Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor gets 4 Stars {regency romance}

I 💓 Jane Austen.  My first year living in Denver after grad school, I was living by myself, which was awesome.  However, b/c I had no roommate to share expenses I couldn't afford cable or internet on a teacher librarian salary.  

I watched the entire Felicity series, checked out from the library, on my laptop, and went through a serious Jane Austen phase.  I read all of her books more than a few times, and I even threw some books by the Bronte sisters in there.  It was a great year.  

The past couple days I flew threw Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor by Sarah L. McConkie, and was reminded of my love for Austen.  To be honest, the Regency Romance genre is not my go to genre, but I adored this debut book by this new author and it's well deserving of its 4 out of 5 stars rating.     

I loved the complexity of the story and how beautifully it was woven together.  I enjoyed Christine, her sister Lizzy, their parents, and their friends Meg and Ivory; as characters they are fun, likable, and relatable.  I loved the happy ending even though you weren't always sure how the happy ending would come about.  I overall loved the fun ending, and that there was more to it than just a clean romance.    

I enjoyed as Christine grew, matured, and had real worries and fears she worked through.  Though, at times I felt her development was a bit abrupt, and a tad confusing.  I was also confused with the Mr. Greenville's France story, and didn't see how it added to the story.  

I truly enjoyed how the story transported me to what seemed to be Loughbourn and Pemberley, but to be honest I felt that there were too many similarities to Pride and Prejudice.      

Overall, Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor is a well woven story that is a captivating.  The love story is perfect, and the intrigue with the characters and their stories were fun.  If you enjoy Jane Austen then you should most definitely pick up this book. 

Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor by Sarah L. McConkie
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: Adults and teens that enjoy romance/regency romance books
Clean Read: Yes. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: If you love Edenbrooke or Jane Austen books then buy it.
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Ideas: What are the similarities to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? Which of the 4 girls do you relate to the most?  How does class play a role in who you can become?  Does present day have similarities to the struggles to the "class" you are in?  

Are you a Regency Romance fan? Which romance is your favorite?  

Just a quote/thought I loved from Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor:

"She realized she had a choice to make. She could either let her old fears haunt her- and stop her.  Or she could move forward, choosing to hope, believing that her future would work." 

Happy reading!  As always, I love to hear your thoughts on the book. 

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut gets 4 Stars {picture book, caldecott, newbery}

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James won all of the awards this year.  This book was definitely the big ALA winner; it came away with 7 awards.  With a Caldecott Honor, aka runner-up for illustrations, Newbery Honor, aka a runner-up for the written story, and a Coretta Scott King Award, an award for the best book by an African-American, for the author and illustrator. Barnes and Gordon seem to be quite the dream team, and even more impressive they are both new to the writing/illustrating world. 

Most people adored this book, and it's not new to me for feeling differently from the majority.  To be honest, I felt Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a great book to add to your collection for more diversity.  I felt the concept of taking pride in your appearance, getting a hair cut in this instance, can build self-esteem.  The story and the pictures are unique and beautiful in their own ways.  I thought the word choice was excellent and descriptive with words like magnificent, flawless, and a comparison to royalty.  

My major qualm with the book, and why it earned 4 out of 5 stars was because the storyline and the wording seem more appropriate for 4th through 6th grade, however the concept of pride felt from a hair cut, and the excitement for going to get a cut seems more appropriate for preschoolers.  I think the audience this book is best suited for is off and the reason for my lack of enthusiasm.     

According to Goodreads, I am in the minority with my rating.  What do you think? Where do you rate this Caldecott and Newbery Honor book?      

Happy New Hair Cut Self-Esteem Building picture book reading!

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes illustrated by Gordon C. James
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 2-7 years old, Toddlers to 2nd grade. 
Worth a Check Out: Yes
Buy It or Not: It's a great diversity book, if your collection is lacking diversity you need this book.
Read Aloud: Yes.  If you are talking about hair-cut or appearance impacting self-esteem.
Lesson Ideas: Hair cut, barbershop, African-American, word choice 6 traits writing, Caldecott, Newbery. 

From Dark to Light gets 2 Stars {picture book, student author}

In 5th grade I was wearing hot pink shorts, with pockets b/c why not, for my elementary school basketball team.  I loved those shorts my mom made!  I remember free-throws were not a strength of mine, okay they still aren't, but in 5th grade my glasses broke.  I had to play my basketball game with very blurry vision.  I was not looking forward to my very blurry basketball game. 

Yet, during that vision impaired game I scored the most points I ever scored in a game in elementary school.  I scored a whopping 15 points.  It was a big game.  I'm not sure why my lack of vision increased my score 10 times from normal, but it probably means I'm not a great basketball player.

I tell you that above story b/c what I was doing in 5th grade, and what a lot of people are doing at 10-11 years old is not what Isabella Murphy was doing.  Isabella Murphy wrote and published a book.  #wow

Isabella Murphy is a 5th grade student author who wrote From Dark to Light.  This book, with personification aka an inanimate object gave human like qualities, is about a pumpkin who wants to feel loved.  This pumpkin gets planted, grows, and becomes picked by a family.  It's a cute story, but definitely text heavy.  

From Dark to Light gets 2 out of 5 stars.  The illustrations are cute, the story given from the perspective of a seed is fun, and the fact that a 5th grader wrote it is cool.  I also love that a story from the perspective of a pumpkin includes the carving of the pumpkins; I personally thought carving would be scary for the pumpkins, but for these pumpkins it is just fun.  There are some great parts to the story.  

Though, I try to be honest, fair, consistent, and critical in my reviews.  This story is obviously an indie book.  The story doesn't quite flow smoothly, and the text could've definitely been condensed. There are many parts of the story that don't add anything to the overall story line and should've been taken out.  I realize this book is written by a child, but I still hope a published book would have better character development.  The character development was too quick; one minute Pumpker is being laughed at and treated cruelly by his sisters and then the next moment they are giggling with him. 

Overall, the story is good, but it isn't great.  I'd purchase this book if I was a 4th, 5th, or 6th grade teacher to show my students they can be an author.  However, the text heaviness and the unrefined writing make this book I wouldn't read aloud in the library. 

    
What were you doing in 5th grade? 

Happy Pumpkin Personification Picture Book Reading!


From Dark to Light by Isabella Murphy
Rating: 2/5 stars
Best For: 6 years old and up, 1st to 3rd grade. 
Clean Read: Yes
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Lesson Ideas: Personification. Pumpkins. Seed to plant. Family. Student Authors.

I received this book from Pink Umbrella Books in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

They All Saw a Cat gets 5 Stars {picture book, caldecott honor}

They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel is a fantastic book with beautiful pictures and a great simple story with lots of repetition and attention to detail.  

They All Saw a Cat won a Caldecott Honor this year b/c the illustrations in this book are fantastic and not only enhance the story, but the pictures are critical in telling the story.  

I even love the detail of cat fur found on the endpapers shown above.  I have a special place in my heart for endpapers that enhance the story. 
         

This picture book, They All Saw a Cat, that is all about perspective gets 5 out of 5 stars in my book review.  

I love the way Wenzel tells the story of the cat and how others see this cat.  This concept of perspective that is so well illustrated in a book that I find to be creative, fun, and simple enough even toddlers will enjoy.  However, you can dive into deeper ideas with older kids and adults, such as how others see us and how we see ourselves.  A story that is creative, simple and to the point, and can be enjoyed by such a wide range of ages are just a few of the reasons this book won the coveted 5 star rating from me.  

What did you think of They All Saw a Cat? 

They All Saw a Cat is an awesome picture book, and it would make a great read aloud for preschool to a 2nd grade classroom, but it would also make a great read aloud book for an art teacher discussing perspective, or a writing lesson on how we perceive things can change the story.

This story has a lot of potential for lessons and read aloud fun for many ages.  It's definitely a keeper, and a good book to purchase if you will use it in classroom lessons.   

Please tell me you enjoyed the different pictures I've included.  There are so many other awesome ones in the book too that I had a hard time narrowing down which ones to share with you.  In the picture above, I love how the mouse sees the cat as a villain so the colors are red, bold, and scary looking. I love the way the bee sees the cat illustrated in the picture below.  

All in all, I think Brendan Wenzel did a great job as a first time author and illustrator.  

Goodreads (I'm Megan - Alohamora Open a Book if you want to be friends, I'm really trying to be more active on there) had the following book description: 

"The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . .In this celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many views of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?"

Happy Simple, Fun, and Repetitious Caldecott Honor Cat Loving Picture Book reading! 

They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel
Rating: 5/5 stars
Best For: 2-6 year old, toddler through 1st grade
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not: If you teach or love American history then definitely yes.
Read Aloud: Yes! Fun simple story for young kids, and lovely concept for older.
Lesson Ideas:  Perspective, Repetition, Art, Writing, and How others see us verse how we see ourselves. 

Splintered gets 3 Stars {YA} {Fairytale Twist}

Splintered by A.G. Howard is the first of a four book urban Alice in Wonderland twist story.  The four books in the series are Splintered, Unhinged, Ensnared, and Untamed. 

Splintered is her first book, and apparently she got the idea for this book and series while working in a school library.  Go school libraries!  

I read Splintered for book club; it was actually the book I suggested.  I love book clubs and I love when you read books everyone chooses.  That will usually allow you to read a wide variety of books.  We've read 18th century settings as well as urban fairy tale settings.  I think the variety is good. 

I give Splintered 3 out of 5 stars.  Now to be honest I wish I could've given it 4.5 of 5 stars; it's always fun to suggest an awesome book for book club. :) If you are looking for a great book for your book club just click on the "5 Stars" tag.  

I feel this book was just blah.  It dragged on and was incredibly cheesy, and I do not plan to read the others in the series.  There were several lines Alyssa and Jeb said in their little romance that was a bit dorky and childish (though I guess middle school or high school kids wouldn't mind).  I also felt the obvious characterization lacked originality; there are too many books with the main character in love with the handsome guy who's dating the mean rich and beautiful girl.

Now, I am all for fairy tale retellings or fairy tales with a twist; I love them. However, I was disappointed with Splintered.  If you love modern day fairy tale retellings give Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce a read; his Fairytale Retelling series is fun. 

Splintered is a mostly clean read.  There was no sex, drug use, or language that I can recall.  However, there were some adult ideas and sex and virgnity was talked about.  As we discussed in book club, the writing is geared towards middle school girls, but some of those adult topics make it inappropriate for some parents to allow their children to read.  

Though, there were things I liked.  I think the setting and it's descriptions were fascinating, and the idea of it would make a great movie with a lot of action.  I also think this book would drag a little less if you enjoyed it as an audiobook.  I also think Morpheus, the most interesting character, was written well.  During the reading I found myself going back and forth with him being a good guy or a bad guy.

All in all, it's okay.  If you love Alice in Wonderland or you are looking for an audiobook series to enjoy give this one a read.  

Amazon had the following book review from School Library Journal:

"This darker, modern update of Alice in Wonderland is more likely to please fans of Tim Burton's film adaptation than those of Lewis Carroll's novel. Alyssa, 16, is a descendant of Alice Liddell, the girl who was Carroll's inspiration for Alice. Her mother lives in a mental institution, and she herself struggles with hearing voices from insects and flowers. Do the women in her family suffer from a curse that can somehow be traced back to the original Alice? The opening chapters drag a bit, but the action picks up when Alyssa finds herself in Wonderland, fighting for her survival-and for her mother's sanity. Howard maintains a lush atmosphere throughout, reintroducing Carroll's characters as truly nightmarish monsters. Though Alyssa's ongoing quests can sometimes seem aimless and the requisite love triangle forced, teens looking for a creepy, descriptive read with a generous dollop of romance will gravitate toward this title."         


Have you read Splintered? What did you think? 


Happy Fun Modern Alice in Wonderland Fairy Tale Twist Reading! 

The Wrath & The Dawn gets 4.5 Stars

Happy February!  Some people think of this month as the month of Love, and other's think it's the last month for at least a few months with a paid holiday.  Other's think of Black History Month, and some thing Leap Year, Superbowl, or Groundhog's Day.    

I mostly think of love b/c I was a school teacher and librarian and the whole Valentine's thing is a big deal for kids.  However, we have a lot of lessons for Black History Month, and I always had a library display for both Valentine's Day and Black History.  However, since I think of Love first, today I am going to share a book I LOVED. 

The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh is an absolutely fantastic book.  Ahdieh, a fellow University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate (Go Heels!), is a new author and this is the first book in her saga/series of Shahrzad and Khalid, a retelling/twist of the Arabian Nights..

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I really wanted to give this book 5 stories, b/c the storyline is creative and unpredictable, and the book really was a page turner.  I loved everything about the story, and I'll definitely be reading the second book.  

My only qualm with this book, and the reason it lost a 1/2 a star, was b/c of a few writing instances.  There were times that I found the story confusing b/c of how the action was written, and I had to go back and re-read it to clarify.  I also felt the excerpt for the second book in the series, The Rose & The Dagger, was interesting, but it didn't grab you, the reader, as much as I would've hoped, or as much as this book grabbed you.  I do think the problems I had with this book was b/c Ahdieh is a new author; I do think she has great potential as a writer and her writing will only improve.  

The Wrath and The Dawn is a great book.  It is a clean read with no language and only implied sex.  There was really only a little detail of a hug and a kiss.  There is some violence though; I mean the story is based on a king that killed his brides.  In regards to the violence there isn't any gruesome details.  All in all, I would say this book is a clean read.   

I think this book and series would be great for 8th graders and up.  A younger reader that is mature would be fine with the novel, but the difficult names and the depth of the characters and story may be hard for a younger reader.

Amazon had the following book review from School Library Journal: 

"A reimagined tale based on One Thousand and One Nights and The Arabian Nights. In this version, the brave Shahrzad volunteers to marry the Caliph of Khorasan after her best friend is chosen as one of his virgin brides and is summarily murdered the next morning. She uses her storytelling skills, along with well-placed cliff-hangers, to keep herself alive while trying to discover a way to exact revenge on the Caliph. However, the longer she stays in the palace, the more she realizes there's more going on than just a murderous prince. While her feelings for the Caliph grow and change, the first love she left behind is busy plotting to overthrow the entire palace. When the various plotlines come together in a final conflict, the story is brought to a satisfying, if unexpected, ending. A quick moving plot and sassy, believable dialogue make this a compelling and enjoyable mystery, with just the right amount of romance and magic. The main characters are well drawn and surprisingly likable, while secondary characters also develop in endearing ways. The rich, Middle Eastern cultural context adds to the author's adept worldbuilding. Intimacy is dealt with in a straightforward way, without graphic details, and a subtle message of strength is portrayed through the brave independence of the protagonist. VERDICT This well-written mystery will be a surefire hit with teens."


Have you read this fantastic teen read?  What did you think? 

Happy Fabulous Not Your Typical Fairy Tale Retelling Young Adult Reading!

Trouble is a Friend of Mine gets 5 Stars

Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly gets 5 stars in my book review, and I'm so glad I started off 2016 reading such a fun, interesting, and original Young Adult (YA) book.  
I suggest you request this book pronto, and if you are a high school librarian you should definitely have this book in your collection.  

Trouble is a Friend of Mine is a great story with a great pace.  You will happily be turning page after page, and you will struggle to read only one chapter before bed. This novel is a clean read; there is no sex or language that I can recall.  Drugs are part of the storyline, but it isn't about drug use.

I definitely enjoyed Stephanie Tromly's first novel, and I will definitely read another one.  Actually, I'm looking forward to reading another one by her.

Trouble is a Friend of Mine is a fun read.  Have you read it?  

Amazon had the following book review; I give this to you so you have a better idea of the storyline. 

"Gr 9 Up—A fast-paced story about two misfit teens working on a cold case. The same town that makes Zoe Webster wonder if she'll ever find a friend is the one that raised Philip Digby—and watched as his kid sister, Sally, disappeared years ago. Digby, as he's called, recruits newbie Princeton, his nickname for Zoe, as his accomplice, because he trusts no one else. Together they circumvent or simply break laws in the interest of finding out what happened. Breaking and entering, carrying concealed weapons, pretending to buy drugs—it's all part of uncovering the truth. There are some unfortunate stereotypes, such as "Girls in the Bronx smuggle razor blades into school in their cheeks." There are also redeeming characterizations, such as a single mother who evolves from a stereotype into a a multifaceted person; and a romance that's complicated by a handsome guy named Henry, Digby's once upon a time best friend. Readers will find a sharply drawn character in the irrepressible Zoe, who's as dubious about Digby's methods as she is curious about whether or not she can live up to his daredevilry. Many—too many—irresponsible adults try to derail Princeton and Digby from their mission: a perverted gynecologist, a cheating dad, a cult posing as next-door neighbors, to name only a few. VERDICT With elements of mystery, romance, and problem novels, Tromly's debut aims to please a wide variety of readers, but its success is due largely to the authentic portrayal of its two teenage protagonists."   


Have I enticed you enough to pick this book up?  

Happy Fantastic Teen/YA Mystery Book reading! 

Luckiest Girl Alive gets 3.5 Stars

When I first picked up this book I saw that it was related to Gone Girl  as another psychological thriller.  When I read Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessice Knoll I was anticipating a psychological thriller, a thriller even, but I will say that I would not compare this to Gone Girl.

I give Luckiest Girl Alive 3.5 out of 5 Stars.  I should start by saying that there is a lot of language, violence, and even a gang rape.  I would say this is an adult literature book with some psychological thriller aspects, but it is quite dirty of a read.

There were aspects of the story that were really quite interesting.  I didn't predict the story completely (though some parts were way to obvious and a bit ridiculous), and I was completely surprised by parts of it as well.

Ani at times completely frustrated me.  I realize she was a teenager when a lot happened, but the choices she made were infuriating.  Ani, at 28 years old, is frustrating as well for her choices and behavior.  

Overall, TifAni turned Ani, showed a lack of emotional growth and character development.  Throughout the story TifAni/Ani just appeared bitter and bratty, and it is difficult to like a character with no positive traits.

I do think the writing was good, but I didn't think it was great.  The way Knoll wrote Ani and that the story wasn't a page turner was what disappointed me the most about this highly talked about and marketed novel.  However, Knoll is a new author, and I think she has room for growth.  I would probably read another book by Knoll; which is actually saying something. 

So you can get a better idea of the story line Amazon had the following book description: 

"HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE.

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.
The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?"   

Have you read Luckiest Girl Alive? What did you think, or are you going to be giving it a read?

Happy Reading! 




****SPOILER****



I did see the gang rape coming, b/c let's be honest who didn't see that coming?  However, I did not see, predict, or anticipate the school shooting.  I honestly did not anticipate that one.  I personally thought the story was about TifAni/Ani overcoming the rape. 

Regarding the end of the story, I was actually glad Ani showed a little wisdom, growth, and a little less selfishness.  I was glad Ani didn't follow through with the marriage.  Were you glad or sad about that? 

My Near-Death Adventures (99% True) gets 3 Stars {Historical Fiction} (4th-7th Grade)

Let me start with saying that I love the title of this book; it is just fun! The book title, and the fun scrapbook like pictures on the cover is a perfectly visual to portray the fun humor found inside.  

All in all, My Near-Death Adventures (99% True) by Alison DeCamp is a good book.  It isn't a great book, but it is good and fun.  I do think it will struggle to grab an elementary school/middle school aged kid.

I give My Near-Death Adventures (99% True) 3 out of 5 Stars.  I thought the storyline of the lumberjacks life was interesting, but it wasn't a strong storyline that moved the story along.  I thought Stanley, the main character, was a bit wordy; his wordiness and "thought processes" made it a bit boring at times even though he is a funny character.  However, the funny pranks, adventures, and things Stanley says (calling people names like Stinky Pete and his granny Evil) is what kids are really going to enjoy and laugh at.

The target audience of kids in 4th-7th grade aren't going to be concerned about the storyline or the confusing layout/editing of the book as much as I, or adults, will.  I wouldn't recommend this book to a reluctant reader, but if you have an avid reader looking for a fun historical read for an assignment or entertainment this would work great. 

Amazon had the following book review from School Library Journal.  I loved this publication when I was a librarian.  Very honest and helpful.

"Stan, the protagonist of DeCamp's lively and folksy debut novel, lives with his mother in Michigan in the late 1800s when a mysterious envelope arrives that changes their lives. Eleven-year-old Stan (who is literally counting the days until he turns twelve) has always assumed that his "long-lost father" is dead, but with the arrival of the envelope-and Stan's grandmother-he learns that his father is alive. Stan's "near-death" adventures begin when he travels to his uncle's logging camp where his mother and grandmother will cook for "real lumberjacks." With his cousin Geri (older than Stan by "twenty-three months and three days") as his guide, Stan navigates life with a group of colorful characters, using vivid language to describe the loggers and his campaign for his mother's permission to participate in the annual logrolling event. While Stan helps with chores, forms friendships with the loggers, and feels uneasy about the interest several men express in his mother, his rich imagination finds an outlet in the scrapbook he fills with magazine ads and clippings, copies of which are scattered throughout the novel. More poignant is the life Stan imagines his father having while waiting for his young son to find him. "I imagine he's out in the world doing something amazing, like mining gold or riding through the Wild West on horseback," Stan thinks. A secondary plot about Geri's interest in becoming a doctor enriches the story. Stan is a likable character with an exaggerated view of his abilities and a good heart. DeCamp's novel is a solid choice for fans of Rodman Philbrick's The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg (Scholastic, 2009)." 


Happy Funny and Silly Historical Fiction Reading! 


What are you reading?

Tales From the Back Row gets 4.5 Stars

Tales From the Back Row: An Outsider's View From Inside the Fashion Industry by Amy Odell is a hilarious, relatable, informative, and all around fun read for the fashion fan and even the lack of any fashion knowledge individual like myself.  

I'm not kidding when I say I have no fashion sense whatsoever.  I unfortunately have left my home (on accident but still) wearing socks and Birks, and I have never ever worn jeans with heals which is supposedly a thing stylish cool people do.  My favorite brand is Athleta, and I had no idea who Alexander Wang was before I read this book.  I am not a fashionable person, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and you will too.  

When Simon & Schuster contacted me asking if I'd be interested in getting my hands on and reading Amy Odell's humorous memoir like book I jumped at the opportunity.  I had heard only awesome things about it, and to be honest, it was better than I thought it was going to be..  

Tales From the Back Row gets 4.5 out of 5 Stars in my book review.  It's a fast enjoyable read for a wide audience.  This book is not just for the fashion minded, but it's for everyone that wants to succeed in life.  

I loved the witty and humorous writing and the stories from the crazy fashion world.  I learned more about the Victoria Secret Fashion Show and Fashion Week than I ever knew there was to know.  I learned that we all struggle and fail; we fail job interviews and regret things we say.  However, those failures don't mean you are done; it just means you have to keep going b/c you can still succeed.

Amy Odell is a super young cat fan with quite a Twitter and Instagram following, but she is also editor of Cosmopolitan.com now.  Forbes named her in the prestigious 30 Under 30 list aka list of people that are young and super amazing/successful.  

In her book, which writing was one of her life goals (I love when people have life goals and do them), she gives us her strategy to success.  She worked hard, very hard, and she even admits that she also got lucky.  Though, I remember many soccer coaches (hence why Athleta is my favorite clothing) telling me luck comes to those that work for it.

In her book, Odell mentions that we all do things differently.  However, whether you are looking for a wedding dress or trying to succeed in your career it's most important to stay true to yourself.  It's the only way you'll be happy, and the only way you can truly succeed     Some people are excellent self-promoters, and others are more shy and keep working and plugging along.  Don't try to be something you're not.  

This theme was helpful and a needed boost for me.  I am not your typical blogger.  I don't want to do Giveaways just to get "Followers" or "Likes."  I want people to find my blog helpful and informative.  I want them to be inspired to read a book, or get books for their kids.  I want teachers and librarians to find book lists and lessons (ideas or plans) that they can us.  I want people to have delicious, and often healthy recipes to make and enjoy.  I want people to come to my blog b/c they want to and not b/c they want to win something.  So this book just reminded me that it's okay to be me; I don't have to be and do the typical blogger thing.      

Overall, Tales From the Back Row is a great read.  I think a Millennial woman would love this book.  They'll especially relate to this book and enjoy every chapter.  The last two chapters are my favorite, including the "10 Absolutely Vital Tips for Everyone Who Wants to Work in Fashion."  However, those last 10 tips are valuable tips for anyone and everyone

Tales From the Back Row has a little language, in context, but it really isn't too bad.  It's funny, with humorous stories from Odell's life and adventures.  It's just fun. 

The only reason this book lost half a star in my book review is b/c sometimes Odell was a tad wordy.  I found myself wanting to skim some of the side stories to keep reading the main funny story.  

Amazon had the following book description: 

"Funny and fearless, Tales from the Back Row is a keenly observed collection of personal essays about what it’s really like to be a young woman working in the fashion industry.

In Tales from the Back Row, Cosmopolitan.com editor Amy Odell takes readers behind the stage of New York’s hottest fashion shows to meet the world’s most influential models, designers, celebrities, editors, and photographers.

But first, she has to push her way through the crowds outside, where we see the lengths people go to be noticed by the lurking paparazzi, and weave her way through the packed venue, from the very back row to the front. And as Amy climbs the ladder (with tips about how you can, too), she introduces an industry powered by larger-than-life characters: she meets the intimidating Anna Wintour and the surprisingly gracious Rachel Zoe, not to mention the hilarious Chelsea Handler, and more.

As she describes the allure of Alexander Wang’s ripped tights and Marchesa’s Oscar-worthy dresses, Amy artfully layers in something else: ultimately this book is about how the fashion industry is an exaggerated mirror of human fallibility—reflecting our desperate desire to belong, to make a mark, to be included. For Amy is the first to admit that as much as she is embarrassed by the thrill she gets when she receives an invitation to an exclusive after-party, she can’t help but RSVP “yes.”
Tales From the Back Row comes out next Tuesday, September 1st.  Go get it!

Happy Hilarious and Applicable Reading with a little, or a lot, fashion thrown in there! 

Rewind to You gets 3 Stars

When I first moved to Arizona we rented a place, and in that same neighborhood lived Laura and her super cute family.  I'm a big fan of Laura and her husband, and I think they have the cutest kids ever.  After we moved in Laura found out I like to run; she is a runner as well so we lined up a day to go running.  While on the run Laura told me that she wants to be author and get a book published.

Now, there are a lot of people that want to publish a book (me included), but few actually get the green light from a publisher..  

I was so so happy to hear Laura's dream of being a published author came true for her.  

Last September Rewind to You came out, and I just recently read it.  It is a completely clean Young Adult (YA) or Teen Romance fiction novel.  There is underage smoking and drug reference, but there is absolutely no language.  It is similar to Sarah Dessen's books but with a bit more romance rather than realistic fiction with depth.   

I give Rewind to You 3 out of 5 stars.  It pains me to not give a raving review b/c I do like the author so much, but I do feel the need to be completely honest. 

I will preface my review by stating that I am not a romance reader and usually find romance novels a bit too "fluffy" when the characters constantly comment on their desire to kiss the other; my lack of love for romance writing styles could be some of my struggles with the book.

First let me start off with things I enjoyed.  I liked the happy ending, and I liked that the ending wasn't completely predictable b/c there was a slight twist in the story.  I also liked that it felt like a light summer beach or pool read that you could probably read in one pool/beach visit if you were a romance reader. 

However, I am a pretty critical reader/reviewer.  I do seem to analyze books a bit more and enjoy them less b/c of that.  To start, I struggled to get into the book.  The first third of the book I had to push my way through, and I actually might not have finished the book if I didn't personally know the author. 

In general I found the writing to a be a bit choppy with abrupt transitions; the writing wasn't quite refined and timeless but more simple, trendy and unrealistic.  I say unrealistic, but maybe this is more clean writing to a fault.  For example, at the beginning of the story a teenage boy who is smoking and portrayed to be tough calls trash with dirty diapers in them "Doo Doo."  The word Doo Doo just seemed a bit off to me to have a rough smoking teenage boy say it instead of a four letter word.  

One minute Sienna (one of the main characters aka "the girl") was mad at Austin (the other main character aka "the boy") and then all of a sudden she was fine with the somewhat major issue and there was no transition or character development.  At times the transitions seem quite forced and awkward, but I think it may be the author not quite knowing how to write it.

The story usually alternated narrators between Sienna and Austin.  I was fine with that writing style, but I do think it is harder to really build a lot of character development when alternating narrators.  

During the chapters from Sienna's point of view she often had flashbacks to when her father was alive.  The first time that happened I was quite confused and didn't know what was going on, but I do think Johnston improved with her flashback transitions as the story progressed.  

All in all, 3 stars isn't bad, but it isn't fabulous either.  It's an okay book, but you probably will think it's a good book if you like romance and/or don't analyze books nearly as much.  Rewind to You is currently only 99 cents for the kindle version if that helps sway you one way or another. 

Amazon had the following book description to give you a better idea of the storyline. 

"A rapturous, beautiful debut with a romance that seeps into you like a sizzling Georgia summer" -Amber Hart, author of Before You Wish You Were Here One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away. But the past isn't easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete's body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street. When she's with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now ."

Happy YA/Teen Romance Beach Read reading!