Review: Drop Dead Famous

 

Stevie's sister Blair is coming home. She's a super famous pop star. But on the evening of the concert, she's found dead - murdered. Stevie knows she should let the police handle it, but they never found her cousin who went missing and they never found the person who killed a local teen. She doesn't have a lot of faith in the police, even though her father used to be one.

Instead, she and her new friend Colby start investigating. Stevie and Blair used to be really close, but the fame changed Blair. Stevie doesn't know her sister anymore. The more she looks into her sister's death - the more she realizes there are a lot of secrets. Secrets that maybe should stay buried...

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - I loved all the secrets, the twists and turns, and the danger. I loved the new friendship between Stevie and Colby. Yes, this book is long, but it didn't feel long. I loved Stevie's determination to uncover the truth - especially after everything that's happened in the past. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your teen's school and public library collection. 

Picture Book Review: Street Through Time

 

This nonfiction picture book is fascinating. It takes the same European street by the river and showcases it throughout time periods in history. It starts with settlements and you can see how things change but also stay the same. You can see the influence of other cultures. You can see how quickly things go poorly. I love how the illustrations look inside the buildings. (I like the puzzles that do this too). This is a book to pour over and notice all the little details. It might even spark some research questions. 

Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Authors

 This week's topic is Books I Want to Read by New to Me Authors 

Any of these on your list? Or have you read them?

Middle Grade Review: Goodbye French Fry

 

Ping-Ping's having a hard time. At school, there's a boy bullying her. Her father might get a new job - in Korea. Her little brother Xy is worried about moving. She's 100% American but doesn't feel like it. She doesn't feel Chinese either. Why can't life be easy for once?

My Thoughts: There's a lot of drama in this book - friendship, family, and school. I felt really bad for Ping-Ping and all her troubles - especially the bullying. I wanted to wrap her and Xy in big hugs. But I admired the way they handled themselves. 

Cover Thoughts: Powerful

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries. 

New Writing Idea

 I had a new writing idea that I've been playing with here and there for a month or so. I don't have too much written as it's still percolating, but...

Review: The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables

 

This book was:

 part biography of LM Montgomery

part of Anne of Green Gables

and a whole lot of nature.

There were a few points that were redundant, but book was stunning - well worth the library check out for the pictures alone.

Here are a few pictures - I had to force myself to stop.

The house that inspired Green Gables 

Her parents and the house she was born in.

I can see Anne and Marilla walking down this path

I just want to be here

Anne's house

Perfection

The Lake of Shining Waters 

Maud's room - where she brought nature and plants inside

She had a love for flowers - just like Anne

This book made me want to go back to Prince Edward Island, which is not the easiest place to get to. Hopefully one day soon! 

Review: Oh My Affogato!

 

Soraya and her two best friends are traveling Europe together the summer before they leave for college. What her two friends don't know is that they are starting in the same city where her ex-boyfriend is also visiting. 

At first, she's stunned that the hotel is not a 5-star resort, but before long, she comes to appreciate their attention to detail and the beauty of the place - even if it is a little run down. The owner's son has suggestions on out of the way places to visit.

By day, Soraya hangs out with her friends, but by night, she meets up with Wes. Until - she and Wes come face to face with her friends. They get into a major fight that threatens to ruin everything. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the setting and how it was Italy, but not one of the major cities. I love how the friends set up the trip. I didn't like the major conflict of the book because I felt bad for everyone involved. But it did make for a great story. I love how this takes place the summer before college. I loved the adventures the friends went on together - the out of the way ones. I would love to see Pompeii. This book made me want to travel to Italy.  And I wouldn't mind companion novels with the other two friends leading each book.

Cover Thoughts: Stunning 

Source: my Library

Library Recommendations: A great summer romance for your teen collection - highly recommended.