Top Ten Tuesday: Settings

 This week's topic is all about settings. I'm picking books that take place in Connecticut.

Adult:

Young Adult:

Middle Grade:

Kids:

Have you read any of these? 

What books are set in the state where you live?

Middle Grade Review: Secrets and Scones

 

Scarlett has had a rough time of it lately; she's dropped her friends and all her clubs at school due to her mother's blog. Her mom writes a parenting blog that shares intimate details of Scarlett's life. 

Scarlett stumbles across a secret. Her neighbor was taken away in an ambulance. When Scarlett walks by her house, she hears the cat crying. Scarlett discovers a house key and lets herself into the house. As she's feeding the cat, she discovers an amazing kitchen. There's a cookbook on the counter and when it opens to a page, her mouth waters.

Even though she has no prior experience, she decides to bake cinnamon scones. She's desperate to keep her mom from discovering her secret, but the new girl at school catches her. Scarlett swears her to secrecy. The Secret Cooking Club is formed. 

My Thoughts: I felt horrible for Scarlett - being the brunt of her mother's blog. They didn't have the best relationship, but I do like how it grew in this book. I like watching the friendship moments happen and then strengthen. I loved the baking moments. I really enjoyed the baking lessons between Mrs. Simpson and the club. And I confess, I liked the blogging moments and how Scarlett learns to blog. This ended really well and I'm eager to read the second book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: my Library

Why I read it: I love books about baking

Library Recommendation: A good choice for your middle grade collection for school and public libraries 

Picture Book Review: Garden Books

Just a few books about flowers and gardens:

A mom and her child are off to the nursery; they need supplies for their garden. What will they find? And how will it come out?

There is a lot of information in this book and a lot of text. The text is broken up by lots of colorful illustrations. Gardening tips and tricks are hidden within the text. Caution: this book might make you want to start up a garden. 

There's a piece of land that belongs to no one. Mara decides to plant some sunflower seeds. She plants them and tends to them. She waits patiently for them to sprout.

This is a lovely story about patience and gardening and things not working out as planned. I loved how the garden turned out and seeing how the garden changed. Another great story for PLANT A SEED summer theme. 

Willadeen's farm is in the middle of nowhere - just the way she likes it. Until someone tries to buy it from her. She isn't interested in selling and a city grows up around her. But now she's part of the city.

This is a story about community and determination. Willadeen doesn't give in to pressure about selling when a man tries to take her land. She carries on doing what she loves. 

While this one isn't a story, it is about gardening in a picture book format. There are 15 different projects that they can try to grow.

I love how some of the items you can grow from the product itself and you can use recycled materials. The instructions are easy to follow and cutely illustrated. 

Review: Rings of Fate

 

Aren takes care of her family and their bar, but she has dreams of traveling. She can't move forward with her life until her younger twin sisters are taken care of. When a stranger walks into her bar, everything changes. He's the Crown Prince and he's looking for a bride. 

Aren isn't interested for her, but for her sisters, she'll do anything. She creates the finest clothes for them. And they do catch someone's eye, just not the prince. They both fancy one of his traveling companions. Aren, does catch the eye of the prince, or rather her attitude does. She doesn't fawn all over him like most females. In fact, she makes her non-interest known. And for that, Prince Dietan can't stop thinking about her.

But he has a secret - one that could get him and anyone connected to him killed. He needs to learn about the Rings of Fate at all costs. Only this knowledge could stop the war brewing. Prince Dietan and Aren make a pact of convenience and set off on an adventure.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one - and I'm already looking forward to the next book in series. I loved the relationship between Aren and her sisters; it was sweet. I loved the banter between Aren and the Prince. There were a lot of twists and turns here. I enjoyed the fake dating plot - which of course turns into something more. I enjoyed the kitchen moments. Overall, a fun fantasy read. 

Cover Thoughts: Clever

Source: ARC for review

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your adult fiction section

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?