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

Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper

A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, The FitzOsbornes at War My sister told me I absolutely had to read these books, and while being told to read something is not usually a good incentive, this time I am so happy that she introduced me to these books. These are three of my… Continue reading The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper

Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone #1 / Grishaverse #1 I just realized I'm reviewing the Leigh Bardugo books I've read in the opposite order in which I read them! It you have any interest in reading any of the books in her Grisha-verse, I recommend starting with this one and reading them in the order they were… Continue reading Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

I'm a sucker for a book with a starry night on the cover. And when I read the synopsis of The Girl Who Chased the Moon, I was drawn in. It sounded sweet and enjoyable, the perfect read for a rainy fall day. Synopsis Emily Benedict has come to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at… Continue reading The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grades

Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows Millennials, my generation, are defined in some small part by their relationship with Harry Potter. Almost all of us have a story about when we were first introduced the the boy wizard who changed our reading… Continue reading Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

Essays, Fiction, Nonfiction, Short Stories

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

Essays and Stories Fantasy author Brian Staveley once told me he was haunted by the yellow coat on the cover of The Opposite of Loneliness, and for good reason - he was one of Marina Keegan's high school teachers. He knew her before the rest of the world knew her. The Opposite of Loneliness would never had been… Continue reading The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina #1 There aren't many books that I can say I jumped on when they were first released in hardcover, but I'm very proud to own a first edition of Seraphina. It is one of my favorite books (I know, I say that a lot), but this one I love specifically to recommend to people. Seraphina,… Continue reading Seraphina by Rachel Hartman