Yoshi and the Ocean : A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore

Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Journey Home by Lindsay Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Moore's nonfiction children's picture book with beautiful paintings of Yoshi's life as a sea turtle with a damaged shell was filled with facts and heart. The story and all the important back of the book facts, and details of Yoshi's journey, a loggerhead compendium filled with pictures and facts on 4 pages, and sea turtle facts and resources will mesmerize all readers! A must read!

View all my reviews

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

Honor by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great book! I wanted to stop listening ( narration was spectacular by Sneha Mathan) to the horror that was Meena's life before and after she marries Abdul who is Muslim to her Hindu. She is attacked by her own brothers, her husband is murdered and burned and Meena is burned and beaten. Smita is a journalist who thinks she is going to help and stay with her journalist friend, Shannon, while she recuperates from surgery. Instead what she learns is that her friend wants her to take over the story of Meena, interview the brothers and village elder, and any witnesses. Smita is accompanied by Mohan as she navigates the story and as she hides a secret Mohan makes her question many things she believed in her life. I loved/hated this story because Thrity Umrigar speaks the truth about what is still continuing to happen in India in small villages that believe tradition dictates burnings, buying off officials and villagers. I was riveted and will continue to be haunted by this book- it is a MUST READ!

View all my reviews

Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns & Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz

Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great book- my granddaughter and I read this nonfiction children's picture book and loved the story, the authentic, beautiful photographs about how important honeybees are and the 2 men who rescue a colony of honeybees and relocate them with a soft vaccuum!!! We were captivated by this "drama" story, we learned so much about honeybees and their honeycomb from one day where they made a new home in a rickety old barn. When the owner realizes this he calls an expert and explains his problem. The reader will love and learn so much about this story as well as the resources at the end of the book "An Interview With Mr. Jon Nelson, Bee Rescuer", Glossary, Author's Note, Sources, Further Reading & Acknowledgments.

View all my reviews

Odder by Katherine Applegate

Odder by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Odder is a sea otter who is attacked and injured by a shark landing her in the arms of humans in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Based on a true story of a program that helps injured sea otters become prepared for their life back in the wild ocean. I loved this novel in verse which beautifully tells a story while giving facts the reader will remember forever --the shark - "he's even lost a few teeth, not that it matters. They pop anew unbidden." The reader meets Odder and falls in love with her friends like Kairi, and the humans who help her; the reader feels the water, the food, life in the ocean and the aquarium in the spare, realistic words. I highly recommend this book to all readers!

View all my reviews

A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd in the Flesh and Fire series was scorching hot! I fell in love with Nyktos & Sera AGAIN as they navigate their friendship, their passion (Nyktos can't love) and their staunch support of each other and their kingdom(s) as this fantasy unfolds. As always, the characters, the plot, and the setting had me turning those pages, I can't wait for the 3rd book! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

All My Rage by Sabaa

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a haunting must read! I could not stop listening to narrators Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan, and Kausar Mohammed as the tale of 2 teens who have grown up together and life comes crashing down when Misbah, Sal's mother dies, his father is drinking, and secrets Sal is keeping from Noor break them apart. The racism, the abuse, and secrecy were so profound and sinister, that the regret the characters suffer is just so sad. A must read for all!

View all my reviews

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Marlene and her aunt Tia and friend Camila; together they all help Marlene break the news to her mother that she detests going to the hair salon and having her her straightened (and everything else involved in the hours she spends there 1 day a week). This graphic novel will surely inspire girls that have problems expressing to their parents their misery over "hair" which is either good or bad and must be conquered! I cheered for Marlene and you will too!

View all my reviews

Bear Has a Belly by Jane Whittingham

Bear Has a Belly by Jane Whittingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From a blog post, this Jane Whittingham book is perfect for my animal loving grandson, and the pictures, photographs of the many different animals AND children each with a different body part highlighted. With activities detailed at the end, this book is perfect for little minds, hands and eyes, the pages are heavy but not board book material, they will stand up to the sometimes rough little hands turning those pages! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Animals Move by Jane Whittingham

Animals Move by Jane Whittingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Including all kinds of animals - pets, farm animals and wild animals, Jane Whittingham gives beautiful photographs on heavy sturdy pages with the many things kids do and animals do such as a little girl is swimming underwater with a corresponding photograph on the right with a baby whale---CALVES SWIM, Children and adults will learn the FUN Baby animal names from the familiar to the strange (echnidas are spiny anteaters, did you know that? their babies are PUGGLES). So take your time and enjoy the many different animal babies rhyming with the way children MOVE. Highly recommended!


