Biography, History, Nonfiction

A Team of Their Own by Seth Berkman

How an International Sisterhood Made Olympic History I begged and begged our sales rep for an advance copy of this book, and it kept getting postponed again. And again. And again. Which meant by the time it found it's way into my hands, I just wasn't really in the mood for it, with the Winter… Continue reading A Team of Their Own by Seth Berkman

Fantasy, Fiction, New Adult, Young Adult

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

The Assassin's Blade, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Kingdom of Ash This review is SPOILER FREE! What feels like many years ago, I kept seeing this book cover that looked super cool. It was green and had a girl who looked like a total badass… Continue reading Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Thriller

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

A good friend loves Grady Hendrix's books and so when I was looking to branch out and read a horror book on the beach, she told me I had to read We Sold Our Souls. Synopsis From the Back Cover:Only a girl with a guitar can save us all. Every morning Kris Pulaski wakes up… Continue reading We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

Fantasy, Fiction

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Nevernight Chronicle #1 I've been trying to read Nevernight for the better part of two and a half years. Which is weird, because I really like it. I don't know why it's taken me so long to read it, save for my occasionally annoying new obsession with all thing nonfiction that makes fiction seem boring.… Continue reading Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Biography, Nonfiction

In Extremis by Lindsey Hilsum

The Life and Death of War Correspondent Marie Colvin I first came across In Extremis when going through front list (new release) publisher orders and, thanked my lucky stars I have such a good relationship with the rep because when I begged her to send me an advance copy, she happily obliged. And I think it is… Continue reading In Extremis by Lindsey Hilsum

Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Reduction Duology by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars & Across a Star-Swept Sea Diana Peterfreund is one of my most favorite authors. I first discovered her works when I was getting ready to head off to college in 2007 and I stumbled upon the Secret Society Girl series. It is one of the few series that actually covers college age… Continue reading Reduction Duology by Diana Peterfreund

Memoir/Autobiography, Middle Grades, Nonfiction

Four Perfect Pebbles by Lila Perl & Marion Blumenthal Lazan

One of my grandmothers grew up in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, specifically in Nürnberg and the surrounding countryside. She doesn't talk about it. As such, I have spent my entire life fascinated by the stories of German children between 1933 and 1945. I don't remember the first book I read that fit the… Continue reading Four Perfect Pebbles by Lila Perl & Marion Blumenthal Lazan

Biography, History, Nonfiction

Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings I found this book on my very first visit to the Strand in New York City right after I finished student teaching. I’ve always loved multi-story books about historical women. Additionally, while reading this book at the Greyhound station in New York City while waiting for my… Continue reading Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

Fantasy, Fiction, Retelling

Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

I love a good fairy tale adaptation and when I first heard the true story of the Little Mermaid, I became a bit obsessed with all accurate adaptations. Synopsis Princess Margrethe has been hidden away while her kingdom is at war. One gloomy, windswept morning, as she stands in a convent garden overlooking the icy sea,… Continue reading Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon

Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grades

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Fairyland #1 I picked this book up upon the recommendation of a fellow educator at the school book fair last spring and I read it while on vacation last summer. While I’m trying to review only books that I’ve read most recently now, I figured it best to throw this one in as well. Synopsis… Continue reading The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente