Picture Book Review: First Apple Pie

Amelia Bedelia is famous for her apple pies - this is the story of her first pie, which saves the day.

I love these new adventures of Amelia Bedelia as a kid. It's lovely to see her with the same personality traits for a different generation. Plus, this is a fun fall book about leaves, apples, and pie. 

Library Recommendation: A great fall book for your collection - and a lovely series for your picture book collection.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set In College

 This week's topic is a school freebie. I always enjoy books set in college - so here are some.

 

 

 

Want to read:

Any other recommendations? 

Review: The Complete Book of Aspen

 

Aspen's father recently died- leaving a huge whole in her heart. Eight months later, her mom emerges from her grief and begins to live again. When her best friend gives her a DNA test to take because Sophie's obsessed with science, Aspen doesn't think twice.

Until her mom starts acting strange about it. And then the results come back. Aspen's relieved she doesn't have the cancer gene. But then she notices that there's not one drop of Italian blood in her DNA. Instead, she's Greek. But her father's ancestry is well known. 

There has to be some mistake.

Now Aspen's desperate to know who her father is - but her mom's not talking.

My Thoughts: This novel in verse sucked me in and didn't let go. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed the concrete poems (poems in shapes) that mixed with regular poems. I felt terrible for Aspen as she struggled to uncover her identity - from her fights with her mother, her not so great boyfriend, and her friend who was dealing with her own family drama. A fun and fast read!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your school and public libraries

Bookstagram (10) The Emma Project

 

The Emma Project was an enjoyable read -a great re-telling of Emma in the modern day, and then end of a four-book series.  

Here's a post I made about it:

Movie Review: Not Just a Girl

This one is on Netflix and it was great!

I found Shania Twain through my sister. After she went to college, she'd come home and play music. We would dance like maniacs. Any Man of Mine was the first song.

I hadn't listened to country before but I was sure I didn't like it. 

When I heard about this documentary, I was really excited about it. I had forgotten some of my favorite Shania Twain songs. How can you really pick a favorite? There are so many good ones! Some other favorites: Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under, Don't Be Stupid, That Don't Impress Me Much (a college favorite), Honey I'm Home, Love Gets Me Every Time, Up!, and Man I Feel Like a Woman. Do you have a favorite Shania Song?

I did see her in concert, and it was amazing! 

I didn't know much about her and her life, so this was eye opening. I admire her ambition and her persistence.  

I loved learning about her life growing up. 

Can you imagine singing in bars as a child?

I didn't know she wrote her own songs with her then husband. 

I didn't know about her illness and why she stopped singing.

Now I want to know more - more stories about song writing and her life. 

If you like... Movie Edition

I watched some really good movies recently - that reminded me of other great movies!

 

Review: See You Yesterday

 

Barrett Bloom is hoping to reinvent herself in college. Her high school years were full of friendless times, bullies, and horrific. But the first day of college isn't going her way. She discovers her ex-friend from high school is her roommate, is humiliated in class, and burns down the frat house. You would want to change this day if possible...

Barrett wakes up and discover that she's reliving the same day. She's excited to make different choices - until she wakes up again. Now she's stuck in a time loop. 

But she discovers she's not alone in the time loop. The boy who humiliated her in class is stuck with her. Can they figure out how to get their lives back -without killing each other?

My Thoughts: This is a YA college book that has so many cute moments. First, I loved the Groundhog's Day idea. I loved how Miles became a part of the story. I loved their banter, their arguments, and how they started working together. I like how they tried all sorts of ideas to return to normal - science, doing good deeds, solving past wrongs, and then just having fun. There is all sorts of drama - from a brother with an addiction problem to Barrett confronting the boy who tormented her, to Barrett's mom getting engaged, and dealing with college life. But the best part of the book was all the conversations between Barret and Miles. I enjoyed watching them become friends and then fall for each other. 

This book is 

+

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your YA romance collection 

Picture Book Review: Sounds like School Spirit

Another great book that I'm going to read for my Kindergarten Storytime later this week.

A call and response book all about school and the community inside. I loved the day to day moments. The illustrations contain bright colors and the book is filled with diverse characters. Definitely one to share!

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Series

 This week's topic is all about Series we didn't want to end. I am such a series reader, I adore them. There are several I didn't want to end.

Some of these have so many books, but I would always read more:

I just miss everyone

I want the step-sisters' stories

I need so many more of these - also what is Hale's name! We need to know.

I want this series to continue through high school

I need to find out more about young Dinah (and her mom).

Actually - most of the DC origin stories could use more stories.

There's so much more to this story!

I need more about the twins! And maybe it's coming? Goodreads says #1, but there is no info for #2

Hopefully there's a winter book coming or maybe Spring. Doesn't matter, I just want more of this blended family on a farm.

I love this family - I need more stories about them. 

I'd be happy reading more about the characters in this one. Loved it!

And you? Which books need to be in a series or more books written in that series????

Book Giveway: Daybreak on Raven Island

A thrilling new middle grade mystery novel inspired by Alcatraz Prison.

 About the Book:

Tori, Marvin, and Noah would rather be anywhere else than on the seventh-grade class field trip to Raven Island prison. Tori would rather be on the soccer field, but her bad grades have benched her until further notice; Marvin would rather be at the first day of a film festival with his best friend, Kevin; and Noah isn't looking forward to having to make small talk with his classmates at this new school.
 
