Category: Uncategorized

Review: The House That Whispers by Lin Thompson

Goodreads Blurb

Eleven-year-old Simon and his siblings, Talia and Rose, are staying the week at Nanaleen’s century-old house. This time, though, it’s not their usual summer vacation trip. In fact, everything’s different. It’s fall, not summer. Mom and Dad are staying behind to have a “talk.” And Nanaleen’s house smells weird, plus she keeps forgetting things. And these aren’t the only things getting under Simon’s skin: He’s the only one who knows that his name is Simon, and that he and him pronouns are starting to feel right. But he’s not ready to add to the changes that are already in motion in his family.

To make matters worse, Simon keeps hearing a scratching in the walls, and shadows are beginning to build in the corners. He can’t shake the feeling that something is deeply wrong…and he’s determined to get to the bottom of it—which means launching a ghost hunt, with or without his sisters’ help. When Simon discovers the hidden story of his great-aunt Brie, he realizes that Brie’s life might hold answers to some of his worries. Is Brie’s ghost haunting the old O’Hagan house? And will Simon’s search for ghosts turn up more secrets than he ever expected?

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

This book touches on the topic of gender identity with a spooky twist. Simon and his sisters go to stay at their grandmother’s house. Simon starts to experience spooky sounds and experiencing paranormal activity. He believes all the spooky events he has experienced are related to a long-lost great-aunt. The reader learns that Simon’s parents are going through a rough patch and that Simon hasn’t come out to anyone in his family. All the fear has built up and caused Simon to imagine all the spooky things happening in the house. The book was nicely written.

Author Biography

Lin Thompson (they/them) is a former children’s librarian, a Lambda Literary Fellow, and the author of two books for middle-grade readers: The Best Liars in Riverview (Little, Brown, 2022), which was a JLG Gold Standard selection and appeared on the 2023 ALA Rainbow List, and The House That Whispers (Little, Brown, 2023), also a JLG Gold Standard selection. Lin grew up playing pretend games in the backyard and basement of their home in Kentucky. Now they get to write pretend stories in the backyard and basement of their home in Iowa, where they live with their wife and cat.

Review: My Friend Anne Frank by Hannah Pick-Goslar

Goodreads Blurb

In 1933, Hannah Pick-Goslar and her family fled Nazi Germany to live in Amsterdam, where she struck up a close friendship with her next-door neighbor, an outspoken and fun-loving young girl named Anne Frank. For several years, the inseparable pair enjoyed a carefree childhood of games, sleepovers, and treats with the other children in their neighborhood of Rivierenbuurt. But in 1942, Hannah and Anne’s lives abruptly changed forever. As the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam progressed, Anne and the Frank family seemingly vanished, leaving behind unmade beds and dishes in the sink—but no trace of Anne’s precious diary. Torn from her dear friend without warning, Hannah spent the next two years tormented by questions about Anne’s fate, wondering if she had, by some miracle, managed to escape danger.

In this long‑awaited memoir, Hannah shares the story of her childhood during the Holocaust, from the introduction of anti-Jewish laws in Amsterdam to the gradual disappearance of classmates and, eventually, the Frank family, to Hannah and her family’s imprisonment in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. As Hannah chronicles the experiences of her own life during and after the war, she provides a searing look at what countless children endured at the hands of the Nazi regime, as well as an intimate, never‑before‑seen portrait of the most recognizable victim of the Holocaust. Culminating in an astonishing fateful reunion, My Friend Anne Frank is the profoundly moving story of childhood and friendship during one of the darkest periods in the world’s history.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Hannah gave us a story that we will never forget. Anne Frank’s diary is a story that gives us a firsthand account of her time during hiding. To be able to read a story of a wonderful friendship between Anne and Hannah was the story we all needed to read. Learning more about Anne and the story of Hannah and her family was incredible. This story also talks about the time Hannah and her family were in the concentration camps. As I read this book, I felt like I was there experiencing Hannah’s horrors. It broke my heart when she realized her best friend Anne wasn’t in Switzerland. She was in the concentration camp opposite hers and was starving and not doing well. My heart broke reading about everything Hannah underwent to survive. This book spoke about the bonds of friendship and family. The fight to live and keep calm, hoping the horror will end soon.

Review: After The Fire by Will Hill

Goodreads Blurb

The things I’ve seen are burned into me, like scars that refuse to fade.

Before, she lived inside the fence. Before, she was never allowed to leave the property, never allowed to talk to Outsiders, never allowed to speak her mind. Because Father John controlled everything—and Father John liked rules. Disobeying Father John came with terrible consequences.

But there are lies behind Father John’s words. Outside, there are different truths.

Then came the fire.

