Starter Villain by John Scalzi Science Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Charlie moved back home to Barrington, IL to take care of his sick father who passed away not too long ago, leaving his home/estate to be split amongst his children. Charlie’s siblings would like him to vacate the house so they can collect their share. And they get their wish when it suddenly explodes. But that’s getting ahead of things. Just … Read more
Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer & Matthew Holm Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Sunny is now in high school and is discovering her interests. She and a friend try out for cheerleading (not really what Sunny wants to do, but she wants to be with/support her friend). She doesn’t make the squad. When another friend, Arun, starts complaining about how their school is too focused on sports and sports … Read more
The Book of Truly Stupid Sports Quotes by Jeff Parietti Funny Nonfiction Sports Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book will have people’s sides hurting after reading some of the quotes in this book. From truly stupid moments, to food, to money, this book hits all of the bases in comedic quotes. One of my personal favorites is, “They didn’t outplay us”, after Darryl Major lost 73-0 to Texas A&M. I just … Read more
Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto Funny Realistic Fiction Romance Rom-Com * * * * Stars (Great!) Sharlot and George find themselves at the center of a teenage rom-com entirely fabricated by their well-meaning parents, after each is discovered in an embarrassing sexual situation. To get some distance from her boyfriend, Sharlot is whisked off to Indonesia where her mother creates an online dating profile for her and starts exchanging messages with “George.” … Read more
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer Wimpy Kid series, #18 By Jeff Kinney Funny Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars Great! Greg Heffley’s middle school is in trouble. There have been a lot of budget cuts and the state is threatening to close the school if they don’t bring up their test scores. Greg relays – in hilarious detail – all of the ways the school administration has attempted to cut expenses as … Read more
Not Sew Wicked Stepmom by Mo9Rang (original story by Iru) Fantasy Manga * * * Stars (Pretty good) Baekhap Lee used to design children’s clothing in her previous life. When she dies, she is reincarnated/transported into the body of Snow White’s evil stepmother (Abigail Freidkin). She finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage – something the body’s previous spirit cared about – to King Sabrian Freidkin – but Baekhap only cares about her stepdaughter, Blanche, … Read more
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17 By Jeff Kinney Humorous Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Greg Heffley narrates the saga of his older brother’s trials and tribulations as he and his band Loded Diper attempt to rocket themselves into stardom. Trying to follow in the footsteps of their idols, Metallichihuahua, they’re supposed to perform in a battle of the bands competition, but before … Read more
My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong Realistic Fiction * * Stars (Just Ok) Iris Wang is a spoiled, frivolous party girl who creates all kinds of problems for herself with the poor choices she makes. Her emergency credit card is maxed out, her best friend and her boyfriend have been not-so-secretly dating/hooking up behind her back, she’s failing her classes, and she’s been rejected by all of the colleges she’s applied to. … Read more
Ex-Yakuza & Stray Kitten vol. 1 by Riddle Kamimura Funny Realistic Manga * * * Stars (Pretty good) Sabu the kitten is taken in by a young man named Jin with a grim appearance and many scars and tattoos. Is he Yakuza?? Everything about him terrifies Sabu! But Jin is only ever gentle and kind. Sabu learns that he is going to “work” at a cafe “staffed” by other adoptable animals that Jin has taken … Read more
Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17 by Jeff Kinney Funny Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction Grades 5+ Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about Rodrick, the older brother, and his band. Rodrick and his band want to be very famous so they decide to enter a competition. They practice a lot, but at one poin tthey stop because they think it has gotten too extreme for them. Rodrick now … Read more