Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Memories

 These past few years haven't been great for bookish memories in the form of meeting authors at events or bookish conferences. Still, it's nice to look back and see what's happened that's been awesome.

1. I started making these fun Book Lists with graphics. 

2. Also I started Read This, Watch That:

3. I finished up the Cybils Awards with Picture Books. This year I'm on the Graphic Novel committee. 

4. I did attend one bookish event for Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

5. I read a LOT of board books this year

6. I've read A LOT of great books this year. 

7. And finished my Goodreads Challenge early, which is very nice.

I look forward to creating so many bookish memories next year. I'm eagerly awaiting book events in person again because I miss seeing authors. Virtual events are nice, especially if the author isn't touring near you. 

Shop Small Business: (15) - ProcrastiplannerEtc

                         Since the holidays are getting closer, here are some gift ideas.  

Instead of shopping online at places like Amazon, why not shop local?

If you have awesome local businesses, grab items from their stores.

If you're shopping for people outside our area, why not get something super cute on Etsy?

I started this last year, so if you missed those favorites, check them out here. 

And if you want to support me (Thank you!), I do have a small Etsy shop.

And if you like something, but aren't purchasing it at this time, give the shop a like or the item a like! (This makes the seller very happy!)

This week's shop is ProcasticplannerEtc

They have mugs. I bought this one immediately when I saw it. 

It's my new favorite tea mug. 

And of course fits my personality. 

They have lots of stickers and washi tape -perfect for people who 

decorate their planners.

I *might* have purchased a few goodies for friends. 

I can't picture those. 

But these are super cute!

And one day *fingers crossed*, I'm going to be purchasing this sticker set...

 after I sell my first novel

 (and after I get an agent - all wishful thinking at this point.)

Cute right?

Graphic Novel Review: Amethyst Princess

Amaya loves being a princess. She especially loves playing pranks on and with her brother. But when a prank goes wrong, it throws everything into chaos. As a punishment, Amaya is sent to live on Earth for a week. Her parents are hoping that living without magic for a week will teach her something important. 

But something happens and Amaya and her aunt both forget about their previous life. Three years pass and Amy's in middle school. Everything feels normal until she's pulled back into her world - a world in trouble. Can she help save her home?

My Thoughts: I'm a big fan of Shannon and Dean Hale, so I was more than happy to read this one. I loved how everything went wrong and Amaya became Amy. I loved how she struggled to find herself. I loved how she ended up back home - changed. Because the time on Earth did change her. She learned about kindness, friendship, and doing things for herself. I loved her connection with her brother. This was such a great read, I loved everything - especially the art. I hope there are more Princess Amaya stories in the works. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries.

Christmas Book Review: Duke, Actually

Sequel to A Princess for Christmas 

With Princess Marie breaking off their engagement to marry a man she loves, Baron Maximillian Von Hansburg's family is pressuring him to marry. But they want him to marry the "right' sort of women. He's not interested in getting married - especially to someone of their choosing. 

While he's in New York for a party (meeting a prospective bride), Max calls up Dani. Dani's different from other women - she's not interested in him, she's not interested in his title, and she doesn't swoon in front of him. Clearly they are meant to be friends.

Max accompanies her to a work party where they run into her dreaded ex. Dani's thankful for Max's presence, both as support and making her look good. They begin texting and calling each other. Could their easy friendship turn into something more?

My Thoughts: I loved this friends to lovers romance. I loved the friendship, the banter, the job discussions, Max the dog, and the support for each other. I felt terrible for both characters and what they've got through previously. I loved Max's brother Sebastian. The Love, Actually discussion and the Dirty Dancing Lifts were both entertaining. Delightful!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection 

Giving Thanks

There are so many reasons to be thankful this year.

Health

Friends and Family

Dogs

Great Books

and of course readers of the blog!

Thanks for being here another year.

Picture Book Wednesday: Thanksgiving Books (2)

See the books I chatted about last week

This board book is great for fans of Paw Patrol - it shares what all the pups and Ryder are thankful for this year. And it gives some great shout-outs to important and essential workers.

Another fun book about being thankful - and counting down to the holiday. 

It does talk about the pilgrims in a school play - no in depth look or wrong information shared here. Which gives parents an opportunity to talk about history...or not. 

While I loved this book for the illustrations, the quotes are not really for children. This might work for school aged children. Otherwise, it's lovely to look at the pictures together.

This is a sweet story about animals being grateful. It's half and half with nature and animals as people. the illustrations are gorgeous. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels

 This week's topic is all about books we wish has a sequel. There's nothing like spending more time with favorite characters and getting to know new characters in the same world.

Straight Sequels:

I heard a rumor, if this does well, more could be coming. Fingers Crossed!

