Review: Love in 280 Characters or Less

 

Sydney is headed off to college - she's excited but nervous. Her best friend Malcom seems to be hitting it out of the park. But she's struggling to make friends, to connect to her roommate, and to figure out what she wants.

Sydney loves writing and fashion. She writes an online blog and is active on twitter. The book is composed of her blog posts, tweets, and texts. Life isn't all that it's made up to be online - it gets messy.

Why I read it: I love college books and epistolary novels.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - for the format, for the drama, and for Sydney's struggles. I like how she doesn't immediately fit in at school because it's more realistic. I love how she found an audience who admired/supported her writing. I love how Sydney's TA supports her but also guides her to different reading materials. There is a racial incident that shakes her world and changes everything. I wouldn't mind a sequel five years from now and seeing Sydney in the adult world.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

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

Review: Meet me at the Museum

 

Tina pens a letter to a museum worker she met ages ago. The museum curator writes back to inform her that he died several years ago. Tina decides to respond sparking up a friendship between England and Denmark. They talk about their lives, their work, and their families. Soon they begin to rely on each other for advice and friendship.

Why I read it: It was a list of books similar to The Correspondent.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this novel. Tina lives a very rustic life and she doesn't seem to have many joyful moments. Anders had a hard marriage and is now trying to repair his relationship with his children. I enjoyed how their relationship developed over the letters and they shared their joys, their disappointments, and their failures. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Middle Grade Review: Right Back at You

Mason's parents have separated. He's very angry at his dad. Guys at school are bulling him. His mom has checked out and drinks too much. He's at his wit's end. His therapist suggests he write a letter to someone. He chooses Albert Einstein because of the book he's reading. After he writes the letter, he places it in his closet so no one will find it.

However, the letter travels through a wormhole to a girl's closet in 1987. At first Mason doesn't believe Talia, but after they exchange more letters, he can't help but trust in this strange phenomenon.

Talia has bulling troubles of her own. The boys in her class are bullying her because she's Jewish. None of the adults are taking it seriously, except for her parents. But that just makes everything worse.

The more they write letters, the more they become a lifeline for each other.

Why I read this book: Loved the concept and I love epistolary novels

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It had so many important pieces. I'm so glad that Mason and Talia found each other. The time difference added some humor to the story. I wanted to give them both hugs for all they were going through with family drama and bullying. I really love how the two friends supposed each other. The antisemitism was hard to read, but I was proud for Talia and how she stood up for herself - even if her friends would not. I love how that storyline turned out. This is an important read that clearly still relevant today. as bullies are everywhere. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - Love all the pieces of the keychain

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries 

Review: Love & Saffron

When twenty-seven-year-old Joan Bergstrom sends a fan letter--as well as a gift of saffron--to fifty-nine-year-old Imogen Fortier, a life-changing friendship begins. Joan lives in Los Angeles and is just starting out as a writer for the newspaper food pages. Imogen lives on Camano Island outside Seattle, writing a monthly column for a Pacific Northwest magazine, and while she can hunt elk and dig for clams, she's never tasted fresh garlic--exotic fare in the Northwest of the sixties. As the two women commune through their letters, they build a closeness that sustains them through the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the unexpected in their own lives. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: This book is a couple years old, and I hadn't heard of it. It took me a beat to get into this book, but pretty quickly I was hooked. I love how the two ladies talked about food, recipes, and gardening. I loved the looks into their lives and how they shared so much about themselves in their letters. I love epistolary novels. I didn't want to put this one down.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Why I read this book: After reading The Correspondent, I wanted more epistolary novels. I found this one from a list and tried it. And almost immediately, I was hooked.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your fiction section. 

 

Review: Cover Story

 

My Thoughts: I read this because of was looking for more epistolary novels. I hadn't heard of it before. And now looking at Goodreads, I see it has quite the following.

As an epistolary, it was quite good. It was a quick fast read that sucked me in. I didn't want to put it down. 

I can't tell how I feel about this book; I'm still thinking and processing this book.

The ending surprised the heck out of me. 

It's honestly hard to talk about without spoiling it

This would make a good book discussion book as I imagine people have LOTS of opinions after reading it. If you've been living under a rock like I have and you like epistolary novels too, try this out. And let me know what you think.

If you have read this one - what DID you think?

Mini Review: The Correspondent

1. My sister told me about this book

2. I LOVE epistolary novels

3. I couldn't put this book down

4. The ending made me cry

5. This gave me a book hangover

6. This debut author is one to watch

7. I loved the characters - they had so much pain but also hope

* this seems like it would make a great book club book

Review: Away

 

* companion novel to Alone * 

In the middle of the night, people in Colorado are rounded up and told to evacuate. They are loaded up on buses after gathering one bag to take with them. They're not told why they're being forced to leave.

They're bused to former camp, not in use since the Cold War.  They're forced to give up their cell phones and electronics. There a journalist meets a film maker meets a future doctor meets a teen who grew up on a ranch. The four teens form a bond between them. They interview people in the camp. 

Time passes. They still haven't been told the reason behind their evacuation, only that it's not safe for them. Their homes are in the contamination zone. But to the teens, nothing makes sense. They start questioning what they know - but more importantly what they don't know. Could there be something more to the story?

* While this is a companion novel, readers who pick up this book first won't miss out on any story. There is a nod to ALONE, that readers will enjoy if they have read that book.

** There is a cow that dies after giving birth, but all the other animals are fine.

My Thoughts: I loved this book. The formatting was different - poems, media announcements, newspaper write-ups, letters, and screenplay. While this book is long, it's a short read. First because of the format and second because of the tension. I'm so glad Megan Freeman wrote this book - it's all about friendship, big government, and uncovering the truth. I love how these characters gravitated towards each other and became friends. I love how they helped each other through the tough moments and didn't back down. Popcorn is adorable! Make time to read this one!

Cover Thoughts: Awesome

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade novel for your school or public library collection

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Review: Yours from the Tower

 

Tirah, Polly, and Sophia finished boarding school and have gone back home. Sophia's lucky that her wealthier Aunt will sponsor her for a season. Sophia's hoping to marry wealthy so that will give her sisters more opportunities. Tirah is stuck being a companion to her cranky grandmother. She hates living in the small town where there is no one else her age to talk with. She longs for adventure but is denied at every turn. Polly lives at home and works in an orphanage. She meets brothers who tug at her heartstrings. 

The three friends write letters back and forth sharing the details of their lives. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved how the friends wrote to each other and passed the letters between them. There's a lot of romance, family drama, and talk of the future. I do love epistolary novels.  I loved the letters and telegrams. There was talk of balls, learning, qualities in a wife, and if you should marry for money or love. I enjoyed how the girls were not thrilled with their education when it came to thinking about the future. They wanted more classes on how to talk to men.  I had to keep reading to discover how everything was going to end.  

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun friendship story that's perfect for fans of Regency Romance. 

Review: This is Not a Drill

 

Ava is having a terrible day - her parents are getting divorced, she's fighting with her friends, and he's spending lunch in the bathroom.

Which is a problem because the school goes into lockdown and it's not a drill.

Ava's on the outside but she needs to find a classroom pronto. But all the classrooms are locked and there is no one in the hall. To make matters worse, she forgot to charge her phone at night. With low battery, Ava attempts to make her way to safety. 

But there is someone in the school that wants to harm them...

My Thoughts: Told entirely in text messages, this book gave me all the feels. I felt for Ava for her troubles, especially her fights with her friends. I worried for all of them during lock down. I laughed at the fruit cocktail moments. I cheered Ava finding her way. I held my breath at tense moments. And I hoped everything would turn out. This was a powerful read that I couldn't put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Powerful

Source: My Library

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

Review: Don't Check Out This Book

Rita B. Danjerous and her daughter May just moved to the sleepytown of Appleton. Rita is the new school librarian and her daughter is in the 5th grade. They stir up the town.

Mrs. Danjerous gets kids reading with her green dot collection - a collection of books that kids don't need to check out of the library. These books contain answers to questions they might find embarrassing. While the students love them, the school board president is not a fan.

In fact, she tries to stop the collection from circulating. While she has a few tricks up her sleeve, she also has her own secrets. Who will win?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I adored this author and illustrator's series 43 Old Cemetery Road. I loved the puns, the epistolary novel, tethe green dot collection, the friendships (both Rita B. Danjerous and Gladys Friday and Sarah and May). I loved the friendship between the students and how they rallied around books. Another great book for these sister collaborators.  I would love to see these characters again!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great book for your school and public libraries - highly recommended!

Also this book is perfect for Banned Book Week and talking about censorship.

Review: Dear Sister

An older boy becomes a big brother - much to his dismay. His parents force him to draw pictures and write letters for her baby book. He's less than thrilled and his letters/pictures usually get him grounded.

As time goes on, he grows to care for. But maybe not every choice of reading material. The letters continue until he leaves for college.

My Thoughts: I loved this epistolary novel. I loved the letters and the pictures and the illustrations. It was a perfect combination. I loved how the brother was annoyed at the request to read the same book and over again. It was a quick but emotional read. I loved how the relationship between the siblings evolved from annoyance to acceptance to love. The end made me tear up.

Cover Thoughts: Funny

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great one for your school or public library collection.

Review: Breakout

Nora's looking forward to summer vacation; school is almost over for another year. Two more things happen before the end of school - their time capsule project and mile madness. Nora can't wait to win the mile race and throw water balloons at her principle.

Then two things happen - a new faster girl moves to town two weeks before the end of school and inmates escape from the prison. Now more than ever, Nora wants to work on her reporter skills because all of this will be relevant for the time capsule.

But life when changes when the inmates aren't caught immediately. As time drags on, Nora begins to understand more about her community and more about racial tension. Will things ever return to normal?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It's written in reports, letters, text messages, recordings, and more. I liked how life changed for everyone in town. I liked the small town and how people knew everything about each other and how gossip spread  -especially about the inmates.  I loved how Nora starts looking at the world differently. I loved the poetry from Elidee. I loved how Elidee decided to be herself. I liked learning more about the manhunt - and how it was based on true events. I love how Elidee and Nora learned from each other. A wonderful book for discussion on many topics and levels.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for both school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: Can I Be Your Dog?

A homeless dog lives in a box, but wishes to find himself a home. He writes to everyone on the street asking if he can be their dog.

It's a sweet funny story that will tug at your heartstrings.  It's a little sad, but the ending is adorable. I loved the illustrations. I also loved how the book was written in letters. Super cute and perfect for dog lovers!

After the story, there's an author's note about helping homeless animals. 

Review: Annie's Life in Lists

Annie's life took a turn when she accidentally spilled the beans about her address to the school - and got herself expelled. Now instead of living in Brooklyn, they moved to the suburbs. Annie's brother isn't speaking to her. Annie can't believe she messed up and babbled without thinking.

She isn't sure she lives life outside of the city, but she's trying. It's hard when she's also trying to keep her memory a secret. Fifth grade isn't easy under normal circumstances, but she doesn't want everyone thinking she's a freak too. but hiding her true self doesn't always make her happy.

Can she be happy in Clover Gap?

My Thoughts: I loved this book from the format to the content. So here's my list of reasons why:

1. Annie's memory
2. Exploring a new small town
3. Friendship Drama
4. Relationship with her brother
5. All the humor (look for the underwear moment)
6. The Clover Festival 
7. The Random Lists 
8. Nerdy Moments - love for Harry Potter
9. Finding peace with herself
10. The illustrations

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: Book sent for Review

Library Recommendation: Perfect for school and public libraries. This debut author is one to watch! 

Blog Tour: P.S. I Miss You

About The Book:

Title: P.S. I MISS YOU 

Author: Jen Petro-Roy

Pub. Date: March 6, 2018

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Pages: 320

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Find it: Amazon, Audible, B and N, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads

In this epistolary middle-grade debut novel, a girl who's questioning her sexual orientation writes letters to her sister, who was sent away from their strict Catholic home after becoming pregnant.

Eleven-year-old Evie is heartbroken when her strict Catholic parents send her pregnant sister away to stay with a distant great-aunt. All Evie wants is for her older sister to come back. But when her parents forbid her to even speak to Cilla, she starts sending letters. Evie writes letters about her family, torn apart and hurting. She writes about her life, empty without Cilla. And she writes about the new girl in school, June, who becomes her friend, and then maybe more than a friend.

As she becomes better friends with June, Evie begins to question her sexual orientation. She can only imagine what might happen if her parents found out who she really is. She could really use some advice from Cilla. But Cilla isn't writing back.