View all my reviews

a bear, a bee, and a honey tree

A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From a blog post I can't remember this book struck me as a book my K granddaughter would love with all the word, word play, and antics of the bee and bear trying for the honey high up in a tree. I am also going to enjoy this with my grandson who will be 2 years old. With great illustrations by Brandon James Scott, Daniel Bernstrom deliver s a delightful book of the bear and bee fighting over the honey, who will be the winner? Excellent picture book will appeal to all younger children and their parents!

View all my reviews

A Letter From Your Teacher On the Last Day of School by Shannon Olsen & illustrated by Sandie Sonke

A Letter From Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School by Shannon Olsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great read and this will be a present my K granddaughter and her mom, a K teacher will love celebrating a wonderful school year on the last day of school. With beautiful illustrations (by Sandie Sonke) the rhyming text by Shannon Olsen had me turning the pages, enjoying each and every high and low of the students as they become very special students and friends, ready for the next year of a new teacher and making new memories. Excellent for students, teachers & parents!

View all my reviews

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan was a gem! No wonder it was voted the Goodreads 2022 Best Romance, but this book was more than a romance. Involving family dynamics between 2 sisters who grieve for their dead mother. Nora is a shark like protagonist, hard working in the book business as a hard driving book agent and younger sister, Libby, pregnant with 2 children. Libby urges Nora to take a 3 week vacation with her to a surprise destination & she grudgingly goes because Nora has sensed losing a little bit of Libby. Surprise surprise when she takes Nora to the setting for one of her romance author's books! There is so much good going on in this book, with hunky guys, the outdoors, THEIR LIST, and running into grumpy Charlie, who Nora worked for in NY. And from there it just gets better and better. I enjoyed the plot, the setting and the many characters seen through Nora's shark eyes. And it is so nice to listen to Julia Whelan as the shark becomes embroiled in small town histrionics & Charlie. A must read!!!

View all my reviews

If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, #1) by Julie Murphy

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this new book in a Julie Murphy series, a modern take on the Cinderella story. Cindy is on a plane to visit her stepmother (famous reality queen of modern dating shows), step sisters and triplets. She meets Henry (Prince Charming) on the plane has a great conversation and there it ends --- until Cindy decides to join her stepsisters and enter a dating game show and low & behold the SUITOR is Henry. I loved the story (but I did not like the intense scenes on the dating shows and between the contestants) and root for Cindy and Henry and enjoyed the many plot twists. I really liked so many of the characters (except nasty Allison) and learning about textiles and design. The emphasis on family and friends was nice and authentic. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series!

View all my reviews

The Winners (Beartown, #3) by Fredrick Backman

The Winners by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great 3rd book in the series of Beartown hockey. There were more great characters introduced, the rivalry still between the teams in Hed & Beartown, and there are things afoot, deaths, violence, bullying and family relationships explored and friendships celebrated.

View all my reviews

It Starts With Us (It Ends With Us, #2) by Colleen Hoover

It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved It Ends With Us, so did I love the love story of Atlas and Lily as they told alternating chapters. Being lifelong friends, now adults and bumping into each other, they work to get back together quickly despite her raging jealous husband and life as it throws challenges that they meet because this time it will start with them!!! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Zero Night (Jonathan Stride, #11) by Brian Freeman

The Zero Night by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so glad the Jonathan Stride series is continuing! Despite all that happened with Jonny and Serena, I rooted for their happiness in tough police work. Maggie has been standing in as Jonathan recovers but she calls him back with a wife's abduction and a lawyer who may be hiding a lot. I loved Serena's dog Elton and the adulation she desperately needed from her furry lifesaver. I could not stop turning the pages, the story captivated me and the suspense was thrilling!

View all my reviews

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story of a family that was once happy and with a father who loves them and leaves them, a mother who descended into alcoholism, and two brothers and two sisters who love surfing and use it to get through their life. As the book rises to a crescendo we see how each family member deals with their lives and loves. A great book that kept me turning the pages!

