Tag: bookreview

Book Review: On the Come Up {Angie Thomas}

Nobody was more excited for this book to be released than I was.  I waited (not so patiently) for months!   It was finally released last month and I couldn’t get my hands on a copy soon enough.  FINALLY my wait was OVER!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

3.5 Stars

So…It’s not The Hate U Give. I completely understand that I shouldn’t be comparing them because they are stand alone novels…but…it’s not The Hate U Give .

I loved that this book took us back to Garden Heights and I loved the references back to storylines from The Hate U Give . But again…it’s not The Hate U Give. .

The issues that this book discussed are IMPORTANT and truly are ones that NEED to be discussed. Angie Thomas has such a gift of being able to tell a story from a teenager’s point of view while appealing to adults at the same time. This allows everyone to benefit from the lessons and messages that this book tells. Perfection.

And yet…

There were way too many storylines for many of them to be properly developed, just about everything in this book was predictable, and so many of the characters were either completely underdeveloped or just not likable.

The first 200 pages or so were actually pretty boring.  I debated on Instagram if I should have even continued reading or if I should have abandoned the book halfway through!  I WILL say that the last half of the book (it’s 447 pages total) was MUCH better than the first half.  I’m glad I stuck with it and forged though.  If wasn’t that the beginning was bad, it was just…boring.

Overall, I liked this book and I think the messages it delivers are extremely important. Was it Angie Thomas’s best? Absolutely not. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

I truly wonder if I had read this book before reading her first one if I would have enjoyed it more without the comparison?  I wouldn’t recommend doing that, though.  She references the first book a few times and the description of Garden Heights is SO much more detailed in her first book.  It sets the entire tone for this book in terms of the neighborhood’s setting.  I think that without reading the prior description of the Garden there would be a major disconnect while reading this book.

In case you haven’t figured out yet that I loved The Hate U Give so much (it’s is one of the best books I’ve ever read), you can read my review of it here.

Bottom Line:

This book is really good…just not as good as, well, you know 🙂

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:30! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Children’s Book Review: We’re All Wonders {R.J. Palacio}

As the PTO Co-President of my daughter’s elementary school, I have lots of responsibilities. Clearly helping with the Scholastic Book Fair is one of the most fun! Being surrounded by books and helping children discover new favorites?  LOVE.

As I was walking around and inspecting all of the books, I came across this little gem. I had no idea that R.J. Palacio had written a children’s book based on her young adult  novel, Wonder. It’s not a secret that I absolutely LOVED reading Wonder (read my review here)! I immediately sat down on the floor of the book fair to read this book to my 3 year old son (AKA my book fair volunteer sidekick).

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The unforgettable bestseller Wonder has inspired a nationwide movement to Choose Kind. Now parents and educators can introduce the importance of choosing kind to younger readers with this gorgeous picture book, featuring Auggie and Daisy on an original adventure, written and illustrated by R. J. Palacio.
 
Over 5 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy.

Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way.

We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

5 Stars

This is one beautifully written children’s book.  It delivers the same beautiful message of acceptance that Wonder does but at an elementary school level.  I loved everything about this book from the beautiful message it delivers to the beautiful words and pictures it contains.  This book is perfection and would make such a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf or any classroom library.  Looking to buy a gift for a child or a teacher?  Here it is.

Bottom Line:

Every child and every teacher should have a copy of this book on their bookshelves.  And read it often.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:30! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

**GIVEAWAY** The Cast {Amy Blumenfeld}

Full disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book to read and review for my blog.  All opinions are my own.

Giveaway details will be given at the bottom of this post!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Twenty-five years ago, a group of ninth graders produced a Saturday Night Live-style videotape to cheer up their ailing friend. The show’s running time was only ninety minutes, but it had a lasting impact: Becca laughed her way through recovery, and the group—Jordana, Seth, Holly, and Lex—became her supporting cast for life.

