The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has announced their selections for the 2020 Alex Awards. The list is meant to highlight adult fiction and non-fiction books that are likely to appeal to, and challenge teen readers. Most selections feature teens as the main characters, although not all of them. The books include titles from diverse genres including, fantasy, science fiction, romance, and non-fiction. There are traditional novels and graphic novels. Characters are American, international, gay, straight, black, white, fictional, real and artificial. Get your To-Be-Read list ready, you’re about to add a few more titles.  

This was book-club, book-of-the-year when it came out. It was that year’s “Where the Crawdad Sings”. Everyone wanted to read this book and tell everyone they read it.
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I knew that this book was about a cranky old man who is secretly lovable. I think I am just over this concept. The misunderstood villain, the I’m a jerk, but here is why… I want to surround myself with positivity. I'm not into the backstory and excuses right now.

While I didn’t love the curmudgeon aspect of the book, I did like its history and some of the ideas written into the story. I liked the concept that everyone has value and is lovable and worthy of love. I did like that this book is Swedish. It’s always nice to read something that is not US-centric. It did have some good comedic moments and very touching stories of real love. Not my favorite book this year, but I can see why so many people love this book.

This book would appeal to most book club participants, there is a lot to discuss! Anyone who likes books about human psychology and relationships. Readers looking for something heart warming with sneaky humor. If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy, Less by Andrew Sean Greer. Click here for my No Spoiler Book Review of Less.

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After wading through hundreds of upcoming titles, I have narrowed the list of February releases to these nine Can’t Wait Books. I scoured book review catalogs, book blogs and library chat forums to ensure that I found the most interesting and original new books. I primarily focus on Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, but I will include Young Adult titles, if they seem like they will have a broad appeal. Starred titles have been added to my personal to be read list.

Summary excerpts from goodreads.com

It’s officially the time of year when people start giving up on their New Year’s Resolutions. That’s right, two weeks and most people are done. It’s no wonder really, everyone is so busy and no one seems to have enough time for themselves. How do you follow the Whole 30, when you don’t have time to cook? How do you work out when you work 12 hours per day? Here are some quick tips to help you free up some time, so you can prioritize your personal life.

Release Date April 28, 2020

​This was the Okayest book that I loved the most. This book and I got off to kind of a rocky start. The initial writing, particularly dialogue made me question its historical accuracy. I am not a historian, so it is probably perfect, maybe just different than I was expecting. There was a big chunk of “memory” that maybe should have been sprinkled throughout the book instead of just dumped near the beginning. Hopefully, that will be corrected, since this was an advance copy… With that being said, I loved this book more with every page I read.

I have been into historical fiction lately and westerns are no exception. I would actually love to see westerns make a comeback. They are such an exciting mix of danger and naïve optimism. This book did a good job of illustrating that people did not put their lives on hold while they were on the trail. They continued their hobbies and work in some cases, got married, and had babies. Can you imagine? Having a baby. On the trail. Westerns are wild.

Naomi and John are fun, strong-willed characters that play off each other nicely. Amy Harmon does a good job of writing the sexual tension between the two characters and it helps add to the excitement of the story. It was amazing to find out that John Lowry and many other characters in this book were real people with a personal connection to the author. Don’t miss the author’s note, it was one of my favorite things about this book.
     
This is a western expansion, soft romance. If you like wagon trains, pioneers, settlers, Indians and sexual tension with no sex, this is the book for you. Fans of the ancient series Into the West (2005) will love this book. If you are looking for a western with no romance try News of the World.

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

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I think by now almost everyone has heard of Malala and knows the gist of her story. People know that she was shot by the Taliban for advocating for education for girls and women. She was 15 at the time. Shortly after she was attacked, she wrote and published, I am Malala.

About half of this book is entirely about Malala and her experiences growing up in Pakistan, and is very engaging. The other half of this book is about her family history and the history of Pakistan, which can be a little dry. The entire book is extremely important, but because about half of it is historical, I think a lot of people will have a hard time getting all the way through it.
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I have seen this book on required reading lists for SIXTH GRADE, and I have to say that is a mistake. This book is very rich in political and religious content that is beyond the grasp of many readers.  While Malala was a teenager when she wrote this book, she was exceptional. Most Americans would have a hard time with this book even as adults. If someone is drawn to this book, they will benefit from it. If they are forced to read it, they will be bored, at best.  

You may also enjoy this No Spoiler Book Review of Moment of Lift.

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If you are reading this you are either a librarian or an avid reader. If you are an avid reader, you probably read more than me every year. You can read this article, laugh, pat me on the head and tell me my goals are adorable. If you are a librarian, you probably read, on average, what I read every year. You can read this article, quietly nod in agreement, and *maybe* leave me a comment, thanking me for my brilliance.

I only started setting reading goals when my second daughter was born two years ago. I decided to re-read all of the Harry Potters while I was taking my unpaid-maternity-leave. I read all seven in the allotted time, easily. I then continued to read one book per two-week check-out, even after I went back to work. With no problem.

The key to my success was my smart phone. I started downloading books to my phone, so that I would read instead of wasting my life scrolling social media. I had no idea how much time I was wasting on mind numbing social media, until I did this. I went from reading something like 12 books per year, to 24, and in 2019 I read 37! This is the part where the avid readers pat me on the head. In March 2019, I rediscovered audiobooks, which effectively doubled the number of books I can read. WooHoo!
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So, for 2020, I will basically read one book per week. I know I will occasionally read something that is a little long, or I will be busy with work or some other excuse. So, my official goal will be to read at least 40 books next year, but I expect to read closer to 50. What’s your number?
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Here are some tips to get you out of a reading slump:

Here are some prompts to help you find books outside of your comfort zone:

Tell me about your reading goals and strategy for 2020. Comment below:

Eleven years ago, I realized the futility of having a “favorite” book and decided that I would select a favorite book every year. Note: it’s just something I personally read that year, not necessarily published that year. I have never met anyone in real life that does this, but a lot of the book bloggers and twitterbrarians do it. They’re all my type of nerdy. #librarytwitter #bookbloggers

I read books that are in almost every genre. Occasionally, I will read two great books that are so dissimilar that I cannot compare them enough to decide between the two. Those rare years I will have two favorites, but for the most part, I have one very clear favorite. These books are all innovative, surprising and expertly crafted. They are profound or outstanding in their own way. 

Here are my previous selections:

​I feel like unveiling my book of the year should come with a drumroll and curtain, but I haven’t figured out how to do that on blog, so…
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​My favorite book of 2019 was The Wanderers by Chuck Wendig (Ta-Dah!!!!!) I was absolutely 100% obsessed with this book. The audio was THIRTY-TWO hours long and I finished it with time to spare on my two-week check-out. My house was spotless and I got so many steps in because all I wanted to do was walk and clean so I could listen to my book.
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The Wanderers is apocalyptic fiction set in the very near future. I would consider this to be science-fiction although the tech is only slightly more advanced than ours. So, it’s probably science-fact, we just don’t know it yet. Fans of Stephen King’s Under the Dome and The Stand will love this book. For my full review click here.

What was your favorite book this year? Comment below:

Obviously, I’m talking about New Year’s Day, as I will be in bed by 10 PM on New Year’s Eve. Don’t be ridiculous…

Here in Texas, we are supposed to cook black eyed peas for good luck. I have done this in previous years with mixed results. I think I will still cook them just to be safe, because apparently, I am superstitious. What I actually want is steak and crab with peas as a side dish. You know, to appease the fates. Plus, steak and crab sounds AMAZING!!!
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I don’t set traditional New Year’s Resolutions, because I think they are cursed to fail. Instead, I spend a lot of time in January planning and setting goals for the upcoming year. I’ll consider diet tweaks, fitness goals, work achievements, hobbies, and time with friends and family. I’ll be sharing some of my thoughts on my blog in January. 

Do you have any New Year’s traditions? Have you had luck setting resolutions?
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I don’t tend to pay much attention to charities, there are too many stories of corrupt CEOs stealing from their organizations. We still donate, but we give directly to people in need. So, I never really knew what the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation actually did. I knew they were trusted and respected, but not much else. When I learned that the foundation focuses on empowering women, I added Moment of Lift to my list.

This book was always hopeful, but the horrible treatment of women described in this book was upsetting and infuriating. I have seen real poverty when I have traveled. I have seen women and children sleeping on the streets in a rain storm. I have been mobbed by homeless children after giving one child a few coins. After I get back home though, these memories fade and I begin to get wrapped in my own privileged problems. It’s easy to forget that not only poverty, but oppression still affect women and children around the world today.

This book brings to light case studies of oppression and abuse that are much worse than anything I have ever seen. Women are not only banned from education, but often beaten regularly, and sometimes mutilated. The stories in this book are devastating, but Melinda Gates does a good job of framing the problem alongside a solution, so it feels like things are getting better. This is an important book that highlights the necessity of equality for EVERYONE.

