June Wrap Up!

June Wrap Up!📚 June Reads - 35 = 5🌟 reads, 1 = 4🌟reads, 1 = 3🌟reads, 0 = 2🌟reads & 0 = 1🌟reads for a total of 37 Books read in June! 3 books to 2018 Favorites List in June for a Total for a Year Total of 31! Total Books Read in 2018 = 233 Books YAY! 🎉

Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein

Stars 5/5

Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey

Illustrated by Julia Sarda

(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

First I must thank Netgalley for an advanced digital copy. OMG I just loved this book! The story is very well written and the illustrations are so creative and artistic. I am amazed! The story follows Mary Shelley and how she came to write the book Frankenstein. I just love Mary Shelley and her work so I just had to read this and I am so glad I did. I can't express how much I really loved the book and the illustrations other than to say it made it to my 2018 Favorites List and I plan on getting a physical copy when released. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler

Stars 5/5

Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler by Steve Sheinkin

I just thought this book was not only informative but hilariously funny. I won this book in a giveaway and I really enjoyed reading it. The story follows Doc and Abby and how they come face to face with the real Abraham Lincoln. Mr President is not happy with kids saying that "history is boring" and that is when the adventure begins. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it to kids of all ages.

WishTree

Stars 5/5

WishTree by Katherine Applegate

I have been in a bit of a reading rut and this was definitely what I needed. The story is very heart touching and told from the Tree's POV. The book follows the Tree on her life and how she became the Wishing Tree for the village. I do not want to get more into the story but there is a present day serious issue going on along with the story that may lead to something devastating to happen. I highly recommend this short story to kids of all ages.

If I Was Your Girl

Stars 5/5

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

I really enjoyed reading this book and just loved the author's writing style. It was an easy and fast read so I could just sit back and enjoy it all. The story follows a transgender girl named Amanda and her life living in a male body and how she dealt with issues and the surgery. Amanda is bullied and violated both mentally and physically by people around her so she leaves to go and live with her father. Of course there is a love interest and it is very sweet but I have to say that one thing I didn't agree with is how Amanda let things progress with Grant even to the kissing stage without disclosing her secret and letting him make the decision whether to go further with their relationship. I understand she has the right to live her life as she chooses but she didn't give Grant the opportunity to make the best choice for him. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I do recommend this book it was a cute contemporary.

On The Fence

Stars 5/5

On The Fence by Kasie West

I just love Kasie West books! They are so sweet and always make me smile. This book follows 16 yr old Charlie, a young girl that loves sports and hanging out with her brothers & single dad. One day her father, a police officer, gets tired of her getting so many speeding tickets that her makes her get a job and so Charlie finds a job at a boutique and starts to learn a what it is like to be a girl. I will not go into the story more as to not spoil it but yes there is a love interest of course and I highly recommend this book!

The Crown Epilogue

Stars 5/5

The Crown Epilogue by Kiera Cass

This was a Barnes & Nobel Bonus Epilogue of six years later. Eadlyn's younger brother Kaden and Josie's wedding. I just gobbled this little bonus up wanting to read everything in this series because I really enjoyed it. I can't recommend it enough.

The Crown

Stars 5/5

The Crown by Kiera Cass

This is the 5th book in The Selection series and OMG I didn't want to see it end. The series is amazing and very creative. I enjoyed every book and novella. This book continues to follow the selection of Eadlyn with lots of twists and turns. I have to say that I was jumping up and down when her pick was announced. I think this story line was so magically cute. I highly recommend it.

The Heir

Stars 5/5

The Heir by Kiera Cass

This is the 4th book in The Selection series and I must be honest I didn't think I would like it but I was most definitely wrong. I really enjoyed this series even though the characters changed. This book follows King Maxon and Queen Eadlyn's daughter, Eadlyn. They decide to have another Selection to boost moral in the land and Eadlyn is not very happy about this decision. I do not want to spoil the story but I highly recommend it.

Love & Gelato

Stars 5/5

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

What an awesomely cute contemporary read. I just loved it. The story follows Lina, a young girl who's mother just passed away from cancer and she is going to Italy to meet her father for the first time. Lina has it in her mind that she is not going to stay and that she is coming home regardless but things seem to happen in Italy that might just change her mind. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but it is definitely a must read for contemporary lovers. I highly recommend it.

Diary Of A Witch

Stars 5/5

Diary Of A Witch by Valeria Davila

First I would like to thank Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. I really loved this book! I loved all the illustrations and the story line was amazing. I am a witch fanatic! The story follows a witch who writes in her diary of how tired she is being a witch and tries to be everything else. This book would be amazing around the Halloween season. I will be looking for this book to add to my spooky bookshelf in August. I highly recommend this to kids of all ages especially ones who love witches!

Hi! Fly Guy

Stars 5/5

Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

Such a cute book! This book follows Fly Guy and Buzz, a little boy that catches Fly Guy and wants to make him a pet. The audio book of this story is also very amazing with the cutest sound effects. I highly recommend this book for kids of all ages.

Fever 1793

Stars 5/5

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

I have been wanting to read this book for quite some time now and I finally did YAY! It was a very heart touching book about the breakout of Yellow Fever and how it affected everyone in Mattie's town. The story follows Mattie, a young girl and her family the runs a coffee house in Philadelphia. People all around them are getting sick and dying and even her Mother comes down with the Fever. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I will say that this book will not only bring a tear to your eye but also a smile to your face. I highly recommend it to everyone.

The Secret Life Of The Owl

Stars 5/5

The Secret Life Of The Owl by John Lewis-Stempel

Audio Book Narrated by Roy McMillan

This is a non-fic book about the owls of Britain and I just loved it. I read along with the audio book and OMG it was fantastic. Not only was the book very informative but kinda spooky as well. I do wish I would of held back on this book until the Halloween season because it would of fit in just great. The book is not long so it is a very easy read. I do highly recommend the audio book on this one though because Roy McMillan is amazing to say the very least. I am sure this will be the best non-fic book I read this year!

The Favorite

Stars 5/5

The Favorite by Kiera Cass

This is the novella of Marlee, which was America's best friend in The Selection, and it is told from her POV. It follows Marlee and what was going on in her life during The Selection at the palace. I don't want to go into much of her story as to not spoil it but she was the favorite to win. The Selection series is a must read. I highly recommend it.

The Epilogue

Stars 5/5

The Epilogue by Kiera Cass

OMG this was the bonus epilogue and it is just too sweet. Maxon is celebrating his birthday and I can't spoil his gift but let me just say that it is the most wonderful gift ever. I highly recommend this series to everyone. The characters are so lovable and the story line is very creative and unique.

The One

Stars 5/5

The One by Kiera Cass

This is the 3rd book in The Selection series and OMG I just loved it! It continues to follow America and the selection process at the palace for the honor of marrying Prince Maxon and becoming Princess. I don't want to give away the end of this selection so you must read the series to find out what happens. I highly recommend it.

The Guard

Stars 5/5

The Guard by Kiera Cass

This novella was told in Aspen's POV and how he was working as a guard in the palace, his continuing love for America and his thoughts and feelings. I really enjoyed reading this to see things from his angle and what he was doing behind the scenes of The Selection. I do highly recommend this series.

The Prince

Stars 5/5

The Prince by Kiera Cass

This novella is told in Prince Maxon's POV and how he felt about The Selection beginning and all the ladies chosen. I really loved this. It was fun to read about his nervousness and all his thoughts. I just love this series and definitely recommend it to everyone.

The Queen

Stars 5/5

The Queen by Kiera Cass

I really loved this novella of the queen's life before she became queen and her experiences in The Selection. I don't want to go into this story because it is so short and I don't want to ruin things but I have to say that the Prince in this story was very different than what we read about later when he is the King. I wonder what changed. Amazing series. I highly recommend this to everyone.

The Elite

Stars 5/5

The Elite by Kiera Cass

This is the second book in The Selection Series and I just adore it. I will say that America needs to make a decision and that is all I will say as to not spoil it. The story continues to follow her and all the girls left in the selection process at the palace. The book is keeping me on the edge of my seat to find out what is going to happen next. I highly recommend this series.

The Selection

Stars 5/5

The Selection by Kiera Cass

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was unique and very creative. It follows America Singer, a young girl brought up in a family of artists which are cast low, almost in poverty. The Selection is a competition in which 35 girls are chosen to go and live at the palace and may be chosen to marry the Prince. America did not want to sign up for this but was persuaded by her family, as they would get more money to live on and her boyfriend Aspen because he would never be able to live with himself if he knew he would of held her back from this. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but lets just say "love triangle"! I highly recommend this book to contemporary royalty lovers.

