​The Coronavirus is creating a lot of stress and anxiety for kids and teens right now. As parents we like to think that our kids have nothing to worry about, but it’s simply not true. No matter how much we try to shelter our kids from the hard news of the world, they still know. My oldest is only six and she is absolutely worried and being affected by what is happening. A Twitter friend asked me to suggest some gentle reads for teens. After reaching out to other librarians and bloggers, I have narrowed the suggestions to the following funny, happy, or cozy books and series, to help young readers relax.
​

Historical Fiction. As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected—a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she'll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables.
​

Contemporary Romance. Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.
​

Fiction. Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten- pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption.
​

Fantasy. Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they've been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch's sinister spell.
​

​Fantasy. Moral allegory and spiritual autobiography, The Little Prince is the most translated book in the French language. With a timeless charm it tells the story of a little boy who leaves the safety of his own tiny planet to travel the universe, learning the vagaries of adult behavior through a series of extraordinary encounters. His personal odyssey culminates in a voyage to Earth and further adventures. 
​

Romance. Mia Thermopolis is pretty sure there’s nothing worse than being a five-foot-nine, flat-chested freshman, who also happens to be flunking Algebra. Is she ever in for a surprise. First Mom announces that she’s dating Mia’s Algebra teacher. Then Dad has to go and reveal that he is the crown prince of Genovia. And guess who still doesn’t have a date for the Cultural Diversity Dance?
​

Fantasy. It was 1798 when the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York with a vision for a magnificent city: towering skyscrapers, dazzling machines, and winding train lines, all running on technology no one had ever seen before. Fifty-seven years later, the enigmatic architects disappeared, leaving behind for the people of New York the Old York Cipher—a puzzle laid into the shining city they constructed, at the end of which was promised a treasure beyond all imagining. By the present day, however, the puzzle has never been solved, and the greatest mystery of the modern world is little more than a tourist attraction.

Romance. Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life. As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate, their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

I tried to include a good variety of books from a lot of genres, but ended up relying heavily on classic fiction. If you have any suggestions for books published in the last couple of years that steer clear of sensitive topics, please add them in the comments section.

This is a mix of Juvenile and Young Adult titles. If you have questions about the suggested reading or age level of a specific book please comment or email me.

Summary excerpts from Goodreads.com

Check back on Tuesday for a No Spoiler Book Review of Ten Thousand Doors of January.

As I am writing this my county is on lockdown. I know many people across the world are living under similar orders, whether they are official or not. We are dealing with empty grocery stores. Worrying for the first time in our lives, if we will be able to get milk for our babies. We are not allowed to leave our homes, except for groceries, medicine and daily outside exercise. We must maintain a social distance and not spend time with anyone outside our household. It is a real-life nightmare.
​
A Twitter friend asked me to find gentle reads for her kids and I thought I should do the same for adults. I am limiting my entertainment to light comedies as much as possible right now and I figure lots of other people are doing the same. Here are some options from a variety of genres that will hopefully help you relax. I have included a summary excerpt from Goodreads followed by my thoughts on the books.  
​  

Historical Mystery. Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings.
​
This is the perfect time to read something by Rhys Bowen. She writes cozy historical mysteries that are thoroughly enjoyable and completely engaging. No Spoiler Book Review of Above the Bay of Angels.
​

Fiction. An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. 
​
This short novel has the feel of a folk tale or a parable. It’s comforting, affirming, and inspirational. This is an older book, so there is a good chance you can check out the ebook for free from your library with no wait.
​

Memoir. Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.
​
If you are a fan of Tina Fey or 30 Rock and somehow never read this memoir, now is the time. A laugh out loud choice that is probably available as a library ebook right away.
​

Non-Fiction. On a cool June evening in 2009, twenty-year-old American flautist Edwin Rist boarded a train for a suburban outpost of the British Museum of Natural History (Tring). The Tring museum was full of rare bird specimens whose gorgeous feathers were worth staggering amounts of money to the men who shared Edwin’s obsession: the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying. Once inside the museum, the champion fly-tier grabbed hundreds of bird skins–some collected 150 years earlier–and escaped into the darkness.

I know what you’re thinking, how can this possibly be good? There are like three people who are interested in this subject. But I am telling you this book is wild! Also, probably available for check out with no wait online!
​

Contemporary Romance. Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. They’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…
​
I just finished this book, but I wish I could read it again for the first time, right now. Even if you do not love romance, you will love this outlandish and adorable book. No Spoiler Book Review of Flatshare.
​

Memoir. Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; and “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”.
​
This VERY personal memoir had me laughing from the first page. Lawson is a bit of an over-sharer, so skip this if you are easily offended. Otherwise, this is a great choice if you need a laugh. There is a good chance you can check out the ebook for free from your library with no wait. 
​

Historical Romance. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.
​
Any of Jane Austen’s novels would be a good choice (except maybe Northanger Abbey). Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park are soothing works of classic historical fiction. These titles are likely to be available for checkout from your library online right away.
​

Historical Mystery. With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. It will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind. 

This cleverly written historical mystery will appeal to fans of Sherlock and Pride and Prejudice. There are crimes and murders, but they happen at a nice historic distance. No Spoiler Book Review of Study in Scarlet Women.

I hope that these books help you find a little peace in this stressful time. What books have you read that you think might be good options for people right now?

Summary excerpts from Goodreads.com

Check back Thursday for Funny, Happy, Cozy Books for Young Readers.

Let’s go back to Valentine’s Day for a minute.

After doing my best to just ignore Valentine’s Day this year, I reluctantly got into the spirit. I was not planning on doing any Valentine’s posts at all. Then I ended up doing a guest post for UpcycledAdulting.com, entitled Romance Books to Make You Believe in True Love. The post was meant to get other people excited to read romance, but ended up back firing! Honestly, how could anyone resist those charming book summaries? Especially Flatshare!

Tiffy and Leon are room-mates, who have never met. They maintain a schedule that ensures no overlap, so they are never home at the same time. They slowly get to know each other through post-it notes and text messages. Their unusual flatshare agreement would probably never work in real life, but who reads romance for real life? This book is full of hilarious mishaps, the most embarrassing meet-cute ever, and spicy make-out scenes.

The characters are adorable and I loved watching them learn about each other. Leon spends his off hours with his girlfriend. Tiffy is recovering from an emotionally abusive boyfriend. Leon is a quiet and reserved hospice caregiver. Tiffy is a loud book editor with a bold sense of style. They are strangers making the best of an awkward and intimate living situation. By the end you will want Tiffy and Leon to be your best friends.

I listened to this book on audio and loved the performances. This was a dual narrator audio, so Tiffy and Leon had their own voices. Their accents were incredible and Leon sounds so sexy, but warning, it took a few minutes for me to get used to his accent. If you have a hard time understanding English and Irish accents, maybe get the print version.

I read this as my Valentine’s Day Book. I know this post is WAY after Valentine’s, but I finished the book before the holiday (still counts right?). Not only am I going to start reading more romance because of this book, but I am going to do an annual Valentine’s Day book post (hopefully, timed better next year!).

Anyone looking for a light pick-me-up should consider this book. I’m assuming all romance fans have already read this, but if somehow you haven’t please do! If you enjoy Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Women’s Lit, or Romance you will love this book! Do not shy away from this book if you “don’t like romance”. It is a good book, well written and hopeful. Please give it a try!

Goodreads Summary

​Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met…

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

Check back on Tuesday for a Positive Vibes Only Book List!

Please use this post and companion Pinterest Board as a way to find free and low cost learning and activity websites. I have included resources to help you access free ebooks and e-audiobooks, homeschooling resources, tutorials and classes for adults, exercise videos, and online tours of famous zoos, aquariums and museums. I have also included reliable drama free news sources to help you stay up to date in this unprecedented time.

If you are an educator and would like to add resources please click “Join” on the Pinterest Board and I will approve you to add new content. If you are a blogger and have ideas for indoor activities you would like to add please join the board as well. Let’s all turn this crisis into an opportunity to learn and grow!

