Young Adult books vs Adult books

I don't adult well. It's been a long time since I've adulted. The last adult books I read were the Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan series and I LOVED them. I didn't mean to stop reading adult books, it's just that there are more young adult novels that I find interesting than adult novels. And you know what...there's nothing wrong with that.

Do you like young adult novels and you're adult? That's okay. There really is a growing number of us. Like I tell my kids...all I had growing up with Judy Blume!!! Nothing against Judy. She got me through. But wow!...so many more great choices now.

So, if you don't like adulting any more than I do, then take a scroll down memory lane...actually, more like my blog posts, and pick out a great read. I promise you won't be carded! 😉

Just Have To Say...

My current book club book is I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda. I'm about halfway through and had to mention that this book is REALLY good! You know, this book club year has been kinda weird.

First, I'm not sure if I've explained, but I volunteer at my public library with the middle school book club. We read the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominees and they are incredible books. I can always trust that the books on the list are amazing, but sometimes I'm not too jazzed about them at first. Personally, I LOVE this! I love to HAVE to read a book and reluctantly begin to read only to be pulled into the pages. This is one of those books.

I Will Always Write Back is about pen pals, one in the U.S. and one in Zimbabwe, and how their lives change through their pen pal letters back and forth. Sounds exciting huh? I have a hard time putting the book down! The book is written in chapters that go back and forth between Caitlin and Martin. Yes, those are the authors! It's a true story!

So far, it really is an amazing read. I just had to mention it because it was quite a surprise. If you have a chance, then pick up a copy!

I Will Always Write Back

By Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

January is...

How appropriate for Book Blitz month to start in January since this is the first month of the new year and folks are ready to get those resolutions going! You can celebrate Book Blitz by simply READING!! Maybe start a local book club or write a review or make a To Read list...the choice is up to you as long as you celebrate with a good book. Comment below on how YOU are celebrating Book Blitz month.

What Do You Do With An Idea?

What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada is about a little boy who has an amazing idea. At first he doesn’t know what to do with the idea and tries to ignore it. Some people think it’s strange or weird, but eventually the little boy decides to take the idea under his wing and nurture it. He takes care of it and gives it a lot of attention. When the little boy’s idea grows up, it becomes a part of everything and changes the world.

What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada is an amazing book for both young and old readers. Young readers will learn that even though ideas can be strange and new, embrace them for being yours. Older readers will learn if you take care of and nurture your idea then they will turn into something great. What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada is a great conversation starter. I highly recommend it to everyone.

View all my reviews

Orbiting Jupiter

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hurd family had a new member coming. His name was Joseph and social services thought that they would be a good family for Joseph to spend some time with. Joseph was 13, but not like your everyday 13-year old. Joseph was a father to a daughter named Jupiter. When Joseph arrived he was quiet and protective. He backed up to walls and didn’t say much. Jack, the Hurd’s son, was a couple years younger than Joseph. He was curious about Joseph and throughout Joseph’s stay, they became friends and Jack always ‘had his back’. One night by an icy pond that the family had enjoyed ice skating on, in the freezing cold, Joseph opened up to the family and told them his story. For Christmas, they gave him their promise that they would help him find Jupiter. Joseph’s life became difficult when his father entered the picture again looking to get custody of Joseph as well as Jupiter. Through a tragic ending, Joseph gave his daughter the one thing he always wanted for her - a home.

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt was a cry fest! A cry fest for all the right reasons though. It was sadness mixed with sorrow that left me just a mess and thankful no one was around to witness it! This is truly a book I think that everyone should read including adults. Orbiting Jupiter is a short read and rather “light” (using that word carefully) which, I think, may help younger readers with the subject matters that are presented in the book. It is reviewed for grade 6 and up and I think that’s appropriate, but probably not any younger. I highly recommend Orbiting Jupiter and believe that parents should read this book too and open up a dialogue.

View all my reviews

House Arrest

House Arrest by K.A. Holt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Timothy Davidson is on house arrest because of one bad decision. He took a credit card that a man had set down and charged a whole month of his brother’s medication on it. $1,445.32. His baby brother, Levi, was born with subglottic stenosis which is a narrowing of the windpipe and requires him to have a trach tube. His Dad couldn’t handle his brother’s illness and left their Mom to struggle to raise the family on her own. Timothy does all he can to help her, but now he is on house arrest and his mobility is limited. Things became harder still when his Mom lost her job, but family, friends and workers that were assigned to Timothy’s case came together to help the little family get through. Timothy did some research on his own and found a doctor in Cincinnati that could help Levi, but that would require money. A local fundraiser at his school could help with those funds, but his mom would have to accept that she needs help. Right when things started looking up for the family, Levi stopped breathing while Timothy was watching him and in the madness of the afternoon, Timothy ended up in juvenile detention. Sometimes you end up in the wrong place for all the right reasons.

House Arrest by K. A. Holt was written in journal form which made for an easy and quick read. The idea of making a teen boy keep a journal for a year is quite a concept. Many times Timothy wrote what he thought about his case workers which could be comical. Other times Timothy really opened up his heart showing his love for his little brother and that, despite all of his medical problems and that life and the world had to revolve around this little one, Timothy understood and felt very protective. Although the story didn’t quite end up well for Timothy, as in the beginning of the story, he made a bad decision for the right reason and had to pay the price. I get the feeling he doesn’t mind considering the outcome. I got the feeling, at the end of this story, that the family was going to be alright which made it a really good book for me. I recommend House Arrest to preteen and tween readers.

View all my reviews

Happy New Year!

Happy 2017! May your shelves be filled with great books and your cup be filled with hot tea!!