Somebody On This Bus Is Going To Be Famous! by J.B. Cheaney

9 children, 9 different lives, 9 different problems, 9 different pasts and presents, 1 bus. I like this type of writing style where the story is told from different perspectives and slowly the story line is weaved together from each person's eyes. I thought it ended a bit clunky, but overall I enjoyed reading the story. The author does a good job of bringing each student to life and showing how we are all more connected that it seems. The author is a local Missourian and the story takes place in and around South and Central Missouri. 

Recommend: yes

The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

This starts out in typical medieval fantasy fashion. Young girl grows up in extreme poverty, disaster strikes and she loses what little she had, nearly dies, is rescued, finds a new found talent and uses it to rescue her people. Even though it's not a fresh idea, the story is pleasant to read. Emmeline is the damsel in distress and Owen is her longed for love. And there is the typical ruthless bad guy (or bad queen in this case) who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. 

It was an average fantasy story with romance weaved in. I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but probably won't pick it up again. 

Recommend: Sure.

Young adult fiction, fantasy, magic, evil queen.

Books in 2023

 As I looked back and counted up the books I've read in 2023 I was a bit surprised to see the low number of 27, with 6 of them rereads. Of the first time reads here are my top picks: 

• Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham
• Eyes of the Forest by April Henry
• 23 Minutes by Vivian Vande Velde
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho