Top Ten Tuesday: Covers

 This week's topic is a cover freebie - so I'm picking books that make me want to start decorating for Christmas already.

Don't these covers make you want to curl up with a cozy sweater with a mug of hot chocolate in front of a lighted tree and a fire? That's my cozy moment. 

What other books should I add to the list? 

Middle Grade Monday: Wilderness Hacks

 

Sadie and Silas have had a tough year. They lost their father to cancer. Silas became gluten free and Sadie changed diets too. She wants to help cheer him up, which is why she agrees to create a video to enter a contest to win an experience with a survival influencer.

She never imagines that she'll win. She can bring a guest, but Silas is too young to participate. She brings him along anyways to meet Radley. First impressions on both sides aren't great. They film a little bit - fishing, creating a fire, and cooking the fish. 

Then they go white water rafting. That's when everything changes. What starts out as a fun trip turns into a nightmare after disaster strikes the region. Sadie and Radley must find a way to work together in order to survive. 

Why I Read It: I Love Survival Books

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Sadie and Radley didn't like each other at first. Their first impressions were not great, but I also liked how they talked it through. I liked Radley's impressions of being an influencer and how life changed for him once he became more famous. I loved Sadie's relationship with her brother and how she wanted to make happy memories for him. I loved the survival moments (although there is a bad scene with some chipmunks and another with a mountain lion). I did love the ending. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

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

Board Books: Family

Just a few sweet board books about family and love

This is one of those board books with puns - all about love between parent and child. Each page has a touch and feel illustration. Simply adorable. 

Sophie Beer books are a favorite of mine and at my library. This one is not all rainbows and sunshine - sometimes there are hard moments too. But through it all, there is lots of love. The bright illustrations are perfect and the characters throughout the book are diverse. 

Another Sophie Beer book - this one celebrates differences between people. What a fantastic message! More brightly colored illustrations with diverse characters. 

This one is about loving nature. The colors from the die cuts appear in different pages that are unique. Love the message here. 

Picture Book Review: Beatrix and her Friends

 

A picture book biography about Beatrix Potter - the author of Peter Rabbit. Peter was influenced by her childhood pets and summer holidays. She didn't enjoy the city of London and lives for summers in Scotland where she would be free in nature. 

A delightful, charming read that makes me want to learn more about this author/illustrator. I loved the illustrations in this book - they show how Beatrix's imagination created stories about her favorite characters. 

Review: Faraway Inn

 

Calisa travels to Vermont to spend the summer with her great aunt at her B&B. She needs to get out of New York City and away from the boy who just broke her heart. When she arrives, the B&B is more rundown than she imagined. Worse, her aunt isn't interested in her help. In fact, she's only allowing Calisa to stay for three days. 

Calisa is determined to make herself useful in hopes that it will prolong her stay. There aren't many guests, but she begins with making pancakes, cleaning rooms, and bringing back the afternoon tea time. 

Strange things start happening that Calisa can't explain. No one is answering her questions. In fact, her great aunt told her not to ask questions. But Calisa can't help but wonder if something more is happening here...

Why I read this book: I love Sarah Beth Durst's books and come on, look at that cover!

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved that it's set in Vermont. I love the setting and the description of nature. I enjoyed getting to know the guests, the quirks of the B&B, and the magic behind it all. I loved the relationship between Calisa and Jack, the groundskeeper's son. I couldn't put this book down, but I also didn't want it to end. This was a cozy read that wrapped you up like a warm hug.

Cover Thoughts: Charming and gorgeous

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public teen library section

Review: Most Likely to Murder

When the yearbook comes out, there's something funny about it. Instead of the usual senior superlatives, there are ways people die. People believe it's the work of Martina and Rick - best friends who have pulled some epic pranks. But they swear it's not them.

Mostly people see this as a joke until their guidance counselor goes missing. He turns up in a lake - and his superlative said he'd be sleeping with the fishes. Maybe it wasn't a prank after all. Maybe this is real. The other people named in the superlatives get together to share information. Could there really be someone out to get them?

My Thoughts: I Loved this thriller. It was clever and smart. I loved how the group came together to share information. I loved how they looked after each other. I loved the friendship between Rick and Martina - and how it connected their families. I loved Rick's crush on Nika and how that worked out. A fantastic thriller with a strong friendship core, a little romance, and lots of twists and turns. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - very clever

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A Great thriller for your school and public library. Highly recommended. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Helping Daddy

 

Daddy has lots of jobs - and baby wants to help. Sometimes Baby's help means more work, but Daddy doesn't seem to mind. Daddy and Baby have a fantastic day together.

I love how this story is simple with word count and yet conveys so much. The illustrations are sweet and charming. A fantastic slice of life moment between a father and child.