Friday, July 30, 2021

Book List: YA Books set in Hollywood


Last week, I talked about Hollywood books for Adults, so this week I'm talking about YA books. 

I love YA books set in Hollywood. It's one of my favorite buzz words.

Book List:
Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita
This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith
Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler

Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley
Something Real by Heather Demetrios
Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan



Books Not Pictured:
Lost in Hollywood by Cindy Callaghan (Middle Grade)
Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle
Teen Idol by Meg Cabot
The Daughters by Joanna Philbin
Now a Major Motion Picture by Cory McCarthy 
Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Off the Record by Camryn Garrett 
Geekerella by Ashely Poston

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Review: All You Knead is Love

 


Alba's unhappy about being shipped off to her grandmother's house in Barcelona. She doesn't know her grandmother. Alba just really needs a place where she belongs. Her father hates her. Her mother's always chooses her father. Alba's heartbroken and longing for love.

After some time, she begins to thaw. She begins to discover relationships with people and with the city. Just as she begins to hope again - her mother arrives. Alba isn't sure she's ready to trust her mother. But maybe she's ready to give her one more chance. After all, the city gave Alba hope. Can it give her her mother back too?
My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved exploring Barcelona with Alba. I loved getting to know Alba as she struggled with her own identity and finding her chosen family. The relationships in this book were the best - and they were unique. The characters made this book - showing us compassion, love, hope, and joy. I loved the moments Alba spent with Toni. Alba is healing from her parents and their treatment of her - particularly her father. But also her mother. She's a strong character but also a vulnerable one. An amazing read that will stick with you long after the book has been read. 

*Also love the title

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended. So much heart in this story - making it perfect for your school and public libraries.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Christmas in July: Unicorn Christmas Books

 

It's Christmas in July here at YA Book Nerd.

Because of the pandemic, last year's Christmas book order at the library took longer to come in.  So I didn't get the chance to take them home and read them first like usual. And thus didn't get my picture book Christmas fix. But now I've gotten a chance to read them and wanted to share some of my favorites. Stay tuned all month long for new to me picture books.

 

It's time for some Unicorn Christmas Books


Christmas is looking bleak. Everyone's cranky and tired. Until someone magical appears. The Christmas unicorn helps put everyone's spirits back to rights.

If you're a unicorn lover, this book blend the North Pole activities with a special wish for Christmas. 


With Christmas on the brink of being canceled - what can Little Unicorn do to help in the 10 minutes before bed?

A fun story about magic, Christmas wishes, and lending a hand.

The twelve days of Christmas for one little girl and her unicorn.

Delightful. This counting story shares traditions of Christmas with a unicorn twist.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on a Deserted Island

 This week's topic is books you'd want with you on a deserted island.


First I imagine the island looks a little something like this:


2nd, I don't really mind being on my own.

3rd - the first books I thought of were Sarah MacLean's books. If you haven't read them, I highly recommend them!

Maybe there would be no coconut drinks, but there would be lots of sand and water. And Sarah's books never fail to make me smile, laugh, and sigh with happiness.


Monday, July 26, 2021

In My Shop: Christmas in July

 


There are a few new additions in my shop because of Christmas in July.

And there are some old favorites back.

If you're a Christmas in July person, give them a look (and maybe a favorite).








I love Christmas trees and finding new ornaments to add to the tree. I love how each ornament has a story behind it. I hope that you like these as much as I like making them.

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Board Books (11) Animals


I've been sharing some new board books purchased recently for the library.

These are animal themed:


Lots of animals and their parents in this touch and feel book - some textures, some flaps, and a mirror at the end. This is cute and classic with Eric Carle art.

Great for a baby shower gift!



I love this series. It's my go to series for baby shower gifts because of the touch and feel part. And the photos are great too. A short but sweet introduction to animals. 


This title is a little misleading because this is a super cute story about say goodnight to several animals. Another great touch and feel book. And the illustrations are gorgeous.

Great photographs showcases these animals. I love the set up - breaking animals into different categories. It makes it easy for parents and children to talk about different animals, geography, colors....

Learn all about Sloths from animals asking the sloth questions. Cute illustrations. Strong Lift the Flaps share more information. 

Babies ask the reader who their mommy is. Great illustrations. Shares the name/term for the animal and the baby. I love the ending questions.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Review: Best Worst Summer


Peyton's not thrilled about summer this year. Her parents just moved their family. She doesn't know anyone in town. And she desperately misses her best friend. When he father suggests weeding their new garden, Peyton discovers a time capsule buried in the backyard.

Figuring out the time capsule leads Peyton to the public library for a cassette player. There she meets a boy, who confides in about the time capsule.  Inside the box, Peyton found an apology and one half of a best friend necklace. Something happened between these two best friends. Peyton's determined to uncover the secret in hope that what happened to those friends Doesn't happen to her and Lily. 

Her new friend agrees to help her figure out the story behind the box. Can they solve the mystery behind the box and the ruined friendship?
My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the dual timelines and the dual perspectives. I loved both summers - the one that was going to be the worst but ended up better AND the one that was going to be the best but turned out to be the worst. The time capsule (and the second timeline) are from 1989. I loved the 1989 references - to music, fashion, and slang. It put me right back in my childhood - probably around the same age as Jessica and Melissa. It was interested to see the town from both timelines - to see what changed and what remained the same. I loved the friendship moments and the parallels between the two friendships years apart. I'm a huge fan of the author's work, so I wasn't surprised to love this book. If you're a 90s kid, this book is for YOU!

Of course, I loved to NKOTB mentions. How can you not love these killer dance moves?

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A great friendship story for your school and public libraries - Highly Recommended. 

Friday, July 23, 2021

Book Lists: Hollywood


I recently finished While We Were Dating and I loved it. I'm a sucker for Hollywood books. So I thought I would make a booklist.

Pictured:
While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner 
Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade


Not Pictured:
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev


Upcoming:

Love Scene by Bridget Morrisey

I Kissed a Girl by Jennet Alexander

Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Hollywood Ending by Tash Skilton

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Review: Coloring Crook

 


Pen and Ink Mysteries Series
(Read my review for book 1)

Florrie Fox is stunned when her friend and a member of her bookstore's coloring club comes into the bookstore with a rare and quite valuable coloring book. She has Florrie take a look to see if it could be the real deal. Dolly's excited to sell the coloring book for herself and her daughter. Maybe this could change their lives and at the same time, bring her daughter back closer to her.

That night, Florrie finds Dolly dead in her apartment - murdered. The police don't seem interested in the coloring book, but Florrie knows it's the best motive for murder. She pokes around, looking for clues, talking to Dolly's daughter, and trying to work out what really happened that night. 
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this mystery - especially the rare coloring book. It was fun learning about rare books. I love the characters in this series - from their bookstore moments to their personal lives. It's nice catching up with them again. It was interesting learning the secrets of the past and how they influenced the future. 

I was a little late to the party with these books, but that just means I have less time to wait before the next installment. I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: I love the details on theses cover!
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: Perfect series for your cozy collection.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Christmas in July: Christmas Animal Books (2)

 

It's Christmas in July here at YA Book Nerd.

Because of the pandemic, last year's Christmas book order at the library took longer to come in.  So I didn't get the chance to take them home and read them first like usual. And thus didn't get my picture book Christmas fix. But now I've gotten a chance to read them and wanted to share some of my favorites. Stay tuned all month long for new to me picture books.

 

When a family leaves their home for the holidays, a frog jumps at the chance to make it his home. But he's not alone. Other animals arrive looking for a cozy place to stay.

This is a funny and charming story with playful animals and a smart little girl. I loved that this book started with a photograph and a what if...

Milo and his family attend the Christmas parade every year - mostly for the food. But not Milo. He loves the parade and the floats and everything Christmas. He's determined to be in the parade next year and works super hard to make it happen.

A funny story about opossums, teamwork, and a big dream.

Mistletoe loves Christmas and wants to share her joy with her best friend. Unfortunately Norwell doesn't like the cold. He likes to be in front of the fire. But Mistletoe has an idea...

A cute story about friendship, giving, and being together. 






Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to Read in One Sitting

 This week's topic is books to read in one sitting.


Books I wish I could have read in one sitting because they had so much action, survival, and fun reads. 

Thrillers:

  

 


Survival:
 

Lots of Fun: