Books for Breakfast

I promptly texted my friend "what the crap!" after finishing The Hand on The Wall . The journey through the Truly Devious series has been quite the ride. No doubt if COVID had not happened, I would have devoured the whole trilogy in the span of 2 weeks. Kindle holds are a thing, though, so I had to wait like a peasant (and practice patience) and instead finished the series in a span of several months... no big deal, I guess. It made the enjoyment last longer :) The series surprised me in so many ways and gave me some hope for the ever-expanding YA genre. The Hand on The Wall  was probably my least favorite in the trilogy, a-la Mockingjay style (if you know, you know). I genuinely feel like this last installment could have been parcelled out in such a way that the series could have been a duology. The first half trudged a little because it was basically a litany of Stevie's thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I like getting inside her mind because she is a fascinating char...

There's nothing quite like finishing a good book on a warm (not quite summer) day. The sun is slowly setting, the birds are happily chirping, and the breeze is cooling the weather down. I can't think of a better story to wrap up than The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. There will be some exciting changes happening in my life this week; exciting but slightly scary! This continues my comfort read-a-thon and it was just what I needed. I loved this continuing storyline of the four Penderwick sisters. Even though the original Penderwick novel will always be near and dear to my heart, the follow-up was just as sweet and endearing. Each sister got their time to shine and the storyline involving their father was well fleshed-out and relatable. I think Birdsall was really able to expand on each sister's personality in this story, and we get glimpses of where she might take them next. I can't really say much more, except please read this sweet story! Stats: Completed: Apr...

YAY! I've hit 30 books! April has been a really slow month for me. Due to a family tragedy, my interest in reading plummeted. I have not wanted to touch a book for the past couple of weeks. This month has been hard. So when I did decide I wanted to pick up a book again, I wanted something comforting. Comfort reads, for me, are familiar and usually re-reads. I already know what's going to happen, so I'm not surprised or blind-sided. My comfort read this time just so happened to be a childhood favorite, The Penderwicks. I can't tell you how many times I have read this over the years. It's actually a series, with 5 books I think, but I have only read the first two. I think there was just something about the original book that touched my heart and kept me coming back, over and over again. The Penderwicks reminds me of Little Women  in a way. Four sisters, an absent parent, and a boy that becomes a close friend. Each sister has a fully developed character and story...

 New month, new look! I decided to give this little blog a facelift and I'm really liking the new layout. I've got big plans for this month, mainly getting ready for graduation, commencement, and applying to a teaching credential program. But my big plans also involve big reading plans, and to kick that off, here is my review for my first book read in March. The Mysterious Benedict Society was a re-read for me. I read this years ago, probably when I was 12... maybe 13? I remember absolutely loving it but never finishing the series. All of a sudden this month I was struck with the desire to read this series, and I'm so glad I followed through. This book sucks you in; from the very beginning when we meet Reynie Muldoon and read all about these... well, mysterious , tests he takes. I found myself flipping past page after page, not even registering just how much I had read until much later. I love those kinds of books. The pace does slow down a little in the middle in my ...

Prepare yourselves, friends. This review will not be a short one. I suggest you make yourself a hot drink and perhaps a snack and settle in, because I've got thoughts. First of all, I don't know how I managed to go 21 years before reading and finishing Little Women . I have attempted this novel several times in the past and I never got very far. My most recent attempt was a few months ago; I borrowed my sister's pretty Puffin copy, but only achieved the first 10 chapters or so. After she and I watched the new Little Women movie adaptation (twice!), I decided once and for all, come hell or high water, I was going to finish this book. And OH. MY. GOODNESS... YA'LL!!! This is now my favorite book. You know how we can never pick a favorite book or movie because there are just too many and we have so many beloveds in different ways? Well, this tops all that... Little Women will forever and always be my favorite book. Let me begin my review by saying that I credit p...