This post is long overdue, but… For the time being I will be taking a hiatus from Bookish Notions. I wish you all a safe and happy summer. And, as always, happy reading! ~Danielle
Review: A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland
From Putnam: Ever since Esther Solar’s grandfather was cursed by Death, everyone in her family has been doomed to suffer one great fear in their lifetime. Esther’s father is agoraphobic and hasn’t left the basement in six years, her twin brother can’t be in the dark without a light on, and her mother is terrified … Continue reading
Review: Things I’m Seeing Without You by Peter Bognanni
From Dial Books: Seventeen-year-old Tess Fowler has just dropped out of high school. She can barely function after learning of Jonah’s death. Jonah, the boy she’d traded banter with over texts and heartfelt e-mails. Jonah, the first boy she’d told she loved and the first boy to say it back. Jonah, the boy whose suicide … Continue reading
Review: Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green
From Pajama Press: Sixth grade is coming to an end, and so is life as Macy McMillan knows it. Already a “For Sale” sign mars the front lawn of her beloved house. Soon her mother will upend their perfect little family, adding a stepfather and six-year-old twin stepsisters. To add insult to injury, what is … Continue reading
Review: Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol
From Roaring Brook Press: One day, a grandmother shouts, “LEAVE ME ALONE!” and leaves her tiny home and her very big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting. Along the way, she encounters ravenous bears, obnoxious goats, and even hordes of aliens! But nothing stops … Continue reading
Review: Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane
From Penguin Teen: For the first time ever, a young novel about the teen years of L.M. Montgomery, the author who brought us ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Fourteen-year-old Lucy Maud Montgomery — Maud to her friends — has a dream: to go to college and become a writer, just like her idol, Louisa May Alcott. … Continue reading
Review: Jungle Jitters by Lisa Dalrymple
From Orca Currents: Even though he’s secretly terrified of deep water, and all the scary things that swim below, Tate wants to shake his boring reputation, and he agrees to travel with his class up the Amazon River to help build a village school. He has his fingers and toes crossed that he won’t see … Continue reading
Popcorn and a Book (41): Before I Fall
The Book: 2010 Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Harper) The Film: 2017 Before I Fall directed by Ry Russo-Young (Awesomeness Films) Sam Kingston is at the top of the high school food chain. Her life is perfect. Until the car she’s in crashes. Sam wakes up caught in a loop of living the same … Continue reading
Review: The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie
From Second Story Press: She hadn’t told anyone. Not a single soul. Not one word about that night and what had been done to her had ever passed Maddy Malone’s lips. She’d thought about it at first—had been desperate, even frantic, to tell. But then had come the shame, and the intimidation from the boys … Continue reading
Best Books 2016
It’s that time of year again when I take a look back at my favourite reads from the past year. This year there were some clear forerunners that I want to pay tribute to. Aaand here they are: Best Picture Book: If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle, illustrated by Cale Atkinson The perfect … Continue reading
Bookish Notions 