Books
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Books to Help Understand Anti-Racism and Race
Wanting to be a better white ally means learning about systemic racism. To do that, we need to dig a little deeper into U.S. history, because we’re simply not taught it fully in school, at least in a way that we understand the nuances and all that shaped how we ended up where we all are today. As the fantastic graphic above by illustrator Jane Mount shows, there is no shortage of books that talk about race and racism. Non-fiction offers a direct (and often blunt) path to understanding. Fiction provides an excellent means to see and feel things from a different perspective. Putting both together marries the factual aspects…
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Book Review: The First Emma by Camille Di Maio
I’m a huge fan of Camille Di Maio’s writing. She writes strong female characters and page-turning plots, and The First Emma offers both. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour for excerpts, other reviews, and more. Read on for MY take on this engaging story and be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the book. Many thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy of the book through Lone Star Lit. All opinions are my own. THE FIRST EMMAbyCamille Di Maio Historical Fiction / Historical Romance / Women’s FictionPublisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie PublishingDate of Publication: May 5, 2020Number of…
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Hay Festival (Goes) Digital May 22-31 2020
If you know me (virtually or in-person) you know I love books. Probably my absolute favorite festival, ever, is Hay Festival. Hay Festival is held at the end of each May in gorgeous Hay-on-Wye, Wales. I should have been at Hay Festival this year, but things arose in late January personally that meant an end to those plans, and then with the pandemic, the Festival was forced to change its plans. Thankfully, their change of plans means I can attend, albeit virtually (and in my jammies on the sofa, or in the back garden.) It also means YOU can attend. So what is Hay Festival? First and foremost, it’s a…
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Book Review: Not Like The Movies by Kerry Winfrey
If you are looking for a book to escape into, Kerry Winfrey’s fun, frustrating, and delightful novel Not Like The Movies is exactly what you need right now. I received an advance copy of the book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. The Book My Take I absolutely love rom-com movies, and Not Like The Movies totally feeds my need, only in book form! It’s funny, quirky, has moments that are both heartwarming and delightfully cringeworthy. Chloe is the perfect protagonist – sunny, colorful, constantly positive, drowns her emotions in baking pies. She…
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Review: Breakfast At The Honey Creek Café by Jodi Thomas
A new Jodi Thomas book is just what the doctor ordered! I’m joining Lone Star Lit to bring you Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café, a sweet easy read that offers up a bit of mystery, a bit of cozy romance, and a charming town you’ll want to revisit, chock full of quirky characters. Read on to learn more about the book and enter the giveaway for a chance to win your own copy! I’ve was provided a copy of the book via NetGalley; all opinions are my own. BREAKFAST AT THE HONEY CREEK CAFÉ A Honey Creek NovelbyJodi ThomasGenre: Contemporary RomancePublisher: ZebraPublication Date: May 26, 2020Number of Pages: 336…
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Book Blitz! THANK YOU, GARDEN by Liz Garton Scanlon
Today I’m joining Lone Star Book Blog Tours to help spread our love for the delightful children’s picture book THANK YOU, GARDEN, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Simone Shin. Read on to learn more about this sweet book and enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of three copies of the book! THANK YOU, GARDEN By LIZ GARTON SCANLONIllustrated by Simone ShinChildren’s Picture Book / Poetry / Environment / Ages 3-7Publisher: Beach Lane Books / Simon & SchusterDate of Publication: March 3, 2020Number of Pages: 32 A community garden unites neighbors in this celebration of all the things that grow there, from flowers and fruits to…
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Book Review: The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan
I adored Lian Dolan’s first two books. They were smart, funny, light, and warm – and the kind you want to reread. When I saw that she had a new book out, I jumped on the chance to read it. The Sweeney Sisters was everything I’d hoped for, with the strong character development I appreciate from Lian Dolan. I received an advance copy of the book from William Morrow Books via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own. The Book My Take The Sweeney Sisters did not disappoint. Compared to her other stories, I felt this story dug deeper and was more complex when it…
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Book Review: The Caretakers by Eliza Maxwell
I’m not going to lie – when I received my review copy of Eliza Maxwell’s new release The Caretakers, I oohed and ahhed over the GORGEOUS cover. And then I set it on the corner of my desk, because my brain has desperately needed light and fluffy, and Eliza Maxwell’s books are NOT light and fluffy. They are tightly crafted psychological thrillers that will grip you tight. Light and fluffy can only distract you for so long, though, and my fingers itched to pick it up. I’m so glad I did because WOW. Curious? Good. Read on to see what I loved about the book and then go enter for…
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The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood
Today’s book recommendation is perfect for fans of historical fiction based on real-life history or characters. Tracey Enerson Wood’s The Engineer’s Wife was a wonderfully engaging, well-researched story of the wife of the engineer who designed and started the build the Brooklyn Bridge until he falls ill and she must take over the construction. NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own! Review of The Engineer’s Wife The Engineer’s Wife follows the trials the both Captain Washington ‘Wash’ Roebling and his wife, Emily Warren Roebling, face. Professionally, Wash suffers decompression sickness from his work on the bridge and as Emily steps…
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Book Review: The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Warm-hearted and relatable, Rebecca Stead’s middle-grade novel The List of Things That Will Not Change is simply wonderful. Read on to learn more about this lovely book. I received an advance copy of the book from Random House Children’s Books via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. The Book My Take Straight up – I absolutely adored this book. The writing is warm and funny, and the characters are relatable and REAL. The voice of this book is spot on for middle-grade readers, and the author tackles some tough subjects head on. She really understands anxiety and guilt…
