Review | What You are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

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For fans of The Midnight Library and Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this charming Japanese novel shows how the perfect book recommendation can change a reader’s life.

What are you looking for?

This is the famous question routinely asked by Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. Like most librarians, Komachi has read every book lining her shelves—but she also has the unique ability to read the souls of her library guests. For anyone who walks through her door, Komachi can sense exactly what they’re looking for in life and provide just the book recommendation they never knew they needed to help them find it.

Each visitor comes to her library from a different juncture in their careers and dreams, from the restless sales attendant who feels stuck at her job to the struggling working mother who longs to be a magazine editor. The conversation that they have with Sayuri Komachi—and the surprise book she lends each of them—will have life-altering consequences.

With heartwarming charm and wisdom, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is a paean to the magic of libraries, friendship and community, perfect for anyone who has ever found themselves at an impasse in their life and in need of a little inspiration.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

After reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold, I’ve definitely been in the mood to read more translated fiction – especially since this one has a similar format to that book. We follow a number of different characters in loosely connecting stories as they all find their way for some reason at the library of a community center. In each of their stories they get help from a librarian who asks them nothing more than what they are looking for. While she often gives them books similar to what they requested, she also recommends something entirely different before sending them on their way. In each case their lives and struggles are different, but they each find a way to work through their inner turmoil or current life struggles with the help of her suggestions. Since it is a translation there are certainly some cultural references that might put off some people but the stories and individuals are charming and very touching reads.

Happy reding!

Review | Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim

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What happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp—FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heart warming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn.

After a lackluster school year, Maya anticipates an even more disappointing summer. The only thing she’s looking forward to is cooking and mixing ingredients in the kitchen, which these days brings her more joy than mingling with her peers . . . that is until her dad’s girlfriend registers her for culinary summer camp! Maya’s summer is saved! . . . or not. 

What was meant to be a summer filled with baking pastries and cooking pasta is suddenly looking a lot . . . paler?! Why do all of the kids have pointy fangs? And hate garlic? Turns out that Maya isn’t at culinary camp—she’s at a camp for VAMPIRES! Maya has a lot to learn if she’s going to survive this summer . . . and if she’s lucky, she might even make some friends along the way.

Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This was a super fun read that I think while fun and fantastical, a lot of kids will also be able to relate to it. In it we follow Maya, who’s very much in an uncertain stage – she feels like she’s in risk of losing her dad to his relationship, dealing with her own awkwardness and learning who she is. She’s elated when she has the opportunity to go to culinary camp…but due to a little mix up she finds herself going to an entirely different summer camp – full of vampire kids. Not only is her constant worry of being discovered as a human hilarious, it’s also full of a lot of worries and hiccups that a lot of preteens go through as they are making friends and figuring out who they want to be. It was super fun and a great story about friendships, seeing past differences, communication and adjusting into that period of life.

Summer Vamp comes out tomorrow, May 14th – so make sure to pick up a copy!

Happy reading!

Review | Walk the Web Lightly by Mary Pascual

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Naya’s family is all about their art, their traditions, their secret ability to see time. They expect her to follow in their footsteps, creating art and keeping their powers concealed. But she wants to be a doctor—and you can’t do that if you’re hiding all the time! When a chance to go to medical science camp comes up, her family disapproves, but Grandmother challenges her to a if she can weave her soul wrap before the camp begins, she can go; if she fails, she has to say good-bye to her science dreams for good. With all of the knowledge of time at her fingertips, Naya is sure she can win. But someone is rigging events to learn her family’s secrets—and it turns out that what she doesn’t know could jeopardize everyone she loves.

Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I was intrigued not only by the fact that the family in this book possessed a special gift, allowing them to see the lines of people’s lives and see through time in a way – but also by the fact that this book really centered around family and tradition. I will admit, Naya as a main character was not the most likeable. Any pre-teen or teen is going to have issues as they are growing up and learning who they really are, but at times I felt Naya’s attitude towards her family and her occasional flippancy towards her mother’s and grandmother’s teachings/warnings was a little grating. As the story continued she became easier to like and understand, which was likely the intent, her character grew as she worked through all the things she needed to work through. The initial premise, the fact that Naya wants to be a doctor while her family wants her to continue in the family “business” or tradition is a common one we see everywhere, so the addition of the mystical gift as well as the danger of the individual who’s trying to discover the family’s secret was a great way to shape a story. A great coming of age story with some intrigue and magic woven through it.

Walk the Web Lightly comes out today, May 7th, so make sure to pick up a copy!

Happy reading!

Review | Bogs, Brews and Banshees by Rowan Dillon

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She’s looking for a fresh start. But with eerie noises in the night and murder most foul, can she keep from going down for a crime she didn’t commit?Skye Brigid O’Shea is desperate for an escape. Losing big in a nasty divorce and taking the fall for a patient’s death, the stressed-out thirty-two-year-old jumps at the chance to move to Ireland after inheriting her grandmother’s B&B. But the nosy American quickly lands back in hot water when she investigates unearthly howls and discovers the disagreeable local she argued with earlier stone-cold dead.

Named as the prime suspect, Skye finds herself relying on the constable’s wife and the cryptic clues from her gran’s talking black cat to clear her name. But when her ancestor’s diary points to a supernatural culprit, the ex-nurse isn’t sure if she’s cracked the case or lost her mind.

Can this novice detective overcome a rival pub owner, a dogged policeman, and a thick web of ancient myths to stay out of the slammer?

Bogs, Brews, and Banshees is the charming first book in the Skye O’Shea paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like amateur sleuths, fish out of water, and sídhe sidekicks, then you’ll love Rowan Dillon’s snarkalicious whodunit.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’ve read a good amount of cozies and know the general format of them, so am excited to see more paranormal ones coming out. From the get go I feel like Skye’s character was well established, you learn right away some of the struggles she’s been going through as well as where her emotional state is at. I did feel that for a little bit the pacing was a little slow, but once the mystery really gets going the story picks up. Skye delves more into her new home and all the somewhat odd things that she encounters. While I felt Skye was really well established, I did want a little more on the other characters – but I’m assuming as the series goes on they will be developed more. Overall this one was really fun and a very enjoyable read.

Happy reading!

Blitz | Hott Take by Serena Bell

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Hott Take
Serena Bell
(Hott Springs Eternal, #2)
Publication date: April 16th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

The hard part isn’t acting like we’re falling for each other. It’s pretending we’re not.

Shane: My grandfather’s will has me between a rock and a Hott place. If I don’t score a celebrity wedding, my sister will lose her wedding planning business—and our family’s land. As a playboy movie star, I know Hollywood’s ins and outs. But finding two celebrities in love is tougher than it looks.

Enter Ivy Scofield—the beautiful star of one of TV’s most beloved failures. She’s hiding from her past in Rush Creek, running a community theater for troubled kids. She needs my family’s wedding barn to save her program. So we make a deal: I give her the barn—she gives me her hand in fake marriage. Lights, camera, action—and cut—right?

Not so fast. Planning our fake wedding is way more personal than I was expecting. I’m learning Ivy’s quirks, preferences, and pet peeves—and that’s before I walk in on her enjoying my most infamous on-camera scene. Plus she’s slowly peeling back my layers—the ones I’ve built up to protect myself. If someone doesn’t do something soon, we might discover that the only thing fake about this wedding is the way we keep pushing each other away.

A spicy, movie star, marriage of convenience, fake relationship standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

After Nia told me that Shane Hott is an actor, I watched the first Crown of Spires movies, Lord of Every Sky. It was full of scenes where he was shirtless, badass, and bossy. He’s basically the villain of the first movie—although I get the sense that he’s going to be redeemed later from the way the camera lingers on his…assets.

Even as I watched, I questioned my life choices. I wasn’t at all sure watching the movie was a good idea because in a town as small as Rush Creek, Shane and I were bound to cross paths.

After I watched him in Lord of Every Sky, I wanted to build a small monument to his torso and worship it…with my tongue.

And now, encountering him in the hallway outside of Hanna’s office, my knees feel less solid than I would ideally like.

Never trust a guy so good looking he makes you stupid.

So I do what any self-respecting woman would do in that situation.

I pretend I have no idea who he is.

I can tell he’s waiting for me to recognize him, giving me a beat to say, Holy crap, Shane Hott!

After he got on Bridge and turned into a household name, Anthony used to do the same thing.

