Isabelle's bookshelf: all en-US Sat, 10 May 2025 22:54:58 -0700 60 Isabelle's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[Hilton Head Island: Unpacked & Staying]]> 6204073 222 Norma Van Amberg 1597122009 Isabelle 0 3.00 2007 Hilton Head Island: Unpacked & Staying
author: Norma Van Amberg
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2007
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/10
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Breaking Time (Breaking Time, #1)]]> 59334972 Fate brought them together. Time will tear them apart.

When a mysterious ScotsmanĚýappears out of nowhere in the middle of the road, Klara thinks the biggest problem is whether she hit him with her car. But, as impossible as it sounds, Callum has stepped out of another time, and it’s just the beginning of a deadly adventure.Ěý
Ěý
Klara will soon learn that she is the last Pillar of Time—an anchor point in the timeline of the world and a hiding place for a rogue goddess’s magic. Callum is fated to protect her at all costs. A dark force is hunting for the Pillars, to claim the power of the goddess—and Klara and Callum are the only two standing in the way. Thrown together by fate, the two have to learn to trust one another and work together…but they'll need to protect their hearts from one another if they're going to survive.]]> 352 Sasha Alsberg 1335284893 Isabelle 0 2.94 2022 Breaking Time (Breaking Time, #1)
author: Sasha Alsberg
name: Isabelle
average rating: 2.94
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/10
shelves: to-read, books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> Radio Silence 40943108
Everyone knows Aled Last as that quiet boy who gets straight As.

You probably think that they are going to fall in love or something. Since he is a boy and she is a girl.

They don’t. They make a podcast.

In a world determined to shut them up, knock them down, and set them on a cookie cutter life path, Frances and Aled struggle to find their voices over the course of one life-changing year. Will they have the courage to show everyone who they really are? Or will they be met with radio silence?]]> 474 Alice Oseman 0062335723 Isabelle 0 books-i-physically-own 4.18 2016 Radio Silence
author: Alice Oseman
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/10
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> Coraline 56197496 157 Neil Gaiman 0063088231 Isabelle 0 4.18 2002 Coraline
author: Neil Gaiman
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2002
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/10
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, #1)]]> 55987278 How far would you go for happily ever after?

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings... until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy...]]> 408 Stephanie Garber 1250268397 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.06 2021 Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, #1)
author: Stephanie Garber
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Internment 49245483 Rebellions are built on hope.
Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.

With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the camp's Director and his guards.]]> 400 Samira Ahmed 0316522708 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.84 2019 Internment
author: Samira Ahmed
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Wings of Starlight (Disney Fairies)]]> 212808316 Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this standalone YA novel from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

It’s been centuries since a warm-season fairy in Pixie Hollow has crossed into the Winter Woods, and while most fear the legends of monsters lurking in the frozen lands, Clarion, can’t help being intrigued by Winter’s stoic beauty. But under the watchful eyes of the current monarch and the court's seasonal ministers, Clarion has little time to dwell on daydreams while the days to her coronation dwindle away.

That is, until reports of a monster crossing from Winter into Spring make their way to the palace. Clarion sees defeating this threat as an opportunity to prove that she is worthy of her new role. But instead of finding a monster at the edge of Winter, she finds Milori, a young guardian of the Winter Woods. Together, they form an unlikely bond as they race to save their lands.

But as their alliance warms to something more, they will discover there is a reason a warm-season fairy and a winter fairy must not be together. And the cost could be just as deadly as the monsters that prowl the Winter Woods.

Discover the origin of the sweeping, star-crossed romance between the queen of Pixie Hollow and the lord of the Winter Woods.]]> 400 Allison Saft 1368098452 Isabelle 0 currently-reading 4.25 2025 Wings of Starlight (Disney Fairies)
author: Allison Saft
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/09
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles, #3)]]> 25944798
With war on the horizon, Lia has no choice but to assume her role as First Daughter, as soldier—as leader. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself at cross-purposes with Rafe and suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down.

In this conclusion to the Remnant Chronicles trilogy, traitors must be rooted out, sacrifices must be made, and impossible odds must be overcome as the future of every kingdom hangs in the balance.]]> 684 Mary E. Pearson 0805099255 Isabelle 4 4.14 2016 The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles, #3)
author: Mary E. Pearson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/28
date added: 2025/04/28
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed this series, and I think Pearson did well at concluding all the points. The finale was the longest, focusing on so many plot points, and I was left wondering who Lia would end up with until the last minute! I do think it dragged on a bit too much, and I wasn't a huge fan of the romance reveal in the last chapter. After so much tension and stress, I wanted a bit more time to enjoy the happy ending. I would definitely recommend the series though. Pearson has a beautiful writing style, and the audiobook really elevated it!
]]> <![CDATA[Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)]]> 214331246 When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.]]> 387 Suzanne Collins 1546171460 Isabelle 0 4.60 2025 Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)
author: Suzanne Collins
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.60
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/25
shelves: books-i-physically-own, currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Max: Best Friend. Hero. Marine.]]> 25679850 This movie novelization of the soon-to-be major motion picture tells the story of a canine hero.

When Justin's older brother, Kyle, is killed in Afghanistan, Justin can't believe that his brother is really gone. Except there's one thing that Kyle left behind�

Max is a highly trained military canine who has always protected his fellow soldiers. But when he loses his handler and best friend, Kyle, Max is traumatized and unable to remain in the service.

He is sent home to America, where the only human he connects with is Justin, and he is soon adopted by Kyle's family, essentially saving his life. At first Justin has no interest in taking care of his late brother's troubled dog. However, the two learn to trust each other, which helps the four-legged veteran become his heroic self once more. As the pair start to unravel the mystery of what really happened to Kyle, they find more excitement—and danger—than they bargained for. But they might also find an unlikely new best friend—in each other.



Book written by Jennifer Li Shotz. Based on a screenplay by Boaz Yakin and Sheldon Lettich]]> 257 Jennifer Li Shotz 0062420402 Isabelle 0 currently-reading 4.43 2015 Max: Best Friend. Hero. Marine.
author: Jennifer Li Shotz
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2015
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/25
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles, #2)]]> 220301367
Desperate to save her life, Lia’s erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komisar that she has a magical gift, and the Komisar's interest in Lia is greater than either Kaden or Lia foresaw.

Meanwhile, the foundations of Lia's deeply-held beliefs are crumbling beneath her. Nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to her, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom she always believed to be barbarians but whom she now realizes are people who have been terribly brutalized by the kingdoms of Dalbreck and Morrighan. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her very sense of self, Lia will have to make powerful choices that affect her country, her people . . . and her own destiny.]]> 480 Mary E. Pearson Isabelle 5 4.03 2015 The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles, #2)
author: Mary E. Pearson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/15
date added: 2025/04/15
shelves:
review:
Wow. Just wow. What an ending. I don't even know what to say.
]]> <![CDATA[Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts]]> 52780142 You can choose hope in the midst of chaos. The visionary behind the million-strong IF:Gathering challenges you to exercise your God-given power to shift negative thinking patterns and take back control of your thoughts and emotions.

Are your thoughts holding you captive? I’ll never be good enough. Other people have better lives than I do. God couldn’t really love me. Jennie Allen knows what it’s like to swirl in a spiral of destructive thoughts, but she also knows we don’t have to stay stuck in toxic thinking patterns.

As she discovered in her own life, God built a way for us to escape that downward spiral. Freedom comes when we refuse to be victims to our thoughts and realize we have already been equipped with power from God to fight and win the war for our minds.

In Get Out of Your Head, Jennie inspires and equips us to transform our emotions, our outlook, and even our circumstances by taking control of our thoughts. Our enemy is determined to get in our heads to make us feel helpless, overwhelmed, and incapable of making a difference for the kingdom of God. But when we submit our minds to Christ, the promises and goodness of God flood our lives in remarkable ways.

It starts in your head. And from there, the possibilities are endless.]]> 223 Jennie Allen 1601429649 Isabelle 4 books-i-physically-own 4.06 2020 Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts
author: Jennie Allen
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/15
date added: 2025/04/15
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
I've heard recommendations for this book for several years. so I'm happy to finally finish it! Jennie Allen has so many good points of advice for those struggling with negative thoughts (i.e. the whole world). This book came at such a pivotal moment in my life that I know it was God. I cannot wait to continually utilize the tools I've gained and refer back to this resource in the future. Definitely recommend!
]]> <![CDATA[Persephone Made Me Do It (Myth and Magick)]]> 122757978
Following her previous work in this series, Mateer weaves together mythology, tarot, poetry, and conversation to reveal a new side of a very old story. Alternating between theĚýperspectives of poet and goddess, Persephone’s lore is explored, related to modern issues, and ultimately reclaimed.

“You want to talk about duality? You want to talk about love? Let us speak instead of chaos.�

In this new collection of art and feminist verse from Trista Mateer, Persephone might have flowers in her hair—but she is out for blood.]]> 192 Trista Mateer 1771682914 Isabelle 4 books-i-physically-own 4.30 2023 Persephone Made Me Do It (Myth and Magick)
author: Trista Mateer
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/05
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
I really enjoyed this collection of poetry. Trista Mateer created a beautiful mix of poems alongside her collage art pieces. I loved the inclusion of artwork. Her style is definitely modern poetry, and some of the poems didn't quite hit, mostly because of their brevity in size. I think some of the pieces could've been more impactful with more words. Overall, I'm interested to read the other books in the series.
]]> Wonder (Wonder, #1) 11387515 I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others.]]> 315 R.J. Palacio 0375869026 Isabelle 4 4.34 2012 Wonder (Wonder, #1)
author: R.J. Palacio
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/03
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves:
review:
Officially finished our second novel study for the 6th grade class today! I really enjoyed reading this book with them, getting to expand their horizons to new perspectives and experiences to help grow them into better humans. This world needs more kind people, and I hope this book reminds them to demonstrate excessive kindness. ❤️
]]> <![CDATA[The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles, #1)]]> 220287154
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her.ĚýDeception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

The Kiss of DeceptionĚýis the first book inĚýMary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles]]> 497 Mary E. Pearson Isabelle 5 3.85 2014 The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles, #1)
author: Mary E. Pearson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/30
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves:
review:
I've had this series on my TBR for awhile, and Im so so glad I picked the audiobook up!! The audiobook is phenomenal, with several voices actors to completely envelope the listener into the story. The variety of POVs was written so well in this book, allowing the reader to be just as on edge and guessing as the main character when figuring out who is the assassin and who is the prince. I am loving Lia's character growth already, and I am so excited to see how the series progresses!!
]]> <![CDATA[A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)]]> 57640243
Everyone loves Orion Lake. Everyone else, that is. Far as I'm concerned, he can keep his flashy combat magic to himself. I'm not joining his pack of adoring fans.

I don't need help surviving the Scholomance, even if they do. Forget the hordes of monsters and cursed artifacts, I'm probably the most dangerous thing in the place. Just give me a chance and I'll level mountains and kill untold millions, make myself the dark queen of the world.

At least, that's what the world expects. Most of the other students in here would be delighted if Orion killed me like one more evil thing that's crawled out of the drains. Sometimes I think they want me to turn into the evil witch they assume I am. The school certainly does.

But the Scholomance isn't getting what it wants from me. And neither is Orion Lake. I may not be anyone's idea of the shining hero, but I'm going to make it out of this place alive, and I'm not going to slaughter thousands to do it, either.

