Review: Sophie: Jurassic Bark

Title: Sophie: Jurassic Park
Author: Brian Anderson
Genre: Graphic Novel, Children’s
Publisher: Marble Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

From the creator the much-loved webcomic, “Dog Eat Doug,” Sophie is a hilarious new graphic novel series, a sendup of family life from the perspective of one snarky dog who wants nothing more than to have everything—without ever having to share.

Life is good when you’re a dog and you have humans all to yourself. But what about when a new baby enters the picture . . . along with a couple of cats intent on taking over the world?

Full of mini adventures, pop culture spoofs, sharp jokes, adorable illustrations, and a sneaky dose of heart, Jurassic Bark and Frankenstein’s Hound are the perfect introduction to these characters and their world. Just right for the pet-obsessed among us no matter the age, while simultaneously appealing to the kids who love to giggle at Big Nate, Dog Man, Garfield, and Snoopy.

Review:

Sophie: Jurassic Bark is such a cute kid’s graphic novel! Sophie, the chocolate Labrador, takes the baby Doug on adventures in her imagination. It reminded me of the Wishbone TV show from when I was a kid. I laughed out loud a few times while reading this one. I think kids and their parents will love this book!

Sophie: Jurassic Park is a great kid’s graphic novel!

Thank you Marble Press for providing a digital copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

  • Sophie: Frankenstein’s Hound

Have you read Sophie: Jurassic Bark? What did you think of it?

Review: Catwalk Style & Doggy Style

Title: Catwalk Style & Doggy Style
Author: Kitty Purrswell, Doggy McDogface
Genre: Humour
Publisher: Tales by Paws
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Catwalk Style:Goodreads Synopsis:

Purr-fect greetings, fellow feline aficionados and style enthusiasts!

It’s me, Kitty Purrswell, your fabulous Editor-in-Chief at Catwalk Kitty Cat Couture ! If you’ve ever dreamt of a world where high fashion collides with the irresistible charm of our feline friends, you’re in for the treat of a lifetime. Catwalk Style is no ordinary book—it’s a full-blown feline fashion book created entirely by cats, for cats (and for the humans who are lucky enough to adore us). Each page drips with luxury, wit, and plenty of tail-swishing attitude, featuring the world’s most stylish kitties from every corner of the globe.

Inside these opulent pages, you’ll meet iconic fashionistas like Chaiya, the Siamese siren in pink; Bond, the British Shorthair who’s as suave as he is debonair; and Max, the tabby with a taste for haute couture in every shade under the sun. This magazine-style book is designed for cat lovers with a sense of humor and an eye for fashion, bringing to life the personalities, quirks, and unmatched style of our furry muses. Whether you’re a die-hard fashionista or simply a fan of feline antics, Catwalk Style is a page-turner guaranteed to keep you entertained.

Catwalk Style isn’t just a book—it’s a conversation piece, a delightful addition to any coffee table or bookshelf, and the ultimate must-have for cat lovers. Flip through it for a giggle, show it off to friends, or let it inspire your own sense of style; one thing’s for sure, this book promises endless entertainment. So get ready to step into the world of high-fashion with a purr and a pose—because with Catwalk Kitty Cat Couture , every day is a runway. Grab your copy now, and let the fabulous feline fun begin!

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Doggie Style: Goodreads Synopsis:

Bow-wow, fellow dog lovers and fashionistas!

It’s me, Doggy McDogface, your Editor-in-Chief here at Doggy The Book of Classic Canine Couture! If you’ve ever wondered what happens when high fashion and dog humor collide, you’ve found the answer in this pawsome book. Doggy Style is no ordinary book—oh no! It’s a full-blown canine couture magazine written entirely by dogs, for dogs (and the humans lucky enough to share their lives with us). Every page is dripping with style, charm, and plenty of tail-wagging fun, featuring the world’s most stylish pups from all corners of the globe.