About Jen:

Jen Petro- Roy was born, raised, and still lives in Massachusetts, even though she rejects the idea that snow and cold are ever a good thing. She started writing in third grade, when her classroom performed a play she had written. It was about a witch and a kidnapped girl and a brave crew of adventurers who set out to save the day. As a kid, numerous pictures of Jen often featured Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins books clutched in her hand, so it was just a matter of time until she started writing her own books for children.

In the past, Jen has worked as a teacher and a teen and children’s librarian. She loves running, board games, trivia, and swimming, and has a mild obsession with the television show Jeopardy! P.S. I Miss You is her debut novel.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Dear Jen, Wow. What an amazing story; I don't even know where to begin. Your book tugged at my heartstrings and gave me ALL the feels. I loved reading about Evie and how she started challenging her upbringing. I love how she refused to give up on her sister. I love how her letters were therapeutic for her and how she needed to write to someone. I Loved how Evie explored her feelings. I admired her for standing up for herself, throughout the book. I loved her interactions with June and how they changed over the novel. Evie's smart, determined, inquisitive, and stubborn. Even though she knows her parents won't approve of her relationship with June, she doesn't back down. She shows off her courage and inner strength. I simply loved the whole books and I didn't want it to end. I wasn't prepared for the twist at the end. Oh boy, that made me tear up. This book is a must have for all school and public libraries. It's perfect to share with anyone questioning their sexuality, it's perfect for anyone questioning their religion, it's perfect for anyone in need of a good family drama, it's perfect for anyone who loves realistic fiction. It's really just perfect.

Love,
Jennifer at YA Book Nerd.

P.S. I can't wait to read what you write next!

Tour Schedule:

Check out the upcoming tour

3/5/2018- Book in the Bag- Review

3/6/2018- For the Love of KidLit- Interview

3/7/2018- Book-Keeping- Review

3/8/2018- Literary Meanderings - Guest Post

3/9/2018- Savings in Seconds- Review

Giveaway:

Doesn't this book sound amazing? You're in luck because 3 winners will win a copy! 

(US Only Please) Ends on March 6th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Upcoming Adult Review: The Boy is Back

* Book 4 in the Boy Books * 

When Becky reads about her ex-boyfriend's parents being arrested in the papers, her first thought is that the newspaper made a mistake. There is no way the Stewarts attempted to con their way out of paying for dinner. They were particularly kind to her.

Reed, Becky's ex-boyfriend, finally comes home to help with his parents. The siblings decide that their parents need to downsize from a rundown mansion to a smaller house. They hire Becky and her moving company for the job.

Becky's on the fence about taking the job.  The Stewarts are adamant that they aren't interested in moving, or getting rid of any of their things, including piles and piles of old newspapers. They maintain they aren't losing their minds.

But their decision speak a different truth. Either way, Reed is sticking around to make sure things go smoothly. He's finally going to have to face Becky again after all these years. Can he win her back after that terrible prom night?

My Thoughts: I love how this book is inspired by a crime story in the Bloomville Herald and that it turned into a serious, but entertaining novel. Still told epistolary form - emails, text messages, voice mails, pictures, and more, this novel has a few characters from the previous trilogy making me wonder/hope if this is the start of a new Boy trilogy, set in Indiana. 

I really liked learning more about prom night and what went so terribly wrong. I loved the moments between siblings - Becky and her sister and Mitch, Reed, and Trimble. I liked learning more about Reed's life away from home - the golfing and Uncle Lyle. The conversations between Marshall and Carly were quite entertaining, as were the moments between Marshall and Reed. I do hope to see these characters again!

As to the serious nature of this novel, it addresses the awfulness of parents aging, the question of what makes a hoarder, how easy it can be to go through your life savings, and second chances and forgiveness. 

Of  course, in true Meg Cabot form, there were many amusing moments, moments that touched the heartstrings, and moments that made me sigh with happiness. Another winner of a book.

Cover Thoughts: Really cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: October 18th
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for all public libraries

Series Review: Boy Books

Meg Cabot, one of my favorite authors, has a new Boy Book coming out next month. So I thought I would go back and re-read the Boy books. 

Mel is a gossip columnist who's late to work because her neighbor was attacked. HR doesn't find that an excuse, nor do they appreciate her being late to take care of her neighbor's dog while she's in the hospital recovering. Since caring for the do is starting to annoy her boss, she emails the nephew of her neighbor (a rather famous photographer) to come help out. Instead of coming, he calls in a favor. His friend portrays him while he's on vacation. Mel and John hit it off, but how can he explain everything without sounding like a complete idiot?

Kate works for the HR woman who annoyed Mel to no end. Now Amy's gotten herself in hot water after firing the woman who creates desserts for the office. Everyone is unhappy. Ida sues Amy for wrongful termination. Since Kate was responsible for following Amy's orders and firing Ida, she's involved in the lawsuit. Sparks fly between Kate and the lawyer. But Kate isn't interested in lawyers and she just came out of a long relationship and her life isn't together at the moment. 

Jane travels to Italy with her best friend, her fiance, and his best friend. Holly and Mark will elope during the trip. Cal, the best friend, doesn't believe in weddings after his own marriage crashed. Jane's determined to make this the best trip ever for Holly and Mark. She doesn't need Cal's negative attitude. When trouble hits the wedding plans, Holly must come to the recuse. Will Cal help or hinder the process?

My Thoughts: These books still rang true to me upon the second reading. I tore through them. I loved that they were epistolary novels - written in emails, IMs, scrap pieces of paper, journal entries, and more. I loved how the three books were connected through the newspaper. It's fun to see characters from the first book pop in the other books. I love the updates on their lives.

I loved how Every Boy's Got One had little cartoons (as Jane's a famous cartoonist). I wonder if those were drawn by Meg Cabot...I also liked how that book was inspired by the author's own elopement. Reading the afterword about the differences of the wedding was interesting.

As a whole, I found these books to be quick reads, entertaining, and the perfect way to spend an afternoon. 

Review: Pretenders

 * First in a new series that comes out in October*

Each year, five freshman are picked as the most outstanding of their year. They spent all year writing in journals - journals that no one would ever read. Now, the day before sophomore year, one of the five leaks their journals.

The anonymous person simply wants to the school to realize that they're all just a bunch of fakes - that they tried to hard, that they didn't portray themselves in a truthful manner, that they weren't the best five people in the class.

Their journals go out in an email to the entire class - who can read then and judge them.

My Thoughts: When I started reading this, I didn't realize it was the first in a series, so as I neared the end of the book, I kept expecting things to wrap up and they didn't. I really liked this book - lots of drama and humor. I loved the set up of the book - with each character having their own style of journal and their unique handwriting. I liked the mix of characters, guys and girls - used to be homeschooled kids learning the public school ways. As much as I liked the story, I did forget that the journals had been leaked - I think it would have been cool to see flashbacks and the present day in the same book. All in all, a fast read that leaves me wanting more.

Cover Thoughts: The cover just changed from this

While I like this older cover better, guys might pick up the red cover and thus have more appeal to teens.

Source: From the publisher 

Review: Save as Draft

Izzy lives in Atlanta and works as a lawyer -but she's never really seen the city. She hasn't fallen in love with it - or anyone for that matter. She wants to give it one more go before she thinks about packing up and moving home.

So she tries internet dating.

She "meets" a guy online while she's studying for the bar exam for California. They exchange flirty fun emails but Izzy's on studious lock-down until she takes the exam.


They pick a date night after her return...but the night before the date she kisses her best friend Peter. Torn, she goes on the date and ends up having a great time.

But she feels she needs to give Peter a proper chance. Unfortunately, even though she gets caught up in a whirlwind romance, things aren't always happily ever after without going over huge hurdles.

My Thoughts: I loved this book told through friendly, flirty, and angry emails, texts, tweets, eharmony profiles, and drafts of emails. I love reading the drafts - it's so significant what's not said in relationships. It made me curious as to what things I'm not saying.  I can't lie - this one tugged at my heart strings. It's both funny yet serious.  I could feel the anger and the frustration coming off the characters in waves.  The ending is a bit of a cliff hanger, but I'm relieved to see that there's a sequel in the works. A smashing debut that hooked me instantaneously. 


Cover Thoughts: I love the heart apple with the bite taken out of it! Great connection 


Source: Inter-library loan