Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)

Synopsis (from Amazon):   If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) is a mystery to them. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  You know I love Sarah Mlynowski....but this was one didn't do a lot for me.  I found it a extremely unrealistic and therefore had a hard time getting into the book.  However, typical of Sarah Mlynowski novel's it was packed with humor and crazy events.  

Would I Read Other Books by the Author:  Yes, I love Sarah Mlynowski books!

Sarah is the author of both the WHATEVER AFTER and MAGIC IN MANHATTAN series, as well as DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT (March 2014), MILKRUN, FISHBOWL, AS SEEN ON TV, MONKEY BUSINESS, GIMME A CALL, TEN THINGS WE DID (AND PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE) and HOW TO BE BAD (along with E.Lockhart and Lauren Myracle). Sarah's short stories and novellas include A LITTLE BIT BROKEN, A NICE FLING IS HARD TO FIND, KNOW IT ALL and CRUISIN'. Sarah also co-edited the bestselling chick-lit collections GIRLS' NIGHT IN and GIRLS' NIGHT OUT and co-wrote the first ever guide to writing chick lit, SEE JANE WRITE. 

Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages and optioned to Hollywood. She was born in Montreal but now lives and writes in New York City.

Amazon 

Sometimes

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:  Andres and C lara’s lives are about to change. Will their determination be powerful enough to help them through what lies ahead? Will they discover that their hopes are only illusions or will they find that dreams really do come true....sometimes.

Children's literature is broadening its horizons with the publication of Sometimes, a story about a family immigrating to the U.S. Written by Texas elementary school teacher Hugo Ibarra and expert ELL educator John Seidlitz, Sometimes is based on first-hand stories from their students and parents as well as Ibarra’s own experience immigrating to the U.S. at 25.

Published by Canter Press, the publisher of Seidlitz Education, the leading provider of staff development and training materials for teachers of English learners, Sometimes comes straight from those who know how to teach immigration best. English and Spanish language editions help start a timely conversation about immigration, emphasizing the importance of adult encouragement for children in a time of transition.

Written for 4-8 year olds, Sometimes follows the journey of Andrés and his sister, Clara, as they immigrate from Mexico to the United States. They see many strange sights for the first time -- the border filled with cars, a strange U.S. town -- and wonder why they had to leave their mother behind. As Andrés starts at a new school, he receives encouragement from a beloved teacher, buoying his hopes until he and his sister are finally reunited with their mother.
Teaching a valuable lesson about holding on to hope, the book shows the impact of the courage, strength and hope parents and teachers provide to help children through a time of uncertainty. A story of a family’s close bond above all, Sometimes is relatable for any child. 

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I have to be honest...I didn't like the kids having to leave their mom.  I have no doubt this is reality when it comes to immigration, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.  I did like the close bond the children had with other family members and in the end they are reunited with their mother.  

I would like to think that immigrations issues are related to states bordering other countries, however, if you look past your front door, going inside a public school, go to a local church, you will see that is just a myth.  Here are few training tips the author put together:

• The important leadership role teachers play for children in transition (stable role model, offer encouragement, see an aspect of child’s behavior that parents may not)
  
• Why all parents should discuss immigration with their kids (helps children understand America’s history, prevents bullying by making the unfamiliar familiar)
  
• The respectful way to talk to your neighbors who immigrated (don’t ask for their passports, don’t assume what their native language is, offer help to navigate US culture)
  
• How teachers can learn more and train to help children in transition.
  
  

John Seidlitz is founder and CEO of Seidlitz Education, a company that provides training and support to educators and leaders of English Language Learner programs across the state of Texas and beyond. John began his work with ELLs as a social studies teacher, after which he served as a program coordinator, and a regional education specialist. He has authored several books, including: 7 Steps to Developing a Language-Rich Interactive ClassroomTM and Sheltered Instruction Plus: A Guide for Texas Teachers of English Learners. Sometimes is his first children's book.

Hugo Ibarra immigrated to the United States when he was 25. After studying immigrant children for his thesis, he received a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at Tyler and began his career as a Bilingual Education Teacher in Longview, Texas. Ibarra is currently the an elementary school principal in Bryan, Texas. Sometimes is his first children’s book. 

Amazon |  Canter Press

How to Blog a Book + Giveaway

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis: Transform Your Blog into a Book!

The world of blogging is rapidly changing, but it remains one of the most efficient ways to write and share your work with an eager audience. But how do you purposefully hone your blog content into a uniquely positioned book that will be noticed by an agent or a publisher? 