Although I'm giving serious consideration to just one.]]> 321 Naomi Novik 0593128508 Isabelle 0 3.90 2020 A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)
author: Naomi Novik
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/23
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> Lunar New Year Love Story 123023430 Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, forgiveness, and lion dancing.

Valentina Tran was named after Valentine's Day, which used to be her favorite holiday. But when Val learns the truth behind what happened with her parents and why she's being raised by a single father, she realizes true love is a lie. This is reinforced when she meets the spirit of Saint Valentine, who tells her she and her family are cursed to always be unlucky in love. Val is ready to give into her fate, until one Lunar New Year festival, where a mysterious lion dancer hands her a paper heart, and ZING. Val becomes determined to change her destiny, prove Saint Valentine wrong, and give her heart to the right person.

Meanwhile, lion dancing is the only thing that has given Jae peace after his dad passed away. It's also what keeps him connected to his father's side of the family. Both Jae and his cousin Leslie notice Val at the Lunar New Year festival, and for some inexplicable reason, Jae hands Val a paper heart. But it's Leslie, with his K-Pop good looks, who starts to date Val. Jae still feels this connection with Val and feels it's somehow tied to how he feels about losing his father.

Both Val and Jae struggle with the spirits who haunt them as they are inextricably brought together in a love story that is satisfying, sweet, and moving.]]> 352 Gene Luen Yang 1250908264 Isabelle 0 4.38 2024 Lunar New Year Love Story
author: Gene Luen Yang
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/23
shelves: to-read, books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2)]]> 60621073 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The specter of graduation looms large as Naomi Novik's groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling trilogy continues in the stunning sequel to A Deadly Education.

HUGO AWARD FINALIST - LOCUS AWARD FINALIST - ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Polygon, Thrillist, She Reads - "The climactic graduation-day battle will bring cheers, tears, and gasps as the second of the Scholomance trilogy closes with a breathtaking cliff-hanger."--Booklist (starred review)

In Wisdom, Shelter. That's the official motto of the Scholomance. I suppose you could even argue that it's true--only the wisdom is hard to come by, so the shelter's rather scant.

Our beloved school does its best to devour all its students--but now that I've reached my senior year and have actually won myself a handful of allies, it's suddenly developed a very particular craving for me. And even if I somehow make it through the endless waves of maleficaria that it keeps throwing at me in between grueling homework assignments, I haven't any idea how my allies and I are going to make it through the graduation hall alive.

Unless, of course, I finally accept my foretold destiny of dark sorcery and destruction. That would certainly let me sail straight out of here. The course of wisdom, surely.

But I'm not giving in--not to the mals, not to fate, and especially not to the Scholomance. I'm going to get myself and my friends out of this hideous place for good--even if it's the last thing I do.

With keen insight and mordant humor, Novik reminds us that sometimes it is not enough to rewrite the rules--sometimes, you need to toss out the entire rulebook.

The magic of the Scholomance trilogy will continue in The Golden Enclaves]]> 391 Naomi Novik 0593128885 Isabelle 0 4.25 2021 The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2)
author: Naomi Novik
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/23
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> A Dowry of Blood 63251780
This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . . Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things. Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband's dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

"A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful."Ěý-- Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf]]> 320 S.T. Gibson 0316501182 Isabelle 0 books-i-physically-own 4.01 2021 A Dowry of Blood
author: S.T. Gibson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/23
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> Daisy Jones & The Six 50392746
Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend, Camila, finds out she's pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting novel, written as if it were the oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. In Daisy Jones & The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid brilliantly captures an unforgettable place and time in an utterly distinctive voice.]]> 382 Taylor Jenkins Reid 1524798649 Isabelle 3 books-i-physically-own
While the beginning was nice and easy, it slowed down. I did not become invested in the story again until around page 200. I would rather have had more written on the final 150 pages instead of the beginning/middle 150. I was so bored, waiting for the tension to pick up. I really did love the ending, as well as the emotional rollercoaster it takes readers on. However, this book was way too long for me. It could've been condensed to a much shorter length, or it could've explored different chapters of their lives to make it more interesting. I'm glad I read it for the experience, but I don't anticipate picking the book up again.]]> 4.25 2019 Daisy Jones & The Six
author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/22
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
I'm disappointed with my rating. I watched the TV show roughly a year ago with a friend, and we both LOVED the concept and the room for analysis and discussion. We bought the books, ready to dive in when we both had free time.

While the beginning was nice and easy, it slowed down. I did not become invested in the story again until around page 200. I would rather have had more written on the final 150 pages instead of the beginning/middle 150. I was so bored, waiting for the tension to pick up. I really did love the ending, as well as the emotional rollercoaster it takes readers on. However, this book was way too long for me. It could've been condensed to a much shorter length, or it could've explored different chapters of their lives to make it more interesting. I'm glad I read it for the experience, but I don't anticipate picking the book up again.
]]> <![CDATA[The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)]]> 561456
But when you're the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.

Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive...]]> 352 Rick Riordan Isabelle 3 4.37 2007 The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)
author: Rick Riordan
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/19
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:
While I've so far enjoyed the PJ books, this is my least favorite at the moment. Everything was super fast-paced, and there were so many new characters with little time to figure out who each person is. The chapters got longer towards the end, but I felt so lost trying to figure out what was happening. Maybe it's because I'm past the MS age, or maybe it's because I listened to the audiobook.
]]> The Giver (The Giver, #1) 3636 208 Lois Lowry 0385732554 Isabelle 3
I enjoyed reading this with my 8th graders. It sparked interesting discussions about morality and free choice. It was a little short, and I would've liked a more concrete ending. My students were equally, if not more, dissatisfied.]]> 4.12 1993 The Giver (The Giver, #1)
author: Lois Lowry
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.12
book published: 1993
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/19
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:
� MS Read

I enjoyed reading this with my 8th graders. It sparked interesting discussions about morality and free choice. It was a little short, and I would've liked a more concrete ending. My students were equally, if not more, dissatisfied.
]]> Knucklehead: Poems 213974049
dear Knucklehead,

perhaps you are like me:

always figuring out if your soul and your skin

are thick enough to protect your body from sticky stones

thrown from the mouths of those who know

that spoken words have the power to spit out freedom

and break-in bones.

While society often assigns the label “knucklehead� to kids with attitude problems, this brilliant and electric poetry collection subverts that narrow way of thinking, and empathizes with young people who are misunderstood, unheard, or ignored.

There are poems about the power of language to transcend the racist and homophobic constructs of a society prejudging Black boys. There are poems that serve as a salve for a world that inflicts hurt, poems that offer a beacon of hope for the curious and questioning, and poems that transform the way people love Black gay boys and men.

This is a journey of self-discovery through history, family, friendship, and falling in love. Knucklehead is a breathtaking work of art that will heal, provoke, and inspire.]]> 128 Tony Keith Jr. 0063296055 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.08 Knucklehead: Poems
author: Tony Keith Jr.
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.08
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die: Finding Hope in the Darkness of Depression]]> 55473722
“A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church
Ěý
What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joyâ€� and “pray more.â€� So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you.Ěý
Ěý
You just want a way out.
Ěý
But there’s hope.
Ěý
In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better.
Ěý
Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.]]> 256 Sarah J. Robinson 0593193520 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.46 2021 I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die: Finding Hope in the Darkness of Depression
author: Sarah J. Robinson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)]]> 40727118
But things don't stay quiet for long. Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: The magical borders which protect Half-Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters. To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner by the Cyclops Polyphemus on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters--the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millenia--only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name...the Bermuda Triangle.

Now Percy and his friends--Grover, Annabeth, and Tyson--must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Island of the Cyclopes by the end of the summer or Camp Half-Blood will be destroyed. But first, Percy will learn a stunning new secret about his family--one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.]]> 279 Rick Riordan 0120000318 Isabelle 4 4.24 2006 The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)
author: Rick Riordan
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/06
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed this one! I just listened to EPIC: The Musical a couple months ago, which really helped me understand a lot of the Greek influences in this novel (particularly Odysseus). I loved the new character Tyson! He was so cute and lovable, and I also loved how Rick Riordan finds ways to seamlessly integrate characters with different disabilities and backgrounds. I'm looking forward to what happens next!
]]> I Hope This Doesn't Find You 124932739 I Hope This Doesn't Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.

Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a "pleasure to have in class." It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all times: she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. She'd never send them of course -- she'd rather die than hurt anyone's feelings -- but it's a relief to let loose on her power-hungry English teacher or a freeloading classmate taking credit for Sadie's work.

All her most vehemently worded emails are directed at her infuriating cocaptain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive streak have irked Sadie since they were kids. "You're attention starved and self-obsessed and unbearably vain . . . I really hope your comb breaks and you run out of whatever expensive hair products you've been using to make your hair appear deceptively soft..."

Sadie doesn't have to hold back in her emails, because nobody will ever read them... that is, until they're accidentally sent out.

Overnight, Sadie’s carefully crafted, conflict-free life is turned upside down. It's her worst nightmare -- now everyone at school knows what she really thinks of them, and they're not afraid to tell her what they really think of her either. But amidst the chaos, there's one person growing to appreciate the "real" Sadie -- Julius, the only boy she's sworn to hate...]]> 320 Ann Liang 1338827154 Isabelle 5 4.17 2024 I Hope This Doesn't Find You
author: Ann Liang
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/01
date added: 2025/03/01
shelves:
review:
This was such a cute young adult romance. The caption is right, when it compares it to To All The Boys I've Loved Before. I loved the rivalry between Sadie and Julius. My only wish was to have seen more of their happy ending, but YA romance is much different than adult romance (as it should be). The characters had great tension, equal chemistry. I could definitely see myself listening to the audiobook again in the future!
]]> <![CDATA[I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God]]> 214974562
Writer and podcaster Erin Moon has questions, and this book is her open letter for anyone who feels iffy, conflicted, or just downright devastated by this disconnect. With empathy, insight, and the therapy of memes and a good laugh, Erin maps out not a rigid prescription but an open-hearted pathway for you to reclaim what you once loved about your faith home and light a match to the rest.

As it turns out, God is not afraid of your questions. To the contrary, the fullness of the Christian story is found not in a certainty checklist but a vision of a people who wrestle with God. This is the story to which Erin turns and guides you through, as you

- understand the good, bad, ugly, and just plain bizarre of your faith origins
- find permission to lament, ask questions, and name pressure points
- make peace as you set your own new boundaries and rebuild

Consider this your open invitation to get gut-level honest about where it started, and heart-level hopeful about where it can go from here.]]> 256 Erin Hicks Moon 1540904083 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.55 2025 I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God
author: Erin Hicks Moon
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Radio Silence 30653843 You probably think that Aled Last and I are going to fall in love or something. Since he is a boy and I am a girl.

I just wanted to say—we don’t.

Frances Janvier spends most of her time studying. When she’s not studying, she’s up in her room making fan art for her favorite podcast, Universe City.

Everyone knows Aled Last as that quiet boy who gets straight As. But no one knows he’s the creator of Universe City, who goes by the name Radio Silence.

When Frances gets a message from Radio Silence asking if she’ll collaborate with him, everything changes. Frances and Aled spend an entire summer working together and becoming best friends. They get each other when no one else does.

