Graphic Novel Review: Bite Me

Poe is excited when she realizes she walking home behind her crush - Jolie. They even had a moment last year. Now if she can just think of the perfect line, maybe they can get together. But before she can say anything, two guys jump her and bite her.

They're vampires. Jolie is a vampire hunter. She stakes on of the vampires. Her mentor stakes the other one. Jolie tries to kill Poe, but it doesn't work.

Poe wakes up in a coffin. She goes back home where she realizes everyone's mourning her. She changes and grabs somethings. She heads off to her memorial where Simon discovers her. He will answer her questions if she leaves with him. He takes her to the nest of vampires - where a bunch of them live together. 

There Poe begins to understand what the rest of her life means. But everything changes when she realizes she was turned on purpose. Who is turning people into vampires and why?

Why I read this book: I enjoy this author's novels. And I like vampire books

My Thoughts: This is a great graphic novel for Halloween - full of vampires, mystery, and secrets. I love stories with found family. There's a lot of action and danger. The art is great. If you're a Buffy fan, make sure to read this one.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel for your public library.

Review: Practically Magic

 

Kat Hadley for once would just like to outshine her perfect sister. She and her sister used to be really close, but that was before Harriet left for college. Kat and her family come from a long line of witches. Every Halloween, a couple from the family renew the wards against the town.

This year Kat's dying to perform the ritual. It doesn't matter that she doesn't have a boyfriend. She's planned everything down to the last detail. Her parents are headed out of town. She makes sure her aunts are occupied. She's throwing the perfect Halloween party - where the boy she's crushing on will realize that he likes her too. And then they will perform the ritual together. 

What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts: This was such a cute and charming read. I loved the premise of the family of witches making the town safe. I love that that ritual has to be done every year. I like how the sisters questioned why it has to be a couple and not just powerful witches. The sister relationship was perfect - I love how we had little snippets before knowing the whole story. the monsters popping up in town added humor to the story and a touch of urgency. I loved the romance. I'm so excited that Harriet's book is next and there is more to the story! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A perfect Halloween romance for your school and public library collection. 

Christmas Book Review: Christmas Trees and Weak Knees

 

Paisley won the song writing contest that propelled her forward - but that meant she had to perform live in front of a huge audience. It went as badly as it could have gone. And the band that played afterwards made fun of her for it. A classmate picked up on the disaster and made videos humiliating her further. Now Paisley isn't sure what to do next. None of her friends stood by her. Unclear of her future, she's taking a gap year and working at her parents Christmas Tree Farm.

Kash has been kicked out of the band that he started. He's not sure what to do now or even if he's any good. But his grandfather gives him some advice that he takes. Soon after, he signs a record deal as a solo artist. Now all he has to do is write some songs before the end of the year. No pressure right?

His label rents the apartment at the Christmas Tree Farm. There's a studio attached to it. And they've contacted Paisley to help write songs with him. When they meet, they clash. Paisley remembers their first encounter. Kash doesn't. He's not great during their second first meeting either. Can they find a way to work together to achieve their dreams?

My Thoughts: This was such a fun read; I Loved it! I loved the setting - the Christmas tree farm with the reindeer and all the events. I loved seeing the behind-the-scenes moments at the Christmas tree farm and in the studio. With the songwriting and studio, it felt a little like Taylor Swift. I felt terrible for Paisley and all the bullying that made her hide her talents, but I'm very glad she unlocked them and started writing again. It was not a meet-cute when Kash and Paisley met, but it was entertaining. I love that they were able to get past that moment and move forward - even if it took a bit. Kash and Paisley had great chemistry. This book had great messages about chasing your dreams, believing in yourself, and working through the hard moments. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: A great Christmas romance for your teen collection

Hand this book to: Swifties and those who enjoy Hallmark movies

Picture Book Review: How NOT to make a Jelly Sandwich

 

If you're hungry and you want a jelly sandwich, this book will teach you how not to make one. 

This book is super silly and utterly charming. I think this will be a fan favorite. I would read this picture book to older kids.

* book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Thrillers/Mysteries I want to read

 This week's topic is a Halloween freebie. I'm sharing thrillers and mysteries I want to read.

YA: 

Adult:

Do you read mysteries and thrillers? What would you add to the list?

Middle Grade Review: Rumor has it

First in a new series

Annie and Leela's parents are engaged. They both move to a new house and start a new school. Leela's grandparents owned the house and they had a reputation. Everyone at school is interested in the new family. 

Annie and Leela have different views on how to handle this new family. Annie's happy to be in town, but Leela misses New York City. She misses her friends. She misses her old life. Maybe if she helps blow up this family, she can go back to the way things have been.

Are they lucky?

My Thoughts: This is the start of a new series - about a blended family. The two sisters are going into tenth grade, however this book reads like a middle grade. It's actually hard to place in the library because of this. I think it will get lost in YA, but middle grade readers will quite enjoy it, which is why I'm highlighting this today. 

This is a really quick read about a blended family - two girls trying to become sisters and maybe even friends. There's a lot of drama here, which is perfect for middle grade readers. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute: And the art inside is adorable.

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A charming start to a new series all about family and drama. Highly recommended for school and public library collections. 

Board Books: Concepts

 

Just a few new to me board books features concepts:

This is a such a FUN book - it contains:

9 spreads where the reader must search for different objects

Each spread is primarily one color until the last page which is a rainbow of colors.

While there is a bit of a story here, but best part of this book is all the vocabulary surrounding the job of a firefighter.

This is such a great book - first because it's about a car wash and secondly because it's about mixing colors of soap. It also showcases the sequence of events that happens during the car wash. Plus there's an author's note to talk about STEAM moments. 

Ten trucks have a big day ahead of them - they all have jobs to do. I love how colorful this book is and how squishy the trucks are. They are fun to feel. Perfect for those truck loving readers. 

Each spread has many many words - ranging from at home to construction site to fire alarm. Each page has a tab that hints at the theme for the page. There are lift the flaps to open on each page making this read even more fun. This one *might* not be best for libraries because of the lift the flaps.

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Review: Love, Panda

 

Panda's been left in the baby's room - and Panda is NOT pleased. Panda sends letters to Benny - his person. Panda wants Benny to rescue him. But as time goes on, things get better.

This picture book is an epistolary picture book - which is cool. Panda begins to change their views. It's sweet watching the baby grow up a little. And the ending is really cute. A fantastic book about family and siblings - through the eyes of their shared stuff animal. 

* Book sent for review 

Book Review: Princess in Black Trick-or-Treat Trouble

 

*book 12 in the series *

Many people are dressed like the Princess in Black and Princess Magnolia is proud. They're sharing that the costumes make them feel braver. But on Halloween it's tricky to know who is under the costumes. Could Princess Magnolia be trick-or-treating with a monster?

This was such a fun Halloween read. I love how the friends came together and celebrated Halloween. The costumes were fun. I loved how the roles swapped with Princess Magnolia and the Princess in Black. Trick or treating with friends is fantastic. I loved the ending. 

Christmas Book Review: Christmas Cookie Bookshop

 

First in a new series 

Noemi's had a rough go of it the past couple of years. Her mom gave her the bookstore and moved into an assisted living facility. Her best friend's husband died unexpectedly. She stopped making Christmas cookies - her favorite thing as punishment. 

Now she realizes she has until the end of the year to save the bookshop and maybe herself. People don't seem to be coming around to the side of town the bookshop is on. But the community there is strong. She's determined to find a way. 

When an adventure shop opens next door, Noemi isn't sure what to think, Shay dresses in outrageous outfits. He promises his clients an adventure. Noemi is annoyed at the insinuation that his adventures are better than book adventures. Shay seems to appear wherever she is. She's so irritated with him. Could there be something more between them? Could Noemi have a happy Christmas this year?

My Thoughts: Books and baking are my favorite - which is why I read this book. I loved the baking moments. I loved the bookstore moments. I loved the shop owners. They were quirky. They were funny. They stuck their nose in each other's business, but they also had each other's back. I loved Noemi's relationship with Daniel. This enemies to lovers was a charming story set in England. The banter between Shay and Noemi was adorable. I loved their relationship. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: A fantastic holiday romance for your public library collection. Hand this to all your readers who love Hallmark movie watchers. 

