Review: Big Summer

Daphne hasn't heard from her former best friend in years, but Drue is desperately trying to get in touch with her. Daphne's not interested, not after the fight they had all those years ago. It was her most humiliating moment and the moment that changed her life. But that doesn't mean she wants to be friends again.

Drue has a way of getting to people and when she finally comes face to face with Daphne, she does the one thing that Daphne can't believe - she apologizes. And asks her to be in her wedding party.

Daphne's not ready to forget and forgive, but she never could say no to Drue. Daphne's grown up since she last hung out with Drue; she's become stronger and more confident. Sure, she still feels insecure now and then, but she's not about to let Drue devastate her again.  Except...things happen in a way she could never imagine.

My Thoughts: I confess I haven't read a Jennifer Weiner book in years and I'm not sure why. I love her books. And I really enjoyed this one too. I loved the peek into an influencer's life. I loved how Daphne attempted to be both her best self and her true self on Instagram. I love how she found clothes that worked for her and not the skinny model type girls (And with pockets!). I want clothes just like that. I loved the family moments, the talk about friendships, and being brave. My heart broke for several characters in this book. I enjoyed the moments I didn't see coming and how everything turned out.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Jennifer Weiner's book are a must have for your library's collection. 

Tween Tuesday Review: The Littlest Bigfoot

Alice isn't like other kids - she has a hard time fitting in wherever she goes. No one seems to like her, not even her parents. She's attempted school after school, but everything results in failure. More than ever, Alice wishes for a friend.

Her newest school seems strange, but also freeing. Alice finds herself a friend, one who's just as strange as she is and who is hiding a huge secret.  The two of them form a tight bond, but Alice's new friend is a yeti child and can't be seen in the human world.

Their bond of outsiders brings them close together until an incident captures Millie on camera. Unless the two of them can come up with a plan, Millie and her tribe will move and Alice will lose the only friend she's ever known.

My Thoughts: Honestly this book didn't grab me at the start, but I really liked it. I loved the book's message - to be who you are and to be proud of it. I love how both Millie and Alice were outsiders in their communities and how they found each other and formed a tight bond. I loved how Millie was obsessed with all things human. I liked how different the school was - but how they came together. I loved Alice learning how to cook. I liked the other girls and their quirks. A great middle grade debut for Jennifer Weiner that's perfect for discussion, readers needing to accept themselves, and those interested in bigfoot. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for review
Final Thoughts: A wonderful book about being yourself and owning it. Great for school and public libraries.

Books I'm Dying to Read: September Edition

As fall begins, so do the really big publishing months! With the cooling weather, reading on the couch is a perfect way to spend a couple of hours. Plus Christmas books are starting to come out! 

The Book I've been waiting to read for the past year! I'll devote a day to read this one.

Some fun looking picture books: cookies, dragons, and capitals - oh my!

Lots of great looking middle grade, including one on Shelby Holmes, Jennifer Weiner's middle grade debut and so much more. I just love the covers.

Contemporary YA books

Fantasy novels

And of course the start of Christmas books!

BEA Wrap Up: Part 1 - Monday

I'm still trying to remember everyone I met and everything I saw that looked awesome - it's pretty hard. BEA is my favorite book moments of the year. I look forward to it each yet. I love meeting people who love books as much as I do! 

Monday I went to the Book Blogger Con for the first time. It was interesting and I loved meeting so many bloggers!

I got eat breakfast with Jenny Han (I really need to her books! I keep hearing awesome things about them and they're perfect for summer.), Tricia Rayburn (who has an awesome sounding middle grade novel coming out under T.R. Burns and I loved her Maggie Bean books), and Sonja Manzano (who plays Maria on Sesame Street and has a YA book coming out with a GREAT cover story.)

I adored Jennifer Weiner! As the keynote speaker, she made great points about the lack of respect for women's fiction and those who blog about women's fiction. She was really sweet and very funny.

During Lunch, I got to chat with Julie Kagawa (who is so super nice), Jordan Matter (who's book of photographing dancers looks amazing) and Heather Ross (who makes her own fabrics and has a craft book coming out. She also has a picture book out in the fall).

One of the dancers from Jordan Matter

After panels on Blogging Today, Critical Reviews, and Demystifying the Book Blogger & Publisher Relationship where I jotted down notes for future reference, Jenny Lawson from the Bloggess ended the day. She was amusing and very honest. 

After the day, I went to a dinner party for Soho Teen, in the cutest restaurant.

We talked about books, authors, and book cover over food. Soho is just starting a teen imprint. Keep your eyes out for great books coming soon!