Blog-oversary: 18 years

 

According to The Knot, the 18-Year Anniversary Color is Blue. Here are some favorite books with blue covers in my home library in no particular order:

I think that was a good mix of books! And I loved all of them.

Happy Mean Girl Day

Happy Mean Girl Day.

In celebration, here's a stack of pink books.

Graphic Novel Review: Princess Diaries

Princess Mia is stunned to learn that her father can no longer have children, which results in her becoming the primary heir to the throne in Genovia.

My Thoughts: This follows the book very nicely - you see lots of tidbits from Mia's mom dating Mr. G to Lily's TV show to Grand-mere. I love how it did include homework form the Princess Lessons - I loved those lists from the book. The illustrations are charming and unique. They are not modeled after the movie characters. I loved seeing Tina and Boris - they were missing from the movie. I loved the doodles in the notebook and the list of homework assignments. They added moments form the book that made this graphic novel pop. Also, the computer moments were hilarious to someone who lives through that time.  I enjoyed the moments between Michael and Mia and how oblivious she is at moments. A fantastic adaptation of the book (it's pretty perfect); I hope there are more additions plans. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your teen section

Christmas Book Review: The Christmas Clue

A married couple reminisce about their snowy Christmas that inspired the game of clue. They were hired to provide Christmas entertainment to a run down hotel during the war. Things aren't like the old days, but that doesn't mean they can't celebrate. 

When they arrive at the shop in town, they're stunned to discover that the shop owner has died. When another body is discovered at the hotel, the husband and wife try to unravel everything they've seen. There are a lot of rumors, a lot of motives, and a lot of murder weapons - which had been gathered together for the entertainment. Can they solve the murder?

My Thoughts: This is a fictionalized account of the inspiration of the board game Clue. I love the game Clue, which is why I read this book. It's a short read with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the husband and wife team trying to make Christmas not seem so depressing. The moments that inspire the game are fun to read.   The setting was charming - you could feel both the cold from the winter elements and the coziness from the hotel. Hand this thriller to fans of the game Clue.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley 

Library Recommendation: A fun historical fiction cozy read set during Christmas is a fantastic addition to your public library's collection

Picture Book Review: Our Favorite Day of the Week

 

On the way to school, Musa learns that his friend's favorite day of the week is Tuesday. He shares that his favorite day of the week is Wednesday. As more friends join the group of walkers, they learn about everyone's favorite day. 

I love how everyone has a different reason for their favorite day from spending time with grandmothers to religion. I love how their teacher surprises them with her choice. This book will have the reader think about what their favorite day of the week is and why. 

* Book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall Freebie

 This week's topic is a fall freebie - and I'm talking about some YA fall books.

Now that fall is officially here, it's time to read some cozy seasonal reads. I'm loving all the fall YA romance books this year. I haven't seen this trend before in YA and I'm here for it! 

To Read:

Already read:

Middle Grade Monday: Nothing to See Here

 

Winnie is having a terrible year. Her best friend is pulling away from her and joining the popular kids. Her parents took her phone away; she's the only kid in school who doesn't have a phone. Now there's a list going around rating girls in the class as Hot or Not. Guess which list she made...

When rumors start getting posted online - everyone is glued to their screens. It doesn't matter if what they're saying is true, everyone believes the rumors. Winnie and some other disgruntled students decide to start rumors of their own as an experiment. They hope to stop all the online hate and bullying. Can their idea make a difference?

My Thoughts: I felt terrible for all the kids in this book. I wouldn't want to grow up with social media. There's so much here to talk about: the friendship drama, cheating, phone privileges, bullying, gossip, the experiment, and fake news. I really love how the group of non-friends: 1) become friends and 2) create an experiment to play with fake news and rumors.  Also, I love that this was based off a news story. I hope this book makes readers think about their social media footprint. I hope it makes readers think about kindness. This subject is so important right now for middle school students and Barbara Dee handles it with perfection. I hope over the years, this becomes required reading. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: Book sent fore review

Library Recommendation: A must have for your school and public library collections - don't sleep on this one. 

Hand this book to: middle school students and parents of middle school students.

Release date: October 20, 2026.