C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 34
July 7, 2020
Currently Reading
Part Two. I seem to be reading a lot of duologies lately. Stories in two parts. My current read fits the July BINGO board because it has a character with a disability. (Kitto Quick was born with a club foot.) I’m midway through The Dagger X, the second half of Kitto’s pirate-laced, ocean-faring adventure by Brian Eames.
Highly Recommended!
July 6, 2020
A Good Week for Books
BINGO Progress. Checking in with progress on my BINGO board. It’s been a good week for reading because I’ve had so much furniture moving/cleaning to do. And that means listening to books on my e-reader. Housework is much less of a chore when it is also my reading time. : )
#amreading Hodgepodge
Hundred Percent is the nickname of a girl named Tink (well, that’s also a nickname, but she’s been going by Tinkerbell since she was little) who is navigating the special drama that comes with being twelve. Mostly friendship drama. In Charlie Bone and the Beast (Book 6 of 7), a new boy brings trouble to Bloor’s Academy, and an old enemy is in need of rescue. More backstory, more connections. Plenty of tension to keep the pages turning. And The Return of Zita the Spacegirl is the culmination of ...
July 2, 2020
Did something hatch?
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
July 1, 2020
July BINGO
Summer Reading. The new BINGO board is available from Middle Grade Carousel, and I’ve already done a bit of rummaging through the home shelves & e-reader to see what fits. Some prompts are trickier than others. Which books would you match to this month’s squares?
Join in! Grab your board at MGCarousel.
June 29, 2020
#amreading Sets and Serieses
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King is the fifth book in the Children of the Red King series. At this point, there’s very little I can say without spoilering early books in the series, and I do detest spoilers. Needless to say, new problems are multiplying nearly as quickly as old ones are settled. It’s similarly difficult to say anything about The Creeping Shadow, which is Book 4 of 5 for Lockwood & Co. Eerie and edgy and exciting straight on through. My affection for these characters flourishes....
June 25, 2020
BookBub
For those who may use BookBub to find great deals on digital books, you can now follow me there. You’ll learn about deals on my titles & catch my recommended books.
I like her style
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
June 24, 2020
One Week Left
Not Quite an All-Cover. There’s a scant week left in June, and I’ve managed a second BINGO on my summer reading board. Heading in, I kind of wanted to cover all the squares, but I’ll definitely run out of days before I run out of books. : )
I have books set aside for most of the remaining squares, but I’m not sure how far I’ll get in six days. After spending last month reading lower middle grade quickies, it’s been so nice to tackle longer titles again. Confession: Since I’m a moderator at MGCa...
June 22, 2020
#amreading Goodness
Giant Pumpkin Suite by Melanie Heuiser Hill managed to combine many of my favorite things, all while reminding me of my childhood in Minnesota. Twins and gardening and cellos and a hint of Japanese culture. I adored The Incredible Magic of Being, in which a boy with an overprotective mother. The narrative mixed with FARTs (facts and random things) and easy-to-grasp explanations of science-y things that interest Julian. He’s an odd little cookie, and we gradually learn why as the story unfolds. ...
