Completely Full Bookshelf

Reminder 1: The giveaway of a signed copy of The Secret Keepers ends on Tuesday. Don't miss it! To enter, click here and fill out the form at the bottom of the post. Reminder 2: If you'd like to know about the best TV show designed for children, but perfect for all ages, then click here. For MMGM, I'm recommending Greenglass House by Kate Milford. Here's the publisher's description: It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening ...

Since today is Thanksgiving, I decided I would talk about something I'm thankful for. However, I'm taking a departure from books to tell you about my favorite children's show of all time: Steven Universe . And if you're reading this thinking, Why would I watch a kids' show when I'm not a kid? , the reason is the same as why you would read a kids' book: because they're great! As is Steven Universe , which has aired on Cartoon Network since 2013 (and which I have watched since shortly before last Thanksgiving). Above (clockwise from top): Garnet, Pearl, Steven, and Amethyst The main character of Steven Universe is, unsurprisingly, a 12-year-old boy named Steven. However, Steven is not a normal child: he is half-human and half-Gem, a type of alien. Although Gems are aliens, they possess human forms and seem like humans, but in different colors and with special powers. Steven lives in the town of Beach City with 3 Gems: Garnet, Amethyst, and Pea...

Here are some photos from Shannon Messenger's signing! The signing had 150 people, and I stood in line (and got the signed copy of Lodestar that I'm giving away here )!

For today's MMGM, I'm recommending The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. (See the bottom of this post for a giveaway!) Here's the publisher's description: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be ...

For Poetry Sunday, I am recommending "The Idea of Order at Key West" by Wallace Stevens. Here is the link. I hope you enjoy it!

The Lodestar giveaway is over! Thanks to everyone who entered! Now for the winners. The winner of the Lodestar giveaway is... Ravens16! Congratulations! In addition, through various charades and shenanigans, I have several extra items of swag that I am also giving away to another lucky winner, who is...   Sydney W.! Congratulations! Finally, be looking for my next signed book giveaway, coming soon!  

Update (June 26, 2021): In the time since publishing this post, I have learned that there are some concerning racist/colonialist elements to The Secret Garden , which you can learn about in fact #7 on this article from Mental Floss . I apologize for my ignorance regarding these issues. Thank you for understanding. P.S. You still have Monday to enter in the giveaway for the signed copy of Lodestar by Shannon Messenger. Click here to enter. For MMGM, I am recommending an old classic: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. (Note: The cover above is of the Barnes & Noble Classics edition, which I read as an e-book.) Today, I'm going to skip the description and make up my own: After her parents died of cholera, rude, grouchy Mary is made to live with her uncle (who is a widower) in his large house known as Misselthwaite Manor. While living there, she gradually becomes happier as she befriends people (such as Martha, a servant in the home, and Dickon, M...

For Poetry Sunday, I am recommending "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. Here is the link. I hope you enjoy it!

This is an interesting MMGM for 2 reasons. The first is that I am recommending Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger, the author who collects links to the MMGM posts and posts them on her blog , which is how I started getting comments in the first place. The second reason is that I am also giving away a copy of Lodestar , the 5th book in the series, signed by Shannon Messenger! So, anyway, today I am recommending Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. Here's the publisher's description: In this riveting debut, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world—before the wrong person finds the answer first. Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she th...

For Poetry Sunday, I am recommending "Night Journey" by Theodore Roethke. Here is the link. I hope you enjoy it!