Top Ten Tuesday: Upcoming Historical Fiction

This week's topic is  Top Ten Historical ... - I changed mine to the top historical reads I'm looking forward to this year. Of course there are others, but for once, I stopped at just 10. I love historical books - probably because my dad is a retired high school history teacher and I grew up in a historical household. 

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Ice Age: 

Renaissance:

Age of Enlightenment:

Regency (one of my favorite time periods)

Victorian:

Imperial Russia:

Early 1900s

Throughout history:

Tween Tuesday Review: Pie

In the summer of 1955, Alice's Aunt Polly dies leaving a huge hole in everyone's heart. Polly made the best pies anyone has ever tasted. Her unique pie shop brought in tourists from all over.

Then she was gone. Alice's world crumbled. She felt like Polly was the only person who loved and understood her.

Her mother wants the secret to Polly's pie. In her will, Polly leaves the secret to Lardo. She leaves her cat, Lardo, to Alice.

Now the whole town's missing her pies and wanting to know how the cat could possibility know the secret recipe. Everyone starts making pies, thinking they could be the next best pie maker.

Alice knows something is going on. She enlists the help of a boy to uncover the plot behind the strange happenings following her aunt's death. Could someone be trying to steal her cat in order to gain access to the secret recipe?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this historical fiction book.I loved Aunt Polly and her pie making abilities. Her shop sounds very special.

I liked Alice's friendship with Charles. I liked how they worked together to solve the mystery.

I liked Alice making up song lyrics. 

I liked the ending and how things turned out - especially in the epilogue. 

I confess reading about all these pies made my mouth water and I might be trying out a recipe or two.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library

Final Thoughts: A mouth-watering read with a little mystery, lots of friendship, and growing up.

Mini Review: Roller Girl

Astrid and Nicole are best friends. When Astrid's mother takes both of them to see a roller derby match, she can't wait to try it. Nicole isn't all that interested. In fact, she seems to be much more interested in Robin, boys, and ballet. Can Astrid survive roller derby without her best friend by her side?

The Good:
Great illustrations
Friendship drama
Astrid's letters to her idol
Learning more about roller derby
The roller derby names
Getting back up after you fall down
It makes me want to learn to skate
The socks!

The Bad:
It ended too soon (I do hope there's another book or four coming!)

Overall Thoughts: One of those rare books that should be in every library! Plus is fits perfectly with this year's summer reading theme.

Spring Programs: Food

It sure feels like Spring now in New England, but I'm sure that will change soon. It's nice to imagine that we might just sail through winter without huge snowstorms and move right into Spring.  Or maybe it's just fun to imagine Spring programs. So I thought I'd attempt to help and toss out a few ideas for fall - all from pinterest

Also, take a look at last year's Valentine Programs or Mint programs for St. Patrick's Day ideas. Plus last year's Spring Flower program ideas.
This year's Butterfly ideas or Garden programs or Flowers

Lemon Muddy Buddies

Fruit Tacos

Flip Flip Sandal Cookies 

Jelly Bean Bracelets

Dip with Spring Colors

Review: See How They Run

* Book 2 in Embassy Row *

Grace's brother came to Embassy Row for a visiting, bringing along a school friend. Things get out of hand that night at a party when Spence kisses Grace.

Her brother's best friend and a boy Grace has grown close to, Alexei takes offense. Spence and Alexei get into a fight. Grace and Jamie break up the fight and head home. The next morning, Grace meets Alexei.

They come across a scene in the street, where a man washed up dead onto the shore. When they identify the body as Spence, Alexei becomes the main suspect.

Grace is sure he had nothing to do with it and vows to protect him. But there are bigger secrets here on Embassy Row - secrets someone wants to keep buried.

My Thoughts: I Loved this book - I tore through it, loving the twists and turns. I loved meeting Jamie and understanding more about his relationship with Grace. I felt bad about Spence, but I felt worse about Alexei and the treatment from his father. 

I liked learning more about the island's history and the caves. There was a National Treasure moment in there, which I loved. 

