Top Ten Tuesday: 2nd half of the year

 This week's topic is about books coming out the 2nd half of the year that we can not wait to read.

I talked about book wishes here.

I will talk about Christmas/Holiday romances in another post.

What's on your list?

Middle Grade Review: Forever Rogue

 

* Book 7 in the Forgotten Five series *

This is the final book in the series, so I do want to highlight it. 

However, I don't want to spoil anything for people.

I will just say:

There's a LOT of action/danger in this book (just like the others)

The fight scene is awesome

The ending took me by surprise - but not in a bad way

I would LOVE a spin-off of The Librarian

The parents

This is a fantastic must have series for your school and/or public library - it's full of action, danger, drama, family issues, friendships, a little romance, and superhero abilities. 

There's something for everyone!

TBR Check-In: Spring

It's been a busy Spring. I love it when everything turns green, the sun is out, and the weather warms up.

This week, I shared my summer TBR list, so it's time to check in and see how I did reading my Spring list.

Here's what I've read:

 

Currently Reading:

Have you read any of these? 

How did you do on your list?

Author Houses I've Visited

I've gone to a number of Author Houses:

Chawton - Jane Austen

The Mount - Edith Wharton

Orchard House - Lousia May Alcott 

Green Gables: the home that inspired Anne's books form L.M. Montgomery

Mark Twain 

Stephen King - this was more of tour of Bangor than the inside of his house. But it was fascinating! 

Many of these were before social media, so there are no posts.

Come back next week for houses I want to visit.

Review: Like We Were in Paris

 

Ben is super excited for the school's French Trip in Paris. He's been wanting to go to Paris forever. It's the city where his parents fell in love. After the death of his father, it's more important than ever. He created a list of things to do in the City of Love - one of them is to get over his ex-boyfriend.

But Paris doesn't go as planned. On the first outing to the Louvre, his phone is stolen. He ends up chasing the phone with the chaperone missing the famous art museum - and the Mona Lisa. He can barely eat his dinner. When the free time rolls around for the evening, his teacher insists he stay with Tyler. 

Tyler used to be Ben's best friend before he moved away. Then he moved back and barely spoke to Ben. Ben doesn't understand. Did Tyler forget all the memories they made. Is Tyler mad at him? Either way, Ben is NOT spending his time in Paris with Tyler. He goes his separate ways, but without a phone, he loses track of time.

The hostel where they are staying lock the doors precisely at 10:00 pm. The boys are supposed to be back before. But he's one minute late and the doors are locked. No amount of knocking is working. Ben can't believe he has to spend the night on the streets and will most likely be kicked off of the trip. He's stunned to learn that Tyler is also locked out because he was looking for Ben.

Now they have the night to figure things out, cross off items from Ben's list, and to have the time of their lives.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved that we wandered through the streets of Paris with Ben and Tyler. I loved that it took place (mostly) within 24 hours. I loved how to relationship changed between the two boys and that we saw their friendship from the past. I really liked the other students on the trip. I loved the Ben had a list of all that he wanted to accomplish in Paris - and how even though most of them didn't turn out the way he imagined, he did check them off. I love that this book had me looking up item mentioned. I didn't want this book to end! 

Warning: the book make cause you to want to go wander the streets of Paris.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendations: A must have book for your school and public library. 

Graphic Novel Review: Lovely Recipe

Sofia's struggling with her future. It's her last year of high school and her friends are excited to leave home for college. Sofia doesn't have the grades for it. She's sad at the idea of missing her friends, especially since her mother works all the time and never has time for her. Ever since her grandmother died, Sofia and her mother haven't been close. 

Sofia comes up with the idea to cook something from the family cookbook. Maybe the memories will bring her mother back to her. The only problem? She can't cook. 

Sofia stumbles across her classmate working at restaurant and has a brilliant idea. Maybe Anna Marie can teach her how to cook. It's worth a try!

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I felt badly for Sofia as she struggled to find connections. I loved the cooking moments - the disasters, the successes, and the family recipes. I really liked Anna Marie's family - especially her grandfather. I appreciated how college wasn't an immediate conclusion for either Sofia or Anna Marie. It's hard to know what you want to do at such a young age. I think it's realistic not to know. I liked how the book included the senior year moments. I loved how the relationship between Sofia and Anna Marie evolved. And that ending was fantastic.

Cover Thoughts:
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel that's perfect for those kids not sure of their future. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Dino Door

There's a to do list, but a little one isn't that excited about chores.  (Who can blame them really?). Will they get everything done or will play interrupt?

I'm always a fan of Josh Funk's books and this one is super cute. While this book doesn't have a lot of words, it does rhyme. The illustrations are bright and cheerful. The story is funny and charming. This is a great book to read again and again.