On the silver anniversary of Becca Night Live, the friends reunite over the Fourth of July to celebrate Becca’s good health—but nothing goes as planned. The happy holiday card facades everyone’s been hiding behind quickly crumble and give way to an unforgettable three days filled with complex moral dilemmas and life-altering choices. Through humor, drama, and the alternating perspectives of five characters, The Cast explores the power of forgiveness, the importance of authenticity, and the immeasurable value of deep, enduring friendships to buoy us when life plays out differently than expected.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

I really enjoyed this book. There were so many interesting storylines and characters.  The relationships that they had with each other combined with their individual stories made this such an interesting read.  Each story was equally interesting, I love when that happens because I usually don’t feel that way.  I want to see Becca Night Live!

I found myself running late for our NYE dinner because I HAD to finish this book before I could leave the house!  The ending totally sucked me in and there was no way I could finish off 2018 without knowing what was in store for Becca and her friends.  Speaking of endings, this book is just begging for a sequel…

This book explores that true depths of what it means to be a friend and to stay a friend over time.  I loved the comfort level that this group of friends had with each other even though for many of them, it had been years since they had been together.  That comfort level is so special and reminded me of my own group of friends from high school…we have it, too!

Bonus for local friends: parts of this book take place on the North Shore!  Reading those parts was such fun for me!

A Conversation with Amy Blumenfeld, in Her Own Words:

How did you create the idea for your book?

There were a few sources of inspiration for this book. The first was a videotape created by 10 families (40 people in total) comprised of my parents’ friends and their children. Like the video in The Cast, it was ninety minutes of complete silliness with the single goal of making me laugh while I was undergoing treatment for cancer as a child. This was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received and a model for the power of true friendship.

The second source of inspiration was the master’s project I wrote in graduate school about adult survivors of childhood cancer. I spent several months learning about the physical and psychological long-term effects of childhood cancer treatment and meeting and interviewing medical experts, survivors, and their loved ones. At graduation, my professor suggested I turn the project into a book. I suspect he meant non-fiction but somehow, all these years later, it turned into a novel.

The third source of inspiration were the conversations I had with my friends when we turned 40. We were all having these deep discussions about relationships, religion, parenting, where we were in our lives, where we thought we would be at this point, what we hoped to accomplish, etc… and I suddenly had an idea. Why not combine the important messages from the master’s project with the topics my friends and I were discussing and weave them all together into a novel that centered on the power of true friendship? I created a bunch of relatable characters and interesting story lines and decided to write the type of book I liked to read – thought-provoking, smart, and fun contemporary fiction. And, I used the videotape as the glue that bonded the group together. I had no formal experience writing fiction, but hoped that my passion for the characters and the issues I wanted to bring to light would propel me through the process.

What audience would be most interested in your book?

Book clubs, women or men looking for a fun and thought-provoking beach read, people who enjoys stories about lifelong friendships, readers interested in Jewish observance

Where can your book be purchased?

Anywhere books are sold!  Barnes & Noble, independent retailers.  Also, you can visit my website and click on direct links to retailers:  http://www.amyblumenfeld.com

Use 3 adjectives to describe your book:

Heartfelt, thought-provoking, moving

***GIVEAWAY DETAILS***

I have 1 autographed copy of The Cast to give away (US only for this giveaway)! 

To be entered, please complete these 2 simple steps:

1. Follow and/or subscribe to my blog

2. Leave a comment below describing your best friend!

**You must complete both of these steps to be eligible for the giveaway and you must complete them here on my blog (not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)**

Giveaway will end Friday morning at 6:00 CDT and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced in Friday morning’s blog post.

Make sure you check back on Friday to see if you’ve won (you will have 48 hours from the time I post the winner to email me your mailing address.  If I don’t hear from you within 48 hours, I will pick a new winner).

