Tag Archives: summer reading

Monthly Wrap-Up: July 2017

News and Fun, , , , , , , , , , , ,

July 2017 Monthly Wrap-UpThe summertime always flies by, but July 2017 seemed like an especially busy month. My girl participated in a local theater production of The Lion King, which was loads of fun, and our fantastic new contributor, Gabrielle, posted her first review, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber.

In other big news, a new little reader will be joining my family this winter. Yep. In about five more months, my girl, who has been a solo kid her whole life, will become a big sister. We’re all excited and busy busy with the changes it will bring to our family.

Unfortunately, that means slowing down my blogging a little bit. If you’ve been to the review request pages, you’ve probably already noticed I’m not accepting new review requests at this time. I’ve got plenty of books to keep me busy through the fall, so I’ll continue to post reviews, but I don’t feel comfortable making commitments to authors and publishers when I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep them.

Had your own busy summer schedule? Here are the books you may have missed. Check them out and see if you can’t squeeze in a few more summer reading titles!

July 2017 Middle Grade and Young Adult Book Reviews

Frog Princess Returns by E. D. Baker

Review | Amazon | Goodread

Emma’s back to save her kingdom from another unknown threat. A quick, fun read, perfect for summer.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle calls this book a bold approach to heavy topics and unique in its plot. As a Mary Weber fan myself, I’m excited to have this one on my own reading list.

Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Loved the imaginative storyworld and the sailing elements of this story. Caro had me from the getgo, and I could not wait to see how the situation with her secret cargo played out. One of my favorite summer reads so far.

Day Moon by Brett Armstrong

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Another unusual read. I liked the sci-fi elements and the use of Shakespeare (the first of two novels I read this month which used clues from Shakespeare to solve a mystery) as clues Elliot’s grandfather left him.

 

Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I’d been waiting for this book for a whole year, and I was not disappointed in any aspect of it. The full cast of characters from Ink and Bone return to fight against the powerful Library. I couldn’t stop turning pages, and I already can’t wait for the next installment!

The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

The writing in this book was so good I could have eaten it with a spoon. I loved the protagonist and the way the author created a mystery around the works of Shakespeare.

Murder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Gabrielle gave this book 5 out of 5 stars, so you know it’s got to be good. I’m a huge sucker for blends of historical and magic or fantasy, so this sounds like a win to me, too!

What Goes Up by Katie Kennedy

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Funniest book I’ve read this summer, easily. I enjoyed the quirky dialogue and fun characters. Enough science to satisfy, plenty of humor to entertain.

The Song From Somewhere Else by A. F. Harrold

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Probably the most unexpected story I’ve read this summer. Reminded me a little bit of Roald Dahl in its dark-ish feel and fantastic, unusual characters.

We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

If you’re a fan of Ellen Hopkins, you definitely want to check out this book. It’s angsty and packed with emotion, forbidden love, and social issues.

What have you been reading?

How’s your summer reading going? Read anything awesome? Leave me a comment! I’d love to know.

Top Ten Reasons to Take That Crazy Perfect Someday by Michael Mazza to the Beach

Contemporary, Guest Post, New Adult 18up, News and Fun, , , , ,

For today’s stop on the Irish Banana Blog Tour, author Michael Mazza shares with us his top ten reasons to take his novel That Crazy Perfect Someday to the beach. Before I get too carried away, let me give you a little more information about the book.

That Crazy Perfect Someday
Michael Mazza
Turtle Point Press
Published June 13, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About That Crazy Perfect Someday
The year is 2024. Climate change has altered the world’s wave patterns. Drones crisscross the sky, cars drive themselves, and surfing is a new Olympic sport. Mafuri Long, UCSD marine biology grad, champion surfer, and only female to dominate a record eighty-foot wave, still has something to prove. Having achieved Internet fame, along with sponsorship from Google and Nike, she’s intent on winning Olympic gold. But when her father, a clinically depressed former Navy captain and widower, learns that his beloved supercarrier, the USS Hillary Rodham Clinton, is to be sunk, he draws Mafuri into a powerful undertow. Conflicts compound as Mafuri’s personal life comes undone via social media, and a vicious Aussie competitor levels bogus doping charges against her.

