Top Ten Tuesday: Signs You're a Book Lover

This week's topic is signs you're a book lover.

If you:

1. You know you librarian by name

2. You read a variety of books

3. You shout about awesome books that everyone else should read

4. You have books stacked all over your house

5. You take pictures of your pets with books

6. If you match your clothes to a book

7. If you've dressed as your favorite book character for Halloween

8. If you read while eating

9. If you ever canceled plans to read more

10. If your friends know not to bother you when your favorite author's newest book comes out.

Congratulations, you're a Book Lover!

Review: Mermaid Inn

* First in a new trilogy *

Eve fled the small town where she spent her summers 10 years ago after a heartbreak and never returned. Her great aunt Lucille died leaving Eve the Mermaid Inn. Eve tries to come into town undercover. She only wants to make a plan with the real estate agent and leave immediately.

She's dumbfounded when the lawyer tells her about the clause in the will - she can't sell the inn for a year. Eve's forced to stay in town and deal with her past heartbreak, the town gossip, and renovating the inn. Will she learn to love this town and Sawyer again?

My Thoughts:  This book was adorable!
I loved this second chance romance in a small town setting. I love how everyone knows everything and how fast the gossip spreads. I loved the bromance between Sawyer and his friends. I loved the moments between Eve and Sawyer as they worked to become friends again - and beyond. I loved their banter and their chemistry. I loved Clara and Eve's interactions. They were really sweet. I loved the friendship between Maya and Eve. I can't wait to read more in this series!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Heard About it: Andi from Andi's ABC was chatting about this book on Twitter.
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your library's romance section - it's perfect for beach and summer displays. Plus it's perfect for those readers who love Hallmark movies.

Next Book: Paradise Cove

Publishing Date: July 28

If You Like Pitch

If you like(d) Pitch.

I loved this TV show and will always mourn it's ending. Especially after that cliff hanger. Every so often my hopes are high that it's going to come back, but so far nothing.

Still, this show left a huge impression on me.

And this picture book reminded me of it.

Mamie Peanut Johnson had a dream. She wanted to play baseball professionally. But the All-American Girls Baseball League rejected her - not because of her talent but because of the color of skin. Mamie didn't give up. Instead she became the first female pticher (at the age of 19) in the Negro Leagues' Indianapolis Clowns - a male team. She pitched for the team for three years breaking records and barriers. 

A great story and a must have book for school and public libraries!

It's also a wonderful book for Black History Month and Women's History Month

Review: Fergus and Zeke at the Science Fair

Fergus and Zeke are the classroom pets, but they do everything the children do in class. When the children get ready for the Science Fair, they want to create an experiment too.

But when one of the children want them to be the experiment - Fergus and Zeke decide to take matters into their own hands.

My Thoughts: A cute easy chapter book with fun illustrations and lots of science as the kids getting ready for the fair. I really liked Fergus and Zeke. I loved how they solved their science fair problem. I'm looking forward to reading the other two books in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation:  A great series for early readers.

Cozy Review: Coconut Layer Cake Murder

* Book 25 in the Hannah Swensen series *

Hannah's on a much needed vacation when her sister's boyfriend becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Because he's part of the police force, Michelle begs her to come home. The police need her help because many of the detectives have to recuse themselves from the case.

Hannah's ready to help; she knows Lonnie would never murder someone. She's more than happy to start bribing people with cookies for information. She never knows what someone might remember.

My Thoughts: I had to read this book based off the cliff-hanger from the last one. That part was mentioned and figured out in the first few pages. In this cozy series, the murder has become second place to the characters and their lives. I love reading about all the treats Hannah bakes for her cookie shop - it makes me want to bake. I did test out the mug cake recipe and it was pretty good!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Purchase for the collection where this cozy series is popular.

If you haven't seen the Hallmark movies based on this series - do check them out. They are pretty good. I hope they make more.

Picture Book Review: Roundup of Women's History Month Books

Here are several amazing picture book biographies that are perfect for Black History Month and Women's History Month. They are must have books for school and public libraries. 

Mabel Fairbanks wasn't allowed to skate because of her skin color - but she was determined and talented. She never made it to competitions but she did dance in ice shows. And she coached other talented skaters. She's the first Black person inducted into the Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She broke down barriers and became a star in her own right.

Mary Walker was born a slave and freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. She worked hard to support her family. She didn't know how to read until one day when she was the only person left in her family, she decided it was time. So she did at the young age of 116  - showing that you're never too old to learn. This book sends a great message to all readers. Plus the collage art work illustrations were fun.

Althea Gibson was great at sports, but especially great at playing tennis. She knew how to compete and had a big personality. She always wanted to win. But even though she was talented, strong, and athletic, she had a hard time because she wasn't allowed to play the best athletes. Her determination and skill helped her break down barriers. She because the first Black person to win Wimbledon. 

Before Rosa Parks, there was Lizzie Jennings. In 1854, she was late and waned to sit on the streetcar. After a conductor blocker her way and forced her off, she sued the company. With the help of a witness, she won the case. It was one victory, but it made a difference and things slowly started to change for streetcar segregation. Lizzie was strong, determined, and she wanted justice. She didn't deserve to be treated so poorly. Her case was the first recorded court case for equal rights on transportation and many more cases would follow. 

Aretha Franklin was a shy young girl, but she sang at church. When she was 10 years old, people knew she'd be going places because of her voice. And she did. She signed with a record company. She refused to sing for white only crowds. She sang the music that spoke to her and as a savvy business woman, she because a huge success.  Her music inspired people and she became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Top Ten Tuesday: Genre Freebie

This week's topic is a genre freebie. I'm going to chat about YA historical fiction, because I love a good historical fiction, particularly if there's romance.

Favorites:

Want to Read:

Review: Winterborne House for Vengeance and Valor

April knows her mother's coming back for her. She isn't interested in settling down for the long haul in her foster houses. When she accidentally starts a fire in a museum, she's sure she's in serious trouble. Instead, someone wants to take her in.

At first she isn't sure about the Winterborne house, but it grew on her. Even if there is something creepy going on. April isn't scared; she's determined to uncover the truth about her past, the truth about the house, and the truth about the ghost haunting it.

She just might need a little help from her new housemates.

My Thoughts: I love Ally Carter's books. I was super excited to hear that she was going to write a middle grade - dare I hope to say series? I loved this book from the characters to the house to the secrets. I couldn't put it down and I seriously hope there are more coming, especially after that ending!

I loved April and how she started to learn the history of Winterborne. I loved her new family and how they each had their secrets and talents. I loved the Rube Goldberg machines. Lots of action, danger, secret passageways, and plot twists that you'd expect in an Ally Carter book. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public libraries.

Fresh Fiction Reviews: (6)

I read a few great books for Fresh Fiction:

One dress + 3 women = happily every afters

Hard to say Goodbye

Princess in Trouble

Review: Throw Like a Girl

During a play-off softball game during her junior year, Liv throws a punch after a girl says something homophobic about her sister. Liv must suffer the consequences of her choices - sitting the bench for the rest of the playoffs, having her scholarship revoked for her private school, and having to figure out her next move. There's no way she can't play softball her senior year, especially if she wants to play in college.

The local high school just happens to be the team she fought against. The softball coach isn't convinced at having Liv on the team. She knows Liv is super talented, but she might ruin the dynamic of the team. The coach suggests Liv try out for a fall sport and show off her sportsmanship.

Liv is willing to do anything to earn a post on the team, so when the injured quarterback sees her goofing off with her brother and offers her a spot on the football team - she can't turn him down. Together they come up with a plan that benefits them both.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked how seamlessly Liv found herself on the team and there wasn't (much) crap from the boys on the football team. I loved reading about the workouts and the conditioning. I loved seeing her relationship with Grey playout. I loved her best friend  and her brother. Even though she wasn't the best at managing either of those relationships, I loved them. I love how she defended her sister even though it cost her almost everything. I love that this book tackled real issues: feminism, homophonic slurs, what it means to be a team player, concussions in football, and more. A really great read.

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries

On Your Radar: Paris is Always a Good Idea (39)

Title: Paris is Always a Good Idea

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Publisher: Berkley Books

Publication Date: July 21, 2020

Why It Should be On Your Radar

* Ireland

* Paris

* Italy

* Food

* Traveling in the feet of younger self

* Chasing down feelings from youth

* Enemies to Lovers

* Work Drama

* Emotionally Closed off

* Family

* Re-evaluating Life

* Finding that Work/Life Balance

* Funny

** In truth, this would make an excellent Hallmark movie.

*** ARC given for review

Picture Book Review: The Only Woman in the Photo

Frances Perkins was once a shy girl who challenged herself and ended up changing the world. 

A fantastic book about a rarely talked about woman who helped create several safety regulations, social security, and the New Deal. She was an invaluable member of FDR's cabinet. She didn't like the spotlight. She was influenced by her grandmother. She believed in helping everyone - an inspiriting woman.

Library recommendation: This amazing picture book is a must have book for school and public libraries. And the perfect book to share during Women's History Month.

Top Ten Tuesday: TBR Spring List

This week's topic is books on our Spring TBR (for me, that's books releasing in April, May, June). And as always, I have SO MANY of them.  To be fair, May and June are huge publishing months. I'll separate them out by ages. 

Kids and Middle Grade





YA:










Adult:







Graphic Novels:



Wow, that's more than I expected. But also not.
I'm loving the vibrant colors on the adult book covers!
Any books on my list that you're also dying to read?
Happy reading everyone!