How to Blog a Book Revised and Expanded Edition is a completely updated guide to writing and publishing a saleable book based on a blog. Expert author and blogger Nina Amir guides you through the process of developing targeted blog content that will increase your chances of publication and maximize your visibility as an author.

In this revised edition you’ll find: 

• The latest information on how to set up, maintain, and optimize a blog
• Steps for writing a book easily from scratch using blog posts
• Advice on how to write blog posts
• Tips on gaining visibility and promoting your work both online and off
• Current tools for driving traffic to your blog
• Extensive information on how to monetize your existing blog content into a book or other products
• Profiles with authors who received blog-to-book deals, including four new “from blog to book” success stories

One (or more) Sentence Summary: How to Blog a Book has a ton of very helpful information, if you are interested in turning your blog into a book. The book starts out with just the basics of setting up a blog.  It carries you all the way through to tips on getting you book published.  

There are tips on the different types of blogs you can set up, make sure you are going to write about something you know about (and enjoy), and write often.  You will learn about copyright laws, plan your book blog, map out the content, how to drive people to your blog, agents, self-publishing and much more.

What Others Are Saying:  Make sure you check out what others are saying on the iRead Book Tours

June 1 -   Mary-andering Creatively - review / guest post / giveaway 
June 1 -   Words and Peace - review
June 2 -   The Booksnake Ect - review
June 2 -   Library of Clean Reads - review / giveaway
June 3 -   Readers' Muse - review / author interview
June 3 -   The Things We Read - review
June 5 -   Back Porchervations - review / author interview
June 8 -   Writers and Authors - guest post / giveaway
June 9 -   Vic's Media Room - review
June 10 - Fur Everywhere - review / giveaway
June 10 - Perfect Chaos - review / giveaway
June 11 - Keenly Kristin - review
June 12 - Seaside Book Nook - review / giveaway
June 13 - Writers and Authors - review
June 15 - Psychotic State Book Reviews - review / guest post / giveaway
June 15 - Life With Katie - review / giveaway
June 15 - Nuccia.ca - review / author interview
June 16 - Create With Joy - review / giveaway
June 17 - Romorror Fan Girl - review / guest post / giveaway
June 18 - My Life. One Story at a Time - review / guest post / giveaway
June 19 - View from the Birdhouse - review / giveaway
June 19 - Jessica Cassidy - review / author interview / giveaway
June 19 - One Frugal Girl - review / giveaway

Nina Amir, the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book and The Author Training Manual, is a speaker, a blogger, and an author, book, and blog-to-book coach. Known as the Inspiration to Creation Coach, she helps creative people combine their passion and purpose so they move from idea to inspired action and positively and meaningfully impact the world as writers, bloggers, authorpreneurs, and blogpreneurs. Some of Nina’s clients have sold 300,000+ copies of their books, landed deals with major publishing houses and created thriving businesses around their books. She is the founder of National Nonfiction Writing Month, aka the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge, and the Nonfiction Writers’ University. As a hybrid author she has published 15 books and had as many as four books on the Amazon Top 100 list at the same time.

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~   Facebook

Where to buy the book:

 Amazon  ~   Barnes & Noble

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The Carrie Diaries by Candance Bushnell

Synopsis (from Amazon):  The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  It is best to just start out saying….if you expect this to be Sex and The City, stop.  This is a great book for young adults pre-Sex and The City.  It is a cute story for teens.  Now that is said….I liked The Carrie Diaries. I understand that there are things in the book that don't jive with the TV show….okay.  I also liked the series (short-lived as it was), The Carrie Diaries.  It reminded me of 90120 in NY!

Favorite Character(s):  Carrie of course! 

Fast read/slow read:  Okay pace.  I didn't find it very fast.

Cover:  I like it!

  

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes. I really enjoyed Lipstick Jungle (and the show that they canceled) and One Fifth Avenue.

Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed bestselling author of The Carrie Diaries, Sex and The City, Lipstick Jungle, One Fifth Avenue, 4 Blondes, and Trading Up, which have sold millions of copies. Sex and The City was the basis for the HBO hit show and films of the same name. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television show on NBC. Candace lives in New York City.

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

All the Summer Girls

~I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis: In Philadelphia, good girl Kate is dumped by her fiance the day she learns she is pregnant with his child. In New York City, beautiful stay-at-home mom Vanessa finds herself obsessively searching the Internet for news of an old flame. And in San Francisco, Dani, an aspiring writer who can't seem to put down a book--or a cocktail--long enough to open her laptop, has just been fired . . . again.In an effort to regroup, Kate, Vanessa, and Dani retreat to the New Jersey beach town where they once spent their summers. Emboldened by the seductive cadences of the shore, the women begin to realize just how much their lives, and friendships, have been shaped by the choices they made one fateful night on the beach eight years earlier--and the secrets that now threaten to surface.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I am not sure why, but All the Summer Girls just didn't grab my attention while reading it. I was not feeling that urge to get back to the book.  Afterwards, reflecting on the book, it is a great story, just moved a little slower than I would like.  It is a perfect book to take on vacation or when you are in the mood to read.  That might have made a difference for me.  I really enjoyed how all the girls were finally able to behind them a haunting past and move on….they are true friends.

Favorite Character(s):  I connected more with Vanessa. I can see why she wanted to connect with an old flame after giving up so much of herself when she become a mother. I liked all the characters though.

Setting:  A beach in New Jersey.

Fast read/slow read:  Slow. I just couldn't connect.

Cover:  LOVE it!  The cover grabbed my attention right away.

What Others Are Saying:  "Beach Book Extraordinaire! Donohue's three protagonists are irresistibly sympathetic as they try to unbury their true selves from the ruinous secrets of their shared past."  
     -- Elin Hilderbrand, bestselling author of Beautiful Day

"All The Summer Girls is an intimate, heartfelt, beautiful exploration of friendship, family and the ties that bind and the secrets that destroy us. Read it first, pass it to your girlfriend later. She'll be grateful."
     -- Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of The Song Remains the Same and Time of My Life

"All the Summer Girls is an honest and engaging look at the complicated and powerful bonds of female friendship. Donohue takes us on a weekend reunion full of secrets, resentment, and regret--in other words, once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down!"
     -- Jennifer Close, bestselling author of Girls in White Dresses and the forthcoming The Smart One

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, I would. I have read great reviews on How to Eat a Cupcake.

Meg Donohue is the author of How to Eat a Cupcake. She has an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University and a BA in comparative literature from Dartmouth College. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she now lives in San Francisco with her husband, their two young daughters, and their dog.

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

The Other Life

~ I received a copy of this book from the publisher or author to facilitate this review.  I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon):  If you could return to the road not taken...would you?

Quinn Braverman has a perfect life, with a loving husband, an adorable son, and another baby on the way.

Quinn also has an ominous secret: she knows that another version of her life exists...one in which she made totally different life choices. But she's never been tempted to switch lives-until a shocking turn of events pushes her to cross over, and she discovers the one person she thought she'd lost forever: Her mother.

But Quinn can't have both lives. Soon, she must decide which she really wants-the one she has...or the other life...

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  What a powerful question, eh? If you could return to the road not taken…would you?  The Other Life, drummed up a lot of questions for me.  Which of those road not taken would I go back and possible take?  Quinn takes us on such a journey and it is one you won't forget.

The part I really liked, was her going back to her mother and being able to ask questions and talk with her.  What I wouldn't give for that to be able to happen.  The Other Life will leave thinking that is for sure.  Also, watch out for the ending, I never saw it coming…what a shocker!

Favorite Character(s):  Quinn's neighbor is pretty funny and adds some humor to this otherwise serious page turner!

Fast read/slow read:  Average read, you are left wanting more.

What Others Are Saying (from Amazon):  
"Gripping! A truly fascinating story of love, loss, and a magical place in between."
– Beth Harbison, New York Times bestselling author of Hope In A Jar

"The Other Life is a provocative and unique tale of the road not taken. Ellen Meister puts a magical, masterful spin on one of my favorite questions: "What if?" What if you took both roads? You won't want to miss this one!"
– Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Chased the Moon

"Ellen Meister makes a big leap toward the literary in The Other Life, a book where "What if" becomes the most powerful question in the world. This is the thinking woman's beach read, a love story to the modern family, written with a deep and lovely understanding of mothers and daughters and the sacrifices they'll make for each other."
– Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Stopped Swimming

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Sign me up!

Ellen Meister has written five novels: DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE (Putnam 2015), FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER (Putnam 2013), THE OTHER LIFE (Putnam 2011), THE SMART ONE (HarperCollins 2008) and SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA (HarperCollins 2006). She has also published short stories and essays, and one novelette, THE WISHING CAKE. She teaches creative writing at Hofstra University Continuing Education, and does public speaking about her books and other writing-related issues. Ellen runs a popular Dorothy Parker page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DorothyParkerQuotes. For more information visit www.ellenmeister.com.

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble