5 Things: Check & Mate

Fun Fact about this book: I read it during the lines in Disney World and someone asked me if it was good. They had been previously eyeing the book. I gave it a glowing recommendation. Here's hoping they enjoy it - as do you. 

Review: Going Biocoastal

 

Natayla Fox has a choice to make this summer: she can go visit her mother in L.A. and take an internship with her or stay in New York with her father. There are pros and cons to both choices. Natayla doesn't have a relationship with her mother; it's time to fix that. Living with her could be the way. What's a girl going to choose? And how will her choice change everything?

My Thoughts: Once upon a time, my friend urged me to read Dahlia Adler and she wasn't wrong. Another hit from this author. I appreciated the similarities to Sliding Doors, but I also liked how it was different. I honestly enjoyed both stories. I loved Nat's art - and how it was talked about in terms of the future. I love how everything worked out. 

Have you read this one? Which ending did you pick?

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your library's collection

Review: Taylor Swift

 

Yes, I'm a Swiftie.

Of course, I bought this book for the library.

It's super cute and I did learn a few things from it. 

If you're a fan, read it! 

Review: Best Wishes: Time After Time

 

Lucy is excited about the class field trip to the Natural History Museum - but the day goes worse than she ever imagined. At the end of the day, she receives a package with a magic bracelet. She wishes for a do-over day to right the wrongs. 

But the wish doesn't go the way she expects either. Lucy's stuck living the same day over and over again. And it never seems to get better. How can she make anything better?

My Thoughts: Book three in the series is a Groundhog's Day situation is cute. Imagine the worst day ever and having to relive it over and over again. I love how Lucy tried to change things and when that didn't work, she problem solved to make things better. Her problem solving was clever. I loved the chats between Addie, Becca, and Lucy. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your library's collection 

Picture Book Wednesday: Night Before Kwanzaa

 

It's the night before Kwanzaa - learn about the holiday with a little boy and his family.

This is a great introduction to Kwanzaa - great information, great illustrations, and of course I loved the bookish part best. I loved learning about what each of the days mean. It's not really a night before book as it covers the whole seven days of the holiday, but it works.

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your collection

Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Books

 This week's topic is new to me books, so here are 10 books I have currently checked out from the library that I'm looking forward to reading.

Any of these on your list? Have you read them yet?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from my house to yours (if you celebrate) 

This picture took forever to get and it's the best one in the bunch. These silly pups don't like to sit still. 

Hope the day brings you joy! 

Happy Birthday to Me

 This is 44!

Here's one of my favorite pictures from this year:

I'll share some more highlights towards the end of the year

Small Business Saturday

 

  In case you're in need of some gift ideas, here are some businesses that I've purchased from this year and enjoyed!

This week, I'm talking about Stamp and Stampability (Hello Jane Austen Pun!)

I haven't purchased anything from this shop yet, but they have fantastic bookish jewelry 

Like this necklace! 

Or this one!

Cute right?

Hope you've enjoyed another season of small business gift ideas! 

Review: Shipwrecked

 

Most of the world’s ocean floor remains to be discovered. In fact, it’s estimated to be home to over 3 million sunken vessels and countless treasures of the past. This enthralling and adventure-filled nonfiction book for young readers recounts some of the most captivating shipwrecks from history, ranging from the Shinan, a Chinese merchant ship laden with riches from the 14th century, to the HMS Erebus and Terror, two polar exploration ships that mysteriously disappeared in the early 1800s. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows young readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time. - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: This cover spoke to me. I bought it for the collection, but I also wanted to read it. And it was fascinating. I loved the history of the ships, how they were discovered, and how they were salvaged. It would be so neat to discover a ship of historical significance. 

Although I do wish the book had maps from the discovery sites - that's the one thing the book was lacking. 

Winter Picture Books

 

Happy Winter!

Here are some cute picture books and board books to celebrate...

Picture Books

Can this boy catch ONE flake while it's snowing.

A wonderful celebration of snow. The fun pictures and small word count will make this one a good read-aloud choice. I'm looking forward to using it already!

billy barr came to the mountain - intending to leave but found peace there. Since he didn't have anyone to talk to, he found himself logging seasonal changes: snowfall, when the animals came out of hibernation, and when the flowers bloomed. Notebooks were filled with all his recordings and they were used. An interesting read about a man, I had never heard of before. He has led a very interesting life - so far. 

* Book sent for review

It's snowing and therefore the perfect day to make a snowman. In the vein of The Snowy Day, this little boy has so much fun playing in the snow. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser! 

** Book sent for review

Claire is SO excited to learn how to skate, but it's nothing like she thought it would be. But she tries and tries again after each Wibble Wobble Boom!

A great read about determination and trying your best. It does make me want to ice skate - even though I'm about Claire's skill level.

A family plays outside in the woods and it seems empty - but there are a lot of animals sharing the woods with them.

This is a fun book about animals in the winter time - some that hibernate and some that do not. The illustrations are lovely. 

Board Books: 

Cut outs in this board book ask the question of identifying the prints in the snow. Super Cute board book.

*** Book sent for review 

It's snowing outside - all the pups and their owners bundle up to play outside. Lots of diversity in this book and lots of vocabulary to share. 

**** Book sent for review

A punny love story between child and parent - with lots of snowy fun happening. A very sweet story.

Another punny story - but this time between lots of animals and winter items. Sweet and adorable. 

Bonus Book:

Poor Bruce has a cold. The mice are having fun outside and want to bring the fun inside - but nothing goes as planned, of course. Poor Bruce.

This series is so much fun. I'm always happy to read more Bruce books. And so are a lot of folks at the library. We do sometimes argue about who gets to read it first. (I won this round!)

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Wishes

 This week's topic is book wishes for 2024 ARCs - I need to add more books to my 2024 list, so I'm eager to see what you all are sharing!

Adult:

YA:

Nonfiction:

Middle Grade:

Children's:

Vacation Photos: Disney World

We spent the last week in Walt Disney World! 

Here are *just* a few photos from our vacation:

A cute little corner in Epcot

Mickey and Minnie at the parade

Britian at Epcot

The gingerbread man got caught...and was delicious! 

M&M store in Disney Springs

About to be interrogated by Storm Troopers. I seem very happy about it....

Mickey and Me!

I love this Cinderella statue outside the castle in the Magic Kingdom

I took this photo once upon a time and now it's a staple photo to take. 

More Epcot fun

Just a little French treat

Mickey spotted in the aquarium 

In front of the Animal Kingdom Tree!

A lion and giraffe on the Safari experience at Animal Kingdom - this is one of my favorite experiences! 

We saw this is the rain the night before, but we had to go back to take pictures in the daytime. It was AMAZING! I loved this - it was my new favorite ride/experience

A picture from inside the experience 

Hanging with Olaf in Summer! 

One of the many trees

A cocoa station on the greenhouse ride - which looked really cool all decorated for Christmas

The life-sized gingerbread house

A pretty window

The evil stepsisters and I share a few laughs

Buzzing with Buzz

On my favorite ride!