March Wrap-Up

March Wrap Up! Mar. Reads - 23 = 5 reads, 3 = 4reads, 0 = 3reads, 0 = 2reads & 0 = 1reads for a total of 26 Books read in March! Books on 2019 Favorites List = 11! Total Books Read in 2019 = 115 Books YAY!

When The Sky Fell On Splendor

Stars 4/5

When The Sky Fell On Splendor by Emily Henry

I read this book as a buddy read for the 2019 Buzzwordathon and I really enjoyed this spooky sci fi read. The story follows a group of high school teenagers that film youtube videos of things in their town like ghosts and other legends. Five years ago, an explosion at the steel mill still affects everyone in the town even Franny's brother who is still in coma. One night something strange fell to the Earth and they had to film it but as they grew closer something was not right and they woke up almost an hour later with burns and no memory of what happened. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it. I also had to love it because it is set in Ohio where I live.

See How They Run

Stars 5/5

See How They Run by Tom Bale

What a twisty turny "who is doing what?" mystery thriller. Hold on for the ride as the story starts with Harry and his wife Alice waking up with two men in their bedroom asking questions about a man they do not know as their lives and the life of the 8 week old baby are threatened. They are warned that they are being watched and not to call the police. The story has so many shady characters all with their own agenda that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading more from this author. 

Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

Stars 5/5

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie

Another amazing book by the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie and I just loved it. I read this book for the Buzzwordathon 2019. The story follows Bobby and Frances, young adventurers that were on the case to solve the "who done it" starting with a man who just walked off the cliff and while dying says "Why didn't they ask Evans?" Who was Evans? Did he jump or was he pushed? I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I must say poking your head into things could be dangerous. I highly recommend this book as well as all the books from Agatha Christie.

Where The Crawdads Sing

Stars 5/5

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

(note... This book made it to my 2019 Favorites List)

I chose this book to read for the Buzzwordathon and little did I know that this book would make it to my 2019 Favorites List! This story was so amazing, unique and creative that I really loved it. The book follows Kya, a girl that was raised in the marshlands of North Carolina. Her family was very poor and her father was abusive not only to Kya's Mother but her brothers and sisters. After Kya's Mother left, the others left as well leaving Kya alone to figure out how to live with her Father. She was just ten years old. As time went on, Kya's Father left and never returned. She figured out how to feed herself and traded with some from town but mostly she stayed by herself. Kya grew up to be a beautiful young lady and the young guys in town took notice. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I will say never judge a book by it's cover and never judge a person's intelligence by where they were raised. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

When Everything Is Blue

Stars 4/5

When Everything Is Blue by Laura Lascarso

If you love a great m/m romance with lots of sexy sex than this is the book for you. The story follows Theo, a young gay guy that is not out yet and is secretly in love with his best friend, Chris. Theo gets involved with a guy from school named Dave and discovers his sexuality. I do not want to go into the story more as to really not spoil it but I will say that Theo's coming out is not how anyone would of ever wanted it to be. I definitely recommend this m/m contemporary.

The Music Of What Happens

Stars 5/5

The Music Of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg

This was an amazing read! The story follows Jordan, a young guy that just lost his Dad and him and his Mom are trying to make ends meet while dealing with her gambling and unaddressed mental conditions. The story also follows Max, a young guy that would do just about anything other than work the summer at his Mother's insurance firm. Jordan's Father owned a food truck and that is how Jordan and Max meet and become so much more than friends while dealing with some very hard issues. I do not want to say more as to not spoil the story but I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a m/m contemporary.

#Buzzwordathon 2019

The Girl Who Was Taken

Stars 5/5

The Girl Who Was Taken by Charlie Donlea

Wow! What a creative and unique story. I just loved it! The book follows Livia, a forensic pathologist who is searching for her sister, Nicole, who went missing along with Megan the night of the senior class beach party. Megan escaped the kidnapper but Nicole is still missing along with many other girls. Livia is trying to find answers and hoping to finally put Nicole to rest. I do not want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that there are lots of twists and turns. I highly recommend it. I read this book for the #Buzzwordathon 2019.

Neverseen (Keeper Of The Lost Cities #4)

Stars 5/5

Neverseen (Keeper Of The Lost Cities #4) by Shannon Messenger

This is the fourth book in the Keeper Of The Lost Cities series and I really loved this book as well as the series. The book continues to follow Sophie and her friends as they are living on the run with the Black Swan, starting school at Exillium and trying to find the cure to the plague that is making the gnomes sick. This book is full of adventure and magic. I highly recommend it as well as the series and I do plan to continue on with the next book.

Swing

Stars 5/5

Swing by Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess

I am going to be honest and say that I was very skeptical about reading this book but I really enjoyed it. I loved all the interesting references thrown out randomly, it kept the story always on the edge that I was always wondering which way it would go. The book follows Noah and his best friend Walt aka Swing and their day to day life of love interests, baseball, jazz and the dairy queen. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I will say that I loved it set in verse but the ending had me all torn up. I highly recommend this book.

The Mystery Of Black Hollow Lane

Stars 5/5

The Mystery Of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel

I loved this book and can't wait for the next book in the series. This story had every element I love... boarding school, friendships, mean girls and a spooky mystery to solve. The book follows Emmy, a daughter of "parenting expert mom" on TV who is very busy and decides to send her to a boarding school in England. Wellsworth School is a mystery on it's own and Emmy soon finds out her absent father used to attend the school. Emmy and her friends soon stumble on a secret society within the school called The Order of The Black Hollow Lane. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it and I do plan on continuing with this series.

Everblaze (Keeper Of The Lost Cities #3)

Stars 5/5

Everblaze (Keeper Of The Lost Cities #3) by Shannon Messenger

This is the third book in the Keeper Of The Lost Cities series and I am really enjoying the books. They are definitely chunky books but they are full of adventure and mystery. The story continues with Sophie and her talents are getting stronger but Sophie is still learning the rules and breaks one that could lead to a war. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I will say that the stories are full of many magical characters. It is a fantastical world I really love. I highly recommend this series.

Exile (Keeper Of The Lost Cities #2)

Stars 5/5

Exile (Keeper Of The Lost Cities #2) by Shannon Messenger

This is the second book in the Keeper Of The Lost Cities series and I just love it. The story continues to follow Sophie and she locates a female Alicorn which no one knew of it's existence. Sophie bonds with the animal and the council allows her and her adopted family to shelter her until she can be moved and introduced to the male Alicorn in captivity. Sophie is also still searching for Black Swan messages. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book as well as the series. I will be continuing on with the next book!

Keeper Of The Lost Cities

Stars 5/5

Keeper Of The Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

I really loved this book and can't wait to read all the other books in the series. The story follows Sophie, a twelve year old that meets a young boy named Fitz and finds out that she is not human but an elf and that her parents are not really her parents. Sophie is a telepath and after Fitz sneaks her to Elf land, her brain was finally quiets and she feels more comfortable there than the world of humans. Sophie learns that she must come to live with the elves and that means she must say goodbye to the only family she has ever known. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it. I will definitely be continuing on in the series.

Song For A Whale

Stars 5/5

Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelly

Such a wonderful heart touching story. I just loved it. The book follows Iris, a twelve year old deaf girl that wants above all to be around people who are like her. She attends a public school and really wishes her parents would let her go to the Deaf School that one of her friend attends. Iris loves to repair old radios. So when she hears about a whale called Blue 55 and how he is swimming alone in the ocean due to his inability to communicate with other whales, Iris sets herself on a mission to not only come up with a song Blue 55 can hear and understand but with the help of her grandmother fly to Alaska to meet Blue 55. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it.

The Past And Other Things That Should Stay Buried

Stars 5/5

The Past And Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson

OMG I really loved this crazy undead story! The book follows Dino, a young guy that helps out with his family's funeral home. Dino is in a new relationship Rafi and his relationship with his best friend, July, was put on hold. During this time, July died and Dino not only has to come to grips with her death but while doing her makeup at the funeral home, she wakes up! I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it to everyone! This definitely will get a reread around the Halloween Season!

The Hundred And One Dalmatians

Stars 5/5

The Hundred And One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

This is not the first time I have read this book but I wanted to do a re-read because I loved it as a child and wanted to re-visit this world. I am sure everyone knows the story but if not... The book follows Missis and Pongo, dalmatian dogs that are expecting puppies. After the puppies are born, the evil Cruella de Vil has them stolen along with dozens of other puppies to have them killed for their hide. She needs a new fur coat. Missis and Pongo are on the hunt to find the pups with the help of all the dogs from the Starlight Barking. I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages.

The Whispers

Stars 5/5

The Whispers by Greg Howard

Such an amazing story! Magical and unique! I really did love it. The book follows Riley, an eleven year old boy that is trying to deal with the disappearance of his Mother. He remembers a bedtime story that she used to tell him about magical whispers in the woods that would give you what you wished for if you left a tribute gift. There are so many things going on in Riley's life. Overcoming obstacles of bullies at school, his crush for his friend Dylan, wetting the bed and trying to find his Mother. I do not want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but it is a heart touching story that you will not forget. I highly recommend it and hope to get a physical copy of this book soon for my forever shelf.

Daisy Jones & The Six

Stars 5/5

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

(note... This book made it to my 2019 Favorites List)

First, I have to say that this book made it to my 2019 Favorites List because I loved it THAT much! The book is set up as interviews of everyone who was affiliated with Daisy Jones and the band called The Six. During the interviews, you find out about each ones life, hardships that they have to deal with and their feelings towards themselves and to others. I have to say that as I was reading this book, flashes of Janice Joplin and Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac kept filling my mind. I don't want to go into the story as to not spoil it but OMG this book is a "Must Read". I really can't recommend it enough!

We Set The Dark On Fire

Stars 5/5

We Set The Dark On Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

WoW I really loved this book. So very unique and creative. The book follows Daniela, a graduate of the Medio School For Girls and has been chosen as one of the wives for a prominent family's son. Daniela is chosen to run her husband's household and Carmen is chosen for having and raising the children. In this world, there are many who are poor and rebels fighting for justice. Daniela finds out the hard way as she is black mailed due to her secret past. I do not want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it. I can not wait til the next book in this series and would even love to read a prequel of the girls in school.

Come Find Me

Stars 5/5

Come Find Me by Megan Miranda

This is a unique and creative work of sci fi excellence. I just loved it. The story follows Kennedy, a young girl that has just went through a horrible family tragedy and is trying to hold on to anything she can especially her brother's work of searching the stars for messages. The story also follows Nolan, a young guy that is grieving due to his brother being missing and he believes that his brother's spirit is trying to communicate with him. Both Kennedy and Nolan are getting signals that brings them together to find the answers they both seek. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it to everyone who love a sci fi/paranormal twist. Also I have to mention that Michael Crouch does part of the narration on the audio book! YAY!

We're Not From Here

Stars 5/5

We're Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey

I just loved this cute and uniquely creative book. The story follows Lan, a young boy that lives with his family on a Mars Station. Earth is inhabitable and humans must find a new planet to live on because the Mars Station will not last long. After getting the clearance to come to the Planet Choom to live, Lan and his family make the 20 yr trip only to find out the government has changed and they are no longer welcome on the Planet. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but OMG this is an awesome middle grade sci fi read that I highly recommend. 

The Fate Of The Tearling (The Queen Of The Tearling #3)

Stars 5/5

The Fate Of The Tearling (The Queen Of The Tearling #3) by Erika Johansen

This is the third and final book in The Queen of The Tearling trilogy and I am speechless. The book continues to follow Queen Kelsea as she still tries to protect the citizens of her Kingdom while imprisoned by the Red Queen. I am not going to say anything that will spoil the ending but I have to say that it left me torn and I would love to read more about the lives of these characters. This is one of those books that you miss being in the world. I highly recommend this trilogy and I am going to keep my fingers crossed that the author will let us revisit Tearling one day soon.

The Invasion Of The Tearling (The Queen Of The Tearling #2)

Stars 5/5

The Invasion Of The Tearling (The Queen Of The Tearling #2) by Erika Johansen

This is the second book in The Queen of The Tearling trilogy and I just loved it. The story continues to follow Princess Kelsea, as she settles in to her position as ruler, she does a few things that has upset the Red Queen and now Princess Kelsea realizes that she may have put her whole kingdom in peril. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book as well as the series. I can not wait to read the next book.

The Queen Of The Tearling

Stars 5/5

The Queen Of The Tearling by Erika Johansen

WoW! What a creative and unique story! I really loved it. The book follows Princess Kelsea who was raised far from her kingdom in a place secluded for her safety. At the age of nineteen, the Queen's Guard comes to escort her to Tearling to take her place as Queen. During the long journey to the castle, Princess Kelsea finds that not everyone wants her to return and would do anything to find her and have her killed. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it. It took me forever to finally pick up this book and I seriously wonder why. I will be continuing on with the series.

The Care And Feeding Of Ravenously Hungry Girls

Stars 4/5

The Care And Feeding Of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

I really enjoyed this book. Very creative and unique. The story follows a family that has been turned upside. Althea, the oldest sister, is arrested her and her husband for stealing money from their friends and neighbors and buying food stamps from others to supply their restaurant. Althea's sisters must come and help take care of her teenage daughters, one of which was the one that turned her mother in for the crime. This story deals with many issues that can plague a family. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I do recommend it. Love the cover and Love the name of this book.

The House In Poplar Wood

Stars 5/5

The House In Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee

Oh I really loved this book! The story is unique and very creative. It is a perfect read around the Halloween season. The story follows the Vickery twins, Lee and Felix. Lee and his Mother serve Memory, working for her to store memories of others. Felix and his Dad serve Death, working for him as he takes lives. Due to the Agreement, Lee can never see his Dad and Felix can never see his Mom. One day Gretchen Whipple comes into their lives and wants the twins to help her solve the mystery of who killed a young girl in town named Essie and if they help her, she will help them break the Agreement. I highly recommend this book!