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sarasreadingnook's reviews
511 reviews
Finding Family at Seabreeze Farm by Jo Bartlett
I really loved and enjoyed this title! I found the writing very charming and enjoyed the love connection between the two main characters. I would definitely recommend this.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Daisy Woodworm Changes the World by Melissa Hart
3.75
When prompted with the question, “How can one save the world?” Daisy immediately thinks of Sorrel, her brother who has Down Syndrome, and how she could best support his ambition to become a fashion icon and youtube star.
Daisy and Sorrel are faced with many obstacles, and with the representation of Down Syndrome, another strength of this book is how Daisy, with the help of her friends, family, and teacher, can make the world a better place. I liked that this story showed how important it is to reframe goals and ask for aid when needed. I loved Sorrel and the strong bond between the two siblings. Regarding the pacing, the last half of the book flowed very nicely. I also wanted to know more about Daisy, but this may be something to look forward to in the future. This book is well-suited for a middle-grade audience/classroom. Daisy wants to study insects so cool facts about insects are provided.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Daisy and Sorrel are faced with many obstacles, and with the representation of Down Syndrome, another strength of this book is how Daisy, with the help of her friends, family, and teacher, can make the world a better place. I liked that this story showed how important it is to reframe goals and ask for aid when needed. I loved Sorrel and the strong bond between the two siblings. Regarding the pacing, the last half of the book flowed very nicely. I also wanted to know more about Daisy, but this may be something to look forward to in the future. This book is well-suited for a middle-grade audience/classroom. Daisy wants to study insects so cool facts about insects are provided.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Cat Family Christmas: An Advent Lift-the-Flap Book (with Over 140 Flaps) by Lucy Brownridge
5.0
Get this one before the 12 days of Christmas start!
This lift-the-flap advent book features beautifully illustrated pages of a cat family during Christmas as they prepare and celebrate the holiday season. The placement of the various flaps was done cleverly and will be so much fun for readers to explore as they progress through the story.
Not only are the activities engaging, but the story itself is as well, as it counts down the 12 days of Christmas. As you flip through the book, note the different animal families, which include rabbits, badgers, and foxes (among others!). It is lovely to see the various families as they board the sleeper train! Even the houses display snowmen outside (e.g., snow-cats and snow-ducks!)
This book is so much fun to read with your little ones as you approach Christmas day. The last page ends on Christmas Eve.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Cats Don't Like Christmas!: A Hilarious Holiday Children's Book for Kids Ages 3-7 by Andy Wortlock
5.0
This feline-tastic book is an adorable and hilarious picture book detailing all of the annoyances cats face during a busy family Christmas. Each page features a clever rhyme and is beautifully illustrative of the narration, full of wit and charm!
As a mega cat lover, I feel like there is also an important tale to tell here: with compassion and empathy, we can enjoy Christmas while not pestering our pets too much, if only our family and guests let them have adequate quiet time in addition to love, and affection.
Make sure to read until the end because every page features a hidden mouse! Enjoy finding these together with your little ones (or, in my case, my cat Olivia who was eager to spot them!).
Highly recommended! Purrfect for kids and adults (and cats!), too!
Thank you to NetGalley for this review copy. All opinions are my own.
Where to find us:
Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph
As a mega cat lover, I feel like there is also an important tale to tell here: with compassion and empathy, we can enjoy Christmas while not pestering our pets too much, if only our family and guests let them have adequate quiet time in addition to love, and affection.
Make sure to read until the end because every page features a hidden mouse! Enjoy finding these together with your little ones (or, in my case, my cat Olivia who was eager to spot them!).
Highly recommended! Purrfect for kids and adults (and cats!), too!
Thank you to NetGalley for this review copy. All opinions are my own.
Where to find us:
Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph
Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant
3.5
3.5 stars
I’ll be frank: You’ve Got Mail is one of my all-time favourite movies. I watch it nearly every Christmas, it’s the film that made me fall in love with coffee shops and NYC as a setting, and I cannot think of a better RomCom. Of course, that leaves me searching for a similar read, and I’m always on the lookout for an adaptation with similar vibes.
Betsy St. Amant did a great job with Tacos for Two and crafted two characters I enjoyed reading. You learn that there is much more than meets the eye with these two, especially Jude, who could easily fit into one stereotype but breaks the mould. Pair that with delicious food and cooking scenes, and it combines to make one super cute RomCom.
Perhaps it’s because I know the plot of YGM so well that I found it predictable, but some creative decisions kept me engaged. And it was so much fun to see the cooking lessons unfold!
I recommend this one if you are looking for a cute RomCom with a cooking contest, themes of family heritage, a second-chance romance, and You’ve Got Mail vibes. And if cilantro is a divisive spice in your household, watch the drama unfold!
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Full Review
Content Warnings
Where to find us:
Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph
I’ll be frank: You’ve Got Mail is one of my all-time favourite movies. I watch it nearly every Christmas, it’s the film that made me fall in love with coffee shops and NYC as a setting, and I cannot think of a better RomCom. Of course, that leaves me searching for a similar read, and I’m always on the lookout for an adaptation with similar vibes.
Betsy St. Amant did a great job with Tacos for Two and crafted two characters I enjoyed reading. You learn that there is much more than meets the eye with these two, especially Jude, who could easily fit into one stereotype but breaks the mould. Pair that with delicious food and cooking scenes, and it combines to make one super cute RomCom.
Perhaps it’s because I know the plot of YGM so well that I found it predictable, but some creative decisions kept me engaged. And it was so much fun to see the cooking lessons unfold!
I recommend this one if you are looking for a cute RomCom with a cooking contest, themes of family heritage, a second-chance romance, and You’ve Got Mail vibes. And if cilantro is a divisive spice in your household, watch the drama unfold!
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Full Review
Content Warnings
Where to find us:
Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph
Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
4.0
I thought this was a fun graphic novel about our main character, Effie, who must live with her aunts and discovers she’s a witch! The book gave me Sabrina The Teenage Witch vibes, especially the episode where Sabrina meets Britney Spears! But it’s completely distinct and has its own cute story. Enjoyed it!
Where to find us:
Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph
Content Warnings:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2...
Where to find us:
Blog | Bookstagram | Twitter | Booktube | BookTok | Storygraph
Content Warnings:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2...
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
4.5
I enjoyed this book a lot. Even more than the story of the original Carrie. You should REALLY read it this Autumn.
Tiffany D. Jackson does not disappoint. Not only does she write an amazing retelling, she does so in such a cool way with multiple perspectives, timelines, and the audiobook has multiple narrators! She does so while highlighting important social issues and racism.
Great multi-dimensional characters. Please check out her other books (of course, read the content warnings first). Don’t know where to start? Monday’s Not Coming and Grown are exceptional.
Make sure to check out the content warnings below for The Weight of Blood.
Full review to come but wanted to leave you with my initial thoughts!
Content Warnings
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2...
Tiffany D. Jackson does not disappoint. Not only does she write an amazing retelling, she does so in such a cool way with multiple perspectives, timelines, and the audiobook has multiple narrators! She does so while highlighting important social issues and racism.
Great multi-dimensional characters. Please check out her other books (of course, read the content warnings first). Don’t know where to start? Monday’s Not Coming and Grown are exceptional.
Make sure to check out the content warnings below for The Weight of Blood.
Full review to come but wanted to leave you with my initial thoughts!
Content Warnings
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2...