Review | Gudetama: Adulting for the Lazy by Wook-Jin Clark

Gudetama: Adulting is inspired by the worldwide hit Sanrio character and animated series star!

Inspired by the worldwide hit Sanrio character and animated series star!

How do I get a job while still having enough time to party? I’m supposed to pay rent every month?! How am I supposed to live without my mom doing my laundry?

Adulting is tough. Thankfully, Gudetama is here to guide you on your path to growth!

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I enjoyed this installment in the Gudetama series, but at this point it is starting to seem like the same thing over and over when you’ve read the previous issues. It is another round of Gudetama answering questions and giving advice, which sometimes results in surprising conclusions by those listening. There is a good amount of humor and some of the different characters tie into each other. If you enjoy Gudetama, then you will enjoy this one for sure.

Happy reading!

Review | Star Stories: Constellation Tales from Around the World by Anita Ganeri

Share the wonder of the stars with this delightful storybook collection featuring constellation myths from around the world.

For thousands of years people have looked up to the night sky and told stories about the stars. These epic tales tell of vengeful gods and goddesses, of monsters and heroes. Others try to make sense of the natural world, or unravel the mysterious forces of the universe. This stunning book brings together 23 of these legends from all over the world: from Ancient Greece to North America, Egypt, China, India, and the South Pacific. Written by award-winning author Anita Ganeri and with beautifully detailed artwork by illustrator Andy Wilx, this is a magical book to be treasured for generations to come.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I really love books like this one, which explore different folklore and stories from different cultures. This book specifically touched on some of the stories different cultures have for the constellations. They were grouped by region/culture, but since some constellations are repeated it might have been better to format them by constellation and showcase the either varying stories, or how some stories are similar. Still, I really loved the way the stories were written, which would be perfect to read out loud, and the art was beautiful.

Happy reading!

Review | Aggretsuko: Down the Rabbithole

Aggretsuko stars in this fairy tale tinged story about work, life, and the need for balance!

When Retsuko attempts to go on vacation with Gori and Washimi, she’s pulled into a terrible world where she’s forced to work for her freedom. Featuring all of the fan favorite characters from the office in twisted versions of themselves, Aggretsuko must navigate the twists and turns of a world gone mad!

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I’ve really enjoyed reading other volumes of the Aggretsuko and this one was no different. All of the familiar characters were involved in Aggretsuko’s trip through wonderland as she struggled with the complexities of work/life balance. The art style is consistent with the other issues/volumes and well saturated with bright colors. This was a quick and humorous read, perfect for any fan of Aggretsuko.

Happy reading!

Review | Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti

In Book 2 of the series, Sam and Tuck are on their way to becoming unicorn protectors when they discover new secrets about the island that threaten unicorns’ existence! From Epic! Originals, Unicorn Island  is a middle-grade illustrated novel series about a young girl who discovers a mysterious island full of mythical beasts.

Sam can’t believe how much her life and luck have changed since she came to Foggy Harbor: First, she discovered that unicorns are real, and now she’s on her way to becoming an actual unicorn protector! With her new friend, Tuck, by her side during Uncle Mitch’s lessons, Sam finally feels like she’s home.

But as the long-buried dangers of Unicorn Island begin to surface and a mysterious scourge spreads throughout the herd, Sam learns the truth behind Aunt Sylvie’s disappearance and her own connection to the island. With determination, courage, and fierce loyalty to one another—and to their code as unicorn protectors—the kids set out to protect the island’s secrecy and the unicorns’ very existence.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

After reading the first book in this series I was excited to see where the series may go and was not disappointed with this continuation. I really enjoyed how this story not only picked up some loose ends/questions from the first book, but introduced new elements as well. The illustrations are whimsical and fun, like they were in the first book and the writing style I think this is a perfect story for young readers, especially those who love animals or unicorns.

Happy reading!

Review | Breakable Things by Katie Wismer

Our lives are made up of delicate, fragile pieces. Time, memories, ever-changing versions of ourselves.
Things so easy to break. To waste. To lose.