View all my reviews

Remarkably Bright Creature by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Marin Ireland & Michael Urie, this was such a good book--humor, mystery, death, friendship and family---all so good. I loved getting to know all the characters and how they will all at some point mean something to each other. Tova working at the aquarium, Marcellus the octopus escaping and becoming Tova's friend, Cameron, Ethan and many minor characters were so intertwined in this compulsively enjoyable debut novel!

View all my reviews

The Bullet That Missed (Thursday Murder Club, #3) by Richard Osman

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd book in the series and can't wait to read more about the sleuths at their senior living complex and since some things and people's problems continue there are story lines I am interested in reading more about! I love all the characters especially Stephen in this book, Elizabeth loves him so much but does not trust? to tell others about his failing memory. Tons of laughs and very tense with how things are resolved. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, I loved this historical fiction middle grade novel! Crow was found as a baby in a boat and has been raised by Osh and Miss Maggie and though she loves her spare life with them on the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts, she has many questions about her identity, her family, and where she is from. This was a moving book that was steadfast in what family truly means and how Crow resolves who she really is. A must read and the author's notes are important as well.

View all my reviews

The Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 6th book in the Vanderbeekers series and I just have to say "I want more" so I can continue to love/follow this family and their friends, relatives and PETS! The cross country trip was fun, hysterical, madcap and of course not without all kinds of drama! A MUST READ by ALL! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again Chloe Gong has penned an absorbing part of history---1931 in Shanghai, and interwoven the story of 2 spies of the Nationalists (while also keeping relatives and friends of her first duology in the plot as well) who are tasked with posing as a married couple and to expose who is murdering people with a syringe to the elbow and WHY? But Rosalind and Orion have many secrets that they keep, but as they draw closer to each other and what is really happening, they find so many lies, conspiracies, and mystery upon mystery. I have many questions for the second book- Oliver? Phoebe? Dao Feng? Rosalind? The Hong Family?!? Spies? SuperHuman Chemical? Jiemin? Alisa? Silas?

View all my reviews

The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart

The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great book---Ravani can't sleep and when he looks out the window and sees a van pull up and 7 children file out and enter the vacant house next door, with one of the children seeing him and putting her finger to her mouth, Ravani has so many questions! What follows next is a gripping story about evil, friendship, the meaning of family and how Ravani finds his voice. Living in Slaughterville, yes, they kill cows, Ravani's dad works there and it kills Ravani when he must take his dad lunch at the killing place. I could not stop turning the pages as I fell in love with Ravani, his family, his new friends but the evil that is lurking was suffocating. A must read, you will fall in love with Ravani, his family, and his new friends next door!

View all my reviews

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my 1st Kenneth Oppel middle grade novel and it is just the beginning!!! I will be go back and read all his other books! The suspense, thrilling plot, and awesome characters sucked me in; and the ghosts were both GOOD and EVIL! Gabe's summer job telling about the ghosts in the Gibraltar Light House can get boring so he embellishes the story of Rebecca Strand and her father the lightkeeper. What it does is bring the ghost of Rebecca to Gabe and what she tells him about her "death" changes things. Gabe and his friends, Yuri and Callie, race to help Sara, while evil ghost Viker is on a rampage to consume all the ghosts he cane, getting stronger and closer to his evil plans for humans! Highly recommended, I could not put this book down, neither will you!

View all my reviews

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this thriller as part of my Albright College Zoom Book Club and oh did I love it! Zig zagging between 3rd person description and Rose's journal entries, the reader learns about twins, Rose and Fern, as they grow up and present day. I think Fern is on the spectrum--- she does not like to be touched, going into public like swim meets, restaurants, bowling, all assault her vision and auditory processes (so she does not go) and she is a librarian with such an awesome love for books and the library (yay!) although she does not like to deal with the many questions about printers and computer problems:)
Rose can't have a baby, her husband left her and is away on a job, and Fern thinks she would love to help her sister and will try to have a baby for her. When Wally (Rocco Ryan) enters Fern's life while Rose is away trying to rekindle her marriage, things Fern did not like begin to change as her friendship grows with Wally.
I enjoyed the way Hepworth told this story weaving in and out about the sisters, their relationship with their mother, and their very entwined relationship. Suspenseful, a must read, and I will be reading other Sally Hepworth books!

