Top Ten Tuesday: Auto-Buy Authors

This week's topic is Auto-Buy Authors and oh, boy do I have a lot. There are too many to name. And they fall into three categories: 1. For Me. 2. For the Library 3. For Both. Luckily working at the library allows to so much freedom when it comes to buying books. I'm going to talk about picture book illustrators and authors today.

10 Picture Book Authors and Illustrators:

Ryan T Higgins

Peter H Reynolds

Vashti Harrison

Kate Messner

Ame Dyckman

Lauren Castillo

Amy Hest

Josh Funk

Susan Verde

LeUyen Pham

Graphic Novel Review: Bloom

Ari wants to move to the city with his band to see if they can make it. His father won't let him leave the family bakery. It's struggling and he needs Ari's help. Ari hates working at the bakery. He's desperate to find someone to take his place so he can live out his dream. Ari finds Hector who loves baking. But the more time he spends with Hector the more he doesn't want to leave.

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel - for the romance and for the bakery. I loved watching Hector and Ari develop a friendship and then something more. I loved their moments in the bakery. I love how they worked together. 

Reading Recommendation: Read this one if you liked Check, Please.

On Your Radar: Truly Madly Royally (26)

Title: Truly Madly Royally 

Author: Debbie Rigaud

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: July 30, 2019

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:
* Summer Romance
* A Prince
* Zora's after school program
* The kids in the after school program
* Taking college classes in high school
* Taco Tuesdays
* Banter between Zora and the Prince
* Men in Black
* Being True to Yourself
* Interracial Couple
* Stolen Moments on Campus
* Meghan Markle inspired


** I adore royal romances, so this was a must read for me. And it was everything I wanted it to be.

Cover Thoughts: Amazing. Captured the feel of the book completely

Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries.

Review: Call It What You Want To

When Maegan and Rob are forced to pair up for a school assignment, both of them wish they could back out. Both of them are social outcasts - Maegan because she was caught cheating on the SATs and Rob because his father's a criminal. Many people think he helped his father steal money - or at the very least he knew about it.

With nothing left to lose, they start talking. And it helps. But they both still have secrets, secrets that could ruin this delicate friendship.

My Thoughts: I love all her books, and this one was hard to put down. I loved seeing a relationship bloom between the cop's daughter and the criminal's son. I liked unraveling the family secrets. I loved how Maegan and her sister became close - how they broke down the walls of secrets. My heart broke for both Maegan and Rob and for all they were going through. I loved Owen. I'd love to see him in a future book as the main character. I really liked the big question of this book - the question about mistakes and doing some wrong for the right reasons. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your library. 

Blog Tour: Milady

She was the greatest nemesis of d'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers--but Milady de Winter was so much more than just a villain in their swashbuckling adventures.
I've gone by many names though you know me as Milady de Winter: Villainess, seductress, a secondary player in The Three Musketeers story.

But we all know history was written by men, and they so often get things wrong.

So before you cast judgment, let me tell you of how a girl from the countryside became the most feared woman in all of Europe. A target for antipathy, a name whispered in fear or loathing.

I don't need you to like me. I just need to be free.

It's finally time I tell my own story. The truth isn't tidy or convenient, but it's certainly more interesting. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: Confession: I've never read The Three Musketeers and now I think I might have to. I like the idea of taking a villain and sharing his/her/their story. I enjoyed learning how Milady because skilled at seducing men, manipulating people, and her thought process. Sure she made terrible choices with terrible consequences, but the people around her served her terribly too. She's cunning and clever and not a damsel in distress. She's willing to take matters into her own hands and make the hard choices. A very interesting read.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous
Source: Book sent for review

Picture Book Review: Elbert

Elbert is a curious bear, but he's supposed to march with everyone else. His curiosity makes it impossible for him. He leaves to explore the world - hoping that his questions will finally be answered and he can come home and conform.

A fantastic picture book for those always asking about the world. Why? Why? Why? Elbert is different. He questions everything. The illustrations are great and the message is sweet.  A wonderful picture book to share together.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Characters I'd Like to Befriend

This week's topic is Book Characters I'd Like to Befriend - and while we all have our favorites, here are book characters that I'd love to be friends with - from books I've read this year. 

I want to be part of the secret society - and also hang out at the romance bookstore 

Jules from the bakeshop mystery series - not to solve the murder, but to hang out in the bakery

The snark would keep me laughing so hard with this group of friends

I'd like to be part of the Queen's lady spies

I'd like to be part of the rescue team

I'd love to be friends with Daisy and her secret society of ladies

I'd love to be friends with all the cousins

I'd love to be part of a friend group that bakes each other cookies!


I love this group of friends - who love football and playing poker and just hanging out together.


I love Zora and her big heart. I'd love to be her friend.