Normally, this is where I would write a list of who would like this book. I’m going to do something a little different. I am going to categorize this book as “Adult Required Reading”. I’m not saying everyone will enjoy it, but it’s an important book with a global call to action, that everyone should read. The topics covered in this book affect everyone and nobody should be ignorant of these problems. Let me know if you have read this and what your thoughts were.   

You may also enjoy this No Spoiler Book Review of I Am Malala.  

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We try to keep things pretty simple at our house for Christmas. A couple small presents for the kids and one book or bottle of wine for all of the adults. That being said, we still end up with way too much. Too many presents and too much food. We always have some relative or friend deliver a giant doll house or kitchen set for the girls, plus all the sweets and treats for us. To be clear, I am not complaining.

I know everyone has special Christmas traditions. We live in Texas and before that, we lived in Arizona, so we have benefited from many years of great Mexican food and culture. In our region, it is becoming very popular to have a traditional Tamale feast on Christmas. We get tamales from the best dive shop, and I make Mexican rice, beans and spicy vegetables. This is a tradition that everyone can benefit from, it’s easy and delicious! Feliz Navidad Amigos!

What is your special Christmas tradition? Comment below:

Below are the 37 books I read this year, so far. Some of these books made me laugh-out-loud, cry and check my closet for monsters. Some filled me with hope, while others left me devastated. They all expanded my world view and filled my year with new experiences.
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Note: I only rate books three stars or higher. I will not finish, rate or review a book I do not like.

Release date April 21, 2020

Janelle Brown’s, Watch Me Disappear, had been on my list for a while. When I saw that she had a new book coming out, I requested it and then crossed my fingers that I would be selected to review it. The story sounded exciting and I am a sucker for anything set at Lake Tahoe, it’s one of my absolute favorite places. I’m still new to getting advance access to books, so when I got approved, it made my day!

The story revolves around two women on opposite ends of the wealth spectrum. Nina was raised by a single mother, life for them was always a struggle. Vanessa was born into a prominent old-money family and given every advantage. Their lives collide when Nina marks Vanessa as the victim of her next con.

At first the two women are the embodiment of the poor vs the 1%. As the story progresses, the two women start coming together in unexpected ways. The stereotypes start to break down. This book was an exciting mystery with timely sociological statements. My only complaint is that the book was a little too long, and the dual narratives had too much overlap. Overall this was an enjoyable read with great visuals of the gorgeous Lake Tahoe area.
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This book will appeal to fans of mystery, intrigue and thrillers. Anyone interested in politics, healthcare in the US, and the wealth gap will also like this book.

You may also enjoy this No Spoiler Book Review of The Marriage Lie.

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

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Popular and engaging titles for all the kids on your list. These are some of the most exciting books released within the last few years for young readers. These titles will appeal to avid readers and reluctant readers alike. Please email me or comment below if you would like a personal suggestion for a reader on your list.

This list is organized by reading level, with suggested age ranges.

Board Books (up to 3 years old)

Baby Loves to Rock by Wednesday Kirwan – Short and engaging, pairs animals with their favorite type of music.

Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton – Silly rhyming book about a pack of adorable boat dwelling animals and their bedtime routine.

Night Night Farm by Roger Priddy – A flip the flap book that introduces babies to animal sounds.

Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – Educational story featuring the days of the week, types of food, and the caterpillar lifecycle. Eric Carle fit a lot into a few fun pages.

Where is Baby’s Belly Button by Karen Katz – This is the classic flip the flap book, introduces babies to body parts.

Picture Books (3-7 years old)

After the Fall by Dan Santat – Perseverance is the key to overcoming, in this uplifting continuation of Humpty Dumpty.

Dear Boy by Paris Rosenthal - A loving and supportive message for boys everywhere.

Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal – A loving and supportive message for girls everywhere.

Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith – A silly lyric book featuring a Honky-Tonkey, Wonky-Donkey.

Juvenile (7-13 years old)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney – A funny graphic novel about the awkward challenges of middle school.

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey – A hilarious comic about a half-dog/half-man’s adventures in crime fighting.

Fairy Mom and Me by Sophie Kinsella – Ella loves learning from her magical fairy mom, even if her spells don’t ever seem to turn out quite right.

Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris – Young street magicians team up to fight a greedy nemesis. Books includes interactive cyphers and clues.

