Month: August 2019

REVIEW: The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole

REVIEW: The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole

Posted on by Jaymie

A Princess in Theory

A grad school student doesn’t have time for scam emails telling her she’s betrothed to an African prince. But what if they aren’t a scam? Prince Thabiso has a chance to get to know Naledi thanks to a case of mistaken identity. And he likes what he learns. But there may be too much history between them and their families – not to mention his failure to tell her his true identity at first – for a relationship to work.

I loved this story! In some ways, it was typical with the secret identity which you know will come out and risk everything. But the characters were fresh and the science/disease piece of the story was fascinating. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

A Duke by Default

Naledi’s best friend Portia has secured an internship with a sword maker in Scotland, but he’s abrasive and pushes her away every chance he gets. He doesn’t want her help for his armory. And he doesn’t want her to find out he’s the son of a duke! But Portia might turn out to be exactly what Tav needs – for his business AND his personal life.

I loved Portia! She’s really trying to do some work on her personality, and I loved ALL of it! It left me wanting more. My favorite of the three full-length books in the series. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Novella)

Likotsi was in America while her boss, Prince Thabiso was wooing Naledi. And she enjoyed a romance of her own while there thanks to a dating app. But it didn’t last, and Likotsi left, brokenhearted. Now she’s back in New York, so of course she runs smack into the woman who broke her heart. Will the second meeting give them another chance at love or only more heartache?

This is the only piece in the series that I have not read yet.

 

Can’t Escape Love (Novella)

Portia’s younger sister, Regina, is a force to be reckoned with – both in life and in business. But the stress of her media enterprise is leaving her sleepless and exhausted. In the past, she had a live-streamer to listen to. His voice always soothed her and helped her sleep. But his archive has been deleted. If she can track him down, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get his voice back into her life. But she might discover the PERSON behind the voice is even better for her than the voice alone ever was.

Definitely read this one after A Duke by Default so you can avoid important spoilers. This is my favorite couple in the whole series. I absolutely adored this story and these characters. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

A Prince on Paper

Naledi’s cousin Nya has been trying to shake off the trauma of her past and her controlling father. And a fake relationship with the step-prince of Liechtienbourg makes for the perfect distraction. But Nya’s past continues to stalk her, and Johan needs more help than just a fake fiancée. Their tenuous friendship might not survive their “engagement.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the psychological aspects to these particular characters, and really to the series as a whole.  There’s great character development (in every book) and the reader really gets to see where personal issues impact the romantic relationships. This one did not follow the same pattern as the first two full-length stories in the series, which I enjoyed – this felt fresh. (Language, sex, LGBTQ+ characters)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop

REVIEW: Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Zoom in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Your favorite DC superheroes – Superman, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern and others – fight crime and answer emails from fans like you!

  • Does Superman ever make mistakes?
  • Does Wonder Woman have any birthday advice for an almost-11-year-old girl who’s also growing up on an island (Long Island)?
  • Has Batman ever been the new kid in town?

This graphic novel shows all the heroics and all the answers to these questions and more

Review

This is a fun book with a clever set up. The Justice League has an alien invasion to deal with. But while they work, they also handle their messages from fans. Both the messages and the battles are shown in comic-style art panels.

I got a kick out of this! It’s funny and sarcastic. The heroes are a nice mix of the expected – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman – and the less expected like Hawkgirl and Green Lantern.

The questions range from silly to serious, tackling typical kid concerns like new schools, birthdays and making big mistakes. I think graphic novel fans will enjoy the format of this, and DC fans will get a kick out of seeing their favorite heroes answer mail from fans.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: August 13, 2019

BOOK NEWS: August 13, 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

School has started here at my house, and we are trying to get back to a school-year state of mind. I think a new book – or two – might help! Here are some of the books out this week.

