To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Young adult isn’t historically my thing, save for the “classics” like Twilight and The Hunger Games. But To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on Netflix caught my attention. I watched and found it cute, funny, and the kind of predictable that made it a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Then, after spotting all three books in the series by Jenny Han, I saw it as a sign and bought all three. Now, I’d like to chat about To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before…

• Genre: Ya Romance
• Heat Level: ❤️
• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Lara Jean Song Covey is a high school junior with her head in the clouds. Her older sister Margot is off to Scotland for college while her younger sister Kitty is driving her crazy. Lara Jean is quiet and romantic, someone who cries at sad movies and pours her feelings into baking…and letters. Every time she had a crush on a boy and wanted to get over them, she’d write them a love letter and tuck each one in a hat box to never see the light of day. All is well until the letters are sent, and the boys come looking for answers.

Of all the letters that got sent, two are the most problematic. One went to her childhood friend Peter Kavinsky, who is dating her former BFF Gen, and her sister Margot’s ex boyfriend Josh Sanderson. When Josh asks Lara Jean about the letter, she panics and says she’s not into him anymore because she has a boyfriend…Peter. Before she can get her story strait, she and Peter enter into a literal contract to be in a fake relationship. She’ll date him to make Gen jealous and he’ll keep Josh off her back.

As time goes on and Lara Jean and Peter play #relationshipgoals to their peers, the line between reality and pretend becomes blurred. Holding hands in the hallway becomes comforting rather than a way to show off. His notes in class become less about making Gen jealous and more about getting to know Lara Jean. But the contract and real life looms overhead, leaving little room for anything more.

You guys, this book was cute. I know not every character was perfect, but neither are people. Peter was a total jerk at times, but was also more sensitive and thoughtful than you would think. Lara Jean could never verbalize what she wanted, but she was fiercely loyal to her family and had the sort of kindness we look for in others. The growth of their relationship was adorable, the kind of slow burn that was easy to feel as you read. It reminded me of old high school relationships and the bumpy roads they’d take.

Another interesting thing Jenny Han did with To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before was inserting the sorts of problems only faced by Asian Americans. For example, Lara Jean had a rule where she would only dress up as an Asian character on Halloween so no one would guess if she was a Manga character. It was small moments like those that were really poignant to me. Lara Jean wasn’t just a high school girl, she was a biracial high school girl with sets of problems not seen in other YA books with caucasian leads.

Overall, I loved the book and honestly devoured the others in rapid succession. It’s really fun for all ages and was a charming, light read. PS. If you’ve already watched the movie, don’t worry, you’ll still enjoy the book.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Hunger Games is a comfort read/watch for me. I really loved the apocalyptic setup author Suzanne Collins created. So when The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes came out, I snagged my copy right away.

Overall Rating: 4/6 Glass Slippers

Coriolanus Snow was born in the Capital of Panem to an old Capital family. He had the name and the prestigious penthouse to ensure all doors were open for him. But his parents are dead, leaving him and his elder cousin Tigress to care for their ailing grandmother and make sure no one knows how impoverished the once noble Snows have become.

As the 10th annual Hunger Games draw bear Coriolanus and his classmates are giving the chance to mentor a tribute. He’s given the girl from District 12, a slight against him, as it’s the poorest and weakest district. But his tribute Lucy Gray Baird is a born performer, and soon captures the heart of the capital.

While preparing for the games, Coriolanus and Lucy Gray find they have more in common than they knew, and soon they’re falling fast. From snake bites to escape plans, Coriolanus must decide if he should take of the mantle of the Capital or throw it all away in the search for love.

When I first heard about this book, I was skeptical. We know Coriolanus Snow as a villain, a sickly, evil poison or without a good bone in his body. Collins promised us a new look at the president, one that would make us think differently. I found myself reading, looking for fault in the unsure, charismatic boy who worked day and night to keep the snow family in line with the rest of the capitals elite. I was even rooting for him to come out on top, some thing I didn’t think I would do.

I was completely ready to adore this book, even though some parts were slower than I would’ve liked. But the ending made it difficult for me to love it. It was sharp and sudden, leaving so many unanswered questions that made me close the book with frustration. I know not every book is tied up in a neat bow at the end, but I have to say that I was truly disappointed.

One thing that didn’t disappoint, was the look at the formation of the capital, the way the districts interacted, and the lives of every day citizens. Before, we only knew what Katniss, an uneducated girl from District 12 knew. But Coriolanus was the son of a war hero, a scholar, someone who had an idea of how the larger world worked. Getting the extra locks into peace keepers and what led to the formation of the Hunger Games and beyond was really exciting.

Overall, I liked the book, but didn’t completely love it. Although, if Collins comes out with a new story set in Panam, I will be the first one in line to buy it.

A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly

Hello Everyone! I’m here with my most recent read, A Criminal Magic.

Blurb: Magic is powerful, dangerous and addictive – and after passage of the 18th Amendment, it is finally illegal.

It’s 1926 in Washington, DC, and while Anti-Sorcery activists have achieved
the Prohibition of sorcery, the city’s magic underworld is booming.
Sorcerers cast illusions to aid mobsters’ crime sprees. Smugglers
funnel magic contraband in from overseas. Gangs have established secret
performance venues where patrons can lose themselves in magic, and take
a mind-bending, intoxicating elixir known as the sorcerer’s shine.

Joan Kendrick, a young sorcerer from Norfolk County, Virginia accepts an
offer to work for DC’s most notorious crime syndicate, the Shaw Gang,
when her family’s home is repossessed. Alex Danfrey, a first-year
Federal Prohibition Unit trainee with a complicated past and talents of
his own, becomes tapped to go undercover and infiltrate the Shaws.

Through different paths, Joan and Alex tread deep into the violent, dangerous
world of criminal magic – and when their paths cross at the Shaws’
performance venue, despite their orders, and despite themselves, Joan
and Alex become enchanted with one another. But when gang alliances
begin to shift, the two sorcerers are forced to question their ultimate
allegiances and motivations. And soon, Joan and Alex find themselves
pitted against each other in a treacherous, heady game of cat-and-mouse.

I have always been a fan of mob related books. In a past life, I fully believe I was a mob boss. On top of that, I love fantasy. This book was perfect for me. Well, it was until the last four or five pages. Those let me down. If it had ended a little differently, I would have given this 6 glass slippers easily. However, because of the ending, I dropped it down to 4. But, let’s focus on the things that I liked.

Kelly does a great job describing the magic. In the book, Joan and her fellow sorcerers do these amazing illusions. They can make a stunning sunset appear before your eyes in a dark basement. Joan makes a dove appear out of swirling feathers. There are other tricks and I found each one more interesting than the next.

Also, Joan and Alex have an extremely dynamic relationship. They fit together perfectly and truly do bring out the best in the other. I enjoyed watching the relationship grow. I would recommend taking a look at this book- Sarah

A Good Man

I read author Rosanna Leo’s romance novel A Good Man, Handyman Book 1, when it first came out, but it’s been rereleased with some sizzling changes and a fabulous new cover.

He tears down walls for a living. She’ll tear down the ones around his heart.

Contractor Michael Zorn is one of the leading men on the successful home improvement show Handymen. He is also revered for an act of bravery he’d rather forget. The press may hound him, but all he really wants is to help couples realize their home renovation dreams.

One of these couples is Emily Daniels and her fiancé, Trent. When Emily inherits an old home in Toronto’s Little Italy, she sees it as the perfect location for her small business. The house needs a lot of work, but her appearance on the Handymen show means Michael and his contractor brothers will help her renovate at a reasonable cost.

When Michael and Emily meet, their chemistry is intense. Emily wants to stay true to Trent, but her fiancé has done nothing but disappoint her. Michael recognizes Trent for what he is—a cheater. And it isn’t long before he breaks Emily’s heart.

At first, Michael only intends to comfort Emily, but their friendship soon flares into passion. Unfortunately, Michael has secrets and wounds of his own, ones he has never trusted to another. Emily is determined to break down his walls, but can she trust her heart to a man who can’t trust himself?

Order your copy now HERE and see how one good man can make all the difference.

Kids, Race, and Reading

This year has been one of upheaval. There have been jobs lost, businesses closed, and kids confused about what’s happening. But there’s also been change. It’s been messy and painful, and it’s still ongoing, but the topic of racism is being discussed within the United States, and the world.

Kids understand more than we give them credit for sometimes. They often won’t recognize the names of murdered Black men and women that flash across the screens, but they feel the tension. They might not get why people walk down city streets with signs, but they understand that they haven’t seen something like that before. For Black families, race and racial injustices are a part of their daily conversations because they feel first hand the pain of racism and the fear of losing another friend, another family member, another community leader. But for white families, like mine, the conversation is just as vital.

My husband and daughter are part of the indigenous community, but I’m white and the color of their skin is considered “safe.” I never fear something happening to my daughter, but I don’t want her growing up blind to the world around her. Books are a helpful way to introduce topics to kids and start conversations they can more easily understand.

I have a short list of some books you may wish to add to your bookshelf to help begin or further the dialogue of what’s wrong, who is hurting, and how we can come together to make things right.

Something Happened in Our Town

Good for preschoolers up, this book was written by a team of psychologists who include helpful conversation starters for parents to help explore the topics of race and racism. It follows a Black and white family as they each discuss a Black man’s death at the hands of the police.

Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights

This one explains ways to protest peacefully and raise awareness like donating money or time and making signs for protests. It’s a simple way to explain how small acts can help to make a big difference.

We’re Different, We’re the same

Using characters kids already know can be helpful in beginning a gentle dialogue at a young age. This book shows how we’re all born different, but that doesn’t mean we should be treated differently.

A is for Activist

This rhyming book is a different spin on the usual ABCs. Important topics replace the fluffy animals and the message is gentle enough for basically all ages.

Momma, Did You Hear the News?

This one follows a young, Black boy as his parents explain police brutality to him. It’s educational and lays out how some communities have a rightful mistrust of the police. It’s a good basis for explaining how something like a simple traffic stop isn’t simple to everyone.

A Kids Book About Racism

A simple title for simple facts. This book isn’t a colorful story using animals instead of people to get a message across, but clearly lays out what racism is and how to confront it.

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Brief list, I know, but falling through the book rabbit hope to discover books that are right for your families and your kids is part of the conversation. Have you incorporated books like these into your personal library? Let me know, and please comment is you have any you found particularly helpful.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and best wishes to you and yours.