APRIL

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Workplace Romance)

Summary:

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

Review:

This was an extremely enjoyable read. As someone who doesn’t read fantasy books often, this was a perfect introduction into the idea of cozy fantasy. 

Seeing the main character grow more confident in her abilities and her shop was entertaining, and all the other characters we get introduced to along the way are unique and memorable.

Rating:

5/5

Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler (“Adult Beverage” in Title)

Summary:

When Chelsea Handler needs to get a few things off her chest, she appeals to a higher power – vodka. You would too if you found out that your boyfriend was having an affair with a Peekapoo or if you had to pretend to be honeymooning with your father in order to upgrade to first class. Welcome to Chelsea’s world – a place where absurdity reigns supreme and a quick wit is the best line of defense.

In this hilarious, deliciously skewed collection, Chelsea mines her past for stories about her family, relationships, and career that are at once singular and ridiculous. Whether she’s convincing her third-grade class that she has been tapped to play Goldie Hawn’s daughter in the sequel to Private Benjamin, deciding to be more egalitarian by dating a redhead, or looking out for a foulmouthed, rum-swilling little person who looks just like her… only smaller, Chelsea has a knack for getting herself into the most outrageous situations. 

Review:

Just like many female comedians I have listened to before, Chelsea Handler engages in extreme shock humor. While there were some stories that she told that were funny, in many cases, they fell flat.

Also, I don’t like to talk badly about people’s voices, but listening to her for too long can be kind of annoying.

Rating:

3/5

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Coming of Age Story)

Summary:

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others.

Review:

It took me way too long to finally read this book. I have heard about how good it is from both students and adults, and I can say that I agree.

It was a very moving story about bullying and the differences that can force people apart or bring them together. 

While at times it was slowly paced, I believe that came from it being a longer middle grade novel.

Rating:

5/5

The Places We Sleep by Caroline Brooks DuBois (Set in a Small Town, Coming of Age Story, Purple Cover)

Summary:

It’s early September 2001, and twelve-year-old Abbey is the new kid at school. Again.

I worry about people speaking to me / and worry just the same / when they don’t.

Tennessee is her family’s latest stop in a series of moves based on her dad’s work in the Army, but this one might be different. Her school is far from Base, and for the first time, Abbey has found a real friend: loyal, courageous, athletic Camille.

And then it’s September 11, 2001. The country is under attack, and Abbey’s first period arrives.

Like a punch to the gut / like a shove in the girls’ room / like a name I won’t repeat.

Abbey’s family falters in the aftermath of the attacks. With her mother grieving, and her father preparing for active duty, Abbey must cope with the tragedy – and her body’s betrayal – on her own.

Review:

This verse novel allows a peek at not only how a teenager would process 9/11, but also how the child of a soldier would react to this.

The main character is going through all of the normal challenges a teenage girl would go through (periods, fitting in, crushes), but she is a “military brat” who just moved to a new school right before 9/11. 

The usage of verse allows the reader to explore the character’s uncertain emotions, especially since she doesn’t know what she feels most of the time. 

Rating:

4/5

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Set in a Small Town, Coming of Age Story, Purple Cover)

Summary:

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

Review:

The world that is created throughout this story is magical and wonderful. I love exploring the world as the characters travel from place to place. However, that is the main negative. As the characters travel to new worlds, they repeat the same actions over and over, and it becomes boring.

Rating:

4/5