This is a blog reviewing the latest book I have read along with the books I have self-published. Please feel free to follow along with my reading / writing journey.

Book 13 of the Goosebumps series. A fantastic ghost story that will give you all the excuses you need not to have piano lessons. This one has a strong horror component and it will done. I especially loved the “you’ve got great hands” repetition that fits so well with the ending. A real scary fun…

Another Newbery award winner and it is easy to see why. This is a coming of age book that has a very sweet ending. Very memorable characters, a bit of the mystic, and finding friends and the need to have those friends around you. Highly recommend!

This is the second book in the Doctor Dolittle series and the most famous of the offerings as this has the giant sea snail. The characters are timeless and the descriptions pull you right in and make you feel like you’re on a journey with the great naturalist that rivals the abilities of Sherlock Holmes,…

Albeit I’ve watched show about Doctor Dolittle I have never enjoyed the book. I love that it isn’t a magical way that he understands the animals, but hard work as he teaches himself to speak to the animals. Also, that he does not let money stop him from doing what he thinks is right. A…

Book 19 of the Goosebumps series. Ocean adventure in the hunt for mermaids. This one was not scary as much ocean adventure/diving and snorkeling. A good warning on people’s greed. I liked the non-Disney look at mermaids and enjoyed this story.

This 2024 Newbery award winning book will take you on an incredible journey. You will find amazing friends, loyal allies, and wonderful aged mentors. Embracing where life takes you and appreciating who/what you are. I really liked the choice to not explain the “enemy’s” motivation and just letting it be an interpretation. The final message…

This Newbery award winning book lives up to the hype. This is a cool coming of age story with a beautiful message or a couple. If you weren’t who you want to be today, do better tomorrow. Also, just being brave enough to take that step forward. Loved it.

This one is part mythology/suspension and betrayal. It is a glance into the pearl diving people. Tragedy happens and we try to attribute it to something to make it make sense in our minds. I liked this one as it leaves a bit off the mysterious while uncovering the treachery that can hide in the…

This is a very colorful introspective book. As you can guess what the main word of this book is by the title, moving past this I loved a lot of the topics. The topic of the endless loop of self-depreciation, the topic of Pleasure vs Happiness, and the topic of getting out of your and…

This is book 2 of Island of the Blue Dolphins. This time we are following the niece of Karana on the mainland. Again we have a story of love and loss and all of the same topics as the previous book but in a different view. We do get to see Katana about three quarters…