Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

REVIEW: The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Last summer, Alice returned from Egypt to news that her best friend, Brooke, and her boyfriend, Steve, had “fallen in love” while Alice was out of the country. In her rage and heartbreak, Alice decides to pull an Agatha Christie and disappear. When she returns, her whole town has turned against her for the stunt. She ends up on house arrest.

Back at school in October, Alice is a social outcast. No one will have anything to do with her – except Iris, the tutor Alice’s parents have hired to help her catch up at school. But Iris is only doing it for the money.

But when Brooke goes missing after a Halloween party, and Iris and Alice are among the last people to have seen her before she disappeared,  they team up to look for clues, asking “What would Agatha Christie do?”

Review

This was exceptionally good – a perfect read for me! I loved Alice and Iris. Their individual journeys were engaging and dovetailed nicely with the mystery. I cared about the girls and loved seeing them start to lean on each other. The rest of the crew that helps with the case was great too – I’d love to see more of them.

The mystery is excellent! The pacing was perfect. There were no slow spots and plenty of twists. I loved it! This will be one of my favorite books of 2022.

By the end, I was thinking, “Please be a series. Please be a series.” There are a couple other events the characters could dig into, so I have my fingers crossed. Amazon has the Kindle version listed as book 1, so here’s hoping. I am here for anything these creators want to put out starring these characters.

Mystery fans should run right out and pick this one up. It’s outstanding! (Language, references to sex and domestic violence)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++*

♥♥♥♥♥+++ = Best of the best

REVIEW: Speaking by the Numbers by Sean Palmer

REVIEW: Speaking by the Numbers by Sean Palmer

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

The book introduces the Enneagram and the author’s premise and then digs into stances (dependent – 1, 2,6; aggressive – 3, 7, 8; withdrawing – 4, 5, 9). Within the stances sections he talks a little about orientation to time and a lot about repressed centers. From there he talks about the importance of raising repressed centers and ties that into speech-making (teaching, sermons, speeches, etc.). Each stance section includes the text of a speech and tips for speakers in that stance.

Review

This is an interesting approach to the Enneagram and a valuable niche to explore. I’ve not read an Enneagram resource from this angle before. This is definitely a second-tier resource. I would not hand this to an Enneagram novice. This will make more sense to individuals who understand not only their own number but the basics of the Enneagram as a whole. Stance information is helpful, too, although this does provide more information on that level.

This didn’t go as deep as I was hoping when I first asked to read it. Large sections of the book are taken up by the three speeches, one for each stance, that the author includes to show a technique to help raise a certain center. I would have enjoyed this more and gotten more out of it if those speeches had at least been annotated. Even better might have been a lot more shorter examples or even one section of a speech written in three ways to show the difference in how to speak to each stance. An exercise to help readers craft a message that speaks to all three stances would have been invaluable.

Ultimately this feels like a good resource on stances, but only a starting point on growing as a communicator who can think and write to engage every listener regardless of Enneagram type.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Good, solid, fine

BOOK NEWS: May 10, 2022

BOOK NEWS: May 10, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Answers in the Pages – A boy struggles to understand why his whole town is freaking out over the adventure book he was reading. But the book’s gay main characters are the reason his mom is trying to get the book banned from his school. This is a timely story, so I already have this one in my shopping cart.
A Show for Two – The latest from the author of Counting Down with You. Mina agrees to help a TV star undercover at her school to do research for a role in exchange for him helping her by starring in her short film for a contest. This is on my list because I loved Counting Down SO much!

Books for Adults

Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies (Hardcover) – First in a new Pies Before Guys Mystery series about a woman who “bakes vengeance into her pastries.” I am LOVING the recent release of these mysteries that don’t follow the usual pattern. I can’t wait to read this one – I already have it on hold at the library!
Speaking By the Numbers (Hardcover Nonfiction) – The Enneagram for teachers, pastors and communicators. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!

REVIEW: The Joy of Reading by Donalyn Miller and Teri S. Lesesne

REVIEW: The Joy of Reading by Donalyn Miller and Teri S. Lesesne

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Heinemann in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Normally I would be reviewing a book for kids or teens today, but the one I had scheduled wasn’t a good fit for me, so I am subbing this in. ]

Summary

This book highlights 7 joys of reading identified by the authors including familiarity and surprise. It contains exercises that instructors can do with students as well as some teachers might choose to do as they think about their own reading lives. Includes information, instructions, or discussion of things like:

  • completing a reading autobiography
  • reading conferences
  • reader response activities
  • studies related to reading
  • tips for building a classroom library
  • book access and book diversity
  • what to do with reading levels
  • tips for busy professionals to increase their own book knowledge
  • reader’s notebooks
  • tips for book talking
  • a classroom activity called book pass
  • tips for dealing with reading slumps
  • delightful classroom anecdotes
  • illustrations of book stacks with real titles in subject-centered categories

Review

This resource from “The Book Whisperer,” Donalyn Miller, and the late “Professor Nana,” Teri Lesesne is a gold standard for teachers. I heard Donalyn speak many times while I was teaching, and her talks were always a highlight of the event – informative and inspiring! Her previous books – The Book Whisperer (♥♥♥♥♥) and Reading in the Wild (♥♥♥♥♥) – were the foundation I used to develop my philosophy as a teacher/librarian, and I shared her earlier books with any teacher who gave me an opening.

This contains the same general philosophy I have read and heard before from Miller, Lesesne, and other Nerdy Book Club members and teaching professionals – let kids read! But the focus here is on finding, building, and maintaining the joy of reading for students and readers in general.

The content here flows from inspiring class examples and anecdotes to practical advice for professionals. The writing is engaging and conversational. There’s something here for veteran teachers, newbies, and everyone in between. Do not miss this if you are or know and love a teacher. This would be a stupendous gift for a graduate going into the classroom for the first time, and a marvelous addition to instructional programs preparing future teachers.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep

REVIEW: Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Gemma Ripley is still licking her wounds after her last encounter with the Morricones when she is thrown back into their company at the annual Trade Summit. All of the royal families are there – the Ripleys, the ogre morphs, the dragon morphs, and the Mortans led by Gemma’s biggest enemy, Maeven Morricone.

At first blush, the Summit is a way for Gemma to do some spying. Maybe she can finish what she started in Morta and find out what Maeven’s son, Milo, is up to. But before Gemma can do much more than scheme, Maeven throws a wrench into the Summit that could destabilize their whole continent – or even get Gemma killed.

Review

I blitzed through this in one sitting and it left me dazed – and eager to read it again.

Gemma is in excellent form here. She is growing into her role as a princess and a spy. And as people take her more seriously, she thrives. Things between Gemma and Leo heat up in this book – and I was here for it. The interplay between them tickled me. The author does a great job of building both the romance and the intricate political plot of the series.

There are so many great developments here from book 1, Capture the Crown. But Estep isn’t out of surprises. Two of my big questions from book 1 are still waiting for full reveals – and I love it. She is doing a masterful job of telling a full, compelling story while still keeping me guessing. I can’t wait for Book 3, Conquer the Kingdom, out next spring.

The books in this Gargoyle Queen series build on each other, so they really have to be read in order. While I also think it helps to have read the Crown of Shards series first (it’s so AMAZING!), I think readers could follow Gemma’s story without it. But Kill the Queen (♥♥♥♥♥), Protect the Prince (♥♥♥♥½), and Crush the King  really help develop the world here as well as context for Gemma’s story.

Whatever order you read these in, fans of romantic fantasy should absolutely check out this whole line of books! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: May 3, 2022

BOOK NEWS: May 3, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy May! I don’t know about you, but April was jam packed for me, so I have high hopes for a more relaxing May. Here are some of the new books releasing this week that I am excited about.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Marvellers – A middle grade debut by the author of The Belles. The first magic user of her kind at the Arcanum Training Institute, Ella initially encounters mistrust before finding her people. But when a dangerous criminal escapes prison with help from someone like Ella, and then her favorite teacher disappears, Ella starts investigating things for herself. I have this on my library wishlist.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game – Fans of the fantastic Mr. Lemoncello series can now go back and read about a teen Luigi Lemoncello. This is on my library list as well.
The Agathas – Two young women use the collected works of Agatha Christie to help them solve the mystery of a missing girl in their own town. This is on my review list for later this month.

 

Books for Adults

Blame It on the Brontës (Trade Paperback) – Athena returns to her home town – and daily run-ins with her ex – in her quest to find a reclusive author (who is writing spicy retellings of classics) she is writing about in order to keep her job as an English Professor. This is waiting in my shopping cart right now.
Book Lovers (Trade Paperback) – This new novel by Emily Henry focuses on a cut-throat literary agent who goes on vacation determined to reinvent herself as the heroine of her own story. Instead she keeps running into an editor she knows – and loathes – from the city. Another for the library list!
By the Book (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Meant to Be series after If the Shoe Fits (which is still on my review list from last year). This series of fairy tale re-imaginings is right up my alley! A young woman feelings stuck in her publishing job decides to take charge of her own destiny by wrangling a delinquent author into completing his manuscript. But his beastly behavior is more of a challenge than she expected. *add to cart*
Claws for Suspicion (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the delightful Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series. When Kari’s ex comes to town with the news that their divorce was never finalized he tells her this means he is entitled to half of her lottery winnings – but he’d settle for the land where her beloved rescue sits. Sure she’s upset, but she would never resort to murder! But that’s not what the police think. You can read my review of this one here.
The Dachshund Wears Prada (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Dogs in the City romcom series. After a social media disaster, an influencer settles for a job as a dogsitter for a foul-tempered dachshund with an owner who is just as prickly. Yes, please!
Double Twist (Trade Paperback) – After accidentally marrying a drug kingpin, Mia is eager to get her life back on the straight and narrow. But then she and some new friends stumble across a body. Then, when a friend is suspected of murder, Mia decides to dust off the skills of her old life to clear their name. I have already pre-ordered this one.
The Homewreckers (Hardcover) – A young widow falls in love with a money pit of a house. To help her stay afloat after a series of disasters she agrees to star in a reality show where she ends up embroiled in a mystery. I am thrilled so many of the books on my list this week are already on order with my library. This is on my wishlist there, too.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham (Trade Paperback) – Jane Austen’s Mr. Wickham is murdered at a house party, and Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy team up to solve the mystery.  Another for the library list!
Tear Down the Throne (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the fabulous Gargoyle Queen series, a spin off from the Crown of Shards series. I’ll be reviewing this one later this week, so all I will say now is that the new book is just as fantastic as its predecessors.
The Wedding Season (Trade Paperback) – When Freya’s wedding – the first of 8 on her calendar for the year – is called off, she can’t imagine how she will survive watching happy couples all year while she feels devastated. So her friends devise a series of challenges for her to complete at the various weddings. Yet one more for the library list!
The Joy of Reading (Paperback – Professional Development) – When I was teaching, my go to resource for all things reading was Donalyn Miller. This is her latest book and I will be reviewing it soon. For now I’ll just say she never disappoints!

REVIEW: Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

REVIEW: Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Between Harley’s own experiences of abuse and misogyny and what happens to her friend, Bernice, at a frat party, Harley’s decided she’s not going to take it any more.

Her retaliation against Bernice’s attacker catches some attention, and other girls come forward wanting to punish some of the more egregious examples of sexism and abuse on campus. Together they become The Reckoning.

But when members of The Reckoning are targeted, including Bernice, who has become something more than just a friend, Harley is desperate to find out what is happening to the people who have become like family to her and protect them.

Review

Harley is not a character in the DC Universe I’ve read a lot about. I have mostly a passing familiarity with her. But I have enjoyed this DC Icons series for years, so of course I picked up the latest addition.

The author does an amazing job with teasing out Harley’s darkness while still keeping her endearing. You are rooting for her – to triumph over her family and living situation, to get to pursue her dreams. But at the same time you cringe at revenge (real or imagined) taken too far. I found myself torn between the visceral desire to see the misogynists and abusers brought low and the line between right and wrong in the eyes of the law. There’s a lot said here about what it’s like for women in STEM for readers to consider as well.

All of the things I know about Harley from previous encounters – her brilliance, her fascination with the Joker, her own penchant for violence, her sexuality, her interest in psychology – are all tucked into this story. Again, the author does this in such a natural way while still telling her own story. It’s really well done. My only complaint is that I feel the timeline could have been more clear. The book starts in one place, then jumps back in time, and then jumps a couple more times. Hopefully this will be more clear in the final published version of the story.

I didn’t realize until the end that this is launching a trilogy of books. I have my fingers crossed about the next subject after a teaser in the book. I’m not sure if “trilogy” means they will all focus on Harley, or if it is more of a Sirens trilogy – but I’m here for it no matter what. HQ fans and DC fans should be sure to pick this one up. (Some language, reference to sexual assault/child abuse and neglect/emotional abuse, grief and loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Claws for Suspicion by Deborah Blake

REVIEW: Claws for Suspicion by Deborah Blake

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book releases next week, on May 3, 2022.]

Summary

Just as Kari is reflecting on the journey that brought her to win the lottery and buy a pet rescue, her contentment is shattered by the arrival of her ex. Charlie has heard about Kari’s winnings and brings the unwelcome news that their divorce was never finalized. He believes that means he’s entitled to half. But he’s willing to settle for taking the rescue – and the land it sits on – for one of his development schemes.

When Charlie is killed, Kari’s relief that he can’t take her dream away from her is short lived when she becomes the primary murder suspect.

Review

I loved book one in the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series, Furbidden Fatality, and then somehow missed out on reading book 2, Doggone Deadly, before I heard about this third book. I had hoped to read 2 before 3, but my timing didn’t quite work out. But it didn’t matter. I was able to fall right back into the people and setting without issue – and I enjoyed this book in the series too!

The characters here are fun, both the humans and the animals, and the mystery was great. I puzzled out a lot of it for myself, but there was one piece that caught me so off guard I exclaimed out loud. I loved having both the satisfaction of solving the mystery AND an unexpected surprise at the same time.

Cozy fans should not miss this series! It has all the great hallmarks of the genre – a likable protagonist; a clever hook/setting; an enjoyable community around the main character; and solidly plotted, satisfying mysteries. While the plots of books 1 and 2 are mentioned, I don’t think newcomers will feel like they can’t track this story without going back to the beginning. But I do think if you start here you will enjoy it so much you will want to go back and pick up the previous two books!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

 

BOOK NEWS: April 26, 2022

BOOK NEWS: April 26, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the final release week of April. Let’s see what books are on my watch list for this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

 

Breaking News (April 28) – When a fundraising scandal rocks their school, three students search for the truth. I’ll be reviewing this one soon!
The Great Peach Experiment: The Peach Pit – Book 2 in the Great Peach Experiment series after When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie. The Peaches are back from their first adventure when their great aunt says she wants to gift them her historic mansion. But there are a few… conditions. I haven’t read the first book yet, but it is on my TBR pile. I hope to get to both of these soon.
Chasing After Knight – Four years ago, Alexa publicly betrayed her then best friend and crush Carson Knight. Now that Carson is a famous actor with a bad-boy image, Alexa’s best friend Lindsey is convinced that Alexa’s betrayal is the reason he has this image problem. So Alexa decides to try to make things right. I’ve already pre-ordered this one!
Harley Quinn: Reckoning – Part of the DC Icons series. Harleen’s internship at Gotham University leaves her disillusioned and seeking revenge on behalf of all the women in STEM who have faced harassment. Harleen soon falls into a vigilante girl gang called The Reckoning and starts to feel like she has found her people. Then someone in the gang is murdered. I already pre-ordered this one too.

Books for Adults

Double Shot Death (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Ground Rules Mystery series after Fresh Brewed Murder. Sage scores a spot for her coffee cart at a music festival. And then she stumbles across a body. I loved the first book so much, this is a must read for me. I have already asked my local library to pick this one up.
A Margin for Murder (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 8 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. At a library sale, Addie buys an old bookmobile to use as a traveling part of her store, but before she can take possession, a fatal crash occurs and the first editions that were part of the bookmobile go missing. This is a clever set up that makes me want to pick this one up. It’s on my library wishlist.
The Vanishing Type (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. When Nora is asked to help Deputy Andrews propose to his girlfriend Hester, she’s thrilled to help with a Little Women-themed proposal. But when someone mutilates all of the store’s copies of The Scarlet Letter where the character Hester Prynne is mentioned, Nora is worried someone has it out for the real life Hester. I have several of these books in my Kindle TBR, and I think I will be adding this one because the premise sounds so great!

REVIEW: Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

REVIEW: Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

It’s been one year since Najwa’s best friend, Trina, died at a Scrabble tournament. Trina was the undisputed Queen of the Tiles. Najwa’s been avoiding tournaments and gatherings over the last year. But she couldn’t miss this year’s tournament – on the anniversary of this loss that has consumed her for a year.

But as the tournament kicks off, things get weird, starting with an Instagram post – from Trina.

Dead girls don’t post social media updates, right?

 

Review

This is a good suspense novel, but the Scrabble angle didn’t click for me. I struggled to find a character I liked. And the ending didn’t feel satisfying.

I think “word nerds” and Scrabble fans will find more here to enjoy than I did. It’s a suspenseful story that can keep readers engaged until the end. Even with all that didn’t click for me, it definitely kept me turning pages!

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ – Solid, fine