If you already follow and/or subscribe to my blog, you are still eligible…just leave a comment below to be entered 🙂

Good luck!  Can’t wait to read your comments!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Book Review: Somebody’s Daughter {Rochelle B. Weinstein}

I absolutely love weekends. Jon is home from work and we try to fill our family time with all kinds of fun family adventures. My kids have sleepovers in each other’s rooms every Friday and Saturday night. Nobody loves going out for breakfast more than I do and we usually try to squeeze that in at least once each weekend. I always get a bit sad when Sunday night rolls around knowing that it will be another week until the 4 of us can have another weekend together filled with fun.

All of this to say that it makes me even more sad that I have been sick for the past 2 weekends and have not left my house once either weekend.  Last weekend, I was convinced that I had food poisoning only to realize a few days later when my daughter got it…and then my husband got it…that it was something a bit more dramatic than food poisoning.  Throughout it all, my son had a miserable cold…which BOTH my husband and I caught over this past weekend.  We were miserable!  At one point he was laying on one couch, I was laying on the other, and we had a box of Kleenex on the table in between us.  I think this was the first time we have been sick like that at the exact same time since we have become parents and it was HARD!  Omg.

I am usually a very happy and optimistic person (I chose the word “happy” as part of my blog domain afterall!) but this winter has been BRUTAL for our family.  Between breaking my elbow, our house being damaged from the polar vortex, and the overall amount of sickness we have had…I am so ready for spring.  Winter is my all time favorite season but this one has been ROUGH.  I’m already looking forward to next winter so that we can have a do over.

My Instagram post from yesterday:

At least I’ve been reading (I’m loving On The Come Up so far)!  Also, our family has been enjoying marathons of children’s baking competitions and America’s Got Talent.  Reality TV is my absolute favorite and I’ll take it in any format that I can, although I really wish my children were old enough to watch The Bachelor with me 🙂

Next weekend the 4 of us WILL go out for breakfast.  And we will be healthy.  And it will be lovely.

Today’s book review is a book I finished last week in between our weekends of sickness doom.  It was a wonderful book, one which I highly recommend.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Emma and Bobby Ross enjoy a charmed life on the shores of Miami Beach. They are a model family with a successful business, an uncomplicated marriage, and two blessedly typical twin daughters, Zoe and Lily. They are established members of a tight-knit community.

Then, on the night of the girls’ fifteenth birthday party, they learn of Zoe’s heartbreaking mistake—a private and humiliating indiscretion that goes viral and thrusts her and her family into the center of a shocking public scandal.

As the family’s core is shattered by disgrace, judgment, and retribution, the fallout takes its toll. But for Emma, the shame runs deeper. Her daughter’s reckless behavior has stirred memories of her own secrets that could break a marriage, a family, and friendships forever.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

Every parent should read this book.  It doesn’t matter how old your children are, the hard truths that are discussed in this book are ones that every parent needs to be made aware of.  This book absolutely terrified me…because it was so REAL.  What happened to this family can happen to any family, anywhere at anytime.  Beyond frightening.

This book made me THINK.  It made me cry.  It made me smile.  It made me want to hug my daughter over and over.  Although I didn’t necessarily agree with all of the choices that these parents made, I can recognize and appreciate that everything they did was out of unconditional love for their family.  Beautiful.

Bottom Line:

I truly think there are certain books which should be required reading for all parents.  This book would be high on the syllabus.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:30! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

“Unknown” Books Can be Gems and a Book Review: Deliver Her {Patricia Perry Donovan}

Thank you all so much for your kind words and messages from my last post.  My kids and I are all feeling much better…aaaaaand now my husband is sick.  When it rains it pours, right?  Ridiculous.  He’s much better today but the past 2 days have been bad!  The silver lining in all of this is that I no longer blame my beloved Chinese restaurant and I can now officially say that I can’t wait to go back!  PHEW.

On a side note…today officially marks 1 week since we have have Chinese food in this house.  I truly think this must be some type of record for Jon and I!  Even when we go on vacation, we usually end of finding a local Chinese restaurant at some point on our trip, lol.  This is just madness.  Must rectify this issue with some pot stickers STAT.

