This middle grave novel in verse is for your young nature lovers. Finn and his best friend Rabbit are obsessed with nature, especially after their smaThis middle grave novel in verse is for your young nature lovers. Finn and his best friend Rabbit are obsessed with nature, especially after their small town is ravaged by wildfires. They’re dedicated to do whatever they can to “save the forest!” and help foster in a new season of regrowth.
The characters are so well done, the story balance well between action and introspection. The messages of saving our planet and facing adversity with resilience are great.
I found myself confused at parts while reading. The novel in verse is a tricky format, and I think some things were not always explained and the action sometimes jumped from scene to scene. All dialogue is in italics instead of quotation marks, so I had to really pay attention when a character began speaking or when a conversation was happening. Although novels in verse are touted as great for struggling readers, this one may need to be for readers with stronger comprehension because of the inference skills needed.
Achievement Unlocked! You just discovered a Hilarious & Absolutely Ridiculous Sci-Fi Adventure Loot Contents: * +10 to Binge Reading Capabilities * +7 tAchievement Unlocked! You just discovered a Hilarious & Absolutely Ridiculous Sci-Fi Adventure Loot Contents: * +10 to Binge Reading Capabilities * +7 to TBR Pile * +5 to Explosive Laughter * -3 to Emotional Stability
Bonus Perk: Royal Decree from Princess Donut – All readers must pick this up immediately
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was a surprise in the best way! I laughed the entire time I was binge reading it. It starts kind of basic plot-wise. You get lulled into thinking this will just be a slapstick fluffy action book. BUT the background explanations and conspiracies start coming in about halfway through and they are SO good.
Just know that this will NOT be a crowd pleaser. The humor and subject matter are very niche. But if video games, RPGs, sassy Persian cats, aliens, Hunger Games level conspiracy, and a man without pants all sound interesting to you, then you should definitely give this one a try!
This is a short, straightforward guide to how to read the Bible. The length (144 pages) makes it very accessible, but there is SO much wisdom packed iThis is a short, straightforward guide to how to read the Bible. The length (144 pages) makes it very accessible, but there is SO much wisdom packed into these pages. Bible reading is "not just information, but transformation."
Platt uses personal stories, Bible verses, and acronyms to guide readers into good practice for reading and analyzing the Bible. He explains the history of the Bible and its different genres. He also explains how to actually sit down with any book of the Bible to begin reading and studying. These ideas are completely accessible and understandable for new believers, but there is also a lot of wisdom for more mature believers. It would be great for personal study as well as to apply in a group Bible Study setting.
He breaks Bible reading down into 4 basic steps: 1. Meditate and Memorize 2. Apply 3. Pray 4. Share
Each step is presented with those personal anecdotes, as well as Bible verses explaining why the step is beneficial and where Jesus recommended it in Scripture. Although I had heard of most of this before, I can't say that I'm applying it yet. This book was a great reminder to slow down, go back to basics, and really dive deeper into the study of scripture. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a believer or interested in learning more about Bible analysis. ...more
So many people have RAVED about this book, and I'm glad I read it for an upcoming book club. The story is emotional, poignant, mysterious, a3.5 stars
So many people have RAVED about this book, and I'm glad I read it for an upcoming book club. The story is emotional, poignant, mysterious, and sweet. I loved the historical fiction elements and the fact that this was based on a true story featuring real people (like Beatrix Potter). The journey through the story was heartwrenching with a constant silver lining of hope.
I think I may just not be the intended audience here, though... I have read two books by Patti Callahan Henry including this one and both feel like a Hallmark movie to me. They read more like women's fiction and the addition of the romance was clunky. I felt a bit bored as the characters explored their feelings while not much happened until the end. Of course, I think this is why most people love them, but they're not as much to my taste. I may just not be the right reader for this.
Others will LOVE this, and I still highly recommend this one if you love stories about family, forgiveness, second chances, authors, and escaping into the English countryside....more
Do you ever have those moments when you read book reviews and think “Did we read the same book?”
This one was poetic, literary, and beautiful. I was aDo you ever have those moments when you read book reviews and think “Did we read the same book?”
This one was poetic, literary, and beautiful. I was also very bored until about 85% in. Objectively, it was a very well written book, but I just didn’t love it.
✅ beautiful conversations and metaphors about grief and loss ✅ the themes of love and motherhood were explored so poetically ✅ I LOVED the tidbits and about different seeds and the way they were used for foreshadowing ✅ the setting is so original and atmospheric ✅ the final 15% was the twisty drama that I really wanted
❌ I was bored… ❌ the characters were well developed, but I didn’t feel connected to any of them (except Orly) ❌ I normally love full cast audiobooks, but the accent for Dom’s character was hard to understand. I had to slow down every time we switched to his perspective ❌ it was a complicated situation, but infidelity will forever gross me out ...more
Is the Loch Ness monster real? YOU are an investigator who will analyze the evidence and decide!
This is a fabulous middle grade nonfiction book that Is the Loch Ness monster real? YOU are an investigator who will analyze the evidence and decide!
This is a fabulous middle grade nonfiction book that asks the reader to consider all the evidence from the 1930s when Nessie was first seen to now. Short anecdotes of sightings and scientific investigations are given. There’s also terminology that investigators would use (direct vs circumstantial evidence, evidence vs proof, fact vs opinion, wishful thinking, etc.). Everything is shared in short snappy chapters and case studies. Readers who love mysteries, cryptids, and science will LOVE this take on The Loch Ness monster. ...more
You know what you’re going to get with a Katherine Center book: a slightly silly premise, ridiculous plot twists and scenarios, and a warm fuzzy happyYou know what you’re going to get with a Katherine Center book: a slightly silly premise, ridiculous plot twists and scenarios, and a warm fuzzy happy ending. You absolutely have to suspend your disbelief, and this one was no exception. The miscommunication trope was almost laughable in this one, too.
The story did feel a bit more rushed in places. I didn’t feel like I connected with the characters as well as I usually do. Instead of building the tension, a lot of the first few weeks of interactions were told summary-style. I still loved Katie and Hutch and was rooting for them! I also stayed up late binge reading this one, so it’s clearly still a winner.
If you’re a Katherine Center fan, definitely check this out! If you’re reading her for the first time, The Bodyguard is my favorite. ...more
I absolutely love the Seeds of America trilogy by this same author. I was so excited as Rebellion 1776 began in much the same way. Each chapter beginsI absolutely love the Seeds of America trilogy by this same author. I was so excited as Rebellion 1776 began in much the same way. Each chapter begins with a quote from a primary source: newspaper articles, journals, letters from people great and small including Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. These quotes root the story in the reality of the time period.
However, the storyline here was not quite as compelling to me. I know I probably shouldn’t be comparing the two, I can’t help it… In Chains, we follow an enslaved teen who becomes a spy during the American Revolution. In Rebellion 1776, we follow a teen who is stuck being a maidservant after her father has disappeared from town. Although smallpox is spreading throughout town and there are rumors of battles, there never seems to feel like there are high stakes. The plot stays pretty tame with some climactic moments sprinkled in. The 400 pages took me several months to finish as I read it in stops and starts and never felt compelled to pick it up. I know there will be some middle grade readers who love history and will love learning about the time period through fiction. The characters were amusing and probably the best part of the story. This standalone may still be worth reading for history buffs, but I recommend starting with Chains if you’d like a Revolutionary time period historical masterpiece. ...more
This one was a DNF for me. I read about 40% and felt that the story was going no where and was just a series of characters explaining the same situatiThis one was a DNF for me. I read about 40% and felt that the story was going no where and was just a series of characters explaining the same situation over and over again. I thought the premise of the moon changing to cheese was hilarious and I was surprised that the science was actually well thought out and explained. It just wasn't working for me past that.
I've loved other Scalzi books, though. His humor and satire are usually spot on!...more
It’s like if Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune was written for middle grade. It warmed my heart, shattered it, and mushed it back together by the It’s like if Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune was written for middle grade. It warmed my heart, shattered it, and mushed it back together by the end. So so good!
Clare is an usher of souls who helps newly dead animals pass on to the four realms of the afterlife: peace, pleasure, progress, or pain. One particularly badgering badger named Gingersnipe causes a stir to his routine. As he helps Gingersnipe, he learns more about himself and his past and learns how to be at peace with his own fate.
The characters were perfection. Clare’s insecurity and gentleness make it so the reader can’t help but feel empathy towards him. His growth is phenomenal as he learns about his past and heals from the trauma he experienced as a young kit. The narrator’s spunky voice made this feel fun like a classic fairytale story. The humor sprinkled throughout was just enough to temper the serious tone. Everything was beautifully done! While I didn’t cry (like I thought I might), I did tear up at the narrator’s note at the end.
“This is a story about death. It is also a tale of love. But, in the quietest corners of the pages, it is an exploration of loss.”
I downloaded this one on a whim since it was Read Now from an indie publisher on NetGalley. I went in witFox: a Southern Fairy Tail by S. R. W. Black
I downloaded this one on a whim since it was Read Now from an indie publisher on NetGalley. I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it!
How many new twists (and dead bodies) can pop up in this series??
In book 5, a body is found in Ms. Haggerty’s backyard. Once she’s cleared of being aHow many new twists (and dead bodies) can pop up in this series??
In book 5, a body is found in Ms. Haggerty’s backyard. Once she’s cleared of being a suspect, she needs a place to go while her house is an active crime scene. Somehow, the neighborhood busybody winds up staying with Finlay. Finlay is determined to figure out who’s responsible so she can clear Steven’s name, who is now the prime suspect. They also need the detectives to stop questioning closed cases and looking too hard at the bodies buried at Steven’s sod farm…
⭐️ MY THOUGHTS: This one felt more like a mystery novel as Finlay is trying to piece together Ms. Haggerty’s involvement and strange behavior. She’s acting especially strange in relation to her book club - sneaking out in the middle of the night, leaving secret messages in mailboxes. Of course there are stake outs, disguises, computer hacking sessions, police chases, and a near death experience or two. This one gets random and zany! I definitely had to suspend my disbelief and enjoy the crazy ride that every Finlay book takes us on. It wasn’t my favorite of the series, but I liked getting more of Ms. H’s backstory.
The ending has me ready for book 6 (even though book 5 hasn’t officially published yet…). This one’s available March 4th! ...more