Book Review - The Reading House Series by Marla Conn + Giveaway

About The Books:

Title: THE READING HOUSE SETS 1-5

Author: Marla Conn

Pub. Date: January 5, 2021

Publisher: The Reading House

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: Each book is 120 pages

Find it:  Goodreads

Buy The Books:

Set 1: Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Set 2: Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Set 3: Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Set 4: Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Set 5: Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

 

The Reading House Sets 1–5 (on sale January 5, 2021) include The Reading House Set 1: Letter Recognition A–L and The Reading House Set 2: Letter Recognition M–Z, which help young readers identify lower- and upper-case letters and identify beginning sounds; and The Reading House Set 3: Introduction to Short Vowel Sounds, The Reading House Set 4: Short Vowel Clusters and Sight Words, and The Reading House Set 5: Short Vowels and Reading for Fluency, which introduce children to short vowels sounds, clusters, and sight words, as well as short vowel word families. THE READING HOUSE Sets 6–8 and 9–12 will publish in March and round out the program.

My Review:

The Reading House sets are small booklets that help little readers read and understand the alphabet. The first two sets are for letter introductions to upper and lowercase letters. The next books in the series help young ones become more proficient in reading by introducing vowels. The booklets were beautifully illustrated with cute animals to help guide little ones. This is the perfect reading resources for young children.

 

About Marla: 

Marla Conn is a reading and literary specialist with a masters of science in elementary education and reading. She has worked with HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and many others, and is the creator of Dear Dragon Developing Readers, based on the work of Margaret Hillert. These leveled readers enable emergent readers to build early literacy skills in decoding, fluency, and reading comprehension.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of THE READING HOUSE SETS 1 & 2, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21210/?

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/4/2021	Jazzy Book Reviews	Review
1/5/2021	Pick a good book	Review/Instagram Stop
1/6/2021	100 Pages A Dat	Review
1/6/2021	@bookshelfmomma	Review/Instagram Stop
1/7/2021	onemused	Review/Instagram Stop
1/8/2021	Midnightbooklover	Review/Instagram Stop
1/8/2021	Little Red Reads	Review

 

Week Two:

1/11/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
1/11/2021	The Momma Spot	Instagram Stop
1/12/2021	She Just Loves Books	Review
1/12/2021	@minnesota_mailer	Review/Instagram Stop
1/13/2021	BookHounds YA	Review
1/13/2021	BookHounds YA	Instagram Stop
1/14/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review/Instagram Stop
1/15/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
1/15/2021	I'm Shelf-ish	Review

 

 

Book Review - Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton + Giveaway

 

Cadie Kessler, a forest researcher,  has spent her entire life trying to cover up her past. She knew that moment will resurface eventually. However, will she be able to come to terms with it?

Cadie receives an urgent text from her childhood best friend, Daniela Garcia. Daniela is asking Cadie to come back home. Daniela and Cadie share a secret bond during their childhood until a dark secret corrupted their friendship. 

Cadie and Daniela are adults but, they still find themselves bonded to oaths and promises they made as children.  They realize that some secrets can't be buried forever and that they will need to make sacrifices to people they care about.

I enjoyed the message behind the book but, thought the novel itself was a bit political and preachy for my liking. There were parts where I found that the author was trying to force their belief onto the reader. I wasn't fond of the writing style or pace, I found that it was very slow and boring to read. While I agree with the messages shared within the book such as caring for our environment, immigration, friendship, I just didn't care for the method of delivery. I am still willing to read more books by the author.

  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Forge Books
Publisher : Forge Books; 1st edition (January 12, 2021)
Language: : English
Hardcover : 336 Pages

On Sale: 01/12/2021
ISBN: 9781250269188336 Pages 

Praise for WAITING FOR THE NIGHT SONG

“Julie Carrick Dalton’s deftly constructed, urgent yet slow-burning debut novel reads like a warning from the frontlines of our rapidly deteriorating natural world.” —Omar El Akkad, American War

“Both a timely and timeless literary mystery, Waiting for the Night Song is as seductive as it is smart, blending the allure of Julie Dalton’s beloved rural New Hampshire setting with the dark undercurrents of a community’s racial divisions and betrayals. This is a story of love, of home, of friendship and family, of a childhood’s innocence and an adult’s comeuppance, all of which are in the line of fire in this beauty of a page turner.” —Michelle Hoover, award-winning author of Bottomland and The Quickening

“Human nature clashes with Mother Nature in this riveting and heartbreaking coming of age story— gorgeously written, and wonderfully told. With its combination of powerful themes and intensely immersive setting, fans of Delia Owens will swoon to find their new favorite author. A phenomenal debut!” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, award-winning author of The First to Lie

“Dalton writes masterfully of human relationship and the fraught relationship humanity has with ecology…put it on your lists NOW.” —Michael Zapata, author of The Lost Book of Adana Moreau

“I marvel when I come across a book that is at once timely and timeless…It’s a novel that burns–figuratively and literally–with sharp prose and uncommon wisdom. Do yourself a favor and have a look for yourself.” —Peter Geye, award-winning author of Wintering

“Waiting for the Night Song is a beautiful book that is also a hell of a read. Complex characters, unforgettable setting, taut storyline, big ideas.” —Ashley Shelby, author of South Pole Station

“Smart and searingly passionate, Dalton’s absorbing mystery debut explores many timely issues including global warming, female friendships, childhood secrets, and the lengths we take to protect them — Waiting For The Night Song is an illuminating snapshot of nature, betrayal and sacrifices set in the evocative New Hampshire wilderness.” —Kim Michele Richardson, award-winning author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“A killer, gorgeous debut that tackles love, racism and even climate change. Waiting for the Night Song will break your heart, leave you breathless and wanting more.” —Rachel Barenbaum, bestselling author of A Bend in the Stars

“Dalton weaves the vagaries of friendship, the wonder of the natural world, and the power of truth to create a powerful and unforgettable story.” —Erica Ferencik, bestselling author of The River at Night and Into the Jungle

“Dalton’s debut is a story of friendship, family, and the consequences of acting out of fear, especially when those actions are performed to protect those we love. The storytelling is made even more vivid by the way the novel practically breathes the woods of New Hampshire.” —Booklist

“Stirring...a taut novel that builds suspense to the very end.” —Publishers Weekly

A startling and timely debut, Julie Carrick Dalton's Waiting for the Night Song is a moving, brilliant novel about friendships forged in childhood magic and ruptured by the high price of secrets that leave you forever changed.

Cadie Kessler has spent decades trying to cover up one truth. One moment. But deep down, didn't she always know her secret would surface?

An urgent message from her long-estranged best friend Daniela Garcia brings Cadie, now a forestry researcher, back to her childhood home. There, Cadie and Daniela are forced to face a dark secret that ended both their idyllic childhood bond and the magical summer that takes up more space in Cadie's memory then all her other years combined.

Now grown up, bound by long-held oaths, and faced with truths she does not wish to see, Cadie must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to protect the people and the forest she loves, as drought, foreclosures, and wildfire spark tensions between displaced migrant farm workers and locals.

Waiting for the Night Song is a love song to the natural beauty around us, a call to fight for what we believe in, and a reminder that the truth will always rise.

You can purchase Waiting for the Night at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Credit: Sharona Jacobs

Julie Carrick Dalton grew up in Maryland and on a military base in Germany. As an adult, she bounced around from Seattle to Dallas to Virginia, before finding her true home in Boston, where she has lived for more than twenty years. Her writing has appeared in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Electric Literature, and other publications. She contributes to The Chicago Review of Books, DeadDarlings, and The Writer Unboxed. A Tin House alum and graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, Julie holds a Master’s in Literature and Creative Writing from Harvard Extension School. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis. Mom to four kids and two dogs, Julie is a passionate skier, hiker, and kayaker. She also owns and operates an organic farm. Please excuse her dirty fingernails.

        

WEEK ONE - REVIEW & INTERVIEWS

JANUARY 11th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

JANUARY 12th TUESDAY Kait Plus Books INTERVIEW 

JANUARY13th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

JANUARY14th THURSDAY BookHounds REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

JANUARY14th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST

JANUARY 15th FRIDAY Welcome to MLM Opinion's Reviews REVIEW 

JANUARY 15th FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW 

WEEK TWO - REVIEWS

JANUARY 18th MONDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

JANUARY 19th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW 

JANUARY 20th WEDNESDAY J.R.'s Book Reviews REVIEW

JANUARY 21st THURSDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW 

JANUARY 21st THURSDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

JANUARY 22nd FRIDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW 

JANUARY 22nd FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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January 2021 Empties!

 

 

Wow, it's almost the middle of Jan and the days are just flying by! Sometimes, I wonder if my entire life is just standing still...I kinda feel like that sometimes. But, I understand why things need to be the way they are. 

Because I been "stuck" indoors for 99% of my time (other than to get essentials and run errands) I haven't really been finishing anything other than face masks. I was thinking that maybe I should cut back on my other beauty purchases but, that really hasn't been the case. I can't refuse a good sale. However, I am trying to make an effort to finish 5 things (regardless of their size) that isn't a face mask. Thankfully, I was able to complete it for this empties post. Hopefully, I can keep the momentum going.

I have tried some new masks from Facetory. They are all solid but, nothing noteworthy to go out of my way to get again. I used two new soaps and they are very creamy. The Tom's of Maine and the Le Petit Marseillaise soap is creamy and provided a generous lather and my skin didn't feel dried out. However, I still needed to follow up with lotion. I might get them again.

I had the Yes to Carrots lotion for a bit and I finally finished it. I used to love the brand a lot more but, I feel like they have gone downhill. I read about people having severe allergic reactions to one of their masks and the company wasn't doing much about pulling the product from stores. I still have a few more of their products to use and I think I will stop buying from them. I have the full size Laneige lip treatment and it smells amazing. It has a sweet cotton candy smell and a tacky texture. I use this before going to bed. However, I do not use it alone otherwise, I wake up with dry lips. I apply a lip balm and then top the balm with this lip treatment.

Here is everything I finished -

Natures Republic Acai Berry Mask

BioBelle Facial Mask #RoseAllDay

Betterskin Antioxidant Sheet Mask

Honey Jarret Super Beau'tea Mask Rose

Facetory Sun Bae Soothing Mask

Meg Two Step Jelly Mask

Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt Dream Away

Meribless Nurse Healing Intense Soothing Gauze Seal Mask

Facetory Let's Talk Vitality Firming Mask

PureHeals Propolis Rose Callus Mask

Skip the Spa Detoxifying and Hydrating Sheet Mask Charcoal + Rose

Frudia Natural Hydration Maintains Moisture Blueberry Hydrating Mask

Round Labs 1025 Dokdo Mask

Theorie Marcula Oil Transforming Hair Serum

Le Petit Marseillaise 72% Extra Pur Soap

Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Conditioner

Yes to Carrots Daily Moisture Body Lotion

Tom's of Maine Creamy Coconut with Virgin Coconut Oil Soap

Book Review - Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald

 

Eva Hansen wakes up in a hospital after being hit by lightning. She discovers her mother, Kat, has been murdered. The police found Eva unconscious a few blocks away from her mother. Eva has no recollection of the events from that night. However, the police are suspicious of her and think she is hiding something.

Eva is determined to discover the truth behind that night. She heads to Kat's former home, London to find answers. As she tries to unravel all the secrets her mother kept, she realizes someone is trying to keep the past buried. She is doesn't know who to trust.

The story is told from alternating perspective of Eva and Kat. I enjoyed reading how Eva was trying to piece together her memory from the night. Although there were moments that I found myself rolling my eyes at some portions of the story.  I did find portions of the book to be predictable but, thought the book was an enjoyable read overall.

Book Review - Harry Houdini (The First Names Series) by Kjartan Poskitt

 

Harry Houdini is probably the most well known magician in the world. Harry Houdini was actually born Ehrich Weisz and he was an Hungarian-born immigrant. He began performing stage tricks so, he can bring in extra cash for his family. He started off doing card tricks and gradually started doing escape acts. Harry became well-known for his death-defying escape acts. 

He was known to undergo daring feats, such as, being buried alive, being locked in a crate that was thrown into a river, and escaping from a milk can. Harry was able to captivate the audience's interest while entertaining them with magic. 

The children's book comes illustrated and goes into detail about Harry's life. The book provided in-depth facts and stories about Harry along with tidbits on how the tracks were performed. The back of the book included a glossary, timeline, and an index. One thing to note, unlike other biographies about Harry, this one doesn't include the story of his death. Overall, a good read for the kids and fans of Harry.

 

Book Review - Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour

  

 Mila is used to being alone. She is eager to find her own place to belong. Perhaps, this is why she agreed to a second chance at a remote farm surrounded by waves and flowers. However, Mila didn't know that the place was haunted by ghosts.

Mila just graduated from high school and has aged out of the foster care system. She is offered a teaching job and a place to live on an isolated farm near the Northern California coast. Mila is excited to have a home that she can calls hers. However, she didn't know that the place is haunted by the past and her old memories are resurfacing.

The novel was a quick and interesting read. I like that the author created an interesting story of how Mila needed to let go and accept her past before she can find a place to belong. I found that the some of the characters were mysterious or overly friendly or "aggressive" without including Mila in the reason why. I did find that the novel was a quick read and felt that the author could have gone into more detail about certain things. However, I am excited to read books by the author.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

January 2021 Haul!

 

 

I can't believe it is already January 2021! The entire year went by so quickly. But, I hope this year is better this year...

I got a few masks from Facetory. I been using sheet masks more frequently and have noticed my skin looking more radiant and it's softer. I bought a new skin routine from Perricone MD for acne. I hate getting those cystic acne that comes and goes in a non-stop cycle. 

I got a few lip products that I am super excited over. I got this new lip balm from a brand called La Muse. It reminds me of the Fresh lip balm. I wonder if it will be similar. I bought another lipstick from Huda in Alluring. I didn't realize it was matte. I am moving away from the matte lipstick since, I found that they can be very drying. I got a new lipstick lip gloss from Trust Fund Beauty that I am excited to try. Colourpop had a 25% off sale and I bought a few of their Disney lipsticks.  I got a few lip products from Philosophy but, I have been using their lip products for awhile. They are okay but, smell amazing.

I am really excited to try the Elemis Frangipani Monoi because my skin gets really dry during the winter. And I hate putting on cold cream during the cold weather. I have tried a few GlamGlow products and they are sometimes hit and miss. I am excited to try their Gentlebubble cleanser. I think the packaging. I bought quite a few things that I am super excited to try. Did you get anything during the holiday season you are excited to try?