Review: Until We Meet

 

Three unlikely friends form stronger bonds during WWII when they are left behind and assume positions in the naval yard. Margaret's brother enlisted and he's living in England with two men as they train. He's engaged to Dottie, Margaret's friend. John asks Margaret to write letters to William, one of the men, as he hasn't received any letters yet. Margaret agrees. She begins a correspondence with William that will last years. 

Gladys is the third friend; she's a whirlwind with big ideas. Together the three friends navigate life on the homefront: rations, work, and missing people they know. Life moves on - sometimes sad, sometimes happy, and usually always hard. They learn to celebrate the happy times and stick together through everything. 

Why I Read This: I found this on a list of epistolary novels

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - for the friendship and the letters between William and Margaret. This one did make me cry a few times, which is expected in a WWII novel. Gladys was a breath of fresh air - I loved how she pushed her friends out of their comfort zone and to enjoy life. I loved that the ladies worked in the Navy yard - that part of the book fascinated me. I know there are a lot of WWII stories, but this one will stick with me. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but there's only 3 women in the story.

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your fiction collection

Picture Book Review: Here Come the Aunties

There are so many aunties with so many talents in this book.

I love how this book goes through the calendar year and showcases daily occurrences and special events occasions. I love how it highlights indigenous moments. This book really brings home the feeling and message of community and family.

* A must have picture book for any library collection

Top Ten Tuesday: Buzz Words

 This week's topic is all about buzz words that make you pick up a book.

Words that make me pick up a book (or move it to the top of the list)

Spy

Enemies to Lovers

Royal

Inspired by: Pride and Prejudice / You've Got Mail

Princess Diaries inspired

Survival in the wilderness

Hallmark fans

Christmas Romance

Reality Show (Especially baking)

 magical baking

boarding school

Settings:

England

Paris

Wales

What about you? What's on your list?

Middle Grade Review: Parachute Kids

 

* Sequel to Parachute Kids * 

The Lin siblings have been living on their own for seven months in California. They're doing ok. But their aunt and cousin are coming to stay for a little bit before they move to LA. They will stay for two weeks. When they arrive, Josephine isn't like they remember. She looks down upon her cousins. 

When their grandfather becomes very ill, their aunt leaves to be by his side. She leaves Josephine in the care of her cousins. Jessie is the oldest, but even so, she's seventeen. Nothing is easy for the Lin family. At school, Josephine becomes the it girl. And all of Ann's friends abandon her. She's so unhappy. Bro found himself a new friend that could turn into something more. But things get awkward when their sisters find out. Will the Lin siblings find their happiness?

My Thoughts: My heart hurts for the Lin siblings; they're going through so much and nothing is easy for them. I think this is a really powerful book. There's a lot packed into this graphic novel: family drama, classism, homophobic people, illegal immigrants, bullies, and trying to live your best life. The ending surprised me. I hope there are more books coming because I want to know what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Great, it plays up the different dynamics

Source: My Library

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

Winter TBR Check In

 Earlier this week, I shared my Spring TBR list, which means it's time to see how I did on my winter list. 

Here was my list.

Read:

A few more just came into the library, so I hope to read them soon. How did you do on your list?

Board Books: Spring and Garden Books

Just a few board books for Spring:

Spring is here and it's a gorgeous day to play outside. The animals are having so much fun, and the barn keeps them all cozy. I love the illustrations in this book. 

The life cycle of a tree starting with a squirrel burying an acorn. 

It's a very informative and simple book that poses a question that is then answered. Great for curious minds.

Lots of information in this book - perfect for sharing vocabulary. 

I love the step-by-step pages on how to grow a plant inside. I adore the illustrations; they are magical. 

This touch and feel book is cute - with four friends the caterpillar spies in the garden.

I love how this book asks questions. Even though it's a short book, there's a lot for the reader and caregiver to talk about. 

Eight animal friends are in the garden and each of them are doing something. 

This is a great book to talk about animals and their habits. As each of the animal is doing something: stretching, hiding, flying..., this is a great movement book too. The illustrations are bright and cheerful.  I'm looking forward to reading this during summer storytimes at the library.

This book details how to grow and garden and shows off some animals from the garden.

I love the photographs in this book. There is a lot of interaction with this book, making it also good for storytime reading. 

This book talks about indoor plants and shares lots of information.

I love the illustrations, they're stunning and charming. This is a very cozy read. 

I loved the first book so much, I bought the rest of the series for the library. And they're perfect for this year's summer theme. 

This is a larger board book with charming illustrations and a lovely story about four friends who come together to grow a garden - but they also have gardens where they live. 

There are so many types of gardens in this book and so much information. 

These books are perfect for the smallest readers at your life for spring and gardening, but especially for this year's Plant a Seed summer reading theme. I'm quite looking forward to warmer sunnier weather. 

Vacation Photos: Food

 

Just some food photos from our Disney vacation - some from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

S'mores cookies from the Earl of Sandwich - no notes 10/10

Lemon Meringue Croissant - 10/10 no notes 

All Star Movies Resort

Lemon Meringue Croissant with hot chocolate

Shrimp and pasta

Mickey Cinnamon Roll - pretty good but the dough wasn't the soft pastry dough

I'm a little biased because I make pretty good cinnamon rolls

Wookie Cookie - oatmeal cream cookie

Hollywood Studios - this was pretty good. 8/10

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese from Hollywood Studios. This is the perfect lunch! 

From the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival - cheese croissant.

This was yummy!

From the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival - liquid nitrogen honey cheesecake.

It was pretty good

Breakfast Bowl from the All Star Movies resort 

Pull pork mac and cheese from Animal Kingdom - delicious 10/10

Brownie and cookie dough bar from Animal Kingdom - perfection!

As you can see, we ate well.

I found many of these treats on a Disney food blog - which I'm having a hard time finding again. But I was grateful that someone else had done the work.

Graphic Novel: Run Home

Alyssa is a freshman in high school. Her parents want her to join a sports team. She isn't too coordinated, so running seems to be the best fit. She hates running. The more the practices, the better she gets. She also gains a few friends too. 

Her father is sick and dies. She doesn't know what to do with herself. She feels guilty if she's happy. She feels sad all the time. She's drowning in her grief, but running does help. It helps that she sees herself improving. 

My Thoughts: This is a sequel to Big Apple Diaries and it's really good. Alyssa has so many ups and downs. The book goes through the calendar year. Her situation is unique, but she's trying the best she can with her family and friends. I love the illustrations. There's so much detail in this one year. I hope there are more books in the works. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel about grief, friendship, and moving forward. 

Picture Book Review: Bread is Love

Every weekend one family makes bread. Bread has four ingredients. It takes a lot of time and patience to make bread. 

This book shares who to make bread, step-by-step instructions in a story. I love how the bread doesn't turn out the same way every week, but that it doesn't matter. It still tastes good and it's still a celebration of family time. And there is a recipe at the back of the book. The illustrations are fantastic and cozy.

* warning: this book might inspire you to make bread. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

 This week's topic is our Spring TBR list. For me that's books coming out in April, May, and June.

I am MORE than ready for Spring!

Middle Grade:

YA:

Graphic Novels:

Adult:

Have you read any of these?

Which should I start with?