Middle Grade Monday: Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker

Cincinnati Lee's family is cursed.

It all started with her great-great-great Grandfather. He "discovered" lots of artifacts for museums. But the artifacts weren't his to take. Now Cincinnati believes if she could return the items, she could break the family curse. But it's not going to be easy.

When she learns about the Spear of Destiny, she believes she might have found a way. But she's not the only one after the spear. And she'll have to solve the clues to discover its location. Maybe her new friends can help her...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved Cincinnati's beliefs - that artifacts should not be stolen. I admired her determination. I loved her two friends - and the struggles they had. There's a great nod to Indiana Jones, which was funny. I enjoyed Cincinnati's relationship with her mother. This book had lots of action and lots of danger and a whole lot of fun. I hope there's a sequel coming to this one. 

Cover Thoughts: Loved it

Why I Read This Book: The cover sold me but also, I loved the premise

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library

Hand this to Reader: who like action and adventure stories - especially those who enjoy the Rick Riordan Presents line 

If We Are Having Tea

I haven't done one of these posts in a long time...but here goes.

If we were having tea, I'd tell you:

It's the first full week of Summer Reading programs. I really love the moments I get to spend with families in the summer (and the rest of the year too). We have lovely conversations about books and reading, but also personal tidbits. These moments are special, and they make my day.

But I do have to be honest, summer reading is hard. My library hosts multiple programs a day for different ages. Programming is rewarding, but it's also stressful - especially when I don't read emails right and realize that the library and the performer are talking about two different days. That happened this week; I felt terrible all night and had so many dreams about it.  It turned out fine the next day, but what a mistake to make. As an introvert, summer reading is hard because there are so many interactions; I need a lot of time to recharge. Which is why it's nice to go home to my dogs and relax. I would ask you, what do you do to relax?

I'm reading more this year that I have done recently - some because it's been graphic novels and some because Knightley is getting older and more mature. He doesn't need so much supervision. I never get a chance to read ALL the books I want to, but I've been reading so many great books. I've been trying to read more teen books lately, I feel that I've skewed into adult romances so much that I haven't been reading the teens ones too much. So, I've tried to change that and writing an article for SLJ didn't hurt. I would ask you, what books you've been reading lately that was a five-star read?

I write up a notebook for year, a two-page spread for the month. This year I'm trying to focus on more adventures and moments. I usually use the notebook for half the year and then forget about it. I'm sticking with it so far. Going back to fill in items still counts, right? I would ask, how to you keep track of your big and small moments of the year?

I finally started to take vacations during the summer (summer reading remember?). I just got back from Acadia. That is our happy place - we go there everything two or three years. If you missed, the pictures, take a look. We had such a fun time. I would ask, do you have a vacation spot you visit often? Or do you enjoy traveling mostly to new places?

I would ask, what's new with you. What do you want to share?

Vacation Photos: Food in Bar Harbor

Last week, I shared a bunch of photos of Maine and hiking and views.

This week, it's all about the food.

I will also say that we are creatures of habit, and we go to the same restaurants often. 

West Street Cafe - this was our second time here and it was magical both times.

I love the decor; there are so many plants.

I forgot to take pictures of the food, but the seafood mushrooms and the lobster mac & cheese are impressive 

Testa's Bar and Grill 

(picture taken from website)
We went to this restaurant for the seafood alfredo.

I'm a big fan of lobster. 

Pink Pastry Shop 

(picture taken from website)

Their peanut butter cookie is to die for. I had to go back for seconds. 

Rosalie's Pizza

This is a favorite pizza spot. 

The eggplant is my favorite. If you're lucky enough to get a table, it's so worth it. 

The crust is great. The tunes are even better

Route 66
(Picture from their website)

Pulled pork with mashed potatoes - I was not expecting this kind of meal here.

It was delicious! 

We go to CJ's Big Dipper every night for dessert when we are in town:

Peanut Butter

Campfire S'mores

This was a delicious trip and I recommend all these places to eat.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Review: Better Than Revenge

 

Finley hasn't been preparing to be named to the school's podcast team for years. It's the first step towards her future. Her boyfriend decides that he's also going to audition too. He makes the team, taking her spot as a host. Instead, she's given a research position.  

But that's not all, after the announcement, he's overheard saying that Finley wasn't right for the job. He's not surprised when they break up, but he doesn't understand why she's so upset either. 

But then Finely has an idea. She'll try out for the kicker position on the football team. Finley asks Jensen's enemy to help train her. As Theo and Finley begin hanging out, they more they become friends. Can Finley take everything away from Jensen like he did to her?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; I didn't want to put it down. It's not really a sports book, because most of the book is training, but there is a good football part. I loved reading about Theo and Finley. Their relationship worked nicely. I couldn't believe that Jenson could be so obtuse. I really liked Finley's grandmother, and I enjoyed her story too. Finely had a great group of friends. The podcasting part was interesting. I liked the students' reaction to their school's podcast. I love how the book turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I read this book: Revenge!

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romance for your school and public library

Hand this to: Readers who enjoy podcasting, enemies to lovers trope, and a cute romance. 

* This book is dedicated to Taylor Swift and I'm here for it. 

Review: Maya in Multicolor

 

Maya didn't have the best first semester at college. She started dating a boy who kept her from spreading her wings. Once she leaves him, she starts working on a new version of herself. She asks to be chair of the Holi committee. Last year it didn't go very well, but she hopes to bring back the traditional aspects of the celebration - like the ones she enjoyed with her grandmother.

Maya isn't thrilled to discover she must work with an upper-class man. Nishant is a DJ, who dates plenty of girls. He only goes on 2 ates with each of them. He has big ideas into Holi a multi-day event. Maya just wants the event to run smoothly. The more time she spends with Nishant, they start to become friends. Can they pull off the biggest event of the year without killing each other?

My Thoughts: This was such a cute college romance. I love that Maya left Thomas and that she started spreading her wings. I love that she's a baker and loves GBBS. I loved her moments with Nishant. I love how they both opened up to each other and learned to trust each other. Neither of their lives were easy, but they managed a true partnership. I enjoyed how they navigated through creating the event for Holi. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love books about college 

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romance for your public library's collection

Hand this to: Readers who want to read about college and readers who enjoy enemies to lovers trope

Picture Book Review: Today

Time can take forever or fly by in a blink. Summer is finally here and it's time for cousins and family and fun. 

The illustrations are charming. I can feel the summer sun as I look through them. I want to be at the lake with this family too. There is a note at the end from author about being in the present and mindfulness.

Top Ten Tuesday: TBR lists

 This week's topic is your TBR for the rest of the year. I feel like I don't have too much, but I always think that. I'll try to keep this shorter - only the most important books. And as I'll do a separate post for holiday reads, I'll leave those off the list.

Loved Stephanie Perkins YA romances

I loved the first book, which I reviewed for Fresh Fiction

Sold by the tagline: Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han

Love Jane Austen - here for it.

Here for the Taylor stories! 

Love these books

Honestly, the cover sold me on this one. 

Love Jenn's books. 

How could I resist this title? 

Billionaires and bookstores

Oh and one in January:

What else should be on my list?