I had a hard time saying Goodbye to these Characters - wouldn't find a companion novel

So many of these DC origin story graphic novels only have one volume. But I would like more books! 

Books That Are Sequels That Need More:

 

There were still some questions left unanswered. I want more.

On a related note, I'm still dying for more Heist Society Books by this author too

This family is fantastic! 

Did the third book ever get published? I can't find it!

I loved these ladies helping ladies and I want SO many more of them!

Review Battle Royal

 

Sylvie competed on Operation Cake. Now, four years later, she's returning to the show as a guest judge. She's hoping the show will grant her a boost at her bakery - even if she does have to deal with Judge and Baker Dominic De Vere.

His cakes are so vanilla and boring - as his her personality. His life could use a lot more sparkles and glitter. 

When a royal engagement is announced, both bakers compete for the change to bake the royal cake. The royal, Princess Rose, isn't your typical princess. She's torn between the tradition cake and a cake that reflects her personality. As both bakers are judges and competing for the royal honors, they're spending more and more time together.

Could the become something more than enemies?

My Thoughts: There sadly is no tagline for this book, but it should be something along the lines of A Great British Baking Show type romance between two judges in an enemies to lovers story mixed with a Royal Wedding. I loved this book for so many reasons: the baking, the bakeries, enemies to lovers, Dominic's relationship with his sister, the baking show, the royals, the lost secret romance, and the banter. 

And it's the first in a new series. I can't wait for the next one!

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Library Read

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection!

Shop Small Business (14): Sierra XOXO

                        Since the holidays are getting closer, here are some gift ideas.  

Instead of shopping online at places like Amazon, why not shop local?

If you have awesome local businesses, grab items from their stores.

If you're shopping for people outside our area, why not get something super cute on Etsy?

I started this last year, so if you missed those favorites, check them out here. 

And if you want to support me (Thank you!), I do have a small Etsy shop.

And if you like something, but aren't purchasing it at this time, give the shop a like or the item a like! (This makes the seller very happy!)

This week's shop is: Sierra xoxo

I found this shop through a gift exchange where my person loved their mug.

Sierra has:

Stickers:

Writer Tears

Pencils:

My Story Will Change the World

Candles:

Let's Go to the Library

Graphic Novel Review: How to be Bad

 

From superheroes to super villains, Mischief and her cat Mayhem team up with Melvira to cause havoc. Mischief wanted to be a superhero badly, but she didn't have any powers. She lied on her camp application. When she's discovered and humiliated, Melvira is there to manipulate the situation. 

Mischief and Melvira cause trouble all across the city, but there's a line Mischief won't cross. What happens when she has to stand up to her best friend?

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel about finding yourself, friendship, and smart plans. The art was great and colorful. Lots of action, danger, and humor. I also liked the question this book asks - what makes a hero or a villain. I can't wait to read more of Mischief and Mayhem's story.

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your school and public libraries.

* Read for the Cybils Award

In My Shop: New(ish) Christmas Items

Just a few Christmas items in my shop to help get you ready for Christmas. 

Christmas Card Bundles: DIY Kit

Hallmark Truck Card

Wreaths on a Door Card

Gingerbread House Card

Gingerbread Soaps

Hand Painted Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Gift Tags

If you're looking for gift ideas, I have those too!

Take a look.

Holiday Book Review: Christmas Charms

Ashley thought she was getting the Christmas of her dreams in Paris with her boyfriend. But after an engagement mix-up, they break up. Now with time off from work, Ashley heads home to the small town in upstate New York. She hasn't been home for Christmas in years because of her job.

On the train, she meets a lovely elderly woman who listens to her spill out her troubles. The woman gifts her a charm bracelet. Ashely doesn't realize the bracelet is magical or that it won't come off. All her dreams are about to come true - just not in the way she imagined.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this Christmas story - for the second chance romance, for going home again, for dreaming big, and for reconnecting with yourself. There were some really funny moments and some sweet moments. I loved the jewelry descriptions and how the past made a difference in the future. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Grab this Christmas romance for your collection

Picture Book Wednesday: Thanksgiving Books

Just a few new Thanksgiving and Fall reads new to the library's collection:

Lots of fun here imagining dinosaurs eating and cooking Thanksgiving dinner, playing football, and flying kites.

This old lady is certainly quirky, but the ending is pretty great.

I love the Bruce books and he's certainly very grumpy in this one - which I found hilarious. 

This one was super cute with lots of families and I really liked this moment:

"...we will share good food and kindness to show that we care."

And I enjoyed how this book showed that - with donating food, giving hugs, and being together. 

Amara's looking for pumpkins on the farm - it takes her a long time to find them. While this is more a fall book, it does include a shared meal at the end. And the reader will learn lots about produce and growing fruits and veggies.