Review: Always the Last to Know

Barb and John have been married fifty years, but it's not working. Barb wants a divorce. But before she can talk to her husband, he's in a bike accident following a stroke. He's in very bad shape. To compile matters, when she's in the hospital with her daughters, she learns that he's been having an affair.

She keeps this secret from her daughters. One of whom is the light of her life. But Juliet has her own struggles with having it all. Her life is perfect but she's spiraling out of control. Sadie's floundering with her life's direction and her big dreams that haven't quite panned out.

How all three women are living in the same town and struggling to come to terms with their new normal.

My Thoughts: I loved this book for the relationships between this family. I felt heartbroken for the ladies in this book and all they dealt with. I loved the small town Connecticut and reading about places familiar to me. Plus I was happy to see some old favorite characters from the previous book. I loved the conversation about perfection, having it all, asking for help, and discovering the love of your life. I love how the family found each other again and how they worked through their differences. Another magnificent story from Kristan Higgins.

Cover Thoughts: I love the covers
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Kristan Higgins is a must have author for your public libraries.

Review: Doughnut Fix

Tristan likes living in the city, so he's unhappy when his parents decide their going to move to the country. There's nothing excited about the country. Then he comes across a sign for Chocolate Cream Doughnuts at the general store.

Turns out the sign is old and the owner refused to make doughnuts anymore. Tristan talks her into giving him the recipe as part of a school project. Now he's committed to making doughnuts and starting up a business.

Could the country be not as bad as he imagined?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt for Tristan as he dealt with moving to a new place. But I loved exploring the country with him. I loved his doughnut project - and of course the book made me crave doughnuts. I enjoyed his family - they made me laugh. Reading this book gave me that nostalgia feel. I'm excited to read the sequel.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public library

If You Like:

Picture Book Review: Saving the Countryside

Beatrix Potter loved the summers she spent in the country during her childhood. She found inspiration in the country and created Peter Rabbit. As Peter Rabbit became a success despite the odds, she saved her beloved countryside.

My Thoughts: I adored this book. The illustrations were gorgeous. I loved learning about a lesser known part of Beatrix Potter's life. I love that she found success in breaking the rules and that she wanted to do something that mattered. I love that she flourished as an author/illustrator but also used science. I loved that deep down she was a business woman and understood how the world worked. And she used that to her advantage. A very informative beautiful book. 

Highly recommended for school and public libraries

Top Ten Tuesday: Feminist Picture Books

This week's topic is a freebie. I'm chatting about some favorite feminist picture books biographies I've read so far this year. I love reading about smart women. Several of these books were my first introduction to these women. And the books made quite an impact.

Review: Pippa Park Raises Her Game

Pippa Park lives in the poor side of town and attends public school. She loves basketball, but her guardian sister won't let her play if her grades are too low. When Pippa 's invited to join the private school on a basketball scholarship, she's overjoyed. Of course it means keeping her math grade up, but she can't wait to join the team.

With private school, Pippa believes that she can reinvent herself and become cool. And it works. Soon after practicing with the team, she's invited to the cool girl table.

But keeping up with the cool girls means hiding her true self. She doesn't want them to know that she's poor. She doesn't want them to know she went to the public school. She doesn't want them to see her family life. With all the lies, it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out...

My Thoughts: I was drawn into this book because of the basketball angle and the cover is super cute. And I wasn't disappointed. I did wish for a bit more basketball scenes. I loved Pippa's family and how they looked out for her. I loved her friendship with Buddy.  I also loved all the talk about Korean food and the culture. 

It's a great book about finding your way in middle school when everything around you is changing. Pippa makes several mistakes, but of course she figures it out. It's hard being the new girl in school - especially when you're trying to be someone you're not. Plus it's hard keeping your school life and your home life separate. But at this age, life is all about friendship and family. This book captured it really well.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great middle school book for your school and public libraries.

Review: Meet Me at Midnight

Sidney and Asher and their families have been vacationing together for years. The first summer was magical. But after that, the prank war started. Now the two of them can't rest easy around each other.

But when the pranks threaten to ruin their summer, it might be time for a truce.

Can Sidney and Asher go back to being friends? Could there be feelings between the two of them? Old habits are hard to dismiss, but the growing attraction between the two of them can't be ignored...

My Thoughts: I love that Sidney and Asher spent every summer pranking each other - but I also love how they started a truce and became friends. Also that Sidney can hold a grudge (something I appreciate).  Of course the pranks were fun to read about. And I also enjoy a good enemies to lovers story. I also loved that the two main characters were going to college in the fall and were both on the swim team - and spent the summer training together. I loved the party spent playing games. A very fun summer romance that is on the YA/New Adult line.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A fantastic summer romance for your YA collection.

Review: Jane Austen Society

Just after WWII, a group of like minded people came together to focus on their hometown hero - Jane Austen. In the small English village of Chawton, her followers decided there needed to be more. More about the author, More about her life. And more about her legacy.

They formed a society to create something magical. The society helped them form new friendships, gave them a sense of purpose, and gave them a new outlet for their bookish feelings.

My Thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this book. I wanted to love it. But I didn't. I did love reading about the characters' love for Jane Austen and her works. I loved their discussions of the books, their excited about her legacy and her personal belongings, and how they came together.

What I did not love: 
The rape scene to further the plot - which was unnecessary
How the afterword mentioned fascinating stories about the actual society - which never made it into the book

I guess my biggest issue was none of this was real. And I so badly wanted a book about the actual society and how Chawton Cottage came to be a museum. (And it's a lovely museum - I enjoyed reading about the necklaces I had seen there and the writing desk).

I guess I just wanted SO MUCH for this book and felt so let down after reading it. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended - there will be lots of interested for this book.

