Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday my fellow bookworms!

 

Spring is in the air and new books are on their way! I have a fantastic book to review, but I am not done reading it yet, so please expect it soon. The book is called Hope City by Neil Perry Gordon, a historical fiction novel that has quite the adventure, including venturing into the goldfields of Alaska!

In the meantime, I have some fun book news for you:

• If you are an author, or aspiring author, of young adult works, you can pitch a book in the 2021 Book-Pitch Contest by Voyage, A Young Adult Literary Journal! You need a query letter, a synopsis of your story, a one-page sample, information about where you are in your story project to join, and a $20 (USD) reading fee per entry. A grand prize winner will win $2,000 (USD) plus a book mentorship with YA author Kylie Schachte (author of You're Next, mentorship is worth $2,500), and publication of your story 

• If  you are like me and miss traveling and visiting museums, the Louvre just released more than 480,000 works of art online to the public. You can search for specific art pieces, or just browse with some music in the background. You can always add sounds of people grumbling and taking photos if you really miss that museum experience!

• Has anyone been keeping up with all the new adaptions of books to movies/TV shows? I am excited for the new Netflix adaption of Shadow and Bone (releasing April 25th)! I did like the adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' Earwig and the Witch, which is currently on HBO Max. I borrowed the audiobook from the library and am curious to see how close the adaptation is to the book. Being the last book Ms. Jones had written, I am a bit sad and hesitant to read it. But, I loved Howl's Moving Castle (another Studio Ghibli film!), so I cannot wait to dive in!
  

• Penguin Random House has a promotion right now, called Read to Sleep, that helps you find books to read yourself to sleep. The idea is to explore books that allow you to escape from the real world, to allow you to better relax and dose off to sleep. I have a hard time reading to sleep, since I usually just stay up til the early hours of the morning to finish the book at hand! They are also hosting a giveaway, so try your hand at winning a new mattress and 25 books of your choice!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

I am sorry I don't have more to talk about this month! It has been a crazy time, as I have been trying to get vaccinated for COVID-19. I was lucky enough to receive my first of two doses this past week, which I am very happy and thankful for! I cannot wait until I can read in the forest, in a park, or on a beach again.

I hope you all stay safe. Until next time. Happy reading!

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

(c) Kasie West and HarperTeen

Let me start off by saying, I love to read books by Kasie West. She has the cutest love stories! I always make sure to read her latest novel. The only one I couldn't finish was "Lucky in Love," due to the main character's compulsion to spend money (something that irritates me in real life). I have not yet read Pivot Point or its sequel (but will!), but have read her other novels.

Love, Life, and the List is a story about growing up. Abby Turner's life is about painting, trying to get her mom out of the house to try and help her with her anxiety, trading sarcasm/witty remarks with her grandfather, and being with her three friends, including her best friend, Cooper. She works for an art curator, surrounding herself with other people's artwork every time she goes to work. She has her sights set on an exclusive art winter camp, but believes she is not good enough until she can sell one of her own paintings. Cue beginning of story!

Warning: the next paragraph may contain spoilers!
Abby is told that she does not have any heart in her paintings. So she creates a list to complete to "grow" her heart. She goes through the list with Cooper, who still doesn't realize Abby loves him (or refuses to believe it, which is more likely). (End Spoiler) As her experiences from the list begin to change her, Abby realizes she cannot keep running from her problems and begins to face each one head on.

I loved this book. It made me laugh (a lot). It made me cry (it did, really)! It reminded me of my own experiences of falling in love and growing up. I highly recommend this book, especially for YA readers, and those who need a little love in their life during this dreary winter season. :)