Top Ten Tuesday: Book Wishes

  This week's topic is Book Wishes - for me is ARCs I would love to be sent.

* I'm here for ALL the holiday romances

Any of these on your wish list too?

Middle Grade Monday: Clock Hands

Vale and his family are having a hard time. He scrounges for work as best he can but without an appointment from the guild, he'll never make fair money. He can't get an appointment with the guild because he can't not purchase an entry fee.

When a stranger moves to town, he helps the family acclimate to a new town. Maestro Giuseppe wants to build a clock. His daughter will be helping him. He invites Vale to also help. Vale can't believe his good fortune. 

But he isn't sure the guilds will allow him to work. He's right to be worried. The guilds run everything and they aren't pleased. They make threats, but Vale and his friends aren't backing down. Who will win?

Why I read it: I loved Ink Girls and this is slightly connected. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book too. I love Vale and his new friends and how they stood up to the Guilds. The Guilds had too much power and they weren't using it for good. They were hurting many of the townspeople. This is a great book for a teaching tool - for historical fiction, but also unions/guilds. I loved the art in this book. I hope there are more coming in this companion series. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for your school and public library graphic novel collection

If We Were Having Tea

 

I haven't done one of these since last year. Maybe I need to start writing these posts once a month. 

I will tell you this year has been similar to last year. We just got back from a trip to Acadia. Summer reading is almost here. I'm nervous and excited about all the programs and all the people. It is the best of time and the hardest of times. It's going to be harder this year because of budget issues and being down a full time person. I would ask, what adventures do you have planned for this summer?

Because of some health reasons, I'm watching certain things I eat and I hate it. I don't bake as much and it's really hard. I miss baking. If you were baking something fun this week, what would it be?

I'm starting to post more bookish posts on instagram. If you're on there - maybe give me a follow? I'm trying to build up my profile. I would ask what types of posts you like to see bookish photos, pictures of my life, or bookish creations with canva? Do you like to take pictures too?

After the article last year in SLJ, I created a YA Romance Book Trope database. You can read more about it here. You can view it here. It's a work in progress, but I hope it's helpful for librarians for displays and whatnot. I would ask, do you like tropes in romance? What's your favorite one?

My blog has gotten many more hits this last year. I'm grateful for you all reading it. I'd ask, what brings you here? Have you read any books I talk about? What book would recommend to me?

I haven't been good at different crafts lately. I was hoping to get back into paper quilling this year, but honestly, I've spent the majority of my crafting time painting. Here are a few paintings:

I would ask, what have you crafted lately?

I would ask, what's new with you. What do you want to share?

* This idea was taken many years ago from Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner

Review: Young World

 

Benton Young finds himself in the race for President of the United States after his video goes viral. He was trying to impress a girl but instead started a movement. Since he's only 17, there's no way he's going to be voted in as President - except that he is.

The courts change the laws, but it takes time. He's tuck in limbo until they do. All the political people around him try to manipulate the situation. They think he will simply go away. He does not.

His win triggered other youth wins around the globe. While he's the inspiration, Benton is NOT the hero of the group of them. No one wants him attending a summit. He's not prepared for it. They don't trust him. 

But Benton isn't backing down. Even when people are trying to kill him. (And they are.) Can he survive all the secrets, betrayals, and double crossing?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I oved how the youth became involved in politics. I loved the action and danger. I didn't follow all the politics: why the two who lost the election would still be running things at the White House. I didn't like Benton's family life, they all seemed horrible to me. Especially his mother. I did love his two best friends and their relationship. I loved Charlie. (Is that a West Wing nod?). I hated the romantic (lacking a better word here) storyline. I'm not going to spoil it, but ick. I loved the epistolary - the journals, the photos, and the newspaper parts of the story. This book is a very interesting take on the world of politics and it had a lot of good points/messages. 

Cover Thoughts: Neat

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's YA collection.

Review: Royal Summer

 

Hannah is super excited to be spending the summer in Scotland working for her favorite author. She's hoping to receive some encouragement for her writing. Just as she's feeling settled and ready to work, the author announces she's following her boyfriend to Japan leaving Hannah in the lurch.

She has no idea what to do, but she really doesn't want to go home. Luckily, the new friend she made in the pub has a solution. He has a friend at the castle and can find her job in the gift shop. Hannah's not sure she trusts Finn, but she doesn't have a lot of other options. 

On her first day of work, she's stunned to learn that Finn is the actually the Prince of England. Hannah and Finn are like oil and water, but they spend the summer gravitating towards each other. Could there be something brewing between them?

Why I Read it: I'm a sucker for royal romances

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the banter between Hannan and Finn. I loved how Hannah discovered his identity. I enjoyed her relationship with her co-workers. I loved the horse moments. The only thing I wish there had more of - tourist moments in Scotland (but I do realize why they weren't there). This was a fantastic summer romance novel that I didn't want to put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's romance collection

Vacation Photos: Acadia and Bar Harbor

Just a few photos from our mini vacation last week.

Acadia and Bar Harbor is a favorite place of ours to visit. This time we did a few new things, which was nice and impressive as we've been here many times.

A walkway to the Ocean Walk

Tidal Falls - the tides are different here. 

A tidal pool 

Another tidal pool

Tiffany glass windows in the local church

Beech Mountain view

Beech Mountain view

Hunter's Beach

Hunter's beach

Hunter's beach

Rocks

The view from Gorham

Summit

Next to a dinner spot one night

The view from the dinner

And our seafood dinner 

Beehive - one of our favorite hikes

Back at Jordan Pond House with the lovely blueberry soft serve in a pop-over 

The view from Pemetic mountain

Another view

Jordan Pond trail - one of my favorite walks ever

Sunset on Cadillac Mountain

Sunset on Cadillac Mountain

Just before sunset on the other side of the mountain.

Another great trip!

Picture Book Review: Pride Books

A couple books for Pride month and all year round:

A boy is doubting his love for rainbows because they make him different. His parents take him to a pride parade to celebrate his differences.

This is an adorable story with colorful illustrations and diverse characters. This story counts items in the parade, which is an extra bonus.

Drag Queens use their favorite colors to reflect themselves. 

This book shares a rainbow of colors followed by another spread of an outfit mixed with similar shades. There's a lot of vocabulary here with all the names of colors and accessories. The illustrations are fantastic to pour over; I love how the four page spread blends together perfectly to showcase one amazing outfit.