FANTASTIC! I couldn't recommend them more. Every library should have them.

This one is about different sounds and their meanings.

All about moments of mealtimes - trying new foods, needing help, and eating. 

Meal time tips are included at the back of this book

So much vocabulary here with the names of the transportation vehicles and what they do. 

This book is all about things your can do with your Dad. I love that they encourage readers to post of photo of themselves with their dad in this book. 

Over All Thoughts:

* Each book in the series contains back matter for parents about how talking with your kid is SUPER important for their development. 

** This series is written by an early speech expert

*** In my professional opinion, these are the best books I've read about literacy development for kids.

**** The pictures of babies are delightful. There are some illustrations combined with the pictures, but the babies and caregivers are photos that showcase our diverse world

Review: Crimson Throne

 

Summary from publisher:

Samson Calthorpe’s curse has isolated him from everyone he has ever cared about. So, when the opportunity arises to break the curse, he grabs it. All he has to do for his freedom is risk his life and become a royal spy, using every bit of the skills and resolve he’s picked up on the streets of London to infiltrate the court of the Scottish Queen and uncover a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth.

For years, Alyth Graham has been protecting Mary Queen of Scots from threats both physical and magical, including the Queen’s own husband, Lord Darnley. Alyth is more than meets the eye though, the child of a fae prince and a human mother, she is among the most powerful protectors in Scotland: guardians sworn to defend against the Red Caps, a bloodthirsty fae clan . . . that Lord Darnley is in league with to overtake Scotland.

As Alyth and Samson circle each other in the volatile and glamorous Scottish court, both seek to uncover threats to their own countries. They have one unifying link: their shared hatred and suspicion of Lord Darnley…and their undeniable pull towards each other. Using secret codes, hidden messages, and a little bit of magic, Alyth and Samson unravel a plot centuries in the making. Lord Darnley is only a pawn, and in this game, the queen takes all.

My Thoughts: Be warned - this is the start of a story that ends just at the climax of the book. I'm already looking forward to the next installment because there was a twist at the end that I did NOT see coming. I really enjoyed the historical figures in this story.  I loved the setting, the wilds of Scotland. One day, I hope to travel there. I like the power struggles between Alyth and Queen Mary; they had an interesting relationship. I enjoyed the banter between Alyth and Samson. I'm curious to see where the next book will take readers.

If you haven't read this yet, it has the same vibe:

Picture Book Wednesday: Don't Disturb the Pirate

Patch the puppy has run away. HIs boy must find him without waking the pirate. What sorts of surprises are on the island? 

I loved all the pirate moments and the sneaking about the island. And that ending hints at a sequel. The illustrations are delightful.