Blog Tour and Giveaway: 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up

As a reading specialist, I find today's blog tour particularly meaningful. There are so many wonderful books that children should experience before they grow up, and Bianca Schulze's book, 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up, captures this idea perfectly. I'm thrilled that this compilation features a list of essential reads, providing parents with a great starting point. It includes classic novels like Beezus and Ramona alongside newer favorites such as Brown Girl Dreaming. The revised edition also highlights graphic novels, a what to read next section, and much more.

If you're concerned about your children's screen time and want to reintroduce memorable books into your family activities, this is an excellent resource. It's a great way to encourage reading together!

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition)

Written by Bianca Schulze

Illustrated by Samara Hardy

Ages: 4-12+ | 144 Pages

Publisher: Walter Foster Jr. (2025) | ISBN: 978-0760397763

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Discover new books, document your favorites, learn fun facts about books and authors, and develop a lifelong reading habit.

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) is the ultimate reading guide for kids ages 4 to 12+, packed with 101 kid-friendly book recommendations and interactive features to inspire young readers. This revised edition includes diverse voices and graphic novels and reflects current educational trends, making it a modern and inclusive reading guide for young readers today. From classics like Where the Wild Things Are, Beezus and Ramona, and The Phantom Tollbooth to newer favorites such as Big, New Kid, and Brown Girl Dreaming, this inspiring guide covers every stage of a young reader’s journey.

Designed as an engaging journal, this book allows you to document your reading journey by noting which books you’ve read, why you love them, and how you rate each one.

Each book entry includes:

• Brief description and quote: Provides insight into the book’s story, theme, and style.

• Engaging illustrations: Feature characters or key elements from each book.

• “Did you know?” facts: Fun tidbits about the book or author to spark curiosity.

• “What to read next?”: Recommendations to help you find more books you’ll love.

• Interactive rating and note space: A place for you to rate and write about your experience with each book.

Organized by book format (picture books, early readers, chapter books, and more) and cross-indexed by subjects like fairy tales, fantasy, sports, and nonfiction, 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up promotes family reading time and encourages lifelong reading habits."

 

You can purchase your own copy of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about Bianca Schulze by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram.  

The Giveaway:

I've teamed up with The Children's Book Review to host an exciting giveaway today. You could win a signed copy of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) by Bianca Schulze. Also, one incredibly lucky grand prize winner will score the most wonderful cozy reading bundle ever: a signed copy of the book, a perfect reading light, the snuggliest blanket, and a $25 gift card to Bookshop.org to get this literary adventure started. Good luck! 

  101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition): Book Giveaway

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Ginger's Courage

Teaching resilience and determination is one of the most important lessons I hope to instill in my sons. I love it when picture books capture this vital theme. Today, I'm excited to share a new picture book with you all: Ginger's Courage by Lynsey Patterson. This book highlights the theme of resilience and is inspired by a real rescue dog from Australia. Since rescue dogs hold a special place in my heart, this picture book is a must-read for me!

 

Learn More About the Book:

Ginger's Courage

Written by Lynsey Patterson

Illustrated by Angela Perrini

Ages: 4-6 | 18 Pages

Publisher: Little Steps Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 978-1915641366

Publisher’s Book Summary: "When Ginger, a spirited dog, faces a life-changing injury, her world is turned upside down. But with the support of her friends and a heart full of resilience, she discovers a newfound positivity that helps her embrace life’s challenges."  

You can purchase your own copy of Ginger's Courage at the author's website. Also, you can learn more about Lynsey Patterson by visiting her website, too.  

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Lynsey Patterson to host a giveaway for a copy of Ginger's Courage. Good luck! 

Ginger's Courage: Book Giveaway   

 

 

10 Books to Read in October

Spooky season is here! I love to cozy up with a fall read during this time of year, and if I’m feeling brave, I’ll throw in a few "horror" novels or thrillers as well. I can’t handle anything too gory, but it’s fun to embrace all things spooky or witchy at this time. Several new books are being released that are perfect for October, and many holiday books are starting to appear as well. However, I’ll showcase those next month. 

 

1. The Intruder by Freida McFadden (10/7)

"There's someone at your front door - should you let them in? In this taut, deadly tale of survival and desperation, McFadden explores how far one girl will go to save herself."

 

 

 

2. Mate (Bride #2) by Ali Hazelwood (10/7)

"A human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to Bride."

 

 

 

3. Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber (10/7)

A highly anticipated adult debut novel and a contemporary fantasy kicking off a brand new series.

 

 

 

4. Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan (10/7)

"A one-of-a-kind novel that grapples with the supernatural mysteries of life, death, and human connection." 

 

 

 

5. Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon (10/14)

A suspenseful story about a "woman trapped in a deadly conspiracy--where uncovering the truth could cost her everything."

 

 

 

6. The Widow by John Grisham (10/21)

Grisham is back with his "first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas, as a small-time lawyer accused of murder races to find the real killer to clear his name." 

 

 

 

7. Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake (10/21)

"A darkly fun novel about power, lust, and eating your fill, as wealthy moms and sorority girls practice a sinister new wellness trend."

 

 

 

8. Overdue by Stephanie Perkins (10/7)

This is Perkins's adult debut and it's a "beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way."

 

 

 

 

9. Wreck by Catherine Newman (10/28)

"The acclaimed bestselling author of Sandwich is back with a wonderful novel, full of laughter and heart, about marriage, family, and what happens when life doesn’t go as planned."

 

 

 

 

10. The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory (10/14)

"Philippa Gregory returns with a dazzling historical novel of ambition, betrayal, and survival in the court of Henry VIII."

 

 

In the comments below, let me know what books are on your TBR this month.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Luella's Library

Books are magical; we all know this! So, I love when picture books capture the magic, adventure, and armchair traveling that books can provide. 

Today I'm featuring a new picture book, Luella's Library by Tara Lala. This enchanting book recently won the 2025 Family Choice Award and is a must-read for all book lovers. 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Luella's Library  

Written by Tara Lala 

Illustrated by Francesca Pesci

Ages: 8-10 | 38 Pages 

Publisher: Mascot Kids (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891384798

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Luella loves to read books, but her best friend, Lino, doesn’t.

What Lino soon discovers is that the books in Luella’s library are magical! When one of her books transports them to an enchanted land, they have to face unexpected obstacles and help new friends.

Will Luella and Lino complete their journeys along the way? Will they be able to help their new friend find his way back home? Or will Lino choose his phone over the adventures Luella’s library has in store?"

 

You can purchase a copy of Luella's Library at Barnes & Noble, Amazon or Bookshop. Also, you can also connect with Tara Lala at Instagram.

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Expound Publicity to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Luella's Library. Enter for a chance to win a complete set of Tara Lala's magical books, including Luella's Library. Good luck!

Luella's Library: Book Giveaway

 

 

 

Blog Tour: The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes

I'm excited to be part of Berkley's blog tour for Chanel Cleeton's latest novel, The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes. As a huge fan—I'll read anything she writes I couldn't wait to share that the book comes out on September 30th. Make sure to get on your library's hold list or pre-order it, so you won't miss out. This one is said to be perfect for book lovers. Yes, please!

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton

Pub. Date: September 30, 2025

About the book: "London, 2024: When American expat Margo Reynolds is hired to source a book that’s more than one hundred and twenty years old, she thinks her greatest challenge is going to be that there’s only one copy in existence. However, it quickly becomes clear that her client isn’t the only person determined to procure the book at any cost. Thrust into a deadly quest, Margo teams up with an unlikely ally—the man she loved and lost—and is forced to confront the ghosts of her own past as the lingering feelings that simmer between them ignite.

 

Havana, 1966: Pilar Castillo’s days are spent working as a librarian in Havana, her nights spent hoping for her husband’s freedom after his unjust imprisonment. But Pilar has a secret that could jeopardize her life. She’s fighting Fidel’s regime in her own way, and when she comes into possession of a book that was published more than sixty years earlier, she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to protect the literary works entrusted to her care.

 

Boston, 1900: For Cuban teacher Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to participate in the largest cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States is not only a chance to represent her country at a critical time in its bid for independence, but also an opportunity to work on the book she’s writing. When a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger alters the course of Eva’s summer at Harvard, and as secrets, lies, and forbidden love rise to the surface, Eva’s life—and legacy—is irrevocably changed.

 

You can pre-order your copy of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about Chanel Cleeton by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Let me know in the comments if you'll be adding The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes to your fall TBR list and if you are a fan of Chanel Cleeton.