Happy New Year!! I'm still in disbelief that we have now started 2017! This past year was not the best one I have ever had, but I'm keep moving forward. On New Year's Eve, we had a set back with my aunt, who has the traumatic brain injury. She tried to get up from her wheelchair to walk and she fell. My aunt fractured her hip. She had surgery and is resting at the hospital for a few days. We don't know how much of an effect this fall will have on trying to regain some of her brain function. My parents and I had gone to visit her right after Christmas and we were so pleased that she was beginning to use our names in sentences sometimes. If you can send positive thoughts and prayers to my Aunt Ann my family would appreciate it a lot!
Thanks for listening, I feel better typing that all out. Now on to a happier topic, reading! I actually finished my first read of 2017 already and it was a chapter book! The book was The Matchstick Castle by Keir Graff. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This was such a great pick for my first read! This book will be published on January 10, 2017. Penguin Young Readers sent my a copy of this book to review. One of the main characters in this book is Brian, who just finished 5th Grade. He has an idea about how his summer is going to go, until life throws him a curve-ball. We can all relate to an unexpected change in plans. He has to go stay with his Uncle and family. Soon he realizes that it is not going to be the summer that he wants. That is until he goes over the fence into the woods and discovers the oddest, most interesting house he has ever seen. This book kept me interested from the first page until the end. I had to keep pulling myself away from the book so that I could clean my house! I'm so glad that I picked this as my first read for 2017 and I highly recommend that you pick up a copy.
I've already started my second read of 2017. It is Journey's End by Rachel Hawkins. Hopefully I'll be able to post an update next week. On January 5th please check back for my Must Reads in 2017! You can read my final post on my Must Reads in 2016 in the previous post.
Happy Reading!!
Stacey (@libraryjo92)
Prayers and positive thoughts coming your way for your aunt. I loved Mr. Lemoncello's Library so I will probably enjoy The Matchstick Castle as well. I'm adding it to my list to read. Thanks for sharing and have a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteSending good wishes for your Aunt Ann, Stacey. What a challenge for her, and for you and your family. Your first book sounds delightful! Thanks, will look for it after it comes out!
ReplyDeleteStacey, my best wishes to you and your family--I hope Aunt Ann sees rapid improvement. And thank you very much for your review of The Matchstick Castle, a nice birthday present for me! Honored to be your first read of 2017.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you as you look after your aunt. I know it isn't easy. The Matchstick Castle looks good.
ReplyDeleteI have The Matchstick Castle to read too. Graff is a local author so I'm excited to support this book!
ReplyDeleteSending positive thoughts for your aunt. It's hard to see loved ones struggle.
The Matchstick Castle sounds like a fun and interesting book! I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. Sending positive thoughts to her and your family.
ReplyDeleteThe Matchstick Castle sounds like an awesome read. Sending you love and light for 2017 and that things would be better soon.
ReplyDeleteI have The Matchstick Castle, but haven't gotten to it yet. Your thoughts about it have made me want to read it very soon!
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