Review: Fairest of All (Whatever After #1)

Title: Fairest of All (Whatever After #1)
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The first installment of Sarah Mylowski’s New York Timesbestselling series!

Be the bravest of them all . . . 

Once upon a time my brother and I were normal kids. The next minute? The mirror in our basement slurped us up and magically transported us inside Snow White’s fairy tale. 

I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true.

But hey — we’re heroes! We stopped Snow White from eating the poisoned apple. Hooray! Or not. If Snow White doesn’t die, she won’t get to meet her prince. And then she won’t get her happy ending. Oops. 

Now it’s up to us to:
– Avoid getting poisoned
– Sneak into a castle
– Fix Snow White’s story

But Snow White’s REAL happy ending might not be quite what we expected . . . 

Review:

I was so excited to read this series. I’ve always loved retellings of fairytales. The girl who I babysit has recommended the Whatever After series for years, and when I found out what it was about, I was dying to read it. In the series, Abby and Jonah enter fairytales through a magical mirror in their house, but something always goes wrong in the story. They have to find a way to fix the fairytale so the main character still gets a happy ending. 

This story is based on Snow White. When Abby and Jonah arrive in the fairytale land, they prevent Snow from eating the poisoned apple from the wicked witch. This means that she does not die and Prince Charming cannot save her with a kiss. The kids have to find a way to fix the story in a unique way. 

This is a great series! I love the way Sarah Mlynowski writes. Everything moves at a fast pace. Even though the series is written for a middle grade audience, I really enjoyed the story! I’m excited to read the rest of the series!

What to read next:

If the Shoe Fits (Whatever After #2) by Sarah Mlynowski

Upside-Down Magic (Upside-Down Magic #1) by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Miracle, and Emily Jenkins

Have you read Fairest of All? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Christmas Books

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 Cozy Winter Reads, so I am posting a list of the best Christmas books. I have read some and some are on my TBR for this month! Here’s my list:

1. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

2. Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz

3. The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

4. Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell

5. Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey

6. The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. James

7. One Day in December by Josie Silver

8. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

9. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle

10. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins (editor)

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

Review: Sunny Side Up

Title: Sunny Side Up
Author: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Graphix
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Sunny Lewin has been packed off to Florida to live with her grandfather for the summer. At first she thought Florida might be fun — it is the home of Disney World, after all. But the place where Gramps lives is no amusement park. It’s full of . . . old people. Really old people.

Luckily, Sunny isn’t the only kid around. She meets Buzz, a boy who is completely obsessed with comic books, and soon they’re having adventures of their own: facing off against golfball-eating alligators, runaway cats, and mysteriously disappearing neighbors. But the question remains — why is Sunny down in Florida in the first place? The answer lies in a family secret that won’t be secret to Sunny much longer. . . 

Review:

This graphic novel deals with important issues that children’s books don’t usually address. 

Sunny was sent to stay with her grandfather for the summer while her family faced some problems at home. The story flashes between Sunny’s time with her grandfather and her past at home. During the chapters at her home, her older brother becomes friends with some bad people. He starts drinking and using drugs, which escalates out of control. 

There were some funny parts in the story too. Sunny stayed with her grandfather at his retirement residence in Florida, so she had to get used to living there. She had to carry a visitor’s pass at all times because of the strict rules at the residence, and they went out for the early bird dinners at restaurants. 

I really liked the way the story flashed between the two time periods. At first, I found it a little confusing, but at the end it all made sense. The ending revealed the reason that Sunny was sent to her grandfather for the summer. 

This is a great story for children who may have to face these serious issues.

What to read next:

Swing it, Sunny by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Have you read Sunny Side Up? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – December 3

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:

This weekend I finished Fairest of All (Whatever After #1) by Sarah Mlynowski.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading What Would the Spice Girls Do? by Julie Lauren Bravo.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Archenemies (Renegades #2) by Marissa Meyer.

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

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – December 2

Here’s my weekly wrap up!

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 7 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Who She Was

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 reading Who She Was by Stormy Smith.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Trevor Adler loathes the music he used to love, but it’s the key to his full-ride scholarship and the ticket away from his dysfunctional parents. To kick off their freshman year, Trevor’s roommate drags him to a frat party, where he ends up face-to-face with his childhood best friend and finds himself entrenched in memories he’d rather forget.

Unable to let Charlie go again without understanding the truth of why she disappeared from his life and chose to become the type of person they always hated, Trevor is relentless in his pursuit of the girl he once knew.

Charlotte (Charlie) Logan is broken. Under her perfectly-crafted exterior are the shards of a shattered heart. A handful of angry words changed her life completely and Charlie’s never been able to forgive herself for the truth she’s hidden from everyone.

While Trevor pushes Charlie to remember the music that lit her soul and the laughter they shared, they find themselves reverting to a banter-filled rhythm that feels all too familiar, yet different now. When Trevor’s own secrets come to light, it becomes clear he and Charlie both must face their tragic pasts if they have any hope at a future together.

What book are you in bed with today?

Review: Kevin Keller: Welcome to Riverdale

Title: Kevin Keller: Welcome to Riverdale
Author: Dan Parent
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 20, 2012
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Kevin Keller is sure making a splash at Riverdale High! Recently elected class president, Kevin has gone from new kid in town to one of the most well-known and popular students in school. Struggling to stay on top of his new duties while trying to find time for a social life, Kevin is subject to all the pratfalls and mayhem that have been a staple of high school life in Riverdale for decades. From his first date to his first prom to his first summer job, it’s a year of new beginnings for Kevin. In typical Archie fashion, though, nothing goes off without a hitch–particularly when he decides to ask his romantically-challenged friends Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie and Jughead for advice! He even has to face the force of nature that is Cheryl Blossom, who can test the mettle of the toughest teens. But if anyone can make it through the chaos of high school unscathed, it’s Kevin Keller!

The most popular addition to the Riverdale crowd in years, Kevin Keller is Archie’s first gay character. Fan-favorite writer/artist Dan Parent (Betty and Veronica: Storybook) helms this heartfelt and humorous collection of the first four issues of the ongoing Kevin Keller comic book series (Kevin’s past appearances in Veronica and the Kevin Keller miniseries appear in the previously released Kevin Keller hardcover book).

Review:

I love the character Kevin Keller on the show Riverdale. He’s such a fun guy! So I decided to look up the Kevin Keller graphic novels, and I loved this one!

Kevin Keller is the first gay character in Riverdale. This is a huge milestone for the series! He has a very positive experience being gay in Riverdale, because Archie and his friends are supportive of him.

Though Kevin gets a lot of support from his friends and family, the stories also demonstrate some bullying. They meet some of Cheryl Blossom’s friends, who are not as supportive and call Kevin names. There is another person who leaves Kevin notes as his secret admirer, but he is not comfortable coming out as gay yet. Though these things are not the worst things that can happen, this story does touch upon hardships that other people face. 

I loved these comics! I can’t wait to read more about Kevin Keller!

What to read next:

Kevin Keller by Dan Parent

Kevin Keller: Drive Me Crazy by Dan Parent

Have you read Kevin Keller: Welcome to Riverdale? What did you think of it?

Stacking the Shelves – December 1

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 received one book in the mail from Simon and Schuster Canada:

We All Fall Down by Daniel Kalla

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me a book this week! 

I purchased one ebook from Amazon:

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

I bought two books at Waterstones while I was in London last week:

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley

What Would the Spice Girls do?: How the Girl Power Generation Grew Up by Lauren Bravo

What books did you get this week?

Review: Gimme a Call

Title: Gimme a Call
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Rating: ★★★★★

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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?

Review:

This was such an awesome book! I really didn’t know what to expect when I started reading it. I was smiling within the first couple of pages so I knew it would be good!

I loved the plot of the story. I’m sure most people have thought that they wish they could change a decision they made. In this story, Dev has the chance to change everything in her life by telling her past self to do different things at the start of high school, such as not date the boy who becomes her boyfriend. However, each thing that she changes ends up altering her current life, so she doesn’t know what’s happening. There were so many twists, and the changes between the chapters were unpredictable!

This book was a quick read! I flew through it. I highly recommend this great story!

What to read next:

Don’t Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Bras and Broomsticks (Magic in Manhattan #1) by Sarah Mlynowski

Have you read Gimme a Call? What did you think of it?

First Lines Friday – November 30

This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.

Here are my first lines:

“The day I came squealing and squalling into the world was the first time someone tried to kill me. I guess it should have been obvious to everyone right then that I wasn’t going to have a normal life.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

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And the book is… Dread Nation by Justina Ireland.

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Goodreads synopsis:

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.

Have you read Dread Nation? What did you think of it?