Review: Bookstore Diaries

 

Jax owns the family bookstore - complete with the African gray parrot, Ramon. She and her ex-husband have a unique way to co-parent. Harris comes to her with a request - he'd like his girlfriend to be able to sleep over at the house with the kids. Jax says no. He takes things to the next level, and everything spirals out of control.

Jax's sister Ryleigh turns down a marriage proposal she thought she wanted. Now she's questioning all her life choices. She loves being an elementary school teacher, but she also wants to become a mom. Should she move back to San Diego where the dating pool is larger even though that means missing out on family time?

As these two sisters struggle with life changing decisions, they also discover truths about themselves. Could these truths be the key to their happiness?

My Thoughts: I loved how the book alternated between the two sisters. This was a fun read, one that I didn't want to put down. I did enjoy how everything worked out and how the sisters took a deep look at themselves. I would really love to visit this bookstore. Also, the parrot stole many scenes and added humor to the story. 

Cover Thoughts: Pretty

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's adult collection

Upcoming Review: Lost Perfumes of Paris

 

Élodie is following in the footsteps of her mother - to the best of her ability. She's excited about the perfume she's just created. She can't wait to hear her father's reaction. 

Élodie's dumbfounded to learn that he hates it. Worse, he reaction from the other lab assistants makes Élodie want to quit all together.

But she pivot's after taking over at a luncheon with the people who make decisions - including her father. He thinks she overstepped. Élodie just wants what's best for her family's perfume company.

She plans to enter - and win the Essence of Paris

 contest. That will prove to everyone that she has what it takes to succeed as a perfumer. But she must team up with Marcelo - the son of the financier of the company. Can they win the contest and secure Élodie's future?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved reading about Élodie creating the perfumes and all that it entails. It made me want to create my own perfume. I loved how Élodie and Marcelo wandered Paris together - discovering pieces of history and being inspired to create the perfume. I felt terrible for Élodie with her family troubles, but I love how she dealt with them. I can see this book becoming a book club favorite.

Publication Date: September 8

Source: Netgalley

Cover Thoughts: Charming - I love the perfume bottle with the Eiffel Tower in the distance

Library Recommendation: A must have historical fiction for your adult fiction collection.

Picture Book Review: School Books

Just a few back to school books:

Romeo is good at a lot of things, but catching isn't one of them. Luckily dog school and Elvis might be able to help him.

This is a cute Ready to Read/I Can Read book that showcases failure and trying again and again.

What happens when there's no vacancy at the human school? A bunch of students go to the dragon school. There, they will learn a different skill set. 

This book has a great message about fitting in. We all have differences and similarities. Plus, everyone has something they can teach others. Dragon school only sounds a tiny bit dangerous, but mostly fun! 

Tomorrow and Yesterday are sisters - and they are opposites of each other. Yesterday is always rushing and Tomorrow is always slow. 

This is a story about sisters who approach the world differently. They meet other kids who help them see more ways to see the world. 

It's the first day of school and Afua has a LOT of feelings. The day is busy and full of little moments.

This is a great book about feelings; I love how her feelings blend together. Afua is brave and determined to have fun. 

Sammy and Sunny have their first day of school on the same day. They are both nervous, but both learned a lot.

I loved the comparison of days between Sunny, the dog, and Sammy the student. The ending is funny! 

Tiny T. Rex is nervous for the first day of school. He's worried about making mistakes and he does.

Mistakes are a part of life, and this is a good way to share that message. Tiny also comes up with some creative ways to solve problems.

Top Ten Tuesday: Years in Books

 This week's topic is books we've read on one day over many years. Because I don't have dates of books read, I'm going to share books I've posted on August 1.

2025:

Eliza from Scratch 

2024:

Liar Liar

2023:

This is a booklist of Forgotten Books (books from 10 years ago)

2022:

Sense and Second Degree Murder

2021:

A booklist of board books about Love

2020:

No post on that date

2019:

On Your Radar - the newest Kristan Higgins book

2018:

Picture book review: Mae Among the Stars

2017:

Fantasy book recommendations

2016:

Relentless 

2015:

Grace Cries Uncle 

2014:

Suddenly Last Summer 

2012:

What's on my hold list (maybe I should bring this back)

2011:

Bite Club

This is a wild look back in time.

Middle Grade Monday: Survival Booklist

Last week, I reviewed the book Wilderness Hacks and realized I have read a few survival books recently. So, I made a booklist on middle grade survival books.

Books Pictured:

Wilderness Hacks

Alone

Some of us are Brave

Three Sisters

Out of Range

The Long Way Around

Canyon's Edge

Maginitude

All Thirteen

Into the Rapids

Just Keep Walking

Distress Signal

What would you add to the list? 

Blog Milestone

 A few weeks ago, the blog hit 10 million views. 

I celebrated with a morning of pastries from Julien's Farm Store and a short hike to see some waterfalls.

The cute exterior

Close up of plants

Sunflower from the garden near the outdoor seating

More flowers

The pastries 

Afterwards, we went to Ember's Forest

We took a walk along the stream

Thanks for reading the blog and going along this journey with me.

Board Books: Transportation

Just a few new to the library board books featuring transportation

There are five different modes of transportation navigating the city. Readers can trace paths through the city. There are questions for the readers - making this a VERY interactive book.

Lots of vocabulary in this book and felt flaps to flip over. Bright colors make these illustrations pop. 

There's a lot going on in this book - the trash truck is moving through the city picking up trash and the reader is invited along for a ride. This interactive book is great for learning and also fun.

This board book has cutouts that help share knowledge about the truck and what it does. It also shares the message about recycling. 

 

Each of these board books count down with the vehicles during the day until they are all sleeping at night. 

Push and pull tabs showcase this submarine underwater - complete with bright illustrations and great vocab.