Book Review:

Today’s book is a perfect reminder that there are BILLIONS of wonderful books out there.  It’s easy to forget this when so much of what we tend to read comes from recommendations, best sellers, etc.  Sometimes the little unknown books are the gems!

I randomly found this book on a shelf as I was walking through the library.  I had never heard of it, never heard of the author, but it sounded interesting to me so I gave it a shot.  I’m so glad that I did!

deliverher

Synopsis from Goodreads:

On the night of Alex Carmody’s sixteenth birthday, she and her best friend, Cass, are victims of a terrible car accident. Alex survives; Cass doesn’t. Consumed by grief, Alex starts cutting school and partying, growing increasingly detached. The future she’d planned with her friend is now meaningless to her.

Meg Carmody is heartbroken for her daughter, even as she’s desperate to get Alex’s life back on track. The Birches, a boarding school in New Hampshire, promises to do just that, yet Alex refuses to go. But when Meg finds a bag of pills hidden in the house, she makes a fateful call to a transporter whose company specializes in shuttling troubled teens to places like The Birches, under strict supervision. Meg knows Alex will feel betrayed—as will her estranged husband, who knows nothing of Meg’s plans for their daughter.

When the transport goes wrong—and Alex goes missing—Meg must face the consequences of her decision and her deception. But the hunt for Alex reveals that Meg is not the only one keeping secrets.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

4 Stars

This book was GREAT.  I absolutely truly couldn’t put it down!  I remember reading it one night while my husband was out with one of his friends for dinner.  I was literally glued to my couch all night reading this!

My heart was truly pounding while reading parts of this…love when that happens! There was cliffhanger after cliffhanger…so many different stories, so many different perspectives, so many reasons I couldn’t stop reading.

I really loved this book and highly recommend it!  It was a quick read…I read it over the course of a few days.  It completely held my interest from page 1 with it’s intense story lines and interesting characters.  EXCELLENT book.

Bottom Line:

Give the unknown books a shot…you might just be pleasantly surprised.

Do you ever read “unknown” books or do you only read books based on recommendations, best sellers, etc.?

Did you read this book?  What did you think? 

What’s an example of an “unknown” book that you have read and loved?

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Book Review: The Other Woman {Sandie Jones}

Oh do I have a great book for you today!  AND…another VLOG!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Emily thinks Adam’s perfect; the man she thought she’d never meet. But lurking in the shadows is a rival; a woman who shares a deep bond with the man she loves.

Emily chose Adam, but she didn’t choose his mother Pammie. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her son, and now Emily is about to find out just how far Pammie will go to get what she wants: Emily gone forever.

The Other Woman is an addictive, fast-paced psychological thriller about the destructive relationship between Emily, her boyfriend Adam, and his manipulative mother Pammie.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

I.  LOVED.  IT.

I had been waiting for months to read this book and it did not disappoint!  I FLEW through this book.  Short chapters always make me want to keep reading.  Combine them with a fantastic storyline and I was hooked!  This book was AWESOME.  Quick, easy to read, and wonderful.  All in all, it was great and I would absolutely recommend it.

That being said, I do have some criticism.  It’s impossible to talk about what I didn’t love without giving anything away!  I try REALLY hard to keep spoilers off my blog (more on why I do this HERE).  So…I made a video on my new YouTube channel openly discussing my thoughts including spoilers! Enjoy 🙂

*WHY OH WHY does YouTube keep thinking that these are lovely screenshots of me?!?!?*

Bottom Line:

Read it.  Enjoy it.  Devour it.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

My First VLOG! Book Review: Becoming {Michelle Obama}

Book Coffee Happy now has a YouTube channel!  Check out my very first vlog (review of Michelle Obama’s Becoming):

I’m so happy that YouTube chose to showcase the most beautiful screenshot of me, lol (eyeroll)…

Enjoy!

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Valentine Reflections, Facebook Giveaway, and a Book Review: Convenience Store Woman {Sayaka Murata}

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine’s Day!  Mine was spent at my daughter’s classroom party (so cute) during the day.  The kids did crafts, played games, ate yummy food, and had a blast.  I love being able to experience these fun days with her and her friends and I never take for granted that I am able to do so. 🙂

Last night, we couldn’t find a babysitter so Jon and my romantic dinner was turned into a family event, lol. My daughter and I were each handed a rose from the hostess as we walked into the restaurant (my daughter LOVED that and it made her feel so fancy). The only kids in the entire restaurant belonged to us and although I wouldn’t say that dinner was romantic (Jon and I don’t typically have rock, paper, scissors tournaments when we dine alone), I would say it was definitely fun. 🙂

Our kids received giant Hershey Kisses and poop emoji stuffed toys (clearly Jon was the parent who bought the childrens’ gifts for this holiday…???)

And I received a gift card for a 90 minute massage and all I could say when I opened the envelope was “YESSSSSSSSS”. Do you get massages?  I got my first one 2 years ago when Jon and I were in Cabo and I’ve never looked back.  Since returning home from our trip, I’ve enjoyed quite a few 🙂  THE.  BEST.  I’ve only had 60 minute massages, this 90 minute one will be such a treat!  Perfection.

I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday filled with lots of love…and books 🙂

Thank you to everyone who entered the Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach giveaway! Congratulations Julie and Claire F.!

Ladies, please email me at bookcoffeehappy@gmail.com with your mailing addresses and I’ll pass them along to the author to get your books sent out ASAP.

Facebook Giveaway:

Would you like another chance to win an autographed and dedicated copy of Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach? 

I have 2 MORE copies to give away…this time exclusively on Facebook! Head over there for your chance to enter, it will be up within minutes of me publishing this post. Good luck!

My First Vlog

I filmed a vlog with my review of Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming.  I had too many thoughts to type. 🙂 I’m hoping to get that video posted on Monday!  Make sure you check back…

And now, a book review! Oh do I have a great one for you today…

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Keiko Furukura had always been considered a strange child, and her parents always worried how she would get on in the real world, so when she takes on a job in a convenience store while at university, they are delighted for her. For her part, in the convenience store she finds a predictable world mandated by the store manual, which dictates how the workers should act and what they should say, and she copies her coworkers’ style of dress and speech patterns so she can play the part of a normal person. However, eighteen years later, at age 36, she is still in the same job, has never had a boyfriend, and has only few friends. She feels comfortable in her life but is aware that she is not living up to society’s expectations and causing her family to worry about her. When a similarly alienated but cynical and bitter young man comes to work in the store, he will upset Keiko’s contented stasis–but will it be for the better?

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

5 Stars

I’ve read so many book reviews on this one and it’s been on my radar for months.  I finally picked it up at the library this week and I’m so glad that I did!

I read this entire book over 2 days.  I haven’t done that in such a long time!  Full disclosure:  this book is TINY.  Like, itty bitty. Only 163 pages and the actual book itself is about 1/2 the length of a normal book…but being able to read ANY book over 2 days when you’re a mom is a total win in my book so I’m feeling great 🙂

This book sucked me in from page 1.  It’s a bit…different…but in a good way!  It’s been translated (It was originally written in Japanese).  I was a bit nervous because the last book that I read which had been translated CLEARLY lost something in translation and was absolutely awful. Not at all the case with this book, it was great!

In my opinion, the main character in this one clearly falls somewhere on the autism spectrum and reminded me of the main characters from this book and from this book.  The biggest difference between the 3 books is that I absolutely LOATHED the other 2 books and I absolutely LOVED this one!  Man, did I hate those other 2 books (you can read my review of one of them here).

The deeper message in this story is about society and living up to the expectations that others have set for you.  It’s an interesting and thought provoking read all around.  And QUICK!  You could truly sit and read this entire book in one sitting.

Bottom Line:  

This is a little, teeny tiny gem of a book!  And…if you read it, you will never look at a convenience store in the same way ever again (in a good way).

