My most anticipated book releases for March 2022

Any teacher will tell you March is the longest month of the year. We’ve had enough of snow and cold, and there are no holiday breaks. Here are some new book releases that will help bring cheer to your March.

Through Crimson Irish Light (Unexpected Prince Charming #3) — Through Crimson Irish Light

Release Date: March 15

This is book three in a series I haven’t read, but it came up in my goodreads recommendations since I’ve read Miles’ Dare River Series. I was drawn to the Irish setting. The description looks like it’s a sweet romance that could be read as a standalone.

Release Date: March 1

She had me at a “society of magical academicians.”

Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces, 2004 to 2021 — Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces 2004-2021

Release Date: March 1

Essay collections aren’t usually my go-to read, but Margaret Atwood is one of my all-time favorite authors.

Release Date: March 1

The description reminds me of a You’ve Got Mail for the 21st century.

Release Date: March 8

A thriller centered around a couple and their therapist.

Cinder's Adventure: Get Me To the Wedding! — Cinder’s Adventure: Get Me to the Wedding!i

Release Date: March 15

I love the Lunar Chronicles and this looks like a fun addition to the series.

Release Date: March 22

Sounds like an interesting look at family dynamics.

Release Date: March 29

I love Kate Quinn’s WWII novels. A bookish history student turned sniper sounds like a fascinating protagonist.

Four Aunties and a Wedding (Aunties, #2) — Four Aunties And A Wedding

Release Date: March 29

Dial “A” for Aunties was one of my favorite reads of 2021. Can’t wait to read this sequel.

A Magic Steeped in Poison (The Book of Tea, #1) — A Magic Steeped in Poison

Release Date: March 29

Tea and magic, what’s not to love?

Release Date: March 29

I wish there were more historical fiction novels set in ancient times. This looks like an interesting start to a new trilogy.

February 28, 2022

Middle Grade Takes-On Thursday

I just discovered this weekly meme sponsored by Book Craic to celebrate middle grade books.

How to take part:

Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
Open the book to page 11 and share your favorite sentence.
Write three words to describe the book.
Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

*Holes* written by Louis Sachar
Published by Scholastic

Favorite Sentence from page 11:

“Stanley wasn’t sure if the bus driver meant for him to be careful going down the steps, or if he was telling him to be careful at Camp Green Lake.”

This Book in Three Words:

Humorous, Unique, Adventurous

Why I chose this book:

I chose this book because it’s a contemporary classic. Given that the book was written in 1998 and was made into a movie, it’s not new to middle grade fans. It’s still one of my favorites. Holes tells the story of Stanley Yelnats a boy falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center where the “delinquents” are forced to dig holes as a character-building exercise. But Stanley suspects there’s more to the story, and is determined to uncover the mystery. I love Holes because it is filled with humor, adventure and crazy characters that kids love, while also touching upon meaningful themes and important life lessons.

February 24, 2022

Book Review: Frankenslime written by Joy Keller and Illustrated by Ashley Belote

Summary:

Victoria Franken is young scientist who loves making slime. Along with her dog, Igor, she uses the scientific method to create different kinds of slime such as Intergalactic space slime and Glow-in-the-dark zombie slime. Then one day, one of her creations comes to life.

This is a delightful story that also teaches kids about the scientific method. Adults will also enjoy the references to the original Frankenstein. The illustrations are filled with details that will keep kids coming back. One of my favorite features is the hidden chameleon on each page. The author even includes slime recipes.

I had the great pleasure of attending a zoom presentation by Joy Keller and Ashley Belote last week. During the presentation a lightbulb went off in my mind that this might be the book I’d been looking for. I have a student who is an extremely reluctant reader and it’s been my mission to find a book he will like. Frankenslime seemed like the kind of kooky story he would love. So, as soon as the meeting ended, I was on Amazon ordering it.

I introduced the book to him on Tuesday with trepidation and prepared myself for disappointment. Who knew all it would take to get him to read was a hidden chameleon? Once he started looking for the chameleon, he was drawn into the pictures and then the story. He even requested that I get the sequel, Valenslime, which will arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day. This book is a miracle.

February 11, 2022

Favorite Reads of 2022

Note: this is list is based on when I read the books, not when they were published

January: The Queen’s Fortune by Allison Pataki

February: Pirate Vishnu by Gigi Pandian

March: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

April: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

May: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

June: Aaron by Dale Mayer

July: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

August: The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

September: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

October: Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

November: How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior

December: The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner

My favorite reads of 2021

February 6, 2022

My Favorite Read for January 2022

The Queen's Fortune — The Queen’s Fortune

Goodreads Synopsis:

As the French revolution ravages the country, Desiree Clary is faced with the life-altering truth that the world she has known and loved is gone and it’s fallen on her to save her family from the guillotine.

A chance encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte, the ambitious and charismatic young military prodigy, provides her answer. When her beloved sister Julie marries his brother Joseph, Desiree and Napoleon’s futures become irrevocably linked. Quickly entering into their own passionate, dizzying courtship that leads to a secret engagement, they vow to meet in the capital once his career has been secured. But her newly laid plans with Napoleon turn to sudden heartbreak, thanks to the rising star of Parisian society, Josephine de Beauharnais. Once again, Desiree’s life is turned on its head.

Swept to the glittering halls of the French capital, Desiree is plunged into the inner circle of the new ruling class, becoming further entangled with Napoleon, his family, and the new Empress. But her fortunes shift once again when she meets Napoleon’s confidant and star general, the indomitable Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. As the two men in Desiree’s life become political rivals and military foes, the question that arises is: must she choose between the love of her new husband and the love of her nation and its Emperor?

From the lavish estates of the French Riviera to the raucous streets of Paris and Stockholm, Desiree finds herself at the epicenter of the rise and fall of an empire, navigating a constellation of political giants and dangerous, shifting alliances. Emerging from an impressionable girl into a fierce young woman, she discovers that to survive in this world she must learn to rely upon her instincts and her heart.

Allison Pataki’s meticulously researched and brilliantly imagined novel sweeps readers into the unbelievable life of a woman almost lost to history—a woman who, despite the swells of a stunning life and a tumultuous time, not only adapts and survives but, ultimately, reigns at the helm of a dynasty that outlasts an empire.

My thoughts:

I love fiction that focuses on the lesser-known historical figures. Before reading this book, I knew almost nothing about Desiree Clary. She was engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte, until he met Josephine. Even after the engagement ends, Napoleon’s influence dominates her life. Yet, in the end, she is the one whose blood still flows through European royalty. I found her story fascinating.

My most anticipated book releases for February 2022

Looking for a good book to curl up with on cold winter nights? Here are some new releases I’m looking forward to next month.

Release Date: February 1

One of the first books I’ve seen set in the pandemic. This looks like a good balance of introspection without being too depressing.

Release Date: February 1

I’m always looking for a good middle grade read for myself and my students. This story looks fascinating.

The Soulmate Equation — Soulmate Equation

Release Date: February 8

Christina Lauren is another new-to-me author that I read for the first time in January (authors actually- the pen name belongs to Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings). This looks like another fun contemporary romance.

With Love from London — With Love From London

Release Date: February 8

Sarah Jio is already one of my favorite authors. Throw in a character who inherits a bookshop with an eccentric staff, and I can’t resist.

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki — The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

Release Date: February 15

Allison Pataki’s book, The Queen’s Fortune, will be featured in an upcoming post about my favorite read of January. I really enjoyed her writing style and that she focuses on lesser-known women of history. This book tells the story of Majorie Post, heiress of the Post Cereal family.

February 1, 2022

Writing Goals + Poem

I didn’t set any specific reading goals for 2022. I don’t need the motivation to keep up with my reading. I did decide to focus on writing consistently. I started the new yearout by putting specific writing goals in my calendar for each day of January. So far, this is proving to be more effective for me than just planning on a set amount of time or number of words. I did not get to poetry writing on Saturday, so I decided to incorporate it into today’s blog post, which was going to be about the trials of completing daily tasks when you really just want to read your book.

A Day in the Life of a Reader

by Nicole K. Galbraith

pile of books — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The alarm rings at six

Breakfast I must fix

The whole time I cook

I’d rather be reading my book

But off to work I go

Driving through the snow

For black ice I look

When I could be reading my book

Lessons to teach

and young minds to reach

The patience it took!

When I could be reading my book

After school, a faculty meeting

Another initiative we’ll be leading

In disbelief our heads all shook

When I could be reading my book

At home I make dinner

This new recipe was a winner

But so much time it took

When I could be reading my book

Finally the dishes are done

Now I can have fun

I go up to my nook

At last I can read my book

January 14, 2022

Print books vs. Ebooks

There is a constant debate over the merits of print books versus ereaders. There is plenty of research that will proves we retain and process information differently when it is on a screen. But that isn’t why most avid readers prefer the printed book. I broke down and got a Nook several years ago. I can’t deny there are some benefits. When traveling, it’s so much easier to pack one device without worrying about running out of reading material. You can look up unfamiliar words as your read. You can adjust the brightness and font size. What you can’t do with an ereader, is replicate the feeling of reading a print book.

Despite all the warnings we’ve been given, part of the reading experience is judging the cover. The start of the reading experience begins with exploration of the cover. While all of that information is in an ebook, it takes a series of searches and clicks to get to it. I often skip it all together and go into the book blind.

Once you move onto the reading of the book it is an entire sense experience. The weight of the book in your hand, the smell of the ink and paper, the sound of pages turning. All of these elements combine to create the full reading experience.

There’s another, often forgotten aspect of the reading experience: bookmarks. Any avid reader has a collection of bookmarks throughout their house. While they perform a function which is just as often accomplished by the closest receipt that the reader happens to grab, they are also the opportunity to express the reader’s personality. The fun of picking out bookmarks is lost to the ereader user. Bookmarks are functional tools that help you keep your spot. But, it’s more than that . Watching your bookmark move through the book, gives the reader a sense of accomplishment. An experienced reader can glance at the bookmarks placement and easily gauge how long it will take to finish. It has taken me years with the ereader to make accurate “time to finish” estimates.

So, no matter how many advancements in ereaders take place, my home will still be overflowing with books. Which looks much more impressive than a shelf a single device sitting on it.

January 6, 2022

Books to Watch for- January 2022

It’s a new year, and many people are setting reading goals. Here are a few books I’m looking forward to that you might want to add to your list.

Serendipity

Edited by: Marissa Meyer

This one is a collection of short stories which are twists on common tropes seen in romance stories. I love the concept and Marissa Meyer is one of my favorite authors.

The Last House on the Street

Author: Diane Chamberlain

Release Date: January 11

Diane Chamberlain is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She does a wonderful job of blending historical fiction and mystery.

Northwind

Author: Gary Paulsen

Release Date: January 11

Gary Paulsen’s last book ever, need I say more?

Reminders of Him

Author: Colleen Hoover

Release Date: January 18

Colleen is a pro at writing contemporary romances that have grit to them. Can’t wait to read this one.

Violetta

Author: Isabel Allende

Release Date: January 25

I don’t read a lot of magical realism, even though I always enjoy it. I want to try to read more of it and you can’t go wrong with Allende.

The Overnight Guest

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

Release Date: January 25

I haven’t read anything from Gudenkauf in a long time. This sounds like the perfect winter thriller.

January 3, 2022

My Favorite Read for December 2021

Goodreads synopsis:

When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is inadvertently shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working at an island resort on the California coastline. It’s the biggest job yet for the family wedding business—”Don’t leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!“—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie’s perfect buttercream flowers.

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy’s great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?

My thoughts:

This was such a fun read. When her blind date is too aggressive, Meddy accidentally kills him. The situation snowballs and soon Meddy, her mother and aunts are in the middle of a huge cover-up. While the situation is crazy, Sutanto does a great job creating insane , yet realistic, family dynamics.

This book is perfect for readers who like

…loving, meddling families

… second generation immigrant stories

… crazy, humorous situations

… second chance romance

January 2, 2022