Inappropriate for little kids but entertaining

it was amazing

This book kept popping into my radar as an Indie Next pick for July 2025 and I read about it via The NY Times. I don’t often go for nonfiction memoir/biography but my interest piqued at this tale of a couple surviving adrift for four months after their yacht capsized. It’s a wild story and worth a read. I listen to the short audiobook on Spotify.

This is a lovely book! I was lucky to receive a digital ARC of this graphic novel from NetGalley to review. After loving The Magic Fish, I was eager to read Trung Le Nguyen’s latest, which is set to release in October 2025. The full color illustrations are dreamy, gorgeous feasts for the eyes. After overextending herself, Angelica turns to a place that has captivated her and brought her comfort: the local theater and its upcoming production featuring Per the Bear Prince. This story has a little of everything: family drama and grief, a second chance romance, friendship, and more. While this sophomore book doesn’t feel as deep or impactful as its predecessor, it still gets top marks for me. Young audiences will love it and older readers will appreciate it.

I like this book because it teaches me about teeth ??

This book is a sequel to Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley.

I enjoyed this short novel-in-verse penned by Arriel Vinson, one of Reese’s LitUp fellows. There are beautiful, poetic moments especially as Jae skates. I enjoyed the bit of a love story and how this book felt like a coming-of-age/maturation moment. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify

This was an exciting adventure, book for kids, which taught many things about teamwork, mutual respect, and Outdoor safety.

Three half Japanese / half English sisters spend their summer in their seaside childhood home, looking back on their pasts, reveling in summer delights, and discerning their futures. They are joined by their fussy old great-grandmother, a beloved five-year-old nephew, and three childhood friends.

3.75 stars rounded up. I find this book very hard to rate as much of the merit comes from its status as a classic. Mark Twain’s novel is full of adventure, boyhood mischief and depictions of the racist antebellum Southern US. I’m very familiar with the story and probably have the strongest memory of the Elijah Wood portrayal on film. There’s nostalgia that comes with taking that trip down the river with Huck and Jim and revisiting their stops along the way. Yet, during this reading, I was shocked at the preponderance of vernacular and ear-piercing slurs (specifically the n-word) that made it rather hard to listen to on audio. If this book were written today as historical fiction, I’d probably be rounding down the rating, but I can’t ignore where this text stands in history. Tom Parker’s narration felt rather fast-paced, but his voice felt authentic though his occasional vocal clicks stuck out a bit.