Picture Book Review: The Little Books of the Little Brontes

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Little Books of the Little Brontes

Author: Sara O’Leary

Illustrator: Briony May Smith

Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books

Publication Date: October 17, 2023

Book Description:

Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family — Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne — lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history, and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories and their own tiny books . . . a passion that would last them a lifetime.

A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author’s note, timeline of the Brontës’ lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book.

My Thoughts:

This tells the story of the Bronte siblings before they were famous writers. Kids do not need to know their work (Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, but I won’t be recommending to any 5-7 year olds) to appreciate the story. The siblings lose their mother and two older sisters at a very young age. This book is the story of how the power of storytelling helped them deal with the tragedies surrrounding them. The siblings shared stories and created their own little books. The end of the book also includes directions for kids to make their own little books. I am a firm believer that picture books are not just for kids. Any adult who likes classic literature would love this book.

The illustrations give the book a classic feel and reminded me of the works of Chris VanAllsburg.

March 7, 2023

Throw Back Thursday Book Review: Enchanted Inc. by Shanna Swendson

Welcome back to my weekly feature where I look at back at some of my favorite books that I read before starting the blog.

Today’s Book: Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson

Publication Date: May 31, 2005

Date Read: July 19, 2011

My Rating: 4 stars

Favorite Quote:

“Any man who would deny you dessert isn’t worth having.”

― Shanna Swendson, Enchanted, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Katie Chandler had always heard that New York is a weird and wonderful place, but this small-town Texas gal had no idea how weird until she moved there. Everywhere she goes, she sees something worth gawking at and Katie is afraid she’s a little too normal to make a splash in the big city. Working for an ogre of a boss doesn’t help.

Then, seemingly out of the blue, Katie gets a job offer from Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., a company that provides tricks of the trade to the magic community. For MSI, Katie’s ordinariness is an asset.

Lacking any bit of magic, she can easily spot a fake spell, catch hidden clauses in competitor’s contracts, and detect magically disguised intruders. Suddenly, average Katie is very special indeed.

She quickly learns that office politics are even more complicated when your new boss is a real ogre, and you have a crush on the sexy, shy, ultra powerful head of the R&D department, who is so busy fighting an evil competitor threatening to sell black magic on the street that he seems barely to notice Katie. Now it’s up to Katie to pull off the impossible: save the world and–hopefully–live happily ever after.

My Thoughts:

The premise of this book is unique. Most of us have just enough magic inside us for spells that hide the truth to work on us. But, Katie doesn’t have a drop of magic, and is immune to spells. This is exactly what Enchanted Inc. needs. The magical community is under attack, and they need someone who won’t be fooled by devious enchantments.

This is such a fun series. I chose to write about Enchanted Inc. book since it’s first in the series, but I think the later books are even better. Owen is one of my all-time favorite romantic leads. He is one of the most powerful wizards in the world, but out of fear for his potential, the magical community raised him to be insecure and shy. So, he is the perfect combination of powerful and sweet. The side characters are just as delightful. My favorites being Merlin (yes that Merlin) and Sam the gargoyle.

March 5, 2023

Throw Back Thursday Book Review: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

This is week two of my new blog feature where I review books I read prior to starting the blog.

Today’s Book: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Publication date: January 1, 2004

Date Read: May 8, 2009

My Rating: 5 Stars

Favorite Quote:

“Your cat just got cat hair on me.” “It’s only fair,” Min said. “Your suit just got expensive suit lint on him.”
― Jennifer Crusie, Bet Me

Goodreads Synopsis:

Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even if she does wear great shoes and keeps him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.

But Fate has other plans, and it’s not long before Min and Cal meet again. Soon, they’re dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all—true love.

My Thoughts:

This was one of the first books I discovered on goodreads. It was number one on a list of contemporary romances. It’s been fourteen years since I read Bet Me, and nearly twenty since it was published. It’s still the book I use as the standard for all other humorous contemporary romances. I was shocked to see how long ago I read it, because so many of the scenes are still so clear to me. This book is so funny, yet the romance is touching. Years later, there are still scenes that melt my heart just thinking about them. I love it when characters show small gestures that make them perfect for each other, like when Cal pulls a spoon out of his jacket for MIn’s ice cream.

March 2, 2023

My Favorite Read of February 2023: The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

“This was just a season, and there’s beauty in all seasons. Even if you are looking forward to the next one.”

Abby Jimenez, The Happy Ever After Playlist

Goodreads Synopsis:

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can’t seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a “take me home” look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker’s owner reaches out. He’s a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan’s not about to give up her dog without a fight. As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. There’s no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

My Thoughts:

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book. I really liked Sloan and Brandon’s relationship in The Friend Zone and his death felt unnecessaary to the plot (I later learned that Jimenez wrote this book first and went back and wrote The Friend Zone). While the relationship between Sloan and Jason moved quickly, it still respected Sloan’s history. Even thought Jason was all-in from the beginning, he understood that Sloan would need some time. At times I found the drama frustrating, but I think it was realistic to what it would be like to be in a relationship with someone in the public eye.

What I liked about this book:

Even though Jason helped pull Sloan out of her grief, it was clear that Sloan had found her own strength
Tucker: the dog knows what he wants and how to get it
Jason is the perfect combination for a modern romantic hero: Hot Rock Star and Sweet dog-lover
Balance of humor and serious scenes

March 1, 2023

Picture Book Review: The Most Important Animal of All

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Most Important Animal of All

Author: Penny Worms

Publisher: Jolly Fish Press

Publication Date: June 6, 2023

Description:

Seven children champion an animal for the top spot.

Is it the ELEPHANT or the BEAVER, who both create habitats where other creatures can live and thrive?

Is it the TIGER or the SHARK, who are both top predators, or the BAT, who keeps insect populations down?

Is it the tiny KRILL, a food source for many sea creatures, or the BEE, the master pollinator?

Join the children to find out how special these creatures are in this very first introduction to ecosystems.

My Thoughts:

On the first day of school the students discover the classroom has been transformed to reflect nature. The teacher informs them that they will be learning all about animals. Their assignment for the end of the semester is to determine which animal is the most important animal of all. Seven different students make strong arguments for very different animals: elephants, beavers, tigers, sharks, bats, krill and bees. Pages are filled with factual information about how each animal contributes to the ecosystem. In the end, the message is clear that all animals are important and contribute to the world.

This book would be great for a science class, and could generate multiple lessons. I could easily see it sparking a research project where students pick different animals and justify why they are the most important.This book would also appeal to any animal or fact lover outside of the school setting. With an engaging combination of illustrations, photographs and fact captions kids will keep coming back to this book to learn about their favorite animals.

February 28, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday 2/28/23: Genre freebie

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl . This week’s topic is a genre freebie.

While this isn’t an official genre, I wanted to share my favorite “books for booklovers”.

This is one of my favorite books ever. The UK version is Little Shop of Happily Ever After (which makes more sense given that there is no bookshop on a corner in the novel).

My Review

This is a great romance between a literary agent and publisher. I liked the “behind the scenes” view of the book industry.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Orlean tells the story of the 1986 fire in the Los Angelos Public Library, while also looking at the history and future of all libraries.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

My Review

This book really highlights the role of libraries in a community beyond just providing books.

I’d Rather be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

The title says it all for this one.

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

The Bookish Life of NIna Hill by Abbie Waxman

Sometimes booklovers need a little push to come out of their shell. Nina learns to embrace life and finds love.

Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen’s Bath to Ernest Hemingway’s Key West by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon

A great travel guide for the world’s best literary locations.

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Imagine a book character speaking to you. This is what happens to Delilah which starts her quest to rescue Prince Oliver from his existence as a book character.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Suffering from a rare condition that makes her skin blue, Cussy Carter becomes a librarian in the Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

At the end of WWII a writer is looking for an idea and discovers the story of an eclectic group of literature lovers bound together during the German Occupation.

February 28, 2023

Picture Book Review:Spacemanatee

Thank you to netgalley for providing a digital advanced reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Spacemanatee

Author: Katie Gilstrap

Illustrator: Alice Samuel

Publisher: American Psychological Association, Magination Press

Publication Date: March 7, 2023

Book Description:

Every night, Anna Lee Manatee meets with her friend, The Loon, to stargaze. When Anna Lee shares her belief of a “Manatee on the Moon,” The Loon mocks her seemingly far-fetched idea. Determined to validate her beliefs, Anna Lee constructs a rocket ship out of materials she finds in the sea and blasts off to outer space. Will she find what she is looking for? This is a sweet story that helps kids believe in themselves so they can reach new heights.

My Thoughts:

This adorable picture book has a positive message for kids about believing in themselves. Anna Lee is convinced that there is a manatee on the moon. When her friend doubts her, she sets out to prove it, thus becoming a manatee on the moon. The fun storyline subtly sends a big message. In addition, the end of the book includes practical advice for parents to help build children’s independence and confidence.

February 25, 2023

New Site Feature: Throw Back Thursday Review

As you’ve probably noticed, Nicole’s Nook has a new look. I finally sat down to took time over February break to add a new theme and categorize my posts more thoughtfully. It is now much easier to use the menu to search for book reviews by genre. I have consistently posted my favorite book of the month since I started the blog in August of 2021. That leaves out a lot of great books I read before then. So, I thought it would be fun to search through my goodreads and share some of my highest rated books prior to starting Nicole’s Nook.

Today’s book: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Publication Date: July 21, 2020

Date Read: January 2, 2021

My rating: 4 Stars

Favorite Quote: “There’s something almost miraculous about seeing a child’s eyes light up when you hand him a book that intrigues him. I’ve always thought that it’s those children—the ones who realize that books are magic—who will have the brightest lives.”
― Kristin Harmel, The Book of Lost Names

Goodreads Synopsis:

Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer—but will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war?

As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.

My Thoughts

While I haven’t done a review of this book before, it has shown up on several lists. If you are a regular visitor to Nicole’s Nook, you know I read a lot of books set in WWII. This one has stayed with me for a couple of reasons. First, it’s reverance for books and preserving identity. Eva and Remy not only create new identities fore refugees, but they also create a coded record of their real identies, for those too young to remember. Second, I love the characterization of Eva. In the present timeline, we see her as a quiet librarian, who most would perceive as living a boring life. But, we see in the past that she took extraordinary risks to save countless people. It really shows the assumptions society makes about the elderly. Lastly, I love the relationship between Remy and Eva. It adds just the right touch of romance without distracting from the main story.

February 23, 2023

Book Review: School Trip by Jerry Craft

Thank you to Netgalley for providing with a free ebook copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Description:

Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can’t wait to see all the amazing art in the famous City of Lights.

But when their trusted faculty guides are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected–and hilarious–turn. Especially when trying to find their way around a foreign city ends up being almost as tricky as navigating the same friendships, fears, and differences that they struggle with at home.

Will Jordan and his friends embrace being exposed to a new language, unfamiliar food, and a different culture? Or will they all end up feeling like the “new kid”?

My Thoughts

Usually when the first book in a series is as unique as The New Kid, the rest of the series can be a dissapppointment because it doesn’t feel as fresh. But this series keeps getting better. I would recommend reading them in order, so that you know the characters and their relationships.

The kids at Riverdale Academy Day School don’t go on run-of-the-mill field trips. They go places like Paris, Alaska and the Civil Rights Trail. Jordan is in the group that goes to Paris. In this new setting, the kids discover things about each other they never knew.

It is tough to find books with the silliness kids love while also making them think. Craft openly says he writes books he wished he had as a kid, and kids today are grateful to have them. School Trip is filled with puns and dad jokes that had me laughing out loud. But, it also addresses head-on the issues POC face. I loved that the kids had a natural, open dialogue about their feelings.

My Favorite Read of January 2023: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

“Imagine if all men took women seriously. Education would change. The workforce would revolutionize..”
— Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry

Goodreads Synopsis:

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

My Thoughts

Based on the cover, I was expecting more of a light read. This book does have a lot of humor, but it also has depth. It touches on many difficult issues: sexual assault, suicide, homophobia, grief and sexism. Yet, the story is so well written that it does not come off as depressing.

What I liked about this book:

It’s nice balance of humor and drama
the dog, six-thirty, is a great character
It connected cooking and science in an interesting way
Elizabeth refuses to compromise her values

February 1, 2023