The Third Mushroom

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a great addition to The Fourteenth Goldfish series. The first one ended in such a way that you could tell more was coming, so I'm glad this did not disappoint. In order to really understand what happens in this book, you have to have read the first one. There is too much backstory that will cause confusion if you try to only read this one.

The Third Mushroom sees Melvin coming back from his time abroad to join Ellie back in middle school and experiment with the specimen mentioned at the end of the first book. This book really focuses on the struggles of being a teenager and growing up in general. The target audience will easily be able to identify with the characters.

Although there wasn't really anything at the end of this book pointing to another one, I kind of want to see what is next for Melvin.

Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: September 4th 2018

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Corporate Crap

Corporate Crap: Lessons Learned from 40 Years in Corporate America by Howard Harrison
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was an interesting read, but as a low-level employee, I feel like I did not get as much out of this as I could have. As I was reading, I kept thinking that this would be a great read for those that are in positions of power. It really puts some of the crazy things companies do into perspective. I've had to deal with most of the issues mentioned in the book, so I understood the author's views. There were a few that I have not experienced, and after having read about them, I'm going to cross my fingers that they never happen.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Howard Harrison
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Publication Date: 01 Oct 2018

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Book Love

Book Love by Debbie Tung
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a great read, and as a book nerd, I related to all of it. I'm just not sure I would read it all again in this format. Would I post individual parts on Facebook or hang posters of them up on my walls? Absolutely.

If you love books and love comics, this is a great read.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Debbie Tung
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 01 Jan 2019

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Simon Fayter and the Tomb of Rone

Simon Fayter and the Tomb of Rone by Austin J. Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is hilarious. There are footnotes, which can be hard to pull off in a work of fiction, but they just add to the humor. If you haven't read the first book, you really should before reading this one. This is not a series that can easily be understood if you do not have the backstory.

The characters are great and have developed since the last book, which is what they should do in a series.

These books are great for middle grade readers or those that just want an entertaining story. I will say, the ending of this book had me ready for the next book. I know the author is being awesome and releasing it soon, but I still have some time to wait and wonder what is going to happen next.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Austin J. Bailey
Publication Date: November 22nd 2018

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Royal Crown

Royal Crown by Meg Cabot
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book seemed like it could have been a little side story of another one. The plot points that I really wanted to know about happened behind the scenes with Mia and the other adults. The things that happened in the forefront of the story involved babysitting and periods. It just didn't seem like enough to really fill a whole book. I realize that the main characters of this series are not old enough to be part of the big decisions, but I just wanted more of an actual story.

Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: August 7th 2018

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Apprenticeship with a Vampire

Apprenticeship With A Vampire by J. Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one. The fact that Nathaniel lets the ghosts do whatever they want with these poor people leads to hilarious situations. I like the ghosts. I like the fact that they are not stereotypical. They have their own special flare that goes along with this series perfectly.

This story really has a lot going on. It makes me wonder what kind of people would answer the ad that Diedre posted. Some of the best parts of this story happen in a small moment outside of the house.

This is really just a fast-paced story that keeps you entertained the whole time.

Author: J. Bennett
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Publication Date: September 10th 2014

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Frank Einstein and the Brainturbo

Frank Einstein and the Brainturbo by Jon Scieszka
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This series is a great one for young readers, as an adult, I start to question things that were never meant to be questioned. If you are a reader that starts wondering about things like where all the adults are when things are happening, you will probably have the same issues I did. For kids, especially ones that are into science, this series is great.

Author: Jon Scieszka
Publisher: Turtleback Books
Publication Date: August 11th 2015

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Expelled

Expelled by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book really held my attention, possibly because I really get into mysteries, I have to know what happened. The other reason the book held my attention was the teaser on the cover. It talks about how being expelled affected Sasha, but for most of the book, it is not clear why. That little teaser was just sitting there as I read the book, waiting to reveal itself. I have to admit, once everything was revealed, I did not see any of it coming.

This is a good read that is not just another light-hearted YA book.

Author: James Patterson and Emily Raymond
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: October 23rd 2017

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When Vampires and Ninjas Collide

When Vampires and Ninjas Collide by J. Bennett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While this was a fun little story, I have to admit, I didn't like this one as much as the others in the series. I think it was because a lot of the action happened between random characters that were not in any of the other stories or Diedre with the Ninjas. There wasn't as much Nathaniel interaction as I would have liked. The Nathaniel parts were great, but I just wanted more of them.

Author: J. Bennett
Publisher: J Bennett
Publication Date: October 25th 2013

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Cogheart

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book had an interesting premise and good plot twists, I just couldn't really get into it. I think the books target audience will like this a lot, so just because it wasn't a favorite of mine doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it a good book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Peter Bunzl
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Publication Date: 12 Feb 2019

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Duel with the Werefrog

Duel with the Werefrog by J. Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book in the Vampire's Housekeeper Chronicles introduced some great characters. The characters that make their debut in this story are featured in the other stories, so it is best to read the Chronicles in order.

In Duel with the Werefrog, Nathaniel and Henrick, a werefrog, decide to duel to win the affection of a lady who frequents bingo games. I enjoyed the fact that the creatures in this series are not just your run-of-the-mill ones. It's not a werewolf, but a werefrog, and an old one riding around in a scooter at that.

I like the fact that Deidre was able to see Nathaniel's true colors even if she was unconscious for them. She definitely had an exciting adventure in this story, with a lot of mixed emotions.

Author: J. Bennett
Publisher: J Bennett
Publication Date: September 28th 2012

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It Wasn't Me

It Wasn't Me by Dana Alison Levy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mysteries tend to capture my attention, and this book was no different, especially since everyone seemed guilty.

The book is about Theo, who's photos were vandalized twice at school. The principal agrees to let a teacher try a Justice Circle over a week-long school break to find out what happened instead of automatically suspending everyone who may have been involved. The book takes place during the time spent in the Justice Circle. Each day of the week little pieces of information are given about each of the characters, making it difficult to figure out what really happen.

I liked that the characters had some depth to them. None of them were as clear cut as they seemed on the surface. They all had things in their personal lives that they didn't want the others to know about. These secrets created some distrust and confusion as to what really happened.

The ending was slightly predictable, but at the same time, I was surprised. There were mixed emotions when I finished the book. All in all, it was a good YA read.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Dana Alison Levy
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 13 Nov 2018


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The Vampire Hunter Comes to Call

The Vampire Hunter Comes To Call by J. Bennett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This series cracks me up. You would think that a series with a vampire would be dramatic when a vampire hunter is added, but this is the Vampire's Housekeeper Chronicles, thank you very much. Nothing is ever what it seems.

This story includes Facebook, arthritic knees, and a chess tournament to the death. Really, what more could you want in a book? I highly recommend this entire series.

Author: J. Bennett
Publisher: J Bennett
Publication Date: April 3rd 2012

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Homeroom Diaries

Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was a pretty deep read for something that had illustrations. Those types of books come around every now and then. For me, this is a book that is great for teens, and may even be something that will help them get through hard times, but was something that I think I will only read once. I would still highly recommend it.

I think my biggest issue with this book was the fact that most of the adults were just jerks. I kept wanting to scream at them for the way they were treating Margaret.

I don't know what to say about this book. There is a lot going on, and it is good at evoking emotions. I think it is just one of those books that would be good for everyone to read at least once. There is really something for everyone to get out of it.

Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Arrow (Young)
Publication Date: July 17th 2014

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Royce Rolls

Royce Rolls by Margaret Stohl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was an entertaining read that made me think about what is really going on behind the cameras on all of the reality tv shows that are out there these days. If this book were to have come out before reality tv was pretty much everywhere, I don't think it would have had the impression it did.

Royce Rolls is about a family like the Kardashians that lives their lives in front of a camera. Behind the scenes, things are not what they appear, and getting that look into what was really going on once the cameras turned off was what made the book a good read.

The book is filled with drama and moments when the reader is left wondering what happened. I appreciate that the readers are not given all of the information from the start. Sometimes it's great to read a book and be all-knowing, but this is one of those times when it worked better for the reader to find things out as the story progressed.

I did listen to the audio book version, and I will admit, the thing that made me crack up multiple times was the mispronunciation of the county Sevier. It didn't change the story at all, but coming from someone who grew up in that area, the reader made it sound a lot fancier than it actually is.

Author: Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Freeform
Publication Date: April 4th 2017

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