Synopsis:
Einstein is running
amok! Darwin is losing his head! The science museum in Half Moon Bay is
in big trouble because its robotic replicas of history’s greatest
scientists keep going kablooey! As 11-year-old amateur inventors Nick
and Tesla Holt try to uncover the cause, they’ll need to keep adding
all-new gadgets to their latest creation, a customized super-cyborg
glove. Follow the action, and then follow the illustrated
instructions to build your own gadget glove with four
incredible functions: LED signal light, emergency alarm, sound recorder,
and UV secret-message revealer!
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
I have been recently trying to finish some series that I have started. I
have a bad habit of starting series, and then never following through
with the sequels. Recently, I've been reading the Nick and Tesla series.
Even though it's middle grade fiction, I've been greatly enjoying it. I
just finished the fourth book in the series, Nick and Tesla's
Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove, and loved it.
Nick and Tesla's
Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove had everything I wanted in the last couple of
books in the series. There was a lot of mystery. There was also some
cheesiness, but it wasn't over the top like the last two books had been.
The reader got to see more of Uncle Newt and Dr. Sakurai together,
which I really loved. I hope that's a trend that continues in the rest
of the books in the series. I just love them together. I also enjoyed
that Uncle Newt took more responsibility with the kids. Instead of just
ignoring them, or misunderstanding their problems like he usually does,
he aactually helped them solve the problem. I thin he's turning into a
great guardian.
One of the things that I really loved about Nick
and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove is that the authors did the
experiments/projects a little different this time around. Instead of
having multiple small projects, they had one big one with the glove and
just kept making improvements to it throughout the story. I thought that
was unique and different, and really enjoyed it. By the end, the glove
turned out to be really awesome. I thought about making one myself for
my niece, and still might do it.
I think Nick and Tesla's
Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove was my favorite book in the series so far. If
not, it's tied with the first book for my favorite. I loved that this
book brought back all of the joy I felt when reading the first book in
the series. It was wonderful to see all of the character growth and
development. Every character in this series has really matured in some
way. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and find out what
happens after what was revealed at the ending of this one.
I give Nick and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove: 4/5.
Want to know more about the authors?
Bob Pflugfelder
Website: https://sciencebob.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sciencebob
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sciencebob?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencebob/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/sciencebob.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sciencebob
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScienceBob
Steve Hockensmith
Website: http://www.stevehockensmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.hockensmith.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrHockensmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146628.Steve_Hockensmith
I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
tale as old as time: she needs a place to stay, he's a grump with a secret and an extra room...can love find a way?
Meet the Naughty Princess Club, a series from USA Today bestselling
author Tara Sivec that brings readers to Fairytale Lane and the
hilarity—and romance—that three women fall into once they decide to
strut their stuff and bring on their own happily ever after.
Living
in her overprotective dad’s basement, shy Belle lives her life through
books. Being a part of the Naughty Princess Club is the first adventure
she’s ever had, plus she desperately needs the money to save one of her
favorite places - the local library.
But when her new friends and
new business gets her kicked out of her dad’s house, Belle is rescued
by the surly Vincent “Beast” Adams who invites her to be his house guest
until she gets back on her feet. Despite his attitude problem and long
list of rules, Belle finds herself warming to the muscled man with a
penchant for growling and starts seeing a gentle side to him that wasn’t
there before.
Yet there’s a room that Beast keeps locked and
Belle keeps getting hints that Beast is hiding something…can a nerdy
librarian tame the beast or will their romance be over before it has a
chance to blossom?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Over the years, Tara Sivec has become one of my favorite authors. I just
love her books. They're so witty and hilarious. Lately I realized that
I've fallen behind on reading her new releases from this year, and
wanted to catch up. I loved the first book in her Naughty Princess Club
series, so I wanted to pick up the second one, In Bed with the Beast. I
just finished it last night, and while I didn't love it as much as the
first book, I did really enjoy it.
I was very excited to read a
book from Belle's perspective. I figured she would be the woman that I
would relate the most to out of the three friends in the series, and I
was right. She only feels comfortable at first around her books, and two
close friends. Even then, I think she feels more comfortable around the
books than the friends. She's nerdy, shy, and incredibly socially
awakward. All of the those are traits that I've had all of my life. It
made her incredibly easy to relate to, and made me want to root for her
to get her happily ever after even more than I already was.
I
will admit even though I loved Belle, I didn't connect with In Bed with
the Beast as much as I did with the first book in the series. I think it
was because the middle of the book got kind of boring for me. I found
myself losing interest at times waiting for something to happen between
Belle and Beast, or waiting for her to gain her self confidence. It was a
struggle to push through because I kept putting it down, and picking up
something more interesting. However, when I was able to push through
that part, the rest of the book definitely made it worth it. There was a
certain scene involving Belle's dad towards the end of the book. I
don't think I've ever laughed that hard in my life.
Even though
In Bed with the Beast wasn't my favorite book in the series, I did still
find it enjoyable. I loved Belle. She might be one of my favorite
characters that Tara Sivec has written, and I've read most of her books
so that's a long list to choose from. I'm very excited to read the next
book in the series, which is from Ariel's perspective. I can't wait for
more of her foul-mouthed, dark sense of humor. I think her point of view
will be the funniest yet.
I give In Bed with the Beast: 3.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://tarasivec.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraSivec.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tarasivec
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortarasivec/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/tarasivec/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6422281.Tara_Sivec
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for my review.
Synopsis:
In this third
installment of the series, 11-year-old whiz-kids Nick and Tesla discover
that someone in the quiet town of Half Moon Bay has placed their
beloved Uncle Newt under electronic surveillance—but who is spying on
him, and why? To expose the secret agent, Nick and Tesla build all kinds
of outrageous contraptions. Throughout the book, the narrative is
interrupted by blueprints and instructions so that budding young
inventors can follow along. Science and electronics have never been so
much fun!
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Recently, I've been trying to read all of the print books that I own. I
live in a small two bedroom apartment, and they're slowly starting to
take over my apartment. I own the whole Nick and Tesla series in print,
so I've been trying to make my way through that so I can give the books
to kids that I know will enjoy them, and do the experiments/projects in
them. I recently finished the third book in the series, Nick and Tesla's
Secret Agent Gadget Battle. I thought it was just an okay read.
In
this third installment of the series, the tone really changed. It felt
completely different than the previous two books. With all of the new
characters that were added and the mystery surrounding them, it almost
felt like it was A Series of Unfortunate Events knockoff. The tone was a
lot darker than the two previous books. The new characters even had
similar personalities to Count Olaf's troop, especially the cleaners. I
was also sad that Dr. Sakurai didn't make much of an appearance. I was
really looking forward to seeing her relationship with Uncle Newt
progress.
Despite being frustrated with those things, I did find
some parts of Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle enjoyable. As
always, I thought the projects that they made were really creative, and
unique. I love the element it added to the book. The projects aren't
the typical science fair projects. It takes some creativity to be able
to think of them in the first place. I love it when the authors do that.
Also, I didn't correctly guess who the spy was, which makes things
interesting. Up until it was revealed, I was almost positive I knew who
the spy was. It shocked me when I was wrong.
Even though I had
mixed feelings about Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle, I am
excited to continue the series. I think it will be interesting to read
the next book and see if the spy somehow gets revenge on Nick, Tesla,
and Uncle Newt for everything that happened in this book. I also think
it will be interesting to see how the plot changes with a somewhat
important character removed. I plan on starting the next book very soon.
I give Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle: 3/5.
Want to know more about the authors?
Bob Pflugfelder
Website: https://sciencebob.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sciencebob
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sciencebob?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencebob/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/sciencebob.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sciencebob
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScienceBob
Steve Hockensmith
Website: http://www.stevehockensmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.hockensmith.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrHockensmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146628.Steve_Hockensmith
I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
A dangerous disease
strikes the community where teenage Lucy lives. When her adoptive
mother, Lynn, takes Lucy away from their home and friends in order to
protect her, Lucy struggles to figure out what home means. During their
journey west to find a new life, the two face nature's challenges,
including hunger, mountains, and deserts.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Last year I read Not a Drop to Drink. I really enjoyed it. I've been
meaning to pick up the sequel, In a Handful of Dust but just haven't had
time. Recently, I finally got a chance to pick it up. Even though it
wasn't what I expected, it was an okay book.
Unfortunately, In a
Handful of Dust wasn't what I expected. I expected it to be a direct
sequel to the first book, but it was more of a companion novel. Part of
that is my fault because I might have known that had I read the
synopsis. However, I like going into my books without knowing anything
about them. This time, that dampened my enjoyment of the book though. I
really wanted to know what happened directly after the ending of the
first book in detail. Instead, it's briefly mentioned then glossed over.
The one thing I really did like about the book was seeing Lucy
grown up. It was interesting to see how her relationship with Lynn had
grown over the years. I also enjoyed seeing Lynn take that
responsibility, and becoming a mom like figure to Lucy at such a young
age. When the reader catches up with them during In A Handful of Dust,
they've really grown into their own. They know who they are, and what
they want out of life. It was interesting to see that compared to where
Not a Drop to Drink left off.
Despite being disappointed by my
expectations, I did enjoy reading In a Handful of Dust. I really like
Mindy McGinnis's writing style, especially the way she writes strong
female characters. I am excited to read more of her books, and see if I
like them as much as I liked this duology.
I give In a Handful of Dust: 3.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://mindymcginnis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindyMcGinnisAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindyMcGinnis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigblackcat97/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/MindyMcGinnisMe/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5351825.Mindy_McGinnis
I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.
Still
haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his
entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of
the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have
anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would
overwhelm him…
Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope,
bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside
Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain
the peace he desperately needs.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:Typically, I don't like books that re-tell a story that's already been
told from another character's point of view. Ninety percent of the time
it adds nothing to the story, and is boring to read about. That's why I
was hesitant to read Losing Hope. I figured it was just going to be
Hopeless from Holder's point of view. I want to read all of Colleen
Hoover's books, so I recently decided to try it. I'm so glad I did. I
was definitely wrong. It was so much more than just a retelling.
Losing
Hope brought a fresh perspective to the events that happened in
Hopeless. When reading from Holder's point of view, it was almost like
reading another story entirely. There was a big bombshell that was
dropped in Losing Hope that the reader didn't learn about in Hopeless at
all. It was heartwrenching, and really added something to the story. It
brought back all of the heartbreaking feelings that I remember feeling
from Hopeless, if not more. Watching Holder come to the realizations
that he did was devastating.
Colleen Hoover once again wrote a
beautiful yet heartbreaking love story. I loved seeing the interactions
between Skye and Holder from Holder's point of view. It made me fall in
love with the characters all over again. I'm glad I decided to finally
read Losing Hope. I have a feeling it's one of those stories that will
stay with me for a long time.
I give Losing Hope: 5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.colleenhoover.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenHoover/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/colleenhoover
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenhoover/
Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/colleenhoover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Nick and Tesla return in an all-new, robot-filled adventure!
When
a rash of robberies hits the town of Half Moon Bay, 11-year-old sleuths
Nick and Tesla are determined to catch the criminals—but to do so,
they'll have to build a host of new gadgets and gizmos!
In this
robot-themed follow-up to Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab, the
brother-and-sister duo build four different droids out of ordinary
household objects—and illustrated instructions are included throughout
the story, so you can build them, too! Make bristlebots that buzz,
hoverbots that float above the ground, battlebots that duke it out, and
more!
Can Nick and Tesla catch the criminal mastermind—and foil his army of rampaging robots—before it's too late?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Lately I've been going through this reading phase where all I want to
read is middle grade. Recently, I read Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage
Danger Lab. I loved it so much that I started the second book, Nick and
Tesla's Robot Army Rampage immediately. While I didn't love it as much
as the first book, I still thought it was an enjoyable sequel.
I'm
not entirely sure why I didn't enjoy Nick and Tesla's Robot Army
Rampage as much as the first book in the series. There was just
something magical missing from it. I think part of it is because I was
hoping the sequel would focus more on the big reveal that happened at
the end of the first book, and that didn't happen. I found that kind of
disappointing. It was slightly mentioned at times, but wasn't a huge
plot point.
