If I know anything, I know that summer coming means I get to spend afternoons outside in my hammock reading. I live where there is snow. Real snow. Long, Canadian, winter, snow. So for me, summer reading starts as soon as the snow melts. Luckily that time has come, and I’ve decided to share some…
Everything, Everything Movie Swag Giveaway
Thanks to Warner Bros. and my friends at Allied Integrated Marketing, we’re giving away an Everything, Everything movie swag prize pack (including heart-shaped sticky notes, phone cover, zipped bag, and tote bag) to a lucky reader. To enter, you must have a U.S. address (sorry international friends) and leave a comment here or through our…
Heroines Who Rock: Anya Balanchine
Who is she? Anya Balanchine starts the series as a 16-year-old mafia princess. She’s treated differently because of her father and the family she was born into. Anya’s journey is seen through 3 books, and spans years. Anya grows from mafia princess to ruthless leader of the family through necessity, and sacrifice. Why is she…
Indie Bookstore Spotlight: White Birch Books
Over Spring Break, my family traveled to New Hampshire — mostly because two years ago I ordered my husband custom Peter Limmer boots, and time was running out for him to have his feet professionally measured by the bootmaker. Everywhere I travel with my family, I have a few must-dos: have an awesome breakfast, go on an…
#ReadRiordan: We’re Thankful for Magnus Chase
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! This week we’re doing a few posts about books we’re particularly thankful for this year. Yesterday we shared our latest YA Diversity Book Club pick, CARRY ON, and today we’re finishing our time as a Percy Pack member by highlighting the reasons we’re thankful for Rick Riordan and his new book MAGNUS…
Waiting On Wednesday: Morning Star by Pierce Brown
RED RISING is one of those trilogies you can’t stop thinking about. For days, weeks, even months afterward, the characters and events keep tucked away in your mind and your heart. You have to incessantly text friends (sorry Lauren!) or read online forums about what other fans think will happen next. You start evangelizing to…
#ReadRiordan: Halloween Fun
Happy Halloween everyone! This month for our Percy Pack post, my kids worked on a Rick Riordan-inspired pumpkin together. We got the Magnus Chase stencil as a member of the Percy Pack, but you can download it here. My kids are super lucky, because they have a beloved Uncle Dave who LOVES Halloween, so he…
#ReadRiordan: Why Kids Love the Series & Giveaway
This month for our Percy Pack post, I polled my older two kids, and my friend Michelle’s older two kids, to ask them why they loved the “Percy Jackson” series. Here, straight from the mouths of four kids ages 9-13, are reasons Rick Riordan’s books work for tweens and teens of various ages. ♦ELIAS, age…
#ReadRiordan: Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Percy Jackson
Happy 10th Anniversary, Percy Jackson! We’re big Rick Riordan fans in our family, so I’m thrilled to be a part of the #ReadRiordan Percy Pack. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the series’ start, we will be posting about the series nearly every month throughout the summer and fall. I credit Rick Riordan for cementing…
Monday Quotes: YA Books in Verse
April is National Poetry Month, so we wanted to highlight YA books in verse this week. I know some readers are hesitant to read books in verse, but in my experience they’re wonderful, poignant, and so descriptive. I hope you’ll read this quotes and be inspired to give books in verse a try, especially if…