Author: jilljemmett

Jill lives in Toronto, Canada. She has studied English, Creative Writing, and Publishing. Jill is the creator and content producer of Jill’s Book Blog, where she has published a blog post every day for the last four years, including 5-7 book reviews a week. She can usually be found with her nose in a book.

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – November 21

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery’s never been there, but she’s heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it’s hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone’s declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she’s in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous–and most people aren’t good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it’s safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Love Letters to Jane’s World

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Title: Love Letters to Jane’s World
Author: Paige Braddock
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Lion Forge
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: ebook
Release Date: August 21, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

This essential Jane’s World collection debuts twenty years after Jane Wyatt first appeared in Paige Braddock’s trailblazing comics strip about a young lesbian woman making her clumsy way in the world and the friends who help (or hinder) her along the journey. The Eisner-nominated Jane’s World was the first syndicated comic strip with a lesbian main character to appear in many major newspaper markets. This new volume collects the most quintessentially “Jane” storylines from the strip’s early, middle, and later years, and pairs them with “love letters” and notes of appreciation from notable fans.

Review:

This is a collection of the comics Jane’s World.

Jane is an ordinary girl. She goes through life experiencing every day things, that I think most people can relate to. I don’t think I’ve ever read a graphic novel where the main character steps in gum, but Jane does.

I loved the way the comics broke the fourth wall, and talked about creating the comics. The artists made an appearance in some of the stories. I love this technique because it brings the reader right into the story, by commenting on how it is created.

Another thing I loved about these stories was that being gay was the norm. The majority of the characters were gay. It was a world where being gay was the norm rather than being straight. This was a refreshingly modern take on a romantic story, where the female lead could date any of the women who walked into her life because they were also gay.

I really enjoyed this collection!

What to read next:

  • Jane’s World Collection Volume 1 by Paige Braddock
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  • Jane’s World: The Case of the Mail Order Bride by Paige Braddock
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Have you read Love Letters to Jane’s World? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Books I’m Thankful For

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Books I’m Thankful For. These are the books that inspired my love of reading, from when I was a kid until now. Here’s my list:

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

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2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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3. Shadowland (The Mediator #1) by Meg Cabot

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4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

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5. A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab

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6. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson #1) by Louise Rennison

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7. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

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8. The Mystery at Lilac Inn (Nancy Drew #4) by Carolyn Keene

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9. Into the Blue (Dolphin Diaries #1) by Ben M. Baglio

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10. The Face on the Milk Carton (Janie Johnson #1) by Caroline B. Cooney

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(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Review: The Thief and the Sword (Cleopatra in Space #2)

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Title: The Thief and the Sword (Cleopatra in Space #2)
Author: Mike Maihack
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Source: Library
Format: ebook
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Cleopatra’s space adventure in the REALLY far future continues!

When a mysterious thief steals the ancient sword Cleo recovered in Cleopatra In Space, Book One: Target Practice, Cleo is determined to get it back, but her teachers at Yasiro Academy forbid her from risking her life. Stuck at school, Cleo is having a hard time adjusting to her newfound popularity and responsibility. And when she learns more about the prophecy that names her the savior of the galaxy and the time tablets that could decide her fate, she must go on a dangerous journey to find them before they can fall into the wrong hands.

Review:

There were loads of Egyptian references in this second book in the Cleopatra in Space series. I loved it when I recognized something from ancient Egypt. The way that the ancient figures appear in this futuristic story were great! There was even a new character who was very important to the real Cleopatra.

There was also lots of action. It was a quick read because many of the pages were taken up by chase scenes which filled multiple frames at once. I wish there had been more dialogue because that would have added more to the story than just the images.

I can’t wait to read the next book. This one ended with the possibility of Cleopatra returning to her time, so I’m not sure what will happen next.

What to read next:

  • Secret of the Time Tablets (Cleopatra in Space #3) by Mike Maihack

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  • Secret Coders (Secret Coders #1) by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes

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Have you read The Thief and the Sword? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – November 19

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

I recently finished Jughead, Vol. 2 by Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Derek Charm.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski.

