Kate Willis's Blog, page 76
February 1, 2019
Plate Update: Picture Books, Canvases, and Libraries Galore
January, a month full of beginnings and course corrections and wondering about more course corrections. 
January 30, 2019
Book Review: Restart
“Chase’s memory just went out the window.
Chase doesn’t remember falling off the roof. He doesn’t remember hitting his head. He doesn’t, in fact, remember anything. He wakes up in a hospital room and suddenly has to learn his whole life all over again . . . starting with his own name.
He knows he’s Chase. But who is Chase? When he gets back to school, he sees that different kids have very different reactions to his return.
Some kids treat him like a hero. Some kids are clearly afraid of him.
One girl in particular is so angry with him that she pours her frozen yogurt on his head the first chance she gets.
Pretty soon, it’s not only a question of who Chase is–it’s a question of who he was . . . and who he’s going to be.” (from Goodreads)
Once upon a time, I wrote super detailed notes about how much I loved this book and why. Then one day… I lost them. The bittersweet ending is that I’ve decided to write a mini review from what I remember… *grins sheepishly*
This book was a surprise. I loved the cover, the concept, and a review I’d read of it. And I ended up very much enjoying the book itself.
January 28, 2019
Look What’s Coming! (Cover Reveal + Giveaway)
Remember that time a review copy saved me from the agonies of a terrible library book? I had loved the first book in that series, Shallows by Denver Evans, and book two, Phantoms, was just as good. 
January 25, 2019
Leave Room for God
As I was pondering what to write about today (and praying about it too), I read today’s devotional and knew it was something I needed to share with you. It applies to life and writing both.
January 23, 2019
Book Review: The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare
“It’s mayhem at the science fair! A squishy goo monster is a challenge for the Princess in Black — but luckily some science-loving princesses are on hand to help.
Princess Magnolia is excited. Excited and nervous. She’s going to the Interkingdom Science Fair today to present her poster about seeds and plants, and when she arrives, she sees that her friends are there too! Princess Honeysuckle made a mole habitat, Princess Sneezewort has built a blanket fort, and Tommy Wigtower has a talking volcano that’s saying “EAAAAT!” Wait, what? A surprise goo monster makes this a job for the Princess in Black, and the Princess in Blankets is on the scene to lend a hand. But will two masked heroes be enough to save the science fair?” (from Goodreads)
My younger sisters and I always look forward to the books in this series, and this one was no exception. 
As always, this was a super cute read, and I absolutely love the illustration style. I could actually pore over the pictures of the science fair for a while if I weren’t the one reading aloud.
January 22, 2019
Doings of Kate
Lately, I’ve been doing some things. Some bookish, artistic, Kate-ish things.
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One of my goals this year has been to read through the Bible. My family is doing a reading plan that integrates with videos from The Bible Project, and it’s been amazing so far! We just read about the Exodus. I’ve also been reading a daily devotional My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Since it’s based on notes from his lectures, it can be a little confusing sometimes but a lot of other times it knocks my socks off.
January 18, 2019
A Smorgasbord of Writing Music
More recently though (probably because of looooonnng hours writing and editing Kiera), I’ve discovered several songs that help get my creative juices flowing while writing without distracting me too much from putting down words.
January 17, 2019
My Library Stack… Or Two
I make the schedule so I can break it with a… totally bonus post!
January 16, 2019
Book Review: Omega City
“Gillian Seagret doesn’t listen to people who say her father’s a crackpot. His conspiracy theories about the lost technology of Cold War–era rocket scientist Dr. Aloysius Underberg may have cost him his job and forced them to move to the middle of nowhere, but Gillian knows he’s right and plans to prove it.
When she discovers a missing page from Dr. Underberg’s diary in her father’s mess of an office, she thinks she’s found a big piece of the puzzle—a space-themed riddle promising to lead to Dr. Underberg’s greatest invention. Enlisting the help of her skeptical younger brother, Eric, her best friend, Savannah, and Howard, their NASA-obsessed schoolmate, Gillian sets off on a journey into the ruins of Omega City, a vast doomsday bunker deep inside the earth.
But they aren’t alone inside its dark and flooded halls. For while Gillian wants to save her dad’s reputation by bringing Dr. Underberg’s secrets to light, there are others who will stop at nothing to make sure they stay buried . . . forever.” (from Goodreads)
Clever, clever! This book was kinda National Treasure meets The City of Ember, and that pretty much equals awesome.
The characters were fun. They had inside jokes, some messy dynamics (I’ll get into that later), and a lot of cool family loyalty. The main character–Gillian, Howard, and Private Pizza (Nate) were my favorites. I especially loved Private Pizza protecting everyone and trying to help Gillian understand his brother Howard better. (Loved how that turned out! Score.
January 14, 2019
The Daily Life of Hailey Grace Blog Tour: Author Interview of Beloved
Today I have a treat for you all! Another interview of an independently published author.
