Booklist: Summer Olympics

 

The games start today!

Who will you be watching?

I'm partial watching to Gymnastics, Basketball, Track and Field, and Swimming

Catch up on some books while you wait for your favorite sport(s):

Happy Reading and Happy Watching! 

Christmas in July: Home for the Holidays

Three sisters open a letter from their estranged aunt asking them to come visit her for Christmas. They used to spend magical moments at Juniper Inn. The letter came at time in their lives where they need each other and a distraction.

Dahlia will be alone for Christmas as her ex-husband and his girlfriend are taking the children to Paris. Magnolia and her husband are having trouble conceiving and fought about it. Magnolia's not sure they can come back from the hurtful things that were said. Rose is engaged, but her mother-in-law to be is a high society woman who bulldozes over her son and has many expectations. Rose is afraid that she will lose herself in the marriage. 

Could a Christmas together help the sisters move forward in their lives?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; I didn't want it to end. I love how the sisters reconnected and remembered their childhood memories. There were sweet and funny moments. I couldn't help but root for the three sisters and their aunt. I love how everything worked out and I'm really happy there's another book (already out) to read. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: Gifted

Sequel:

Picture Book Review: Rescue Cat

Life wasn't always easy for Butterscotch! But she's been rescued. Even though she's scared sometimes, she makes a choice to be brave and help another animal in trouble.

I loved how Butterscotch was brave even though she was scared. She wanted to help someone else in trouble and she did. She can do anything if she puts her mind to it!

* Book sent for review

 

Picture Book Wednesday: Christmas Books

Just a few fun Christmas books

How can you make sure you're on the Nice list? Trick an elf into showing you the list.

This book reminds me of the How to Catch books - it rhymes, there's a craft to go along with the story, and it's lots of fun. 

One family has a magical Christmas with family and traditions (including cookies and cocoa.) It's the most magical time of year. 

I love the illustrations in this book. 

* Book sent for review

This one will have you wishing for snow to play in! Little Mo experiences his first snowfall and his first encounter with dinosaurs.

This is sure to be a hit with readers who love the snow and dinosaurs

* Book sent for review

** Not a Christmas book, but winter story

Pup is teaching Dragon all about Santa and Elves. They attempt to catch Santa or his helper, but they're always just one step behind... Will they end up on the naughty list?

This is a fun adventure graphic novel full of funny moments and friendship. 

* Graphic novel sent for review 

Top Ten Tuesday: Holiday Romances

 This week, I'm sharing holiday romances that I can't wait to read! 

Did I miss any coming out this year? I never seem to get to all of them, so I do have a backlog of books to read too.

Any of these on your list?

Christmas in July: Christmas Orphans Club

Hannah and Finn spend every Christmas together - and they have since college. Neither of them have great family lives. But times are changing, and they are growing up. New people are entering the mix. Finn and Hannah have had a falling out, but they've mended things a little bit. Finn is moving to New York and Hannah is scared this will be their last Christmas together. She'll do anything to make it happen.

My Thoughts: A friendship and drama story about finding yourself, growing up, and found family. I liked the way the timeline in the book changes and reveals moments in their friendship. This was a fun story to read. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your collection. 

 

Christmas in July Review: Wrapped with a Beau

Elisha's determined to host the sequel to Sleighbells in her hometown. Fifty years ago, the movie made her town famous. She lives next door to the house that was featured in the film. The woman, a lifelong friend, signed the paperwork for her house to be used again. But she died unexpectedly.

Now Elisha has to convince her heir to sign the paperwork. She might have already told everyone that it's a done deal. But meeting Ves Hollins does NOT go as planned. He wants to sell the house and get out of town as quickly as possible. 

But the holiday season works it's magic on the two of them.

My Thoughts: Small town charm, Hollywood, and Christmas - this book had the trifecta. I really enjoyed this book, but I confess there wasn't much of a conflict. I loved learning about the Hollywood tidbits from the first movie. I do wish there had been a little more about the current movie. I loved the trivia nights. I hated Elisha's ex - what a jerk. But I do like how that worked out. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your Hallmark movie watchers 

Christmas in July: Love in a Winter Wonderland

Trey Anderson's family bookstore has been a corner stone in London. But a new bookstore chain down the road is wrecking their bottom line. They're able to offer cheaper books. This holiday season might just be their last. 

Trey hasn't always loved working at his family bookstore. But he can't imagine his life without it. They're behind on their rent and if they can't make the payments, the store will have to be sold.  When this father has an accident and falls, Trey feels like it's his responsibility to save the shop.