Breakable Things is an open letter to the small, sometimes seemingly insignificant pieces of our lives that oftentimes turn out to be what’s most important in the end.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Having read all of Katie Wismer’s poetry collections I would definitely say that there is a progression from the first to this one and this one is by far her best in my opinion. All of them deal with different stages in life, or different situations. While all of them have resonated with me, this one was the easiest for me to identify with. The different sections of the collection tied together well, while obviously being different stages of not only life, but a transition and adjustment to changes in life.

Happy reading!

Review | Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Shortcuts

Celebrate the beloved Jim Henson fantasy film with stories from inside the magical walls of the labyrinth! Featuring fan-favorite characters like Ludo, Hoggle, Sir Didymus, and the Goblin King himself, this compilation showcases imaginative tales from critically acclaimed writers and artists alike, including Jonathan Case (The New Deal), Delilah S. Dawson (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Captain Phasma), Gustavo Duarte (Bizarro), Roger Langridge (Snarked), Katie Cook (Star Wars: ABC-3PO), Jeff Stokely (Six-Gun Gorilla), and many others. Collects The Labyrinth 30th Anniversary Special, The Labyrinth 2017 Special and two never-before-seen stories!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Being an 80s baby, Labyrinth was a staple of my childhood and beyond, so when I saw new comics coming out featuring our favorite bad boy goblin king as well as stories simply set in the world or about side characters I knew I wanted to pick them up. I realized that I hadn’t yet picked this one up so had to give it a read. I really enjoyed all the different voices and perspectives in each story, some related to the time when Sarah is in the Labyrinth and some in completely different times or parts of the Goblin kingdom. I didn’t love all the different art styles, but that is personal preference – in all of the stories the vibe and feeling of the world was accurate and fit perfectly into the world created in the movie. I think most lovers of Labyrinth would enjoy these little snippets into the world of the goblins and Goblin King.

Happy reading!

Blog Tour | Crimson Summer by Heather Graham | Review

From New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham, suspense following agents from the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement as they investigate a series of murders linked to conspiracy theorists and doomsday cults.

Just when FDLE agent Amy Larson thought she’d wrapped up her most chilling case, she was delivered a red toy horse–a not-so-subtle taunt from a Doomsday cult that she and FBI agent Hunter Forrest hoped they’d taken down. A apparent turf war in Seminole territory in North Florida is the scene of a bloody massacre, and the blame seems to lie with drug cartels out of South America. The trail will take the pair on a cross-country hunt, and deep into a world of conspiracy theories, greed and privilege, where a powerful, hidden group is trying to create civil unrest through violence.

Buy Links | BookShop.org | Harlequin  | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Books-A-Million | Powell’s

Rating: 4 out of 5.

After reading the first book in this series and enjoying Heather Graham’s work overall I definitely wanted to check this one out. I felt like this was a solid sequel that definitely upped the stakes from the first one while also able to be picked up out of order. The relationship progresses really well in this one and there’s a good mix of intense moments mixed in with lighter scenes. Graham kept things going with great plot twists and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Heather Graham has written more than a hundred novels. She’s a winner of the RWA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Thriller Writers’ Silver Bullet. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America. For more information, check out her website, TheOriginalHeatherGraham.com, or find Heather on Facebook.

Social Links | Author Website | @HeatherGraham | @TheOriginalHeatherGraham | @HeatherGrahamAuthor | Goodreads

Happy reading!

Review | Rebel Girls: Awesome Entrepreneurs

Rebel Girls Awesome Entrepreneurs: 25 Tales of Women Building Businesses showcases influential CEOs, entrepreneurs, founders, and investors who have used their creativity and ingenuity to develop clever ideas, launch new products, build businesses, disrupt industries, support others, and invest in the future. Rebel Girls Awesome Entrepreneurs is part of the award-winning Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls series.

Learn how Aileen Lee went from selling tie-dye T-shirts at school to becoming an angel investor. Discover the magic of molecules with Nobel Prize-winning scientist and entrepreneur Jennifer Doudna. And sip on sweet lemonade while saving honeybees with founder Mikaila Ulmer.

This collection of 25 stories follows in the footsteps of the New York Times best-selling series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.

Rebel Girls Awesome Entrepreneurs celebrates powerful entrepreneurs and investors from Madam C.J. Walker to Belinda Wong. It is illustrated by female and nonbinary artists from around the world.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Another great addition to the Rebel Girls series! I enjoyed the fact that in this one we are learning about women who for the most part I did not know who they were by name, or their backgrounds. Many of the companies mentioned were familiar so it was great to learn about some of the people we may not realize are behind them or a part of their success. I also really appreciate that with each new installment there are more resources and additional materials for girls to use and learn. Plus the integration of being able to use their app and learn more about some of the people included is a huge bonus.

Happy reading!

Review | Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: Baby’s First Book of Extraordinary Women

This board book adaptation of the New York Times bestselling Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls introduces your little reader to the lives of extraordinary Rebel women, past and present, from around the world.

Welcoming new Rebels into the fold, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: Baby’s First Book of Extraordinary Women features artists and inventors, athletes and activists in its colorful, inviting pages. Readers will meet dancer Misty Copeland, pilot Amelia Earhart, swimmer Yusra Mardini, and many other inspiring icons.

Sparkling, easy-to-read text and beautiful portraits capture each trailblazing woman’s Rebel spirit and make this adaptation of a classic a sure bedtime favorite.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

When I saw this one pop up as another installment in this series of books, I thought it was a great idea for even younger readers. The snippets about each individual is short, easy to understand in most cases and digestible for a much younger reader. The colors and artwork are vibrant and will easily draw the attention of their intended audience. I think for even younger readers this is a great introduction to the entire Rebel Girls series and may pique their interest to check out other installments as they get older, or learn specifically about some of the individuals in the book.

Happy reading!

Bloog Tour | The Lying Club by Annie Ward | Review

From the acclaimed author of Beautiful Bad comes an explosive new novel of revenge, murder and shocking secrets—where the victims aren’t who you might think. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Lucy Foley, and Liv Constantine.

Three women. Two bodies. One big lie…
A tangled web of lies draws together three women in this explosive thriller of revenge, murder and shocking secrets.

At an elite private school nestled in the Colorado mountains, Natalie, an office assistant, dreams of having a life like the school moms she deals with every day. Women like Brooke—a gorgeous heiress, ferociously loving mother and serial cheater—and Asha, an overprotective mom who suspects her husband of having an affair. Their fates are bound by the handsome assistant athletic director Nicholas, whom Natalie loves, Brooke wants and Asha needs.

But when two bodies are carried out of the school one morning, it seems the tension between mothers and daughters, rival lovers, and the haves and have-nots has shattered the surface of this isolated, affluent town—where people stop at nothing to get what they want.

Buy Links | BookShop.org | Harlequin  | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Books-A-Million | Powell’s

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The way this book sounded I was thinking it might be along the lines of housewives type of drama but it ended up being far more than that. It does have a slow beginning and takes a while for the story to truly unfold, but that isn’t to say it is a hard read at all, just a slower pace. It’s the kind of book where you don’t really like anyone, but you’re still trying to figure out who might be good or bad and when everything truly came together it suddenly really picked up. If you’re looking for a book that is full of tons of twists and turns, this is definitely a thriller that would fit the bill.

Annie Ward is the author of Beautiful Bad. She has a BA in English literature from UCLA and an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute. Her first short screenplay, Strange Habit, starring Adam Scott, was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award winner at the Aspen Film Festival. She has received a Fulbright scholarship and an Escape to Create artist residency. She lives in Kansas with her family.

Social Links | Author Website | Twitter: @_annie_ward | Facebook: @anniewardbooks | Goodreads

Happy reading!