But when the three of them stumble upon a dead body in the woods, miss the last ferry back home, and then have to spend the night on Raven Island, they find that they need each other now more than ever. They must work together to uncover a killer, outrun a motley ghost-hunting crew, and expose the age-old secrets of the island all before daybreak.

About the Author:

I grew up in the Netherlands, where I spent my childhood riding my bike, catching tadpoles, and reading Pippi Longstocking and Roald Dahl books. I loved to read, and I loved to draw, too. My very favorite book was The BFG by Roald Dahl. I would read under the covers well past my bedtime, secretly hoping for the BFG to knock on my window. 

But somewhere along the way (around my high school years), I sort of lost the passion for reading. It wasn’t until I was given a paperback thriller many years later that I caught the reading bug again. After reading many, many mysteries and thrillers, I decided to try my hand at writing (I was pretty bad at it at first, to be honest). It took a long time before some of my short mysteries started appearing in small press magazines, which encouraged me to keep writing.

Book Trailer:

Doesn't this look fun?

There's even a wordsearch.

This book comes out tomorrow.

And you can win a copy! 

(US only please)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Picture Book Review: Rainbow Parade

Mommy, Momma, and Emily head to the pride parade. It's their first time. Emily isn't sure what to expect. They wait and wait and wait until finally the parade comes by. And it's wonderful! But could Emily be brave enough to join the parade?

My Thoughts: I loved this picture book - there's so much going on here. Lots of pride and joy. I love the message of being brave and holding on to pride all year round! A wonderful story to share. 

Cover Thoughts: Rainbow filled!
Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your library collection

Top Ten Tuesday Spin-off

 This week's topic was all about books from the past. I shared a TikTok video of my YA reads, here are my middle grade reads and my adult reads. 

Middle Grade Reads:

I read several Babymouse graphic novels, the Sleuth or Dare trilogy, the On the Run series, and was addicted to the Canterwood Crest series. (PS. if you were too, there's a spin-off series coming soonish)

Adult Books:

I read all the Bridgerton books, thanks to someone in the Sarah MacLean line at BEA, started by adoration of Jill Shalvis books, loved the Shana Galen series, and was still big into cozies.

It was super fun going down memory lane!

What books do you remember reading 10 years ago?

Review: Going Wild

 

* First book in a trilogy *

Charlie and her family move from Chicago to Arizona. Charlie's annoyed by the move - she's missing her friends and her soccer team. Of course, she's going to try out for a new team, but it's not the same. While they're unpacking, she finds a package with her name on it with a sports bracelet inside. 

She's excited for the gift as she thinks it will help her focus on her soccer skills. When she puts it on, strange things start to happen. Charlie can run super-fast, and her healing ability is amazing. Add that with super strength and Charlie is confused. Worse, she can't get the bracelet off. Can she figure out the truth behind the bracelet and its powers?

My Thoughts: I heard about this book at an author event. I'm so glad I did because I missed it somehow. And it's super good - there's lots of action and danger. Lots of friendship drama as Charlie navigates friendships at her new school. There's family drama as everyone is adjusting to a new routine. Charlie's involved in soccer and theater at school. I can't wait to read the next books and lucky for me, because this is an older trilogy, I don't have to wait. 

Cover Thoughts: Cool

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: If you don't have this trilogy, it's highly recommended!

Movie Review: Romance in Style

Romance in Style - a Hallmark Channel movie

Ella's unique designs inspire publishing mogul Derek to include plus-sized fashion in his magazine. Soon, Derek begins to realize that Ella's influence reaches far beyond the catwalk - summary from Hallmark

My Thoughts: This body positivity movie was amazing. I loved Ella's points about how women are portrayed in the media, in stores, and in clothing sizes. This movie was super refreshing. In the same vein that Legally Blonde was a feminist movie - this movie had a similar feel. There's the industry that's against women. There are a few bullies. But there's friendship, romance, and winning people over. Plus great fashion. And it left me with a sense of happiness and belonging. 

If you get the chance to watch it, I highly recommend it. 

Picture Book Review: This is a School

It's almost back to school time in New England. I'm reading this in a Back to School storytime at the library next week and I'm really excited. 

First off, I was excited because it's a Mr. Schu book. If you don't know Mr. Schu, he's used to be a school librarian, then was Scholastic Ambassador for school librarians and book fairs. Now he writes books and travels to visit schools. One day I hope to meet him - he's wicked passionate about books. 

This is a School - is a celebration of everything that makes up a school from the teacher to the students to the library to the cafeteria and everyone who works at the school. I love the messages of community and togetherness. The illustrations are lovely and diverse. 

Library Recommendation: This is a must have book for your collection. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books from the Past

 This week's topic is books that we read and loved 10 years ago. It was fun putting this post together and seeing what I read and loved back in the day.

@yabooknerdlibrarian 10 years ago I was reading these YA books and loving them! #booktok #toptentuesday #YAbooks #5starreads #booktalk ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Bookish Question

 What are you reading?

@yabooknerdlibrarian #stitch with @Let’s Talk Romance Book Club What are you reading??? I'm reading the first book in the Going Wild trilogy from @lisa_mcmann #booktok #middlegradebooks #trilogy #amreading ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

It's been taking me longer to get through books because life is so busy. But this book is super good!