Review: Checking You Out

 

Lizzie is the biggest booknerd you will ever meet. She volunteers at the shelter where she helps take care of abandoned kittens. There she meets Dylan, a very cute boy her age. 

She thinks she could have a crush on him - until he claims he's not a reader. That's a non-starter for Lizzie. Even her best friends are readers - even though they all claim different genres as their favorites.

But Dylan lied - he's a huge fantasy reader. Or at least he used to be. He was bullied for reading and enjoying fantasy novels. So, he stopped sharing him love of books and started working out. Now he's a tennis player who switched schools senior year. He keeps that fantasy nerd part of him locked away until he can go to college and finally be his true self.

My Thoughts: This was a great romance for booknerds. I loved all the bookish references. I loved the moments in the library - and the librarian. I loved how Lizzie and her friends had a book club where they all read what they liked. I loved their bookish moments. There were so many cute kitten moments here - it made me want to volunteer too. Although I confess, I'm more of a dog person. I loved the letters in the books too - and the fact that both brought in their friends for help. I hated the Dylan had to close off parts of himself because of all the bullying. I wanted to give him a giant hug. But I did love the message of this book. I also loved that most of this book is set during the summer before college. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A booknerd romance that's perfect for your teen romance collection 

Graphic Novel Review: The Knight and her Emperor

Pollyanna is the first-born daughter of a noble man, but she's the least loved. Her father sends her off to become a soldier. The family hopes that she dies, but instead she uses their betrayal to fuel her revenge. She works heard, gets stronger, and fights fierce. In a male world, there's a lot of me who don't believe in her. But she has a serious set of skills

Her country has been at war for a long time, but she hears rumblings about another country coming attacking them both. Her superiors dismiss her ideas and berate her for wasting their time. But she's proven to be right when the army walks into an ambush. She leads her team into the woods, but it's clear they're not going to survive. She gives herself up hoping that he men will escape.

She's almost killed, but the new King sees something in her. He offers her a knighthood instead and plans to conquer the continent. Sir Pollyanna agrees. 

My Thoughts: This is the first volume of the series. Sadly, I don't know when the next book will be available, but I'm already looking forward to it. I want more of the story - more of Sir Pollyanna's strategic plans. I'm also curious is she visits her family again - they are truly awful to her. I want to see what happens when she comes head-to-head with her old army. This was a great introduction to the story and it left me wanting more.

Cover Thoughts: Solid

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel for your public library. 

Hand this to readers: Who like Game of Thrones.

Picture Book Review: Nature Books

Just a few new to me picture books about Nature:

I ordered this one for a music and movement storytime. It came in too late to use it, but it would have been perfect. Lots of playful moments in this book as the family enjoys the rainstorm in various ways. 

This nonfiction picture book highlights different animals and how they help their environment and how nature needs these animals. 

* Book sent for review, Book publication date is September 1

What do you do on the longest day of the year? There are so many possibilities: a picnic, gardening, gathering together, and spreading kindness. Love the message in this book and illustrations are delightful. 

What happens after a forest fire? The forest survives and, in most ways, thrives. There is an author's note at the end of the book that talks about fire facts, shares resources, and more. 

There's a storm coming and a mouse is scared of losing her house that rests close to the ocean. I LOVED the illustrations in this book. A lovely book to pour over. 

A family is headed on a road trip to grandma's house. The road is long and the car is cramped. Will they ever arrive? While this isn't strictly about nature - one of kids is looking for wide open spaces and freedom. The illustrations are lovely. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Libraries I want to visit

 This week's topic is all about bookish bucket list items. Recently I talked about author's houses I have visited and author's houses I would like to visit. So today I'm sharing libraries I would like to visit.

Whenever I travel, I try to hit up the local library, so I have seen a lot of libraries.

But here are a few I would love to visit:

Oxford Library:

Radcliff Camera (also Oxford)

Haskell Free Library and Opera House 

This is on the VT/Canada border which is really cool

Scoville Public Library: 

In CT - the first public library in the US - 1803

However, Franklin Public Library in MA was established in 1790 and claims it's the oldest public library in the country after a donation of books from Ben Franklin 

Kansas City Library - just look at those books for the parking garage

JP Morgan Library

To be honest, most places I vacation, I stop in at the library. 

Do you have a library to recommend?

Middle Grade Monday: Art Attack

* Book 3 in the Sherlock Society series * 

Ever since their last case got media attention, people have been asking The Sherlock Society for help with their cases. They set up a website and start going through the proposals. The case they decide to take comes with a giant prize tag - if successful.

They're to unmask the vigilante graffiti artist Funky Monkey in hopes that the artist will paint a mural for a local business. The group decides that they will bring the proposal to the artist and Funky Monkey can decide from there.

Of course, there is a deadline, and other teams might be working on the same goal. Can the Sherlock Society figure out this newest mystery?

My Thoughts: I love this series and this book was an excellent addition to the series. I'm glad the FBI guys were back - but I would have liked more with them. They are so funny. The spirit week was kind of funny. I loved learning about graffiti and artists. I really love Alex and Zoe's grandfather. He's a gem. The banter between him and Lina about technology is adorable and funny. It does make me miss my grandfather. The nod to TOAST was great - readers of the Framed trilogy will get a kick out of that. All the twists and turns made me want to keep reading and not put the book down. Looking forward to many more books in this series!

Cover Thoughts: I love how the flashlights highlight the art

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: The Sherlock Society series is a must have series for your school and public library! 

Publication Date: September 8

What's On My Hold List

 

It's been so long since I've done one of these posts that I actually forgot all about it.

I'm a VERY HEAVY library user. And I place a lot of books on hold. There is a limit at our system - it's 50 items on hold. I have hit that a few times.

Currently, I have 18 books on hold, which is probably a little below average.

I want to try this out 

Huge Swiftie, so of course I love reading books about her

This YA romance looks super cute!

Love Aleandra Bracken's YA books, excited about her adult romantasy

I love reading picture book biographies - I always learn something

Have you read any of these? Do they look interesting to you?

Picture Book Review: Spooky Scouts

 

Luna LOVES being a Spooky Scout - especially the camping trip. But this camping trip, there's a full moon. Something happens to Luna during a full moon - something secret. Could this secret ruin the trip?

This was a funny book where Luna desperately tries to keep her secret. I love how Luna loves s'mores. The secret is a clever twist, and it contains a great message that being yourself is very brave. While this book is NOT a Halloween book per se, it's perfect for the Halloween season.

* Book sent for review

** This book publishes on Tuesday