Picture Book Review: What's On Your Mind?

If your mind is busy, Todd Parr has some ideas for you to help calm it down.

I love Todd Parr books. I love how this one focuses on Mental Health. It's important to talk about mental health early and I love his suggestions. There's a section about how one might be feeling and to share your thoughts with someone. The illustrations are classic Todd Parr - bright and colorful. A fantastic book to start talking about mental health for kids. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Perfect Day

 This week's topic is Perfect Day - it varies between a day alone and a day with people. But I'm going to pick the day alone to share. 

When I work on a Saturday, I get Friday off. Usually, my husband is at work.

This is a typical day:
Walk the dogs early
Go to the gym
Eat breakfast

Bake cookies
Check social media

Blog for a bit with a mug of tea

Generally, I do a few chores (laundry/dishes)

Chat with family

Write some more blogs or do some planning of blogs

If the day is nice, read on the porch with the dogs

Eat lunch while watching an episode of TV 

Lunch is a sandwich, chips, and cookies I baked earlier in the day

Spend some time in the afternoon crafting

Read on the porch with the dogs until my husband gets home

Head out on a dinner (Family Pizza) and ice cream date (Mel's Downtown Creamery)

Hang with the dogs and watch something on TV 

Read a little before bed

Bedtime is early because of the early morning dog walks

What makes up your perfect day?

Middle Grade Review: The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society

 

Merrick is now homeschooled. Her grandmother had to move in with her and her mother after the medical bills became too high. There wasn't enough money left over for Merrick's private school. Now she facetimes with her friends but misses them. She never thought she's miss wearing a uniform and going to school, but she does. Her school is in the staff area of her mother's bookstore.

One afternoon, an ice storm hits. The weather turns bad quickly. There's a fender bender between Merrick's Grandmother and her friends. Everyone hurries into the bookstore where they discover a man with his face in a cake - dead. 

The bookstore is connected to an Inn - which gives everyone a place to stay to weather out the storm. But it also means that Merrick and her friends are stuck with a killer on the loose - or so they think. They decide to form a club and sus out the murderer. Merrick's Grandmother overhears them and becomes part of the club. Can they solve the death?

My Thoughts: I'm so happy that this is the start of a new series. I loved this book. I really enjoyed the moments between Merrick and her grandmother. They were sweet.  I loved the group of friends. They all have their strengths and quirks. I loved how the club formed. I loved that they had a notebook for all their clues and would update it. I loved the methodical way they investigated and how different detectives were mentioned along the way. I enjoyed the setting of the inn and the different themed rooms. I loved how this took place in 24 hours because of the storm. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My library

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

Hand this to readers who love The Sherlock Society

Picture Book Review: Summer Books

 

These picture books are perfect for a nice sunny day and hanging outside:

Neighbors of Acorn Village decide to have a cozy summer day - doing ALL the things they love about summer. 

I love the illustrations in this book - there are so many details. Just look at that lazy river! If you like this one, there's also a winter story too. I hope there are Spring and Fall stories in the works.

Three siblings have the time of the lives at the lake with their dogs and their moms.

This is such a cute story about a date full of love and fun! And there's also a winter story. The illustrations are soft and wonderful. It makes me want to spend a day at the lake too.

A tiny hiker is so excited to hike. She loves seeing everything in the forest. But it's a hard hike - will she be able to make it?

I love the excitement about being outdoors and looking at everything. And I know how she feels being tired and cranky. I'm that way often up when I hike up a mountain. I love the ending. The illustrations are charming. 

Spike and Roscoe have an adventure planned - but nothing goes that way it's supposed to. Is there day ruined?

I love how the two friends made the best of things. The ending is very sweet - there's nothing like good friends.

 Mama likes to have all kinds of adventures, but Oliver is unsure. Lots of times things go wrong and you can never be too prepared. But sometimes things are just right.

If they didn't go on adventures, there are things that Oliver would miss. I like how he lists them all. Maybe it's not so bad after all.

Where do you want to go on an adventure?