Hi! Jana hosts Top Ten Tuesday @thatartsyreadergirl. Our love of lists inspires this weekly meme and brings the book blogging community together. Jana will post a prompt each week, and we readers will make our list based on that topic. We can also do our own thing if we don’t have ideas for the topic that week. The topic is bookish quotes this week, but I’ll be doing the one from a few weeks ago- petty reasons I’ve DNFED a book. I’m not a big DNFer, but there are some reasons why I will DNF one.
Hard DNF
1- Characters not being the vibe
I will usually be open to many characters. There are some that I will DNF a book for. If the characters are overly angry, or nasty that’s a reason I won’t finish a book.
2- A boring plot
Books with plots that are predictable and uninteresting. I’ll DNF the book. I have so many books to read that I don’t want to waste my time if a book is not going to get better.
3- The Writing style
As a reader, I’m open to different types of writing. The only reason I will DNF a book is if the writing is dry, particularly if it’s a fiction book. I need a writing style to be engaging because otherwise, I’ll be bored reading the book.
4- Pacing issues
If a book spends too long on a topic, I’ll most likely DNF. I mostly read a medium-paced book according to Story Graph. If a book is overall too slow for my taste, I’ll DNF for something I’d prefer to read.
5- Tropes
I’ve discovered that I’m a big trope reader in recent years. I have tropes I come back to time and time again. I’m not a fan of overly dark books. If a book gets really dark, I’m going to DNF.
6-Themes
This goes with the tropes, but I’ll also DNF if a book has heavy themes.
Soft DNF
7- Time
This mostly is for Library Loans, but also for books I own. I read a lot of books at once, so I’ll soft DNF for books I might not have time for and come back to them.
8- Mood
Mood can play a big role if I soft DNF a book or not. If I’m not in the mood for a book anymore, I’ll move on to something else.
It’s warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?
Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only.
Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?
Favorite Quotes
I know I’m Good Enough
But I’ll always dance for fun
Redesigning my OC for my D&D campaign
Review
4.5/5
Characters-9
Tryouts had entertaining characters. I’m not one for sports books, but I enjoyed reading about the characters in this one. I loved the friendships in this book and the characters’ support for each other. Community support is important in the middle school years, and I loved how supportive the characters were of each other. They would do anything for their friends, and I loved seeing that throughout the story.
Writing & Illustrations -9
Tryouts had a fun art style. I loved the colorful pallet, and I thought it worked well to tell the story. With graphic novels, finding the balance between writing and art can be challenging, and Sarah Sax does a great job of both. I found the writing style to be charming and engaging.
Plot-8
This graphic novel had an engaging story. I enjoyed how Al broke barriers, and joined the boys team. She helped turn the team around by motivating them to do better, which I loved. I loved the Girl’s Basketball team getting coverage thanks to Al, and the rest of the teams shining a light on them. Al’s friends Viv and Milo were fun to follow as they both had their own journeys. Each character in this book grew and I loved seeing how much they grew.
Enjoyment-8
This book was fun. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I loved the characters and felt for some of them. The story was enjoyable and fun, while also talking about important topics.
Sarah cares deeply about encouraging young readers to discover and expand their sense of creative confidence. She studied Storytelling and Sequential Imagery at Hampshire College and she’s since worked as an educator at the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco, a volunteer with 826 Valencia, and as Creative Director at Lumosity, where she led a team of artists working with scientists and game designers to transform problem-solving and memory skills into brain-training games. She is the illustrator of the first three books (Escape This Book: Titanic; Escape this Book: Tombs of Egypt; andEscape This Book: Race to the Moon) in the inventive, interactiveEscape This Book! series, which has been translated into eight languages. Tryouts, her second of four graphic novels in the Brinkley Yearbooks series, will be published in the spring of 2024. She lives in Portland, Maine.
Hi! Jana hosts top Ten Tuesday @https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/. This meme brings together our love of lists and book blogging. Each week, Jana will post a prompt, and we readers will make out lost based on that prompt. This week, our topic is floral covers, but I’m opening it up to any nature on the cover.
1- In The Weeds by B.K. Borison
I love the flowers on the cover. This book was so cute and I loved it.
2- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
I love all the greenery on the cover. I think it’s great and this book was really fun.
3- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia For Faeries by Heather Fawcett
This was one of the first books that came to mind when I saw the prompt. I love all the flowers on the cover.
4- Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
I love the different vibes of both the covers in the Emily Wilde series.
5- Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
And this is the book that made me want to open this up to nature-themed covers. I love the pine tree on the cover. This YA romance is so cute and I just love it.
6- The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
I loved this book! I also love the pine tree on the cover.
7- Imogen Obviously by Becky Albertalli
I love all the trees on this cover. This was one of my favorite books last year.
8-Atremis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade by Kimberley Behre Kenna
This an MG novel with a very nature themed cover and message. I enjoyed it a lot.
9- Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
This YA Fantasy is so fun! It is also a very important message, I love combination of trees and flowers on the cover.
10- Wild Wishes and Windswept Kisses by Maya Prasad
This is a very fall cover, and I love it. I feel like it has all the vibes of the season. The story as a lot of fun as well.
A reserved Chinese American teen at a Southern performing arts boarding school comes into her own under the tutelage of a glamorous new piano teacher. A moving coming-of-age-novel from a debut novelist about first love, adolescent angst, and academic pressures.
Claire Wu isn’t sure that she has what it takes to become a successful concert pianist.
It’s the fear of every student at Greenwood School of Performing becoming a washed-out performer who couldn’t make it big. And Claire’s no Rocky Wong, the ace pianist at their boarding school.
Then Dr. Li shows up. She’s like no other teacher at mysterious, sophisticated, fascinating. Under Dr. Li’s tutelage, Claire works harder and dreams bigger than ever. And her crush Rocky finally seems interested. Maybe she’ll even be “Chinese enough” to join the elusive Asian Student Society.
Everything is falling into place until eerily personal notes about Claire’s bond with Dr. Li appear. Claire starts to feel the pressure. But she isn’t the only one. Everyone is feeling the strain. Especially Rocky, whose extreme perfectionism hides something more troubling.
As the Showcase tension crescendos, Claire must decide if she’s ready to sink or swim. She may discover who she really is as a Chinese American and learn if she’s ready to give her all for a shot at greatness.
The Notes is a powerful and poignant debut YA novel from award-winning writer Catherine Con Morse about dealing with academic pressures, falling in love for the first time, and finding yourself.
Favorite Quotes
“You must stay the course, despite how often we artists are marginalized.”
“That single note,” Dr. Li Said, “can be played in a multitude of ways. How should you play it, and why should you play it that way?”
“I’ll babysit these dancers while you rest up,” he added.
“You did it for your art,” JT said.
“Those burgers are for leprechauns”
Review
4.5/5 or 8.29/10
Characters-8
As someone who was in choir, and is a singer, I enjoyed the characters in this book as it brought me back to when I was in high school, and how high school choir and music kids interact. The interactions in the book were fun, and I enjoyed the personality of the characters. Both the students and staff had great interactions.
Writing-9
Catherine Con Morse has a great writing style. The Notes had an interesting writing style that kept the reader engaged in the story. I loved the mixture of fun scenes and heartwarming scenes with important conversations along the way.
Plot-8
I was interested in this story. The plot kept me engaged, and I was curious to see what would happen next. I’m new to the mystery genre, but I enjoyed the one in this book. I thought there was an interesting twist. I also enjoyed the romance element of the book. Seeing kids at a performing arts high school was interesting because I had similar experiences with private lessons and choir, but it was fun to see different teaching styles.
Enjoyment-8
This book was fun. I enjoyed Claire, Jenny, and Rocky, and I loved seeing them grow more confident throughout the book. The Notes had an interesting plot, and I’m curious to read more books from the author.
Catherine Con Morse is the author of the coming-of-age boarding school novel THE NOTES, which was shortlisted for the CRAFT first chapters contest. A Kundiman fellow, she received her MFA from Boston University, where she taught undergraduate creative writing for several years. Her work appears in Joyland, Letters, HOOT, Bostonia, the Racist Sandwich podcast, and elsewhere. Catherine was one of the inaugural Writers in Residence at Porter Square Books.
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of South Asian American experiences in a local community center.
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, where the local kids gather at the community center to discover new crushes, fight against ignorance, and even save a life. Cheer for Chaya as she wins chess tournaments (unlike Andrew, she knows stupid sugary soda won’t make you better at chess), and follow as Jeevan learns how to cook traditional food (it turns out he can cook sabji– he just can’t eat it).
These stories, edited by bestselling and award-winning Pakistani-American author Hena Khan, are filled with humor, warmth, and possibility. They showcase a diverse array of talented authors with heritage from the Indian subcontinent, including beloved favorites and rising stars, who each highlight the beauty and necessity of a community center that everyone calls home.
Review
9.57/10 or 5/5
Characters-10
I loved the characters in this. I don’t read many stories in the anthology genre, but I am so glad I read this one. The kids in this story each had their personality and backstories, which I loved. The sense of community was strong with the characters in this book, and I loved how all the kids supported each other.
Writing-10
With anthologies, there are usually one or two stories that I call my favorites because of the writing, and how the writing fits in with the theme of the anthology. The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi had great authors, and I loved each story. The writing styles were different, but they all made sense. The writing had a flow, so the reader could easily read from one story to another.
Plot-9
I loved the plots of all these stories. They were all so fun, and I loved how they all connected. The kids in one story interacted with other stories which I enjoyed. Each character in the story had a passion and something they were trying to do to make a change for the better. These were also stories of family, and I loved seeing the families in the community.
Enjoyment-10
I had so much fun reading this. I enjoyed the characters a lot, and I loved the sense of community this book had. I will read more from the authors.
Hena Khan writes books in a multitude of formats, including picture books, middle grade fiction, pick-your-path adventures, and graphic novels. Her stories are often centered around community, friendship, and family, and draw from her own experiences and culture. Hena’s novels include AMINA’S VOICE, MORE TO THE STORY, and DRAWING DEENA. She is the author of the Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream, Zara’s Rules, and Super You! series. Hena’s picture books include GOLDEN DOMES AND SILVER LANTERNS, UNDER MY HIJAB, and IT’S RAMADAN, CURIOUS GEORGE, among others.
Jana hosts Top Ten Tuesday @thatartsyreadergirl. This weekly meme is inspired by our love of books, and bringing the book blogging community together. Each week, Jana will post a prompt, and we readers will make out list based on that prompt. This week, our topic is Books On My Shelves I want to Read Soon. I’ll be doing physical, ebooks, and audio shelves.
Hi! Jana hosts top ten Tuesday @@thatartsyreadergirl. Our love of books brings this weekly meme to you and brings the book blogging community together. Each weel, Jana will post a topic, and we readers will make our list based on that prompt. We can also do our own thing if we don’t have any ideas for that week. This week, or topic is characters we would want to take on vacation. For this, I’m envisioning a beach house with five bedrooms.
Room One
1- Me
2- Iris from the Bright Falls Series
We’re both romantics with a love of books, so I think we would really get along. Plus, I have it in my head that she would enjoy Taylor Swift.
Room 2
3- Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses by SJM
4- Violet from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
I feel like these two would love talking about their lives, and the events in their words together.
Room 3
5 & 6- Delilah and Claire from The Bright Falls Series by Ashley Herring Blake
I’m putting them in the same room, not just because they’re a couple, but because they balance each other out.
Room 4
7- Margot from Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
8- Harriet from Happy Place by Emily Henry
I just feel like they have the same vibe. I feel like they both the witty ones of the bunch. I think they would have such fun banter.
Room 5
9- Evelyn from The Lovelight Farms Series by B.K. Borison
10- Stella from The Lovelight Farms Series by B.K. Borison
In the books, Evelyn and Stella are friends, and I really love their dynamic. Plus, I feel the two of them are also swifites.
When people meet Joe, they often treat him as Amazing Joe or Poor Joe. But can’t he just be . . . Joe?
One-legged Joe is ‘amazing’. He knows this because wherever he goes people always tell him he’s amazing. Amazing for sliding down the slide, for kicking a ball . . . even walking to get an ice cream, or even just eating an ice cream. Of course, being Amazing Joe is better than being Poor Joe . . .
A groundbreaking picture book which explores how we respond to disability.
Review -5/5 or 9.0/10
Characters- 9
I liked the characters in this book. I thought this was a fantastic book to feature a disabled character that wasn’t seen as pity, or that something was wrong with Joe. I loved how diverse this book was as well.
Plot-9
I loved this story. It allowed Joe and Simone to explore things on their own, and figure out what worked for them. I loved how Simone wanted to keep playing with Joe, and that the two of them had such a strong friendship. I loved Joe’s perseverance throughout the story.
Writing-9
You Are So Amazing had a great writing style. I loved how the story was approachable to both kids and adults through the writing. The writing style was simple, but it still had the complexity of a story that pulled on the heartstrings of all ages.
Illustrations-9
I loved the art by Karen George. The art was colorful and engaging to the reader. I loved how the art worked with the writing to tell a story.
Enjoyment-9
I enjoyed this! I had a lot of fun with the wonderful characters. The story was fun and heartwarming.
James Catchpole was destined to be either an itinerant singer or an amputee footballer. He managed to get off the substitutes’ bench a couple of times for the England Amputee Football Team, and also busked around Provence with a guitar (another profession where it actively helps to have one leg), but reached the limits of his talent in both fields by his mid-twenties, and so joined the family business of children’s books. He now runs The Catchpole Agency with his wife Lucy, and represents authors and illustrators of children’s picture books, non-fiction and novels, including Polly Dunbar, SF Said, Michelle Robinson and David Lucas. Lucy and James live in Oxford with their two young daughters, the eldest of whom is firmly convinced she will be joining the business too – but at five, she has plenty of time to recant.
Lucy sometimes writes about disability, family and children’s books. You can find a lot of that on Instagram. She’s written for the BBC and the Guardian. She does not have a handy Amazon bio she can copy and paste. Lucy has grown two whole people (small ones, admittedly).
Hi! Jana hosts Top Ten Tuesday @thatartsyreadergirl. This weekly meme brings together our love lists and brings the book blogging community together. Each week, Jana will post a prompt, and we readers will make our list based on that topic. I host an event on the discord I mod for every May and take part in an event called Middle-Grade May. I thought I’d recommend some MG books today.
1- Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller
This book is such a joy. I loved it a lot, and it brought me back to middle school theater.
2- The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker & Stacy Davidowitz (Series)
If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you know that this is one of my favorite books. I love the rep, and Nat’s love of theater.
3- Fearless by Mandy Gonzales (Series)
This is another story about theater, but I loved the mystery vibes of the first two books.
4- D&D Dungeon Club-Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag
I don’t see this one talked about much. The second book is coming out this summer, and I loved this graphic novel. I thought it was the perfect mix of real life and fantasy.
5- Nimona by N.D. Stevenson
This book is just so fun. I love the characters and the story is delightful. I loved the art style of this one as well.
6- The Mothkeeper by K.O’Neil
Another graphic novel. This book was so cozy, and I loved the art style. I loved the characters and the journey of this one.
7- The Vanderbeekers by Karina Yan Glaser (Series)
This is a rec for those looking for a longer series. I love all the characters, and the stories are fun. The series also talks about things that kids and adults deal with.
8- The Percy Jackson Universe by Rick Riordan (Series)
The Percy Jackson Universe is wide. I’ve enjoyed all three series, but my favorite is Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
9- Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
This book has the reader going through all the emotions. I loved it and will read more from the author.
10- Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith (series)
This is a Fantasy, but it’s great. I love Callie and how they’re trying to make a change for the better. I’m going to read the second one soon.
Hi! Jana hosts Top Ten Tuesday @https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/. Our love of lists inspires this weekly meme and brings the book blogging community together. Jana will post a topic each week, and we readers will make a post based on that topic. We can also do our own thing if we don’t have an idea for the week. This week, our topic is rainy day reads. I’m going at it from books of different genres I enjoy reading on a rainy day. This list will be done in genres.
Contemporary
1- Never Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales (YA)
This is just a fun novel, especially if you’re a swiftie. I read this month and I had more fun than I thought despite not being the biggest fan of Reality TV.
2- Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison (Adult-Series)
A fun series of inner connected stand-alones. I love this series, and the characters you meat along the way.
3- Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee (YA)
Rainy days are for rereading your favorite books. I love this book because of the webseries element, and the a-sexuality rep.
4- When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord (YA)
This is a comfort read for me. I plan on rereading it this year I’m just not sure when. I love all the theater references.
Fantasy
5- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (YA into Adult-Series)
I love this series. I’m currently on the second book of my reread of the series for the second time, and I love it a lot. I love how this starts as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and then goes into a whole new direction.
6- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (YA -Duology)
I just finished my reread of this duology the other day, and I loved it. I think the found family vibes, and the action are perfect for a rainy day.
7- A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal (YA)
I started listening to this on a rainy day, and because the title has tea in the title, I had to put on this list. This book is compared to Six of Crows, and I definitely see it. I’m having a great time with the audiobook.
Middle Grade
8- Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller
Rainy days to me are taking it easy, and this is an easy read with a lot of heart. I have reread this twice, and I love the vibes of the book a lot. It takes me back to when I started performing when I was younger.
Graphic Novels
9- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (YA-series)
Speaking of easy reads, I love this series. I love the art, the characters, and the story.
10- Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
I read this last year off of a recommendation. I loved the characters, the story, the art, and the hard-of-hearing representation. As someone who has hearing aids, I love finding book characters who also wear hearing aids.