I love how Grace can count on her friends, even if they think she's making a terrible decision. She always has their support. 

I can't wait for the next book to see how this turns out! This is what the puppy and I thought of that cliff hanger ending - and we NEED the next book ASAP!

The puppy and I can't believe that's how SEE HOW THEY RUN ends!!!! #embassyrow #allyambassador

A photo posted by Jennifer Rummel (@yabooknerdlibrarian) on Jan 24, 2016 at 7:51am PST

Cover Thoughts: Love the city in the background
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Run and grab this book, it's amazingly good. 

About Me: Sports

One of my resolutions this year (and to be honest almost every year) is to talk more about myself on the blog. Me in a nutshell: I'm a Librarian. I'm a blogger. I'm a reader. Here's a little bit about me outside the bookish world.

I've been sporty as long as I can remember. Everyone in my family is sporty. And my family was very supportive to sports - coming to watch the games/events or picking me up from practice or dropping me off at those dreaded 5 am practices (thankfully we didn't have many of those).

I've tried my hand at lots of sports - some just for fun, but others on a team.

In elementary school, I played midget league. Finally 5th grade came and after school sports became reality. I played soccer, but mostly I lived for the basketball days.

Me in Midget League - my grandfather is to the right of me.

In the spring in middle school, I played softball and summer softball. In the summer league, during all the years, I think I played every position except for shortstop. For most of the years, I was on the team with my sister. When we both stopped playing, we used to organize pick up games in high school with our friends. I don't play softball much anymore, but I'm not opposed to a game of catch or a trip to the batting cages.

Last year at the cages

I'm 5' 8" now, which meant I was one of the tallest girls in the class (and that was hard for some reasons, but not for basketball.) I loved it when winter rolled around. I played in elementary school, middle school, and through 2 years on the JV team in high school. I wasn't the best scorer, but I added a few points to the score. I wasn't good enough to make the Varsity team and I wasn't going to play for the Varsity coach, so I stalled out after my sophomore year.

And afterwards I lost heart for the other sports. By my junior year in high school, I wasn't interested anymore.

But I was still sporty. When my husband and I moved into our second apartment, there was a sports field nearby. We played basketball, tennis, and threw a Frisbee in the fields. We'd take our cute puppy on long hikes.

I've been kayaking and snow shoeing

Just last year, I learned to do a crossover!

But we also watch sports. Chris got me into the Celtics and now I too bleed green. I miss Paul and KG something fierce. I'm glad to see that Rondo's back on track. The rebuilding years are hard, but the young guys try hard. 

We've been to a few games, some preseason like this one where we got great seats thanks to spotting an upgrade on twitter.

Usually these are our seats:

And the boys I've watched the most games with:

I'm a New England girl, so I cheer for the home teams, even though I may not follow the sport too closely. 

And our course I like sporty books too! 

Are you sporty? What sports are your favorites?

Adult Review: My Kind of Wonderful

* Book 2 in the Cedar Ridge series *

Hudson Kincaid's felt a hole in his life ever since the argument where his twin took off and never looked back. Since then, he's tried to shoulder everything. He's been so good at taking care other people that he's neglected his own happiness.

Bailey's excited to test out her new wings and try things she never thought she'd try. When Hudson's mother hires her to create a mural, she can't say no. Even if Hudson himself isn't on board with the idea.

The two of them butt heads from the beginning, but could those sparks be the start of something real?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I love the Kincaid family for how they came together, for their banter, and for their loyalty towards each other. I love how hard they work at turning the ski resort around. 

I loved Bailey outlook on life and how she wanted to try new things. I loved watching her interact with the Kincaid family. 

I loved the banter between Bailey and Hudson. 

I loved the moments on the mountain - watching the world.

Lots of humor, family drama, and that perfect ending scene as expected in a Jill Shalvis book. I can't wait to read the next book: Jacob's story!

Cover Thought: Cute
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Another winner for Jill Shalvis. Don't miss it!