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Showing posts with label Shelly Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shelly Brown. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 02, 2024
Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Reads of 2023
Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a safe, enjoyable start to 2024. I'm in the middle of getting all my Christmas decorations down as well as organizing my desk, my calendar, and my life for the new year. Phew. It's definitely time to take a little break for TTT. Today's prompt is, not surprisingly, Top Ten Favorite Books of 2023. Of the 223 books I read last year, I marked 32 of them as favorites. In order to winnow my list down to just 10, I'm going to skip the re-reads and most of the sequels I enjoyed and focus on my most favorite favorites.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Head on over to her blog to give her some love. While you're there, join in the TTT fun. I'd love to know which ten books you read in 2023 were the most enjoyable for you.
My Top Ten Favorite Books of 2023
- in no particular order -
1. The Rockton/Haven's Rock series by Kelley Armstrong—This is a bit of a cheat, but I read six books in this series in 2023 and they were all favorites. These crime novels are on the grittier side (at least for me), but I just can't get enough of them. Armstrong knows exactly how to pull me into her stories and keep me coming back for more!
2. The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede—Although this nonfiction account deals with a horrific event in U.S. history, it's a hopeful, uplifting book about how people can come together in perilous times to make a difference in each others' lives. Very inspiring.
3. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman—When books get too much buzz, I tend to shy away from them, shunning what everyone is reading out of principle. That's what I did with this one, until A Man Called Otto came out. Everyone was raving about the movie and I can't resist Tom Hanks, so I broke one of my cardinal rules and watched a film based on a book without first reading the book. Scandalous! After loving the movie, my book club decided to read the novel, and guess what? I adored it too. I guess sometimes when everyone loves something, it really is something worth loving!
4. The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White—It's possible that I read this children's classic as a kid, but I don't remember doing so. Bummer because it's such a sweet, wholesome read. I liked it more than Charlotte's Web, which I've read several times.
5. Calamity Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows—This delightful YA romp is the third installment in the Lady Janies series, a collection of alternate history novels starring famous women. Calamity Jane is the only one I've read so far, but oh my goodness, what fun it is! I listened to the book on audio and enjoyed every minute of the experience. It's funny, engrossing, voice-y, and just all kinds of entertaining.
6. The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown—One of my favorite middle-grade reads of the year, this novel is about a girl who was raised far off-the-grid and has never experienced life in "civilization." When her brother gets sick, her family is forced into the "real" world so that he can get prolonged medical treatment. As Juniper tries to make sense of her new normal, she questions which life is the right one for her and her family.
7. Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr.—I can't stop thinking about this nonfiction book which concerns the vast fortune of American industrialist W.A. Clark. It talks about how Clark made his money, how he spent it, and what happened to it when it passed on to his last heir, Huguette. It's an absolutely fascinating story that asks big questions about wealth—how it should/should not be spent, how much is enough, the responsibility of the mega rich toward society, etc. I suggested Empty Mansions as a book club read because I want to discuss it so badly with other people who have read it.
8. Exiles by Jane Harper—I've read all of Harper's novels and Exiles is my favorite. The third book in the Aaron Falk series, the story is about Falk—a federal investigator—returning to his small hometown in Southern Australia to attend the christening of a friend's child. The town's annual fair is taking place, prompting Falk to look into the disappearance of a young mother during the same event one year earlier.
9. The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt—Another middle-grade novel I love, this one is about an unassuming, recently orphaned boy who's tasked with recreating the labors of his namesake for a quirky school assignment. As he tackles his grief while also trying to figure out how to be heroic, he learns that he's more like the famous Hercules than he ever could have imagined.
10. A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon—Based on a true story, this historical novel recounts the life of Deborah Samson, a young woman who longs for freedom and adventure. Disguising herself as a boy named Samson, she enlists in the Revolutionary War in order to do her bit. Is she up to the task? Can she hide her real identity long enough to make a difference? What will happen if she's found out?
There you go, my ten favorite reads of the year. Have you read any of these? What did you think? What were the best books you read in 2023? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here.
Happy TTT!
Wednesday, July 07, 2021
Middle-Grade Whale Tale Warm and Empowering
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Grief-stricken over the recent death of her marine biologist mother with whom she lived in Japan, 12-year-old Willa Twitchell is trying to adjust to her new normal. Now residing on an island in Washington State, she shares a loud, chaotic home with her dad, stepmom, three younger step-siblings, and a baby half-sister. The best thing about being back on Tupkuk Island is her renewed friendship with her long-time best friend Marc Mendoza, but even he is acting strangely. With her life all upside-down, Willa finds solace in the same place her mother always did: the sea.
on the sympathetic humpback. When a blue whale washes up on Tupkuk's shore, she becomes especially scared. Willa's only a small girl. How can she save the dying creature? The townspeople are talking about all kinds of inhumane solutions to get rid of its body, including blowing it up or letting it rot. Willa knows her mother would do everything in her power to save the whale; Willa intends to do the same. With Meg's help, she puts a plan into action. Will it work? And what will happen when it's time for Meg to move on with her pod? How will Willa, already wracked with sorrow, say goodbye to her friend?
Willa and the Whale, the newest middle-grade novel by husband-and-wife writing team Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, is a gentle, hopeful novel about grief, friendship, and healing. Filled with whale trivia, it teaches the reader about whales while also imparting greater life lessons. Willa is a sympathetic character, although she sometimes comes off as self-centered and victim-y. She does show growth during the course of the novel, but I still found her a little irritating. Likewise, I found the magical realism element of this book a tad annoying. It just wasn't convincing to me, which made the whole story fall a bit flat for me. Add to that the fact that there's no real plot to keep the tale focused and you can see why Willa and the Whale was a like-it-didn't-love-it read for me. I always appreciate a warm, empowering middle-grade novel; this is certainly that, even if it wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it to be.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington and Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Willa and the Whale from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Empowering MG Novel Urges All to See Each Other More Clearly
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When you're in junior high, nothing draws in the bullies quite like being different. Flint would know. With a debilitating eye disease called keratoconus, he has to work harder than most just to see normally. Calling him "Squint," his middle school tormentors love to mock him at every turn, making his lonely existence even more difficult. Flint tries his best to ignore the taunts, focusing instead on the epic superhero comic book he's writing and illustrating. His goal is to submit it to a "Find a New Comic Star" contest before his eyelids thin enough to blind him completely. When he wins, Flint will finally receive the respect and friendship he craves.Flint, who always sits alone at lunch, can't quite believe it when the cool new girl sits next to him in the cafeteria. Even though she's been accepted by the popular crowd, McKell Panganiban seems genuinely nice. The more Flint gets to know her, the more he realizes that, like him, McKell has some amazing hidden talents she's reluctant to share. As the two begin to trust each other with their secret skills, they make some amazing discoveries about each other and about themselves. When a dynamic YouTube star urges them to make the most of the time they've been given, Flint and McKell realize their new friendship might just give them the courage they need to finally do the things that scare them most.
I greatly enjoyed Mustaches for Maddie, last year's heartwarming MG novel by husband/wife duo Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, so I was excited to read their newest offering, Squint. Like its predecessor, Squint is a warm, uplifting story that encourages empathy, compassion, and accepting others despite their differences. Although it deals with tough subjects, Squint remains positive without ever feeling cheesy or overly sentimental. Instead, it's a funny, engaging story that both entertains and empowers. In the same vein as Wonder, it's a book that reminds us to look more closely at each other—and ourselves—to find the hidden beauty inside us all.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and other MG novels about learning to accept others despite their disabilities/differences)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Squint from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
TTT: FALLing for Autumn Reads
Here we go with the Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List:
1. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult (available October 2)—I'm a big Picoult fan and I'm excited to read her newest, even though it deals with a subject on which I have strong opinions: abortion. The novel begins when a shooter walks through the doors of a women's reproductive health services clinic and goes from there. Should be a compelling read that will no doubt be interesting and discussion-worthy.
2. The Winters by Lisa Gabriele (available October 16)—This haunting thriller about a recently married woman whose posh new lifestyle is not all it appears to be sounds intriguing.
3. Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia (available now)—This novel, about a boy who's been raised in the Minnesota wilderness and the therapist who's trying to help him, sounds intriguing.
4. Love Unscripted by Tiffany Odekirk (available now)—On the lighter side, this is the sophomore novel by a delightful author whom I've had the privilege to meet. I enjoyed her debut, so I'm excited to see what Odekirk does with this romance about a woman who meets a Hollywood heartthrob in need of her help.
5. Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown (available October 2)—I loved Mustaches for Maddie, so I'm excited to read the duo's newest, Squint. The middle grade book is about a young comic book artist who's frantically trying to finish a piece he wants to enter in a big competition before he completely loses his eyesight due to a damaged cornea. He's bullied at school, but one girl reaches inside of herself to find the courage to get to know him ...
6. The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason (available now)—This historical novel, about a young medical student who enlists in WWI and finds himself trying to make a difference at a frozen, forgotten makeshift hospital in the Carpathian Mountains, sounds intriguing.
7. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (available now)—Another historical, this one is based on the true story of a captured Jew who is put to work tattooing numbers on the arms of his fellow prisoners. A love story and a survival story, it sounds excellent.
8. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty (available November 6)—After loving several of Moriarty's novels, I found her last one to be a big flop. I'm hoping Nine Perfect Strangers, a novel about a group of women stuck together at a resort that may be more damaging than healing, is as entertaining as some of her earlier books.
9. Go To My Grave by Catriona McPherson (available October 23)—I love a mystery/thriller featuring an old house hiding juicy secrets. This one, about a group that gathers at a bed and breakfast where something horrible happened years before, sounds like a perfect Fall read!
10. The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White (available now)—This dual-timeline novel features a dramatic story set on the doomed ocean liner RMS Lusitania. I'm in.
There you have it, ten of my most anticipated reads for Fall. Do we have any in common? What are you looking forward to reading in the months ahead? I'd love to know. Please leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor.
Happy TTT!
Thursday, March 08, 2018
Warm, Funny Mustaches An Uplifting Novel About Kindness, Compassion, and Comedy
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Sixth grade can be super awkward. Between trying to catch the cute boy's eye, attempting to convince the queen bee you're cool enough to hang out with her, and struggling to be yourself but not standing out too much, well, it's tough. Thank goodness for Maddie Bridger's stick-on mustaches. Pop one of those babies on and the discomfort melts away, replaced by hysterical fits of laughter. There's nothing the 12-year-old likes more than making someone giggle—and it's a well-known fact that everything is funnier with a mustache.
Everything except cancer. There's nothing humorous about the tumor lodged in Maddie's brain. The mass is causing her body to contort in weird ways. It's making her parents sad. And it's getting in the way of all the things Maddie wants to do—perform as Juliet in the upcoming class play, invent fun games with her friends, and make it out of junior high alive. Terrified of the silent monster growing inside her, Maddie uses her vivid imagination as a refuge. When reality intrudes, however, she'll have to rely on courage, compassion, and, yes, comedy to make it through. Is it possible that a mustache can make even cancer a little bit funnier?
Mustaches for Maddie, the newest offering from Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, is a middle grade novel based on the authors' daughter's experience battling a brain tumor. Despite its heavy subject matter, the book tells a sweet, uplifting story that's more stirring than scary. While Maddie seems a little immature for a 12-year-old girl, she's a likable heroine who's quirky, brave, and caring. Disease novels often get cheesy or saccharine; this one is touching without being at all syrupy. I've met Morris and Brown, even been in their home, and what strikes me about Mustaches for Maddie is that it exudes the genuine warmth that radiates from these kind, down-to-earth authors. I thoroughly enjoyed their book about kindness, compassion, and community and hope that everyone who reads it will wholeheartedly embrace its important message.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
although the cancer theme might be scary to younger children
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Mustaches for Maddie from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain. Thank you!
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Middle Grade Ghost Story More Cute Than Creepy
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
There's only one thing 12-year-old Tiffany Hart wants—to be president of her 7th grade class. She's well on her way to achieving that goal when the unthinkable happens. After almost dying in an abandoned slaughterhouse, she develops the ability to see ghosts. This unexpected "gift" is so not what she needs right now. If her classmates find out what a complete freak she is, there's no way they will elect her president. Cue a shattered heart and crushed dreams. Tiffany is not going to let that happen to herself. No way, no how.With no one she can really talk to about her sudden supernatural ability, Tiffany is forced to rely on the person with whom she least wants to associate. Justin Henderson has been claiming to see spirits since he was nine, meaning he's been a total outcast for three long years. With her dream of being class president on the line, Tiffany can't afford to be seen with Justin, but who else can understand what she's going through? No one.
Against all odds, the unlikely pair teams up to solve a puzzling, ghoulish mystery. With plenty of lives—and afterlives—on the line, they must work together to banish the evil presence that haunts their small town. Can they defeat a powerful, vengeful spirit? Can they save themselves and their home? More importantly, will Tiffany ever fulfill her dream of becoming class president?
Ghostsitter by Shelly Brown is a fun middle grade read perfect for Halloween consumption. With plenty of action to keep kids turning pages, it's an exciting story that's more cute than creepy. The characters are likable, the plot's exciting, and the overall vibe is hopeful and upbeat. Poor copy editing definitely marred my enjoyment of the book, as did out-of-date cultural references (What 12-year-old knows who Betty White is?). Kids might be put off by that as well as the juvenile book jacket. Overall, though, this is an entertaining, easy read that will definitely appeal to ghost-loving middle graders. Despite the irritants I mentioned, I'd still recommend Ghostsitter to interested readers.
(Readalikes: Apparently I don't read a lot of middle grade ghost stories because nothing is coming to mind. Suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scary images
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished e-copy of Ghostsitter for contest judging purposes from the generous folks at Future House Publishing via those on the Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!
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