Thursday, May 4, 2017

Review: If Not For You

Beth moved to Oregon to leave her sheltered life behind and to be closer to her aunt. She loves her new job as a music teacher and bonds with her co-workers. One of her friends sets her up on a blind date.

One look at Sam and Beth knows he's not the kind of man her mother would approve of. Secure in the knowledge that neither of them are interested in each other, they end the date as quickly as possible.

But on the way home, Beth's in a terrible car accident. Sam's at the scene and holds her hand as they wait for help. In that one moment, everything seems different.
My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one - how the accident changed the course of their relationship. I really like how Beth struck out on her home and stood up to her overbearing mother. I really enjoyed Beth's father. I liked the slow burn of Sam and Beth - although they both made some terrible assumptions and decisions. Another sweet romance from Debbie Macomber. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Picture Book Review: Naptime with Theo and Beau


A boy and his puppy nap together -all the time.

A super awesome picture books that's great for concepts.
Fun, sweet photos of the two main character; it's easy to pour over the cuteness of these pictures. Great for sharing with small groups or one on one. 

I only wish there were more of these books 
(The other one is about bathtime and it's also charming and super cute)

One picture from the book - so sweet.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: Covers

This week's topic is cover - anything with covers. So I've chosen books coming out that I want to read based on the covers alone. I'm going to attempt to limit it to just 10 (but you know me).
- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 
Prince in Disguise
I love the hot beverage and mittens. It screams hot chocolate romance

Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #6)

I love this series and the cover seems cold, but intriguing at the same time.I can't wait to uncover what happens next. 
Second Chance Girl
I love gazebos. 
Sugar Pine Trail (Haven Point, #7)
Holiday romance!

No Place Like Home
Love the red shoes!
Lucky in Love
You had me at carousel
Coming Up for Air
Pool side romance!
Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls
Supergirl as a spy
A Dash of Dragon
Magic Potion brewing - beware!
Holiday in the Hamptons  (From Manhattan with Love #5)
Summer romance!  

Any of these interest you based on the covers?


Monday, May 1, 2017

Read A Dessen: The Truth About Forever


I adore Sarah Dessen's books so I'm happy to be part of the #ReadADessen blog tour from Penguin. Tons of blogs will be talking about her books, leading up to her newest book which I can't wait to read: Once and For All coming out June 6th.  It's So far away, but there's still time to re-read her backlist if you seriously can not wait any longer! 

If you're stuck on where to start, I wrote up this blog post last year. Take a look.

About the Book:

As bubbly as champagne and delectable as wedding cake, Once and for All, Sarah Dessen's thirteenth novel, is set in the world of wedding planning, where crises are routine.

Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that's why she's cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm's length. But Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged, now that he's met the one girl he really wants.

Sarah Dessen’s many, many fans will adore her latest, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story that has everything—humor, romance, and an ending both happy and imperfect, just like life itself.

About the Author:
Sarah Dessen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels for teens, which have received numerous awards and rave reviews. Her books have been published in over thirty countries and have sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the recipient of the 2017 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for outstanding contribution to young adult literature for her novels: Keeping the Moon, Dreamland, This Lullaby, The Truth about Forever, Just Listen, Along for the Ride, and What Happened to Goodbye. Her newest novel, Once and for All, will be released in June 2017. An NC native, she currently lives in Chapel Hill with her family.

It's always hard to pick a favorite book by an author you love. But as soon as I read The Truth About Forever, I knew it was a different kind of love. So I happily re-read it to remember all the reasons I fell in love with it the first time.

Of course, it didn't disappoint me. 

10 Reasons I adore this book:
The Truth Game
The Chaos in the Kitchen
Macy learning not to be perfect
Wes
Wes's sculptures
 Gotcha Game
Kristy's outlook on life
Monica's word count
Healing from Grief
The horrible library girls

There are so many reasons to love this book. The words just washed over me as I read it. I felt a connection to the chaos and finding yourself free in your choices.

It's the type of book I want to hug after reading it.
I tried thinking of a sentence or two to pull out from it to share as my favorite quote, but there are simply too many.

So Read it for yourself and let me know what you think of it.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

Giveaway of Sarah Dessen's paperback books:
Enter for a chance to win one (1) set of Sarah Dessen’s books in paperback (ARV: $132.00).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on April 17, 2017 and 12:00 AM on May 29, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about June 1, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Book Display Ideas: May


Spring is here!

Check out last year's post for May Dates and displays.
All these display ideas were found searching Pinterest. I have not created them. 

Coming Soon: Entice Readers for Summer Reading and big books not yet released
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/183099541078570650/
This year I'll add displays around movie releases:

May 5th: Guardians of the Galaxy

Display Idea: Superheroes
I like the background here, but there are tons on Pinterest if you search.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226587424975033401/

May 12th: King Arthur

Display Idea: Knights or King Arthur
Similar idea - just change the fairy tales to knights. Add a knight and a sword.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/345932815098379146/
May 19th: Everything, Everything
Display Idea: Nature - books with flowers on the cover


May 19th: Alien Covenant

Display Idea: Aliens
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b3/95/6a/b3956a39df915b6843af6499e27fe037.jpg

Friday, April 28, 2017

Review: Addie Bell's Shortcut to Growing Up

Addie's birthday isn't the day she thought it would be. Instead of feeling more grown-up, she only feels humiliated by all the the events. She can't wait to be sixteen - to wear make-up, have a cell phone, and go out on dates. It's the perfect age.

So when her neighbor gifts her a wishing box, there's only one wish to make.

The next morning when she wakes up, everything is different. Her sister is off to college. She finally got the dog she always wanted. She's super popular at school. She has an amazingly cool wardrobe. But not everything is great. She's missing the last four years of her life. She has lots of questions.

Why isn't she best friends with Grace anymore? Why can't she date the cute boy she likes? Most importantly how did she become this person and can she go back?
My Thoughts: I love Jessica Brody's novels - so I was really looking forward to reading this 13 Going on 30/Big inspired novel. Addie tries desperately to figure out the holes in her life. She has no idea what anyone is talking about, especially her school work. Plus she has no idea how to act around boys or drive her car or feed her dog or put on makeup. All of these little things not only add humor to the story, but they begin to add up making Addie frustrated in her new life. 

I really liked how she tried to piece together what happened with her ex-best friend, starting the night of her 12th birthday. Addie at 16 is a mean girl, but she quickly realizes that's not who she wants to be and she tries to change everything. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC for review
Library Recommendation: Perfect for Middle School collections where everyone's dying to be older, but then you realize it might not be all that's cracked up to be. An entertaining read that will make readers laugh. 

Thursday, April 27, 2017

On Your Radar (5)


Title: What to Say Next 
Author:  Julie Buxbaum
Publisher: Delacorte Press 
Publication Date: July 11, 2017

Why it Should be on Your Radar:
Secrets 
Grief
Forgiveness
Honesty
Friendship
Diverse Characters 
Navigating Society
The Notebook
David
Social Interactions
Finding your people 
Being Yourself


I loved Julie's YA debut, Tell Me Three Things, so I was happy to receive the ARC for What to Say Next - and it's amazingly good.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for Review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for All Libraries!