Every month we let you know what we’ve been reading and our monthly recommendations. You’ll get to see new titles with fabulous reviews from the Bay Books team. We’re sure you’ll love these fantastic books just as much as we do. We recommend a wide range of genres and themes. So get ready to explore more books!
Skye’s Picks
The Knight Owl By: Christopher Denise
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise is a charming children’s book about a young owl named Sir Cedric, who dreams of one day becoming a brave knight. Despite being small and inexperienced, Sit Cedric is determined to make his dream a reality. He sets out to prove himself in knight school, facing challenges that test his bravery and wit. Along the way he finds that strength doesn’t always come to us by sheer muscle or build but by our own character and determination. Facing fears, helping others, and not judging a book by its cover is what this story is all about!
I Love You All Year Round By: Sam McBratney
This classic story follows the lives of Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare, as they share tender moments throughout the seasons, from winter’s chill to the warmth of summer. With beautiful illustrations the book highlights the enduring year-round love between them reinforcing the message that love is constant and unwavering, no matter the time or season.This story is sweet and heartwarming, and would be a perfect children’s book for Valentines Day!
Frostfire is a beautifully illustrated story of two fox sisters, Big sister Miriam and Little sister Celeste. As they set out for a fun day in the snow, Miriam starts telling young Celeste about the beautiful and mysterious snow dragons and how they’re all around us. Celeste isn’t quite convinced of her big sister’s stories until she wanders off alone… in the end both sisters realize they’re may be more magic in their world than they thought. This is a gorgeously illustrated book and the story is really sweet. I can say this has now become one of my favorite children’s books and I’m happy to have read it!
Becky’s Pick
Be Ready when the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Be Ready When the Luck Happens is a warm and down to earth memoir. It is also a
business guide in the preparation it takes to create a business empire, one that fulfills
your life’s dreams, one step at a time.
If you like to cook, and maybe like Paris too – well sit down with a cup of tea or a glass
of good wine and enjoy Ina Garten’s memoir. (You might have to take a break to make
Coq au Vin (I did!) as she shares a few of her favorite recipes between chapters.
Her life was not always easy, and it was not all luck that landed her where she is today;
she worked hard and asked the right questions along the way. From a difficult childhood
to meeting the love of her life at age 19, from a bureaucratic job in Washington DC to
buying a food store in the Hamptons, from becoming the Barefoot Contessa to writing
best-selling cookbooks and becoming a television host, Ina blazed her own trail and
figured out how to share her journey with millions. “Do what you love because if you
love it, you’ll be really good at it.”
Tina’s Picks
The Three Lives of Kate Cay by Kate Fagan
Three names, three lives. But Cate Kay is finally ready to tell you who she really is.
And when the truth is out, will everyone’s favourite novelist hold on to her place in our hearts or are some betrayals impossible to forgive? She has so much in her past built on so many lies that are not even her own but what she does have to own up to is an unintentional reaction when her best friend is injured. Her life continues on in ways she never expected. You’ll enjoy the ride with Cate Kay…..whoever she is.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
The flight will be smooth, it will land safely. Everyone who gets on the plane will get off. But almost all of them will be forever changed. Because on this ordinary, short, domestic flight, something extraordinary happens. People learn how and when they are going to die. For some, their death is far in the future–age 103!–and they laugh. But for six passengers, their predicted deaths are not far away at all. … If you were told you only had a certain amount of time left to live, would you do things differently? Would you try to dodge your destiny? This book will prompt some deep and reflective questions about how we view our place in the world, and in the future.
Wendy’s Pick
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix
Ever wondered, “How to Become A Groove Witch?” A group of pregnant teens have been banished by their families to Wellwood House, a home for unwed mothers deep in southern FL. Here they will wait out the last months of their pregnancies under the punative and manipulative supervision of the owner and staff at Wellwood. The girls are depressed, traumatized, angry and scared. A chance meeting with the bookmobile librarian offers them a special book of spells that might provide hope…or maybe revenge? Magic, of course, always comes with a price. The author (middle aged man!) captures the personalities of the 1970’s era teens girls accurately and empathetically. A great read.
Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
Penny, a middle-aged teacher and mother of a troubled young girl, has never forgotten her beloved childhood pony. Pony, however, has carried a life-long grudge against Penny! When Penny finds herself accused of murder and the outlook is hopeless, help comes from the unlikeliest of sources. This creative and quirky novel is a completely different spin on the mystery genre, and will have you thinking about how we treat animals – and the lengths we will go to for those we love.
