Random Musings of a Bibliophile

It is time for the Quarterly Review Round-Up where I talk about the best of the best, the one's I couldn't finish, and the adult novels I'm reading that I don't review here. The DNFs (links to my reasons why-if I shared them-on Goodreads): Caraval  by Stephanie Garber Dreamland Burning  by Jennifer Latham Adult Books (links to reviews on Goodreads): A Baby for Easter  by Noelle Adams (contemporary fantasy) Congress of Secrets  by Stephanie Burgis (historical fantasy) First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan (contemporary romance) A Crown of Bitter Orange  by Laura Florand (contemporary romance) Forever a Soldier  by Genevieve Turner (contemporary romance) Iris After the Incident  by Mina V. Esguerra (contemporary romance) Only You by Denise Grover Swank (contemporary romance) Pretty Face  by Lucy Parker (contemporary romance) Rise by Karina Bliss (contemporary romance) Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare (historical rom...

The Hate U Give  by Angie Thomas was one of the most anticipated releases in the YA community this year, if not  the  most anticipated. There was a lot of press prior to its release. It had its own hashtag. Since its release, its been on the NY Times Best Seller List. When a book is talked about this much, it is sometimes easy for me to think my voice is superfluous. How is it possible anyone would  not  know about this book? Then I remember that a good chunk of my blog readership aren't in the know when it comes to everything that is going on in publishing. They are kids and parents just looking for good books. And do I want them to know about this book and read it. I believe this should be required reading for everyone, but since I don't have that power, I can only hope to  convince people of the need to read it here. Let me start by saying Angie Thomas earned every bit of press, praise, and accolade this book has and will receive. Starr Carter is a 1...

Top Ten Tuesday  is a Meme hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish This week's TTT topic: Books I Read in One Sitting Sometimes you know a book is going to take you out of the world with no desire to return anytime soon. Others you start reading and are taken by surprise at how much you don't want to put them down ever. For me these sort of books result in my kids eating PB&J for dinner and watching too much TV. Both can lead to lack of sleep as even when I'm expecting a book to pull me in, the only time I can carve out to read it one sitting is late at night. Here are my favorite books (some I knew to set aside time for and some that took me by surprise) that I read in one sitting on the first read. I intentionally set aside time for: I accidentally read in one sitting causing major disruption (but oh so worth it): *It should be noted that The King of Attolia actually falls into both categories. I knew I was going to want to read it in one...

Top Ten Tuesday  is a Meme hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish This week's TTT topic: What books coming out the next few months are you looking forward to?

Here are some shorter musings on recent MG reads. Hello, Universe  by Erin Entrada Kelly I expected to like this one more than I did because of how much I enjoyed Kelly's previous two novels. I just found it really hard to get into the rhythm of. The book is told from the perspective of three different characters: two in third person limited, one in first person. That drove me kind of nuts. Even getting past that, I found the story hard to get into. It is slow moving and the pacing could be better. That being said, it is still a good book from recommending to those who are looking for books on friendships, family issues, and dealing with bullies. Kelly is a talented writer so even when I don't love love one of her books, it is still worth reading. Stef Soto, Taco Queen  by Jennifer Torres This is a short, quick MG read that any middle schooler experiencing the utter embarrassment of having parents will be able to relate with and understand. (So all of them.) Stef is st...