Picture Book Wednesday: Five Stories

Five Stories is about one building and the families who lived there over the decades. They might not know it, but they are connected. 

I loved reading how the connections and pouring over the illustrations. This is a great book for older picture book readers. There's so much to talk about with this book, making it a great one to share. A wonderful slice to of history of New York City. 

* Book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesdays: 5 Star Reads

 This week's topic is one I'm changing up. I don't like sharing negative things about books, so I'm talking about my latest five-star reads. I haven't talked about picture books and board books in a while, so here are some recently read favorites. 

What was your last 5 star read? 

Middle Grade Monday: Mystery of the Locked Rooms

Sarah and her two best friends love escape rooms. When Sarah spots a foreclosure notice on her front door, she knows everything will change. Her father has a chronic health condition and her mother's working as much as she can, but it's not enough.

West, Hannah, and Sarah remember hearing about a treasure in an old, abandoned funhouse. They decide to risk the danger and see if the treasure is real. It could be the answer to Sarah's problems. She really doesn't want to have to move and lose her friends.

Together, they find the hidden passageway inside. The first room leads them to another room in such a way that there's no way backwards. They can only move forwards. Their phones don't work and the rooms don't have much light. Can the three friends who love escape room find their way through the funhouse?  

My Thoughts: This was a super run read: lots of puzzles to figure out. I've never been to an escape room, although I've helped build a couple for my library. Reading about these rooms was really neat. I'm impressed with how Sarah, West, and Hannah did. I loved how they worked together to solve the puzzles. I love how they used their strengths and how they dealt with their weaknesses. I liked the story of the triplets and how they came together to create the funhouse. The book takes place mostly in one day. I loved all the action and the danger from the funhouse rooms. 

And even better, there's a sequel! I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

 Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade book for your school and public library collection

Romance Review: Practice Makes Perfect

* Book 2 in the Rome series *

Annie's the sweet sister - the good girl. And she's tired of that identity. She's tired of hiding her true feelings from her siblings. She has a gaping hole in her heart and she has decided to find a husband to fill that hole.

But the date she goes on is a disaster of epic proportions. The one saving grace is a friend who happens to be there. Will is Amelia's bodyguard, but he's also kind. Plus, he's been on so many dates. He reluctantly agrees to coach Annie in dating. 

But the whole town thinks that Will and Annie are dating. Annie starts to fall for Will. How can she escape this relationship without getting her heart broken?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved Annie - how she had layers and secrets she didn't share with her siblings. I loved her secret love of romance novels. I loved watching her become more confident and come into her own. Of course, the moments with the siblings and Amelia are always fun. I loved that baseball date. Lots of humor here, but don't let that fool you, there's plenty of feelings here to work through. I can't wait to see which sibling is up next, I have a feeling....

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection!

BookTok: You are a Unicorn

 

This new board book came into the library:

@yabooknerdlibrarian You are a Unicorn! Such a sweet board book with gorgeous illustrations! Be sure to read this one! #boardbook #booktok #unicorns #kidlit @Random House Children’s Books ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Wednesday: Bunny Should Be Sleeping

Bunny should be sleeping but he's waiting for his father to check on him.  When his father doesn't come, bunny gathers up all the tools and goes to check on his father himself. His father is sleeping. Bunny goes through their bedtime rituals alone - until the final one where he needs his father's help.

A cute bedtime story about a bunny and his father and bedtime rituals. They need each other! The calm illustrations are soothing. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books up next

 This week's topic is the books up next in my TBR.

Here they are:

Have you read any of these? Which one should I read next?