Welcome to the July: Love Your Library! And to all the Americans reading happy 250th-anaversery! This month's blog features a few Red, White and Blue titles, and lots of summer reads.
I'll keep today's introduction short since the rest of the blog is long.
READ
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- The Goodbye Man by Jeffery Deaver, narrated by Keleo Griffith - This is the second book in The Never Game series, which inspired the TV show Tracker starring Justin Hartley. I read book one last and thought this summer would be a good time for the sequel. I enjoyed the first book more, but I think this one had a more intricate plot that constantly carried the story's momentum. Also, I think this book could be enjoyed even by someone who hadn't read the first book. Colter Shaw is a rewardist. After a job goes wrong and his target dies, he goes undercover at a remote wellness retreat to learn the dark truth. ★★★★☆ CONTENT WARNINGS: Strong language, mental health and s*icide, violence and death, mentions of child r*pe and s*x, LGBTQ+ and SPOILER Death cult. Listened to on Libby
- The Sherlock Society by James Ponti, narrated by Mark Sanderlin - In this summer adventure for middle graders, four friends, Alex, Zoe, Lina and Yedi, joined by Alex and Zoe's grandfather, a retired reporter, spend the summer hutting for Al Capone's lost treasure in their Florida hometown. When their hunt for a legendary treasure leads them to toxic waste dumped illegally in the everglades, they determined to uncover the culprit. Along the way they learn about responsibility, social justice and friendship. This engaging story is laugh out loud funny and filled with imports and enduring lessons. ★★★★☆ Listened to on Libby CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild language, middle grade appropriate violence and peril, contains environmentalist views.
- Only a Monster by Vanessa Len - Joan thought she was normal, but it turns out she's a monster who steals time from humans so she can time travel. She thought the cute boy she met, and her summer volunteer job was also normal, but it turns out he's a hero, born to kill monsters. After he kills her family, she travels back in time with a very charming and dangerous monster hoping to undo the future. This is an atmospheric, but fast paced fantasy with danger. The supposed love-triangle doesn't really play out on the page, but the fisty, fierce determination of the main character makes her a "villain" to root for. ★★★★☆ Read on Libby CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence and death, strong language, kissing and embraces, LGBTQ+ characters.
- Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 13 by Sorata Akiduki - Shirayuki and Ryo are reassigned as court herbalist to Lilas before, she leaves she has to talk to Zen. The rest of the character ponder their respective futures, as well. Includes a one-shot story about a boy's hunt for water to help his sick friend on a fantasy desert planet. The one-short is short sweet and interesting. The drama with Shirayuki leaving feels long and unnecessarily drawn out. Not my favorite, but the early stories were good enough I'll probably keep reading. ★★★★☆☆ CONTENT WARNINGS: Kissing and embraces, mild language.
Currently Reading
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- Climbing Rejection Mountain: An Actor's Path to Success, Stability, and Self-Esteem by Nick Wyman, Michael X. Martin
- Love Unmasked by Becky Dean
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- Batman: Resurrection by John Jackson Miller
- Formula He's the One by Andie Christopher
- A Race Against Time (Nancy Drew: Girl Detective) by Carolyn Keene
- The Full Picture by Jessica Carmichael IG Post
Checked Out, To Be Read
- Love Canter Action by Katie Gilbert
- Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley
- The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander
- Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller
- Nothing Bad Happens Here by Rachel Ekstrom Courage
- Rewind to Us: A Novel by Molly Morris
- Us in Ruins by Rachel Moore
- Such a Good Liar by Sue Wallman
- Lights Out by Jenni Fletcher
- Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford
- Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters
- Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
- Spur of the Moment by Juliana Smith
- The Summer Scrapbook by Florence Migga
- We've Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi
- Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights by Celeste Dador IG Post
- The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu
- How to Write a Romance Novel: A beginner's guide to getting it written and getting it published by Susan Palmquist
In The Reservation Queue
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- The Last Ronin: A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles novel by Erik Burnham
- Star Wars: Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston
- Autopsy of a Fairytale by Nicole Scarano
On Hold, To Be Picked Up
- None at this time.
Returned Unread
- The Homeschool Bible: Everything you need to build a thriving home education by Mandy Davis - I came across this new book. I was homeschooled and I survived doing well academically in university, but I feel like my mom and her teaching style was informed by her public-school education as a child. I thought it would be interesting to read what an "expert" thought, but it went into that forgotten pile and was only remember when I needed to return it.
- Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon - This month on Instagram, I shared summer reads during the summer reading program and my library. I shared one each day of the program. Meaning I shared a total of 50 books, but I also included 2 bonus titles this month after the program was over, because I had a couple of alternate summer book come to me at the library, after I finished the summer book rec series. All other titles will be noted as "50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading." I had to return them without reading them to make room on my library card to check out more.
- My Fair Monster by Adrienne Rivera - I saw this title on a recommended reading list. The main character is neurodivergent. I've really been trying to finish more titles I'm currently reading by limiting how many new books I start, so I didn't start this one before I had to return it.
- The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- The Wildest Dreams Bookshop by Gracie Page - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Star Wars: Mace Windu: the Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes - I used this book in May for a "May the 4th be with You" Instagram reel. I hung on to it, until I needed to free up space on my library card.
- Nothing Bad Happens Here by Rachel Ekstrom Courage - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Love Canter Action by Katie Gilbet - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Supergirl's Family Vacation by Brandon T. Snider - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. Read my review here. I received an eARC for an honest review. Thank you, DC Comics, and Netgalley.
- Rewind to Us by Molly Morris - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. Read the review here. I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Avon and Netgalley.
- One Plate at a Time: recipes for finding freedom with food by Demi Lovato - I saw a reviewer on YouTube talk about this book. I watch Lovato on Disney channel when I was a girl and when I was a teen, I heard about her mental health struggles. I thought her cook would be interesting whether or not I could make the recipes since it would have stories. I didn't have time to flip through it.
- Un in Ruins by Rachel Moore - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Such a Good Liar by Sue Wallman - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. I listened to an ALC of this one. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Libro.FM for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Read here. IG Post
- The Summer Scrapbook by Florance Migga - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
- Big Bad Me by Aislinn O'Loughlin - I used this title on Instagram for October Mysteries and Thriller. I will soon begin planning this year's October book series. I have been reading mysteries and thrillers throughout the year to prepare.
- How to Write a Romance Novel: A beginner's guide to getting it written and getting it published by Susan Palmquist - I am brainstorming for a standalone romance novel. I'll leave it at that for now.
- Stargirl. The Complete First Season. (DVD) - I have been watching this show and trading thought with The Drum Show (Instagram and YouTube. His most recent epic drum cover is for Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive"). Season one was a fun and exciting origin story for the young superhero, Stargirl and a new generation of the Justice Society of America (JSA). These young actors are talented, and I appreciate the themes of second chances and found family throughout the show. I would highly recommend season one.
For my July reading, since we still had a reading challenge at the library and a read-off between the different departments at work, I tried to diversify my reading and get lots of books finished, although most of the books I read this month weren't from my library. Many of the books I checked out and returned were for the Instagram Summer Recommendation series. Although I was sad to see the Summer Reading program over so quickly this year, I was also relieved to not have to find any more summer books for Instagram.
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Now that the summer reading series on Instagram is over. I will focus on reviews and catching up on the posts and Videos I started but put on the back burner to focus on 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. This month (so far) my only other posts have been June Reading Wrap-Up and my monthly Currently Reading bookstack.
Looking forward, in the fall on this blog I hope to participate in "Five Fall Favorites" again, but that hasn't been finalized yet. I would like to finally finish that Fan Fiction and get it posted on a FanFic site. When that finally happens, I will share the link to it here. At my library, I am working with some staff members and trying to get a writing group or program going. It has made me very excited to do some writing. I hope to start talking about my new and resumed projects soon.
Today, I will share "How to Get a Four Year Old to the Fireworks Show!" This is inspired by a true experience. See you all next month and thanks for reading!
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#LoveYourLibrary
Thank you, Rebecca for coming up with this blog challenge that encourages me to read and write every month. Check out her blog, Bookish Beck.
I love making Bookish Friends! Follow me on Instagram Skai_BooksAndBracelets.
Stay up to date on all reading and reviews by following on Goodreads.
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