Inside, you’ll meet fashion icons like Dora the Dachshund, Felix the French Bulldog, and Gabriel the German Shepherd, all strutting their stuff on the runway in the most fabulous doggy designs. Perfect for dog lovers with a sense of humor, this magazine-style book showcases the personality and flair of our furry friends, all while giving you an inside look at the glamorous world of canine fashion. It’s a laugh-out-loud read, designed to keep you entertained whether you’re a serious fashionista or just a pup who likes a good chuckle.

Doggy Style isn’t just a book—it’s a statement piece for your coffee table or bookshelf. Trust me, this will be the centerpiece of many conversations with your guests. Whether you’re flipping through it for a giggle or showing it off to your friends, this is one book that promises endless entertainment. So, get ready to dive into the world of fashion with a bark, and remember—this book is guaranteed to bring out the fashionable pup in all of us. Grab your copy now, and let the tail-wagging begin!

Review:

These two books are beautiful coffee table books, which are written in the style of a fashion magazine. They each feature different breeds of dogs and cats, with short articles accompanying beautiful images of pets dressed up in high fashion. They both have glossy covers, like magazines. I was so thrilled to receive these two books in the mail! They would make perfect gifts for dog or cat lovers!

Doggy Style and Catwalk Style are beautiful books about dogs and cats!

Thank you Brian Witlin, Tales by Paws, and Bookinfluencers.com for providing copies of these books for a paid campaign!

Have you read Catwalk Style and Doggy Style? What did you think of it?

Review: Priceless Facts About Money

Title: Priceless Facts About Money
Author: Mellody Hobson
Genre: Children’s, Nonfiction
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Debut author Mellody Hobson, barrier-breaking pioneer in the world of finance, demystifies money for kids with a look at some wild and weird facts about what makes the world go round.

What is the meaning of all those symbols on US bills (and why are they so hard to counterfeit)? What’s with people calling money “bacon” or “cheddar” or “smackeroonies”? With savvy and wit, financial expert Mellody Hobson sheds a friendly light on a daunting subject, from the meteorites that created the first mineral deposits to the ancient Maya who used chocolate as currency to the beginnings of the banking system itself. Readers learn about bartering, profit and loss, the origins of credit, ATMs, and even fun facts about money around the world. In her first children’s book, Mellody Hobson brings excitement to the realm of financial literacy and gives kids the tools they need to navigate money now and in the future. Featuring energetic artwork by debut illustrator Caitlin Stevens, amusing skits starring a cat and bunny who converse in money idioms, and inserts depicting the author and her business partner as kids just learning how money works, Priceless Facts about Money is an inviting, entertaining, and richly educational resource for every child.

Review:

This is a fabulous book about the history of and fun facts about money! Money has been used around the world for thousands of years, made of different materials and in different currencies. There are interesting details on our modern bills to prevent counterfeit money being created. This is a great book for kids and adults!

Priceless Facts about Money is a fun and fascinating book!

Thank you Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Priceless Facts About Money? What did you think of it?

Review: Chilling with Ghosts

Title: Chilling with Ghosts
Author: Insha Fitzpatrick, Lilla Bölecz
Genre: Children’s, Nonfiction
Publisher: Quirk Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Discover everything about ghosts in this fun handbook packed with spooky tales, engrossing science, and fascinating history–perfect for middle grade readers and mythology fans!

Boo! Do you believe in ghosts? What’s up with haunted houses? And how exactly do you bust a ghost? Uncover the spooky and spectacular world of ghosts in Chilling with Ghosts, a field guide for the curious and the adventurous. Step into the unknown—if you dare!—and discover:

Scary ghost stories of all kinds! Learn how to tell your very own ghost story.
Terrifying tales from history and weird science! Find out what ghost fungus is and meet a couple of Shakespearean ghosts.
A globe-trotting tour of haunted spots! Travel all around the world, from the Catacombs of Paris to the Stanley Hotel.

Chilling with Ghosts is the second book in the Totally Factual Field Guide to the Supernatural series, a hilarious and haunting exploration of how myths and legends shape our lives. Get to know ghost lore with enchanting illustrations and hands-on activities, like brewing homemade ectoslime. It’s a spooky world out there—grab your guide, and let’s go!

Review:

This was such a fun book about ghosts! There were sections on how to interact with ghosts, the history of ghosts, and stories about ghosts. There were some fun activities at the end of the chapters too, such as how to make ectoslime, a recipe for a graveyard parfait, and a library scavenger hunt. This book is perfect for kids who are interested in ghosts!

Chilling with Ghosts is a fun book about ghosts!

Thank you Quirk Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Chilling with Ghosts? What did you think of it?

Review: I Shall Never Fall in Love

Title: I Shall Never Fall in Love
Author: Hari Conner
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ
Publisher: HarperAlley
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 8, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

George has major problems: They’ve just inherited the failing family estate, and the feelings for their best friend, Eleanor, have become more complicated than ever. Not to mention, if anyone found out they were secretly dressing in men’s clothes, George is sure it would be ruination for the family name.

Eleanor has always wanted to do everything “right,” including falling in love—but she’s never met a boy she was interested in. She’d much rather spend time with her best friend, George, and beloved cousin Charlotte. However, when a new suitor comes to town, she finds her closest friendships threatened, forcing her to rethink what “right” means and confront feelings she never knew she had.

Inspired by Jane Austen and queer history, I Shall Never Fall in Love shines a light on what it means to be true to yourself and rewrites the rules for what makes a happily ever after.

Review:

This was such a cute historical romance graphic novel! It was like a modern version of a Jane Austen novel. The characters had to deal with the same sexism that Austen’s characters had to deal with, such as women being expected to marry and owning or managing a property not being socially acceptable. They also faced racism and explored sexual identities. I liked that there were some facts at the end of the story about people of diverse gender identities and people of colour during that time period in England. 

I Shall Never Fall in Love is a great historical romance graphic novel!

Have you read I Shall Never Fall in Love? What did you think of it?

Review: The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)

Title: The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex #3)
Author: Erin Sterling
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publisher: Avon
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Bowen Penhallow has always been a loner, studying dark and ancient magic on a mountaintop in Wales. He prefers it that way, but when his friend Declan—who happens to be a ghost—asks him to attend a Yuletide wedding at a grand estate deep in the Welsh countryside, Bowen reluctantly agrees. 

Tamsyn Bligh is not a witch, but she makes her living off of them. As a procurer and seller of magical items, Tamsyn’s business is not always above board, but she’s been trying to fix that (mostly.) Bowen is an occasional customer—as well as the star of several of Tamsyn’s dirtiest dreams—but she’s been around enough witches to know that, as a human, getting involved with one is not the smartest idea. She’s finagled an invite to the Witchy Wedding of the Century in the hopes of finally making a score big enough to retire. Just one priceless magical artifact from Tywyll House would set her up for life. 

But Tamsyn isn’t the only one sneaking about in Tywyll House, and the mix of a very strong spell combined with a wedding mishap transports Bowen and Tamsyn into Tywyll House’s past, to the Yuletide Celebration of 1957. As Bowen and Tamsyn work together to get back to the present, they must also face off with the origins of Tywyll House’s haunting, the suspicions of their fellow witches…oh, and the fact that somewhere between the mistletoe and the bonfire, they might be falling in love.

Review:

This was such a fun holiday romance! I liked that it was quite different from the first two books. This one followed the third Penhallow brother, but it was set mostly in Wales instead of Graves Glen. The first two books were set in Graves Glen and had a similar type of plot, so it made sense for this book to take a different path. It also involved time travel which is one of my favourite things to read about! 

The Wedding Witch is a fun holiday magical romance!

Other books in the series:

Have you read The Wedding Witch? What did you think of it?

