Top Ten Tuesday

This week's theme is Top Ten All Time Favorite Books in X Genre. So far I've written about Historical Fiction. I swear there were others, but I can't seem to find them. So this week I'm going to talk about my favorite Sci-fi books in a mix of YA and Adult. I have a very different view of what makes a book Sci-Fi - it has to be based in science for the possibilities to happen - thus paranormal and dystopian fall into Sci-Fi

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Hunger Games

Divergent

Legend

Ender's Game

The Selection

Raised by Wolves

Vampire Academy series

Steelheart

Girl with the Steel Corset 

Life as We Knew It

Morganville Vampire series

Tween Tuesday Review: Frosting and Friendship

Lily's been invited to join a mother-daughter book club with her new friends Sophie. She's really excited about it until the first meeting where the club decides to name themselves the Baking Bookworms. Neither Lily nor her mother can bake.

Soon she's asked to host Sophie's surprise birthday party and she's asked to create a delicious dessert - one worthy of the occasion.  Lily's worried sick about her baking abilities - so much so that it's starting to effect the other parts of her life.  Can she pull off this party while remaining true to herself?

My Thoughts: I really like this sweet series - for the baking conversations, the new friendships, and for the girls discovering themselves. I felt bad for Lily as she tried baking, but I couldn't help but laugh over her mistakes. I also felt bad for her position with the band members. I'm sad this is the last companion novels about these three girls. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Review: Better Off Friends

In the 7th grade, Macallan helped show Levi around the school. When he looked lost at lunch, she invited him to sit with her and her friends. They hit it off and have been BFFs ever since.

As they grow older, they're determined not to let anyone interfere with their friendship - although they have a few rocky points. People always assume that they're together - could they see something that Macallan  and Levi don't?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It's the spot on teen version of When Harry Met Sally - complete with the interviews in between chapters. I liked reading both perspectives of Macallan  and Levi. I love how quickly they became friends - over  a quirky British TV show and how it grew over the years. I liked how they opened up to each other - Macallan  with her mom and Levi with his feelings on cheating and how they became true friends. Elizabeth Eulberg is one of my favorite contemporary authors - her books are perfection.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Breakfast at Darcy's

Darcy's Aunt Molly died leaving her a choice. In her will, she left Holly an island - where she has to live for a year with 15 other people. Only after the year is complete will she earn the rest of the inheritance.

Her aunt wants Darcy to recapture the magic from her childhood. Darcy feels terrible that she neglected her aunt the past couple years. So she decided to throw caution to the wind.

With the help of her lawyer and handyman, she advertises the island getaway to gain people. With an odd assortment of people, Darcy begins her year, but will she make it through? 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked Darcy and her attitude and how she lived up to the challenges. I liked her lawyer who was kind and eventually a little bit funny. I enjoyed the description of the island - the beauty of it and while I might go there for a vacation, I'm not sure I could live there. I really liked Dermot and his gruffness, but also his sweet side.  His daughter was a breath of fresh air too as well as the puppies. Another great read from this author - so looking forward to more of her books.

Cover Thoughts: DOESN'T match the book at all. I thought this was a winter romance based on the cover, which is adorable.
Source: Purchased

Mysterious Saturday Review: Murder of a Small-Town Honey

 * First in a Series *

Skye's not thrilled to be back in her hometown, but it's the best she can do under the circumstances. After bring fired from her job and dumped by her fiance, she's lucky to get the job as the psychologist for all the local schools.

Not everyone's happy to see her, especially those who remember her graduation speech where she called the town and it's people small minded. As she's trying to acclimate herself back into the community, she agrees to help her honorary uncle at the local parade - where she discovers a body.

The woman turns out to have ties in the area - including ties to her honorary uncle, her new boss, her new co-worker, and her brother.  When her brother becomes the main suspect in the murder investigation, Sky'es mom asks her to dig up some answers.

My Thoughts: I'm new to this series, but I really enjoyed it. Skye's job varies from the usual cozy mysteries I read and I really liked it. I liked reading about the trials of her new job. I'm looking forward to uncovering more about her past in the next few books.  I liked Skye's trials with her parents and her struggle to fit back into small town life.  The ins and outs of small town life are fascinating and entertaining, but it sure makes it hard to keep a secret when everyone knows everything about everyone.

Cover Thoughts: I like how it ties together key elements of the book
Source: My Library

Women's History Month Read: Dare the Wind

The story of Eleanor Prentiss and how she took the Flying Cloud from New York to San Francisco in record time. 

My Thoughts: I confess I didn't know anything about Elaenor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud and now I want to know more. This book was a great introduction to her life. I love that her father taught her what he knew about sailing and I'm glad that she married a man who loved the see as much as a she did and let her be herself. The pictures were great; I could almost picture myself on the ship. Author's note was informative and I enjoyed looking at the map. A very well done book.

Review: Love Letters to the Dead

An assignment in English class turns into something SO much more when Laurel starts writing to Kurt Cobain. She writes to him because he died young - just like her sister. Laurel doesn't hand in her assignment, but she keeps writing about all the emotions swirling through her. 

My Thoughts: So many emotions run through this book: pain, grief, guilt, loss, and moving on. I felt horrible for Laurel and all that she went through. I love that she started writing to people because of a school assignment and I enjoyed the various people she shared her feelings with: Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, Judy Garland, River Phoenix, Jim Morrison, Elizabeth Bishop, Allan Lane, John Keats, and ee cummings.   A powerful debut novel that made me cry (at work) and kept me thinking about it for days afterwards.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: ARC
Release Date: April 1, 2014

If You Like Pins (9)

At work, I made a few similar reads pins for our Pinterest page...

This week we're featuring Women's History Month These picture books are great inspirations for celebrating women and girls. Enjoy! 

On My Holds List (75)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold.

More Sequels:

Cottage On Juniper Ridge: I really love the Icicle Falls series and that cover looks so peaceful

Blossom Street Brides: I love this series - the stories of friendship and love in this small town

Betty Bunny Wants a Goal: I adore Betty Bunny - she's so funny!

Sweet Expectations: Really enjoyed the first book in this series about a family surrounding their bakery.