emileereadsbooks's reviews
1064 reviews

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A friend said this is Phantom of the Opera meets Scooby Doo and that nails the vibe of this book. This book is a fantastic balance between spooky scary and a true mystery that deals with morality and how we should treat others. 

I am a sucker for a well done dual timeline, and I think this one balances the storylines so well as the mystery weave in and out of time.

This book is a Christian book and although not heavy on the faith themes, I like that Jaime Jo Wright has a made a space for spooky reads in this market.

Content Note: loss of children, loss of loved ones, kidnapping, forced institutionalization, scary/paranormal content

Thanks to Bethany House Fiction for the gifted book. All opinions are my own. 

Reel Love by Savannah Scott

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Alana is an A-list movie star and has the life people dream of. But it's not all glitz and glamour in her world. She is isolated and lonely and one of the only people she connects with is a mystery person, that is who knows where, that she plays a word game with online.

Stevens would rather just deal with sea slugs than all the unwanted female affection he gets on the ocean tours he guides. He knows what he likes and lives his life in pursuit of those things. One way he unwinds and has fun is to play a word game online.  

When these two start flirting online, they have no clue they live in the same time zone, much less on the same island. And although they have the same zip code, they live in two different worlds. Can their chemistry overcome the logic that they are better apart?
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What a wonderful conclusion to this series. I have loved all these characters and I appreciate that we get to continue to see glimpses of the couples from previous books in each subsequent book. 

Stevens reminds me of a more nerdy version of my husband and I love him for it. We too met online and played many online games with friendly trash talk as we dated long distance, so that aspect of story was extra poignant for me. 

I loved the chemistry between Stevens and Alana and how he went out of his way to show her that he saw her for who she is.

I cannot wait for what Savannah has next up her sleeve! 
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This is a closed door, kisses only rom com. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. 

Content Note: strained parent/child relationship

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Thank you to the author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

The breastfeeding experience: celebrating the beauty of mothers milk by

hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

What a beautiful and encouraging overview of breastfeeding around the world. I love how this book is empowering while also fully pushing mothers towards getting help on their breastfeeding journeys. This would be a great book to read for some moms before they have their first baby as a primer on breastfeeding. Others might find it overwhelming (I would have!). But as a mom currently breastfeeding my 19 month old, this book helped me feel my place in this global sisterhood of women who have been doing this for a very long time. 

Thanks to Troubador for a copy for my review. All opinions are my own.

Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments by Emily Jensen, Laura Wifler

4.0

Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Grandma Gatewood is such an inspiration and this book did a beautiful job telling her story. In a linear fashion you are walked through her first hike of the AT and what came after but interwoven is her history, the history of the AT, and what was culturally happening in the US at the time. At times this read like fiction in the rich way it was told and there were beautiful word pictures that added so much to the reading experience. 

I did this one on audio, and the enthusiastic narrator's tone hit the sweet spot of adding to the narrative without being over the top. 

I read about this book in Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill and I'm so glad that fun YA rom com brought Grandma Gatewood's onto my radar! 

Content Warnings: Domestic Abuse, Violence, Bullying, Rape, Suicidal Thoughts

The Sky Phantom by Carolyn Keene

4.0

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy

3.75

The premise of this book is so unique, that the minute I first heard about it, I had to check it out. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The way Fern acclimates to her new normal and realizes the truths about her old life are fascinating. It is gradual, and there is no magic flip that gets switched. She really has to contend with who and what she is going to believe.

I thought this was a great story to help kids see the black and white elements of the world.

Content Note: This book deals with a child realizing and contending with the place she calls home being a cult. There are also LGBTQ side characters. The mentions are minor, but one scene does feel like an agenda is being pushed. 

Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Dory's dad got called up and went to fight Hitler. And she's so proud of him. But she's also a bit lost in her emotions because her mom is dead and that leaves her 17-year old brother Fish to take care of 9-year old Pike and her 12-year old self. But, as Pop says, "the neighborhood will give you what you need."

But when their landlord dies and a new landlord threatens their arrangement, Dory and her brothers are in search of a miracle to keep their life together. And along the way they may learn that miracles aren't as in such short supply as one would think. You just have to analyze how you view miracles.

This is the type of book you want to wrap your arms around and squeeze. Kate Albus writes this with such a unique and compelling voice. You are drawn in and become so invested in Dory, Fish, and Pike's stories. 

Dory shares a special affection and felt kinship with the Statue of Liberty that becomes such a symbol of hope throughout the novel. I liked how her emotions came pouring out to the statue.

Pike is just a lost little boy trying to buo himself in the world by honoring his siblings and his Pop. I loved his nerdy little personality and how his siblings still let him be a little boy. 

Fish is a character that grew on me the entire book and by the end, perhaps became my favorite. Saddled with such responsibility, he has to straddle the line between boy and man, as is true of many young men during this time period especially. I loved seeing glimpses of the boy he still is amongst him working to be the man of the house. 

This sibling set bickered and teased and loved each other well and I fell in love with them. If you are looking for hopeful WWII historical fiction, a great novel to hand to a middle grader, or an atmospheric look at 1940s Lower East Side, do yourself a favor and pick this one up! 

Note: I don't always love a romantic element in middle grade fiction. But the minimal romantic elements in this story, rang so true to a middle school experience (read:awkward but sweet), were innocent (a peck on the cheek and some holding hands), and added so much to the character development.

Content Note: Death of parent, Abandonment, War

Banana Ball: The Savannah Bananas, Baseball, and Me by Jesse Cole, Don Yaeger

3.0

The Savannah Bananas have taken the internet by storm and this book is a peek behind the curtain about how Banana Ball came to be.

The context of this book is so fun. The stories behind how much of the over the top fun has been brought to life are entertaining and inspiring for anyone who considers themselves a creative of any kind. 

Plus the way the Bananas organization works to be constantly coming up with new and inventive ides to entertain and put the fans first by paying attention to every detail made me thing of the books The Art of Gathering and Unreasonable Hospitality. 

However, the writing style of this book wasn't my favorite. It was not linear and therefore felt very repetitive and disjointed. The same things were referenced again and again, which took up page space for more depth of story. 

I do feel like this is a book I can recommend, but it did fall short for me due to the writing style. 

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara

4.75

This is a book about management. About expectations. About putting people first. And even as a stay at home mom, this book is applicable to my life. 

The tenants of giving people more than they expect isn't just for restauranteurs, it's for the those hosting playdates, movie nights, game tournaments, dinner parties, Bible studies, and out of town family. 

I loved the examples of paying attention and going the extra mile that modeled showing you care doesn't have to be expensive, but it will cost you. It costs time, attention, resources, and yes, maybe cash dollars, but the investment is worth the reward in serving others. 

This is a book I will continue to think about and likely will reread in the future when I need a hit of hospitality inspiration.