Thank you to Capstone Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Jazzy stars!
This was an enjoyable book. BoyThank you to Capstone Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Jazzy stars!
This was an enjoyable book. Boy Seeking Band has all the elements of a great coming-of-age novel. It has bullies, changing circumstances, loss, friendship and a kickass band.
I liked the group dynamic of the band. I got a lot of Lemonade Mouth feelings. I liked the different styles of each band member and how the band dynamic progressed in a graceful way from chapter to chapter.
I also felt that he could have been a bit more friendlier and approachable as a character, as his obsession with his talent and himself kind of overshadowed the story. I also want to convey that the ages of the characters felt a bit weird at times. They gave me an impression of 16/17 year olds and not 13/14 year olds. But hey, that can just be me, I don’t know, maybe I am getting old! Ha!
Overall, Boy Seeking Band is a enjoyable coming-of-age story that readers will enjoy.
I recommend this book to readers, whether young or old, who enjoy middle grade and YA genres. If you enjoy band stories where bands come together despite differences, in order to kick some ass and make a splash, then this is the book for you.
Kindly check out my review on my blog, which is full of gifs and other details!
Thank you to Capstone Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
4 B-Z bees stars
I enjoyed Zinnia and the Bees iThank you to Capstone Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
4 B-Z bees stars
I enjoyed Zinnia and the Bees immensely. It was wonderful, super cute and so freaking adorable. I loved the concept of the Bees and how the story was also told from their POV. I also enjoyed the fact that there was emphasis placed on bee-saving awareness and that the importance of bees in nature was illustrated superbly.
I loved the fact that Zinnia knits and that she yarn-bombs. As a knitter myself I really loved reading a book with a young character who has a love for crafts and who enjoys it.
The fact that the Bees took to Zinnia’s hair was just utterly hilarious and very original. I loved how Zinnia’s love for knitting also helped the Bees in their quest to find a new home.
Birch was such an amazing character. I loved his dorky attitude and his go-getter manner to make Zinnia his friend. I just wanted to squeeze him because of his cuteness. His info and quips about birds and nature in general was really endearing.
I loved Zinnia’s refreshing personality. She had her own problems with being different and the insecurities regarding this. I especially enjoyed the fact that despite all this, she still attempted, in a very long way, to make things better. Her problems with her mother were prominent and I liked the fact that as the story progressed, the issues between mother and daughter started to clear up and that the possibility for a better relationship was implemented.
The only issue I had with the book was that I wish there was a little more interaction between Zinnia and her brother, Adam. I felt that this could have been explored more, especially in the end of the book.
But despite this, I freaking enjoyed this book. The cover and the pages are visually stimulating. The story flowed wonderfully and I sincerely think that Zinnia and the Bees was a refreshing and original story.
I recommend this book to readers who love middle grade boos with original characters, an interesting situation, bees and bee-saving awareness. Old and younger readers alike will enjoy this book.
Kindly check out my review on my blog, which is full of gifs and other details!
Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
°ä±ô¾±³¦°ì’d is one of my favourite books of 2017. What Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
°ä±ô¾±³¦°ì’d is one of my favourite books of 2017. What is not to love? It has a kick ass coding girl, friendship, humility, responsibility and a cute adorable dog.
While I know next to nothing in respect of coding, I loved the concept of Ally’s game and it sounded amazing and like something that I, as the reader, will even enjoy. I loved the fact that quizzes were asked.
I really loved the fact that Ally wasn’t perfect and that no quick and easy-peasy repair was given to the damage caused. I loved that she had to work hard to repair the damage to her coding, her friendships, and her reputation; and to also experience humility. That is such a great and refreshing find in books and such an amazing life lesson to be conveyed, especially to younger readers.
I enjoyed that her parents were so supportive, that they encouraged her to solve her own problems and to take responsibility for her actions. This just gave me such warm and fuzzy feelings.
I especially enjoyed that the issue with real (offline) friends vs online (mostly unknown) was illustrated and that it essentially clashes with one another. I liked that the uncertainties regarding it were explored, especially in such a way that younger readers will comprehend the possibility of making friends online in a safe manner but also to making friends offline in the real world. To not feel threatened with current changing friendships in this regard. That is what I got mostly from it, as it is something that I have felt threatened by while growing up; online friends vs offline friends and to get a balance between that.
The book has a great pace especially when the whole book takes place during one week and I never experienced a lull in the story. The book was really well thought out and had great attention to detail.
However, I still encountered issues. I experienced problems with the format of the e-ARC, as the pictures and such were a little off. But I think this effect will be perfect in the finished copies and especially in paperback. So it is a minor issue. I will most definitely buy a finished copy.
I recommend °ä±ô¾±³¦°ì’d to anyone who loves kickass YA heroines, who loves characters who messes up and redeems them self, who loves characters who learn hard lessons along the way and to any reader who has ever made lasting friends online. If these elements appeal to you, then you will not be disappointed in °ä±ô¾±³¦°ì’d.
Kindly check out my review on my blog, which is full of gifs and other details! ...more
Thank you to Orca Book Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most profound 5-Munro-stars
Thank you to Orca Book Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most profound and beautifully written books that I have ever read. The story was heart-breaking and awe-inspiring. I loved how Munro’s grief was realistically portrayed. It was never sugar-coated or glossed over. Sometimes it felt so real that I started crying for his part.
While the book mostly deals with the depression and acceptance phases in the 5 stages of grief, there were still so many great and hilarious moments in the book, especially with Munro’s adventures with the residents of Fair Go.
The residents of Fair Go were really special and very interesting. Each one of them was stunningly integrated into the plot and into Munro’s life. They were funny and had so many great life lessons to impart onto any reader.
I loved Munro as a character very much. I loved how he was patient and kind to people with special needs. I loved the fact that he loved his sister so much. I loved how he was portrayed as a character that had grief in a raw and very realistic detail. I loved the portrayal of the Coyote because of the significance of the inner voice that one has especially when dealing with grief.
I cannot sufficiently express just how much I enjoyed this book. It is a real gem in the YA genre as it wasn’t an easy journey to enlightenment and problems weren’t solved within a few chapters, as it tends to be in the YA genre, especially when the main focus shifts to romance. This book is packed with great character development and a realistic portrayal of grief.
I recommend this book to any and all readers, whether YA readers or not, as anyone can appreciate Munro’s journey and the difficulties that he faced. ...more
Thank you to Orca Book Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Plank’s Law is one of those boo3.5 Plank stars
Thank you to Orca Book Publishers for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Plank’s Law is one of those books that you would either like or dislike. I liked it but there were moments that I felt that it lacked a certain depth to the story.
I loved Plank’s life philosophy: to just live. It is so simple and so straightforward that anyone can follow it to the best of their ability.
I liked Trevor because despite the prognosis of his Huntington’s disease, he was relatively upbeat and tried to make the best of a very difficult situation. I enjoyed reading all his little lists and how he got down to the details quickly and sarcastically. I loved his interactions with Plank as Plank is a no-bullshit old man who had the best potty mouth. Plank was really an amazing character.
I liked Sara’s attitude, especially in public with regards to her wig. I love the fact that she never made Trevor feel bad about his circumstances and that she encouraged him to keep following Plank’s Law.
I liked Trevor and Sara as friends but yet I didn’t like them as a couple. It felt to me that the relationship lacked depth and the connection between them felt weak at times.
I liked Antonio and his pranks and all the various arguments. But I hated how his storyline was wrapped up as it felt glossed over and rushed. Trevor’s reactions towards everything that happened with Antonio weren’t properly explored and it was just too fast paced. What was even the point of this twist if it didn’t actually affect the main character in a very serious way? This missed opportunity to delve deeper into Trevor’s mind set would have made so much difference to the content of the book.
I liked Trevor’s parents, especially his mom. I liked the way in how she approached religion and the choice for Trevor to decide for himself whether or not he wanted religion and if so, that he could choose which deity to worship. This was honestly such a great modern way of parenting. I wished there were more interactions between Trevor and his dad as I really enjoyed the little bits that occurred. I wish that there was a bit more focus on Trevor and his dad’s relationship on the acceptance of the hereditary nature of Huntington’s disease.
Despite all of these shortcomings, I really enjoyed Plank’s Law as it was a fast read with some interesting life philosophies and approaches. The portrayal of acceptance and the will to survive really stood out.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs a fast moving read which deals with heart-breaking topics, a sound life philosophy and fascinating characters. ...more
Thank you to Annick Press for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a captivating read. The3.5 Amazing Stars
Thank you to Annick Press for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a captivating read. The Voices of Native American Women really resonated with me. The artwork was phenomenal. The poems and essays were informative and were packed with the strength, oppression, humility and humanity of all the contributors.
As a reader you could feel their emotions being adequately expressed whether it was frustration or happiness. These women have compassionate souls, who despite adversity, will stand up for what they believe in. They are warriors who fight against oppression of their cultural heritage and their identity as a Native woman. Each entry expressed this superbly.
The part that really drew me in and resonated with me, was the sexualisation of Native Women in the Western culture. This was a topic that I, as a non-American woman and lover of history, in my innocence, thought would have been moot by now and not relevant in modern society. After reading this book I understand the modern plight and will educate others in the future on this aspect.
The only reason that I didn’t give this book a higher rating is the fact that the e-format was a hot mess. The sentences flowed together, you couldn’t keep proper track of what was intended and the art work with captions didn’t always match up. This is the type of book that would most definitely work better in a paperback format.
I recommend this book to any reader, whether your Native or not, to read #notyourprincess. Any reader will find a refreshing perspective on issues that form part of our society. The artwork is beautiful and the content is very informative. ...more
Thank you to Kids Can Press for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet book to re4-Sugary Sweet-stars
Thank you to Kids Can Press for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet book to read. It was quirky, fun, full of cuteness and light-heartedness. And Kiss Me in New York had this in spades!
But before I get to the book review, I have to go off tangent for a bit:
I love the Christmas season. It is a magical time for family and friends. Full with memories and of laughter. I love movies and I love romance. So it is not surprising that I loved the movie Serendipity. In the movie 2 strangers had a coincidental meeting in a shop, during the Christmas season, and there fate threw them for a loop. While in the movie it took years for the characters to find each other after this meeting, Kiss Me in New York had a different spin.
While some key elements were the same (i.e. Christmas season, attraction between the characters, a meeting), the one thing that really stood out was the coincidental meeting between Charlotte and Anthony. It was something different and during the most unhappy of times, but they made it into something wondrous and cute.
I loved Charlotte and Anthony’s story. The meeting between them, the adventures they had, the American and British banter back and forth, I loved Mistake and The Doug and the whole Smooch scenario; and the overall happy feeling that the book provided. While the book was cute and fluffy, it also touched on a few angsty moments which did not negatively influence the story.
Despite loving this book, somethings did in fact bother me. Charlotte was portrayed as a 17 year old. Sometimes it felt to me that she was should be college age because of how she acted and the things that she said. (Maybe it is some of that British independent thinking?). Also she never, as far as I know, informed someone of her family that she would be spending the day with a stranger. That peeved me a bit. Anthony was a great guy, but in the beginning he was a bit of a rude ass. I understand he had a break up, but damn man. But he at least redeemed himself in the end. I hope/ would love a second book, to see whether they will be successful in their relationship.
I also didn’t like the ebook format a lot, as there were a bit of formatting issues. But hopefully that will be sorted when publication time comes.
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cute and sugary-sweet romance set during the Christmas season. ...more
Thank you to Harper Impulse for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Disappointing stars!
I have been putting off my rThank you to Harper Impulse for the ARC, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Disappointing stars!
I have been putting off my review for this book, as I just cannot put all my thoughts and words coherently together. But I will try to do my best.
I really enjoyed the first bit of A Crazy Thing Called Love. I liked the concept and the first few chapters were a total blast. It was hilariously funny and so well put together; I could have seen the scenes as a movie.
I liked the blogging and self-doubt and Leila was such a great relatable character. She is witty and quirky and had the best spirit.
I loved the family dynamic and the various storylines interlinking the family.
However, this book felt like 4 different books (albeit the CliffNotes version of them) all meshed together into one big pile. All the individual stories got a bit jumbled up sometimes and I really struggled with keeping up with whose exact POV was in play.
Individually, the stories were outstanding and would have made great sequel or companion books. But I went into reading this book expecting only Leila’s story and a thorough exploration of her celibacy promise and the budding romance with Nick. I did not expect fully fleshed out “books� of Lucy and Tasha to be fit together with Leila’s story.
I also got waylaid with all the drama with all the other couples, that I just struggled to keep loving Leila and Nick.
But overall, the story drew me in and has a lot of potential as a series as it has witty characters and is so quintessentially British.
I recommend this book to lovers of romance, who like witty characters and a whole lot of WTF drama.
Kindly check out my review on my blog, which is full of gifs and other details!
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