Review: The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin

Title: The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin
Author: Brian Baumgartner, Ben Silverman, Maël Gourmelen
Genre: Picture Book, Humor
Publisher: Mariner Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 5, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A new Christmas classic for all ages and the ultimate holiday gift for every fan of The Office: Spend “The Night Before Christmas” at Dunder Mifflin in this hilarious and timeless illustrated retelling of the beloved poem, featuring a visit from Michael Scott as Santa and narrated by Kevin Malone (author Brian Baumgartner).

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Dunder Mifflin… 

It’s Christmas Eve at Scranton’s finest paper company, and Michael Scott is nowhere to be found. As the office dozes off after their raucous holiday party, two mysterious visitors sneak a Santa peddling holiday cheer and that’s what she said jokes, and his beet-loving, dutiful, right-hand elf. Armed with absurd gifts for the staff, tacky decorations for the office, and absolutely nothing good for Toby, the two prepare to give Dunder Mifflin a holiday they’ll never forget.

A hilarious twist on a Christmas classic, The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin is a rollicking, festive, and heartwarming jaunt through everyone’s favorite office, the perfect holiday treat for any fan of the show. 

Review:

This was such a cute Office version of the classic Christmas story. All of the characters from the TV show received the perfect Christmas gifts for them, such as a paint set for Pam and a retirement countdown sign for Stanley. There were many inside jokes for fans of the show that made me laugh. 

Twas the Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin is a great gift for fans of The Office!

Thank you HarperCollins for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin? What did you think of it?

Review: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

Title: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
Author: Ally Carter
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Mystery
Publisher: Avon
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

Review:

Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are mystery writers who are both invited to an English mansion for Christmas. The mansion is owned by Eleanor Ashley, the famous author of 99 mystery novels. On their first night at her home, Eleanor disappears without a trace. Though some of Eleanor’s family is there too, only Maggie and Ethan take on the task of searching for clues and finding Eleanor, while also avoiding assassination attempts on their lives.

This was a fun holiday mystery. Eleanor left some clues about her disappearance, but they were closely related to her novels. Since Maggie was a huge fan of hers, she was able to figure them out. The mystery was fun to follow, and I had a hard time figuring out who was responsible.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a great Christmas mystery!

Thank you Frenzy Books for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: poisoning, fire, gun violence

Have you read The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year? What did you think of it?

Review: Dasher Gift Set

Title: Dasher Gift Set
Author: Matt Tavares
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Celebrate five years of Matt Tavares’s holiday classic with a beautifully designed gift set featuring four press-out keepsakes.

Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart and whose life is forever changed when she meets a man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh. New York Timesbest-selling author-illustrator Matt Tavares channels the spirit of the season—and leaves us with a heroine to root for—in a pair of picture book odes to giving, kindness, and holiday magic. Included are two specially designed paper ornaments, two standees as well as two hardcover classics:

Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever
Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas

Review:

This gift set had two hardcover picture books about the reindeer Dasher. In Dasher, she lives with her family in a traveling circus. Her mom has always told her stories about living at the North Pole, so when Dasher gets a chance, she runs away. Dasher meets Santa who is struggling to pull his sleigh with his horse, so Dasher helps him. 

In Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas, Dasher now lives with her family at the North Pole. She loves Christmas Eve, and one year she can’t wait for it to arrive, so she runs away the night before Christmas Eve to see the Christmas lights and hear carols. However, she gets lost and needs the help of a child to get home.

These are two beautiful Christmas picture books. I love that they are new origin stories about Santa’s reindeer, but they fit with the traditional story of Santa and his reindeer. This gift set also comes with some ornaments and decorations on a card that can be used for the holidays. 

Dasher and Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas are beautiful books for the holidays!

Thank you @penguinrandomca and @tundrabooks for providing a copy of this book. This book was gifted to me from Penguin Random House Canada as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!

Have you read Dasher or Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas? What did you think of it?