Seeing echoes of Anthony in this guy makes me even less inclined to give him what he wants. Another Hollywood fuckboy hopped up on fan worship. It’s the last thing my life needs.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ivy Scofield,” I say, cool and low key, like I’m introducing myself to the manager at the bank.

Surprise flickers behind his eyes, but he hides it, extending his hand. I take it. It’s big, warm, and dry and, unfortunately for my equilibrium, attached to a toned, muscular forearm below a rolled shirt sleeve. The shirt itself is a soft-looking blue gray that clings in all the right places to his movie star–worthy shoulders, pecs, and abs. He has long-lashed dark brown eyes paired with a blade of a nose, square jaw, and lush mouth. Against my will, I admit that he’s gorgeous.

I thought I had permanently rid myself of men who were too good looking to be believed, but apparently not.

“I think we can help each other out,” he says. Actually, he whispers it. “You, um, mind walking with me?” He gestures toward the exit.

“Should I be worried that you’re a serial killer?”

The corner of his mouth turns up. “I’m not a serial killer. I’m an actor.”

“Even worse.”

He laughs, which is terrible because it makes him even better looking, all eye crinkles and white teeth and genuine amusement. Then he stops—because I wasn’t joking and he seems to intuit that.

“Even so,” he says, more seriously. “Please. Just…let me walk you out and tell you what I’m thinking.”

I give him a shrug-nod, and we walk out of Hott Springs together to the parking lot. Now I know who owns the Aston Martin Vanquish I parked next to. I know nothing about cars…but Anthony coveted that car: fast, expensive, and—his words—a dream to drive.

As we draw even with his car, Shane says, “I know you need our barn.”

I flick him a quick, confused glance as hope buys real estate in my chest. It sounds like he’s implying that it still might be possible. I will do anything to save our theater—not just for me, but for the kids. I know Nia feels the same way.

“I can get the barn for you.”

“Hanna said—”

“Hanna wasn’t looking at the whole picture,” he tells me. “I am.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“You need the barn, and I need you to marry me.”

His too-pretty-for-real-life face is deadly serious now. My mouth falls open.

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

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Review | The Adventures of Penguin and Panda: Surprise! by Brenda Maier

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In the tradition of Narwhal and Jelly, here is a playful and humorous graphic novel series about two besties who could not be more different from each other.

Penguin and Panda should not be friends. The very idea is absurd. Penguin likes to build things and Panda likes to nap. Panda munches bamboo and Penguin gobbles cheese puffs and jam-banana sandwiches. Penguin never powers down and Panda has a hard time powering up. There is no way their friendship would ever work. Except somehow, it does.

Penguin and Panda demonstrate kindness, understanding, and support for each other, showcasing the positive aspects of companionship. The books are infused with humor, often through Penguin’s whimsical outlook on life and Panda’s more pragmatic responses.

Each book is composed form multiple short stories and STEM related fun facts. The graphic novel format makes the series accessible to a wide range of readers, including those who may be transitioning from picture books to chapter books.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A graphic novel featuring a penguin and panda as friends? Yes, please. This contains a few different stories detailing the adventures of these two, along with little facts and tidbits here and there. It’s absolutely adorable and the art style is colorful and fun. I thought the addition of guides on how to draw both characters was a nice touch as well.

Happy reading!

Review | The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker

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Half British Reaper, half Japanese Shinigami, Ren Scarborough has been collecting souls in the London streets for centuries. Expected to obey the harsh hierarchy of the Reapers who despise her, Ren conceals her emotions and avoids her tormentors as best she can.

When her failure to control her Shinigami abilities drives Ren out of London, she flees to Japan to seek the acceptance she’s never gotten from her fellow Reapers. Accompanied by her younger brother, the only being on earth to care for her, Ren enters the Japanese underworld to serve the Goddess of Death… only to learn that here, too, she must prove herself worthy. Determined to earn respect, Ren accepts an impossible task—find and eliminate three dangerous Yokai demons—and learns how far she’ll go to claim her place at Death’s side.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I figured I would enjoy this one, but I didn’t realize how much. In this book we follow Wren, who is half reaper and half shinigami – she’s been raised as a reaper but always been told she didn’t belong because she was only half reaper. She’s forced to flee from her home and decides the best place to go is Japan, to pursue her shinigami half.