Mafuri forms an unlikely friendship with an awkward teen, a Ferrari-driving professional gamer who will prove to be her support and ballast. Authentic, brutal, and at times funny, Mafuri lays it all out in a sprightly, hot-wired voice. From San Diego to Sydney, Key West, and Manila, That Crazy Perfect Someday goes beyond the sports/surf cliché to explore the depths of sorrow and hope, yearning and family bonds, and the bootstrap power of a bold young woman climbing back into the light.

Top Ten Reasons to Take That Crazy Perfect Someday to the Beach
by Michael Mazza

  1. Booklist calls it a “[A] beach-bag must-have.”
  2. Many of the scenes take place on a beach!
  3. Read it on a beach. With the sand fleas, stinky kelp odor, and sea spray, you’ll have a truly interactive experience.
  4. It’s a conversation starter for that hunky, tropical resort bartender fixin’ up your fourth Mai Tai.
  5. It’s a story with drones, sharks, Aussie surf thugs, monster waves, bonobo apes, a Louis the XIV wedding, and celebrity wipe-outs. Who doesn’t like celebrity wipe-outs?
  6. Your mom would approve of it—wait, scratch that.
  7. It makes a great sunshade when not in use.
  8. Word is that fish love it! Sea mollusks too!
  9. It goes great with a refreshing umbrella drink.
  10. The sun gods will shine their heavenly goodness upon you for reading it. And isn’t that reason enough?

Finally, always wear sunscreen, never drop in on another surfer, and support your local indie bookstore.

About Michael Mazza

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Michael Mazza is a San Francisco Bay Area fiction writer whose stories have appeared in Other Voices, WORDS, Blue Mesa Review, TINGE, and ZYZZYVA. He is also an internationally acclaimed art and creative director working in the advertising industry. That Crazy Perfect Someday is his first novel.

Visit the Other Stops on the Tour!

6/19: Never Too Many To Read: Photo Collage

6/20: The Story Sanctuary: Guest Post (you are here!)

6/21: Here’s to Happy Endings: Q&A 

6/22: Reading Is Better With Cupcakes: Review

6/23: Quarzfeather: Review

 

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Review: Of Triton by Anna Banks

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

Of Triton (Syrena Legacy #2)
Anna Banks
Feiwel & Friends
Published May 28, 2013

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

When her Syrena boyfriend Galen recognizes her mother as the long-lost princess promised to his older brother, Emma realizes her life just got way more complicated. With a Syrena mother and human father, Emma is a half-breed. Humanity would label her a freak and Syrena law demands that she be put to death. Galen and his sister work to reunite their brother Grom with Emma’s mother, but none of them realize the tidal wave of repercussions the return of the lost princess will cause.

Fans of Banks’ earlier novel exploring the world of the Syrena will only find more to love in this upbeat romance jam-packed with royal political intrigue and forbidden romance. Some of the scenes involving the underwater Tribunal meeting, a trial which will decide the fate of the Syrena royals, do tend to drag on with little action and much dialogue, the story otherwise moves quickly and tensions between characters run high making this a great summer read. Of Neptune,the final chapter of the Syrena Legacy hit stores early this month and promises to be a thrilling conclusion to Emma and Galen’s story.

Language Content
Mild. More often, Emma uses terms like “flipping” or “shizzle” rather than profanity. Fits her character and spares readers looking for a cleaner reading experience.

Sexual Content
It’s clear that Emma feels deeply attracted to Galen and wants to consummate that attraction, but the two have little opportunity. Sirenna law prohibits mating between partners who have not been paired at a proper mating ceremony, and despite the force of his attraction to Emma, he is committed to respecting the traditions of his people.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violence
Conflicts between hot-tempered Sirenna sometimes become physical altercations, though few weapons are used and few details embellish the violence. A fisherman harpoons a young whale. A young girl is stabbed with a spear. No graphic details.

Drug Content
None.

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