Short & Sweet MG Review: Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate ( Sept. 26, 2017)
Length: 224 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: The library.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . . Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood. You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

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My Review

Wishtree in Three Words: Uplifting. Magical. Unique.

Wishtree is a wonderful story for readers of all ages. Applegate is a magnificant story teller. Told from the point of view of an old oak tree in lyrical prose makes for a beautiful story. Readers will get to meet the many animals that live in the tree, the grumpy lady whose land the tree resides on, and a sweet boy and a shy girl who are destined to become friends. This book explores the important issues of not judging people, to be accepting of everyone, and to be kind. This book couldn't have been published in a more timely fashion considering our current political climate.

The Bottom Line: It doesn't matter whether you buy your own copy or borrow one from the library, all that matters is that you give this book a read.

NaNoWriMo Prep - I'm Ready, Kind of

I am participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this November! I have participated twice before and won once. With grad school this year I wasn't originally going to participate, but I have decided to try anyway. If my dream is to be a writer, then I need to make time for that, no matter how busy my life may get.

Prep Resources

Writing New Adult Fiction: I am reading through this book right now and find it full of helpful information. There is advice and exercises.

NaNoWriMo Website Prep Page: There are a few good resources on this page. It is worth a look.

Preptober Workbook: I have heard a lot of good things about this workbook but I haven't used it yet myself.

Susan Dennard Website: She offers a lot of great information for writers.

Pub Crawl: Another great site with an abundance of tips.

Swoon Reads: This publisher website also offers a bunch of writing and publishing advice.

My Novel

*This information is a work in progress, but here is a sneak peek at the novel I will be working on in November. Sorry it's kind of  a mess.*

Tite: Behind the Stacks (Working Title)

Genre: New Adult Romance

Summary: Mia just finished her bachelor's degree and has moved out of her parents house for the first time. She soon realizes that having her own place while working two jobs and taking grad school classes is a lot harder than she thought it would be. She is determined to get a full-time job and make it on her own, all while making sure her apartment doesn't flood, again. She didn't factor in any extra time in her busy schedule for romance, especially with a sexy fireman. It's too bad Wes has other plans for her. Wes and his sister are the youngest members on the local fire crew. Firefighting is hard work, but Wes always finds time for some fun, as long as it doesn't involve any commitments, until now. His new plan, break Mia out of her shell.

Will you be participating in NANOWRIMO?

Recently Added to my TBR Pile

I love seeing the books people add on their shelves on Goodreads and I certainly really love adding books to my own TBR pile. (Perhaps a little too much.) Therefore, I thought maybe that when I add some good stuff I would share it with you guys! Here are some of the recent books I have added to my Goodreads shelf. I include a short summary from Goodreads along with a link in case you what to add these bad boys to your own TBR pile. Anything I can do to help out my fellow book nerds. ;)

The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre (Oct. 2, 2017)
Goodreads

Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends and family, and made up a story, my best one yet. And all of them believed me. I wasn't surprised. Telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans. Fame and fortune. Now, I have one last story to write. It'll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave them stunned and gasping for breath. They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, & Brodi Ashton (June 26, 2018)
Goodreads

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!) Or does she? Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Bronte, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson (Aug. 7, 2018)
Goodreads

Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has acquired Mary E Pearson's Dance of Thieves in a two-book deal. Set in the universe of Pearson's Remnant Chronicles, the book centers on a reformed thief who is sent by the Queen of Venda to investigate a disturbance in a distant land, where she finds herself matching wits with the leader of an outlaw dynasty.

#Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil (Aug. 7, 2018)
Goodreads

WELCOME TO THE NEAR FUTURE, where good and honest 8/18 citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0. When eighteen-year-old Dee Guerrera wakes up in a haze, lying on the ground of a dimly lit warehouse, she realizes she’s about to be the next victim of the app. Knowing hardened criminals are getting a taste of their own medicine in this place is one thing, but Dee refuses to roll over and die for a heinous crime she didn’t commit. Can Dee and her newly formed posse, the Death Row Breakfast Club, prove she’s innocent before she ends up wrongfully murdered for the world to see? Or will The Postman’s cast of executioners kill them off one by one?


Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (April 3, 2018)
Goodreads

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.





Meet Cute: Some People are Desinged to Meet by various authors (Jan. 2, 2018)
Goodreads

Whether or not you believe in fate, or luck, or love at first sight, every romance has to start somewhere. MEET CUTE is an anthology of original short stories featuring tales of "how they first met" from some of today’s most popular YA authors.

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover (Oct. 3, 2017)
Goodreads

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there’s Merit.

Have any of these books made it on your TBR pile?

TTT #81: Unique Book Titles

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Here are some book titles that I think are pretty unique and that I have also read.

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitty Holly by Noelle Stevenson

The Way to Game the Walk of Shame by Jenn P. Nguyen

A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

Eat, Brains, Love by Jeff Hart

How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller

What are some of the most unique book titles that you have read?

Book Tag: My Life in Books

I stumbled upon this book tag at Christy's Love of Books! I am not sure where this tag was originally created, but I saw it and knew I had to play along. Thanks to its creator! When answering the questions I tried to use only books I have read. They link to their review or Goodreads. Thanks!

Find a Book for Each of Your Initials

Alex, Approximately by Jen Bennet

Kids of Appetite by David Arnold

Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

  

Count your age on the shelf. Which book is it?

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Pick a Book Set in Your City

Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill

I live in a Chicago Suburb and many of them are featured or mentioned in this series!

 

Pick a Book that Represents a Destination You Would Love to Travel To

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Can I travel to Scotland and through time?!

 

Pick a Book That's Your Favorite Color

Traveler by L.E. DeLano

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

All the Feels by Danika Stone

Can you tell that Blue (any shade) is my favorite color!

  

Which Book do you have the fondest memories of?

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

 

Which book did you find the most difficult to read?

Windwitch by Susan Dennard

I just really struggled with finishing this book. I think it suffered from second book syndrome, not a lot happened. I was a little disappointed. 

Which book on your TBR will give you the biggest sense of accomplishment?

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Ruthfuss

I have been meaning to read this fantasy series for a long while now. At 662 pages I would feel pretty accomplished if I finally read it.

What book do you have a fond memory of?

ARC Review: An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson (Sept. 26, 2017)
Length: 304
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized among them. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life. Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There's only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless. Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.

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My Review

An Enchantment of Ravens in Three Words: Fun. Charming. Captivating.

I read An Enchantment of Ravens in one sitting. It may just be my favorite read of the year! I originally only picked up this book because of its beautiful cover. As it turns out, the words inside are just as beautiful. An Enchantment of Ravens may not be perfect, few things are, and some may find the romance rushed and will be looking for something a little deeper, but this book was perfect to me. It has my favorite fairy tale elements along with a swoony love interest.

This book is filled with a curious world, vivid descriptions, humor, plenty of swoons, and a fast paced plot. Whats not to like? Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. It was just that good. The author does an amazing job at using imagery to bring the story to life right before your eyes. One second you will be sitting on your couch, and the next you will be in a world with scary creatures, delightful and frightening fae, and the most interesting season courts. The world building was immaculate, and as an added bonus it wasn't just shoved in your face all at the beginning of the book.

This story is one that fans of star-crossed lovers will immensely enjoy. Isobel is a wonderful artist who lost her parents and lives with her aunt and two younger and very interesting sisters. She paints portraits of the fair ones in exchange for enchantments. As for the Autumn Prince, Rook, he was perfection. Rook was handsome, not overly broody, charming, funny, kind, and proud. Their love comes fast, but since I fell for Rook just as fast it didn't bother me one bit. Their love is one worth cheering for.

There isn't a single thing I didn't like about this book. The characters have a nice amount of growth during their adventure. The magic is interesting and a delight to read about. The romance had some wonderfully steamy moments. The minor characters are a unique bunch of important players in the story. This book made me smile. It's as simple as that.

The Final Verdict: An Enchantment of Ravens is in fact enchanting. I highly recommend this book to everyone! Go buy it!

ARC Review: The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook

The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook (Oct. 3, 2017)
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher through Edelweiss. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Skye Thorn has given tarot card readings for years, and now her psychic visions are helping the police find the town’s missing golden girl. It’s no challenge—her readings have always been faked, but this time she has some insider knowledge. The kidnapping was supposed to be easy—no one would get hurt and she’d get the money she needs to start a new life. But a seemingly harmless prank has turned dark, and Skye realizes the people she’s involved with are willing to kill to get what they want and she must discover their true identity before it’s too late.

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My Review

The Hanging Girl in Three Words: Suspenseful. Different. Captivating.

The Hanging Girl is a strong thriller with an interesting main character. It has the twists and turns one would come to expect in this genre. It will be a sure hit for all the readers that enjoyed the author's first mystery/thriller, With Malice.

Skye Thorn pretends to be a psychic in order to help solve a fake kidnapping that will result in her earning a large amount of cash. Nothing goes as planned and Skye must make some decisions about what to do next and if the money is worth it. Skye is a delightfully unreliable narrator since lying is what she does. I liked her from page one.

The pacing of The Hanging Girl goes at a nice quip that makes it a page-turner. Although a few of the shocking moments were not so shocking for me, I can see many who would drop their jaw at every turn.

For fans of unreliable narrators, delectable twists, creepy feels, and fake psychics.

The Bottom Line: It's worth a read. The perfect choice for a cool fall night.