Picture Book Review: Help Wanted, Must Love Books

Shailey's Dad gets a new job and can no longer read to her just before bed. Shailey interviews readers for the position. Fairy Tale characters apply - but none of them seem quite right for the job. 

I loved this book - it's perfect for summer reading. It's very funny. I loved the fairy tale characters who appeared looking for a job - even though they were all wrong for it. Of course I loved the reading before bed time tradition. 

A must have picture book for school and public libraries.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Festivals

This week's topic is about book festivals you'd love to attend. I confess outside of BEA, I haven't really been to any book festivals.

There are a few I've always wanted to attend...

Teen:

Rochester Teen Book Festival

Boston Teen Author Festival

YA Fest (Pennsylvania) 

YALL Fest

YALL West

Romance:

Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend

KissConn (I went to a mini one once and would love to go to a major one.)

Readers and 'Ritas

Boas and Tiaras

Mystery:

Crime Bake

Have you been to any of these?

Review: Be Not Far From Me

The woods can kill you. Ashely knows this to be true.

But it becomes real after a night partying in the woods with her friends.

After she drinks. After she catches her boyfriend with another girl. And after she stumbles blindly into the woods and hurts her foot - badly.

When she wakes up in the morning - everything hits her. She's lost. She has no idea where she is. She can't walk. She has no supplies.

How is she going to survive?

My Thoughts: I'm not going to lie - this book was hard to read in some parts. Gruesome. Ick. Gross. But also, I didn't want to stop reading. I wanted to know what happened and how everything turned out. And it was not the way I expected it. I loved how Ashley was determined and strong. I loved that she had a knowledge of the woods and it helped keep her alive. She was impressive and brave. I would not be that brave.

Cover Thoughts: Intriguing
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A great survival story/thriller for your public library's collection.

Book Pairings (1)

Welcome to a new posting. In the library world, we talk about Book Pairings all the time. There are libraries that bundle fiction and nonfiction books on the same subject together for check-out.

In this case, these are two recent nonfiction books that I read:

I read Give Us the Vote first, which really helped me when I read Stamped a few days later.

I knew what Jason Reynolds was referring to in terms of voter suppression and more because I had just finished this book. I was happy I had the extra knowledge that was fleshed out a little bit more. 

These two books both deal with race and anti-racism. They are both excellent reads.

Hopefully, I'll be sharing more Book Pairings in the near future...

Graphic Novel Review: Stepping Stones

When Jen and her mom move from the city to the country, everything changes. It's not just the move. Now they're living with her mom's new boyfriend. And his kids will spend weekends with them. 

Life on the farm is different. There are so many chores - plus there's selling their goods at the market. Jen's awesome at art, so creating a great looking sign is right up her alley. But she's terrible at math, so helping run the cash register gives her anxiety. 

Jen's having a hard time learning where she fits in...

Review: Heart So Broken and Fierce

* Book 2 in the Cursebreakers Trilogy *

The curse is broken in Emberfall, but the royal troubles are not over. Rumors swirl that Prince Rhen has a half brother. No one knows his identity, but rumors swirl that he has magical abilities. Prince Rhen's determined to locate his half-brother and kill him. He can't have magic ruin the kingdom - again.

Grey's been hiding since they destroyed Lilith. He's keeping his secret, the kingdom, and his brother safe.

But forces beyond their control pull them together. Grey must decide his future - no only for himself but for his band of followers.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. The perspectives shifted from the first book, which took me by surprise. And it took me a few pages to get used to the idea, by then I was hooked and had to read immediately. I loved learning more about Grey. I loved his loyalty and his willingness to put the kingdom first. I admired him and his great big heart. I felt terrible for Lia Mara for her family situation, although I admired her strength and determination. I loved her moments with Grey and her sister. I loved seeing favorite characters. I loved the action and the plot twists that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read what happens next!!!

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic and matches the first cover really well
Source: ARC from BEA 2019
Library Recommendation: This series is a must have series for your public libraries (as is the authors non-fantasy books).

Picture Book Wednesday: Ronan the Librarian

Ronan is a barbarian - gathering and stealing treasure. One day he finds a book - which no one else wants. He can't believe it. But then he starts reading and can't stop. And he tries to share his love of books with others...

Not surprisingly, I loved this book. I loved the message about books as treasure. And sharing books. I love how Ronan hooked others on reading. Plus the illustrations are great. 

And best of all, there's a sequel coming!

Librarian Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public libraries!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books that Made Me Smile

This week's Topic is Books that Made Me Smile - for this I'm going with books that left me with a book hangover! Because they were SO good. And it's books I've read this year.

And I'm stopping at 10...

Review: Playing Hurt

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

- summary from publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book, even though it does contain cheating. I loved the exploring during vacation - and the different outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking...). I enjoyed the pull between Chelsea and Clint. I felt badly for both the main characters as they struggled through their grief. But I did love their determination and strength. I like how open they became with each other as they spent more time together. I felt terrible for Chelsea as she struggled with finding herself in her family - particularly with her father. I did love her brother - he was great. I'm eager to see where the next book goes.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: eARC for review
First Published: Published March 8th 2011 by Flux 
But it's been updated for the re-release.

This one is on the line of New Adult and YA 

In My Shop: Christmas in July

It's one of my favorite times of year - when I start thinking about Christmas.

I love Christmas. And making gifts for people makes me happy (when they come out well.)

Maybe something I made is perfect for someone you know.

I've got Ornaments 

Here's a Mr. Darcy Ornament

Gift Tags

Gingerbread Soap

and more!

Plus new items will be going up monthly in the shop.

Like these items? Take a look. And maybe give my shop a favorite.