Graphic Novel Review: We Could be Magic

Tabi can't wait to work at Sommerland theme park. She longs to be portray a Princess, but she fails the first auditions. Instead, she's stuck at the nacho stand. Her roommate gets picked to be a princess. Tabi knows that Princesses don't normally look like her, but she's not about to let that stop her. 

She keeps working to make her dreams happens. 

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved Tabi's determination to make her dreams come true. She put in the work. She shared her opinions and her dismay that Princesses didn't come in all shapes and sizes. Even though she didn't get a part of the princess, she did become a character. There's a little romance, which was sweet. I love all the Disney easter eggs. The art is super cute and the ending is amazing. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Book sent review

Why I read it: I love theme park books

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your graphic novel section.

Review: Bingsu for Two

 

River had himself a heck of a 24-hour period. 

1. He dumped his girlfriend

2. He walked out of the SATs

3. He dumped coffee beans over a customer

4. He quit his job

5. And he begs for a job at a rival coffee shop

* He learns that the girl (Sarang) he dumped coffee beans over works at that rival coffee shop

** A video he makes the first day of work goes viral and forces himself into a fake relationship with Sarang

*** His ex-girlfriend blackmails him

My Thoughts:

I really loved this book (minus the blackmail part). I loved the viral videos. I loved the fake dating. I loved River and his brother. I loved the mom-and-pop coffee shop and how River found himself there. I love how everyone who worked there was a family. His ex-girlfriend was the worst. The coffee shop would be a place I would visit (even though I don't drink coffee.)

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public library collection

Picture Book Wednesday: Cookie Time

Kat and Ari love cookie time; they just put the cookies in the oven. Now they have to wait. Waiting is hard. So, they create a time machine. But it doesn't work the way they expect...

This book is adorable.

1. Who doesn't love cookie time?

2. Waiting is hard

3. Time travel will be cool

4. The ending is hilarious

Share this with everyone. 

* This book was sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Lord/Lady/Duke books

 This week's topic is books with honorifics in the title. I adore regency romance books, so this was a fun topic for me to visit

This was such a fun start to a trilogy! 

Review

Adore all her books 

Short stories AND Christmas

Review

Romance and humor!

Review

Obviously this had to be included

Review

The start of a trilogy with three sisters

Review

This saga was so fantastic! 

Review 

What others should I read?

DUKE reading list

Middle Grade Review: Isle of Ever

 

Days after her twelfth birthday, Everly "Benny" Benedict learns she's the heir to a fortune! But to collect the inheritance, she first has to play—and win—a game. Following clues that her ancestor left, Benny must locate a small island that vanished long ago, according to legend.

She has only two weeks to play the game and find the island. If she's successful, she'll break a two-hundred-year-old curse. If she fails, the fortune will be forfeited. And if she's not careful, she'll cross paths with someone else who is after the island's secrets, and who will stop at nothing to get them. Because, as it turns out, there's far more than a fortune at stake. - summary from publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved how one letter changed Benny's life. I love how she experienced a new world - one with everything at her fingertips. I enjoyed watching her make friends and trying to figure out the clues. I loved exploring the town with them. I enjoyed the two timelines and the magic of everything. And that ending! I can't wait for book two to find out what happens next. 

Why I Read It: The Author but also puzzle books

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

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

Hand this book: to readers who like puzzles

** this is a middle grade book that reminds me of Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Inheritance Games

Vacation Pictures: Grand Canyon (again)

This is the third time we've hiked into the Grand Canyon - and the second time Rim to Rim.

Here are some pictures:

The day before the hike

Dinner at the North Rim

The sun is coming up 

More sunshine on the way 

Sun is almost up 

You can't take a bad picture here 

Our waterfall lunch break 

It was so pretty 

The shadow picture 

The scenery - always beautiful 

Another view - around the bend 

My Beat up Books

The steps for the first day of hiking 

The hike was hard, but we did it. And I feel accomplished. 

Graphic Novel Mini Review: Alanna

This is a graphic novel adaptation of a four book saga. 

I loved these books. But clearly I read these before I started blogging here. 

It's been a long time since I read this book, so I was very happy to read the adaptation.

It was just like I remember and the art was really fun.

If you have a chance to read it, I highly recommend it. 

Mini Review: I Can't Even

 

Julia's called home because her mother is dying (again). She leaves her two cats in the hands of her friends and returns home. She hasn't been home in years. she tends to avoid home since she got in a HUGE fight with her mother and she left for New York City. 

Then there is the matter of the stipulations of the will. Julia and her sisters have to live together for the entire summer. And we haven't even talked about the boy next door - Julia's first love.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - I loved the sisters and their relationship. I loved the surfing bits. There was so much drama in this book - especially with the horrible cousins. I admired Julia - how resilient she is after all the family secrets come to light. This is a great read for Hallmark watchers; it would make a great movie.

I would be happy reading two more books about the other sisters.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Purchased

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your romance collection

Picture Book Wednesday: Lily's Dream

Lily is a fairy who's having a hard time learning how to fly. She's trying so hard, but nothing is working. She discovers a fairy house and forms a friendship with a human that just might help.

The illustrations in this book are stunning. I loved the friendship building and the trust moments. I especially loved the author's note where she talked about friendship and mutual respect. 

* this book was sent for review

Picture Book Review: Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet

It's Release Day for:

Take a look at the video:

* Book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Re-Reads for the first time

 This week's topic is books we wish we could read again for the first time because they were just that good.

This amazing series

This book was perfect

This intense series

Bridgerton series!

All of Sarah's books

A favorite from my teen years

A classic - read in high school

Emily - I've always loved the Emily books more than the Anne books.

But the Anne movies are chef's kiss (minus the third)

This whole series was hilarious! 

I loved these so much! 

This middle series was everything I needed.

The English version only....

Maybe there's a re-read in my future