Artist, Ariel needs money for tuition to art school. She thinks to bookstore might be able to help her - and she might be able to help them.

Can they save the bookstore?

My Thoughts: I'm always here for more holiday romances - but this one was different for a couple reasons. 1) It was not set in the US but in London and 2) the leads were both Black. It was refreshing and then of course, there's the story about saving the bookstore. All add up to one lovely read - I loved the moments in the bookstore. I enjoyed the social media attention and chatting about authors. I wasn't crazy about the storyline with Trey's girlfriend. She wasn't a likeable character (not that she was supposed to be). I loved the art bits - the mural sounds amazing. And the two brothers were cute. All in all, a great choice for a holiday romance.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have holiday romance for your YA collection.

Review: It's Only a Game

 

Marina's meets her online best friends for the first time. They's been playing video games together for a while, but they're happy to finally meet. 

They're getting an exclusive tour of a video gaming company. Marina doesn't take many chances. She's worried that someone might discover her true identity and her past. But this is too good of an opportunity to miss.

But it might have been better if she did. The tour sets up a horrific "game" for Marina and her three friends. When the owner of the video game company is murdered in front of them, they're given an option. Play the game or terrible consequences will happen to someone they care about. The person in charge has uncovered all their secrets. 

Now the four friends scramble to beat the game and try to uncover who is setting them up. Marina knows more than she's sharing. She's never been good at trusting people. This game could ruin everything.

My Thoughts: This debut novel knocks it out of the park. There's so much in this book - action, danger, secrets, and betrayals. There's an adorable dog. The timeline jumps between present day and Marina's childhood. I felt badly for Marina and all that she went through - I just wanted to give her a hug. The villain in this story is impressively evil. I enjoyed the moments of research and the moments of playing video games. I devoured this book - I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library's collection. Hand this out to fans of video games and thrillers

Review: Summer Romance

 

Ali's mom died, sending her into a grieving spiral. Her husband decided he couldn't handle it and asked for a divorce. Ali was devastated. She' taking care of their three kids and attempting to piece her life back together. 

She meets a man at the dog park. Her dog pees on him and he's not mad about it. Ali becomes intrigued. She starts putting on real pants again and goes back the next day looking for him. He's not there but she does bump into him again.

Could this be the start of a summer romance? Sure, the rest of her life is a hot mess, but she deserves a little fun too.

My Thoughts: This was a fun read. I loved how Ali was into organizing but her own home was a hot mess. That makes sense to me. I also just wanted to give her a giant hug. Her husband was such a jerk, but I appreciate how he started getting better. The kids were super cute. I do wish there had been more friendship moments. I felt terrible for Ethan too - how everyone looked at him, especially his parents. I loved Ethan's lawyer moments - those were funny! Ethan is so supportive and opposite from Ali's ex-husband. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your romance collection - highly recommended.

Picture Book Wednesday: Saturdays at Harlem Grown

* sequel to Harlem Grown

**Book sent for review

Mr. Tony and Nevaeh built a garden in an abandoned lot. Now that Spring has arrived again, it's time to get to work - but they need some help. They put up a sign asking for help. The neighborhood shows up. There's so much to do, but it's nice doing it together.

I really enjoyed this book. It talks about gardening steps but also the importance of being patient (which is hard.) Of course, I love the library part. I love how everyone came together to help and to celebrate. What a wonderful book about the power of community. 

This book also has an afterwards with how to create a community garden and a recipe for soup.

A must have book for school and public libraries! 

 

Top Ten Tuesday: The Spellshop

 This week's topic is 10 things I loved about one book. This is my last five star read and it was magical. Here's all the reasons why.

There are so many things to love about this book:

Librarian main character

grumpy/sunshine trope

friendship

Pinecone Coven

Caz, the magically enhanced plant

magical creatures

spell shop

jam and baked goods

kindness

book shelves/jam shelves

Reading this cozy fantasy book is like being wrapped in a warm hug. Don't miss this one! 

Middle Grade Review: Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara are twins. They just moved and are now starting middle school in a new place. Both are anxious and worried about making new friends. It takes a while for them to navigate the waters. As they start having different friends for the first time in their lives, they start to form their own identities. 

My Thoughts: Confession: I don't really know who Tegan and Sara are IRL, but I do love twin stories (Thank you Sweet Valley High). But this made me do a little research on the sisters and wow. I loved how they were growing into their own identities - even if that meant sometimes growing apart. I did have trouble telling the twins apart - but that's more of a me problem. However, I was glad when one cut her hair shorter.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel for your school and public library's collection.