Picture Book Review: The Sweater

Hazel is heading out for a hike when she notices a little bird having some trouble. Instead of hiking, she goes to tell her friends that their new neighbor needs some help. They all pitch in. The next day, she drops off the present. It's a lovely present, but what's even better is what happens next.

What a wonderful story about community, sharing, and helping others. We really are stronger together. Connections do make all the difference. I loved this book. It carries such an important message that's desperately needed right now. 

* Must have book for your school and public library. 

Booklist: You've Got Mail

I recently read a You've Got Mail book and decided to create a booklist - just in case there are people who also love this trope.

The first four are adult books and the second four are YA books.

Are there ones that I missed? Let me know so I can read them!

To Read: Thrillers

 

Happy Friday the 13th.

I'm sharing some thrillers that I'm looking forward to reading

Adult:

YA:

Middle Grade:

Survival Thrillers:

Have you read any of these?

I feel like I need some more adult thrillers, do you have any recommendations?

Review: Battle of the Bookstores

 

Josie and Ryan each manage a bookstore. Josie manages a literary bookstore and Ryan manages a romance bookstore. In between, the two stores, there's a coffee shop. Ther person who owns the stores sits them both down. He shares that they will be merging the three stores under one manager. 

Josie and Ryan will spend the next few months competing to save their jobs. As they talk, both Josie and Ryan bring out the worst in each other. Each believe the other looks down upon their work. Through series of miscommunication, they become each other's enemies. Each time they talk, they become more irritated and frustrated with each other. Could they just need a little flip?

My Thoughts: This book was so much fun, I didn't want to put it down. There's a lot going on here.

1. I loved the bookstore bits. I love that the genres were swapped here with expectations - I would have assumed the romance bookstore would have been managed by a woman. That was opposite here. I loved the conversations about books. The bater between Josie and Ryan was on point. 
2. I loved the You've Got Mail spin on this story - the messages between the two bookstores were charming. 
3. The story between the sisters was sweet

This was my first Ali Brady book, but it won't be my last.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I Read: This was on a list of epistolary novels, which it isn't. But there are lots of tests. But bookstores.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance section

Picture Book Wednesday: I'm So Happy You're Here

This book is perfect.

The illustrations are charming, bright, and delightful. The joy surrounding libraries comes through. The beginning of the book reminds me of a Todd Parr book (whom I also adore). I love the part about library cards being hte best thing ever and the fact the libraries are NOT just about books. We do lot of programs too. 

This is a magical read that everyone should read and every library should own.

Mychal with Sam (my co-worker) and I at a library conference in CT

Top Ten Tuesday: Numbers

 This week's topic is books with numbers in the title. Here are some from my TRB list.

Have you read any of these? Are any of these on your TBR?

Middle Grade Review: Dear Jackie

Jackie likes wearing comfortable clothes. She doesn't like pink clothes. She doesn't like frilly clothes. She's not interested in makeup. She isn't crushing over any boys - including her best friend who happens to be a guy. But all the other girls in middle school seem interested.

Everyone keeps bugging her to change. Jackie likes herself just the way she is. Why does no one else seem to?

Then she comes up with a brilliant idea. She'll write a secret admire letter that will let everyone know. And for a while it works - until it doesn't. 

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel. I felt so bad for Jackie and how everyone kept asking her to change. I wanted to give her a giant hug. I thought her solution was clever. There were some bad friendship moments in this book that were forgiven. Just like in middle school there are mean girls and jerky boys. I'm just now realizing there wasn't any technology in this book: phones or social media. I love how the book went through the calendar year. And the back matter about how to fold a note made me feel super old. A fantastic book about middle school and relationships. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school or public library