By Ali Benjamin
Realistic Fiction – Young Adult
My Synopsis
When Susy’s best friend dies, it causes her to undergo a series of grief-induced reactions. She stops talking, hunts for answers, relives all her regrets, deals with loads of guilt, and gets angry at those around her. In her hunt for answers, she becomes oddly obsessed with jellyfish as a possible cause of her friend’s drowning, hence the book title.
By Christina Baker Kline
Historical Fiction – Adult Fiction
My Synopsis
This story follows the journey of three women in the 1840s who are exiled to Australia from three different places and for three very different reasons. Much of this is based on facts, and some characters are based on actual people. It shows the ugly truths and injustices that were a part of Australia’s early days but also the kindness and resilience required of those who were sent there and became a part of its early society.
If you’re a book lover, you know having a good book to read on vacation is super important. I had a beach vacation coming up and put several beach-themed books on hold at the local Library. As vacation approached, I misread the Library’s open hours and never had the opportunity to get my books.
I was so upset. Almost depressed. I had a beautiful vacation planned, plenty to do, people I love to spend time with, but no book planned. I had carefully selected the books I wanted to bring and put them on hold weeks ago. I was waiting for them all to be ready for pick up. I stopped by the day before I left only to find the Library was closed for Good Friday. The remorse I felt from this was genuine. Please tell me some of you have felt the same.
Continue reading “Blind Date with a book.”
a Picture Book By Cathy Camper Illustrated b Kenard Pak (published 2020)
First, let me just note that it’s been a long time since I’ve reviewed a picture book. I read so many, it gets tricky deciding which to review and why. So I’ve come up with a new format and will review if/when I feel like it. I stopped looking for rhyme or reason to which I select for review. My latest haul had loads of winter themed stories so there may be several of those to come. But today we’ll start with this one for no particular reason at all.
SUMMARY:
Lina takes a trip across the city to see her grandmother on a quiet snowy day.
By Edith Pattou
Fantasy – Fairy Tales / YA
Published 2005
My Synopsis
This is a retelling of the Norwegian Fairy Tale “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” where a poor family gives a daughter to an enchanted polar bear in exchange for wealth. She’s held captive for almost a year before she realizes the polar bear is actually a man also being held prisoner. As she tries to learn more about the strange circumstances, she accidentally makes things worse for the polar bear man and ends up needing to save him from a giant ice troll queen.
My Score:
“Meh”
INGRID E FABER 