The Ghost Slept Over

Stars 5/5

The Ghost Slept Over by Marshall Thornton

I went into this book not knowing anything about the story line at all. I just loved the cover art and OMG I just loved it. Now I will tell you there is a bit of m/m sexiness to this book so if that is not your thing be warned. The story follows Cal which is a out of work actor that one day finds out that he has inherited a lot of money from one of his ex boyfriends that passed away. So he sells off everything he owns to buy a plane ticket to go and meet up with the lawyer Dewitt. Now I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but OMG this was a very heated story with a few ghostly twists. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves m/m!

Save The Date

Stars 3/5

Save The Date by Morgan Matson

I really liked the whole wedding comedy story line but I have to be honest and say that I thought too many things went wrong and it took funny to just annoying. The story follows Charlie, a recent high school graduate getting ready for college and brought up in a very large family, and they are preparing for her older sister's wedding. Every thing that could go wrong does and of course Charlie is the only person that can fix it all which I think is a bit unrealistic honestly. I did not like the main character. I thought she was a bit childish and immature acting for her age to believe that it would just be her and her family only for the weekend of her sister's wedding. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it. I would recommend this to people who like contemporary comedies but it just wasn't the book for me.

Gina From Siberia

Stars 5/5

Gina From Siberia by Jane Bernstein

First let me thank Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. I just loved this book. The story line is very heart touching and the illustrations are creatively brilliant. The story follows a little dog named Gina that lives in Siberia with her family and doggie friends. One day, Gina finds out that her family is going to be moving. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that I just loved this book especially the About The Author at the end of the book. I highly recommend this book to everyone of all ages especially ones who love amazing illustrations. 

Giant: A Panda of The Enchanted Forest

Stars 5/5

Giant: A Panda of The Enchanted Forest by Xuan Loc Xuan

First let me thank Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. What a sweet panda book. I really loved both the story line and the illustrations. Who doesn't love a cuddly panda? This short story follows a panda named Giant who lives in the forest. He likes spending time alone and talking to his favorite tree. I won't go into more as to not spoil it and I highly recommend it for all ages especially ones who love pandas like me.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Stars 4/5

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

I agree with other reviewers that it is very hard to rate someone's life. As an adult I really enjoyed reading this book. The story follows the author's life growing up, her family and struggles. I was hooked right away when I started reading that they were from Nelsonville, Ohio and that is where some of my family used to live. The writing style is easy to read and follow. I finished this book in one sitting.

Amal Unbound

Stars 5/5

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

I really enjoyed reading this Middle Grade novel and especially loved the ending. The story follows Amal, a young girl in Pakistan, that wants to grow up to be a teacher. Her family is poor and lives in a village run by a corrupted landlord and one day while walking home, Amal comes in contact with him which is not good. I do not want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it to everyone of all ages.

What I Leave Behind

Stars 5/5

What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee

I am going to be honest and say that this book took me a little bit to get into, not sure why, but as soon as I got it I was hooked and just loved this book. The writing style is very unique and the story line was heart touching. It follows a young guy named Will who is trying to overcome issues and depression over his dad committing suicide. His father used to make cornbread and Will is trying to find the recipe but his father took it to the grave. He finds peace in walking. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book.

Sister BFFs

Stars 5/5

Sister BFFs by Philippa Rice

First let me thank Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. OMG I just loved this graphic novel. It is so amusing that laughed all the way through it. It follows two sisters and their crazy relationship. They are both out of school, still live at home with mum and they make fun of just about everything in a girl's life. The illustrations are creative witty fun. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a definite read for graphic novel lovers.

Watermelon Madness

Stars 5/5

Watermelon Madness by Taghreed Najjar

Illustrated by Maya Fidawi

First let me thank Netgalley for this digital copy. I saw this book and had to request it because I am a Watermelon Lover. The story follows Noura, a little girl who will only eat watermelon. She soon realizes that eating too much watermelon will make you feel icky. I just loved this book and the illustrations were brightly colored and so cute. I highly recommend this book to everyone of all ages especially to enjoy during Watermelon Summer.

Shelter In Place

Stars 5/5

Shelter In Place by Nora Roberts

(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

This book was written for me! Let me explain... My maiden name is Riggs and there was a character in this book with the same last name. My birthday is July 22 and that is the date of the tragedy in the book. And last but not least... My all time favorite tv character is Deputy Barney Fife and you are going to have to read the book to understand that! But with all of those coincidences it was the awesomely amazing story line that made it 5 stars and one of my 2018 Favorites. The story is about a horrible shooting in a mall and I am not going to go into the story too much as to not spoil it but let me just say that there is such a "OMG" twist that had me glued to the book all night long. I never slept. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Nora Roberts amazes me with every book she writes.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Stars 5/5

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

Holy Wow! I can not even express enough of how much I loved this book and Evelyn Hugo. The story will pull out every emotion humanly possible. This definitely earned a spot on my 2018 Favorites List. The story follows a not so well known journalist named Monique that is given an exclusive interview with the great Evelyn Hugo. Ms Hugo is a beloved film star that has lived a quiet and secretive life. Monique is uncertain as to why she was chosen. She soon finds out that Evelyn is wanting more than just an interview but she wants to give her the truthful "tell all" story of her life. I am not going into the story anymore as to not spoil it but let me just say this... The Book Is A Must Read! I highly recommend this book to everyone.

See You In The Cosmos

Stars 5/5

See You In The Cosmos by Jack Cheng

I can't say enough of how I loved this story and would love to revisit Alex and the golden ipod. The story follows 11 year old Alex and his love for Science and Astronomy. Alex lives with his mother, who is suffering from mental illness, so much so that Alex does most things around the house including the cooking. One day he sets out on an adventure across states, him and his dog Carl Sagan, to attend a Rocket Launching Event so he can send his messages on the golden ipod up in space. I don't want to go into this story more because I don't want to spoil it but I must say that there is so much going on and so many likable characters that this is a MUST READ.

In A Dark, Dark Wood

Stars 5/5

In A Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

I have to say that this book had a sort Shirley Jackson'ish vibe to the writing style which I thought was really awesome. This book had me on the edge from the beginning. I just loved the "who done it". It follows Leonora and her invitation to a "Hen" or bachelorette party to celebrate a very old friend's upcoming wedding. The party is being held in a very secluded woodsy area and that is when the adventure begins. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this spooky tale especially around Halloween.

Royals

Stars 5/5

Royals by Rachel Hawkins

What a wonderful book. I really enjoyed this fun story and can not wait til the next in the series comes out. It follows Daisy, a young girl living in Florida, and her older sister is engaged to the Prince of Scotland. Due to some chaotic pics of Daisy and her ex boyfriend, the Queen decides it is best to bring Daisy to Scotland to best control the situation before the wedding. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but it is so much fun and had me smiling with giggles in parts. I highly recommend this to all romance and contemporary lovers like me. I will be waiting patiently for the next book.

Little & Lion

Stars 5/5

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

I just loved this book. The story is amazing and addresses Bi-Polarism and mental illness very well. It follows Little, Suzette, and her stepbrother Lion, Lionel, and their lives coming together from different cultures and races to become a family. Little is sent off to boarding school when Lion is diagnosed with mental illness and she falls in a relationship with her roommate Iris. I don't want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but it is a heart touching coming of age novel that I would highly recommend to everyone.

Listen To Your Heart

Stars 5/5

Listen To Your Heart by Kasie West

And Again... another book I just loved by this author! What a fun summer read. Had all the wonderful elements for an awesome YA story. It follows Kate and how she loved her family business on the lake. She loved to spend most of her free time lounging around on the lake enjoying it's peace and tranquility. Until school started back up and lots of new things and new people came into her life. She decided to join the school pod cast class with her friend and during which realized all the issues teens went through. Including her dilemma of falling for her best friend's crush. I will not go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book to everyone. In fact, I highly recommend all of Kasie West's books. They all leave you smiling.

You Are So Undead To Me

Stars 5/5

You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay

This was a fun book and I very much enjoyed it. I love zombie and contemporary books so when they are thrown together in one book, I just have to read it. This follows Megan and she is a Zombie Settler which means when someone dies with unfinished business they come to her and tell her about it and then they can finally rest. Things get all screwy when black magic starts raising the dead for a flesh eating adventure. I don't want to go into this book more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it to all zombie contemporary lovers!