In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and a way to share with fellow readers and bloggers what books we got in that week.

Hi everyone!  I got a great package of books to review from YABC this week...and the picture I have is refusing to load so I'll just say that I'm really excited to have received this one.  I'll post the rest of them later.

Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

I also bought A Royal Pain by Megan Mulry

It was Book Fair week at my school last week, so naturally I went shopping....I got lots of books for Easter Baskets and then I picked up this one for me

                                                Confectionately Yours #3: Sugar and Spice

Leave me a message in the comments and let me know what you guys got.  Happy reading!

Review: Going Vintage

Title:  Going Vintage
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Released:  March 19th, 2013

Summary:  The story of a girl figuring out the truths and illusions of life and love, both in the nostalgic past and in the very real now. Laugh-out-loud humor combines with a hint of romance in this delightful contemporary novel.

The cure for a broken heart? Go vintage and live like it’s 1962!

Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, isn’t just cheating on her. He’s cheating with an online girlfriend. So Mallory decides to swear off boys and modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to “go vintage” and return to a simpler time. She sets out to complete grandma’s list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous.

The list proves to be trickier than it looks. Obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how intriguing she finds Oliver (er, Jeremy's cousin). But with the help of her sister, Mallory will finish the list and find peace.

Somehow.

My Review:  Lindsey Leavitt's Going Vintage was one of the first books I read this year that truly made me laugh out loud. The story is authentic and has a special charm that made me unable to put the story down once I started reading.

What I loved: Mallory totally absorbs herself into a vintage lifestyle, leaving her modern conveniences behind. (I admire any one that can stay off of their phone or computer for any length of time) She had a vision and an end goal and she was not going to give up. I also enjoyed the story line with Mallory's grandmother, that added a special and emotional touch to the overall story.

This book completely hit the mark for me. This is a fun, feel good contemporary book and fans of Lindsey Leavitt will surely enjoy it.

Check out reviews of this book and more over at YABC!

Review: The Wrigley Riddle (Ballpark Mysteries #6)

Title: The Wrigley Riddle
Author: David A. Kelly
Released: February 26, 2013

Summary:  Next up to the plate—book #6 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

Ivy-covered walls—they're the most famous part of the Chicago Cubs' historic ballpark, Wrigley Field. Mike and Kate can't wait to get down on the field to see the ivy for themselves. But when they do, they're horrified to discover patches of the ivy have been ripped away! Who would want to sabotage the stadium? Is it someone trying to curse the Cubs? Or is the rumor of a treasure hidden under the ivy tempting greedy fans? The Wrigley Riddle includes a fun fact page about Chicago's Wrigley Field.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

 My Review:  In this installment of the Ballpark Mysteries series, Kate and her cousin Mike take a trip to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The two quickly discover that someone has been stealing the famous ivy from the outfield wall. Using a couple of clues and some quick thinking they know they have to catch the thief to keep the Cubs winning streak alive.

This is another great addition to the series. I really enjoy how David Kelly uses special pieces of a ballpark's history and incorporates it into a fun mystery for kids. What a delight!

Review: The All-Star Joker (Ballpark Mysteries #5)

Title:  The All-Star Joker (Ballpark Mysteries #6)
Author: David A. Kelly
Released: June 12, 2012

Summary: Next up to the plate—book #5 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

The stars are out in Kansas City . . . the baseball stars, that is! Mike and Kate are at the All-Star game, and even get to go on the field during the Home Run Derby to catch pop-ups! That's where they meet Andy, whose dad, Josh Robinson, is an All-Star catcher. But before the Home Derby ends, Josh finds himself in hot water. Someone is playing practical jokes on the other players, and the coach is sure it's him. Andy swears his dad is innocent. Who would want to frame Josh? And why?

The All-Star Joker includes a fun fact page about Kansas City's stadium.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

My Review: As a baseball fan, I enjoy the Ballpark Mysteries series. The All-Star Joker takes place in Kansas City, a stadium that I have been to several times, so I enjoyed the familiarity of the setting. This mystery involves a practical joker at the All-Star game and Kate, Mike, and Andy have to figure out who it is before the big game starts.

Overall, this is a series that will attract many different readers; baseball fans and mystery fans. If you have a young sports fan who has started reading chapter books, this would be a great series to get them involved with.

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

Hi all!  This is my first In My Mailbox post. I'm excited to link up and share with other readers.

I bought three books this week...

What did you get this week?  Let me know in the comments! 

Review: The Prince (A Selection Novella)

Title: The Prince (A Selection Novella)
Author: Kiera Cass
Released: March 5th, 2013

Summary:  Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection . . .

Before Aspen broke America's heart . . .

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life. . . .

Don't miss this thrilling 64-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.

My Review:

I was excited to find out about this Novella told from Prince Maxon's point of view. It made me get even more excited for The Elite.

What I loved: I loved that Maxon had a chance to share his side of the story. I enjoyed the insight into his thoughts and feelings as the process of The Selection began. This short story gives Prince Maxon even more appeal because readers can see him as a complete character, not someone else's perception of him.

What left me wanting more: Not much, really. I wish the story had actually been a little longer and we got to hear more from Maxon's point of view.

Final Verdict: Fans of The Selection will enjoy this. If you haven't read The Selection yet, pick it up and get The Prince as well!

4 out of 5 stars

Review: Things I Can't Forget

Things I Can't Forget
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Released: March 1, 2013

Summary:  Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt… with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

My Review:

I have loved all of Miranda Kenneally's books and Things I Can't Forget may have just topped the list as my favorite.

What I loved: I loved this book more and more after I finished it and had time to think and digest everything. At times, Kate was a difficult character to like. She is not very accepting or understanding of other people's decisions and beliefs and she makes her thoughts and opinions known. Despite that, I found Kate to be real, flawed, and fascinating. Her struggles with her faith are honest and I think many people will be able to appreciate and understand that.

I also love the fact that Kenneally isn't afraid to write about a difficult and controversial topic and make both sides have a voice. That can't be easy to do and she was able to convey real feelings and emotions on every side.

Things I Can't Forget had a great cast of characters and I loved the friendship between Parker and Kate. Their two stories wound effortlessly together and Parker's voice was important for Kate to have nearby.

Final Verdict: Kenneally's books are great contemporary reads. Things I Can't Forget definitely packs the most emotional punch to it. If you are a fan of her other books, don't hesitate to pick this one up.

5/5 Stars