Fiction, Historical

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Miniaturist #1 Given that the BBC is doing a miniseries of The Miniaturist for the holidays, I thought it a pertinent review for today! A few weeks ago, I admitted to owning a Kindle. For Christmas a few years ago, my father gave me a Kindle – yes, I finally gave in and accepted that some of… Continue reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Essays, Fiction, Nonfiction, Short Stories

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

Essays and Stories Last Christmas, I asked my coworkers for a book recommendation for my sister and I for the holidays. Jennifer suggested David Sedaris, and while I didn't get around to reading it last year, I did this year, and, well, you'll see... Synopsis David Sedaris's beloved holiday collection is new again with six… Continue reading Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grades

Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle & Emily Jenkins

Upside-Down Magic #1 One of my coworkers really enjoyed the Upside-Down Magic series and recommended, as a former teacher who worked with students with unique learning needs, I would appreciate it as well, and she was right! Synopsis It's never easy when your magic goes wonky. For Nory, this means that instead of being able to turn… Continue reading Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle & Emily Jenkins

Fiction, Historical, Retelling, Young Adult

Scarlet trilogy by A. C. Gaughen

Scarlet, Lady Thief, Lion Heart I’d been debating picking this book up for a while and decided to just go ahead and order it. I flew threw it – I definitely should have started it sooner! It has now led to me re-watching all the Robin Hood adaptations I love – starting with the BBC… Continue reading Scarlet trilogy by A. C. Gaughen

Fantasy, Fiction

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Knowing of our shared love of Good Omens, Ben picked up a copy of The Ocean at the End of the Lane for me from the Strand one year for Christmas! Synopsis A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm… Continue reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Contemporary, Fiction

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

As a young woman who desperately wanted to be one of the Gilmore Girls, I knew as soon as I found out that Lauren Graham had written a novel, I would be reading it. Synopsis It's January 1995, and Franny Banks has just six months left on the three-year deadline she set for herself when she… Continue reading Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I finally realized why I read so many books about young women during World War II. My grandmother grew up in Nürnberg during this time and she has never spoken about her childhood. From what my father has told me about her experiences, I wouldn’t talk about it either. I read so many books because… Continue reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Fantasy, Fiction, New Adult, Novella

Hear Me by Viv Daniels

This book is known to my family as "the reason Sarah owns a dreaded Kindle." New Adult author Viv Daniels (aka my second favorite author in the whole wide world Diana Peterfreund), originally released this book eBook only. Two years later, I found that I could order a paperback (pictured above), but of course I… Continue reading Hear Me by Viv Daniels

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Verity #2 I may need to reread Rose Under Fire - when I first read it, I was "broken" on World War II novels - I'd read so many, I didn't really "feel" anything when I read them anymore. There are things that happen in Rose Under Fire that are absolutely horrific and I just kept… Continue reading Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein