Bedtime Story: Thank you, Omu by Oge Mora

Read for: RI Authors/ Children's Book

Synopsis: "A generous woman is rewarded by her community in this remarkable author-illustrator debut that's perfect for the Thanksgiving season, perfect for fans of Last Stop on Market Street.

Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?

Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings a heartwarming story of sharing and community to life in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love. An author's note explains that "Omu" (pronounced AH-moo) means "queen" in the Igbo language of her parents, but growing up, she used it to mean "Grandma."'

My Review: I picked up this book after seeing that it won a Children's book award, and it had also been on my list for a while because of being a local author. I finally got a copy from my library and absolutely fell in love with this book. First off the illustrations are amazing, a beautiful collage style. Then the story is just even better, centered around food and community, about sharing what little we have and others sharing in turn. This is a beautiful book to read with the young ones in your life or just for yourself.

My Rating: I wish I hadn't waited so long to read this book, it is a beautiful book about sharing and community. I loved the art style as well.  I am looking forward to reading more from this local author.  I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Review: Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay

Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review/ Anticipated Release

Synopsis: "After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community.

Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he’s been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money—and he’s not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them—but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated.

With the help of Winsome’s small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances."

My Review:  I really liked the sound of the synopsis and of course the cover and title drew me in too. It really took me a while to get into this book, I felt really lost at first, some of it sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. I finally got on and found out that this book follows one that I read last year called Printed Letter Bookshop. You really need to read that one first before getting into this one, there are a lot of relationship backstories in that book. Once I figured that out and refreshed myself on the previous book's characters and story line, I was able to enjoy this one a bit more. There are still a lot of characters to keep track of throughout the book, many we only see once or twice. With that said I did enjoy the main character's stories, particularly Jeremy. There is a romantic undertone but it is not the focus and does not take over the story, it is more about finding your way home and learning to trust yourself and others. It was enjoyable story but it would have been better if I had read both books closer together or even known that they were connected.

My Rating: It took me a while get into this one, and a lot longer than usual to read it.  I did try the audio book as well, I was not thrilled with the narration, the narrator had an accent that didn't fit with the story setting or characters at all.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.  I honestly think if I had read the previous book closer to this one, or even knew they were connected, it would have gone much better.

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

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

Of Literature and Lattes was just released on May 12th so you can now pick up your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.

It's Not Monday - Reading List

It is Monday again Err, it is actually Tuesday now, and time to update with what I read last week, what I am currently reading and what to look forward to next week.

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Beachside Beginnings by Sheila Roberts
But Not the Armadillo by Sandra Boynton (Bedtime Story)
Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman (Graphic Novel)

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Beachside Beginnings
Thank You, Omu
Tiger's Daughter
The Monster of Elendhaven
Snow, Glass, Apples

Currently Reading:

You Can't F*ck Up Your Kids by Lindsay Powers - Print - on page 43 of 320
Of Literature & Lattes by Katherine Reay - ebook- on page 139 or 366
The Betrothed by Kiera Cass - audio - 78%

Pages Read/ Time Listened
413:28 Hours Listened (3:54 listened this week)
13,590 Pages Read (1,034 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
White Rose  - READ
Stealing Thunder (gift) - READ
The Eyes of Tamburah (gift)
The Wolf in the Whale
~~~~~~~~~~March Birthday Waiver Books ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Rain Dragon Rescue
The Order of the Unicorn
#Frankenstein
The Book of Boy
All the Wandering Light
Life on the Leash
Phoenix Unbound
Magic Bites - READ
Fantasy Lover
Night Pleasures
The Midnight Lie - READ
You Can't F*ck Up Your Kids  (gift)
Mary Shelley Monster Hunter Vol. 1
The Caged Queen
The Mum Who'd Had Enough
Ash and Quill
The Voyage to Magical North
I Needed a Viking
Smoke and Iron
The Overdue Life of Amy Byler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End Birthday Waiver~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Red Hood (gift)
The Worst Best Man - READ
Scavenge the Stars
Beefcakes
Hades & Persephone
Beachside Beginnings (gift) - READ
Finding Forever
Uncommon Type
Red, White & Royal Blue
The Monster of Elendhaven - READ
Sorcery of Thorns - READ
Beach Read
One and Only Bob - READ
Network Effect
Dark Skies
No Country for Old Gnomes (gift)
The World According to Star Wars (gift)
About That Kiss
The Ranger of Marzanna
The Betrothed
Nightchaser - READ
Starbreaker - READ

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I have finally managed to carve out a little more reading time for myself.  I feel like I am finally back in the swing of things.  School is almost over for Munchkin, I have figured out what to do over the summer since his summer camp has been canceled.  I am getting more work done for the office, and more time spent in the office (I even got to go to work by myself last week)!  We are nearly complete with our part of the house project (painting the outside) and the rest will be done by professionals, so lots of progress there. Finally after months of instability in schedules and life, I feel like I am figuring things out and am much more stable.  Hooray for less anxiety.  Now I just need to catch up on some reviews, many requested reviews, and start replying to emails.