Fiction, Historical

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

I've started reading again! In an effort to ingratiate myself with our publisher reps at the bookstore, I've decided to read an advanced reader copy a month BEFORE the book comes out AND write an "Indie Next" pick for it - this is the first! Downside, I read it back in July so my memory… Continue reading The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

Biography, Nonfiction

Ma’am Darling by Craig Brown

Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret I've always had a certain fascination with Britain's royal family, ever since Princess Diana died. When The Crown started airing, I was watching from the beginning, and, like most, discovered what a volatile character Princess Margaret was. So, as per usual when it comes to books, when our publisher rep… Continue reading Ma’am Darling by Craig Brown

Book Club, Fantasy, Fiction

All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, The Book of Life Back in January 2013 I was trying to find a new favorite book (which never works, you canโ€™t force it) and I had been eyeing A Discovery of Witches for a while and decided to take a chance on it. I read the first… Continue reading All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness

Fiction, Historical

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Laura: I found this book on my momโ€™s shelves and when she noticed that I had picked it up she told me I should absolutely read it. It is one of the few non-mystery type fiction books she has read in the past 10 years, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Knowing my love of all… Continue reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

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 Nรผrnberg 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. Iโ€™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

Contemporary, Fiction, New Adult, Young Adult

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Girls in Pants, Forever in Blue I have been best friends with Tibby, Carmen, Lena and Bridget for more than half my life now. The summer before I turned fourteen, I was attempting to walk to the Barnes and Noble of Virginia Beach… Continue reading Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares

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

Fiction, Historical

At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen

I love any book set in Europe during World War II, it is by far one of my favorite time periods to read about. I requested the audiobook from the library to listen to while driving to and from work and I wound up enjoying it so much, I bought the actual book as well.… Continue reading At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen

Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grades, Retelling

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Iโ€™ll readily admit that Ellaโ€™s dark green dress on the front cover of the first paperback edition was what first caught my attention. But given my established record as a lover of fairy tale adaptations, it should come as no surprise that this is the book that started my obsession! Synopsis How can a fairy's… Continue reading Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine