Hello! I got the idea for today’s post from Kristin at Kristin Kraves Books, and it was originally started by Caitlin from Caitstiel’s Book World. I loved reading both of their posts, so I just had to do it, too! Basically, I am going to go through my Goodreads book recommendations, and decide whether or not I would read the books they’re recommending to me.
Today, I’m going to pick the first ten recommendations from my “read” shelf:
Because I read My Utmost for His Highest Oswald Chambers
Streams in the Desert is a devotional book. I could see myself reading it in the future, but I’m pretty undecided at this point.
Because I read Forgotten God by Francis Chan
David Platt is a Christian speaker and author. I’ve done some of his Bible studies with my church before. While he’s not one of my favorites, I could still see myself reading this book.
3. Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
Because I read Haunted Waters by Jerry B. Jenkins
I wouldn’t read Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione. I’m not very into knights, and so this book just doesn’t sound like something I would be interested in.
4. Unstoppable
Because I read Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko
Christine Caine is another Christian author and speaker. While I haven’t read any of her books, I’ve heard really good things about her, and would definitely consider reading this book.
5. Bad Kitty
Because I Read several different books by Meg Cabot and Heist Society by Ally Carter
When I first saw the cover for Bad Kitty, I was sure I probably wouldn’t be interested. When I read the synopsis though, I actually really think it’ll be something I’m interested in! I love sassy characters and mysteries, and this book looks like it has both. I added this one to my TBR shelf!
Because I read Holes by Louis Sachar and The Giver by Lois Lowry
I don’t know if I’ll read this book anytime soon, but it does look like something I might pick up if I were looking for a short and easy read. I think A Long Way from Chicago would have been a book I would have really liked when I was younger, though! Because of that, I did add it to my TBR shelf, just so I can remember it, if I ever do decide to give it a try.
Because I read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
I definitely want to read Winnie-the-Pooh someday! It’s one of those childhood classics I never read, and feel like I’ve missed out on. I have so many fond memories of watching the original cartoons with my grandparents when I was little. We were never allowed to watch the windy day episode when my cousin was there though, because it scared him too much…That used to irritate 5 year old me so much! haha 🙂 So, yes, this is a recommendation I completely agree with!
Because I read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
I actually tried reading this book once, but I couldn’t get past the first couple of chapters because it was just too gruesome for me. I wanted to like it, but it was just too much.
Because I read the Christy Miller Collection, Vol 1. by Robin Jones Gunn and Heist Society by Ally Carter
I actually bought So Not Happening at a library book sale! I haven’t read it yet, but I do plan on it! So, this recommendation works.
Because I read Matilda by Roald Dahl
This book is in another language – I believe Dutch – and unfortunately, I only speak English. So, I’m going to have to pass on this book, lol. From what I gather, based on the English reviews, it’s a dystopian novel where society is ruled only by women because men messed the world up. If there was an English translation, I might give this book a chance, though!
This was so much fun to do!! I discovered a few new books I might like to read, too. I definitely plan on doing a post like this again, with some of my other Goodreads bookshelves.
Thanks so much for reading!
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Hey everyone! Summertime is officially upon us! It has been super hot all week, and I’ve been loving being able to go swimming and taking care of my garden. I just love summer! Today, I’ve decided to share with you all my summer reading goals for 2018. Some of them will be the same from last year, and others will be new. Like always, I count my summer reading from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day – late May through early September. So, be sure to check back at the end of summer to see if I was able to reach my goals!
Okay, let’s get started:
Waiting on Wednesday/Can’t Wait Wednesday is a weekly feature, started by Breaking the Spine and continued by Wishful Endings, that puts the spotlight on upcoming releases!
This week’s pick is:
Summer of Salt
RELEASING JUNE 5TH, 2018
Practical Magic meets Nova Ren Suma’s Imaginary Girls and Laura Ruby’s Bone Gap in this lush, atmospheric new novel by acclaimed author Katrina Leno.
A magic passed down through generations. An island where strange things happen. A summer that will become legend.
Georgina Fernweh waits impatiently for the tingle of magic in her fingers—magic that has touched every woman in her family. But with her eighteenth birthday looming, Georgina fears her gift will never come.
Over the course of her last summer on the island—a summer of storms, falling in love, and the mystery behind one rare three-hundred-year-old bird—Georgina will learn the truth about magic, in all its many forms.
In Summer of Salt, Katrina Leno weaves another gorgeously original novel of magical realism and coming-of-age. Fans of April Genevieve Tucholke and Anna-Marie McLemore will be swept away.