Books for Kids

  

Arithmechicks Add Up – A friendship story that includes mathematical strategies and a glossary of terms. I’m excited to see this one in person!
SumoKitty – A cat brought in to deal with mice discovers how to train like a wrestler. I can’t wait to read this one.
Mary Blair’s Unique Flair: The Girl Who Became One of the Disney Legends – A stunning picture book biography about artist Mary Blair and her work with Disney. I adore the illustrations in this. Can’t wait to read the whole thing.
Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou – A picture book biography of the fascinating life of Maya Angelou.
Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls – Book 7 in the wildly popular Dog Man graphic novel series.
Remy and Ruby’s Rescue Ranch: Can’t We Be Friends (and four other titles) – A new early chapter book series set at a ranch/wildlife refuge. In this book a tortoise comes to the ranch but doesn’t get along with the family’s dog. I’m eager to check this one out in person.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Flash: Crossover Crisis – Green Arrow’s Perfect Shot – First in a new trilogy starring the Flash with crossovers planned from Oliver Queen, Supergirl and the Legends of Tomorrow. In this book, Oliver and Barry team up to help one another when disaster strikes Star City and then Central City.
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson – Graphic Novel) – The final book in the original Percy Jackson series gets the graphic novel treatment. We’ve been looking forward to this one all summer!
Stolen from the Studio – Book 2 in the Case Closed pick-your-path series. Carlos and his friends are trying to find a missing TV star from the set of Teen Witch while keeping their sleuthing a secret from Carlos’ mom.
Habitats (Science in Infographics – August 15) – One of six books releasing this week in this science series. In addition to Habitats, there’s Forces, Light and Sound, Living Things, Materials, and Plants.
Science Comics: Cats – Nature and Nurture – Graphic novel exploration of cats, from house cats to lions and cheetahs.
What Is the Story of Frankenstein? AND What Is the Story of Wonder Woman? – The latest in the What Is the Story Of line from the Who Was folks. Includes the origin story of the characters and their history in print, films, and television
Curse of the Evil Librarian – Book 3 in the Evil Librarian series for teens. A demonic librarian thought to be destroyed escapes to seek revenge on those who tried to destroy it. This sounds so bizarre I think I might have to try it.
Gut Check – A teen hoping to bond with his older brother on the football field before he leaves for college has to decide if he is going to keep his big brother’s secrets.
The Silence Between Us – A teen’s move across the country before her senior year is complicated when she switches from a Deaf school to a mainstream one. When the student body president learns sign to communicate with her, she wonders what his angle is. But it’s also nice to have someone making the effort for her. I have this one on my list for this week.
Start Here – Two teens try to figure out the next steps for their post-graduation sailing trip when the third person in their group has passed away. Is their friendship strong enough to survive the trip without Finley? I like the idea of this take on the “road” trip story.

Books for Adults

 

And Then They Were Doomed (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Little Library Mystery series focuses on a death at an Agatha Christie symposium. I have been wanting to read this series for ages (the hardcover price tag has been a roadblock), but this emphasis on my favorite Christie – And Then There Were None – could be what gets me to give one a read.
Claws of Action (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Cat Lady Mystery series. While the cat shelter is preparing to open a reading room where kids can read to cats, a health inspector wants to shut the whole place down because they serve snacks, making it a “cat café.” When the inspector is found dead, Lara and her aunt become murder suspects.
A Killer Edition (Hardcover) – Book 13 in the Booktown Mystery series. In the midst of some personal challenges, Tricia heads to the local romance bookshop for a new read, but instead discovers a heated argument. When one party is found dead and the other is accused of murder, Tricia is sleuthing once again.
Playing House (e-book) – First in a new series. A guy on a home tour runs into a longtime acquaintance who pretends he is her boyfriend to discourage an admirer. He’s only too happy to play along. Soon their fake romance starts to feel more real. This is a trope I love! I already pre-ordered this one.
Pride, Prejudice and Poison (Hardcover) – First in the new Jane Austen Society Mystery series. A used bookstore in England is home to the Jane Austen Society’s monthly meetings. When the Society president is poisoned and another member is almost killed, the proprietor of the bookstore agrees to look into the case.
Star Trek The Original Series: The Antares Maelstrom (Trade Paperback) – Set during the original five-year mission. The crew of the Enterprise are called in to help when a “gold rush” like race to mine a rare energy source threatens the peace and security of the surrounding sector.
The Swallows (Hardcover) – A new teacher at Stonebridge Academy upsets the school’s equilibrium when her assignments lead the female students to question and challenge the school’s “boys will be boys” attitude and push back against the things the school has been keeping secret. I have already requested this one from the library.
The Wallflower Wager (Mass Market Paperback) – A woman with a soft heart for animals runs afoul of her ill-tempered neighbor who insists she clear out her menagerie. So she sets a challenge – if he can find all of them good homes, she will clear them out. I have requested this one, too.
How to Be An Antiracist (Hardcover) – Part memoir and part call to move from recognizing racist thoughts to taking anti-racist action. This is on my list of nonfiction books to dig into.
The Immoral Majority: Why Evangelicals Chose Political Power Over Christian Values (Hardcover) – A conservative believer takes a long look at the evolution of the Christian Right as a political movement, including questions of how they reconcile their religious standards with their support of the current president. This one is high on my reading wish list.
Teaching U. S. History Through Sports (Hardcover) – Using sports and events in sporting history as a glimpse at culture and social/economic developments in America. I think this is such a cool way to engage learners.

REVIEW: I'm Not Dying With You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones

REVIEW: I’m Not Dying With You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

It was just a Friday night football game. Lena was there with her best friend to watch the dance team perform. Then she was going to catch up with her boyfriend, Black, before her curfew. Her grandpa would not be a fan of her relationship with the 20-year-old rapper, so it was best to keep it quiet.

Campbell’s only been in town for a few months. Her mom has left the country for work, leaving Campbell with her dad. For the game, she’s working the concessions stand. She let one of her teachers guilt her into helping. Her two “co-workers” have been completely useless. And she’s stuck going out with the dance team – a group of strangers – after the game so her teacher can give her a ride home. How pathetic does that sound?

Not only are the two schools in the game rivals, but there’s also been racial tension between them recently. Maybe tensions are running too high. All it takes is one racist guy mouthing off in the concessions line. Then fists start flying. Then the sound of gun fire. This is NOT how Lena or Campbell saw this night going.

Review

This is a fast-moving story about a riot and two girls caught in the middle – one White, one Black. Their differences are seen from the beginning with their expectations when the police first show up at the fight at the game. Campbell is relieved when they show up, thinking they will stop the fight and everyone will be safe. Lena expects their arrival will lead to escalation. And she’s right.

The girls have assumptions about each other that get explored a little. And I guess that is how I feel about the whole story. Lots of things get touched on a little. There’s not as much depth here as I wanted. The action pushes the reader forward; I didn’t want to put this down. But I was left wanting more – more depth to the two girls, more depth to the race conversation, more depth to the rationale for why they ended up in two riots (weren’t there other routes through town?). And then the ending. What happens next for these two characters and for their community?

If this is your first foray into YA that explores racial tensions, or if you are looking for an action-packed, fast-paced story, don’t miss this one. If you feel like you want something that digs deeper, try The Hate U Give or Dear Martin instead. (Language, violence)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Millenneagram by Hannah Paasch

REVIEW: Millenneagram by Hannah Paasch

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Millenneagram seeks to take the rich history of the Enneagram and give it some fresh terminology and set it free from some of the spiritual connotations that might alienate those who would otherwise embrace it. It hopes to help folks see themselves in a new light, pursue some healthier behaviors, and embrace the best parts of their type.

This is a drink and some appetizers at your favorite bar with that one friend who geeks out over the Enneagram and doesn’t sugar coat her observations about your life. No, the author isn’t an 8. She’s a fiery 4 who understands uniqueness, and encourages readers to embrace their own.

If you flinch when you come across profanity online or in a book, this is NOT your Enneagram resource. Profanity abounds and you can find an f-bomb on almost every page. It’s okay if that’s not your vibe. There are lots of other resources you can try. The author herself recommends The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Riso/Hudson and The Complete Enneagram by Chestnut as well as others.

This IS the resource for folks who want straight talk and contemporary examples about the Enneagram. Each chapter that focuses on a type includes a story, a general description, a survival story (where these traits come from), discussion of wings and variants, advice for others as they relate to this type, and direct talk to those who claim that type as their own. The bottom line for the author is this: learn your patterns and parent yourself to the healthiest expression of that you can get to. And I love that!

One of my favorite statements she makes multiple times is “You are the point of you.” The author obviously has vast relationships with people of each type. I felt her love for every one of them throughout the book. She wants the best for them. She wants each type – each person – to live in THIS moment, loving and accepting who they are and knowing they are worth whatever work is necessary to be at their best and healthiest. And she pulls no punches when she spells out what that might look like and what it will entail to get there.

While I have enjoyed a variety of resources on the Enneagram, this one stands on its own. The tone is unlike any other resource I have read. It’s a mash up of love and empowerment with a side of in-your-face truth. And I loved all of it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Friendship Lie by Rebecca Donnelly

REVIEW: The Friendship Lie by Rebecca Donnelly

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Capstone in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Things seemed so much simpler in second grade. With her twin brother, Kyle, by her side, she could face anything. She didn’t need a ton of friends. But meeting Sybella was like fate. From their first meeting it was obvious Sybella had a great imagination and a sense of adventure. When Cora told her about the magical land of Aquafaba, Sybella “got it” right away. And for three years, Cora, Kyle and Sybella played and developed their magical, imaginary land.

By fifth grade, though, life is more complicated. Cora and Kyle’s mom is living in Belgium and going back to her maiden name. A new girl at school is trying to wedge herself into Cora, Kyle and Sybella’s trio. And Cora’s life is pretty consumed by her dad’s work in “garbagology.” Her school is even doing a Trashlympics competition later in the year.

When something fractures Cora’s friendship with Sybella, it’s the final straw. She’s lonely, she doesn’t have her mom close by to talk to, and she’s not sure if this fracture is something they’ll be able to mend or if their friendship is broken for good.

Review

What a terrific friendship story! This is a perfect story for upper elementary readers – an age group that often deals with growing pains in friendships. I think this would work especially well as a classroom read aloud. There’s a lot to discuss in the novel, and teachers can also help kids track the novel’s two timelines (“Before” and “now”), two perspectives (Cora’s and Sybella’s), and a 40-year-old story from a discarded diary.

Cora seems like a melancholy kid, even before the friendship drama. And I loved that Sybella and Kyle accepted her and never tried to “fix” her. The friendship fracture – like many conflicts – could have been solved with some clear communication, but that’s a great life lesson. There was an extenuating factor that wasn’t directly handled by the end (for good story reasons) that frustrated me. I think the impact of an outsider on the situation would make for a great discussion point for a book group or a class to dig into.

The garbology pieces of this were so fresh and creative – and quirky! Families or schools could use this as a starting point for further work on sustainability and environmental issues including recycling.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: August 6, 2019

BOOK NEWS: August 6, 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy August! School is in session – or it will be soon if you are one of the lucky ones who still has a couple weeks of summer to go. And that means it’s a great time to consider a new book! Here are some of the books releasing this week – there are a BUNCH to choose from.

Books for Kids

 