But when Aled’s identity as Radio Silence is revealed, Frances fears that the future of Universe City—and their friendship—is at risk. Aled helped her find her voice. Without him, will she have the courage to show the world who she really is? Or will she be met with radio silence?]]> 476 Alice Oseman 0062335715 Isabelle 5
This story is very character driven rather than plot driven, which I really enjoyed. It made me focus less on predicting what would happen and focus more on enjoying the journey.]]> 4.12 2016 Radio Silence
author: Alice Oseman
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/24
date added: 2025/02/24
shelves:
review:
Wow. I don't even know how to share about this reading experience. I agree with all the others who recommend that this book be enjoyed in its audiobook format. With the podcast setting, it fits so well.

This story is very character driven rather than plot driven, which I really enjoyed. It made me focus less on predicting what would happen and focus more on enjoying the journey.
]]> Ash's Cabin 180724641
Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life.

The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life.

But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone?

From New York Times –bestselling author and illustrator Jen Wang comes a singularly affecting story about self-discovery, self-reliance, and the choice to live when it feels like you have no place in the world.]]> 320 Jen Wang 1250754062 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.15 2024 Ash's Cabin
author: Jen Wang
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier, #1)]]> 195791015 A Barnes & Noble Book of the Year Finalist
A Ĺ·±¦ÓéŔÖ Best Horror Choice Award Nominee

A gripping and atmospheric reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher� from Hugo, Locus, & Nebula award-winning author T. Kingfisher

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.]]> 165 T. Kingfisher 1250830818 Isabelle 0 3.90 2022 What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier, #1)
author: T. Kingfisher
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/09
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Off the Beaten Path (The Mountains are Calling, #1)]]> 199525417 Wren Daniels is in over her head.

Between organizing a charity auction and trying to renovate a cabin she can’t afford, she’s barely keeping her head above water. The only bright spot is her new friend she met on an anonymous dating app four months ago. That is, until she discovers he’s the last person she would have expected—her grumpy neighbor who she’s never gotten along with.

Holden Blankenship likes his life just the way it is.

After his wife left him, he spent years putting his life back together. Now he’s got his daughter who is the light of his world, his family, and surprisingly, an anonymous friend. But when his anonymous friend turns out to be his neighbor who drives him crazy, he’s not sure what to make of it. Especially when her contractor backs out of her cabin renovation project and he finds himself offering to help her. Now Wren is getting under his skin in a completely different way and turning all his carefully laid plans upside down.

As Wren continues to show up for Holden and Holden keeps proving to Wren that he’s not really as standoffish as he seems, the lines between friendship and more start to blur.

Their relationship may have gotten off to an unusual start, but some of the best things in life are just a little off the beaten path.]]> 368 Madison Wright Isabelle 2
The beginning of the romance had some promise, but as it developed, I felt that the relationship lacked the fire/tension needed to keep me invested. I also did not like listening to Holden's POV. It was giving me stereotypical masculine man, and I would've liked to see him portrayed differently.]]> 3.67 2024 Off the Beaten Path (The Mountains are Calling, #1)
author: Madison Wright
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/02/09
date added: 2025/02/09
shelves:
review:
I was pretty excited for this, waiting for it for several months on my Libby. Unfortunately, I believe I may have hyped this book up too much and it left me feeling unsatisfied.

The beginning of the romance had some promise, but as it developed, I felt that the relationship lacked the fire/tension needed to keep me invested. I also did not like listening to Holden's POV. It was giving me stereotypical masculine man, and I would've liked to see him portrayed differently.
]]> <![CDATA[Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver]]> 53003428
“No matter where one starts reading,Ěý Devotions Ěýoffers much to love, from Oliver's exuberant dog poems to selections from the Pulitzer Prize-winningĚý American Primitive , andĚý Dream Work , one of her exceptional collections. Perhaps more important, the luminous writing provides respite from our crazy world and demonstrates how mindfulness can define and transform a life, moment by moment, poem by poem.â€� â€� The Washington Post

“It’s as if the poet herself has sidled beside the reader and pointed us to the poems she considers most worthy of deep consideration.â€� Ěýâ€� Chicago Tribune

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver presents a personal selection of her best work in this definitive collection spanning more than five decades of her esteemed literary career.

Throughout her celebrated career, Mary Oliver has touched countless readers with her brilliantly crafted verse, expounding on her love for the physical world and the powerful bonds between all living things. Identified as "far and away, this country's best selling poet" by Dwight Garner, she now returns with a stunning and definitive collection of her writing from the last fifty years.

Carefully curated, these 200 plus poems feature Oliver's work from her very first book of poetry, No Voyage and Other Poems , published in 1963 at the age of 28, through her most recent collection, Felicity , published in 2015. This timeless volume, arranged by Oliver herself, showcases the beloved poet at her edifying best. Within these pages, she provides us with an extraordinary and invaluable collection of her passionate, perceptive, and much-treasured observations of the natural world.]]> 480 Mary Oliver 0399563261 Isabelle 0 4.52 2017 Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
author: Mary Oliver
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.52
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/07
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> Trouble 7781219
But Trouble comes careening down the road one night in the form of a pickup truck that strikes Henry’s older brother, Franklin. In the truck is Chay Chouan, a young Cambodian from Franklin’s preparatory school, and the accident sparks racial tensions in the school—and in the well-established town where Henry’s family has lived for generations. Caught between anger and grief, Henry sets out to do the only thing he can think of: climb Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, which he and Franklin were going to climb together. Along with Black Dog, whom Henry has rescued from drowning, and a friend, Henry leaves without his parents� knowledge. The journey, both exhilarating and dangerous, turns into an odyssey of discovery about himself, his older sister, Louisa, his ancestry, and why one can never escape from Trouble.]]> 304 Gary D. Schmidt 0547331339 Isabelle 5 3.87 2008 Trouble
author: Gary D. Schmidt
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2022/01/31
date added: 2025/02/07
shelves: books-i-ve-annotated, books-i-ve-read-for-school, books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> Isola 212806636 A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this epic saga of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam.

Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends her guardian’s servant and the two develop an intense attraction. But when their relationship is discovered, they are brutally punished and abandoned on a small island with no hope for rescue.

Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.

Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival.]]> 368 Allegra Goodman 0593730089 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.99 2025 Isola
author: Allegra Goodman
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, #1)]]> 202102032 It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG� and “MY HOUSE� when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing� and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.]]> 325 Jen DeLuca 0593641213 Isabelle 5
I don't usually like dual POVs, especially reading from the man's perspective. However, I was pleasantly surprised thay I enjoyed both perspectives. I love the history and mystery elements of this cute story. Their relationship developed before they became involved ❤️

Highly recommend!]]> 3.66 2024 Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, #1)
author: Jen DeLuca
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/02
date added: 2025/02/02
shelves:
review:
I've found my new favorite romance read! This is the cutest story with all my favorite elements. Set in a haunted town in Florida, it works as a fun summer read but also a spooky October read.

I don't usually like dual POVs, especially reading from the man's perspective. However, I was pleasantly surprised thay I enjoyed both perspectives. I love the history and mystery elements of this cute story. Their relationship developed before they became involved ❤️

Highly recommend!
]]> Secrets and Masks 58823695
Hermione is the most lethal soldier in The Order, spending her days on rescue missions to free captured Muggleborn slaves and fight on the front line.
For years, she's been meeting in secret with a spy within Voldemort's ranks to exchange information.

But, when she's captured and made prisoner at Malfoy Manor, of all the dark and evil ways she'd envisioned Malfoy would torture her, she never quite imagined anything this horrific.]]> 1399 Emerald_Slytherin Isabelle 0 to-read 4.43 2021 Secrets and Masks
author: Emerald_Slytherin
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Midnight Arrow 223163012 “Tell me a secret, little witch.�

Marion enjoys her quiet life of solitude in the shadowy woods of the Black Veil, where even the local villagers don’t dare venture. She sells her healing potions at the village market by day and tends to her otherworldly garden by night, caring for her magical bees and furry familiar, Peek, at their cottage.

Then, one moonlit night, she encounters a devilishly handsome male—with powerful wings, sharp fangs, and high fae-like beauty—shot through with a lethal poisoned arrow.

Under her healer’s oath, she’s bound by magic to try to save the mysterious stranger. But as she nurses him back to health, she begins to suspect that Lorik Ravael isn’t quite what he seems. He knows too much about the Black Veil, rumored to be the entrance to the Below, a realm of dangerous magic and soulless monsters. Yet she’s drawn to him, bewitched by his luminous eyes, seductive grin, and silver tongue of riddles.

But as their forbidden desire ignites, she fears Lorik is hiding darker secrets than she imagined—secrets that could cost her a heart she isn’t willing to give.

The Midnight Arrow was previously published in The Lovely A Monster Romance Anthology by Emma Hamm, Juliette Cross, and Zoey Draven. This edition includes a bonus short story and can be read as a standalone.]]> 236 Zoey Draven Isabelle 0 to-read 3.93 2025 The Midnight Arrow
author: Zoey Draven
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Expiration Dates 176443178
From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.

Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for.]]> 272 Rebecca Serle 1982166827 Isabelle 2
My biggest pet peeve is er never discovered where these pieces of paper come from. I mean, the universe couldn't have thrown them her way. But I guess we'll never know.]]> 3.58 2024 Expiration Dates
author: Rebecca Serle
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/01/23
date added: 2025/01/23
shelves:
review:
Another audiobook down for the commute. Unfortunately, this one did not live up to its expectations. Despite the genre being romance, I never felt invested in a couple, nor any chemistry from any of the characters. This story focused more on Daphne's character growth through trauma and how it affects her ability to engage with relationships.

My biggest pet peeve is er never discovered where these pieces of paper come from. I mean, the universe couldn't have thrown them her way. But I guess we'll never know.
]]> <![CDATA[Kill Joy (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #0.5)]]> 62649000 Welcome to the murder mystery party of the year! Fans of the hit series A Good Girl's Guide to Murder will love Pip's final detective case in this mystery novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Jackson.

Six suspects. Three hours. One murder...

Pip is not in the mood for her friend's murder mystery party. Especially one that involves 1920's fancy dress and pretending that their town is an island called Joy. But when the game begins, Pip finds herself drawn into the make-believe world of intrigue, deception and murder.

But as Pip plays detective, teasing out the identity of the killer clue-by-clue, the murder of the fictional Reginald Remy isn't the only case on her mind ...]]> 119 Holly Jackson 0593426215 Isabelle 4 books-i-physically-own
However, I found myself invested in the storyline as it progressed. When the ending was revealed, I found it to be a great insight into Pip's character as well as the origin of how she got involved with the Andie Bell case.]]> 3.75 2021 Kill Joy (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #0.5)
author: Holly Jackson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/21
date added: 2025/01/21
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
At first, I wasn't a huge fan of this novella. It was a cute idea to add a more fun "murder" mystery through a game night prior to the original series.

However, I found myself invested in the storyline as it progressed. When the ending was revealed, I found it to be a great insight into Pip's character as well as the origin of how she got involved with the Andie Bell case.
]]> As Good as Dead 61356506 THE MUST-READ MULTIMILLION BESTSELLING MYSTERY SERIES - The final book in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series that reads like your favorite true crime podcast or show. By the end, you'll never think of good girls the same way again...

Pip is about to head to college, but she is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She's used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but she can't help noticing an anonymous person who keeps asking her: Who will look for you when you're the one who disappears?

Soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When she starts to find connections between her stalker and a local serial killer caught six years ago, she wonders if maybe the wrong man is behind bars.

Police refuse to act, so Pip has only one choice: find the suspect herself--or be the next victim. As the deadly game plays out, Pip discovers that everything in her small town is coming full circle . . .and if she doesn't find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears. . .]]> 480 Holly Jackson 0593379888 Isabelle 5 books-i-physically-own 4.15 2021 As Good as Dead
author: Holly Jackson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/19
date added: 2025/01/19
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
Wow. I'm truly at a loss for words. This is by far my favorite book of the series. I hardly get spooked or scared by scary t.v. shows or movies, but I have never felt that way with a book before. However, I can attest that the first half of this book left me worrisome of nightmares because of my anxiety levels
]]> <![CDATA[Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World]]> 13497505 New York Times Bestseller!

As a college student he spent 16 days in the Pacific Ocean with five guys and a crate of canned meat. As a father he took his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state. He made friends in Uganda, and they liked him so much he became the Ugandan consul. He pursued his wife for three years before she agreed to date him. His grades weren't good enough to get into law school, so he sat on a bench outside the Dean's office for seven days until they finally let him enroll.

Bob Goff has become something of a legend, and his friends consider him the world's best-kept secret. Those same friends have long insisted he write a book. What follows are paradigm shifts, musings, and stories from one of the world's most delightfully engaging and winsome people. What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action. Bob believes Love Does.

When Love Does, life gets interesting. Each day turns into a hilarious, whimsical, meaningful chance that makes faith simple and real. Each chapter is a story that forms a book, a life. And this is one life you don't want to miss.

Light and fun, unique and profound, the lessons drawn from Bob's life and attitude just might inspire you to be secretly incredible, too.]]> 224 Bob Goff 1400203759 Isabelle 0 4.31 2012 Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World
author: Bob Goff
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/18
shelves: to-read, books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> The Lottery 6219656
“The Lottery� stands out as one of the most famous short stories in American literary history. Originally published in The New Yorker, the author immediately began receiving letters from readers who demanded an explanation of the story’s meaning. “The Lottery� has been adapted for stage, television, radio and film.
]]> 30 Shirley Jackson 1563127873 Isabelle 4
Reading this with the 8th graders in class]]> 4.08 1948 The Lottery
author: Shirley Jackson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1948
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/15
date added: 2025/01/15
shelves:
review:
� MS Read

Reading this with the 8th graders in class
]]> Ready or Not 154462768
Eve Hatch is pretty content with her life. Her apartment in Brooklyn is cozy and close to her childhood best friend Willa, but far from her midwestern, traditional family who never really understood her. While her job is only dream- adjacent , she’s hoping her passion and hard work will soon help her land a more glamorous role. And sure, her most recent romantic history has consisted of not one but two disappointing men named Derek. At least she always knows what to expect…until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.

The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve's loyalĚýfriendship with Willa is feeling off , right when she needs her most. And it’s Willa’s steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help. He has always been friendly, but now he’s checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and isâ€� suddenly kinda hot? Then there’s the baby's father, who is supportive but conflicted. Before long, Eve is rethinking everything she thought she knew about herself and her world.

Over the course of nine months, as Eve struggles to figure out the next right step in her expanding reality, she begins to realize that family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.]]> 400 Cara Bastone 0593595718 Isabelle 5
What a cute little story to start off going back to school in January! While most people I know are not fans of the pregnancy trope, thinking it's cliche or cheesy, I actually think it's one of my favorites. I think this novel does it well, by not making it overdramatic.

It has a really good message regarding living with the unexpected and embracing change. Cute romance!]]> 3.96 2024 Ready or Not
author: Cara Bastone
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/15
date added: 2025/01/15
shelves:
review:
� Audiobook

What a cute little story to start off going back to school in January! While most people I know are not fans of the pregnancy trope, thinking it's cliche or cheesy, I actually think it's one of my favorites. I think this novel does it well, by not making it overdramatic.

It has a really good message regarding living with the unexpected and embracing change. Cute romance!
]]> <![CDATA[Januaries: Stories of Love, Magic & Betrayal]]> 203579233 Januaries is a collection of new and iconic short stories and novellas from New York Times bestselling author Olivie Blake.

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, the tutelary spirit to a magical bridge rapidly approaches burnout. Meanwhile, congress enacts a complex auditing system designed to un-waste your youth, a banished fairy answers a Craigslist ad, a Victorian orphan gains literacy for her occult situationship, and a multiverse assassin contemplates the one who got away. Escape the slow trudge of mortality with these magical ruminations on life, death, and the love (or revenge) that outlasts both, featuring modified fairytales, contemporary heists, absurdist poetry, and at least one set of actual wedding vows.]]> 391 Olivie Blake 1250330688 Isabelle 0 3.87 2024 Januaries: Stories of Love, Magic & Betrayal
author: Olivie Blake
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/12
shelves: to-read, books-i-physically-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)]]> 103452565 One Dark Window, Elspeth must confront the weight of her actions as she andĚýRavynĚýembark on a perilous quest toĚýsave the kingdom—perfect for readersĚýofĚýHannah Whitten's For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson's The Year of the Witching.

Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last—and most important—one remains to be the Twin Alders. If they’re going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspeth’s head: the Nightmare.

And he’s not eager to share any longer.

Praise forĚýOne Dark Window:

"Enthralling from beginning to shocking end."Ěý—Hannah Whitten,ĚýNew York Times bestselling author ofĚýFor the Wolf

"Pulse pounding, darkly whimsical, and aglow with treacherous magic."Ěý—Allison Saft,ĚýNew York TimesĚýbestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic]]> 430 Rachel Gillig 0316312711 Isabelle 0 4.52 2023 Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.52
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/12
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)]]> 58340706
Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.]]> 399 Rachel Gillig 0316312487 Isabelle 0 4.25 2022 One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)
author: Rachel Gillig
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/12
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[All Things New: Joining God's Story of Re-Creation]]> 42182641 Ěý
Starting in Genesis and working through the Scriptures, All Things New will take you on a journey into the very heart of God and His relentless passion to redeem lives, heal the nations, rewire the culture, and bring renewal to all of creation.
Ěý
As we immerse ourselves in the greatest story ever told we find our ultimate sense of belonging, our purpose in the present and our hope for the future. We become actors in this unfolding drama, pushing forward God’s purposes for the world and joining His mission to make all things new.
Ěý]]> 336 Pete Hughes 0830775706 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.27 All Things New: Joining God's Story of Re-Creation
author: Pete Hughes
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.27
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/01/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God]]> 210137897
The parables are some of Jesus's best-known teachings, but they are also some of the least understood. Even the disciples weren't always sure what they meant. This book of powerful and carefully curated new material from the late author Dallas Willard helps us understand the heart of Jesus's kingdom-focused parables, why Jesus chose story to communicate life's deepest truths, and how these stories told over two thousand years ago are still revolutionary and even shocking in showing us how to live out of the abundance of God's kingdom on earth today.

With the rich insights and biblical scholarship common to all of Willard's works,ĚýThe Scandal of the KingdomĚýhelps

Become more passionate about living the gospel in the full scope of Jesus's vision for usBetter share the faith of Jesus with those disillusioned with ChristianityUnlock the excitement of living in the upside-down kingdom of GodĚý

The Scandal of the KingdomĚýis for anyone

Wants to understand Jesus's teachings but is confused about what his parables meanLoves Dallas Willard's classic works such asĚýThe Divine ConspiracyĚýandĚýLife Without LackEnjoys deep teachings about spiritual formation from authors such as John Mark Comer, Richard Foster, and Eugene PetersonWants to share the gospel of Jesus in the way he didĚý

Our need for us to contemplate, engage, and savor the meaning of Jesus's stories, rather than understand them immediately, is part of their underlying value. These teachings will help us unlock the deep meaning and surprise of the wonderful and "scandalous" parables of Jesus.]]> 288 Dallas Willard 0310367948 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.48 The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God
author: Dallas Willard
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.48
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/01/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Tchaikovsky's Empire: A New Life of Russia's Greatest Composer]]> 210129463 A thrilling new biography of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky—composer of some of the world’s most popular orchestral and theatrical music
Ěý
Tchaikovsky is famous for all the wrong reasons. Portrayed as a hopeless romantic, a suffering melancholic, or a morbid obsessive, the Tchaikovsky we think we know is a shadow of the fascinating reality. It is all too easy to forget that he composed an empire’s worth of music, and navigated the imperial Russian court to great advantage.
Ěý
In this iconoclastic biography, celebrated author Simon Morrison re-creates Tchaikovsky’s complex world. His life and art were framed by Russian national ambition, and his work was the emanation of an imperial kaleidoscopic, capacious, cosmopolitan, decentred.
Ěý
Morrison reexamines the relationship between Tchaikovsky’s music, personal life, and politics; his support of Tsars Alexander II and III; and his engagement with the cultures of the imperial margins, in Ukraine, Poland, and the Caucasus. Tchaikovsky’s Empire unsettles everything we thought we knew—and gives us a vivid new appreciation of Russia’s most popular composer.]]> 384 Simon Morrison 030019210X Isabelle 0 to-read 2.95 Tchaikovsky's Empire: A New Life of Russia's Greatest Composer
author: Simon Morrison
name: Isabelle
average rating: 2.95
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/01/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> A Botanical Daughter 156415922 Mexican Gothic meets The Lie Tree by way of Oscar Wilde and Mary Shelley in this delightfully witty horror debut. A captivating tale of two Victorian gentlemen hiding their relationship away in a botanical garden who embark on a Frankenstein-style experiment with unexpected consequences.

It is an unusual thing, to live in a botanical garden. But Simon and Gregor are an unusual pair of gentlemen. Hidden away in their glass sanctuary from the disapproving tattle of Victorian London, they are free to follow their own interests without interference. For Simon, this means long hours in the dark basement workshop, working his taxidermical art. Gregor's business is exotic plants � lucrative, but harmless enough. Until his latest acquisition, a strange fungus which shows signs of intellect beyond any plant he's seen, inspires him to attempt a masterwork: true intelligent life from plant matter.

Driven by the glory he'll earn from the Royal Horticultural Society for such an achievement, Gregor ignores the flaws in his plan: that intelligence cannot be controlled; that plants cannot be reasoned with; and that the only way his plant-beast will flourish is if he uses a recently deceased corpse for the substrate.

The experiment � or Chloe, as she is named � outstrips even Gregor's expectations, entangling their strange household. But as Gregor's experiment flourishes, he wilts under the cost of keeping it hidden from jealous eyes. The mycelium grows apace in this sultry greenhouse. But who is cultivating whom?

Told with wit and warmth, this is an extraordinary tale of family, fungus and more than a dash of bloody revenge from an exciting new voice in queer horror.]]> 384 Noah Medlock 1803365927 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.63 2024 A Botanical Daughter
author: Noah Medlock
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways]]> 409671 154 Lysa TerKeurst 0736919228 Isabelle 4
This book helped guide me to realizing I could not sustain a life of discontent without seeing repercussions in my mental health, spiritual life, and friend group. I needed to look at my new circumstances through God's eyes. What was His reasoning? What is His purpose? How has He planned for me to grow or to help others in this season? I will continue to uncover answers as I step into a new mentality for my job. I am trusting that the Lord has a plan that is meant for my individual as well as others' good.

While this book had one too many examples that left me wondering how many of these were real, I am grateful for Lysa's insight. Here's to a joyful year!]]> 4.31 2007 What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways
author: Lysa TerKeurst
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/05
date added: 2025/01/05
shelves:
review:
This book was gifted to me by a lovely friend who knew I needed some encouragement through a difficult season---jumping into a career field I never planned on entering or desired to join. I was hesitant going into the book, because I wanted to hold on to bitterness and complaining. However, I took the leap of faith and read to listen for God's speech to me.

This book helped guide me to realizing I could not sustain a life of discontent without seeing repercussions in my mental health, spiritual life, and friend group. I needed to look at my new circumstances through God's eyes. What was His reasoning? What is His purpose? How has He planned for me to grow or to help others in this season? I will continue to uncover answers as I step into a new mentality for my job. I am trusting that the Lord has a plan that is meant for my individual as well as others' good.

While this book had one too many examples that left me wondering how many of these were real, I am grateful for Lysa's insight. Here's to a joyful year!
]]> Tender Is the Flesh 49090884
His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.� Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing.

Then one day he’s given a a live specimen of the finest quality. Though he’s aware that any form of personal contact is forbidden on pain of death, little by little he starts to treat her like a human being. And soon, he becomes tortured by what has been lost—and what might still be saved.]]> 209 Agustina Bazterrica 1982150920 Isabelle 0 3.75 2017 Tender Is the Flesh
author: Agustina Bazterrica
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/29
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> Carmilla 55648601 Carmilla is the original vampire story, steeped in the sexual tension between two young women and gothic romance.

In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, teenaged Laura leads a solitary life with only her father, attendant and tutor for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest—the beautiful Carmilla.

So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her entrancing new companion, one defined by mysterious happenings and infused with an implicit but undeniable eroticism. As Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day...]]> 156 J. Sheridan Le Fanu 1782275843 Isabelle 0 3.90 1872 Carmilla
author: J. Sheridan Le Fanu
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1872
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/29
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> The Wives: A Memoir 176443920
When her new husband joins an elite Army unit, Simone Gorrindo is uprooted from New York City and dropped into Columbus, Georgia. With her husband frequently deployed, Simone is left to find her place in this new world, alone—until she meets the wives.

Gorrindo gives us an intimate look into the inner lives of a remarkable group of women and a tender, unflinching portrait of a marriage. A love story, an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, and a bracing tour of the intractable divisions that plague our country today, The Wives offers a rare and powerful gift: a hopeful stitch in the fabric of a torn America.]]> 416 Simone Gorrindo 1982178493 Isabelle 4
This memoir is from a woman who had zero knowledge of the military life until she was thrust into it after marrying her husband. Her story goes over the phenomenal community of military wives supporting each other when all their husbands are deployed. How does one cope with the anxiety of saying goodbye to a loved one that may not return? How does one focus on creating an individual life when their partner is separated thousands of miles away?

Simone Gorrindo does a great job of explaining the military life without assuming her audience is familiar with all the terminology, customs, or expectations of the military. I'm so grateful for her vulnerability in sharing her story as well as exposing the world to a severely underrepresented culture.]]> 3.73 2024 The Wives: A Memoir
author: Simone Gorrindo
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/27
date added: 2024/12/27
shelves:
review:
As a military child, I have always been an advocate for more military stories that are not solely focused on soldiers in war. The experiences of the wives and children left behind are stories untold of bravery, comradery, and true friendship.

This memoir is from a woman who had zero knowledge of the military life until she was thrust into it after marrying her husband. Her story goes over the phenomenal community of military wives supporting each other when all their husbands are deployed. How does one cope with the anxiety of saying goodbye to a loved one that may not return? How does one focus on creating an individual life when their partner is separated thousands of miles away?

Simone Gorrindo does a great job of explaining the military life without assuming her audience is familiar with all the terminology, customs, or expectations of the military. I'm so grateful for her vulnerability in sharing her story as well as exposing the world to a severely underrepresented culture.
]]> <![CDATA[Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #2)]]> 58496727 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestseller, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder! More dark secrets are exposed in this addictive, true-crime fueled mystery.

Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way... and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it's too late?]]> 416 Holly Jackson 1984896431 Isabelle 5 books-i-physically-own 4.25 2020 Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #2)
author: Holly Jackson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/27
date added: 2024/12/27
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
Despite the first book taking me some time to get through it, I blazed through the sequel! I was hooked in automatically. While the previous book focused on a plot where the murder occurred in the past, this plot focused more on a missing person case, where it could end in survival or murder. I think the stakes were much higher, AND I loved the background drop at the end about a serial killer in the universe. I'm excited to finish the series soon, even if that means having to let go of characters
]]> <![CDATA[Christmas at Hogwarts (Harry Potter #1.5)]]> 209269064 “Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.�

So begins Chapter Twelve of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and the heartwarming story of Harry Potter’s first Christmas at Hogwarts. From the Great Hall decked with magnificent fir trees to cozy evenings in the Gryffindor Common Room to the joy of presents on Christmas morning, it’s a holiday filled with warmth, friendship, good food, and magical surprises that Harry will never forget.

With text drawn directly from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and luminous illustrations by artist Ziyi Gao, this favorite moment from one of the most beloved books of all time is now fully illustrated for the whole family to enjoy. Sure to be treasured by Harry Potter fans of all ages, Christmas at Hogwarts is the perfect gift, destined to become an enchanting new holiday tradition.]]> 48 J.K. Rowling 1546129952 Isabelle 5 books-i-physically-own 4.51 2024 Christmas at Hogwarts (Harry Potter #1.5)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.51
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/25
date added: 2024/12/25
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
The perfect Christmas read on a Christmas morning ❤️
]]> <![CDATA[Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always]]> 60492093
If there’s one name for Jesus that captures the whole heart of God, it is Emmanuel —God with us. No other name similarly expresses the fullness of God’s eternal desire for His image-bearers. He’s always wanted us to be with Him.

From the bestselling author and artist behind GraceLaced and Beholding and Becoming comes this gorgeously illustrated Advent exploration of what it means to intimately experience God’s presence in our daily lives. Ruth Chou Simons welcomes you and your family to partake in a season of surrender as you discover the true miracle behind that while we journey to grow in our relationships with Jesus, He has already come so He can be with us forever.

Christmas Day is not the end of our celebrations, but the beginning! Emmanuel is an invitation to rejoice in the everlasting fellowship and hope God extended to us on the day of His Son’s birth, guiding us to realize that having God with us all year long is Christmas’s most incredible gift.]]> 240 Ruth Chou Simons 0736984968 Isabelle 5 books-i-physically-own 4.63 Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always
author: Ruth Chou Simons
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.63
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/25
date added: 2024/12/25
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
I've never done an Advent devotional before this year. I'm so blessed to have a Christian friend who sends me amazing books to encourage me during different seasons. This was a beautiful devotional with stunning artistry. While I was behind several times, I truly felt my heart was in a better place to reflect the true meaning of Christmas this year.
]]> <![CDATA[The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World (A 100-Day Devotional Journal)]]> 38915699 240 Alli Worthington 0310094895 Isabelle 0 3.96 The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World (A 100-Day Devotional Journal)
author: Alli Worthington
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.96
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/25
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #1)]]> 55371143
Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.


And don't miss the sequel, Good Girl, Bad Blood!]]> 389 Holly Jackson 1984896393 Isabelle 4 books-i-physically-own
While several things were changed during the book to television adaptation, I think the show was a faithful rendition of the original story. The important parts were included, and it makes me excited to see how they do for season two. My only complaint is that I wish there had been more Pip and Ravi content in the show. The book sets up a great chemistry between our very own Holmes and Watson.]]> 4.31 2019 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #1)
author: Holly Jackson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/24
date added: 2024/12/24
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
When I first started reading this book, I had started teaching for the first time. I quickly found myself lacking energy and desire to pursue my love of reading with all the energy sucked out of me daily. After having watched season one of AGGGTM, I hoped I'd enjoy the series. However, I decided to take a break in case I would enjoy the story better during a break when I didn't have to think about school. I'm so glad I made that choice. I finished it months later during Christmas break.

While several things were changed during the book to television adaptation, I think the show was a faithful rendition of the original story. The important parts were included, and it makes me excited to see how they do for season two. My only complaint is that I wish there had been more Pip and Ravi content in the show. The book sets up a great chemistry between our very own Holmes and Watson.
]]> <![CDATA[People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations]]> 210136975 Are you a people pleaser? Can you even begin to measure how the approval of others has shaped your heart and mind? Your faith and relationships? Your habits and identity? InĚýPeople Pleaser,ĚýNew York TimesĚýbestselling author Jinger Vuolo shares her personal journey of constantly seeking approval from others and how she found her true identity.

From childhood to early adulthood, Jinger Duggar Vuolo followed the expectations of others, never taking the time to discover who she truly was. It wasn't until she asked herself the question, "Who am I?" that she realized she was a people pleaser. This realization led her on a journey of self-discovery and ultimately, to rely on God for her approval and sense of self-worth.

Through her faith and reliance on God, Jinger began to break free from the need for approval and discover true freedom. This book is a guide for anyone struggling with people-pleasing tendencies and seeking to find their true identity and purpose in life. Learn how to:

- discover the beauty of community and how we were made to enjoy others,
- identify sin and how it can hinder your ability to be in community with one another,
- diagnose yourself with ruthless honesty but without judgement, and
- understand who you are in God's eyes.Ěý

Jinger hopes this book will inspire others to embark on a similar journey towards freedom.]]> 224 Jinger Duggar Vuolo 140034171X Isabelle 0 to-read 3.55 People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations
author: Jinger Duggar Vuolo
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.55
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/24
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Christmas Carol Facsimile 42767960 A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens. It was first published by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843. It tells the story of a bitter old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation resulting from a supernatural visit by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.

The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. The book was written and published in early Victorian era Britain, a period when there was strong nostalgia for old Christmas traditions together with the introduction of new customs, such as Christmas trees and greeting cards. Dickens' sources for the tale appear to be many and varied, but are, principally, the humiliating experiences of his childhood, his sympathy for the poor, and various Christmas stories and fairy tales.]]> 208 Charles Dickens 1788886437 Isabelle 5 books-i-physically-own 4.44 1843 Christmas Carol Facsimile
author: Charles Dickens
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.44
book published: 1843
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/15
date added: 2024/12/15
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
Probably one of the few classics I actually enjoyed.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter: Official Christmas Cookbook]]> 101162352
Celebrate Christmas like Harry, Ron, and Hermione with over 50 recipes inspired by holiday celebrations in the Harry Potter films!

Filled with fan favorites like treacle tart and Yule Ball-inspired appetizers and
punches to classic British dishes such as Neville Longbottom’s Toad in a Hole and Bubble and Squeak, there are sweet treats, hearty entrees, and delicious drinks for every holiday time gathering, from small family dinners to parties for friends and neighbors.

Harry Official Christmas Cookbook features full color photography, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to ensure every cook makes magic in the kitchen.

INSPIRED BY THE HARRY POTTER FILMS : Includes recipes for delicious dishes inspired by the Christmas celebrations experienced in the Harry Potter films.
50+ RECIPES : Fan favorites like Treacle Tart and Christmas Figgy Pudding will bring the magic of the Wizarding world into the comfort of your home.
EASY-TO-FOLLOW Create enchanting meals with recipes that bring the magic of the Wizarding world into your own celebrations.
STUNNING IMAGES : Full-color photos of the recipe help ensure cooking success.
FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL : Recipes adult fans can make and enjoy, from simple appetizers to grand finale desserts.]]> 176 Elena Craig 8886630883 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.23 Harry Potter: Official Christmas Cookbook
author: Elena Craig
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.23
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter: A Magical Year � The Illustrations of Jim Kay]]> 57892922 A unique and beautiful gift book celebrating the art of Jim Kay � 366 magical moments from J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, evoked in spellbinding brushstrokes, characterful ink work, and illuminating pencil sketches.

This irresistible gift book takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the seasons at Hogwarts. Jim Kay’s captivating illustrations, paired with much-loved quotations from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels � one moment, anniversary, or memory for every day of the year � bring to life all of the magic, beauty, and wonder of the wizarding world.

Jim Kay has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2015. Now, in Harry Potter: A Magical Year, a selection of Kay’s most iconic illustrations are joined by previously unseen pencil sketches and preparatory pieces, offering unique and fascinating insight into the artist’s sketchbook.

From the snowy towers of Hogwarts, to the dancing eyes of Professor Albus Dumbledore, to the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley, this visual feast is the perfect companion for readers of all ages, at any point on their Harry Potter journey, and a gift to cherish for years to come.]]> 240 J.K. Rowling 1338809970 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.48 2021 Harry Potter: A Magical Year – The Illustrations of Jim Kay
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> A December to Remember 75670216 Three bickering half sisters. One unique antiques shop. The coziest holiday season of their lives.

Wildly different half sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star have hardly seen one another since their sprightly summers at Rowan Thorp, their eccentric father Augustus’s home. Known for his bustling approach to the knick-knack shop he ran, Augustus was loved by all and known by none, not even his daughters.

Now, years later, the three estranged women are called upon for the reading of Augustus’s will and quickly realize he's orchestrated a series of hoops through which they must jump to unlock their inheritance—the last thing any of them want to do. But Maggie and Star desperately need the money. And who would Simone be to resist?Ěý

Through hilarious goose chases, small-town mishaps, and one heart-warming winter solstice celebration, love, hope, and reconcilation is in the air, if only the three sisters can let themselves grasp it.]]> 413 Jenny Bayliss 0593422244 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.68 2023 A December to Remember
author: Jenny Bayliss
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Better Than the Movies (Better Than the Movies, #1)]]> 55710822 In this rom-com about rom-coms, in the spirit of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, a hopeless romantic teen attempts to secure a happily-ever-after moment with her forever crush, but finds herself reluctantly drawn to the boy next door.

Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar - and maybe snag him as a prom date - even befriend Wes Bennet.

The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic-comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love - and rethink her own ideas of what happily ever after should look like.]]> 356 Lynn Painter 1534467629 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.28 2021 Better Than the Movies (Better Than the Movies, #1)
author: Lynn Painter
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Co-op 203578886 By that logic, hate and construction may as well be condemned.

LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds had one short and contentious summer fling when they were teens.
Certainly nothing to build a foundation on.
But a decade later, when their grandmothers have left them with shared ownership of their dilapidated Santa Cruz building, they're thrust back together and have to figure out how to brace up the pieces.
LaRynn has the money, but to access her trust, she has to be married.
Deacon has the construction expertise, but lacks the funds.
A deal is struck: Marry for however long it takes to fix up the property, collect a profit, and cut ties.
Thrust into a home without walls, they quickly learn that it's easy to hide behind emotional ones, even in a marriage. But, with all the exposure and pitfalls that come with living with the opposite sex (and none of the perks) they'll also have to learn what it means to truly co-operate as a team.

The Co-op is a steamy story about restoration and renovation, and uncovering all the things that build character within ourselves. It's about the never-ending construction project that partnership is, and finding enjoyment at every stage.]]> 352 Tarah DeWitt 1250329388 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.59 2022 The Co-op
author: Tarah DeWitt
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Banned Book Club 51056298
This was during South Korea's Fifth Republic, a military regime that entrenched its power through censorship, torture, and the murder of protestors. In this charged political climate, with Molotov cocktails flying and fellow students disappearing for hours and returning with bruises, Hyun Sook sought refuge in the comfort of books. When the handsome young editor of the school newspaper invited her to his reading group, she expected to pop into the cafeteria to talk about Moby Dick, Hamlet, and The Scarlet Letter. Instead she found herself hiding in a basement as the youngest member of an underground banned book club. And as Hyun Sook soon discovered, in a totalitarian regime, the delights of discovering great works of illicit literature are quickly overshadowed by fear and violence as the walls close in.

In Banned Book Club, Hyun Sook shares a dramatic true story of political division, fear-mongering, anti-intellectualism, the death of democratic institutions, and the relentless rebellion of reading.]]> 198 Kim Hyun Sook 194582042X Isabelle 4 books-i-physically-own
It saddens me to know that this book contains so many people's experiences---ones that can damage people for life. Yet, these students who stood up for justice and freedom are the ones who paved the way for change. I'm grateful to know that there are still people across the globe who fight for transformation in their countries.

If you are interested in getting a closer look of this time, definitely pick up this graphic novel! It was very quick at the beginning and other scenes, which made it difficult to fully understand what was happening, but it still was an amazing story to experience.]]> 3.98 2020 Banned Book Club
author: Kim Hyun Sook
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/01
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
One of my favorite things about graphic novels is finding unique stories that represent different cultures and life experiences. I was instantly intrigued when I saw this in the bookstore. After reading the summary, I couldn't wait to hear about South Korea in the 1980s, censoring books due to a political agenda.

It saddens me to know that this book contains so many people's experiences---ones that can damage people for life. Yet, these students who stood up for justice and freedom are the ones who paved the way for change. I'm grateful to know that there are still people across the globe who fight for transformation in their countries.

If you are interested in getting a closer look of this time, definitely pick up this graphic novel! It was very quick at the beginning and other scenes, which made it difficult to fully understand what was happening, but it still was an amazing story to experience.
]]> <![CDATA[The Nightmare Before Kissmas (Royals and Romance, #1)]]> 207200706 Featuring beautiful ruby sprayed edges!

Red, White & Royal Blue meets The Nightmare Before Christmas in a sexy, quirky rom-com where the golden-hearted Prince of Christmas falls for the totally off-limits Prince of Halloween.

Nicholas “Coal� Claus used to love Christmas. Until his father, the reigning Santa, turned the holiday into a PR façade. Coal will do anything to escape the spectacle, including getting tangled in a drunken, supremely hot make-out session with a beautiful man behind a seedy bar one night.

But the heir to Christmas is soon commanded to do his he will marry his best friend, Iris, the Easter Princess and his brother’s not-so-secret crush. A situation that has disaster written all over it.

Things go from bad to worse when a rival arrives to challenge Coal for the princess’s hand…and Coal comes face-to-face with his mysterious behind-the-bar Hex, the Prince of Halloween.

It’s a fake competition between two holiday princes who can’t keep their hands off each other over a marriage of convenience that no one wants. And it all leads to one of the sweetest, sexiest, messiest, most delightfully unforgettable love stories of the year.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]> 304 Sara Raasch 1250333202 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.96 2024 The Nightmare Before Kissmas (Royals and Romance, #1)
author: Sara Raasch
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God]]> 52545499 Native is about identity, soul-searching, and being on the never-ending journey of finding ourselves and finding God. As both a member of the Potawatomi Nation and a Christian, Kaitlin Curtice offers a unique perspective on these topics. In this book, she shows how reconnecting with her Native American roots both informs and challenges her Christian faith.

Drawing on the narrative of her personal journey and the poetry, imagery, and stories of the Potawatomi people, Curtice addresses themes at the forefront of today's discussions of faith and culture in a positive and constructive way. She encourages us to embrace our own origins and to share and listen to each other's stories so we can build a more inclusive and diverse future for the church. Each of our stories matters for the church to be truly whole. As Curtice shares what it means to experience her faith through the lens of her Indigenous heritage, she reveals that a vibrant spirituality has its origins in identity, belonging, and a sense of place.]]> 192 Kaitlin B. Curtice 1587434318 Isabelle 0 4.24 2020 Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God
author: Kaitlin B. Curtice
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/29
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> Masters of Death 61884928 From Olivie Blake, the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six comes Masters of Death, a story about vampires, ghosts, and death itself!

Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. But her biggest problem currently is that the house she needs to sell is haunted. The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on.

Fox D’Mora is a medium, and though is also most-definitely a shameless fraud, he isn’t entirely without his uses—seeing as he’s actually the godson of Death.

When Viola seeks out Fox to help her with her ghost-infested mansion, he becomes inextricably involved in a quest that neither he nor Vi expects (or wants). But with the help of an unruly poltergeist, a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel, a love-stricken reaper, and a few high-functioning creatures, Vi and Fox soon discover the difference between a mysterious lost love and an annoying dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as they thought.]]> 384 Olivie Blake 1250892465 Isabelle 5 books-i-physically-own
This story is so deeply intricate in a way that makes its plot unexplainable. The best way I could share about the mystery that unravels is that this story is a neverending circle that doesn't quite meet at the end, so it starts a new circle, creating an endless beautiful circular pattern.

The characters, despite their different stages of life and stories, intertwine and connect in the most beautiful way. I am so connected to each of these characters, and I'm so sad to only see them for one book. Olivie Blake, this novel is amazing---an awestruck tale of love and loss, of mortality and immortality, and the cost of it all. I look forward to one day rereading this masterpiece with the knowledge of how everything wraps up.

Until then, I encourage everyone to pick this story up and dive head first into this extraordinary experience. Meet the Masters of Death firsthand!]]> 3.77 2018 Masters of Death
author: Olivie Blake
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/29
date added: 2024/11/29
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
I believe I have found my new favorite book of all time! Wow! What a journey Olivie Blake brought me through.

This story is so deeply intricate in a way that makes its plot unexplainable. The best way I could share about the mystery that unravels is that this story is a neverending circle that doesn't quite meet at the end, so it starts a new circle, creating an endless beautiful circular pattern.

The characters, despite their different stages of life and stories, intertwine and connect in the most beautiful way. I am so connected to each of these characters, and I'm so sad to only see them for one book. Olivie Blake, this novel is amazing---an awestruck tale of love and loss, of mortality and immortality, and the cost of it all. I look forward to one day rereading this masterpiece with the knowledge of how everything wraps up.

Until then, I encourage everyone to pick this story up and dive head first into this extraordinary experience. Meet the Masters of Death firsthand!
]]> <![CDATA[Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1]]> 52757827 When children begin to go missing in the town of Archer’s Peak, all hope seems lost until a mysterious woman arrives to reveal that terrifying creatures are behind the chaos - and that she alone will destroy them, no matter the cost.

IT’S THE MONSTERS WHO SHOULD BE AFRAID.

When the children of Archer's Peak—a sleepy town in the heart of America—begin to go missing, everything seems hopeless. Most children never return, but the ones that do have terrible stories—impossible details of terrifying creatures that live in the shadows. Their only hope of finding and eliminating the threat is the arrival of a mysterious stranger, one who believes the children and claims to be the only one who sees what they can see.

Her name is Erica Slaughter. She kills monsters. That is all she does, and she bears the cost because it must be done.

GLAAD Award-winning writer James Tynion IV (The Woods, Batman: Detective Comics) teams with artist Werther Dell’Edera (Briggs Land) for an all-new story about staring into the abyss.

Collects Something is Killing the Children #1-5]]> 128 James Tynion IV 1684155584 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.15 2020 Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1
author: James Tynion IV
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Flamer 52751434 Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love.

I know I’m not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They’re mean, and scary, and they’re always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.

I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe.

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes—but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.]]> 366 Mike Curato 1250756146 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.30 2020 Flamer
author: Mike Curato
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Deaf Republic 40121980

Deaf Republic opens in an occupied country in a time of political unrest. When soldiers breaking up a protest kill a deaf boy, Petya, the gunshot becomes the last thing the citizens hear--they all have gone deaf, and their dissent becomes coordinated by sign language. The story follows the private lives of townspeople encircled by public violence: a newly married couple, Alfonso and Sonya, expecting a child; the brash Momma Galya, instigating the insurgency from her puppet theater; and Galya's girls, heroically teaching signing by day and by night luring soldiers one by one to their deaths behind the curtain. At once a love story, an elegy, and an urgent plea, Ilya Kaminsky's long-awaited Deaf Republic confronts our time's vicious atrocities and our collective silence in the face of them.

Finalist for the T. S. Eliot Prize
Finalist for the Forward Prize for Best Collection]]> 80 Ilya Kaminsky 1555978312 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.41 2019 Deaf Republic
author: Ilya Kaminsky
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Fang Fiction 204640575 She’s out for adventure. He’s out for blood.

The world of your favorite fantasy novels is real, and you’re invited to visit. The only catch? It’s filled with thirsty vampires. Devour this page-turning romance from the bestselling author of One to Watch.

Tess Rosenbloom is no stranger to the dark. An assault survivor and grad school dropout, she spends her nights managing a chic Brooklyn hotel and her days curled up with her favorite vampire novels, Blood Feud. Tess even dabbles in online conspiracies that Blood Feud is real—it’s fun to hunt for clues! But deep down, Tess doesn’t believe vampires actually exist�

Until one walks through her door.

It turns out Blood Feud is real, and the sexy villain of the novels is trapped. Eager to escape her life, Tess agrees to help rescue him, and soon she’s in a fantasia of lavish palaces and enchanted forests, on a secret island where the sun never shines and she’s surrounded by deadly vampires—and against her better judgment, she’s falling in love with one of them. (And unbeknownst to Tess, her estranged best friend is having a sapphic affair with a beautiful vampire of her own back in New York.)

Visiting the world of your favorite story is any fan’s dream, but will Tess be able to outrun the demons of her past (and vampires of her present) before it becomes a nightmare? In this darkly glamorous rom-com, Tess will find out whether it’s worth risking her neck—and her heart—for a chance to reclaim her future.]]> 400 Kate Stayman-London 0593729129 Isabelle 4
I didn’t love the dual POV, but that's because I wasn't a fan of Octavia's relationship. But, if you're looking for a fun vampire read with a good message regarding sexual assault, look no further!]]> 3.52 2024 Fang Fiction
author: Kate Stayman-London
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/17
date added: 2024/11/17
shelves:
review:
This was such a fun paranormal romance! I was pleasantly surprised that there was decent plot, given most romances focus on the relationship. Yet, Stayman-London created this wonderful alternate world with realistic integration of the paranormal.

I didn’t love the dual POV, but that's because I wasn't a fan of Octavia's relationship. But, if you're looking for a fun vampire read with a good message regarding sexual assault, look no further!
]]> Your Blood, My Bones 124932778 A seductively twisted romance about loyalty, fate, the lengths we go to hide the darkest parts of ourselves . . . and the people who love those parts most of all.

Wyatt Westlock has one plan for the farmhouse she's just inherited -- to burn it to the ground. But during her final walkthrough of her childhood home, she makes a shocking discovery in the basement -- Peter, the boy she once considered her best friend, strung up in chains and left for dead.

Unbeknownst to Wyatt, Peter has suffered hundreds of ritualistic deaths on her family's property. Semi-immortal, Peter never remains dead for long, but he can't really live, either. Not while he's bound to the farm, locked in a cycle of grisly deaths and painful rebirths. There's only one way for him to break free. He needs to end the Westlock line.

He needs to kill Wyatt.

With Wyatt's parents gone, the spells protecting the property have begun to unravel, and dark, ancient forces gather in the nearby forest. The only way for Wyatt to repair the wards is to work with Peter -- the one person who knows how to harness her volatile magic. But how can she trust a boy who's sworn an oath to destroy her? When the past turns up to haunt them in the most unexpected way, they are forced to rely on one another to survive, or else tear each other apart.]]> 368 Kelly Andrew 1338885073 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.68 2024 Your Blood, My Bones
author: Kelly Andrew
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Rooted: Connect with God, The Church, Your Purpose]]> 36616476 220 Mariners Church Isabelle 4 4.28 Rooted: Connect with God, The Church, Your Purpose
author: Mariners Church
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.28
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/16
date added: 2024/11/16
shelves: books-i-physically-own, books-i-ve-annotated
review:
My church's Bible study group used this book, and I thought it was great. Very informative and a great resource for people in all stages of their walks with Christ--- whether that is brand new to the faith or several years with Christ.
]]> <![CDATA[Ruin (The Infernis Duology, #1)]]> 213812735
King Renwick rules the rival kingdom of Infernis, the land of the dead. When Oralia flees the palace of Aethera after her power is let loose with deadly results, he recognizes her potential as a weapon and aids her escape.

Oralia finds herself the prisoner of the man she has been taught to fear most, and Renwick is surprised to find there is more to this princess than her untamed powers. Despite the gulf of secrets and magic between them, Renwick can’t deny the pull he feels towards her, and Oralia struggles to resist the one person who cannot only survive her touch, but craves it.

As Oralia uncovers the truth of her parentage and masters her magic, she will discover that the power to raze or save either Aethera or Infernis lies in her hands. War between the two kingdoms looms and she must decide who she can trust and which she wants more: power or love.]]> 388 Gillian Eliza West Isabelle 0 to-read 3.68 Ruin (The Infernis Duology, #1)
author: Gillian Eliza West
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.68
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[You Are More Than You've Been Told: Unlock a Fresh Way to Live Through the Rhythms of Jesus]]> 144422681 While Jesus was on earth, He lived a lifestyle of rhythms that helped Him fight the lies of the enemy. Through His habits, we will discover a roadmap to living lighter, and living as who we really are. In You Are More Than You've Been Told,Ěý spoken word artist and bestselling author Hosanna Wong unveils a fresh approach to spiritual disciplines as the practical ways we can stay connected to God and to our true selves. She will help you You are more than what people have said about you. You are more than what you have done and what’s been done to you. It turns out—You will know who you really are when you spend real time with the One who knows you the best. Let this practical roadmap show you how.]]> 256 Hosanna Wong 078524350X Isabelle 5
This book came out at a perfect time in my life as I struggle with identity post-college. While there is still more for me to unravel, the spiritual practices that she writes about are great beginnings points for me. Highly recommend!]]> 4.57 You Are More Than You've Been Told: Unlock a Fresh Way to Live Through the Rhythms of Jesus
author: Hosanna Wong
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.57
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/11/10
date added: 2024/11/10
shelves:
review:
From the first moment I heard Hosanna speak at my parents' church, I knew I had found an author I couldn't resonate any closer with. With her roots in Creative Writing, she ties in her gift and passion to her relationship with Christ. It's been inspirational and so encouraging to witness how she integrates the two.

This book came out at a perfect time in my life as I struggle with identity post-college. While there is still more for me to unravel, the spiritual practices that she writes about are great beginnings points for me. Highly recommend!
]]> <![CDATA[You Are Not Alone: A Guide To Following Jesus In A Secular Age]]> 219292770
What is happening that has led to a seismic collapse in Western Christianity?

The answer is because we are the first followers of Jesus in a secular age, and hidden in our Christian stories is the presence of another kingdom. Like a ghost in the atmosphere, it has been shaping us, creating the allegiances we didn't know we were making. Our generation is in crisis because of the lies of secularism, and we must no longer hand them over.

You Are Not Alone is a guide to understanding our cultural moment and rediscovering a faith that can flourish in a new world.]]> 230 Phil Manginelli Isabelle 0 to-read 4.68 You Are Not Alone: A Guide To Following Jesus In A Secular Age
author: Phil Manginelli
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.68
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/09
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year]]> 17436868 312 Linda Raedisch 0738733342 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.80 2013 The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year
author: Linda Raedisch
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/09
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Grimoire Noir 40864800
His best friend left him to hang out with way cooler friends, his dad is the town sheriff, and wait for it―he lives in Blackwell, a town where all the girls are witches. But when his little sister is kidnapped because of her extraordinary power, Bucky has to get out of his own head and go on a strange journey to investigate the small town that gives him so much grief. And in the process he uncovers the town’s painful history and a conspiracy that will change it forever.

Beautiful, spooky, and utterly enchanting, Grimoire Noir is a charming graphic novel about coming to terms with your own flaws and working past them to protect those dear to you.]]> 284 Vera Greentea 125030573X Isabelle 3 books-i-physically-own
While the art was absolutely magnificent, the story was incredibly fast-paced with too much plot and too many characters for only one book. This story should've been a series to accommodate for additional information to allow the reader to truly be enveloped in the world. I really did like the story! The mystery hunt involving a town of only female witches ❤️ It tried to tackle too much in too few pages.]]> 3.83 2019 Grimoire Noir
author: Vera Greentea
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/02
date added: 2024/11/02
shelves: books-i-physically-own
review:
I was so excited to read this graphic novel when I saw it at the store a couple months ago. I waited to read it until spooky season, and I'm a little disappointed with its delivery.

While the art was absolutely magnificent, the story was incredibly fast-paced with too much plot and too many characters for only one book. This story should've been a series to accommodate for additional information to allow the reader to truly be enveloped in the world. I really did like the story! The mystery hunt involving a town of only female witches ❤️ It tried to tackle too much in too few pages.
]]> <![CDATA[Truly, Devious (Truly Devious, #1)]]> 29589074
Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.� It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.Ěý

The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.

New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart.]]> 416 Maureen Johnson Isabelle 2 3.89 2018 Truly, Devious (Truly Devious, #1)
author: Maureen Johnson
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2018
rating: 2
read at: 2024/11/01
date added: 2024/11/01
shelves:
review:
This is my most recent audiobook completed with my car commute...and oh my goodness how SLOW it was. The drama didn't show up until I reached about 80%. I'm disappointed with how long it took for me to find any interest in anything. While the ending left me on my toes, I will not be continuing with the series. I'm satisfied with never knowing what happens because I just don't care enough about the characters or the plot.
]]> <![CDATA[The Struggle Is Real: How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church]]> 36801399 484 Dr Tim Clinton 1512793000 Isabelle 0 to-read 3.71 The Struggle Is Real: How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church
author: Dr Tim Clinton
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.71
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Maus: A Survivor's Tale I: My Father Bleeds History (Maus, #1)]]> 64229 New York Times Book Review has commented, "a remarkable feat of documentary detail and novelistic vividness...an unfolding literary event."

Moving back and forth from Poland to Rego Park, New York, Maus tells two powerful stories: the first is Spiegelman's father's account of how he and his wife survived Hitler's Europe, a harrowing tale filled with countless brushes with death, improbable escapes, and the terror of confinement and betrayal. The second is the author's tortured relationship with his aging father as they try to lead a normal life of minor arguments and passing visits against a backdrop of history too large to pacify. At all levels, this is the ultimate survivor's tale - and that, too, of the children who somehow survive even the survivors.

Part I of Maus takes Spiegelman's parents to the gates of Auschwitz and him to the edge of despair. Put aside all your preconceptions. These cats and mice are not Tom and Jerry, but something quite different. This is a new kind of literature.]]> 160 Art Spiegelman 0394747232 Isabelle 0 4.44 1986 Maus: A Survivor's Tale I: My Father Bleeds History (Maus, #1)
author: Art Spiegelman
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.44
book published: 1986
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/30
shelves: books-i-physically-own, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain, #1)]]> 24780 190 Lloyd Alexander 0805080481 Isabelle 3
While I didn't get to pick this book for my 6th graders to read, it turned out I was pleasantly surprised with the kids' positive reception of the story! So much so that they requested the other books in the series.

While it is a bit difficult for them to read due to the Welsh mythology influence (difficult names, fantasy lore), I really liked the lessons they learned about leadership and a wide cast of characters who help eachother are incredibly different from one another. Maybe I would've rated this 4 stars if I hadn't had to read it in the midst of a school year.]]> 3.98 1964 The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain, #1)
author: Lloyd Alexander
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.98
book published: 1964
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/20
date added: 2024/10/20
shelves:
review:
� MS Read

While I didn't get to pick this book for my 6th graders to read, it turned out I was pleasantly surprised with the kids' positive reception of the story! So much so that they requested the other books in the series.

While it is a bit difficult for them to read due to the Welsh mythology influence (difficult names, fantasy lore), I really liked the lessons they learned about leadership and a wide cast of characters who help eachother are incredibly different from one another. Maybe I would've rated this 4 stars if I hadn't had to read it in the midst of a school year.
]]> <![CDATA[The Dread Descendant (The Dread Descendant, #1)]]> 201813589
A note from LC :
If you read The Dread Descendant on a site like Ocean of PDF, you read the version I basically published on Wattpad. An adolescent draft in comparison to the book that exists today, if you will.

My goodness, how we have grown! After signing an audiobook deal with Podium Entertainment (thanks to all your support!) some changes were made to The Dread Descendant. Great ones!

There are differences in how the magical university works, some elements of the magic system, and MAJOR errors. I’m talking main characters' names spelled wrong because I had no idea what I was doing and didn’t have legitimate professional editing help before putting The Dread Descendant on KU. (Back to that how we have grown statement.)

If you read this old version and were perturbed by the amount of errors, I get it. But unfortunately, the illegal download sites don’t care about updating the manuscript to the revised and edited version that matches the audiobook and current publication.

About The Dread Descendant:

Some bloodlines won't stay buried. . .

At Vaukore, the most prestigious Magical university in all seven realms, Maeve Sinclair is content to study Practical Magic. At least until Malachite Peur, the youngest Supreme Magical in history, makes a tempting offer to train her in Combative Magic instead.

Soon the pair find themselves on a search for powerful Magical objects that haven't been seen in centuries. While a prophecy unravels around them, they navigate politics, war, and their forbidden union.

After all. . . blood calls to blood. Like calls to like.

And Magic calls to Magic.]]> 458 Lauren Cate Leake Isabelle 0 to-read 3.65 The Dread Descendant (The Dread Descendant, #1)
author: Lauren Cate Leake
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.65
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date added: 2024/10/20
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]]> The Librarian of Auschwitz 31145052
Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the TerezĂ­n ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the librarian of Auschwitz.

Out of one of the darkest chapters of human history comes this extraordinary story of courage and hope.]]> 424 Antonio Iturbe 1627796185 Isabelle 0 4.10 2012 The Librarian of Auschwitz
author: Antonio Iturbe
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2012
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/20
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]]> <![CDATA[Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (Maus, #2)]]> 15197 Maus introduced readers to Vladek Spiegleman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe, and his son, a cartoonist trying to come to terms with his father, his father's terrifying story, and History itself. Its form, the cartoon (the Nazis are cats, the Jews mice), succeeds perfectly in shocking us out of any lingering sense of familiararity with the events described, approaching, as it does, the unspeakable through the diminutive.

This second volume, subtitled And Here My Troubles Began, moves us from the barracks of Auschwitz to the bungalows of the Catskills. Genuinely tragic and comic by turns, it attains a complexity of theme and a precision of thought new to comics and rare in any medium. Maus ties together two powerful stories: Vladek's harrowing tale of survival against all odds, delineating the paradox of daily life in the death camps, and the author's account of his tortured relationship with his aging father. At every level this is the ultimate survivor's tale - and that too of the children who somehow survive even the survivors.]]> 144 Art Spiegelman 0679729771 Isabelle 0 4.42 1991 Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (Maus, #2)
author: Art Spiegelman
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1991
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/20
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review:

]]> To Drink Coffee with a Ghost 43821557 "You cannot have a funeral for your mother without also having a funeral for yourself."Ěý This book posesĚýthe ever-lingering question: What happens when someone dies before they're able to redeem themselves?

From the bestselling & award-winning poetess, amanda lovelace, comes the finale of her illustrated duology, "things that h(a)unt." In the first installment,Ěýto make monsters out of girls,Ěý lovelace explored the memory of being in a toxic romantic relationship. InĚýto drink coffee with a ghost, lovelace unravels the memory of the complicated relationship she had with her now-deceased mother.]]> 160 Amanda Lovelace 1449494277 Isabelle 0 4.12 2019 To Drink Coffee with a Ghost
author: Amanda Lovelace
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2019
rating: 0
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]]> Frankenstein 18490 This is an alternate cover edition for ISBN 9780141439471

'Now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart ...'

Obsessed with creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life with electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear. Mary Shelley's chilling Gothic tale was conceived when she was only eighteen, living with her lover Percy Shelley near Byron's villa on Lake Geneva. It would become the world's most famous work of horror fiction, and remains a devastating exploration of the limits of human creativity.

Based on the third edition of 1831, this volume contains all the revisions Mary Shelley made to her story, as well as her 1831 introduction and Percy Bysshe Shelley's preface to the first edition. This revised edition includes as appendices a select collation of the texts of 1818 and 1831 together with 'A Fragment' by Lord Byron and Dr John Polidori's 'The Vampyre: A Tale'.]]> 288 Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Isabelle 0 3.77 1818 Frankenstein
author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.77
book published: 1818
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/17
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]]> Out on a Limb 198563657 414 Hannah Bonam-Young 0593872142 Isabelle 0 4.35 2023 Out on a Limb
author: Hannah Bonam-Young
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2023
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/05
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]]> <![CDATA[We Are Not Strangers: A Graphic Novel]]> 98652044
Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. After all, he was named for him. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hardworking, smart, and caring. When Papoo peacefully passes away, Marco expects the funeral to be simple. However, he is caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn’t recognize—Japanese American families—and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well?

Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author and artist Josh Tuininga’s family experiences, We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war. Following Marco’s grandfather’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant living in America and his struggles as he settles into an America gearing up its war efforts. Despite the war raging just outside US borders, Papoo befriends Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man who finds his world upended from President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly incarcerated, Papoo creates a plan that not only changes the lives of the Akiyamas but of the entire Nihonmachi community.]]> 197 Josh Tuininga 1419759949 Isabelle 0 4.33 2023 We Are Not Strangers: A Graphic Novel
author: Josh Tuininga
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2023
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/05
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]]> <![CDATA[A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon (Glimmer Falls, #1)]]> 59441717 Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what’s a witch to do when he won’t leave her side—and she kind of doesn’t want him to?

Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.]]> 367 Sarah Hawley 0593547926 Isabelle 0 3.64 2023 A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon (Glimmer Falls, #1)
author: Sarah Hawley
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2023
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/05
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review:

]]> <![CDATA[Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up]]> 198332459 350 Abigail Shrier Isabelle 0 to-read 3.98 2024 Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up
author: Abigail Shrier
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/02
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]]> <![CDATA[The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness]]> 171681821
A must-read for all parents: the generation-defining investigation into the collapse of youth mental health in the era of smartphones, social media, and big tech—and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood.

“With tenacity and candor, Haidt lays out the consequences that have come with allowing kids to drift further into the virtual world . . . While also offering suggestions and solutions that could help protect a new generation of kids.� —Shannon Carlin, ,i>TIME, 100 Must-Read Books of 2024

After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on many measures. Why?

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood� began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood� in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood� has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.

Most important, Haidt issues a clear call to action. He diagnoses the “collective action problems� that trap us, and then proposes four simple rules that might set us free. He describes steps that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to end the epidemic of mental illness and restore a more humane childhood.

Haidt has spent his career speaking truth backed by data in the most difficult landscapes—communities polarized by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the public health emergency faced by Gen Z. We cannot afford to ignore his findings about protecting our children—and ourselves—from the psychological damage of a phone-based life.]]> 400 Jonathan Haidt 0593655036 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.35 2024 The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness
author: Jonathan Haidt
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/02
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]]> <![CDATA[Warriors: Cats of the Clans (Warriors: Field Guide #2)]]> 20195878 Hear the stories of the great warriors as they've never been told before! Cats of the Clans is chock-full of visual treats and captivating details, including full-color illustrations and in-depth biographies of important cats—from fierce Clan leaders to wise medicine cats to the most mischievous kits, as well as loners, rogues, and kittypets.

This collectible guide is a great introduction to the Warriors series for new fans and is indispensable for those already hooked!

]]> 116 Erin Hunter 0061973696 Isabelle 3 4.39 2008 Warriors: Cats of the Clans (Warriors: Field Guide #2)
author: Erin Hunter
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2008
rating: 3
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date added: 2024/09/28
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]]> <![CDATA[The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)]]> 22456224 Librarian's Note: An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here.

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.]]> 377 Rick Riordan Isabelle 4 4.36 2005 The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)
author: Rick Riordan
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/23
date added: 2024/09/23
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook for this! The narrator's voice sounds exactly like how I imagine Percy sounds. I'm looking forward to listening to the other books (since I've watched the TV show and movies, so nothing in this book was a surprise haha).
]]> <![CDATA[The Naturals (The Naturals, #1)]]> 13597723
What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.]]> 308 Jennifer Lynn Barnes 1423168232 Isabelle 0 to-read 4.22 2013 The Naturals (The Naturals, #1)
author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
name: Isabelle
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2013
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/09/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Pairing 199440249 definitely not.

Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It's in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.]]> 432 Casey McQuiston 1250862744 Isabelle 4
My one complaint is that the sexual relationship between Theo and Kit was really strange to me...but I enjoyed everything else!]]> 3.70 2024 The Pairing
author: Casey McQuiston
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/09
date added: 2024/09/09
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook as I drove back and forth from work. A love story set on a food and wine story throughout Europe?? Sign me up!!

My one complaint is that the sexual relationship between Theo and Kit was really strange to me...but I enjoyed everything else!
]]> <![CDATA[The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology, #2)]]> 75673879 An imprisoned prince. A vengeful queen. And a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame.
Ěý
Prince Oak is paying for his betrayal. Imprisoned in the icy north and bound to the will of a monstrous new queen, he must rely on charm and calculation to survive. With High King Cardan and High Queen Jude willing to use any means necessary to retrieve their stolen heir, Oak will have to decide whether to attempt regaining the trust of the girl he’s always loved or to remain loyal to Elfhame and hand over the means to end her reign—even if it means ending Wren, too.
�
Ěý
With a new war looming on the horizon and treachery lurking in every corner, neither Oak’s guile nor his wit will be enough to keep everyone he loves alive. It’s just a question of whom he will doom.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes the stunning blood-soaked conclusion to the Stolen Heir duology.
Ěý]]> 356 Holly Black 0316592714 Isabelle 0 3.84 2024 The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology, #2)
author: Holly Black
name: Isabelle
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2024
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/09/07
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]]>