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Have a great weekend!  Don’t forget to enter the giveaway on Facebook!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

***CHILDREN’S BOOK GIVEAWAY (2 Copies)*** Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach {Elizabeth Gerlach}

Full disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book to read and review for my blog.  All opinions are my own. This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Giveaway details will be given at the bottom of this post!

As soon as I finished reading this book with my children, I sent Elizabeth Gerlach an email which contained only 1 sentence:

“This might just be one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.”

Description from Amazon:

Awarded 5-stars from both Reader’s Favorite and the award-winning “Read With Your Kids” podcast, as well as a Certified Great Read.

Meet young Benjamin who takes us on an inspiring & fun adventure to the beach in this first book in the Ben’s Adventures series. You’ll smile and be inspired as you follow Ben into his imagination and he shows us that all kids can play and dream.
 
In his first adventure, Ben imagines a perfect beach day where he builds sand castles, flies kites, plays with crabs and enjoys special moments with his family. Ben loves the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. He can dream, he can play, and he can interact and have meaningful experiences. Ben smiles, and you will too.

“Let’s build a sandcastle”, I say to my friend.
He says, “Sounds good.”
And we make our plan.
With one tower built,and two more to go.
I kick and laugh and then think “Oh No!”

A Great Book for Introducing Special Needs or Disability to Young Children Ben’s Adventures provides a simple and subtle way to introduce special needs and disability to your child. It can easily open the discussion for what disability means. Why does someone need a wheelchair? If someone’s in a wheelchair, can they still play with me? It will help young minds recognize and understand differences among us and ACCEPT those differences. And the main character Benjamin will reinforce the important take-away that just because someone might be different or need assistance, he/she is still a kid, can be a friend, and can enjoy kids’ play.

Teach Empathy, Inclusion and Acceptance from an Early Age Kids will have as many (if not more) similarities than they have noticeable differences.It’s our job as parents to talk about these issues with our kids. Understanding and accepting others throughout our lives is learned in childhood.

Ben is a young triplet brother that shows all kids can play & dream. Ben’s Adventures was inspired by the author’s son Benjamin who had cerebral palsy. Despite Ben’s challenges in life, he smiled everyday. It’s a wonderful message that is important for typical families AND those with special needs. And it provides a good introduction of disability for any family. In writing it, Gerlach wanted to show that all kids are capable and able to do great (or even simple) things.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely, positively love this book.  So much.

The story itself is beautiful, the pictures are adorable, and the discussion that it created between my 7 year old daughter and I after we finished reading was amazing.  We discussed differences in people and even though someone might not always be able to communicate in the same way that you do…they still have feelings, thoughts, and dreams.  It was an amazing and inspiring discussion and this book was a perfect catalyst to discuss such an important topic.

It would also be a wonderful book for a classroom!  The discussions and writing assignments that could follow would be endless.  If you have any teachers in your life, their classroom would greatly benefit from this book.

I love, love, love this special book.  In fact, it’s one of my favorite books that I’ve ever reviewed on my blog.

A Conversation with Elizabeth Gerlach, in Her Own Words:

Briefly give a description of your book:

Ben’s Adventures is about a young triplet brother who has cerebral palsy. He loves his family/friends, creating memories and taking adventures! He’s in a wheelchair but shows that ALL kids can play & dream and create meaningful connections and memories.

In this first book, Ben takes us to the beach where he plays with crabs, builds sandcastles and flies with kites.

How did you create the idea for your book?

It’s inspired by my triplet son Benjamin. Ben passed away from a serious illness in 2016 at almost 4 years old. Despite his/our challenges, he always had a smile on his face and laughed quite a bit. As a family, we loved to have different experiences and adventures and just spend time together. I wanted to show that even though a child might have additional needs, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy ‘kid things’ and have fun. And I wanted to represent disability in a children’s book by creating a main character who uses a wheelchair.

What audience would be most interested in your book?

Ben’s Adventures is probably most suited for Preschool through second grade. It’s a good message for any child/family (not just one with additional needs). I’ve been told it helps to introduce the concept of disability with kids that aren’t yet familiar. Families have been able to have meaningful conversations around the book.

Where can your book be purchased?

Signed/Dedicated copies are available on my website here: www.Bens-Adventures.com

But it’s also available on Amazon in both Hard Cover and Kindle format.

https://www.amazon.com/Bens-Adventures-Day-at-Beach/dp/173270340X/

Use 3 adjectives to describe your book:

Inspirational

Sweet

Touching

Any additional information that you would like to provide about you or your book:

Ben’s Adventures just received a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite and has average 5 star review on Amazon.

As a family, to honor Benjamin, we established the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation to purchase switch-adapted toys and other devices to kids with motor challenges. www.BenSmiles.org

***GIVEAWAY DETAILS***

I have 2 copies of Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach to give away (US only for this giveaway)! 
Winners will receive an autographed and dedicated copy of Ben’s Adventures: A Day at the Beach

To be entered, please complete these 2 simple steps:

1. Follow and/or subscribe to my blog

2. Leave a comment below telling the first name of the person you would have the author write the dedication inside the cover to if you are chosen to win a copy

**You must complete both of these steps to be eligible for the giveaway and you must complete them here on my blog (not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)**

Giveaway will end Friday morning at 6:00 CDT and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced in Friday morning’s blog post.

Make sure you check back on Friday to see if you’ve won (you will have 48 hours from the time I post the winner to email me your mailing address.  If I don’t hear from you within 48 hours, I will pick a new winner).

If you already follow and/or subscribe to my blog, you are still eligible…just leave a comment below to be entered 🙂

Good luck!  Can’t wait to read your comments!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Random Thoughts From a Book Blogger

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend? Ours was jam packed with all the good stuff…pizza, a royal ball with princesses, a birthday party, a Father/Daughter Dance, our favorite Chinese restaurant, and trips to both Target AND Costco. If that’s not the definition of a perfect weekend, I’m not sure what is.

Our town is wonderful and I so love raising our children here. Cinderella’s Royal Ball is the cutest annual event where kids dress like royalty, see a princess show, meet the princesses, eat ice cream, have a dance party with a DJ, and then receive a Royal goodie bag. It’s precious and my kids love going every year! My daughter dressed as Cinderella and my son…well…he was a dinosaur??? No amount of persuading could change his mind to go as a king or a knight. We tried.  So in the end there were lots of beautiful princesses in attendance…and 1 adorable little dinosaur.

Which kids are mine?

I FINALLY finished reading this book and I have SO many thoughts. Too many to type! I actually plan on filming a video instead so I can talk my way through my review…I will get that filmed and up on the blog soon! Stay tuned 🙂

In other news, I had an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon this morning for more elbow x rays.  MY ELBOW IS NO LONGER BROKEN!  Still a bit sore….but HEALING!  I’m so happy 🙂

Anyway, I was quite early for my appointment so I stopped by the library for some quiet reading time first! Heavenly.

I started reading this book while at the library this morning and I’m already almost 100 pages in and LOVING IT so far!  It’s been on my TBR list for months as I’ve read so many positive reviews. Have you read this one?  It’s great so far!  I’ll write a full review once I’ve finished.

Check out my current Instagram story to see what else happened to me while I was at the library today, lol…(insert face plant emoji here)…

How are you? How was your weekend? What are you currently reading?

Be sure to stop by the blog on Wednesday for your chance to enter a GIVEAWAY for an amazing book!

It would really help me if you could follow/subscribe to my blog.  Also, please “like” my Facebook page ,  follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Instagram!

Local friends, I run a storytime every Tuesday and Friday at Whimsy Cafe in Buffalo Grove, Illinois from 10:00-10:45! Bring your kids (6 months-5 years) for stories, songs, and lots of fun. Price is included in your child’s admission, no need to sign up. If you are a blog reader, please be sure to introduce yourself!  I can’t wait to meet you and your little ones. 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo