Review: Map from Here to There

Paige's getting ready for her senior year in high school. She had a great time in New York City during her screenwriting course. She met great people, enjoyed living in the city, and has lots of thoughts about her future. Now she's back home waiting for Max to return from Italy while she works at the movie theater.

As senior year moves on, Paige's anxiety worsens. She's struggling to make the huge decision about college - knowing that she's talking about the rest of her life. When Max talks about applying to colleges in the same city, she freaks out. She doesn't want to be responsible for his future too.

As high school starts being about the last chances, Paige realizes that she wants everything to stay the same. She's not ready to say goodbye. She's not ready to make the big choices. Her worries and anxiety put strains on her relationships. Can she stop overthinking ever decision and start living in the moment?

My Thoughts: Another great read from Emery Lord. I was so happy to have more about these characters. I loved spending more time with these characters. I loved the writing. There were so many sentences that I re-read because they struck a chord with me. I felt terrible for Paige as she attempted to deal with her anxiety. I wanted to hug her and tell her everything was going to be ok. I loved her moments in the theater and her love for screenwriting. Big moments happen during senior year of high school and they capture big emotions.


Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: BEA Arc 201
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries - especially for the moments about college. 

Review: Library of Lost Things

Darcy Wells has a book shaped heart because she spends her life reading and escaping the real world. She's desperately trying to escape the embarrassment of her home life and her biggest secret.

Her mother is a hoarder.

Darcy's been really great at keeping the secret, but the outside world is pushing back. The secret is crushing Darcy. After spending her life pushing most people away, Darcy meets a boy that she wants to open up to. But giving away her secret is scary.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Although I confess the hoarding parts were hard to read a bit.  I loved Darcy's bookishness and the book references. I loved her friendship with Marisol - and how she challenged Darcy. I enjoyed Darcy's chats with Asher. I really liked her like in the bookstore and her moments with the building's owners. I loved Marisol's big family and how they embraced Darcy too. The secrets and family drama hit me in the heart. A great debut novel and an author to watch.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: BEA arc
Library Recommendation: A great book for school and public libraries

On Your Radar: Ali Cross (32)

Title: Ali Cross

Author: James Patterson

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson

Publication Date: November 25, 2019

Why It Should Be On Your Radar: 

* Alex Cross's son

* Friendship

* Determined

* Mystery

* Holiday Season

* Family

* Video Games

* Middle Grade

** Source: BEA 2019 book

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR

This week's topic is summer TBR - normally I have a huge list for this one, but we just did the 2nd half of the year and I added another romance list. So, this list is going to be for those BEA books that I picked up and can't wait to read, but also have to read this summer because they will be in our prize packs for the summer reading finale in August. Sometimes, it's nice having a deadline for reading...