Monthly Archives: August 2022

Ghost Boys [Book Review]

August 5, 2022

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (cover) Image: a graphic image of streetlights and a youing African American boy from the eyes up all against a red background with white text

Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary and Realistic Fiction (with historical references), (mature) Middle Grade (6th grade +)/Young Adult/Adult, Own Voices, Chicago, Diverse Read, African American

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Jerome is twelve and has been shot by the police because the officer thought he was holding a real gun and felt his life was in danger. The community is outraged. Jerome returns as a ghost and has a front-row seat to the grief of his parents and the trial proceedings. He is invisible to everyone except Sarah, the daughter of the officer. Jerome also meets other Ghost Boys from different historical times who suffered untimely and unjust deaths and continue to “bear witness.”

My Thoughts:

(more…)

#Survey Followup [Blogging]

August 3, 2022

Thank you surrounded by a floral wreath

Thank You For Taking My Survey!

Bloggers and participants might be interested in a summary of results from my recent 5 Year Anniversary post!

  • Most respondents receive notification of blog posts via email (43%) or WP Reader (21%).
  • Most respondents enjoy reviews of new releases (58%) as opposed to backlist titles (41%). I do write more reviews of new releases, so it looks like I’m meeting your expectations here.
  • Most respondents can’t remember how they found my blog (46%), but I think it’s significant that 21% found my blog via a link from another blog. So…..keep shouting out your blogging friends. We really appreciate it!
  • 32% of respondents have shared my blog on Twitter (which validates time spent there! www.twitter.com/ReadingLadiesBC) and 25% have shared my blog link with a friend! Thank you! Thank you!
  • 100% of you found my blog easy to navigate! If you ever notice a glitch, please let me know! I’m indebted to Jennifer @ Tar Heel Reader for informing me early in my blogging venture that my twitter share option wasn’t working correctly, and she helped me troubleshoot the issue.
  • I asked this question twice (careless oversight) and respondents seem to enjoy Book Lists (34%, 29%), Book Reviews (31%, 35%), and Discussion Posts (24%, 31%).
  • 65% of blog respondents have followed for more than one year (forever grateful!), 17% for less than a year (welcome!), and 17% faithfuls from the beginning! (I appreciate your loyal support!)

Thank you for indulging me in this survey request. This is my first survey, and I’m thrilled to have received actual results! Your kind feedback is appreciated! I look forward to our virtual blogging relationship for years to come! If you’re a frequent commenter or you’ve never commented before, I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Reading Everyone!

i love books

Let’s Get Social!

Thank you for visiting today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along (see subscribe or follow option), promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

Find me at:
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads
Pinterest

 

 

 

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day [Book Review] #KidLit #MiddleGrade

August 2, 2022

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptist

Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptist (cover) Image: A young African American boy (with blue cape) and girl stand looking at the camera

Genre/Categories: Children’s Contemporary Fiction, Middle Grade, Family Life, Diverse Read

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @RandomHouse @CrownPublishing (Crown Books for Young Readers) for a complimentary e ARC of #IsaiahDunnSavesTheDay upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In this follow-up to Isaiah Dunn is My Hero, Isaiah and his sister and mom continue to live with Miz Rita. As Isaiah starts middle school, his home life is more stable, Mama is feeling better, his poetry business is growing, he continues to work at Rock’s barbershop, his best friend Sneaky has a new side hustle, he starts working with the Rockets Reach Back mentorship program, and he continues to rely on his dad’s journals for inspiration and guidance.

My Thoughts:

(more…)

The Codebreaker’s Secret [Book Review] #BookTour @HTPBooks

August 2, 2022

The Codebreaker’s Secret by Sara Ackerman

The Codebreaker's Secret by Sara Ackerman (cover) Image: a young woman in a red polka dot dress looks up at planes flying above palm trees

Genre/Categories: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, WW11, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Welcome to my stop on the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2022 Summer Blog Tour for Historical Fiction. Thank you #Netgalley @HarliquinBooks (Mira) @HTPBooks @BookClubbish for a complimentary e ARC of #TheCodebreakersSecret upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Harlequin Trade Press Blog Tour (showing the covers of several books)

Set in 1943, The Codebreaker’s Secret by Sara Ackerman is a story about Isabel and the codebreakers who work in the “dungeon” at Station HYPO in Pearl Harbor. They are in a race to retrieve data from the airwaves to help bring down the enemy. Isabel is grieving the loss of her brother as she faces sexism and other difficult working conditions. Circumstances look a little brighter when she meets her brother’s best friend, a hotshot pilot. A second timeline takes place in 1965 as journalist Lu Freitas covers the grand opening of a glamourous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and meets a veteran photographer. As a team, they uncover a secret from the war days.

My Thoughts:

(more…)