Friday, March 8, 2024

Book Spotlight - Walkin' the Dog by Chris Lynch


About The Book:

Title: WALKIN’ THE DOG

Author: Chris Lynch

Pub. Date: March 12, 2024

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 240

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/WALKIN-THE-DOG

“Lynch is back and better, smarter, and funnier than ever.” —Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner

A boy learns how to be a friend from man’s best friend in this funny and moving middle grade novel about humans being able to change and dogs changing us from acclaimed author Chris Lynch.

In a family of strong personalities with very strong points of view, Louis is what his mother lovingly calls “the inactivist,” someone who’d rather kick back than stand out. He only hopes he can stay under the radar when he starts high school in the fall, his first experience with public school after years of homeschooling.

But when a favor for a neighbor and his stinky canine companion unexpectedly turns into a bustling dog-walking business, Louis finds himself meeting an unprecedented number of new friends—both human and canine. Agatha, a quippy and cagey girl his age always seems to be telling two truths and a lie. Cyrus, a few years his senior, promises he’s going to show Louis how to be a better person, whether Louis wants him to or not. And then there are the dogs: misbehaving border terriers, the four (possible stolen) sausage dogs, the rest of Louis’s charges, and a mysterious white beast who appears at a certain spot at the edge of the woods.

Dogs and human alike all seem to have something they want to teach Louis, including his menacing older brother who keeps turning up everywhere. But is Louis ready to learn the lesson he needs most: how to stop being a lone wolf and be part of a pack?

 

About Chris Lynch:

Chris Lynch (he/him/his) is the award–winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including Printz Honor Book FreewillIcemanGypsy Davey, and Shadow Boxer—all ALA Best Books for Young Adults—as well as Killing Time in Crystal CityLittle Blue LiesPiecesKill SwitchAngry Young Man, and Inexcusable, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. Chris is the author of middle grade novel Walkin’ the Dog. He holds an MA from the writing program at Emerson College. He teaches in the creative writing MFA program at Lesley University. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.

Meet Chris! 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 7:00pm ET

Porter Square Books (Cambridge, MA)

In conversation with Sara Farizan

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 7:00pm ET

Broadside Bookshop (Northampton, MA)

In conversation with Michael Mercurio

 

Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 6:00pm ET

Books of Wonder (New York, NY)

In conversation with Caela CarterCathy Carr, and E.L. Shen

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of WALKIN’ THE DOG, US Only.

Ends March 12th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/26/2024

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

2/26/2024

Little Red Reads

Excerpt/IG Post

2/27/2024

@pineshorelittlefreelibrary

IG Post

2/27/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/28/2024

Books With a Chance

Review/IG Post

2/28/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

IG Post

2/29/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Excerpt/IG Post

2/29/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

3/1/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

3/1/2024

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

3/4/2024

@dharashahauthor

IG Post/TikTok Post

3/4/2024

Avainbookland

IG Review

3/5/2024

@pagesforpaige

IG Review

3/5/2024

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

3/6/2024

@paws.read.repeat

Review/IG Post

3/6/2024

FUONLYKNEW

Review

3/7/2024

@evergirl200

IG Review

3/7/2024

Callisto’s calling

IG Review

3/8/2024

Two Points of Interest

Review

3/8/2024

The Momma Spot

Review


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Book Review - The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber



The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber is about a young girl, Weatherby, who wants to learn more about her father. Weatherby loves sailing and spending her time on the water. When she and her neighbor win the local sailing regatta, she is ecstatic. Especially when the head of the prestigious Boston School approaches her with a scholarship to attend. Weatherby is beyond happy to attend because it's the same school her dad attended. She hopes that she can learn more about her dad and his world because she never got to meet him before. However, Weatherby has a secret that she knows will ruin everything if it gets out. She is desperate to keep it hidden from everyone.

Jack and his family come from a long line of wealth and privilege. His entire family has made their own distinctive mark at the Boston School. Jack is struggling to make his own impression at the school since he feels that he is mediocre at everything he does.  He desperately wants to prove to his distinguished father that he has value to the family. Like Weatherby, Jack also has a secret that he knows will ruin everything if revealed.

Both Jack and Weatherby are excited for the annual school trip to the school’s private island. However, when the money for the trip is missing, Jack and Weatherby are heartbroken. The pair gets tapped to an exclusive private secret society to help solve the mystery of the missing money. If they solve the mystery, they get to join and if they don’t, they risk making enemies of many rich and influential people. 

The young adult novel was a quick and entertaining read. I liked reading about how Weatherby and Jack put aside their differences and other peoples’ expectations of themselves to be better people. I was surprised that there wasn’t more drama between the different characters. The book had a few twists and turns but most were predictable. The book focused a lot on sailing and I do wish the mystery part started sooner. I would be open to reading the next book in the series.  



Saturday, March 2, 2024

Book Review - Ruinsong by Julia Ember

Ruinsong by Julia Ember is about a young woman, Cadence, who must decide if she dares to stand up against her ruthless queen, Elene. Cadence was a small child training to be a principal singer for the palace. Her singing is imbued with magic and can be controlled and used depending on the song Cadence sings.

Cadence was chosen by the queen to be a mage for the palace. As Cadence is one of the most powerful mages in the castle, she is made to do the queen’s bidding, whether or not she wants to.  The queen’s latest request was for Cadence to host a concert to torture the country’s nobility. 

While Cadence doesn’t enjoy using her powers to hurt people, Cadence just accepts that this is her fate. That is, until she is reunited with her childhood friend, Remi. Remi is a noblewoman and has a deep hatred for the current queen. Remi and her family have ties to an underground rebellion. Cadence must decide if she will finally stand up for herself against the queen or continue doing Elene’s bidding.

The novel was a quick and straightforward read. It didn’t have any unexpected twists or turns. I was surprised that this was considered a “Phantom of the Opera” retelling as I would have never assumed that from just reading the book. The idea that magic can be conjured by singing was cool to me and I wish magic took a bigger role in the book. I also wish there was an epic magic showdown in the book at least once, or that the concept was explained in more detail. I was interested in learning more about their world. It seemed pretty basic and not much details about it were given other than magic is done by singing. I thought the ending seemed a bit rushed and felt disjointed. I did enjoy the novel and would be open to reading more books by the author.

 

Monday, February 26, 2024

Book Spotlight - Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner: A Novel by Jessica Bull + Giveaway


About The Book:

Title: MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE HAPLESS MILLINER

Author: Jessica Bull

Pub. Date: February 27, 2024

Publisher: Union Square Co.

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 368

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/THE-HAPLESS-MILLINER

A witty, engaging murder mystery featuring Jane Austen as an intrepid amateur sleuth—the first in a series.
Jane Austen—sparkling, spirited, and incredibly clever—is suddenly thrust into a mystery when a milliner’s dead body is found locked inside a cupboard in the middle of a ball. When Jane’s brother Georgy is found with some jewelry belonging to the deceased, the local officials see it as an open-and-shut case: one which is likely to end with his death. Jane is certain that he is innocent, and there is more to the murder than meets the eye. Her investigations send her on a journey through local society, as Jane’s suspect list keeps on growing— and her keen observational skills of people will be put to the test to solve the crime and save her brother. 

Featuring the same lively wit, insightful social commentary, and relatable characters that have made Jane Austen books into perennial classics, this first entry in the Miss Austen Investigates series is perfect for anyone who enjoyed The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl or other historical mystery books based on real people, as well as fans looking to add to their Jane Austen collection.

 

About Jessica Bull:

Jessica Bull grew up in southeast London, where she still lives with her husband, two daughters, and far too many pets. She’s addicted to stories and studied English Literature at Bristol University, and Information Science at City University, London. She began work as a librarian (under the false impression she could sit and read all day), before becoming a communications consultant. Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner is her debut novel.

 

Twitter | InstagramTikTokGoodreads | Amazon

 



Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE HAPLESS MILLINER, US Only.

Ends March 5th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/19/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Guest Post/IG Post

2/20/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post/IG Post

2/21/2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

2/22/2024

Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

2/23/2024

anitralovesbooksanddogs

IG Review

Week Two:

2/26/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/27/2024

@dana.loves.books

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/28/2024

Two Points of Interest

Review

2/29/2024

Confessions Of The Perfect Mom

Review/IG Post

3/1/2024

FUONLYKNEW

Review


Saturday, February 24, 2024

Book Review - A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly

 


A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly is about a woman, Evelyne Redfern, who finds a dead body at her new job. In England 1940, Evelyne is famously known as the “The Parisian Orphan” because of the nasty divorce between her mother and her adventurer father that unfolded very publicly.  Evelyne wishes to leave her parents’ shadow and move on with her life.

She decides to take a job working on the line at a munitions factory to help out with the war efforts.  During the night, she and her friends at the local boarding house go out for a fun night out. There she crosses paths with one of her father’s old friends, Mr. Fletcher. 

Mr. Fletcher asks if she is interested in taking a new job as he remembers how clever and resourceful she was as a child. Evelyne is intrigued and decides to take him up on his offer. She wasn’t sure what to expect of the new job but now she is working as a secretary for the Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s cabinet war rooms.  She feels that this job would have more of an impact with the war efforts than working in the factories as it would have a “more” direct impact.

As Evelyne tries to find her way around the underground bunker, she comes across a person she thinks is sleeping at the desk. When she goes closer to the person, she realizes the person is dead and it was someone she knew and worked with. Evelyne is determined to find the killer. She loves reading detective novels, and she believes that she can find the culprit, but her plan puts her directly in the path of David Poole. 

Evelyne doesn’t know much about David other than he is sketchy and always seems to turn up wherever she is. She hopes that they will stay out of each other’s way until she finds out that David has been tasked to find the mole that has been selling government secrets to Britain’s enemies. Evelyne feels that their missions are connected and begrudgingly agrees to team up with David. Will the pair be able to find out who is behind the murder? 

I thought the book was an interesting read but it wasn’t as enjoyable to me as I would have expected. It took me a bit of time to get into the author’s writing style. I found myself going back and rereading the same thing over again because I couldn’t grasp what the author was trying to communicate. There was also a large cast of people that it was difficult to keep everyone’s motive and story straight. It felt like tons of information was given about minor characters who didn’t really add anything to the story. Then at other times, I feel like we didn’t really get to know many of the characters other than their basic cursory backgrounds.

I felt at times the pacing was a bit off. The book was boring and plodded along slowly towards the middle and the ending came out of nowhere. It felt a bit unexpected on how the book ended but not unpredictable. I did find it odd that the only qualification that Evelyne had to solve the murder was that she was a fan of murder mystery novels. She had one job prior to being a secretary, and she had minimal office experience. I can understand her being considered clever but there weren't really any facts or reason to back that up. I didn’t like that the author made it seem that she knew more than other people because she was an amateur sleuth that liked murder mysteries. If you like cozy mystery reads, then this book might be enjoyable to you.  I would be open to read more books from the series but I wouldn’t go out of my way to find or read it.