Monday, April 30, 2018

On Your Radar (11)

Title: Love Scene, Take Two

Author:  Alex Evansley
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: June 12, 2018

Why it Should be on Your Radar:
Love Scene, Take Two
New Adult
Hollywood Story
Set on a movie set
Adorable Meet-cute
Best-Selling Author
Seeing a YA book become a movie
Will
Olivia
Misunderstandings
Shipping
That bookstore scene
Baseball Caps
Romance
Great banter
Debut novel


Cover Thoughts: Cute! 
Source: Reviewed for SLJ


Sunday, April 29, 2018

In My Shop


I've gotten two new molds recently and I've been playing around with soaps. I really love them, especially the buttons because I adore buttons and they're super cute!

There are button molds:


Friday, April 27, 2018

Blog Tour: Royals
















BOOK DESCRIPTION 


Meet Daisy Winters. She's an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who's nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince's roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown--and the intriguing Miles--might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins brings her signature humor, love of Americana, and flair for romance to this page-turning Princess Diaries turned-upside-down story.


I'm reading this right now and it's SUPER GOOD!


AUTHOR BIO


Rachel Hawkins is the author of Ruby and OliviaJourney's End, the Rebel Belle series, and the New York Times bestselling Hex Hall series. Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, Rachel taught high school English before becoming a full-time writer

You're invited to a royal wedding. How fabulous! 

Check out that invitation!


First off, you won't need a gift, because you'll send in a donation to the feminist charity of their choice.

Next you'll need a card, but you better make it yourself. So it will stand out more, something like this:


Then you'll need an outfit:

Of course a dress.
Lace Black 1950's Vintage Dress by Digirrl

Then shoes
Image result for black sandal slide heel

And a purse (make sure it's big enough to hold a book - just in case)
kate spade new york Thompson Street Large Sam Embossed Tote
 
You can't forget your lovely hat. You don't want it to be over the top; we all know how that works out. Just a nice hat that matches your outfit.

See the source image


With your outfit complete, you can enjoy the royal wedding, just make sure to pack a tissue or two!



Thursday, April 26, 2018

Review: The Fall of Grace

The Fall of Grace
Grace's junior year of high school is picture perfect, until she watches the news. Her mother is being investigated by the FBI for fraud. She's accused of taking money from her business - an investment fund. Grace's classmates and their families invested - some heavily.

Grace can't even confront her mother about the truth because her mother had a stroke and slipped into a coma. Now even her best friends have turned against her and she's persona non grata in school.

Is her mother a thief? Was it a set-up? A mistake? Is the money hidden somewhere?
My Thoughts: I loved this book. I kept turning the pages because I Needed to know what happened. I loved the dual timelines and how they came together. I love the photography moments. I love the hiking - even the scary parts of hiking. I really enjoyed the banter between Grace and Sam. I love how Grace had a perfect life - until she didn't and how she dealt with that. Another winner of a story from Amy Fellner Dominy. I can't wait to see what she writes next! And if you haven't read her other books, go out a get them, you won't be sorry!

Cover Thoughts: I love it - especially the gray fog.
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended! Get this one for both your school and public libraries and give it to teens looking for a twisty book with romance.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Picture Book Review: I am Peace


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I really loved this book and all it's messages:
Focus on the Here and Now
Enjoy Life
Find Your Center
Kindness
Calming

Plus the illustrations were wonderful.

Highly Recommended for both school and public library collections.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: New Adult Books


Today I'm at the CT Librarian Conference talking on a panel about New Adult books. So I thought I'd share some of my favorite YA/NA crossover titles.



Sophomore SwitchI See London, I See France (I See London, I See France, #1)A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)When Dimple Met RishiLove Songs & Other Lies

Love Scene, Take TwoEverything Leads to YouHello, Goodbye, and Everything in BetweenFangirlRoomies


Monday, April 23, 2018

Board Book: Feminist Baby

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Feminist baby is perfect for sharing you're feminist beliefs with any baby, but particularly girls. The illustrations are fun. The Girls Can Do and Be Anything message is amazing. She's determined, smart, and of course practically perfect in every way; how could you not want to share this book?


If you're going to a baby shower this Spring,
check out some other favorites board books to gift.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

In My Shop


I haven't been that active with my shop lately, but here's hoping that will change in the next few months. Here are some recently made items!





Friday, April 20, 2018

Romance Review: If I Should Ever Love You

* First in a new series * 
If Ever I Should Love You (Spinster Heiresses, #1)
Leonie isn't interested in marriage - not since the night she eloped and her almost husband raped her. She killed him in self defense, but the damage was done. Luckily another suitor saved her. What she didn't know was that it cost him - dearly. Now he's the Earl of Rochdale in need of a wealthy wife. Her father just agreed to her marriage. In order to make it through the ceremony, Leonie has a nip (or more) of brandy. The Earl is furious - he doesn't want a wife who can't control herself around alcohol. Leonie isn't sure what to expect from the marriage, but there are times when the Earl is sweet and tender and times when he's furious. Do they have a shot at a happier marriage than her parents?
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this novel - minus the two rape plot points (one before the book opens and one during the book). I'm just not interested in reading about rape (obviously I know it happens). But what I did really enjoy about this book was the heroine's dependence on alcohol. I haven't seen it in many books. I liked how they worked on the house together and how Leonie grew to imagine it's potential. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Middle Grade Review: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
The Vanderbeekers have the worst Christmas ahead of them; their lease hasn't been renewed. They have to move out of their apartment before the end of the year. The five siblings (Jessie and Isa - the twins, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney) are devastated. They Love their home and can't imagine living anywhere else. But they have a plan to save their home - lots of plans actually. Can they convince cranky old Mr. Beiderman to change his mind?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book. The siblings are adorable and unique. I enjoyed the twins' story and how they're growing up and a little bit apart but still together. I loved Laney and her affectionate heart, her bunny, and her enthusiasm. I loved bookish Oliver who loves basketball. I loved crafty Hyacinth. I loved their thoughtful creative ways to make Mr. Beiderman change his mind - even if they didn't always go as planned. Most of all, I loved the sense of community within the book. It would be amazing to live in a place like that. I oved reading about the cookies - they made my mouth water. I can't wait for the next book!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Sequel: Coming out September 25th
Library Recommendation: A must have for public and school libraries.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Picture Book Review: Glitter


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Not everyone loves Glitter as much as Gloria - especially cleaning up glitter. But she's determined to show everyone how happy it can make them.

A cute picture book with fun glitter sprinkled throughout the pages. It also showcases a great message of knowing what you love and not letting people talk you out of it. Gloria's determination is admirable as is her desire to share her happiness. 

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Middle Grade Reads


This week's topic is a freebie. I've been reading some great middle grade reads, so I thought I'd highlight them. Enjoy!

meme from That Artsy Reader Girl

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan GlaserThe Stone Girl's Story by Sarah Beth DurstAru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani ChokshiThe Last Olympian by Rick RiordanThe Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George
P.S. I Miss You by Jen Petro-RoyNightfall by Shannon MessengerArmstrong & Charlie by Steven B. FrankRestart by Gordon KormanRefugee by Alan Gratz

Monday, April 16, 2018

Middle Grade Monday: The Stone Girl's Story

The Stone Girl's Story
Mayka and her family have been carved out of stone. Their marks tell their stories and make it possible for them to experience life. But their marks are fading and in Turtle's case, so faded that he's gone to sleep. Mayka won't allow that to happen to anyone else her family. She's determined to go down the mountain and into the city to find a stonemason to help them. But what she finds is more than she bargains for.
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. I loved the descriptive writing. I loved the message of the book: everyone writes their own story. I loved how the family would tell stories all night while looking up at the stars. I loved the power of stories. I enjoyed how Mayka, Jacklo, and Risa left the mountain to find help. Mayka was determined and brave. I loved how they met new people (not always nice people) and how they interacted with all of them. I loved the moments in the city - where everything was both full of wonder and simultaneously overwhelming. I love how Mayka helped everyone and I especially loved the ending! 

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries!

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Poem for National Library Week

Poetry and libraries collide!

Here's a poem I wrote last year:

Not a day goes by
when I don't read.
Reading is the air
I breathe.
Words transport me to other worlds.
Words wrap themselves around me
in a warm hug.
Words make me feel
like I'm never alone.