Love Your Library, January 2025, Hosted by Bookish Beck

I discovered this blog challenge at the end of last year and decided that I would like to participate this month. So, all January, I have been taking notes on what books, audiobooks and eResources I have checked out, read/watched, and/or returned. Let me tell you, it’s a lot. Every year I read one nonfiction title, so this month I have checked out a bunch of nonfiction books to find my annual read. This year I am also reading Reb’s Recs, books my sister is recommending and 12 Recs from 12 Friends, my fabulous Instagram community has recommended 12 of their favorites and I am tackling them this year, too, so books a couple of books on this list are for those. I also am highlighting my favorite library eResources, with the books I finished from this month.

READ

• Later On We'll Conspire by Kortney Keisel - This is a most adorable CLEAN holiday spy rom-com. It is laugh out loud funny as a small-town girl, and a super spy boy fall in love at Christmas. ★★★★★ Read on Hoopla
• Smile by Raina Telgemeier - A heartfelt and funny middle graphic novel inspired by the author's experience with her teeth. When Raina loses her two-front adult teeth in an accident she faces braces, bullies and her own self-worth. ★★★★★ Read on Hoopla
• I Am Legend and Other Stories by Richard Matheson - A 1950s collection of horror stories. The title story is about the last living man killing zombies. My co-worker recommended but wasn't my style. ★★☆☆☆ Read on Libby
• Spy X Family, Vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo - This is a hilarious manga about an adorable fake family goes on a cruise and has to protect another family from assassins. ★★★★★ Read on Libby
• Snow White with the White Hair, Vol. 11 by Sorata Akiduki - This manga is a cozy retelling of Snow White working as a court herbalist and the second prince who fall in love with her. In this volume Shirayuki moves into the castle and Prince Zen has to declare his intentions of marriage. ★★★★★
• Spy School by Stuart Gibbs - The first book from Reb Recs list, one of her two January choices. This a fun and action back spy novel for middle grade readers about the new kid in spy school. ★★★★☆ Read on Libby Review on IG
• Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross - The first of 12 Recs from 12 Friends. This heart-felt romantasy is about a war between the gods and two mortals two who are rivals at work but slowly falling for each other as the write letter with magical typewriters. It starts slow but is fabulous story about love and the effects of war. ★★★★★ Read on Hoopla
• Marvel Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson - This a reimaging of the origin of the X-Men icon: Storm as a young girl in Egypt when she comes into her power. While the writing is solid, and the story pacing is good some of author's views make it feel trite and like she didn't research her settings very well. ★★★☆☆ Read on Libby

Currently Reading

• Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel by Lisa Jewell IG Post
• Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean IG Post
• Spider-Man: The Gathering of the Sinister Six by Adam-Troy Castro - Reading as an audiobook on Hoopla with my library's subscription.
• Spy x Family, Vol. 9 by Tatsuya Endo - Reading as an eBook via the Libby app.

Checked Out, To Be Read

• Southeast Asia: Phrasebook and Dictionary by Berlitz Publishing (already returned)
• Burmese Phrasebook and Dictionary by Berlitz Publishing (already returned)
• Essential Burmese Phrasebook and Dictionary by A Zun Mo (already returned)
• What If Love Is the Point?: Living for Jesus in a Self-Consumed World by Alexa and Carlos PenaVega
• The Perfectionist's Dilemma: Learn the Art of Self-Compassion and Become a Happy Achiever by Tara Cousineau
• The Perfect World, Vol. 6 Rie Aruga
• I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore - Rereading for a future blog post. Read my review on Instagram IG Post 
• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

In The Reservation Queue

• The Happy Writer: get more ideas, write more words, and find more joy from first draft to publication and beyond by Marissa Meyer
• Ready Player Two by Earnest Cline
• Michael Vey: The Colony by Richard Paul Evans
• Fairest by Marissa Meyer IG Post
• Know Your Newlywed by Heather Taylor

On Hold, To Be Picked Up

• None at this time.

Returned Unread

• Fairest by Marissa Meyer-Checked is one out for an IG reel and didn't have time to read it before I had to return it.
• Prince of Song & Sea by Linsey Miller-Checked is one out for an IG reel and didn't have time to read it before I had to return it.
• Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson-Checked is one out for an IG reel and didn't have time to read it before I had to return it.
• Southeast Asia: Phrasebook and Dictionary by Berlitz Publishing (already returned)-Thought I needed to learn Burmese for a family reunion, and it turns out the reunion is in Boston.
• Burmese Phrasebook and Dictionary by Berlitz Publishing (already returned)-Thought I needed to learn Burmese for a family reunion, and it turns out the reunion is in Boston.
• Essential Burmese Phrasebook and Dictionary by A Zun Mo (already returned)-Thought I needed to learn Burmese for a family reunion, and it turns out the reunion is in Boston.
• Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses by Katrina Emmel-Checked it out for Summer of Love Stories on IG but it didn't come to the library in time and then I had to return it before I could read it.
• Crank Palace: A Maze Runner Novella by James Dashner Read The Maze Runner Death Cure Review on IG-I read the original trilogy in 2023, and when I saw this book from Newt's perspective. I thought Thomas Brodie-Sangster, I will definitely read that. I mean just look at him. But I also did not have time to read it.

This month I read 1 more book than I returned without reading. I am an avid audiobook reader and go through several audiobooks a month. If your library has Hoopla, it is the perfect place to find audiobooks. They have a wide selection including both popular titles and more obscure ones. They have every genre from Juvenile fiction to Christan Devotionals and many more. And there is no waiting for titles on Hoopla! That's my favorite part.

While you're here check out some of my other blogs. I have a review for Hunger Games Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and a fiction story based on my old church choir director, Choir Humor (Or What Kills the Mood Faster Than Someone Singing Off-Key

#LoveYourLibrary

Thank you, Rebecca for coming up with this blog challenge and I hope to do it again. Check out her blog Bookish Beck

I love making Bookish Friends! Follow me on Instagram Skai_BooksAndBracelets

Reb Recs (My Sister Recommends Me Books)

Welcome to Reb Recs!

My sister graciously and eagerly made me this list of books. Here are 24 books that she loves and wishes for me to share in her love of them. Credit for this booklist goes to her. I have not yet read any of these, so I can't endorse any of them, YET. 

She made this a bit like a game. So here are the rules:
1. Choose 1 of the two suggested titles for each month.

2. Get the book. Some of them are ones my sister owns, some of these I'll get from my local library.

3. Read (or listen) to the book. She is okay if I read the book as a physical book, eBook or audiobook.

4. Tell her what I what I think of the book. I will also update this blog with my thoughts. 

This will be an ongoing blog project, so stay tuned for future updates.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs or North of Nowhere by Liz Kessler

It's January! My sister created this list and gifted it as a part of her Christmas present to me. I had one week to consider the titles and choose my first book. With that in mind here's how I picked my first month's read. I have several titles I am currently reading and didn't want to add another physical book or eBook to the metaphorical stack, so it came down to which book I could get quickly as an audiobook. I checked my public library's trusty eLibrary and found that only one of these two books was available from them as an audiobook. So, I checked that audiobook out. I'm leaving everyone in suspense, just as I've left my sister waiting for me to announce my first read to tell her what I choose. So here we go, here is my first choice.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs, read by Gibson Frazier

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Middle Grade Adventure

Rating: 4/5

Spice: 0/5

Content Warnings: Danger and violence (Middle grade appropriate), mild language, kids having weapons

📘SUMMARY📘

Ben Ripley is an ordinary 12-year-old when he is recruited by the CIA to attend spy school. Soon after, he is attacked in his dorm room by an assassin and learns that he is being used as bate to catch a double agent. Being a student at spy school would be cool if it weren't for the ninjas, bullies and traitors. He's busy making new friends, crushing on the most talented girl in spy school, and learning the secrets of espionage. 

📘REVIEW📘

I didn't quite love this book; Throughout there are moments of danger and action. However, there are a couple times the author uses a plot device to push the story along as appose to having the characters' actions and experiences lead the story. One thing it does really well is create strong parallels and contrasts between the differences in the characters for a unique and interesting ensemble. After some reflection I notice there is some excellent foreshadowing, and the author uses those parallels between different characters to prepare the reader for a surprise ending. The main character, Ben is a likeable 12-year-old character. He's hardworking, kind and clever. For a special skill, he is really good at math, and it plays an important role.  Also, this book has a clever sense of humor. There's no romance, but Ben has a crush on Erica, a superspy student a couple of years older than him. Also, she may be the only competent person in the spy school making for some funny situations throughout the book. This story is perfect for Middle Grade readers who enjoy action and humor.

💙WOULD I REC?💙

My sister loves this book, while I find it entertaining.  I would recommend this book, but for children, parents and caregivers looking for clean, action-packed and fun middle grade books.

#bookreview #booksandbracelets #bookstagram #libby #spyschool #stuartgibbs 

🩵Pictured with Chevron Stripe in blue, red and black!🩵

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements or Belle by Cameron Dokey

Along with the short month of February, my sister decided to recommend a couple of shorter titles. This month I considered my options and saw that I could listen or read Things Not Seen as an eBook or even audiobook from my local library but if I wanted to read Belle, I would have to read my sister's physical copy. I honestly have been trying to keep my currently reading list of books down to a list that feels manageable, and I have been reading physical books very slowly, so I decided it would come down to if I finished one of the physical books I am currently reading. And I finished that one more book. In February I am reading:

Belle by Cameron Dokey

Check back for my review!

Blue Blur: A Mission Given by Tanner Froreich or City Spies by James Ponti

Check back in March for updates.

The Story Thieves by James Riley or Restart by Gordon Korman

Check back in April for updates.

Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes or School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCollough

Check back in May for updates.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull or Going Wild by Lisa McMann

Check back in June for updates.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine or My Brother Is a Superhero by David Solomons

Check back in July for updates.

A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler or The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

Check back in August for updates.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein or No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

Check back in September for updates.

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko or The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Check back in October for updates.

Swindle by Gordon Korman or Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Check back in November for updates.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger or When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stand

Check back in December for updates.

Check back for concluding thoughts.

Below is the full list my sister made along with her comments on each title.

For more bookish content find me on Instagram: @Skai_BooksAndBracelets