by Charles Dickens I am a complete Dickens nerd, a Dickensian through and through. In my opinion, he is without question one of the greatest authors of all time. If you have never a Dickens novel, please pick one up. While I have not yet read all of them (and how exciting to think I […]
by Shirley Jackson Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Paranormal, Middle Grade Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers Length: 160 pages Published: First published in 1956, reprinted 1987 Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble My Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Official Book Summary: “Stories of magic, superstition, and witchcraft were strictly forbidden in […]
by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) “And Bombyx mori,” she finished up, “is the Latin name for a silkworm.” “A silkworm?” “Yeah, and you know what? I always thought they were like spiders spinning their webs, but you know how they get silk from the worms?” “Can’t say I do.” “They boil them,” said Robin. “Boil […]
Smile by Raina Telgemeier “My life didn’t magically turn perfect after that. I didn’t ‘get the guy,’ as they say…. Instead, I threw my passion into things I enjoyed, rather than feeling sorry for myself. I realized that I had been letting the way I looked on the outside affect how I felt on the […]
by Dan Santat “His mind filled with thoughts of all of the amazing things that were keeping his friend from imagining him.” Beekle lives on an island with many other imaginary friends, waiting to be chosen by a child. When Beekle continues to wait without ever being chosen, he realizes that there are many […]
Sometimes I make nerdy things. I made most of this design while listening to audiobooks (I LOVE audiobooks). It is now framed and hanging near some of my bookcases. It’s a pattern from the Etsy store WeeLittleStitches that I only slightly modified: I added the quote “not all those who wander are lost,” stitched it […]
by Luke Pearson Children’s picture book / graphic novel fiction, ages 6 and up “Oh look. You’ve gone and let the wood man in again.” Another installment in Luke Pearson’s graphic novel Hilda series for young readers. Hilda and the Troll features a blue-haired, artistic Scandinavian girl with a vivid imagination who sees her drawings […]
El Deafo by Cece Bell, color by David Lasky “And being different? That turned out to be the best part of all. I found that with a little creativity, and a lot of dedication, any difference can be turned into something amazing. Our differences are our superpowers.” Cece Bell was just four years old when she […]
The Miss Nelson Collection by Harry Allard A friend recently reminded me about a book I once loved but had long forgotten. She’s helping me with a couple of my classes while I fly to a very dear friend’s wedding. She joked that she would play the role of Miss Viola Swamp so my […]
by Josh Allen illustrated by Sarah J. Coleman Genres: Middle Grade (ages 8-12), Fiction, Short Stories, Scary, Paranormal, Ghost Stories Publisher: Holiday House Length: 176 pages Published: September 3, 2019 Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble My Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Official Book Summary: “Thirteen ordinary kids. Thirteen ordinary towns. Danger lurks […]
Today Scholastic Books is releasing a Harry Potter Coloring Book. Muggles, wizards, and witches everywhere are rejoicing. If you have not yet rediscovered the joy and stress-release found in adult coloring books, it is long overdue that you jump on the bandwagon. The 96-page long book will feature sixteen full-color pages and 80 intricate […]
The final installment of three successive book reviews featuring Ally Condie’s young adult dystopian series Matched / Crossed / Reached. Click here to read my review of Matched and here for my review of Crossed. Reached by Ally Condie (Book 3 of 3 in the Matched series) “You cannot change your journey if you are […]
by Daphne du Maurier Genres: Gothic, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Classic Publisher: HarperCollins Length: 410 pages Published: September 5, 2006 (originally published in 1938) Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble My Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Official Book Summary: “A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick ‘Last night I dreamt I went […]
Jactionary: Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
by V. E. Schwab Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic Publisher: Tor Books Page Count: 400 pages Published: February 24, 2015 Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble Note: The first in a three-part YA series, followed by A Gathering of Shadows and A Conjuring of Light. V. E. Schwab also publishes as Victoria Schwab. My Goodreads […]