Despite that, I really did enjoy the book. In fact, I
read all of it in about two hours because I couldn't put it down. I
especially enjoyed the new character, Dr. Sakurai. I enjoyed seeing how
having her around changed Uncle Newt. Speaking of Uncle Newt, he went
through so much character growth in this book. Even though he's still
his zany, wacky self, he really went through a growth period, and
matured a lot. I loved seeing that. For once, I didn't guess the culprit
at the end, which I also enjoyed. It was a fantastic reveal that I
never saw coming.
Even though I prefer the first book in the
series, I really did enjoy Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage. I
thought it was a good sequel. I plan on starting the next book in the
series as soon as I finish typing this review. I can't wait to see what
happens after the bombshell that was dropped at the end of the book with
the answering machine message.
I give Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage: 3.5/5.
Want to know more about the authors?
Bob Pflugfelder
Website: https://sciencebob.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sciencebob
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sciencebob?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencebob/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/sciencebob.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sciencebob
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScienceBob
Steve Hockensmith
Website: http://www.stevehockensmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.hockensmith.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrHockensmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146628.Steve_Hockensmith
I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Struggling to get back
to UNIT HQ, his body being destroyed by radiation, the Third Doctor
arrives in the most perfect English village, where everyone is happy.
But is he really on Earth, or somewhere far more strange? As his body
weakens, the Doctor and the Queen of the village begin to unravel the
truth.
Time Trips – groundbreaking Doctor Who adventures by some
of the most respected writers in the Universe. Short stories that are
bigger on the inside…
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
For those that have been following my reviews for quite some time, you
know that I'm a huge Whovian. I love anything and everything to do with
Doctor Who. That includes all of the books that have been written. I
especially love the short stories. Recently, I found one that I haven't
read, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Time Traveller. I thoroughly
enjoyed the short story.
Joanne Harris must be a big Whovian too
because I found myself immersed in the story from beginning to end. She
got all of the small details that connect the Doctor Who universe
right, such as the subtle nods to Sarah Jane, and other things that
happened (trying to be vague because I don't want to spoil it for
anyone). While reading the book, I was almost picturing like an episode
in my head, which I loved. I know the book was about the Third Doctor,
but even though I've watched some of his episodes, I'm not as familiar
with him as I am with some of the more recent doctors. I kept picturing
Eleven in my head for some reason instead of Three, which isn't a bad
thing.
I loved The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Time
Traveller. It brought together everything I loved about Doctor Who. In
fact, by this point, I've read most of the Time Trips short stories. I
think this might just be one of my favorites. I really hope that Joanne
Harris writes more Doctor Who fiction in the future. I will gladly read
anything else Doctor Who related that she publishes.
I give The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Time Traveller: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.joanne-harris.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joannechocolat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannechocolat/?hl=en
Tumblr: http://joannechocolat.tumblr.com/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9432.Joanne_Harris
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
One cool autumn day a
young girl watched a drama unfold before her eyes. Because of her
intervention a lifelong friendship and love developed. This love went
beyond life and death. Lives were changed and barriers crossed. A
respect for and communal with all living creatures were lessons learned
outside of school.
Stimpy was a cat who will never be forgotten
by his owner Emily. After reading about his life and escapades, readers
will not easily forget this heroic, lovable, mischievous, independent,
friendly and loyal cat. Based on real accounts of his life it will open
the readers’ eyes to the real truth about cats. You will never look at
an animal in the same way again.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:For those of you that have been following my reviews for a while, you
know I love cats, and books about cats. Cats are one of my favorite
things to read about, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. I feel that
by reading about cats, I learn more about them which helps me to be a
better cat mom. Several years ago, I picked up a book about cats called
Stimpikins. I recently found it when going through my bookshelves, and
decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly disappointed.
For
whatever reason, I wasn't expecting Stimpikins to be a children's book.
I think that's where most of my disappointment comes from. The story
was written in a way that made the writing seem very juvenile. There
were short, choppy sentences that made the book boring to read. It cut
off the flow of the book, which made it an unimmersive experience. The
other thing that bothered me were the pictures. They just didn't work. I
wish the author or an illustrator would have drawn them by hand.
Instead they used a 3D computer modeling program, which made the
illustrations look off, and downright creepy at times.
However,
there is one thing I did enjoy about Stimpikins. I thought the story
line itself was really cute, even with the choppy writing. You could
really tell that the author had a love of animals, especially cats. The
way she loved Stimpikins, despite all of the adversity the two of them
faced together really moved me. I also liked the random stories about
Stimpikns, especially the one of him and the fish tank. That cracked me
up.
Even though I enjoyed the story line of Stimpikins, there
were many things in the book that I didn't care for. All in all, even
the story line could not make the experience a great one. The writing
style made the book boring at times, and the pictures were often off
because of the method the author used for the illustrations. However, I
do think younger children, perhaps elementary school kids might enjoy
this book more than I did.
I give Stimpikins: 2.5/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.pamreynolds.me/index.htm
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6468869.Pamela_Reynolds
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Nick and Tesla are
bright 11-year-old siblings with a knack for science, electronics, and
getting into trouble. When their parents mysteriously vanish, they’re
sent to live with their Uncle Newt, a brilliant inventor who engineers
top-secret gadgets for a classified government agency. It’s not long
before Nick and Tesla are embarking on adventures of their
own—engineering all kinds of outrageous MacGyverish contraptions to save
their skin: 9-volt burglar alarms, electromagnets, mobile tracking
devices, and more. Readers are invited to join in the fun as each story
contains instructions and blueprints for five different projects.
In Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab,
we meet the characters and learn how to make everything from rocket
launchers to soda-powered vehicles. Learning about science has never
been so dangerous—or so much fun!
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:Lately, I've been making it a major priority in my reading goals to read
more of my physical books. I have thousands of them, and they usually
just sit around collecting dust because I mainly read from my Kindle. I
found the Nick and Tesla series on my bookshelf, and decided to pick up
the first book because I've been in the mood to read middle grade
fiction recently. I thought it was a great start to what seems to be a
promising series.
Nick and Tesla had everything that I love in a
middle grade series. It was filled with all of the tropes that make a
series great, such as the eccentric not all there caretaker. Uncle Newt
had me cracking up laughing several times. Although if he was the kid's
caretaker in the real world, I'm pretty sure he'd lose the kids in a
week or two from being so irresponsible. I also liked that it had kids
that didn't fit the expectations that society places on people. It felt
good to see Nick, Tesla, and their friends use their brains to solve
problems, rather than physical skills. It made the book more interesting
because you could solve the problems with Nick and Tesla while they
tried to work through them.
Speaking of working on things right
beside Nick and Tesla, one of the things that I loved about the book was
the experiments and projects that were included. Unfortunately, I was
not able to do them as I live in an apartment building that doesn't have
a yard that I can use for that type of thing or anywhere to set them
up. However, I did find it interesting to read all of the steps, and see
everything come together in my mind for how it work out. I have a fiend
that has children, and I plan on passing along the full series to her
once I finish it so she can do the projects with them.
All in
all, I thoroughly enjoyed Nick and Tesla's High Voltage Danger Lab. I
plan on binge reading the rest of the series in the next week or two,
and then passing it along to my friend so her kids can enjoy it too. I
can't wait to start the next book in the series tonight, and to see what
kind of crazy hi-jinx Nick and Tesla can get themselves into next. I'm
also excited to see what happens with the mystery character that was
revealed at the end of this book. I recommend this book to older
elementary kids that are interested in STEM.
I give Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab: 4/5.
Want to know more about the authors?
Bob Pflugfelder
Website: https://sciencebob.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sciencebob
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sciencebob?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencebob/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/source/sciencebob.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sciencebob
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScienceBob
Steve Hockensmith
Website: http://www.stevehockensmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.hockensmith.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrHockensmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146628.Steve_Hockensmith
I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
Find the confidence to rock out to your own beat.
Melly
only joined the school band because her best friend, Olivia, begged her
to. But to her surprise, quiet Melly loves playing the drums. It’s the
only time she doesn’t feel like a mouse.
Now, she and Olivia are about to spend the next two weeks at Camp Rockaway, jamming under the stars in the Michigan woods.
But
this summer brings big changes for Melly: her parents split up, her
best friend ditches her, and Melly finds herself falling for a girl at
camp named Adeline. To top it off, Melly's not sure she has what it
takes to be a real rock 'n' roll drummer. Will she be able to make music
from all the noise in her heart?
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
I feel that we really need more LGBTQ+ middle grade books. There are a
lot of LGBTQ+ fiction and non-fiction in young adult literature, but not
a lot for the younger audiences. Whenever I see middle grade LGBTQ+
books, they move to the top of my to read pile. When I heard that Lisa
Jenn Bigelow was writing a middle grade LGBTQ+ fiction book, Drum Roll
Please, I knew I had to read it. I loved her young adult debut, Starting
From Here, when I read it a couple years ago. Drum Roll Please
definitely didn't disappoint. I loved it just as much as Starting From
Here, if not more.
Drum Roll, Please brought back a lot of
feelings of nostalgia. It reminded me of what it felt like to be
younger, and falling in love with someone of the same sex for the first
time. It also made me nostalgic for those feelings of having your first
real crush, and brought back a lot of pleasant memories from when I was
that age. I think Lisa Jenn Bigelow captures those feelings perfectly.
You know an author has done a great job writing a book when it takes you
back in your mind to a certain place and time, and makes you very
happy.
I also really loved most of the characters from Drum
Roll, Please. I especially loved Adeline. She was so confident in who
she was. I love seeing younger characters that are comfortable in their
own skin, instead of criticizing themselves all the time. I think it
makes for great role models that kids cam look up to. I said I enjoyed
most of the characters because I really didn't like Melly's best friend,
Olivia. I thought was very selfish, self centered, and a downright
crappy friend to Melly throughout a lot of the book, especially after
they get to camp. While I was reading, I kept hoping that Melly would
ditch her to find a more supportive group of friends that would treat
her better.
I loved Drum Roll, Please. After thinking about it
once I was finished with the book, I think it might just be one of my
favorite middle grade books of all time. It's definitely my favorite
middle grade contemporary book that I have read. I'm hoping Lisa Jenn
Bigelow writes a sequel about the next summer at camp. I would really
love to see Melly after she has some time to deal with the issues with
her parents, and her sexuality. I think it would be awesome to watch her
grow even more as a character. I recommend this book to anyone looking
for a cute contemporary book to read. I especially recommend it to
preteens that are just starting to discover that they might be LGBTQ+. I
think it is a great resource that they will identify with.
I give Drum Roll, Please: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://lisajennbigelow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisajennbigelow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisajennbigelow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisajennbigelow/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575294.Lisa_Jenn_Bigelow
I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
World history has been made by countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals—and you’ve never heard of many of them.
Queer author and activist Sarah Prager delves deep into the lives of 23 people who fought, created, and loved on their own terms. From high-profile figures like Abraham Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt to the trailblazing gender-ambiguous Queen of Sweden and a bisexual blues singer who didn’t make it into your history books, these astonishing true stories uncover a rich queer heritage that encompasses every culture, in every era.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Recently, I've been on a kick where all I want to read is non-fiction. I've always loved to learn about different things, and that spark has been reawakened. I especially love learning about LGBTQ+ history and culture. I feel the more I know about it, the better equipped I am to help promote LGBTQ+ equality. I recently decided to pick up Queer, There, and Everywhere. I'm glad I did. It taught me so much that I didn't know about LGBTQ+ history.
I do have to admit, the beginning of the book was incredibly slow. The introduction and the first story seemed like it took forever to get through because the writing style is something I wasn't used to. It was written with a lot of slang and things similar to that so it would appeal to teenagers. That makes sense because the book was intended for a young adult audience, but it made it frustrating to read because it felt like everything was dumbed down.
Other than that, I greatly enjoyed Queer, There, and Everywhere. I found it fascinating to learn about these historical figures in history that were LGBTQ+. Not only did I learn a lot about my favorite historical figures, but I learned about LGBTQ+ activists throughout history that I had never heard of before. I can't wait to do more research on the ones that I had never heard of before. I think my favorite story in the book was about Abraham Lincoln. I never knew anything about him being queer before. I definitely plan on researching further into that because I find it fascinating.
Other than the beginning, I absolutely loved this book. I wish that queer history was discussed more in schools, especially in history classes. Maybe if that happened, some of this wouldn't be such a shock, and the LGBTQ+ community would finally get the recognition it deserves. Maybe people would finally realize it's completely normal if they knew it happened throughout history. I recommend this book to anyone, especially YA audiences, looking for a good non-fiction book to read.
I give Queer, There, and Everywhere: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://sarahprager.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahmprager/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sarah_Prager
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChq_fgj5kaQU2GlOtSAiIeQ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7539145.Sarah_Prager
I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, and friendless. Online, she’s LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of the wildly popular webcomic Monstrous Sea. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves the online one, and she has no desire to try.
Then Wallace Warland, Monstrous Sea’s biggest fanfiction writer, transfers to her school. Wallace thinks Eliza is just another fan, and as he draws her out of her shell, she begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile.
But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Typically, I don't do well with overhyped books. I let the hype get to me, which raises my expectations. Then the book ends up with expectations that it can't ever meet. Therefore, I wanted to wait until the hype died down before reading Eliza and Her Monsters. Recently I thought enough time had passed, so I picked up the book. Let me tell you it was worth all of the hype that was surrounding it, and then some. It became one of my favorite books that I've read this year.
I loved almost everything about Eliza and Her Monsters. If I would have read a physical copy, I'm sure I would have annotated about 90% of the book because I identified with it so much. I saw so much of myself in Eliza. She was a quiet, shy, introverted person who just wanted to immerse herself in fandoms, and wanted to be happy doing what she loved. I think the fact that I was able to identify with her so much is the main reason why I loved the book. I flew through it and ended up reading the whole book in a day. I just couldn't put it down. The character interactions were also on point. There were times in the book where I wished every single one of these characters were real because I think it would be awesome to have them as friends in real life. They are definitely people who I could see myself hanging out with.
If I had to have one complaint about the book, it's that the climax was very predictable. As soon as things started happening between Eliza and the love interest, I knew the plot was going to unfold the way it did. I wasn't exactly sure the details of how it would happen so I did find that part interesting, but I knew that it would. It took away some of the shock value when it finally did happen ( I'm trying to be vague because I don't want to spoil it for anyone). I also found it very predictable the way the characters got over the issues and resolved everything. If it wasn't for that, it definitely would have been a five-star book.
It's not often that I finish a book and want to reread it immediately, but that definitely happened with Eliza and Her Monsters. I wasn't ready for the book to end. Even though it ended in a way that I like, I really just wanted more of these characters and this setting. I'm hoping that the author comes out with a book centered around the characters in the webcomics, kind of like Rainbow Rowell did with Carry On. I loved this book, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in different fandoms, or anyone who is looking for a place where they belong and don't feel like they fit in.
I give Eliza and Her Monsters: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.francescazappia.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChessieZappia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessiezappia/
Tumblr: http://exeuntstormtroopers.tumblr.com/
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/francescazappia/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7009633.Francesca_Zappia
I received this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Synopsis:
The Finnegan brothers are bound to hurt any girl that gets between them. But that doesn't stop Lena. She loves pain with her pleasure. When things get too hot for her to handle, she does the only thing she can do to protect herself... she runs away.
Three years later, Lena is back in town for her father's wedding. She prays she can avoid her past, hoping nobody remembers her parents’ messy divorce or how she disappeared. However, as soon as she arrives, she finds she can't run from her past anymore.
There's no escaping the Finnegan brothers. Not this time.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
Recently I've been going through my backlog of books that I've had for a while and reading them, starting with smallest page count first. I finally got to Misconception by Morgan Black and was so excited. I love the book's gorgeous cover. Unfortunately, that's about the only thing I enjoyed about this book.
I'm not exactly sure where this book started to go wrong for me. It might have been from the beginning. The writing style just seemed very juvenile. The characters weren't written very well. They just seemed like cookie-cutter characters without much individual personality. The main character was ridiculously immature for her age, especially with everything going on around her. She drove me crazy with her whining. The plot was boring. The only reason why I even continued the book is that there was this underlying secret that was hinted at, and I wanted to know if it was what I predicted. It wasn't, which made things kind of disappointing.
This book definitely was not for me. I thought the writing style was very immature, and I didn't care for the characters at all. The book did have an interesting cliffhanger ending. However, I don't think that even that cliffhanger can get me to read more of this series.
I give Misconception: 2/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Blog: https://authormorganblack.wordpress.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morgan.black.7334
I received this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
