YABookNerd

Monday, September 21, 2026

Middle Grade Monday: Booklist

Last week, I shared my review for The Burning Season and realized I've read quite a few books with wildfires.

I decided to make a Booklist:

Two Degrees

Any other books you would add to this list?

Sunday, September 20, 2026

On My Hold List

I just went a little crazy and added a bunch of books to my library hold list. Some of them are for work, but most of them are for fun

At the moment, I have 30 books on my hold list.

I love her Torte Bakery series and this looks charming!

This one is for work, but it looks adorable!

I found this via social media and it looks really good!

Love Jenn's books and this is book 2 in a series

Julie Olivia wrote one of my favorite reads last year - looking forward to her new book

Cozy mystery - hope this is the start of a new series

Have you read any of these? Do they look interesting to you?

Saturday, September 19, 2026

A Navy pilot (Ryan Reynolds) is tasked with a secret mission. The dangerous mission leaves in shot down in Russia during the Cold War. He's rescued by a former KGB officer (Kenneth Branagh). Nikolai is a HUGE fan of American pop culture - especially Top Gun. In order to escape Russia, they have to travel to the border. But the Russians know the pilot is injured and on the move. The two strangers have a hard time trusting each other, but they manage.

My Thoughts: This was such a funny movie - lots of banter. It's a friendship movie - but also a survival story. There's lots of fighting and lots of action. I loved this movie; I didn't want it to end. If you have the chance to see it - watch it!

Friday, September 18, 2026

Review: Meet Me in Italy

Charlotte Williams-Jackson is having a rough go of it. Her NBA husband decided he no longer wants to be married and asks her to leave their house. He offers no explanation. She goes back to her parents where she learns she is adopted. She has a half-sister. Their mother just died. Her sister is only 11 and needs a guardian. Lilly is currently in Italy.

Charlotte decides to rent a house on the Amalfi Coast. There she can hopefully get a handle on the book she's supposed to writing and hasn't started. She's worried that the success of her book is due to her husband's fame.

Her childhood best friends decide to accompany her. Sloane doesn't want to be a mother, but her husband is dying to kids. They're at a crossroads in their marriage. She's looking forward to time apart to figure out what she wants. Her twin brother Julian has a secret that he's not willing to share. It's life changing. The twins are happy to have Charlotte back in their lives. Lily isn't sure what to think of her sister. She hasn't had the easiest life. It's hard for her to trust, but her she's learning. Can they all relax in Italy and find themselves?

My Thoughts: I Loved this book. I loved how all the characters connected. And this book makes me want to travel to Italy and the Amalfi Coast. The house and the town seemed amazing. I felt really bad for Lilly. She had such a hard life and didn't know who to trust. I just wanted to give her a giant hug. I love how she thawed out. The NBA part was entertaining. I enjoyed the writing part of the story. This book was all about healing, love, friendship, and family.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your fiction collection

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Review: Dolly All the Time

Dolly has been taking care of her family for years. She stepped up when her mom left. She stepped up when her boyfriend decided he didn't want a child. Now she's stepping up when her Dad needs help for the summer. As a teacher, it's easy for her to travel home for the summer.

She helps out in the fish shop, since help is unreliable. On a delivery, she meets Stewart Whitfield. He's the wealthy son of the Whitfield family. He's having a bad day. His car has a flat tire and he has no cell service. Plus, his finance was seen on Page 6 with another man. Dolly changes his tire for him and goes on her way.

She's unprepared for what happens the next day. Stewart calls to tell her their picture is in the paper. They've been linked together and Stewart's people made it seem like he's the one with the knowledge on how to change a tire. Dolly's amused. Stewart admits that he would like to fake date her for the summer as it's a tough time for him at work. She agrees but only because her dad's house needs a new roof.

Their time together begins to make Dolly relax and live a little. Can she learn to lean on someone else?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I felt badly for Dolly as she had the world on her shoulders. She just kept helping everyone around her and forgetting to take care of herself. I enjoyed her exploring her hometown again after years away. I loved the ending - and all the moments between her and her family members. Gus was charming and sweet. I love how Stewart and Dolly began to relax and get more of the life/work balance. I loved Busy - I wish she would have her own book. A companion novel.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have romance for your public library's collection

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Picture Book Review: Turtle with a Toolbox

Turtle uses all the tools in his shell to build something amazing.

I love how this book shares both the tool and what it does in a very simple way. I love how all the animals help create something amazing together. The illustrations are adorable.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I've Met

This week's topic is authors I've met. I've been so fortunate to meet a boatload of authors because of BEA (Book Expo America - which is sadly no longer happening) and some local bookstores.