View all my reviews

King and Maxwell (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell, #6) by David Baldacci

King and Maxwell by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final book in the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series was so so good! Sean and Michelle help a teen who has been told his Army father has died---but then he receives a letter from him!!! What is really going on??? As Sean and Michelle try to help Tyler, someone is leaking information and secrets about Tyler's Dad, the government, and terrorists. Once again, I could not stop turning the pages as Baldacci ratchets up the suspense and thoroughly weaves a satisfying thriller. I will SO MISS SEAN & MICHELLE!!! What great characters, partners, and private eyes. All the while the reader laughs with their conversations...then hangs on as danger keeps happening!!!

View all my reviews

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

this is the gut wrenching story of a time in history when an evil woman, Georgia Tann stole children from struggling parents, put them in locations until they were adopted ---while there life was a nightmare as the Foss children realize their beloved life on the Arcadia boat on the Mississippi River, is forever changed. Told in two voices, the present day is Avery---a county prosecutor who works with her politically appointed father and is very close to her grandmother who has dementia. When an older woman at a nursing home, stares her down and "takes" her dragonfly bracelet---life changing events begin as Avery and a young man whose grandfather used to "find" people. All of this mystery throws light onto the abuses of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage and Avery's life and future is about to change! Based on the true story of Georgia Tann's iron hold on stealing children in the 1930s from poor parents with lies, this story is riveting and heart breaking, a must read!

View all my reviews

The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish (The Vanderbeekers, #5) by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers Make A Wish by Karina Yan Glaser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Vanderbeekers are getting ready to surprise their Dad for his birthday when he is called away to a funeral. A big surprise is their mother's parents arriving on their steps! Their grandmother is mean, nasty and constantly criticizing everyone, so the kids stay away from home and try to unravel a mystery letter from their deceased grandfather to his son about his graduation gift. The kids decide to remake this gift for their father but first they have much research to do. Heartwarming, funny, and the best family hijinks continue!

View all my reviews

Thye Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club, #2) by Richard Osman

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd book in Thursday Murder Club series! After Ibrhaim is badly beaten and robbed by 3 teens, his 3 friends will not stop until this crime is solved and their friend is forever changed. I could not stop turning the pages, laughing and rooting for these seniors...and the many new characters---police, and grandsons!

View all my reviews

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this jolly romance just after finishing listening to Julia Whelan's Thank You for Listening and just as I loved the madcap romp romance in Julia's book so did I love the hysterical plot of plus size Bee (porn star) now a real star cast in a Family Channel Christmas romance with none other than her teen crush, rock star Nolan Shaw! I loved both characters' personalities--they were real people with real problems- Nolan was a bad boy rock star and now his family has medical problems he wants to keep quiet and use $$$ from this movie to pay the exorbitant medical bills while Bee must not let anyone who she is, but surprise surprise---Nolan knows who she is (and he is an avid fan with a crush) and I was sucked right into this great romance with lots of laughs and oh so much chemistry! I want more of Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone collaborations!

View all my reviews

My Broken Language: A Memior by Quiara Alegria Hudes

My Broken Language: A Memoir by Quiara Alegría Hudes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quiara Alegria Hudes' biography/memoir contains her life as a child of a Jewish father and Spanish mother but the world she lives in is what she writes so compelling about---history her activist Puerto Rican mother has told her and shown her over the years. Using stories we learn about her life in North Philadelphia and her time in Malvern, we learn about the barrio, the many players in the life the author wants to know more about and read/write/sing about.

View all my reviews

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Julia Whelan's first book, so I was really excited for this 2nd book and oh did I love it---using humor, romance, chemistry, and learning oh so much about narrating audiobooks, Julia, once again rose to the top as an awesome narrator (she kills males' voices) and the plot was super funny, yet serious with all the madcap happenings- needing lots of $$$ for nursing home care for her grandmother, winning awards narrating nonfiction, suddenly narrating a romance book (she hates romance tropes, etc.!) meeting a dreamy man and enjoying one night sex, narrating with the famous Brock McNight (no one has ever seen him or met him) and flirting and being honest with each other, and the relationships she has with her father, Blah (her grandmother), mother, best friend, and owner of a production studio were all so authentic! I loved this novel and was so glad I listened to it because Julia Whelan's voice is my favorite audiobook narrator!

View all my reviews

What She Found (Tracy Crosswhite, #9) by Robert Dugoni

What She Found by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 9th book in the Tracy Crosswhite series! There is a cold case Tracy takes on that takes her to many places of lies, secrets, and betrayal. I loved this latest cold case that follows Tracy on many paths (some she can't reveal, others she must push forward) and I loved her family story and her police family story too! A must read!

View all my reviews

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An amazing novel in verse about a young Asante boy in 1860 who does not understand the many things his parents and grandparents will not explain---you are too young to understand. How will Kofi get answers, deal with his evil cousin, goofy best friend and long for the girl, Ama? I was gutted as I read every page of this must read book---a journey about a boy, a village, history, and the truth.

View all my reviews

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my librarian friend, MaryAlice Briggs for lending me her copy of this awesome historical fiction book! I loved the story of Belle de costa Greene and her life and her job as J.P. Morgan's personal librarian. Fraught with mystery and suspense and the time in history, Belle becomes as famous as her employer, with her love of books and artwork, and her study of humanity as she flirts, uses her mouth as both honest and hiding her real identity and famous for her style. This reader rooted for Belle as she maneuvered her way around those who admired and/or hated her. A part of history I was totally unaware of and prepared for, I could not stop turning the pages in this thoroughly researched book! A must read!!!

View all my reviews

The Sixth Man (Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, #5) by David Baldacci

The Sixth Man by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 5th book in the series and have the 6th and final book on hold at library BUT boy will I really hate this series to end!!! I just keep turning those pages and rooting for Michelle and Sean and those that work with them!!!

View all my reviews

Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations, #2) by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did not LIKE this ending at all! I kept turning the pages but was so overwhelmed and chagrined with the evil that happened in this WHOLE book; I think B.B. Alston needs to re-think Book 3 if he is going to once again shatter the reader time and time again (like he does to Amari throughout this book!!!) with threatening war, challenges that are meant to sink, dangers that are motivated by the WORST bad characters, and finally decisions that work against the characters and plot---too too bleak---give the reader a MORE POSITIVE story in Book 3, this reader begs you...

View all my reviews

Lessons in Corruption (The Fallen Men, #1) by Giana Darling

Lessons in Corruption by Giana Darling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beginning of a series; I enjoyed King and Cressida's romance-both crave each other from moment 1!

View all my reviews

French Braid by Anne Tyler

French Braid by Anne Tyler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Kimberly Farr, this story and the characters meant nothing to me; I could not identify with them, warm up to any of them, and I wasn't enjoying any of the plot. This family left me feeling flat...I wish I could have enjoyed it more...

View all my reviews

The Return of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #3) by Ben Hatke

The Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this 3rd & final graphic novel; Zita and her beloved mouse are on trial for all sorts of bogus charges and worse yet- the evil one in charge is aiming at taking over Earth and ruining it!!! With many friends and supporters, Zita will prove she is a heroine through and through who cares about her space friends and those on Earth!

View all my reviews

Legends of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #2) by Ben Hatke

Legends of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this 2nd of the series, Zita is trying to get back to earth but that proves to be a big problem when her mouse friend is captured, she is a hero, and there is someone impersonating her---is that a good thing? I love all the drama, the illustrations are just awesome, and Zita continues to rock everyone's world!

View all my reviews

Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #1) by Ben Hatke

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Ben Hatke and was I ever happy to stumble upon this awesome series at the Springfield Public Library while enjoying the Thomas the Trains with my grandson!!! Zita is just a normal girl playing with her friend when they are transported to outer space. While she tries to find & rescue her friend she becomes friendly with all sorts of creatures, especially the rat, who becomes very special to her. A good vs evil graphic novel series that will have you rooting for Zita and turning those pages!

View all my reviews

Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first Adriana Trigiani book I read after hearing this full of life author speak in Avalon, NJ this summer with my reading buddy and Drexel Lacrosse mom, Becky Avato. I loved this book and will read more---ChiChi was such a great, conflicted character, I loved her family, The Donatelli's. Tony was complex but not a man I admired. I loved the Sea Isle shore and the travels across and around the country. I did not like so much Tony and his "life" and what it did to so many. There were certain parts of the story I wanted to know more about but I realized we were covering the life of these two "famous" singers, songwriters. I just finished listening to Chemistry Lessons by Bonnie Garmus about a strong misunderstood woman during the 50s and 60s...ChiChi was like Elizabeth Zott but ChiChi was not able to fulfill herself---she had a family and a husband to take care of and she outdid herself with her mind for business, songwriting, and family stability. ChiChi has so much important introspection unlike Elizabeth Zott, and she has a family who loves and supports her. I loved this Italian extended family and want to read more of Trigiani's books but I want to read more "successful" female, family stories---I will try her latest and see what happens:)

