Top Ten Tuesdays: 5 Star Reads

 This week's topic is one I'm changing up. I don't like sharing negative things about books, so I'm talking about my latest five-star reads. I haven't talked about picture books and board books in a while, so here are some recently read favorites. 

What was your last 5 star read? 

Middle Grade Monday: Mystery of the Locked Rooms

Sarah and her two best friends love escape rooms. When Sarah spots a foreclosure notice on her front door, she knows everything will change. Her father has a chronic health condition and her mother's working as much as she can, but it's not enough.

West, Hannah, and Sarah remember hearing about a treasure in an old, abandoned funhouse. They decide to risk the danger and see if the treasure is real. It could be the answer to Sarah's problems. She really doesn't want to have to move and lose her friends.

Together, they find the hidden passageway inside. The first room leads them to another room in such a way that there's no way backwards. They can only move forwards. Their phones don't work and the rooms don't have much light. Can the three friends who love escape room find their way through the funhouse?  

My Thoughts: This was a super run read: lots of puzzles to figure out. I've never been to an escape room, although I've helped build a couple for my library. Reading about these rooms was really neat. I'm impressed with how Sarah, West, and Hannah did. I loved how they worked together to solve the puzzles. I love how they used their strengths and how they dealt with their weaknesses. I liked the story of the triplets and how they came together to create the funhouse. The book takes place mostly in one day. I loved all the action and the danger from the funhouse rooms. 

And even better, there's a sequel! I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

 Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade book for your school and public library collection

Romance Review: Practice Makes Perfect

* Book 2 in the Rome series *

Annie's the sweet sister - the good girl. And she's tired of that identity. She's tired of hiding her true feelings from her siblings. She has a gaping hole in her heart and she has decided to find a husband to fill that hole.

But the date she goes on is a disaster of epic proportions. The one saving grace is a friend who happens to be there. Will is Amelia's bodyguard, but he's also kind. Plus, he's been on so many dates. He reluctantly agrees to coach Annie in dating. 

But the whole town thinks that Will and Annie are dating. Annie starts to fall for Will. How can she escape this relationship without getting her heart broken?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved Annie - how she had layers and secrets she didn't share with her siblings. I loved her secret love of romance novels. I loved watching her become more confident and come into her own. Of course, the moments with the siblings and Amelia are always fun. I loved that baseball date. Lots of humor here, but don't let that fool you, there's plenty of feelings here to work through. I can't wait to see which sibling is up next, I have a feeling....

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection!

BookTok: You are a Unicorn

 

This new board book came into the library:

@yabooknerdlibrarian You are a Unicorn! Such a sweet board book with gorgeous illustrations! Be sure to read this one! #boardbook #booktok #unicorns #kidlit @Random House Children’s Books ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Wednesday: Bunny Should Be Sleeping

Bunny should be sleeping but he's waiting for his father to check on him.  When his father doesn't come, bunny gathers up all the tools and goes to check on his father himself. His father is sleeping. Bunny goes through their bedtime rituals alone - until the final one where he needs his father's help.

A cute bedtime story about a bunny and his father and bedtime rituals. They need each other! The calm illustrations are soothing. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books up next

 This week's topic is the books up next in my TBR.

Here they are:

Have you read any of these? Which one should I read next?

Middle Grade Book Review: Something Like Home

 

Lauren goes to live with her aunt after her parents are required to enter rehab. They can't stop using drugs and neglecting Lauren. Lauren called the police and feels responsible for their time in rehab.

Lauren's aunt isn't the most welcoming. She just wants to go home, but that's not an option. Moving to her aunts means moving to a new school. It's not easy being the new girl in school. How is Lauren supposed to make friends when she's going to be back with her parents before too long?

When she finds a puppy who needs recusing, Lauren comes up with a plan. If she can train Sparrow to become a therapy dog, they can visit her parents. She misses them more than she can say. 

My Thoughts: A wonderful heart wrenching story about Lauren's family life. She feels heartbroken that she's responsible for splitting up her family. I love how she became a family with Sparrow. She trained him. Even though she rescues him, they saved each other. Because of Sparrow, Lauren makes a friend. Together, they train Sparrow to become a therapy dog. I wanted to wrap Lauren up in a hug. For me, the ending, was a little too good to be true, but it did wrap everything up nicely. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great novel in verse for middle graders. 

* Nothing bad happens to the dog after it's rescued. 

Taylor Swift Pop-Up Party Recap

 At work, we've been missing the boat on celebrating Taylor Swift's new albums. But we decided to do a pop-up party (not advertised in our newsletter only on social media and in the library) 

We hosted one for teens and one for kids

Both made friendship bracelets. We had coloring sheets for everyone.

The teens had trivia questions:

What are the names of Taylor Swift's parents?

What was Taylor's job at the Christmas tree farm?

We read this book for the kids:

this is a super cute story with great illustrations! 

The kids had finish the lyrics like this one:

We handed out stickers and bookmarks

How it went:

It went really well - everyone seemed to have a great time. Everyone went home with goodies. We had a mix of people who knew all the trivia and lyrics and people who didn't know too many. I had such a good time. The only complaint was - next time make it longer!

TikTok: Taylor Merch

Happy Taylor Swift Day to all those who celebrate.

While everyone is listening to TTPD on repeat,

here is a video of some of my Taylor Merch 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Happy Taylor day! New music is finally here!!! I’m showcasing some merch here. #merch #ttpd #taylorswift #swiftie #booktok #bookbags #swag ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: Out Of Our League

 

If you're a sports reader - this one is for you!

There are 16 sports short stories - all different sports from YA lit. While they are all wildly different, some do connect with names from other stories. 

The one problem I have with short stories is that I want more; I want them to become books.

In addition to sports, there is romance, friendship, and family drama.

There truly is something for everyone in this book. 

Picture Book Wednesday: The Reflection in Me

A person chats with themselves in the mirror - and they are VERY complimentary. They like themselves.

It's never too early to start practicing self-care. There's so much negativity in the world, that it's important to remember to be kind to yourself. Starting off every day with what you like about yourself is a perfect way to start the day. And of course, the illustrations are from the marvelous Peter H. Reynolds. This is a great book to share with everyone! 

* F&G sent for review

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Characters

 This week's topic is book characters we'd like to go on vacation with. Of course, if the book is good, you always want to spend more time with these characters. 

Emily and Kieran - anywhere bookish

Noah's sisters would be a hoot on vacation

A ball with Sophia, Polly, and Tirzah

on a day hike with Jo

Laurel, Paris, and Cassie to a winery 

Middle Grade Book: Louder Than Hunger

Of course, as soon as I heard about this book, I wanted to read it.

First because of the author: John Schu.

Second: Novel in Verse

Third: Anorexia from a male perspective

@yabooknerdlibrarian Louder than Hunger is a must read book - its about struggles. It made me cry 😭 but it was so so good! @Candlewick Press #booktok #poetry #poetrytok #novelsinverse ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

                                                           Happy National Poetry Month! 

Fresh Fiction Reviews (17)

 

"Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass"

"Clear your afternoon to devour this book"

An enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, forced proximity, Indiana Jones-inspired adventure romance!

"I didn't want this visit to Sunset Cove to end!"

a love letter to Swifties