Tag: great books

December’s Top Reads

Here are my top books of December!

  1. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
    I love this series so much. Clary Fray is a tennager when she realizes that she sees things that others don’t. She meets Jace, Isabelle, and Alec, the other Shadowhunters. I loved their adventures and there were so many lot twists that shocked me. This is such a great book and I loved reading it so much. I totally recommend it to you!
  2. The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch
    I read the second and third books in this series (If You’re Reading this, it’s Too Late and This Book is Not Good for You). Cassandra and Max-Ernest are such great characters and I enjoyed the involment of a new character, Yo-Yoji. this stories are great and I loved the storytelling style. I love this series!
  3. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    I am in love with this series. In this book, Avery continues her adventures with the Hawthorne Brothers. There are so many secrets revealed and a whole new land is discovered. I really, really enjoyed the plot and the characters. I totally recommend this book to you!
  4. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
    I really enjoyed this book! In this book, Shiori, the only one with magical powers in her kingdom, gets cursed by her stepmother, Raikama. Her brothers turn into cranes and Shiori, without a voice, sets out to save them. I loved the story and the plot! This is the first part of a duology based on the fairytale, “The Wild Swans,”.
  5. The Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad
    I loved this book and the way it invented a game that worked so well with the book. When Beau meets Cressi, he finally sees the true ways of his father and the ones before him. He realizes that he has to take control of the king, but before he can do that, he needs his ace and his pawn. I loved this story so much!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September: click here
Top Books of October: click here
Top Books of November: click here

I really enjoyed talking about my top reads of each month! Do you think I should continue this next year?

March’s Top Books

Here are my top books of March!

  1. Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

    This was a great book set in a dystopian world. Sophia is a great LGBTQ+ character and I love her relationship with Constance. The plot is so exciting and I love the idea of reimagining Cinderella’s story. As I started to know Sophia more and more, I fell more in love with her character and she really is on the inside. This is such a great book and I couldn’t put it down.
  2. Book Scavenger: The Unbreakable Code by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

    I really enjoyed the second book in the Book Scavenger series. This new adventure was really fun and the mystery of the Unbreakable Code was a great subplot. James and Emily are really great friends and I think that their fight adds to their closeness. I also enjoyed how they were racing to find the arsonist and how the fires and the Tom Sawyer books were linked. This is really a great book and I can’t wait to read the third one.
  3. The Max Einstein Series by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

    I read the second and third books of this series this month. I love Max and her fiery passion for solving the world’s problems. She’s very smart and loves to help. She can make mistakes, but bounces back from them quickly and gets back to work on how she can fix them. Her friends (the Change Makers) are great people and I love how well she works with them by her side. They all specialize in different areas of science and with Max by their side, they are an unstoppable team. This is a great book!

  4. The Mysterious Benedict Society Books by Trenton Lee Stewart

    I read the last Mysterious Benedict Society book (The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages) and the prequel to the whole series (The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict). I loved this series so much. Kate, Sticky, Reynie, and Constance are such great characters and I loved seeing them all grown up. I also liked the addition of a new character, Tai. This addition of the series was really great and I loved it. I also really enjoyed reading the prequel to the series and how it played into the book. It was really interesting to see how Mr. Benedict’s first adventure and how he’s changed over the times!

  5. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This book is definitely one of my favorites. The plot was really great and the idea of a house filled to the brim with puzzles, secret passages, and riddles is so fun and imaginative. The background mystery with Emily and her significance to the brothers was well thought out and planned. Avery is a great main character and I loved reading about her life and how it changed. This is such a great story and I totally recommend it to you.

Top books of January: click here
Top books of February: click here

February’s Top Books

Here are my top book of February!

February’s Best Books

  1. Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment by Chris Grabenstein and James Patterson
    This book is about Max Einstein, a twelve year old orphan. She’s homeless, but still works out ways to get an education. One day, she’s recruited by an organization to participate in a competition. Max would love to win, but she disagrees with the tests and what is considered important. All the time, there is an evil company trying to get her…….What happens is so fun and I got taken on an amazing ride with this book. I loved it!
  2. The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
    April is a young girl who lives with her dad. She tries to have a normal life, but it’s hard when her dad has changed a lot. Then, one day, her dad gets a notice, saying that he has a new job on Bear Island. April is thrilled, hoping that she’ll get to have fun with her dad. But, nothing has changed. April is bored again, until she meets a polar bear which isn’t supposed to be there. I loved this book and what it talks about so much. It’s an amazing book!
  3. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi
    Rea is a twelve year old girl whose brother has just been kidnapped. Her mother and grandmother seem to take it that he’s gone, but Rea knows she can save him. So she visits Mishti Daadi, an old fortune teller with her sort-of friend, Leela. Mishti Daadi gives her riddles and with these riddles and her dreams, she realizes that it is possible to save her brother. As the story progresses, there are twists and turns around every corner. I loved this book so, so much and I totally recommend it to you!
  4. Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
    This is the second book in the Aru Shah series. Aru is a pandava. She’s been accused of stealing the god of love’s (Kamadeva) bow and arrow, but she knows it wasn’t her. Now she has until the next full moon to go on a quest with her two “soul-sisters” Mini and Brynne and her other friend, Aiden. I love the Indian mythology in this book and how everything is so descriptive. I loved this book!
  5. The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao
    Faryn Liu is a twelve year old girl who has dreams of defeating monsters and honoring her family and the gods, but how can she do that when her family is shunned by almost everyone else? One day, she helps to kill a nian, a mythical beast. From then on, she is proclaimed the Heaven Breaker and has to get on several tasks to prove it. I loved this book so much and all the twists and turns that came with it. It’s so amazing!
  6. The Mysterious Benedict Society: The Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
    In the third book of the Mr. Benedict series, the stakes are higher than ever. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance are in big trouble when one day, a blackout engulfs Stontown. Constance is missing and they almost find her and are safe, but of course the enemies are one step ahead of them. I loved the thrilling twists and turns and all the puzzles in the book. It’s so fun and I enjoyed it so much!

Top books of January: click here

January’s Top Books

This is a new feature which I’m introducing on my blog. At the end of every month, I’ll write a list of around 5-7 books which I really enjoyed reading the month. Hope you enjoy!

Best Books I read in January 2021

  1. The Magnus Chase Series by Rick Riordan
    This series is about Magnus Chase, a 16 year old boy who lives in Boston. He’s homeless and has two good friends, Hearth and Blitz. But when he accidentally dies, he opens up a whole new world of Norse myths and legends. These books are really amazing and they’re definitely one of my top.
  2. The Giver by Lois Lowry
    This is the first book in a quartet. Jonas, a 11 year old boy, lives in a “perfect” world where there is no poverty, war, or overpopulation. But good things, such as music and color have also disappeared from their lives. When he meets the Giver, he finally learns what his life is, and what it could be. I really enjoyed reading the series, with all of the suspense and twists. It’s an amazing book.
  3. Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
    This book tells the story of 12 year old Crow, a girl who was abandoned and now lives off the coast of Massachusetts. She wants answers about her past, almost desperately and her two guardians support her, though a bit reluctantly. I loved following Crow in this journey to learn about who she really is. It’s a great book!
  4. Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
    This book contains mysteries, some of which have almost never been solved. Miss Marple is a old lady, who has seen and learnt more than anybody could guess. I loved reading about all of these puzzles and how Miss Marple outwits everyone else every time. This is one of those books my parents have also read and enjoyed. It is fun talking to them about it.
  5. Aster’s Good Right Things by Kate Gordon
    Aster is a young girl who doesn’t feel special at all, but she goes to a school for gifted kids. The only way she copes is by doing her “good, right things”. As a young girl with an anxiety disorder, she believes that the world will fall apart if she stops. Then she meets Xavier and she starts having fun. I really enjoyed the book about finding friends and support.
  6. The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari
    I loved this amazing book about dealing with grief. Charlie has been noticing that his sister’s been acting unusual. He follows her to another world, one where his mom is still alive. He’s happy….at first. He realizes that something is wrong though. With the help of his friends, he comes up with a plan to escape the other world for good. I really loved this book and the magical element to it.

3 Spooky Reads for This Halloween

Halloween is a great time to explore some spooky reads. That’s why I have put together a list of 3 great Halloween reads.

  1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
    This spooky book talks about family, friendship, and courage. This book is perfect if you want to have a bit of a scare, but not that much. The whole idea of the book is fantastical and I love it. This has definitely been one of my favorite books this year and I definitely recommend it to you.
  2. Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega
    This book talks about friendship and family. I got immersed in the story of the 2 friends, Syd and Lucely and their crazy adventure with ghosts. The magical element in this book was perfect and I know that I definitely loved it. I totally recommend this. It was such a great book!
  3. Nightbooks by J. A White
    This book is a modern day Scheherazade story, just woven a bit differently. It talks about friendship and trust and how you can overcome someone with love. The idea of the magical witch, Natasha, is enough to give anyone shivers down their spines, but as you continue reading and get a closer look at her life, you start to realize what has happened leading to her. An amazing and spooky read, perfect for Halloween.

These are some of my favorite Halloween reads! What are your favorites?

4 Graphic Novels I Enjoyed

Graphic novels are almost like normal books. They capture a lot of the same emotions and talk about problems in the same way. The only difference is that they are usually lighter and more fun to read. Here are some of my favorite graphic novels.

  1. Raina Telgemeier books

I absolutely love the graphic novels that Raina Telgemeier writes. She writes many different ranges of books. 2 of my favorite books by her are Smile and Sisters which talk about her experiences with mouth troubles and her relationship with her sister. I also enjoy her graphic novel take on the novels written by Ann M Martin. The Baby-Sitters Club series is so lively and it’s one of my favorites. I also love her stand alone books.

2. Go With The Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

This book talks about periods and how one certain middle school never had pads and tampons stocked up. It is really exciting and I love how the authors tied in the theme of friendship in as well. Each character’s personality is so different and I loved the idea of protests. This is such a great book and you should totally read it!

3. 5 Worlds series by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel

This series is so captivating and exciting. Each graphic novel ends with an enthralling cliffhanger and makes you want to read the next book. It follows the story of Oona Lee and her friends who are trying to save the 5 worlds from extinction. There are so many plot twists and everyone has secrets. I love the fantasy element and it’s so fun to read! This is a great series and the last book is coming out soon!

4. Emmie and Friends series by Terri Libenson

This series is so upbeat and I love the problems and solutions. It’s really fun to read and each book can be read as a stand-alone or a series. It’s one of my favorite series, because of the realistic characters. It’s so fun to read and I always can count on Emmie, Brianna, and Jamie (even though I haven’t read her book yet- it’s on my TBR) to cheer me up. This is such a great series and I really think you should read it.

What are some of your favorite series?

6 Book Series you Should Totally Read

I really love books that are series. These are some of my favorite series, which are ages 9-12.

Fantasy:

  1. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

This series is amazing. I just love the crazy plot twists that no one ever sees coming (unless you’ve already read the series). This series has recently come to an end and I know that I’ve cried a lot and laughed a lot when reading these books. All the characters are either princes/princesses or their sons/daughters. When you start reading this, make sure you are reading for one of the craziest series ever. This is a great series!

2. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

This series takes place in a storybook world. Two twins, Alex and Conner Bailey, accidently fall into a storybook! They meet their beloved fairy tale characters, but they are all different. In this series, you’ll figure out how Alex and Connor adjust to this new world. They make friends with some unlikely friends and go on many adventures with them. Also, the backstory to this story is being explained in The Tale of Magic series. I really love this series!

Realistic Fiction:

  1. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

This book is hilarious and sweet. I love how I always feel immersed in the adorable story. Every part plays out well and I love the writing style. This book makes me feel happy and I giggle every time I read it. You’ll definitely go on an adventure with Rosalind, Skye, Jane, Batty, Hound and their friends. Each of the Penderwicks has a different personality which makes this series perfect. The sisters get along well (usually) and you can count on them to spice things up!

2. The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers is another lively series with siblings. Journey along with Isa, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, Laney, and their many pets in this series. You’ll also get introduced to many loving characters like Ms. Josie, Mr Jeet, and Orlando. These siblings try to help, but sometimes (usually) it doesn’t work out well. I love the relatable events that happen and the addition of writing magic. I really love this style of writing as well. You can count on these kids to take you on the adventure of your life!

Historical Fiction:

  1. The Seeds of America trilogy by Laurie Halse Anderson

This series talks about slavery. The first book, Chains, is in the perspective of Isabel, a young girl born into slavery. The second book, Forge, is in the perspective of Isabel’s friend, Curzon. The last book, Ashes, was in the perspective of Isabel again. These books talk about heavy issues as Isabel and Curzon go on a quest to escape slavery and find Isabel’s sister. There are a couple of plot twists and you might be surprised at what happens.

2. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale (not the spy, the author)

This graphic novel style comic is hilarious and informative. I learn so much about the Civil War just by reading one of these books. They are hilarious and make me laugh every time. There is an element of fiction for sure and I recommend that you start from the beginning to fully understand the series. In it, the spy Nathan Hale tells tales of what will happen in the future. It is super interesting and I love the writing style.

These are some of my favorite series to read in multiple genres. What are some of your favorite series?