Young Adult (13 and older)

Looking for Alaska by John Green – A half funny/half devastating book about growing up and making mistakes. Recently made into a Hulu series.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M McManus– Five students in detention and one ends up dead. They all have motive, so who is guilty?

Scythe by Neal Shusterman – In a world without death, teens are trained to kill to maintain population control.

Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon – This romance revolves around two lives in turmoil. Should they? Can they make it work?

Check back Tuesday for a No Spoiler Review of Pretty Things by Janelle Brown.
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What books are you giving or hoping to receive this year? Comment below:

I am a book pusher. I get a lot of entertainment from reading and I want to share that with everyone. That’s why I almost exclusively give books as Christmas presents. Since most people only read about four books a year, I try to give only the most popular and recognizable books from the last few years. People get more excited if they have heard of a book than if they have not. Here is the list I will be using this year for my gift giving:

Fantasy

Circe by Madeline Miller – A Greek god child must choose between her immortal family and humans as she discovers her abilities as a witch.

Harry Potter by JK Rowling (Illustrated editions) – Beautifully illustrated versions of Harry Potter books 1-4. These books are a real treat for fans of the series.

Historical Fiction

Great Alone by Kristin Hannah – A young family tries living off the land in post-Vietnam Alaska. Full review coming soon!

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – Sisters, living in Nazi occupied France, do their best to survive and help those close to them.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – A young girl comes of age in the marshes of 1960s North Carolina. One of the most coveted books of the year.

Mystery

Woman in the Window by AJ Finn – A recluse sees something she shouldn’t have, but is she a reliable witness?

Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – A woman murders her husband, then becomes silent. Why did she do it?

Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas – Sherlock Holmes meets Pride and Prejudice. A lighter historical mystery.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell – A missing daughter and a mother struggling to move on. Is her new love interest connected to her daughter’s disappearance?

Science Fiction

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig – Sleepwalkers and a plague threaten to wipe out humanity, can artificial intelligence save us? For my full review click here.

Non-Fiction

12 Rules for Life by Jordan B Peterson – Tips from history, politics, religion and the natural world are presented to help you live your best life.

Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson – The mysterious theft of historic bird skins for the art of salmon fly tying. This is a fascinating book, click here for my full review.

Good Neighbor by Maxwell King – Biography of the beloved Fred Rogers.

Library Book by Susan Orlean – What caused the Los Angeles Library fire of 1986? And other library stories.

Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines – Classic recipes for gatherings, includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.

Pioneers by David McCullough – The role of veterans in the settlement of Ohio, the narrative revolves around five individuals.

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell – Questions of psychology and sociology dominate in this book about snap judgments.

Whiskey in a Teacup – Reese Witherspoon's southern lifestyle guide.

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero – An entertaining and slightly naughty take on traditional self-help guides.

Check back Thursday for the list of Popular Books to Give at Christmas for Kids.

What books are you giving or hoping to receive this year? Comment below:

​I struggle with what to give to the adults that celebrate Christmas morning with us. Adults seem to have everything that they need/want so I always worry that whatever I buy is just going to be wasted. Last year we did a book and wine (coffee or chocolate for non-drinkers) exchange because we knew that both of those items would be well loved. I ended up with a couple of good books and a few bottles of wine. Honestly, it was perfect. Here are the variations that you can use for your Christmas party.

This Book and Wine is for You

This is what we do, it’s pretty traditional, with everyone giving gifts to each other. We let everyone know that we were limiting gifts to just books and wine. I make sure that I know which books everyone wants and if they prefer red or white. I know some people prefer to guess and have Christmas be more of a surprise, and that is fun too. This year I created a flowchart (nerd alert) that I will send to everyone attending, to help me figure out which book to buy them. If you would like a copy of my flowchart, subscribe below and I will send it to you!

Favorite Books and Wine Gift Exchange
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This is my favorite idea because all adults would end up with one high quality gift that they actually want. Everyone brings their favorite book or bottle of wine, wrapped or in a gift bag. Follow the rules of the standard White Elephant exchange here. Feel free to brag about the book you brought to encourage readers and non-readers to get excited about new books. Of course, there are a few bottles of wine floating around too, so if a book doesn’t appeal to you, there is a back-up gift option.

I would love to exchange only books and no wine, but I know that not everyone is as much of a bibliophile as I am. Having the second option available takes pressure off of your guests who don’t read as much. It also gives everyone another option, if none of the books sound good to them. Either way everyone gets something they will use and enjoy.

Here is a preview of my flowchart. Please subscribe and I will email you a copy.
​Don’t worry, I send very few emails, no spam. I promise.

Check back on Tuesday for a Christmas Gift Book List

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We have all seen the pictures of babies and toddlers meeting Santa for the first time and falling into a mild state of panic. With my daughters, I thought it was cute and funny. I see it as a right of passage. However, I know that some parents want those pristine pictures with crisp dresses and smiling faces. Here is a list of interactive, brightly colored and comforting books to help little ones meet Santa on their own terms. Hopefully, these books will help children have a more positive first interaction with Jolly Old Saint Nick.  

Baby’s Very First Slide and See Christmas by Usborne – A tactile book with engaging moving parts and bright colors. This book is about the Christmas Holiday with a special appearance by Santa.

Dear Santa by Rod Campbell – Santa tries to find the perfect gift. A lift-a-flap book.

Santa Flap Book by Usborne – Santa’s Christmas Eve journey from the North Pole to your house.

Santa’s Christmas Train by Helen Foster James – Take the Christmas train to the North Pole to meet Santa.

Santa’s Workshop by Holly Berry-Byrd – Meet Santa and his team of helpers in this colorful lift-a-flap book.

Santa’s Workshop by Roger Priddy – Santa and his helpers are busy getting ready for the big day. Lots of flaps to keep little hands busy.

Usborne Sparkly Touchy-Feely Santa Claus – Santa’s journey to deliver the world’s presents with smooth sparkling stars and soft white Santa beard.

Where’s Santa Claus by Nosy Crow – A flip-the-flap tour of the North Pole.

Check Back on Thursday for Christmas Gift Giving Guide for Librarians.

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Thanksgiving is a small holiday for our family. It is a quiet day to enjoy a nice meal with our family and a few friends. I know that the holiday has a dark history. We certainly don’t celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving tale. For us Thanksgiving is about gratitude.

We host Thanksgiving dinner and I cook most of the traditional meal, turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and whatever else anyone wants that year. I do not consider myself a baker, so we go out and buy far too many delicious pies. We’ll have an early dinner and then go for a walk or play card games. We do not have the TV on at all, no parades, no football games. Maybe a little Supernatural after the kids go to bed and everyone goes home.

This year I am thankful for my family and friends. I am grateful that we are fortunate enough to live in a nice home, in a good school district. I am grateful for this blog and for all of the interesting librarians, authors and readers that I have met since starting it. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Tell me about your Thanksgiving! Comment below:

Check back on Tuesday for a list of books to read before meeting Santa!

This was my second community book club read. The first book we read, Marriage Lie, was a best-selling mystery that I did not personally care for, but the group loved. This was a best-selling historical fiction that I did not personally care for, but the group loved. Hopefully, this does not become a trend, because I really like this group!

If I had edited this book, it would have been very different. The author had such an intriguing premise, human trafficking of children during the great depression. That is an interesting story, based on true events. I liked the parts of the book that were actually historical. Anything having to do with the Foss family children was great. What I didn’t like was the modern narrative of pampered granddaughter, Avery, it added nothing to the story. I literally would have ripped all the “Avery” chapters out of this book if I was the editor.

That being said, I will still rate this book three stars on Goodreads. While half of this book put me to sleep every time that I read it (I’m looking at you Avery), the other half was not only interesting, but important as well. This would be a great choice for most book clubs, human trafficking is a problem that merits more than just a discussion, but discussion is a start.  

Check back on Thursday for a Happy Thanksgiving Post!

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This book was recommended by some enlightened human on Library Twitter. I tend to love almost any book that falls into the apocalyptic fiction category, so even though the audiobook was THIRTY-TWO hours long, I still downloaded it without hesitation. Let me just say, I was absolutely obsessed with this book. I could not stop reading it.

A lot of people are comparing this book to Stephen King’s, The Stand, and they are correct, the books both feature a plague and a trip to Las Vegas. However, I thought the more important King similarity was the powder keg politics of, Under the Dome. There was also a lot of scientific and technical problem solving that reminded me of Andy Weir’s, The Martian. I am not saying this book is unoriginal or plagiarized in any way! This book is its own fantastic horror show, with some familiar elements found in other exceptional works.

If you enjoyed any of the above titles or anything apocalyptic, you are likely to be as consumed by this book as I was. This is a strong contender for my book of the year. Check back in January to find out what my official selection is!

Check back on Tuesday for a No Spoiler Review of Before We Were Yours.

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