Jill's Book Blog

Review: Tara Takes the Stage

Title: Tara Takes the Stage
Author: Tamsin Lane
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: May 8, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

There are many ways this story can go. YOU decide what happens next. And if you don’t like how it ends? Just start again! The Yes No Maybe So series is an interactive reading experience about friendships, family, and all the feelings.

Every day before and after school, Tara Singh helps her parents at their Indian sweet shop, but the only business Tara is interested in is show business. When a local theater announces a casting call for The Wizard of Oz, Tara is determined to wear the ruby slippers.

As she prepares for the audition, Tara is distracted by some unexpected drama: There is Rohan, the delivery boy her parents hired. Hiro, her forever crush, who wants to rehearse with her. And Desmond, a shy theater nerd who has started lighting up her heart. Can Tara win the part and get the guy?

You have the power to choose what happens…and the chance to choose differently next time!

Review:

This is a great story. It is similar to a “choose your own adventure” book, but it has less choices. The story takes two paths: either Tara will go to her audition or she will go to a wedding. So the endings are limited, and both positive.

I liked that Tara was conflicted between helping her family and following her dreams of acting. This is a very real conflict. However, I had one problem with the story. Tara auditions for the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. When she was auditioning and talking about the part, no one mentioned that Tara is Indian, so she doesn’t look like the character of Dorothy. It was great for Tara that she didn’t face this obstacle, but I don’t think it’s realistic. In real life, someone probably would have commented on Tara playing a role that is usually played by a white girl.

I really enjoyed this story. It’s a great middle grade book!

TBR Thursday – May 10

TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.

My pick this week is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract”.

Meg’s father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Review: Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

Title: Meghan: A Hollywood Princess
Author: Andrew Morton
Genre: Biography
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Source: Purchased
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From Andrew Morton, the New York Times bestselling author of Diana: Her True Story, comes a revealing, juicy, and inspiring biography of Meghan Markle, the American actress who won Prince Harry’s heart.

When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were set up by a mutual friend on a blind date in July 2016, little did they know that the resulting whirlwind romance would lead to their engagement in November 2017 and marriage in May 2018.

Since then, our fascination with the woman who has smashed the royal mold has rocketed. So different from those coy brides of recent history, Meghan is confident, charismatic, and poised; her warm and affectionate engagement interview won the hearts of the world.

In this first-ever biography of the duchess-to-be, acclaimed royal biographer Andrew Morton goes back to Meghan’s roots to uncover the story of her childhood growing up in The Valley in Los Angeles, her studies at an all-girls Catholic school, and her fraught family life-a painful experience mirrored by Harry’s own background. Morton also delves into her previous marriage and divorce in 2013, her struggles in Hollywood as her mixed heritage was time and again used against her, her big break in the hit TV show Suits, and her work for a humanitarian ambassador-the latter so reminiscent of Princess Diana’s passions. Finally, we see how the royal romance played out across two continents but was kept fiercely secret, before the news finally broke and Meghan was thrust into the global media’s spotlight like never before.

Drawing on exclusive interviews with her family members and closest friends, and including never-before-seen photographs, Morton introduces us to the real Meghan as he reflects on the impact that she has already had on the rigid traditions of the House of Windsor, as well as what the future might hold.

Review:

This is a fabulous biography of the newest member of the Royal family.

Meghan Markle has had a fascinating life. I think her new royal position will be perfect for her. It sounded like she was always torn between being an actress and having a job in a humanitarian position. Now, she has had a successful acting career and can move on to this new role.

I liked reading about her family life as well. Though it has been somewhat dysfunctional, she has a stable life now. There were also a bunch of photos in the book, in two separate groups. The first group had photos of her recent life, from her time on Suits to her engagement with Prince Harry. The second group of photos were from her family and childhood. I believe these photo groups should have been in reverse positions, because the beginning of the book about her childhood was followed by more recent photos, while the chapters on her current life were followed by family photos of young Meghan.

I loved this biography. Andrew Morton is a great biographer, so I will definitely pick up more of his books! This book is a must-read for fans of the Royal family and Meghan Markle.

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – May 9

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 Save the Date by Morgan Matson.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Lumberjanes: The Moon Is Up (Lumberjanes #2)

Title: Lumberjanes: The Moon Is Up (Lumberjanes #2)
Author: Mariko Tamaki, Brooklyn Allen
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: May 8, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. The five scouts of Roanoke cabin—Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley—love their summers at camp. They get to hang out with their best friends, earn Lumberjane scout badges, annoy their no-nonsense counsellor Jen . . . and go on supernatural adventures. That last one? A pretty normal occurrence at Miss Qiunzella’s, where the woods contain endless mysteries.

As the camp gears up for the big Galaxy Wars competition, Jo and the gang get some help from an unexpected visitor—a Moon Pirate!

Review:

I love the Lumberjanes! I enjoy these books much more than the graphic novels because they take longer to read.

This story is a great follow up to the first novel. But it is hard to follow the stinky unicorns from the first story. This one had a bit too many references to space for me, though it was pretty entertaining. The tasks that the Lumberjanes had to do were all space related, and it ended with a Moon Pirate mouse visiting the planet! You never know what you’re going to get at the camp!

I wish there were more illustrations. I love the pictures of the girls, which really tie the novel into the graphic novels. Also, I keep getting some of the girls mixed up in my head, like April and Molly, so seeing their pictures often would have helped me keep track of the girls.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s must read for fans of the Lumberjanes!

Top Ten Tuesday – Books With My Favourite Colour On The Cover

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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 With My Favourite Colour On The Cover. Here’s my list:

1. A Night in with Marilyn Monroe

2. The Princess Diaries

3. Queens of Geek

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4. Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime

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5. Reign of the Fallen

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6. The Sun is Also a Star

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7. Textrovert

8. Fitness Junkie

9. Saints and Misfits

10. Fairy Mom and Me

(all images taken from Goodreads)

Blog Tour: Tradition

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Title: Tradition
Author: Brendan Kiely
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Prestigious. Powerful. Privileged. This is Fullbrook Academy, an elite prep school where history looms in the leafy branches over its brick walkways. But some traditions upheld in its hallowed halls are profoundly dangerous.

Jules Devereux just wants to keep her head down, avoid distractions, and get into the right college, so she can leave Fullbrook and its old-boy social codes behind. She wants freedom, but ex-boyfriends and ex-best friends are determined to keep her in place.

Jamie Baxter feels like an imposter at Fullbrook, but the hockey scholarship that got him in has given him a chance to escape his past and fulfill the dreams of his parents and coaches, whose mantra rings in his ears: Don’t disappoint us.

When Jamie and Jules meet, they recognize in each other a similar instinct for survival, but at a school where girls in the student handbook are rated by their looks, athletes stack hockey pucks in dorm room windows like notches on a bedpost, and school-sponsored dances push first year girls out into the night with senior boys, the stakes for safe sex, real love, and true friendship couldn’t be higher.

As Jules and Jamie’s lives intertwine, and the pressures to play by the rules and remain silent about the school’s secrets intensify, they see Fullbrook for what it really is. That tradition, a word Fullbrook hides behind, can be ugly, even violent. Ultimately, Jules and Jamie are faced with the difficult question: can they stand together against classmates—and an institution—who believe they can do no wrong?

Review:

This story started a little slow but picked up in the middle. The one good thing about the slow beginning was that it really introduced the characters. By the time the main incident happened, I felt like I really knew who they were.

I really liked that there was a hook at the beginning, which took place right after the main party, so it encouraged me to keep reading. It just took a while to get to that point. Once the incident in Part 2 happened, the story flew by.

The characters were great and they had quite unique backgrounds. Jules was an outcast at school because she promotes women’s health. However, the year before she was dating one of the most popular guys in school. Jamie on the other hand is new to the school. He got a full scholarship to the school after he had to leave his public school.

The traditions of the school were disrupted by real life. The winning hockey team was disrupted by a violent player, and Jules’ life was disrupted by the assault at the party. Both Jules and Jamie had to fit in with the traditions of this private school, but still maintain their modern lives.

This is a great young adult novel.

About the Author:

Brendan Kiely is The New York Times bestselling author of All American Boys (with Jason Reynolds), The Last True Love Story, and The Gospel of Winter. His work has been published in ten languages, received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award, the Walter Dean Myers Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, and was selected as one of the American Library Association’s Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults. Originally from the Boston area, he now lives with his wife in Greenwich Village.

Tour Schedule:

May 1st

Pink Polka Dot Books– Welcome Post

May 2nd

Book Freak-Out– Review & Favorite Quotes
The Book Dutchesses– Review

Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club for letting me participate in this blog tour.

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – May 7

It's Monday! What Are You Reading

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:

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This weekend I finished Tradition by Brendan Kiely.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Tara Takes the Stage by Tamsin Lane.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Still Mine by Amy Stuart.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – May 6

Here’s my weekly wrap up!

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

The Home for Unwanted Girls ★★★★★
Song of Blood and Stone ★★★★
Leading Lines ★★★★★
The Lost Path ★★★★
Stay Sweet ★★★★
She-Hulk, Volume 1: Deconstructed ★★★★★

I did 5 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sunday in Bed With… Lumberjanes: The Moon Is Up

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 at the FOLD festival, but tonight I will be in bed with Lumberjanes: The Moon Is Up.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. The five scouts of Roanoke cabin—Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley—love their summers at camp. They get to hang out with their best friends, earn Lumberjane scout badges, annoy their no-nonsense counsellor Jen . . . and go on supernatural adventures. That last one? A pretty normal occurrence at Miss Qiunzella’s, where the woods contain endless mysteries.

As the camp gears up for the big Galaxy Wars competition, Jo and the gang get some help from an unexpected visitor—a Moon Pirate!

What book are you in bed with today?

1. A Night in with Marilyn Monroe

2. The Princess Diaries

3. Queens of Geek

4. Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime

5. Reign of the Fallen

6. The Sun is Also a Star

7. Textrovert

8. Fitness Junkie

9. Saints and Misfits

10. Fairy Mom and Me

May 1st

May 2nd

May 3rd

May 4th

May 5th

May 6th

May 7th