Would You Ever Pet a Platypus? (Board Book) – Board book celebrating the animals God made.
The Buddy Bench – A fictionalized example of a Buddy Bench designed so that when kids sit there it is a sign for other kids to reach out to that child and include him/her in play. This sound sweet!
The Evil Princess vs. The Brave Knight – Familiar sibling squabbles play out between the “evil” princess and the “brave” knight. The sample pages look fantastic! I can’t wait to read this one! From the pair behind the Babymouse graphic novels.
Just in Case You Ever Wonder – A picture book offering readers assurance of God’s love through the ups and downs of life. By Max Lucado.
The Pencil Eater – A teacher on the perpetual quest to track down her missing classroom pencils wrote this new book about a pencil eating monster.
Penny and Penelope – Two girls on a playdate struggle to play together with their very different dolls – one a princess and the other a secret agent.
Fabio, The World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: The Case of the Missing Hippo – A flamingo detective named Fabio? Sign me up for this new chapter book series! Fabio is asked to judge a talent contest, but when one of the contestants goes missing, he is on the case. A second book releases next spring.
Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Bear Scare AND The Case of the Hat Burglar AND The Case of the Haunted Scarecrow AND The Case of the Golden Key AND The Case of the Vanishing Painting – When my teen was learning to read, the Jigsaw Jones mysteries were some of our favorite stories. These five titles appear to be new additions to this classic, and well-loved series.
Super Turbo and the Fountain of Doom – Book 9 in the Super Turbo series. The superpets have figured out how to get water without having to deal with the Rat Pack every time, but once they’ve all tried out the water fountain, they notice the water won’t stop flowing.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Cape – Book 1 in the League of Secret Heroes series. Set during World War II in an alternate timeline where superheroes exist, a girl longs for a way to make a difference in the world, but many dismiss her because she is a girl. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month.
Dear Justice League – Justice League heroes answer mail from their biggest fans. I’ll be reviewing this one later this month as well.
Double Cross – Book 3 in the Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls series. At a prep school competition, the kids find out their nemesis is using the competition site as a launch point for his next attack. This series looks so great. It’s on my list.
Each Tiny Spark – As a girl watches her father try to piece his life back together after deployment, her community starts to fall apart, and some of her classmates are caught in the middle. There’s been a lot of talk online lately about the need for “older middle grade” books that bridge the gap between middle grade and YA. This book is targeted for kids 10 and up. It’s on my list for this week.
Rise of the Dragon Moon – A new middle grade fantasy about a princess and her friends who trek to Dragon Mountain to rescue her mother the queen. This sounds great!
Star Wars Ahsoka: A Star Wars Rebels Cinestory – A graphic novel presentation of Ahsoka’s story in the Star Wars Rebels TV show.
Star Wars Myths and Fables – Original fairy tales and myths from the Star Wars universe.
The 47 People You’ll Meet in Middle School – An older sister gives her younger sister the scoop on middle school now that she has finished her first year there. From the author of Annie’s Life in Lists. I’ve requested this from the library just based on the author’s previous work which I adored!
Who Is R. L. Stine?
Hello Girls – Two teens meet outside a police station, each wondering if it is finally time to report their families. When both girls realize they can’t just wait for graduation to take charge of their own lives, they pair up to make a run from their midwestern small town to a big city for a fresh start. This is also on my list for this week.
I’m Not Dying with You Tonight – Two teens – one Black, one White – find themselves tossed together when a rivalry football game turns violent and sets a city already on edge aflame. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week.
Let’s Call It a Doomsday – From the author of Heretics Anonymous. Two girls meet at their therapist’s office. One is caught up in all the possible ways the world could end. The other has had a “premonition” of when the apocalypse will occur. As the girls work together to prepare for the worst, they wonder if anyone will believe them. This is another I will read solely because I have enjoyed the author’s other work.
#MurderFunding – Sequel to #MurderTrending. The latest reality show craze is Who Wants to Be a Painiac?, the show that’s looking for the next great serial killer. One contestant is there to find out what really happened to her mom. She thought she was just your typical suburban soccer mom, but someone else says her mom was one of the serial killers at Alcatraz 2.0. I read the first book this summer; it was the one recommended to me by my teen. It was not a good fit for me as a reader (too gory and the premise felt a few steps farther than even The Hunger Games). But I know the rest of my family will be picking this one up for sure.
Postcards for a Songbird – A teen starts to expect everyone to leave her after her mom leaves, then her sister and her best friend. But a house-bound neighbor might finally be someone who will stick around. But a guy in driver’s ed and postcards from her sister leave the girl with more questions than ever before. At the time of this writing, this book is available on Kindle Unlimited (free for subscribers).
Star Wars: A Crash of Fate (Galaxy’s Edge) – Childhood friends on Batuu find themselves with vastly different lives as young adults. She is a smuggler, on her own after the death of her parents. He is a farmer who never left Batuu. Rekindling their relationship leaves both of them questioning if they have a chance at love when they live such different lives. This is at the top of my list for this week!
Swipe Right for Murder – A teen on his own for a night in New York City is looking for a hook up but finds a dead body instead. The latest from James Patterson’s publishing imprint.
Radiant: His Light Your Life for Teen Girls and Young Women – A candid conversation about identity with author Priscilla Shirer (Prince Warriors series, Fervent).

 

Books for Adults

A Bias for Murder (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Queen Bees Quilt Shop mystery series. The quilters are hired to make quilts for a new B&B by the owner, a woman who inherited the property when her brother died. But when his cause of death goes from heart attack to murder, the sister is the number one suspect.
Bursts of Fire (Hardcover) – First in the new Addicted to Heaven political fantasy series. Magic, gods and war abound in this series opener that sees three sisters scattered to the wilds determined to regain their legacy. This sounds great!
Enchanted Ever After (e-book) – Book 9 in the Enchanted, Inc. series which I have adored since the first book. While Katie and Owen are trying to get the plans for their wedding finalized, someone is trying to expose the magical world to the general public.
Life and Other Inconveniences (Trade Paperback) – A generational story that spans from grandmother (who lost her husband and a son) to granddaughter (who lost her mother and whose father dumped her on his mother’s doorstep). When she got pregnant, Emma’s grandmother kicked her out. But she has pushed through the hard times. And Emma and her daughter have made a good life for themselves. But Emma can’t fathom why, after all their history, her grandmother would call HER for help. This is on my list for this week, too.
Love and Death Among the Cheetah (Hardcover) – Book 13 in the Royal Spyness Mystery series, a fun historical fiction series. When Georgie and Darcy are on their honeymoon in Kenya, Georgie starts to suspect Darcy is there on a mission. What starts as the hunt for a thief turns into a hunt for a murderer.
The Perfect Wife (Hardcover) – A woman awakens with no memory next to a man who describes her as the perfect wife who was in an accident five years earlier and has, thanks to a technological breakthrough, just been revived. It’s not long before she starts to question if she can trust the story he’s told her.
Reticence (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Custard Protocol steampunk series, a spinoff of the author’s Parasol Protectorate series which I enjoyed. The brother of one of the globe-travelling women flying the Spotted Custard airship is the focus of this entry in the series. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the original series. I might need to pick them up from the library for a re-read.
The Right Swipe (Trade Paperback) – A dating app creator is not looking for love when she meets a former pro football player. But after one night he disappears and she’s left to guard her heart again. But when he drops into her life again, he’s counting on a second chance at love, but his business relationship with a rival developer could kill their relationship before it even starts. I’ll be reviewing this later this month.
Terns of Endearment (Hardcover) – Book 25 in the always delightful Meg Langslow mystery series by Donna Andrews. Meg and several members of her family are on board a cruise ship when her grandfather is asked to provide part of the ship’s educational programming for the voyage. The ship breaks down in the Bermuda Triangle, some passengers go missing, and Meg’s dad is ready to use the confinement of the passengers to investigate the missing persons cases. This series is a must read for me – I have already requested this one and the new Christmas book (Owl Be Home for Christmas – October) from the library!
The Time for Murder Is Meow (August 8 – Trade Paperback) – First in the new Purr N Bark Pet Shop Mystery series. A former actress takes over her late aunt’s pet shop. She’s looking forward to getting involved in the community like sharing some of her aunt’s Cary Grant posters with the local museum. But when a board member vetoes the plan and then ends up dead, she becomes the prime suspect in the murder. I’m looking forward to checking this one out.
Love at First Like (Trade Paperback) – A jewelry shop owner uploads a picture of her wearing a diamond engagement ring accidentally and reaps a publicity bonanza. Now she’s off to find a fake fiancé to help her keep up the ruse and improve the business’ bottom line.
Say You Still Love Me (Trade Paperback) – A VP at a multibillion-dollar business recognizes the new security guy as her first love. Can two people from vastly different backgrounds make love work?
Best Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes: Quick and Easy Dinners, Casseroles, Soups, Stews and More (Paperback Cookbook) – Includes a section just on wings and another on five-ingredients-or-less recipes.
Empty Nest, Full Life: Discovering God’s Best for Your Next (Trade Paperback) – Practical ideas for surviving and thriving this next stage of life.
The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System – And How to Fix It (Hardcover) – Digs into the impact of decontextualizing reading comprehension skills in elementary classrooms. I’m curious to read this one.
Middle School Matters: The Ten Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – And How Parents Can Help (Trade Paperback) – An exploration of skills to help kids transition to adolescence.
Raise Them Up: Praying God’s Word Over Your Kids (Trade Paperback) – Prayer guide for parents
Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters Who Elected Donald Trump (Hardcover) – I can’t know without reading what the author’s bias might be, but I am curious to read this one.
The View From Rock Bottom: Discovering God’s Embrace in our Pain (Trade Paperback) – The author shares her experience of finding Jesus in the midst of her pain.

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Summer Reading Wrap Up 2019

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Summer Reading Wrap Up 2019

Posted on by Jaymie

At the start of June, I posted my reading goals and agenda for the summer. Today I have a summary of how it went.

 

Family Reading Challenge

This year not only did I finish the challenge (unlike in 2018), but I also finished first!! We added a prize for first, second, and third place this year which helped keep everyone reading. My husband finished in second place, and our teen is still working through his pile. (He has the last three Harry Potter books to go.)

Sadly, I did not enjoy either of the books that were recommended to me. That happens sometimes.  The teen’s book was too gory, and my husband’s recommendation for me was too slow in too many parts. I finished both because I had to rather than because I wanted to. The teen enjoyed both books that were recommended to him and said he would be interested in reading the sequels some day. My husband said he, too, would read the sequels to both books he read on recommendation because he enjoyed them.

All three of us thoroughly enjoyed our Harry Potter re-read. The books stand up well over time, and we were reminded once again how much better they are than the movies. We are considering a re-read of Percy Jackson next summer since this re-read turned out so well.

 

TBR Books

Alas, my goal of re-reading a bunch of my favorite books suffered from an overloaded reading list. I re-read 10 altogether (which includes the 7 Harry Potter books from the challenge), but only 3 from the ones I listed in June. And I read two of those to refresh my memory for new books that came out this summer.

I was able to finish all 6 of the review copies I had on my list as well as 11  more.

Of the six books that I listed that were releasing in June and July that I wanted to read, I started five of them, finished two of them (one I am reading right now), and only liked one of them. That happens sometimes, too.  There were 10 books I started and did not finish this summer. There’s no shame in not finishing a book that isn’t working!

 

#Bookaday

It was my goal to read 61 books in 61 days. I actually finished 73 books. This was a mixture of picture books (14), middle grade (17), teen/YA (13) and adult books (28) and a mix of fiction (66) and nonfiction (7).

Some of my favorites from this summer have been:

  • A Daughter’s Truth by Laura Bradford (Amish fiction)
  • The Amish Cookie Club by Sarah Price (Amish romance – first in series)
  • What If It’s Us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (YA – LGBTQ+ romance)
  • The Me I Used to Be by Jennifer Ryan (romantic suspense)
  • The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez (romance)
  • Raven by Kami Garcia (DC Comics YA graphic novel)
  • Screen Queens by Lori Goldstein (YA contemporary)
  • Andrew by Jennifer Beckstrand (Amish romance – first in series)
  • Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep (fantasy, sequel to Kill the Queen)
  • The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems (picture book)
  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling (MG fantasy – I used to dislike this one, but this time I loved it)
  • The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman (romance)
  • Sweet as Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand (Amish romance – first in series)

 

Did you read anything amazing this summer?

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ashlynn has finished her junior year at boarding school – punishment for some trouble she got in the year before. But she’s followed the rules, and her grades have been top notch. Now she’s ready to go home for the summer and to convince her father to let her stay home for her senior year.

But in typical fashion, Ashlynn’s father has his own plan in place. He’s being arrested for tax evasion. He’s going to prison, and Ashlynn’s mom is going into treatment for depression. Ashlynn has to stay with her aunt and uncle and work at a retreat center for the summer. And in the fall, her dad tells her, she will be going back to boarding school. He leaves no room for discussion. And Ashlynn accepts her fate as she always does.

So Ashlynn heads to Sweetwater Overlook Retreat Center with a cousin she barely knows. She only hears from her parents through letters, approved phone calls from the prison or the treatment center, and occasional trips to see her father in person.  She’s working for a careless, disorganized boss who is only too happy to dump tasks on Ashlynn who never speaks up for herself. But maybe a summer at Sweetwater is just what Ashlynn needs for this season in her life.

Review

This was terrific! The author does an amazing job with the descriptions of Ashlynn’s life under her father’s thumb – his ultra critical voice in her ear, his high expectations, and his crippling demands. But the summer away – free in a way she hasn’t experienced even with a year of boarding school – really lets Ashlynn examine her life and her choices in a new way. This thread was my favorite part of the book!

The retreat center pieces and the relationships Ashlynn experiences there are a great context for all of the personal work Ashlynn is doing. I expected the conflict with her boss would be bigger and uglier, but this isn’t that sort of story. This is a look at Ashlynn’s personal journey. The rest is setting and context and support. And it really works well!

I loved the quotes Ashlynn uses for her own comfort, growth and encouragement. It’s a fun angle to the story. It’s a nice contrast for Ashlynn’s quest to find – and use – her own words and her own voice. Fantastic!! Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