Here are some ideas to get you started:
​

If you have an active library card go to YOUR LIBRARY WEBSITE and find their online resources. Chances are they offer Overdrive, Cloud Library, or Hoopla (links go to instructional websites, to gain free access, go to YOUR LIBRARY WEBSITE). You can use these resources to download ebooks and e-audiobooks for free. You can typically download to an Ipad or Kindle with just a few clicks. You may have to wait for popular and new titles, but you will always find something great available for checkout, even if it came out a few years ago.    

If you do not have an active library card, contact your local library. Many libraries are allowing temporary automatic approval of e-library cards to allow people to access online resources without going to the library. If your library does not have auto-approval set up, email the library. They will likely have someone monitoring email who can issue you a temporary e-card.

Did you know you can digitally share your Kindle ebooks with a friend? Follow this link to Kindle for instructions. If all else fails, Barnes and Noble and Amazon will, of course, accept your money in exchange for books! 
​

There are basically unlimited options for workout videos available on YouTube. The quality varies significantly, but there are lots of good options. I have included a few popular and highly recommended options, one full body workout and a beginner’s yoga video. 
​

Online resources available for free or low cost to parents. These websites and apps are helpful for kids ranging in age from Pre-Kindergarten to High School. WorkSheetFun offers free printable worksheets for Pre-Kindergarten all the way through 8th grade on a variety of subjects. Starfall is an interactive program for elementary students and focuses on reading, writing and basic math. GoNoodle is a great option to help Elementary age kids get some exercise even if they are indoors. Crash Course Kids is perfect for 5th grade through 8th grade, the channel features short videos on Science and Engineering. Crash Course is for High School students covering topics like Science, History and Engineering. 
​

Enjoy the exhibits and tour the grounds of some of the world’s foremost museums. I have included the Guggenheim, National Gallery of Art, and the Louvre. These museums have set up high resolution pictures of some of their most treasured pieces, coupled with in-depth descriptions of the art. They also include interactive tours which allow you to control your movement within the museum, and highlight certain items. I have included a pin for Google Arts and Culture Online. It has everything. Just start there. 
​

Stay up to date on the Coronavirus (Covid-19), through these websites. I have included the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH) websites, these sources will give you current data without the panic inducing sensationalism of news outlets. You will also want to check your State, County, City and School District websites for local news.

I am personally on a news strike, because I hate feeling like I need to move into a bunker. So while I am not watching, Channel Doomsday News, I want to remain informed. I am seeking out information on the above listed websites. 
​   

A few ideas to help you think about new indoor hobbies and activities. DuoLingo is a free language learning site! You can finally learn a second language! YouTube offers tutorials and courses on anything you can imagine. I have included, cooking basics, learn to paint, introduction to music theory, and a hairstyling video. 
​

Watch your favorite Zoo and Aquarium friends from the comfort of your own home (I mean, what choice do we have right now?). The San Diego Zoo, Houston Zoo, Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium offer live cams of their most popular animals. Sea Otters, Penguins, Turtles, Polar Bears, Giraffes and Elephants are all available online. The Georgia Aquarium Beluga Whale cam is so soothing and the Otters are otterly adorable. Great for kids and adults!
 
I hope you benefit from the resources included in this list and the Pinterest Board. Educators and Bloggers don’t forget to “Join” the board to add your own contributions!

Check back on Thursday for a No Spoiler Book Review of Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

​After wading through hundreds of upcoming titles, I have narrowed the list of April New Release Books to these eight exciting titles. I flipped through book review catalogs, book blogs and library chat forums to ensure that I found the most interesting and original new books. I try to include a variety of Fiction, Non-Fiction and even Young Adult books. This month’s selections lean toward Romance and Historical Fiction, but also includes a disturbing Horror story. I exclude sequels and anything that will not have broad appeal. Starred titles have been added to my personal to be read list. 
​

Conjure Women is a sweeping story that brings the world of the South before and after the Civil War vividly to life. Magnificently written, brilliantly researched, richly imagined, Conjure Women moves back and forth in time to tell the haunting story of Rue, Varina, and May Belle, their passions and friendships, and the lengths they will go to save themselves and those they love. ​Historical Fiction. ​