What I’m reading next:

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Next I will be reading Shadow of the Fox by by Julie Kagawa.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – November 18

Here’s my weekly wrap up!

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 7 weekly blogging memes:

I’m also hosting a giveaway to celebrate my 1000 followers! You can enter here.

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Gimme a Call

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m flying to London! I’m going to my graduation in Gloucestershire this week. I’m reading Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A new life is just a phone call away!

Devi’s life isn’t turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn’t join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.

Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!

Once Devi gets over the shock—and convinces her younger self that she isn’t some wacko—she realizes that she’s been given an awesome gift. She can tell herself all the right things to do . . . because she’s already done all the wrong ones! Who better to take advice from than your future self?

Except . . .what if getting what you think you want changes everything?

Fans of Sarah Mlynowski’s Magic in Manhattan series will love this hilarious novel with a high-concept premise .

What book are you in bed with today?

Review: Jughead, Vol. 2

Title: Jughead, Vol. 2
Author: Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Derek Charm
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Source: Library
Format: ebook
Release Date: March 14, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

JUGHEAD VOL. 2 is the second collection of the historic JUGHEAD series relaunch, featuring the talents of comics superstars Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North and Derek Charm. This series is true to the spirit and characters that all Jughead and Archie fans know and love while reinvigorating its essence and humor through the talents of some of the most popular creators in the comic book industry. In the grand tradition of comic book reboots like ARCHIE VOL. 1, Archie Comics proudly presents… JUGHEAD VOL. 2–from the super team of Chip Zdarsky (HOWARD THE DUCK), Ryan North (THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL) and Derek Charm (REGULAR SHOW)! New story! New arc! New creative team! Let’s not compare them too harshly with the old creative team though–they were awesome. This new team is pretty good too though, lots of talent and they really do try their best.

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Review:

This is an awesome Jughead collection!

These comics were much funnier than the first volume. It starts out with Jughead and Archie getting lost in the woods. They come across Mr. Weatherbee, who helps them escape. It was different for Mr. Weatherbee to interact with them outside of school. His wife even made an appearance!

In the last half of the volume, Jughead goes on a date with a girl who works as a hamburger mascot for Pop Tate. The girl ends up being Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Jughead doesn’t make the best date, so she has to try to get revenge.

I loved this book! I highly recommend it to fans of Archie Comics!

What to read next:

Jughead, Vol. 3 by Ryan North, Ian Flynn, Mark Waid, Derek Charm

Have you read Jughead, Vol. 3? What did you think of it?

Stacking the Shelves – November 17

This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

I was approved for two books on NetGalley:

  • Sliding Home by Joyce Grant
  • You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn

Thank you James Lorimer & Company and St. Martin’s Press for copies of these books! 

What books did you get this week?

Review: Father Christmas and Me (Christmas #3)

Title: Father Christmas and Me (Christmas #3)
Author: Matt Haig
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Canongate Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: ebook
Release Date: October 16, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

It isn’t always easy, growing up as a human in Elfhelm, even if your adoptive parents are the newly married Father Christmas and Mary Christmas.

For one thing, Elf School can be annoying when you have to sing Christmas songs everyday – even in July – and when you fail all your toy-making tests. Also it can get very, very cold.

But when the jealous Easter Bunny and his rabbit army launch an attack to stop Christmas, it’s up to Amelia, her new family and the elves to keep Christmas alive. Before it’s too late . . .

Review:

This is another amazing Christmas story from Matt Haig! There were funny parts and sad parts. I don’t normally like reading sad stories, especially sad Christmas stories. Many of them seem to pull on your heartstrings. The sad parts of this story were resolved, so I wasn’t left feeling down. I liked the addition of the Easter Bunny in this story. He isn’t the loving bunny that he usually is in stories. Instead he was more of an evil dictator. That was an amusing twist on the holiday story. I also love the Truth Pixie who appeared in this story. She’s so funny because she can only tell the truth and she must answer all questions. I really enjoyed this book! This is a great series for the holidays!

What to read next:

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig

Have you read Father Christmas and Me? What did you think of it?