This novel sounds so unique! I love the promise of magical realism and the summer vibes that Summer of Salt gives off. Plus, look at that gorgeous cover! This book looks like it is going to be such a memorable and mysterious, summer read!
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It’s Top Ten Tuesday again! It’s a weekly bookish list hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl! This week’s topic is:
Bookish Worlds I’d Want To/Never Want To Live In
For this week, I’m going to share 5 bookish worlds and locations I’d want to visit, and 5 I definitely wouldn’t!
First up, five of the bookish worlds I’d love to live in or visit:
Avonlea from Anne of Green Gables
If you’ve been following me, you know how much I love Anne of Green Gables, so it’s no surprise that Avonlea is on my list! It’s so gorgeous, and just seems like such a fun and laid-back place to live. I would really love to visit PEI someday because of Anne. It’d be almost like being able to visit Avonlea!
Oz from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Oz is such crazy and unique place, I’d love to visit it! It’s so colorful, with so many different characters, I think it would be so neat.
The Time Loop from Hollow City
The time loops throughout the Peculiar Children series are so unique and intriguing to me. While I definitely wouldn’t want to live in the same day forever, I think it would be really interesting to visit and experience. I’d especially love to visit the time loop they went to in Hollow City that featured all the peculiar animals, like Addison!
The House from Dreamhouse Kings
Another place I’d love to visit, but definitely not live in is the house from the Dreamhouse Kings series. With portals to travel to different times and places, I think it would be such a cool thing to experience!
Narnia from The Chronicles of Narnia
I’m sure I won’t be the only person with Narnia on my list, but that’s because it would be such an incredible place to visit and explore!
Now, five of the bookish worlds I would not want to visit:
Panem from The Hunger Games
I do not think this one even needs an explanation…lol. Nobody would want to visit the Hunger Games.
The world of Fahrenheit 451
A world where books are forbidden and illegal is a world I definitely do not want to live in.
The Maze from The Maze Runner
You guys, let me just say, I would not survive in any these dystopian worlds. I’m way too tired for that. Plus, I feel like I’m going to pass out if my lunch is even an hour later than usual. Running through a maze, not knowing who I am, is not the life for me.
The world of The Giver
To not have a choice in my life and to not be able to see all the colors of life is so tragic. I’d never want to live, or visit a place like that.
Camp Green Lake from Holes
I don’t want to have to worry about poisonous lizards, crazy wardens, or digging holes in super hot temperatures. I’ll stick to just reading the book, instead of visiting, instead!
Those are my picks for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday! Share which bookish worlds you’d love to visit, or maybe never visit, in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
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Title: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Pages: 602
Genres: YA, Sci-Fi
Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers (Oct. 20th, 2015)
Summary
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.
BRIEFING NOTE: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
What I Thought
The hype for Illuminae has been strong, especially since the last book in the series, Obsidio, recently came out. So, when I found a hardcover copy at Books-A-Million for $6, I immediately bought it, and now that I’ve read it, I’m so glad I did!
Hey everyone! Recently, I was tagged by Kris over at Boston Book Reader to do the This or That book tag! Thank you so much for tagging me, Kris!!
Alright, here we go:
Audiobook OR Text book?
While I do enjoy some audiobooks, I don’t listen to very many, so I definitely have to go with text books!
Paperback OR Hardback?
I honestly love both! I’ll go with hardback though, because they are more aesthetically pleasing on my bookshelves.
Fiction OR Non-fiction?
I have to go with fiction. While I appreciate non-fiction, it’s just not typically a genre that I read very often.
Bookshop OR Online?
Even though I definitely appreciate the convenience of online shopping, nothing beats the feeling of going to an actual bookstore, browsing the shelves for hours, and just appreciating that chill vibe that all bookstores seem to have.
Standalone OR Trilogy?
This one really just depends on my mood! Sometimes I love trilogies and other times I’m content with just one book. I guess I’ll go with standalone, though, because I’m so terrible at finishing series sometimes!
Heavy & Long OR Short & Sweet?
Again, this one just depends on my mood! Sometimes the longer the book the better, and other times I’m super content with novella.
Reading somewhere Cozy OR in the Sun?
Please, can I pick both?! There’s nothing like reading in the sunshine on a warm, summer day with an icy, cold drink to help you from getting too hot. However, there’s also nothing like reading while being wrapped up, all cozy in your bed with all the softest blankets on, with little twinkle lights on, too.
Hot Chocolate OR Coffee?
Now, this is an easy choice! I definitely have to go with hot chocolate! I do not like coffee at all, but I absolutely love hot chocolate, so this one was a no-brainer. 🙂
This was such a fun tag! Thanks again for tagging me, Kris!
If you’re reading this, I tag YOU!
Thanks for reading!
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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature started by Breaking the Spine that puts the spotlight on upcoming releases!
This week’s book is:
Save the Date
Releasing June 5th, 2018
Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.
The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.
There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.
There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.
Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.
Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.
I absolutely adore Morgan Matson’s books!! I’ve read almost all of them, and have loved them all. I am SO excited for Save the Date! This book looks like it’s going to be filled with unique and relatable characters and so much fun and chaos. Morgan Matson’s books always make the perfect summer read, and I am sure this one is no different. I cannot wait!
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It’s Top Ten Tuesday again! It’s a weekly bookish list hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl! This week’s topic is:
BEST CHARACTER NAMES
I’ve decided, for best character names, I’m going to take that as beautiful and unique names that I would seriously consider naming a child or animal. I might not necessarily love all these characters, but I definitely love their names!
Elsie from Elsie Dinsmore
Ever since I first read the A Life of Faith version of Elsie Dinsmore when I was 8 years old, I loved her name! I remember I always used to name my Barbie dolls Elsie, too.
Marilla from Anne of Green Gables
I seriously would consider naming my daughter Marilla. I think it’s just such a pretty name! I think calling her Rilla would be super cute too, just like Anne’s daughter.
Mia from The Princess Diaries
Another name I really adore is Amelia, and Mia for short. It’s such a beautiful name, but it’s also one that is a lot of fun!
Tally from Uglies
While this name is more of a unique, I think Tally could make a really cute name for a child or a pet. I can totally see a super friendly puppy named Tally, especially. Like, how cute?!
Esme from Twilight
I just really adore the name Esme! I think it’s so cute and pretty unique.
Jonas from The Giver
Jonas makes such a unique name (if you don’t count the Jonas Brothers…😂). I really like it, and could totally see my son, or at least a pet being named that in the future!
Landon from A Walk to Remember
Another name that I really adore for a boy is Landon. It’s such a nice name, and I feel like it rolls right off the tongue, lol.
Newt from The Maze Runner
Newt is a name I actually really I like it! I appreciate that it’s not typical and is very unique.
Dorian from The Picture of Dorian Gray
I think Dorian is a very unique and memorable name! I could totally see myself naming a future cat or rabbit, Dorian!
Xander from House of Dark Shadows
I really like the name Xander. It’s a name that I feel like has gained a bit more popularity, but is still fairly unique. Plus, not many names start with the letter, X, so honestly, I think that’s one of the reasons why I like it!
Those are some of my favorite bookish names! What are yours?
Thanks for reading!
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Hey everyone! I’ve been pretty absent from blogging this May, due to schoolwork and end of the school year activities. That being said, I’m officially on summer break, and I actually have time to do things again! I’m looking forward to reading and blogging more consistently again.
While I was on my semi-hiatus, however, something exciting happened with my blog. You can probably guess from the title of this post (and because you’re visiting my blog right now, lol), but I got a new logo for The Calico Books! I’ve had my old one since the very beginning, and while it’s served me well, this new one expands upon everything I wanted the original logo to look like. It was created by the lovely Lucy, from That Book Gal. She was so great to work with, and perfectly captured my vision!
I’m so excited to finally be using the new logo!
I’m so happy with how far The Calico Books has come these past two years, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future has in store! To all of you who have read, liked, commented, and followed, THANK YOU!
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Title: The Ugly Teapot by Fred Holmes
Pages: 205
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Published by: Self-published (March 30th, 2016)
Summary
Fourteen-year-old Hannah Bradbury loved her father so much that she worried about him constantly. After all, he was a photographer who traveled to the most dangerous places in the world.
To allay her fears, each time he came home he brought her silly gifts, each one with supposed magical powers: the Seal of Solomon, the Ring of Gyges, even Aladdin’s Lamp. It was that lamp Hannah found the most unbelievable, for it looked like an ugly teapot. Nevertheless, her father assured her it was real, and made her promise to save her three wishes for something very special.
Then . . . six months later . . . the unthinkable happened. Her father was killed while on assignment to Baghdad. And so on the day of his funeral Hannah did something she never thought she would ever do.
She took out that teapot and gave it a rub . . .
The Ugly Teapot by Fred Holmes is a timeless tale, filled with magic and adventure. More importantly, it will make you believe in the overwhelming power of love.
What I Thought
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to the author!*
When I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing this book, I instantly said yes. The plot sounded so intriguing. Plus, it just looked like such a fun middle grade read. This book, while I ended up not loving it, still has a lot of appeal.
the calico books 