Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs

 I love reading Pam Munoz Ryan's work! Each one of her books is unique and uplifting. When I saw that she had a new book out, I immediately had to get it and read it that night! 

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs is about a young princess, Solimar. She is gifted with a special task of saving the monarch butterflies in her kingdom. She has to go on a special journey to save and protect these butterflies and her kingdom after it is overthrown by a neighboring king. 

On her journey, she has magical elements to help her and she finds friends along the way that help her see her true potential. 

This book is on the shorter side which is great for younger readers, but still adventurous enough to keep the attention of older readers. So basically perfect for all 😁!

I loved this story line, characters and the magical elements. I felt that the ending was a wee bit rushed, but I still enjoyed my reading of it immensely. I will read anything Pam Munoz Ryan writes. 

I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did. 

Now, go and READ! 

Get your own copy here:  Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs

Midnight for Charlie Bone

I first remember reading Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo when I was in junior high. I loved my reading experience. So when I saw it on the shelves of the library, I decided to start the series again and see if I liked it as an adult. Spoiler alert: I do!  

Midnight for Charlie Bone is the first book in an 8 book series and I am currently on book three. 

Charlie Bone has an unusual ability, he can hear people in photographs. When his evil grandmother and her just as evil sisters find out that Charlie is Endowed (has this special ability), he is sent to Bloor's Academy where he finds out more about his "gift" and more about his ancestor the Red King. Along the way, he meets trusted friends and even a few untrustworthy ones. He even becomes closer to his great- uncle, Paton. Charlies family is full of secrets and he is determined to solve them, including what REALLY happened to his father! 

This series is similar to the Harry Potter series in the respect that the children go to a boarding school which includes magical elements. It is different enough that you don't feel like you are reading a semi-Harry Potter... if that makes sense 😂 

I am excited to continue in the series and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab the first book here: Midnight for Charlie Bone

The Austen Escape

My library does a year long reading challenge with different prompts. One of the prompts was "connected to Jane Austen". According to the prompt, 2025 is Jane Austen's 250th birthday!  Since I have read all her published work I decided to try a "based on" type book. I had heard great things about Katherine Reay so I decided to start there. I will tell you that she didn't disappoint and I will be reading more from her!

The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay is about two friends who travel to the English country side and participate in a Austen inspired week at one of the country estates. While there one of the friends loses her memory and believes she is really in a Jane Austen novel! 

I felt like this book was so fresh and I loved the mix of present day and Austen Era references. The side cast of characters was great and even the love interest was sweet. The romance was totally clean with only a small kiss at the end, if I'm remembering correctly. I was thoroughly impressed.   

If you love Miss Austen, the English country side, a sweet friendship and a cute boy thrown in for fun, then this should be on your "to-read- next" list! 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Let me know down in the comments. 

Now, go and READ! 

Get your book here: The Austen Escape

The Underland Chronicles

 

If you are looking for your next read, look no further! Unless your looking at this blog, then please continue! 😊 

THIS SERIES IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!!!! Gregor the Overlander is the first in a five book series by author Suzanne Collins (she is the author of The Hunger Games). I have read both The Hunger Games and all five books in this series, and I have to say that I like The Underland Chronicles SO MUCH MORE. 

Each of the five books follows a New York youth named Gregor and his baby sister Boots. In the first book Gregor and Boots get sucked into the Underland where they find a group of people who live around giant bats, rats, spiders and cockroaches. 

Please don't let the thought of reading a book with gross, creepy crawlers deter you from reading. Any one who knows me well knows that I am not of fan of bugs, or rodents (super yuck) but when you're reading you forget that they are bugs and fall in love with them as characters! 

Each of the five books is so full of adventure, intrigued, fight scenes, teamwork, puzzle solving and royalty that you will wish there were more than five books in the series!!!! 

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did! Please comment below! 

Now, go and READ!

Start the series here: Gregor the Overlander    

The 101 Dalmatians

 

 I'm sure most of you are familiar with the Disney cartoon The 101 Dalmatians. It has always been one of my favorites! So, when I found out that it was a book first, of course I had to read it! Dodie Smith is now a new favorite author. This book was ADORABLE! 

It is very similar to the movie, which I think will help younger readers who may struggle with comprehension and fluency because they will know what is happening and what might be coming next. 

It is different enough that you will fall in love with it separate from the movie! 😆 Cruella de Ville is the main villain and she has evil plans for the very cute Dalmatian puppies. Don't worry, the adult Dalmatians are on the case! Using the "Barking Network" the mom and dad Dalmatians travel their way across country to find their beloved puppies. While on the journey they meet fellow animals and maybe a few more Dalmatians than they expected! 

I would say this book would be perfect for any reader. This would be a great bedtime story or just a book to read on their own. There are so many dog lovers out there this would be the perfect addition to your library! 

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab the book here: The 101 Dalmatians

Mrs. Jeffries Mystery Series

 

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell is the start of a 41 book mystery series! That's right, 41 BOOKS!

I have read the first 4 in this series and have completely fallen in love with the characters and the way these books are written. 

Inspector Witherspoon is a bachelor Scotland Yard man who lives in Victorian England. He loves his job, just not the dead bodies. Because he doesn't like looking or dealing with the dead bodies he tries to solve the murders as fast as possible, which leads to missing vital information. Don't worry, though, because his house hold staff, lead by his ever faithful housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries, work behind the scenes to gently guide him towards the right culprit! 

I love these characters so very very much! They all have their own specialty and work so well together to help their dear Inspector. 

I hope you enjoy Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the gang as much as I have! 

Now, go and READ! 

Find the first book here: https://amzn.to/4iovqeN  

  

Flavia De Luce Mystery Series

 I LOVE a good mystery series! Either to read or watch. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley is the start of the Flavia de Luce series. I have read the first 3 and have loved each one of them! Currently, (as of this post) there are 13 (if you count novellas) in the series with more to come, if I'm reading Google correctly 😉 

This series follows a young girl, Flavia, around her small English town of Bishop's Lacey. Flavia loves science, annoying her two older sisters, and just so happens to have an affinity for finding dead bodies. 

This series is for adults even though the main character is a young girl (Twelve years old, I think), but I would feel comfortable having a 15 year old or older read this as there is nothing graphic, scandalous and little to no language. I would rate these PG, at most! 

I personally have really enjoyed listening to this series. The narrator is fantastic and it helps with all the scientific terms. I found my audio books for this series on the Libby app which connects to your local library. 

Flavia is adorable and I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have! 

Now, go and READ!  

Start the series here: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie 

Court of Swans

 

Holy Hannah peeps! This book was FANTASTIC!!! Court of Swans by Melanie Dickerson is the first in a series called A Dericott Tale. I had heard from other reviews that this wasn't the best in the series (of course, from their perspective) so I went in a wee bit apprehensive. Guys, I finished reading it in about 4 hours. One sitting. I couldn't put it down. Completely wonderful! 

It is about a teenage girl that has to help her brothers who were wrongfully accused of treason and murder. She travels to London and finds help from the most unlikely of sources! I won't go into any more detail because its just so good, you will have to read it for yourself. 

This book is marketed for teen readers and I would agree with that! I would even say older teens: like 15 and up (this is just my opinion).  There is a situation our main girl gets into with a man who has ill intentions. Don't worry, it's not detailed and (spoiler alert) she bashes him over the head before anything happens. 

There is a sweet love story as part of the plot also, but nothing more that a kiss at the end is mentioned. This is published by a Christian publisher so there they keep everything PG.  

I love the setting, too. I have read MANY books set in England, but this book is set in 1381, a time period I didn't know very much about prior to reading this book. 

I'm on a book buying ban currently for myself (I'm trying to read the books living on my shelves) or I would have bought the rest of the series that are available now!!! That's how incredible this start of the series was!

I really hope you enjoy this as much as I did. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: Court of Swans  

Momentous Events In the Life of a Cactus

 So if you've read my last post, you know that Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling is the second in a series. When I found out that there was a second book, I might have geeked out to my mom 😊the next day a package arrived on my doorstep. Mom had overnighted the book to me. My Mom is the best! I think I read it that night and stayed up waaay to late doing so! 

I really enjoyed this book. I will admit I liked the first one a smidgeon better, but I found this one just as adorable. 

In this book we, again, follow Aven, a girl born without arms. She has now entered high school, which brings in a whole batch of new problems. 

She still has a good group of friends and makes new ones along the way. After a humiliating situation, she really relays on these friends to get through. 

Like in the first book, Aven and her friends and family have many adventures (including a comic-com type experience in which my nerd brain was the tinniest bit jealous haha). 

I also just found out that there is a third book in the series now! Previously, I thought it was just a duology, so I'll now have to invest in the 3rd installment...oh darn! 

This book was a joy and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Now go and READ! 

Grab this book here: Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus  

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

 

I moved to Arizona at the beginning of 2023. When I first moved there, I just had to check out the local book store. 😊 I found this book that was about a young girl who had just moved to Arizona herself with her family. I thought it was fate that I had just found a book that was very similar to my own situation, so, of course, I bought it! 

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling is about a young girl, Aven Green, who moves with her mom and dad to  Arizona to run a Western theme park. The unique thing about Aven is that she was born without arms! 

The story goes on to tell about Aven's life: how she combats everyday activities without arms, meeting new friends at school, finding her place on a new soccer team, helping her parents run the theme park, and some family secrets along the way! 

I laughed out loud MULTIPLE times while reading. Dusti Bowling does a fantastic job of describing how this young girl does everything with her toes, from painting and typing to going to the bathroom! I loved the friends Aven makes and how she doesn't take herself to seriously. 

Moving is hard. Making new friends is hard. Trying to find your place in a new town is hard. But this story helps you see that if you take everything in stride and laugh along the way, you will find your people. It was exactly what I needed during a time when Aven and I were going through similar circumstances. 

This book is the first is a duology (2 book series) so I will review the next book soon. 

I hope you will enjoy Aven's adventure as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ! 

Buy your new book here: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

The Crime Brulee Bake Off

Who loves watching the Great British Bake Off? Well, this girl does! My mom and I watch it, pausing after they introduce each new bake to look up all the fancy French terms! The Crime Brulee Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly is a mystery book version of the Netflix show. I really enjoyed the book. It wasn't my favorite mystery I've ever read or even my favorite Rebecca Connolly, but I still really enjoyed my time with it. 

Pros for the book: Very cute concept! Great location of an English Country estate and I really enjoyed the main characters of Claire and Jonny. Their budding relationship was adorable and it felt very appropriate for the genre. The ending was really good and wrapped up the mystery nicely. 

Cons: I wish there would have been more mystery and less cooking show. Let me explain: Claire and Jonny are trying to solve the murder, but they only focus on one person. In other mystery books the protagonists have a variety of suspects and interview a variety of people. They try to put the pieces of the mystery together throughout the story. I felted like the first three-fourths were very focused on the baking and the last quarter was solving the mystery. I wish more side characters would have been highlighted as part of the investigation, not just as part of the baking show.  

This is just my opinion and I encourage you to read this book and form your own opinion. I really enjoyed my time with it and the ending made up for some of the things I felt were missing throughout. This is Rebecca Connolly's first attempt (from my understanding) at writing and publishing a mystery novel and I am excited to read more in this series, if there are more. 

I think this would be perfect for someone who was just starting to dip their toes into the genre. I even feel this would be good for younger readers as there is no graphic details, language or sexual content (just a few kisses). 

Now, Go and READ!     

Get your new book here: The Crime Brulee Bake Off

The Vanderbeekers Series

 

The Vanderbeeker Series by Karina Yan Glaser is completely adorable! It is a seven book series about a family in Harlem, New York. With five kids, two parents, tons of loving neighbors and even more animals, this series is full of adventures and laughs. 

In each book, the five siblings work together to solve a particular problem. Each sibling has their own ways of doing things, and in the end, everything ends up working out and everyone is happy. 

My favorite book out of the seven was number six "The Vanderbeekers: On the Road", but each story is so heartfelt and you can't help loving the main family and all the other friends (and animals) they gather along the way! 

I recently had a conversation with a girl I tutor. She asked me why I still like reading books meant for younger people. I told her that a good story is just that: a really good story. Something that sucks you in and makes you invested in the lives of the fictional characters. 

This young friend of mine then told me that she was nervous about growing up because she liked reading stories about people her own age and when she grew up that may not be the case. We then had a veeeeery long conversation about good books for all ages. The Vanderbeeker series was apart of that conversation! 

I hope you will enjoy this series as much as I did. 

Now, go and READ! 

Series Order: 
1: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street 
2: The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden 
3: The Vanderbeekers: Lost and Found 
4: The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue 
5: The Vanderbeekers: Make a Wish 
6: The Vanderbeekers: On the Road
7: The Vanderbeekers: Ever After 

Get the first book here: Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boy's Soccer Team

  All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat is such an unexpectedly fascinating read. This is a non-fiction story about a group of young Thai boys and their soccer coach who get trapped in a cave and the brave people who worked for weeks to get them out safely. 

I don't remember this happening, so reading about it was a whole new experience. I love how it talked about teamwork, perseverance, how to keep a positive outlook in a really scary situation, understanding across different cultures, and all the interesting facts about Thai culture and customs. 

This is a quick read (and only about a 4 hour audiobook) so I think it would be perfect for any age group who is interested in this event, the Thai culture, or even soccer. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Now, go and READ!! 

Get your new book here:All Thirteen