View all my reviews

The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found (The Vanderbeekers, #4) by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found by Karina Yan Glaser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 4th book in The Vanderbeekers series---what a great family in a wonderful community, with laughs and drama--I could not stop turning the pages! There is the continued pet zoo that is just so cute, drama with the Homecoming dance and Benjamin; and Orlando with his aunt and uncle, getting ready for the New York Marathon and meetings at the Cat house- all just so important, funny and getting the reader into the loving arms of this big, diverse family in a Harlem neighborhood. A must read!

View all my reviews

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Miranda Raison with a great question and answer by Bonnie Garmus and Pandora Sykes, this was a great book about societal expectations of women in the 50s and 60s and how Elizabeth Zott with her "different" personality represents ALL women of that time that had hopes and dreams and the low expectations of society stopped them from achieving anything but headaches, gossip, unwanted negative attention, and lies. This story help me captive, there were a few pronunciation errors but that did not stop me from being totally enthralled by Elizabeth's world and her life with Calvin Evans and their time together resulting in a dog, a daughter, and much grief. I loved Harriet Sloane and really detested many of the Hastings employees with their evil, mean-spirited gossip which continued to follow Elizabeth Zott with her jobs and her life. But a satisfying resolution and the author chat at the end were really welcome. A must read!

View all my reviews

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Bree and her Dad move from Brooklyn to Florida where her life in a new middle school takes unexpected turns. I loved Bree and her Dad's relationship and as she dives into her new life, she meets friends who help her take on learning how to swim, stop the negative thoughts and push only for positive thoughts and friends. I loved the way the author used swimming as a way to bring everyone together, also give a history of race and swimming, and coaching as a strong way to move teams and individuals forward. A must read!

View all my reviews

The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games, #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED every single book in this series! It was addicting, satisfying and so suspenseful with all the twists and turns, games and lies, with Avery being challenged at every turn---with security, snooping journalists (online and around town) and as the GAME ratchets up, there are many characters who may be trying to torpedo Avery's investigations. I love all the Hawthorne brothers, and the friends/Hawthorne characters (head of security and her lawyer) who unite to help Avery try to figure out the final puzzle before she turns 18, time ticks away and with each page turned the suspense was spine tingling! A great series to savor and read!

View all my reviews

A Glorious and Devilish Expanse (Witches if the Isnad, #3) by Katie McGarry

A Glorious and Devilish Expanse by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and the 3rd installment had me in so much suspense! The story of Orion & Cassie continues but his malevolent mother has plans that include killing her son, killing Cassie, and killing anyone who is in her way in her to "save" her son. I loved the plot, the characters, and oh the ending was perfect and I was chuckling as I read about Moloch and his charge in the "human world"
As Cassie and Orion battle all that is evil, I rooted they find each other and save the worlds. Totally awesome!

View all my reviews

The Silent Sisters (Charles Jenkins, #3) by Robert Dugoni

The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robert Dugoni has done it again! I could not put down this Charles Jenkins novel; taking place mostly in Russia Jenkins has been called up to remove the final 2 sisters of the Seven sisters who are American spies deeply embedded in Russia. Although once Jenkins arrives in Russia other forces are at work--he tries to help a very drunk prostitute from a bully's fists and it goes down hill from there. The bully is the son of the Mafia queen and it looks as if Jenkins has killed him!!! So begins a cat and mouse chase, I loved the suspense, the many costumes, the Inspector who is to retire imminently but wants his record of solving cases to remain spotless. Jenkins is a character I have loved/enjoyed from the beginning---he is humorous, caring, lethal, honest, and the BEST at what he does. He is in tip-top shape but this case will test him in many ways, foremost in his mind to get home in one piece to his family. A must read, a great series!

View all my reviews

Fury of Ice (Dragonfury, #2) by Coreene Callahan

Fury of Ice by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 2nd in the Dragonfury series, this dragon romance mystery involves the turning of a human into a water dragon and on the bad side, there is an evil dragon who is abducting strong women for a breeding experiment.

View all my reviews