The book absolutely reads like an anime once Wren reaches Japan. There is a ton of Japanese mythology and culture woven into the story, with rich descriptions of each character – whether it be yokai or human. Wren is a very complex character as she has been brought up to believe she doesn’t belong anywhere and the one thing she wants is somewhere to belong, someone to accept her as she is. This leads to her not always making the right decisions and I definitely want to know how things resolve in the sequel.

Happy reading!

Review | When a Stranger Comes to Town

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It’s been said that all great literature boils down to one of two stories—a man takes a journey, or a stranger comes to town. While mystery writers have been successfully using both approaches for generations, there’s something undeniably alluring in the nature of a stranger: the uninvited guest, the unacquainted neighbor, the fish out of water.

No matter how or where they appear, strangers are walking mysteries, complete unknowns in once-familiar territories who disrupt our lives with unease and wonder. In the newest collection of stories by the Mystery Writers of America, each author weaves a fresh tale surrounding the eerie feeling that comes when a stranger enters our midst, featuring stories by prolific mystery writers such as Michael Connelly, Dean Koontz and Joe Hill.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I found the premise of this anthology to be really interesting, and in some cases creepy. Each story incorporates the idea of a stranger arriving and how that may shape the story. I did find a lot of the stories to be suspenseful or have satisfying twists, but as is the story with a lot of anthologies, there were some favorites and some not so much a favorite. That being said, I enjoyed seeing all the different ways the authors interpreted the premise and wove their stories around it.

Happy reading!

Review | Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper

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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling rom-com by Lana Harper.

Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn’t been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history and a desire to forge her own way in the world, and only the very tiniest bit to do with Gareth Blackmoore, heir to the most powerful magical family in town and casual breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams.

But when a spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for approaches, it turns out the pull of tradition (or the truly impressive parental guilt trip that comes with it) is strong enough to bring Emmy back. She’s determined to do her familial duty; spend some quality time with her best friend, Linden Thorn; and get back to her real life in Chicago.

On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov—an all-around badass adept in the darker magical arts—who is fresh off a bad breakup . . . with Gareth Blackmoore. Talia had let herself be charmed, only to discover that Gareth was also seeing Linden—unbeknownst to either of them. And now she and Linden want revenge. Only one question stands: Is Emmy in?

But most concerning of all: Why can’t she stop thinking about the terrifyingly competent, devastatingly gorgeous, wickedly charming Talia Avramov?

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I was totally down for a witchy competition, some revenge and some romance and while this one was really fun, it kind of fell short for me. Emmy as a character was great, I really enjoyed her emotional growth and the growth that happened in her relationships with her family, best friend and romantic interest – for me the work that Emmy does on herself and relationships was the highlight. The competition between the families was fun, but I really wanted more of it. I think what made me ultimately give this three stars was that I had a lot of fun with it, but I wanted more. I still really enjoyed it, but just wanted more.

Happy reading!

Review | Silver Vessels by Steve Orlando

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A group of friends go on a mission in the Florida Keys to uncover a lost treasure and end up getting more than they bargained for.

What happens when a bunch of teens get together at the Florida Keys for an unforgettable summer of Treasure hunting?

After obsessing over a history lesson at school, Joshua enlists his two best friends to travel to the Florida Keys for the summer to hunt for the treasure of Our Lady of Atocha, a Spanish treasure galleon and the most widely known vessel of a fleet of ships that sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622. Staying up, sneaking out, and searching for a legendary buried treasure is just the beginning of the summer of their lives!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This one ended up being such a cute and fun read. In it we follow three teenagers on the cusp of entering high school, all three of them very much in a space where they are figuring out their own identities, but also scared of change and what those revelations might mean. Josh is the leader of the three and he becomes obsessed with the recent discovery of a shipwreck and the fact that the fabled treasure that should have been inside the ship is not there. He hatches a plan for he and his friends to visit his grandfathers for the summer so that they can go on their own treasure hunt. Lots of hijinks ensue as they search down the clues and find amazing things, get roped in by a questionable group and face the consequences of lying to their grandfathers. It’s a fun story, full of adventure as well as heart.

Happy reading!