My Review: 5 out of 5 stars

It’s terrifying the power one man has over people and how he can fool grown men and women to worship this man guided by God. Poor Moonbeam lived a terrible life in this camp with a cult leader and other members. She was stronger than she thought she was. She survived and helped other children live after the end arrived. This book is intense due to the topic and the war to fight to ascend to heaven or fight to survive. You can feel exactly how Moonbeam feels, her insecurities, fear, instincts, and fight to survive while keeping secrets that she feels would get her in trouble. A story that will have you thinking, would you easily follow another who speaks with the candor of what his religious beliefs are without knowing the lies he says? A true manipulator and dictator of the innocent.

Author Biography

Before quitting his job in publishing to write full time, Will Hill worked as a bartender, a bookseller and a door-to-door charity worker. He grew up in the north-east of England, is scared of spiders, and lives in east London with his girlfriend. He is a big fan of cats

Review: My Little Sweet Boy by Hilary Duff

Goodreads Blurb

Actress, singer, mother, and New York Times bestselling author of My Little Brave Girl , Hilary Duff returns with an inspiring picture book filled with the dreams she has for her own son. A perfect parent-child read-aloud!

The sky has so much to show you, my little sweet boy.
Let every color, shape, and season fill your world.

Inspiring young boys to be as gentle as they are strong, this beautiful book explores the tumbles and triumphs of childhood. New York Times bestselling author Hilary Duff fills the pages with wishes for her own son and encourages boys everywhere to embrace all that life has to offer them.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

It is a story written by a mom for her child who gives her son motivation, strength, support, guidance, and love. The illustrations are beautiful with bright colors and go perfectly with the words. A mother wants the best for her child and hopes they can learn from their mistakes and those who surround them. This book can inspire children to believe in themselves and grow to be adults who will be role models for others.

Author Biography

Hilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, pop singer-songwriter and entrepreneur. After gaining fame for playing the title role in the television show Lizzie McGuire, Duff went on to have a film career; her most commercially successful movies include Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), and A Cinderella Story (2004).

Duff has expanded her repertoire into pop music, with four RIAA certified Platinum albums and over thirteen million albums sold worldwide. Her first studio album, Metamorphosis (2003), was certified triple platinum and she followed it up with two more platinum albums, Hilary Duff (2004) and Most Wanted (2005). Duff’s last studio album, Dignity, was released in April 2007 and was certified Gold in August 2007.

She has also launched a clothing line, “Stuff by Hilary Duff”, and two exclusive perfume collections with Elizabeth Arden. Duff and her mother were listed as producers for the movie Material Girls, As of April 2008, her upcoming films include the action thriller War, Inc., animated comedy Foodfight!, and independent films Greta and Safety Glass.

Review: Love Comes First by Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush

Goodreads Blurb

A joyful celebration of growing families by former first daughters and #1 New York Times  bestselling authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.
 
As two sisters watch their friends’ families grow, they wish on a star for a sibling of their own…and a younger brother and a baby cousin arrive! The new family members aren’t exactly what the sisters expected, but with time and patience, the group soon becomes fabulously four—and lets their imaginations soar! Together they can be anything, and no matter what, they will always remember that love comes first.
 
Inspired by Jenna and Barbara’s own families, this companion title to the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First is a tender story about the way our hearts can always make room for more.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

It’s an adorable book with a happy feeling. This book makes me wish I had a sister, but it also reminds me of my cousin and me. We spent a lot of time together when we were younger. I have a brother, and we always loved different activities. Children would enjoy this heartwarming story, especially if a new sibling arrived. I enjoyed the bright colors of the illustrations. Children will enjoy seeing the illustrations with the imaginative games the characters are playing.

Author Biography

Jenna Bush Hager is a co-host on NBC’s TODAY Show and an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, written after she served as an intern with UNICEF in Latin America. She also co-authored the children’s books Our Great Big Backyard and Read All About It! with her mother. She lives with her husband and two daughters in New York.

Review: 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon

Goodreads Blurb

Just 5 more sleeps ’til Christmas!
Can you believe it’s here?
I know that Santa’s coming soon
’cause I’ve been good all year.

Everyone who grew up celebrating Christmas remembers the excitement that built up to the most magical day of the year. But why not make the last week until Christmas more fun by counting how many sleeps until the arrival of Santa and his reindeer?

Accompanied by the beautiful and energetic artwork of Rich Deas, enjoy the humor of Jimmy Fallon as he prepares readers for the most exciting week of the year in this new holiday tradition for your family—5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas.

My Review: Rates 5 out of 5 stars

The magic at Christmas can keep anyone awake to anticipate what Santa might bring. This book was made for me because I love counting the days until Christmas. I enjoyed the beautiful illustrations and couldn’t get over the adorable glasses the two kids wore. Seeing all the fun Christmas decor on the pages makes the story even more enjoyable. This is a perfect book to read to children five days before Christmas. They would genuinely enjoy the spirit of Christmas with every page.

Author Biography

James Thomas Fallon, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, and musician known for his work on Saturday Night Live. He is also scheduled to become the host of Late Night in 2009.

Cover Reveal: Utopia by Marie-Helene Lebeault

BOOK DETAILS:

Utopia
by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Publication date: January 15, 2024
Genres: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:

A Clean YA Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure

Three extraordinary teenagers, each an outcast in their worlds, unite to reshape the destiny of a utopian society. Ryn, who couldn’t adapt to life under the sea, Eira, born above the clouds but unable to breathe the thin air, and Aiden, rejected by the subterranean civilization, embarks on a thrilling journey to Vancouver’s utopia. They’ll challenge the elders, confront hidden truths, and discover the power of unity in a fast-paced young adult sci-fi adventure that explores the boundaries of human resilience, and the promise of a better world.

Utopia is a What Happens Next? novel developed from the Under the Ice short story.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201156107-utopia

Pre-order: https://amzn.to/3vjzBWa

AUTHOR BIO:

Marie-Hélène is a Canadian Speculative Fiction author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic and time travel. With important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, teens and adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book. She lives in Quebec, Canada with her grown children.
Email: info@mhlebeault.com
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Review: The Reservoir by David Duchovny

Goodreads Blurb

THE RESERVOIR follows an unexceptional man in an exceptional time. We see our present-day pandemic world and New York City through the eyes of a former Wall Street veteran, Ridley, as he looks back upon his life in his enforced quarantine solitude, wondering what it all means and who he really is.
Sitting and brooding night after night, gazing out his huge picture window high above the Central Park Reservoir, Ridley spots a flashing light in an apartment across the park as if a lonely quarantined person is signaling him in Morse code. His determination to find out who this mystery woman is leads him on an epic quest that will ultimately tempt him with either delusional madness or the fulfillment of his own mythic fate.
Is he a dying man going mad or an everyman metamorphosing into a hero? Or both? We accompany Ridley as he leaves the safety of his apartment window to save the Fifth Avenue femme fatale and descends into a dangerous, increasingly surreal world of global conspiracies, madness, and sickness of this viral time. As Ridley’s actions grow more and more uncharacteristic, he realizes the key to all the mysteries of now, and even all of history, seem to lie deep beneath the freezing waters of the reservoir.
The Reservoir is a twisted rom-com for our distanced time, when the merest touch could kill and conspiracy theories propagate like viruses—a contemporary union of Death in Venice, Rear Window , and The Plague .

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

COVID-19 caused fear and dread to everyone all over the world. This story hits close to home with Ridley, who lives alone in his home in NYC while the pandemic has caused everyone to stay locked away. This story is about a man who sees lights flicker from an apartment building a few blocks away. He starts obsessing about what this Morse code means and who the person trying to reach him is. He starts leaving his house at night with no face masks, trying to find this woman he believes is trying to get his attention. You start living this obsession with Ridley and do not know if this is real or a dream-like state. David’s storytelling drags you into what Ridley was feeling and going through and makes you believe it’s happening for real, only to find out he was infected and trying to fight for his life. I could feel the fear and dread Ridley experienced in the last moments on this earth.

There was a short story at the end of the book called The Scare Owl, which was another interesting story. It was a story about nature, finding acceptance, revenge, raising an animal not from the same bird breed, and trying to bring peace to someone who views them as enemies. It was a sad story at the end, but I feel that the owl thought he did the right thing and went head-on into the danger that awaited.

Author Biography

Born and raised in New York City David Duchovny earned an A.B. in English literature from Princeton University, and an ABD in English literature from Yale University. He was on the road to earning his Ph.D. when his interest in playwriting led him to acting. Subsequently, he emerged to become one of the most highly acclaimed actors in Hollywood.

Globally known for his roles in the Fox Television’s monster hit The X-Files and Showtime’s Californication, David has made his way into our pop culture lexicon. David Duchovny remains the only actor to have won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television series in both the Comedy and Drama categories.

David Duchovny has published four novels, Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale (2015), a New York Times Bestseller; Bucky F*cking Dent (2016); Miss Subways (2018) and Truly Like Lightning (2021).

Additionally, David Duchovny has completed two studio albums, Hell or Highwater (2015) and Every Third Thought (2018), and his third album is slated for release in summer 2021.

Book Signing Event

This past December, Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ, invited David to sign books for everyone. It was wonderful finally getting to meet the X-Files actor.