Bedtime Story: So You Want to Build a Library by Lindsay Leslie & Illustrated by Aviel Basil

 

Read for: Requested Review/Netgalley/Children's Books

Synopsis: "There is no better place in the world than a library. Especially a library that kids create! A million stories high? Sure. Bathtubs? Absolutely. A full-service sundae bar? Of course. Everything is possible in this library--just like in books!

Author Lindsay Leslie puts the reader in charge as the architect of a fantastical library in this imaginative picture book celebrating libraries and the joys of reading."

My Review:  It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to pick up a children's book but this one caught my eye immediately. I love the concept and idea, you never know what kids can come up with and it makes for a great conversation starter. It is full of fun and silly ideas of what could be put in a library and it will get those creative minds running. I loved the illustrations, they were bold and bright and will be great at capturing the attention of even the youngest readers. It is short and easy to read, perfect for those never ending bedtime story times. All in all a fun book to add to your collection.

My Rating: It is books like these that made me wish kids never grew up and we could share these stories forever. Even though Munchkin isn't into picture books anymore, I still love reading them. This is definitely one I would have added to our reading library, it is cute and silly and inspiring.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest opinion and review.

You can find out more about Lindsay and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

So You Want to Build a Library was just released on August 16th so you can obtain your own copy now from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library.

Good Night, Sweet Dreams!

August 2021 Wrap Up & September TBR

 I feel like I am back in full swing finally! It only took from February until now but I am getting my reviews up a little more regularly and I am getting a lot more reading done. I might not be quite hitting my goals but I am still super happy with my August reading.

We will start with my main challenge this year . . .

TBR Books Read:

While I didn't quite finish 5 books off my TBR I did read 4 and DNFed & unhauled one, so it equals out in the end.

 

 

 

And DNFed one other

2021 Books added to TBR & Read:

I didn't do quite as well this month with my reading of the new books on my shelves but still I read 3 of my recent additions this year and unhauled one other that just wasn't jumping out at me.

 

 

Other Recent Additions:

I was super bad this month about additions (an honestly it is only going to get worse). In addition to Korgi Book 5, I also added all of these to my shelves (granted I do have most of them planning to be read in the next month or so).

 

 

 

In other reading I am tracking this year, I read . . .

Re-Reads: - COMPETE-

Goal: Re-read 15 books

I just have to say, I totally blew this challenge out of the water this month and I have so many more re-reads I can't wait to get to this year.

10. The Black Stallion

11. The Thief

12. The Queen of Attolia

13. The King of Attolia

14. A Conspiracy of Kings

15. Thick as Thieves

16. Korgi Book 1: Sprouting Wings

17. Korgi Book 2: The Cosmic Collector

18. Korgi Book 3: A Hollow Beginning

19. Korgi Book 4: Problem with Potions

Borrowed Books:

Goal: Borrow 30 books

22. Remote Control

23. Herding Cats

24. Elatsoe

Books Over 500 Pages: - COMPLETE-

Goal: 10 books

Another challenge completed! Again, I have a few more chunky books to get to still this year!

10. The Sea King (598)

Requested Reviews: 

28. Twelve (direct)

29. Hush (Netgalley)

30. Six Crimson Cranes (Netgalley)

31. So You Want to Build a Library (Netgalley)

32. Heartbreak for Hire (Netgalley) 

 Reading Stats:

I read a total of 27 books this month

Resolutions Check in:

1. Read that TBR: A total of 5 books came off my TBR this month so Yay! A big win for me - CHECK

2. Re-Read More: After a couple of months without any re-reads I might have gone a bit crazy and re-read 10 books! - CHECK

3. Purchase Less & Read More: Not quite a win but I read more books total than I purchased so I am counting that as a win, and really working on that this next month as pre-orders start rolling in - CHECK

4. Keep Trying New Genres/Authors: I tried 7 new to me authors and gave 2 others a second shot,  I also tried some slightly different genres then my normal go tos - CHECK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September TBR

I am still really liking the goal of 4-5 books from my TBR, 4 books from my recent editions and as many review books as I can squeeze, it has a nice balance for me and keeps things interesting with all the different authors, ages and genres.

For TBR books: 

Let it All Burn

From Blood and Ash

A Shot at Love

A Few Good Angels

1602: Witch Hunter Angela

From the Library:

Double Booked for Death

Daughter of the Salt King

For Re-Reads:

Black Beauty

Recent Additions:

For the Wolf

The Four Winds

The Heart Principle

Blade of Secrets

ARCs:

Willodeen

Cuckoo's Flight

Local Star *Currently reading

Even and Odd

Frankie and Amelia

Stories for Christmas

An Eggnog to Die For

Dear Santa

I am so happy to finally be getting back to a normal schedule around here. I am working on a few new regular features that will link my Instagram account with my blog more and hopefully draw a bit more activity this way soon. Either way, I am so happy to be getting back to my normal reading groove even though I have had to switch to almost exclusively audio books to work with my schedule.

I hope you are all finding yourselves on great adventures in your books!

Mystery Monday: Dead Drop by PK Norton

 

Read for: Mystery/ Recently Added/ RI Author

Previous Books in Series:

Sweet Dreams, Sweet Death

Synopsis: "Does the past ever really leave us? Not in Amy Lynch's world.

What starts out to be a well-deserved vacation for Amy - volunteering at an archaeological dig on the outskirts of Paris - turns ugly when the head archaeologist is found dead at the dig-site. A recently uncovered relic from World War II threatens to expose treachery and betrayal from the time of the German Occupation. It endangers the life of anybody bold enough to delve into its significance.

New England Casualty and Indemnity, the insurance company where Amy works as a claims investigator, is insuring the dig. Amy's world turns upside-down as she reverts from vacation mode to conduct a full-blown investigation. She meets with obstacles, resistance and threats to her own safety - as well as an adorable Frech detective - in her quest to unmask a traitor."

My Review Before I really got into Cozy Mysteries I had read the first book in the Amy Lynch series and enjoyed it, so it was about time I got to this next one. I found this one super intriguing with flash backs to the the WWII era and events that lead up to this mystery. It did feel like Amy got kind of dragged around in this one as opposed to really leading much of an investigation but it was still interesting watching everything unfold and come to light. There were quite a few twists in the story and definitely a big one that I didn't see coming. I would have liked to be able to connect the dots on my own along with the characters but I did like the multiple view points giving hints. While this is bit darker than the other mysteries I have been picking up, I did really enjoy it and think I need to continuing following this series and author!

My Rating: I enjoyed the setting and concept of this one, it was a little darker than my usual but I really appreciated the way it was all connected.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.