The world has changed around Missy Carmichael. At seventy-nine, she's estranged from her daughter, her son and only grandson live across the world in Australia, and her great love is gone. Missy spends her days with a sip of sherry, scrubbing the kitchen in her big empty house and reliving her past--though it's her mistakes, and secrets, that she allows to shine brightest. The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one spirited dog to break through her prickly exterior and show Missy just how much love she still has to give. ​Contemporary Fiction. ​

May is a survivor. But she doesn't feel like one. She feels angry. And lost. And alone. Eleven months after the school shooting that killed her twin brother, May still doesn't know why she was the only one to walk out of the band room that day. No one gets what she went through--no one saw and heard what she did. No one can possibly understand how it feels to be her. ​Young Adult. ​

Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a blood-sucking fiend. ​Horror. ​ Follow this link for my No Spoiler Book Review. 

Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiancé: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family any bride would love to be a part of. And she is miserably and utterly sick of him. Naomi wants out, but there's a catch: whoever ends the engagement will have to foot the nonrefundable wedding bill. When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare. Now that they have nothing to lose, they're finally being themselves--and having fun with the last person they expect: each other. ​Romance. ​

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. 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. ​Romance. ​

​Nina once bought into the idea that her fancy liberal arts degree would lead to a fulfilling career. When that dream crashed, she turned to stealing from rich kids in L.A. alongside her wily Irish boyfriend, Lachlan. Vanessa is a privileged young heiress who wanted to make her mark in the world. Nina, Vanessa, and Lachlan's paths collide here, on the cold shores of Lake Tahoe, where their intertwined lives give way to a winter of aspiration and desire, duplicity and revenge. Mystery. ​Follow this link for my No Spoiler Book Review. 

The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds and a stranger in both. When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Historical Fiction. Follow this link for my No Spoiler Book Review. 

​
Summary excerpts from goodreads.com
​
Which of upcoming titles are you excited to read? Have you read any of the above books? Comment below:

You know how everyone gives new grads a copy of, Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss? It’s hopeful and sweet, and everyone cries (in a good way). After the Fall by Dan Santat is what you give to someone who just got laid-off for the first time, or is getting a divorce, or recovering from a serious illness. It’s understanding and accepting, and everyone cries (in a good way).

After the Fall, is a children’s picture book that takes maybe three minutes to read. It will probably take you more time to read this post, than to read the book. The pictures are charming and the story is exactly what you need if you are going through a rough patch. Let's be honest, we're all going through a rough patch.

Everyone has their own demons to battle. Some people suffer from anxiety, depression, addiction or any of the endless emotional torments. My personal favorite is a general feeling of failure, this is my preferred form of self-loathing. When I start feeling low, chances are I feel like I have failed in some way. I start revisiting all my old let-downs and blaming myself for everything. I’m not lying or exaggerating when I tell you that reading this book helps me fight those demons. I believe it will help you too.

​This book picks up where Humpty Dumpty leaves off. Humpty has been through a traumatic experience and is having a hard time being a part of his own life. He is living with fear and anxiety and missing out on all the things he loves. He gives himself time, perseveres and becomes stronger because of his experiences. The first time I read this book, my jaw literally dropped as I came to understand the simple beauty of the last page. Tears.

After the Fall is meant for children and will be loved by children. Emi and Piper ask us to read this to them all the time. It is completely appropriate for children and also amazingly important for adults to read. Rare books are transcendent like that.

Everyone should read this book, children and adults alike. I know someone who keeps this book in her office and gives it to co-workers and clients on hard days. I have personally read this books dozens of times for inspiration and motivation. I hand it out to friends in lieu of “Get Well” and “With Sympathies” cards. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, it’s an absolute must read for everyone. Consider it an emergency emotional support book. Read it.

For 8 Empowering Self-Hep Books for Women follow this link to my sister post on upcycledadulting.com 

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below:

Check back on Thursday for April 2020 Can't Wait Book List!

Do you have Perfection?

This is the question asked again and again in this speculative fiction. Do you have Perfection? A life changing app that seeks to control who you are from the outside-in. How many people do you know that seek magazine beauty and social admiration? It’s not zero. Don’t we all covet perfection at least sometimes?

Speculative fiction is one of my favorite genres. I love pondering big “what if” questions. Not only does Sudden Appearance of Hope tackle sinister technology, but it also poses a lot of important questions. The main character, Hope, is utterly and literally forgettable. She is the embodiment of “out of sight, out of mind”, as soon as you are not with her, you forget her. She can’t form relationships, and she certainly can’t get a job. How does someone with that condition survive? What is justifiable when you are forced to live outside of society? What would you do to overcome?

One of my favorite things about this book was that the writing changed as Hope changed. At the beginning of the book Hope is polished, careful and in control. She uses trivia as a way to calm herself, so the reader learns a lot of interesting and sometimes disturbing facts. The fact that stuck with me the most is as follows (quoted from book):

Permissions that the Facebook Messenger app requests when downloaded to your phone:

• Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity.
• Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention.
• Allows the app to send SMS messages.
• Allows the app to record audio with microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.
• Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
• Allows the app to read your phone’s call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call-log data.
• Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you’ve called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.
• Allows the app to read personal-profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app can identify you and may send your profile information to others.
• Allows the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This may include any accounts created by applications you have installed.

This isn’t a thing anymore because of the whole Facebook scandal, RIGHT???

Back to the awesome writing...As the story continues the writing becomes, confused and dangerously emotional. This writing technique caught me off guard because it is so rarely done, but when I realized what she was doing, I loved it.

While I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, it was a little too long and a little too complicated. It had maybe one too many story lines. This book was provoking and intriguing and would appeal to anyone looking for something a little different. Fans of contemporary science fiction and fantasy will enjoy the tech and unexplained forgettability.

​Thank you to Kellywellread.blogspot.com for recommending this book!

Goodreads Summary

My name is Hope Arden, and you won't know who I am. But we've met before - a thousand times.

It started when I was sixteen years old.

A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A friend who looks at me and sees a stranger.

No matter what I do, the words I say, the crimes I commit, you will never remember who I am.

That makes my life difficult. It also makes me dangerous.

The Sudden Appearance of Hope is the tale of a girl no one remembers, yet her story will stay with you forever.

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below:

Check back Tuesday to find out which Children's Picture Book I Read For Inspiration!

Volunteer Appreciation Week 2020 is April 19-25.

I have one job during Volunteer Appreciation Week. Make the volunteers feel appreciated. Obviously.

Over the years of managing volunteers I have experimented with my tiny volunteer appreciation budget to find the best low cost and free gifts.

Not only does the gift need to be inexpensive, but it also needs to appeal to all of my volunteers. I have an eighty year old man and a fifteen year old girl, what one thing can I get for both of them?

Luckily, in addition to being the volunteer coordinator, I am also on the Employee Appreciation Team for the whole city, so I have a fair amount of experience trying to make everyone happy.

What I have found is, it seems to always come back to the same thing. We have tried, shirts, bags, cups, lunch bags and everything else in the catalog. We have tried raffles for big items like grills, bikes and vacation days. When all the other options are on the table, everyone just wants food. Give someone snacks or buy them lunch and they are happy.

My current, go-to volunteer appreciation pack consists of either an inexpensive Totebag or a Tumbler and a variety of snacks. The Totebag and Tumbler end up being part of the presentation, kind of a DIY gift basket.  
​
These are my current favorite options from positivepromotions.com:

​I typically purchase the snacks at Costco or Sams Club. Everything needs to be pre-packaged. Also, be sure to include nut-free options.

Here are some ideas for what to include in the snack packs:
​

Choose one item from each category and you’ll have snack packs that all your volunteers will enjoy. The snacks can be presented in an official volunteer appreciation item, like the Totebag or Tumbler or you can buy simple small gift bags. I promise, it will be all about the snacks!

I know that some libraries may not have a budget for volunteer appreciation or you may want to include more than you can afford. Here are a few volunteer appreciation gift ideas that are free:

• A Friends of the Library book voucher. This allows your volunteers to shop at the friends of the library to pick out a book that they choose for free.
• A certificate or letter of recommendation with their accomplishments and number of hours listed.
• You could offer them double hours for the week. So if they volunteer for one hour, they get credit for two.
• You could make Volunteer Appreciation Bookmarks. Or if you don’t have time, I can send you mine. Subscribe below and I will send you the file (no spam, I promise!). 

It can be hard to make everyone happy and there are lots of options out there. Hopefully this quick guide will help you narrow down your options so you and your volunteers can have a great week!
​
What have you done for Volunteer Appreciation Week? Comment below:

Check back on Thursday for a No Spoiler Book Review of Sudden Appearance of Hope

What’s Up Witches!?! I don’t know about you, but I cannot resist the lure of a good book about witches! Anything from a historical fiction set in Salem to modern magical realism. The real life stories of witch hunts are fascinating and disturbing. I love that they teach us to be wary of group-think and religious fanaticism. Witch Fantasies push the boundaries of imagination and are full powerful characters. There are just limitless possibilities.

Here are a few of the best books about witches:

Release Date: April 7, 2020
​
Apparently, my book club and I need to up our game! We’ve been meeting for over six months and we haven’t slain one vampire. We’re a disappointment!

I requested this book, based on nothing more than the cover and the title. I knew that I just couldn’t go wrong. This book could have been tongue-in-cheek or seriously scary and I would have been happy.

As it turns out the “Guide” is traditional horror. There were parts that were disgustingly graphic and cringe worthy. I was constantly pulling up the blankets in a subconscious attempt to hide from this book. I kept telling myself I wasn’t scared and then I kept having nightmares, so one of us was wrong. 

The “Book Club” is set in the ‘90s and features a small group of stay-at-home-moms. They are all looking for a break and a chance to connect to other women in their town. So when it comes to selecting novels they opt for paperback true-crimes with lots of pictures. They may not be traditional book club selections, but they keep the Book Club turning pages and talking about books! 

When children start dying and disappearing, one of the book club members suspects her new neighbor. He certainly fits the bill of the murderers in the books they read. As the situation deteriorates, you start to question if the real villain is the vampire or the condescending and contemptuous husbands. They all dismiss and demean their wives, blaming book club for their “overactive imaginations”. Meanwhile, the Vampire gains trust by showering the families with opportunities, endearing himself to the husbands. This book is full of disturbing domestic and supernatural horror.

Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is a good choice for most fans of vampire fiction. The only vamp fans that won’t like this are readers that stick to vampire romance. To be clear, there is nothing romantic about this book. The story is dark and disturbing and would be a great option for readers of horror and paranormal mystery. If you like Stephen King you will like Grady Hendrix.    

If you need me, I’ll be reading a romance and trying to re-convince myself that vampires are sparkling gentlemanly creatures.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for allowing me advance access in exchange for this honest review.

My feelings for Miracle Creek are complicated. This is an unquestionably good book. The story is complex and interesting. The characters have well developed psychology. It asks big and important questions. However, it may have been too real for me to enjoy. Not enough of an escape.

Miracle Creek is by debut author, Angie Kim. The book is loosely based on many of her personal experiences. Moving to the US as a young teen from Korea. Later, becoming a lawyer. Having special needs children that have benefited from non-traditional, borderline experimental treatments. Including the H-Bot treatment that is central to the story. Angie Kim’s passion and experience shows in the character relationships, treatment descriptions, and the courtroom drama.

I liked a lot about this book. I liked the way that she portrayed the same event from multiple points of view, without being repetitive. You really get to understand the complicated rationale for why characters did what they did. You see that sometimes terrible things happen because we excuse and accept small transgressions. I loved how Kim made you question the line between good and bad. When does treatment become abuse? When does a consensual act become assault? When is “doing the right thing” too little, too late? It’s a thought-provoking book.

Fans of courtroom, medical and family drama will enjoy this book. Parents of special needs kids and adult children of immigrants will feel seen. This might be a good choice for readers of contemporary, popular and general fiction. I would recommend reading a few pages to see if you think this might be a good fit for you.

For a long time I couldn’t figure out why the books with “Whoever’s” Wife or Daughter as the title rubbed me the wrong way. I knew that I didn’t like them, but I didn’t know why. The realization was gradual, but I feel like I now fully understand my issue with these books.

The problem is the possession. The “This-Man’s” Wife or Daughter. Like she does not exist without that relationship. She is defined by what some male relation does for a living. She is not her own person.

I know I am a little behind on Kristin Hannah. Costco is selling value packs of her books, for god’s sake. I avoided her for a long time because, I don’t like sad books. I know it’s limiting, but it’s true. I finally read Nightingale about two years ago and now, Great Alone. I will never avoid Hannah again. She has earned my trust, and apparently Costco’s.

The Great Alone features a family that decides to live off the land in 1970s Alaska. It does not go well. Basically, if it can go wrong, it does. Which is probably pretty realistic for people trying to survive in Alaska. Somehow, even with all the devastating things that happen there is always the exact right amount of hope to keep you reading. Kristin Hannah is the master of manipulating my emotions.    
 
I don’t usually like books or movies set in the ‘70s. They focus too heavily on the nightclub and drug scene, which is completely uninteresting to me. While this book is set in the 70s, there are none of the typical elements that I avoid. The setting is perfect for this story, post-Vietnam War and limited technology. People living in rural Alaska at the time might not even have electricity, let alone a telephone. Lots of political tension and dangerous isolation. Perfect.

This is my first ever Bossy Book Club selection. The Great Alone would be a great choice for most book clubs. Discussion questions are available from Kristin Hannah’s website. This book will appeal to readers of historical fiction, family drama, general fiction, popular fiction and literary fiction. People who are interested in life in Alaska and living off the grid, might be interested in this fictional rendition of that lifestyle. Read this when you are in the mood for a devastating yet hopeful cry.

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below:

Now that the dust has begun to settle on the previous year’s publishing; I have compiled a list of the most popular and acclaimed adult books from 2019. Many of these titles have won awards, and they all have at least a 4 star rating and jillions of reviews on Goodreads. I have included books from the major fiction genres and non-fiction. I excluded sequels and anything that would not have broad appeal. Starred titles have been added to my personal To Be Read List and I am in varying stages of reading and reviewing several of these books. Here are some of the most inspiring, intriguing, frightening, funny, realistic and outlandish titles from 2019.

Release Date April 7, 2020

Age of Witches is a perfect candidate for a good old fashioned book burning. Honestly, if some ultra-conservative Christian church group doesn’t buy boxes of this book with the sole intention of burning them, they are missing out!

Not only is this book about witches, but the main characters are basically the 1890s version of feminists. These witches refuse to submit to the men in their lives, and they go even further, using their power to influence men and elevate women. If all that weren’t enough to set off extremist Christians, parts of this book read like a grimoire, very “how-to”. PS I am now a witch…

This book is set in late 1800s New York and England. Women are expected to marry, support their husbands and have babies. The three main characters are all determined to be more than just someone’s wife or daughter and they are not afraid to use magic to get what they want. Harriet is an herbalist using her magic to heal. Frances is an ambitious social climber, she is an adept influencer. Annis is a witch’s apprentice with a horse obsession. Side note: a LOT of this book is about horses. If you are interested in opening stables or starting a breeding program, this book is for you. The characters are headstrong, confident and dangerous. They are exactly the kinds of women who would have been accused of witchcraft at that time, or even today.

This book was not perfect, but it kept me turning pages. While it works as a stand-alone, it would make me happy if the author wrote a sequel. I would certainly pick up another book about these women. Fans of Magical Realism, Fantasy and Historical Fiction may like this book. Anyone looking for fictional tales of witchcraft or women’s rights and history may also be interested.

Again, huge miss if there is not at least one book burning!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for allowing me advance access in exchange for this honest review.

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below:

After wading through hundreds of upcoming titles, I have narrowed the list of March releases to these seven Can’t Wait Books. I flipped through book review catalogs, book blogs and library chat forums to ensure that I found the most interesting and original new books. I try to include a variety of Fiction, Non-Fiction and even Young Adult books, however this month’s books lean toward dark adult mysteries with only a few exceptions. I generally avoid including books that are a continuation of a series. Starred titles have been added to my personal to be read list.  

When I decided to become a blogger I had no idea what I was getting into. No clue. Fortunately, it did not take me long to find The Ray Journey Blog. Not only does Ray publish helpful articles on topics like, social media marketing and how to optimize your Pinterest efforts, she also helps bloggers connect with other bloggers and grow their audience. As a blogger it is a natural progression to someday publish a book, so I was excited to read Ray’s, Your Ultimate Guide to a Powerful Book Launch.

Your Ultimate Guide to a Powerful Book Launch is a concise guide on how to promote your self-published books. The book is 79 pages, but it is absolutely packed with information on exactly what to do at every phase of your book launch. She covers how to determine your niche and find your audience. She also includes a list of publishing platforms with a simple grid showing the commission structure, perks and rules of the various options. One of my favorite things about this guide is that it includes a thorough checklist at the end, so you won’t miss any steps. I know when I go to publish I will be referring to Your Ultimate Guide to a Powerful Book Launch.

If you’re not familiar with Ray check out her blog The Ray Journey. Not only does she have articles for bloggers, but also health and financial information as well. If you are considering self-publishing, be sure to check out her handy guide to a Your Ultimate Guide to a Powerful Book Launch. 

Thank you to Ray for allowing me advance access to this book in exchange for this honest review. Follow this link to purchase Powerful Book Launch.

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below:

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I’m not much for mysteries and I’m okay with Sherlock, but I’m not fanatical. I really just read this because I was in the mood for historical fiction and it was available for check-out. Plus, the cover is intriguing.

Study in Scarlet Women was a fun combination of Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock. The financially precarious Holmes family has an abundance of unmarried quirky daughters. One of whom takes up solving mysteries to pay the bills. This is the lady’s version of the famous Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

I felt such a connection to Charlotte Holmes. She’s beautiful, fashion forward, bold and one of the most intelligent people of her time. I am none of those things, but I am socially awkward. So, we have that in common. She is flawed and fun. I think most readers will enjoy spending time with her.
​
This book will appeal to mystery and historical fiction readers. Fans of Jane Austen are likely to connect to the female protagonists. Fans of Sherlock will enjoy the challenge of solving the cleverly crafted mysteries. You may also enjoy this No Spoiler Review of Above the Bay of Angels.

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below:

There were a few years that I was infatuated with the humorous-contemporary-romance genre. I stalked these titles, stared at them in bookshop windows, and followed them around the library. I may have overdone it a little, because after a while my interest started drifting to other genres. I still like Romance, but we're "just friends".

I went through my romance obsession when the Devil Wears Prada was in style. Since then I have only picked up a handful of books that are traditional romance. Most of what I read now is romance that is also something else, like historical romance or paranormal romance. While my favorites aren’t by Nicolas Sparks or Emily Griffin; these mixed genre titles are perfect for Valentine’s Day. 

This was my third book club read and unfortunately it was not my taste. I don’t like to do negative reviews so I am going to be honest, but also try* to focus on what was good about this book. Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean that it’s not the right book for someone else. In fact one of the book club members was beyond enthusiastic about this book. Good for her, not for me.

I get the feeling that most book club members would have rated this book two or three stars, but there was that one member who would have rated it an eleven (out of five). I think this was the best book she read this year and I think she will remember this book her whole life. For the right reader this is going to be their favorite book, maybe ever.

So, drag your favorite Lazy-Boy to the window and pour yourself a nice cold cup of lemonade. You’ll want to keep one eye on the neighborhood as you read this mystery…

A little street in lower middle class England suffers through an unforgettable heat wave and one of their neighbors goes missing. Everyone has secrets and everyone knows more than they should. This guilty little street is covering up for more than just a disappearance and nobody is who you think they are. Two young girls with the souls of middle-aged women try to solve the disappearance by looking for god (?). I don’t know… Anyways, it’s hot, everyone’s bored and guilty. The end.  

The tone of this book reminded me of the movie Rear Window, it is slow and there is a lot of whispering and peering through window shades. Readers of literary fiction, and mystery with an interest in psychology and sociology may enjoy this book. Readers that like wading through layers of heavy symbolism will find this book to be engaging. If you’re not sure if this is for you, maybe pick it up and read a few pages, see if it might be a good fit.

*I think I failed at staying positive.

Share your thoughts on this book. Comment below: