Review: Better Pets by Leigh Bardugo & Liz Climo

This picture book was all kinds of adorable. It was full of gorgeous color illustrations that I so really loved. Cute pets are very much for me. I am giving it four stars, as I didn't fully love this one, as I wish there had been a little more, but oh, I really adored it even so. Written well too.

This short picture book tells the story of best friends Yvette and Evan. They live in a town where everyone owns a pet. But they do not. And they are not sure which ones to choose. They do not want to pick the wrong one. And then an adoption day for cats and dogs come.

But so does a store, named Better Pets. They visit that one. I so enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The pets were all looking so pretty and weird. This book was full of details. Which I loved looking at. The pets in this store were all different from regular pets. They could all do some magical things. Which was fun to read about and look at. I think that younger children will adore this picture book. There were also rhymes pretty much on all pages, which was cute. Yvette and Evan look at all these better pets, but they are unsure what to get.

This picture book is written by Leigh Bardugo, whom I must always read everything from. It is illustrated by Liz Climo, and she did such a wonderful job. The art was truly gorgeous. I loved the colors and all of the pets. Cats are my favorites, always. There is a white cat somewhere too, like mine, which I loved the most, haha. Better Pets was a short and cute picture book. Easy and fast to read. I only wish it had been longer, as I always do. Maybe a little more focus on the friendship too. But the rest of it was so adorable.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Review: Bing's Cherries by Livia Blackburne & Julia Kuo

Of course I could not resist reading another picture book by Livia. What I enjoy most about her picture books is that they tell true stories about Chinese American immigrants. Stories about people I have not heard about before, but that I'm now happy to have gotten to know a little bit. Bing seemed great. 

The author and illustrator notes at the back are always great. As it also shares a little more about the real person, but also about Livia and Julia, which I loved. The picture book was so fast and easy to read. I liked the story a lot. The artwork was also gorgeous. This book is ending up as a four star for me.

Because while I did like this story a whole bunch, I felt like the artwork lacked a little bit. I do wish there had been more colors. I may have been a bit weirded out by the hairstyle of Bing, haha. But I also found the art to be so very pretty and it is full of details. So my issues are not big. The text from Livia fit well with the art from Julia. Although, yes, I do wish it had been longer. Oops. But I do guess that is the point of picture books. They are supposed to be so short. I also felt like the story was told well enough. I got to know Bing and how he came to Oregon and planted his cherries. I will say that I found his story to be heartbreaking. He left behind a wife and seven adopted sons. And it took him thirty years to return home. Oh. Fully sad.

Bing's Cherries was a well written and greatly illustrated story about Ah Bing. I loved that it was a true story about his life. Well, mostly. It came from the thoughts of a little girl, so some details were not right. But it was fully adorable. I liked that Bing was tall. I do wish the story had been longer and the artwork had been more colorful. But I also liked the story the way it was too. And I am glad that I read it. I think young children may adore this too. And I will, as always, read more books by Livia and artwork by Julia.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

In My Mailbox #771

Another week gone by. Another week of us not having summer. Sobs. It is just so very rude. We have had so very few sunny days this summer. And not warm at all. I am not happy about it. Keep hoping we will get a warm fall.. but doubting it. Hmph. Hopefully next year will be better, though. Ack. But anyway. I am exhausted, still. I'm testing a new medicine which should help with pain and other things. It somewhat helps. It works with my sleep, so I have been sleeping better this week. Mostly. Done nothing for my pain just yet, though. But hoping it works soon :) I have pretty much done nothing this week, though. Oh. I so need to read. I need to tidy. But I just can't. No energy. Been playing a bunch of Pokopia, as the newest update was just so lovely. <3 And the days just go by so fast. Ahh. Got less mail this week, aw. But, you know, maybe time I start buying less, haha :) But, well. More coming soon. Oops. <3 Shall buy less, some day soon, haha :D This week I'm waiting on Bright and Shiny Things. <3 I hope you are all doing great :) 

Chaotic Orbits. New Beth Revis trilogy, all in one book. <3 I hope to be able to read this one day soon :)
My Little Pony. I found this Switch game pretty cheap, and I could not resist buying it, haha :) Looks cute.
Funko Pop. And then I bought this Jinu keychain as well; simply because he is my favorite and I love this.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #773

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

BRIGHT AND BROKEN THINGS BY RYAN GRAUDIN 

Goodreads Description:

Set among the glittering parties and Egyptology craze of the 1920s, young academic learns he might be the key to an ancient Egyptian tomb coveted by a powerful cabal of magicians in this enthralling adventure from the author of Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois.
 
Ezra Bright has returned to London after serving in World War I but, like many returned soldiers, he is haunted by his time on the front lines and the loss of his adoptive brother. He attempts to put the nightmares behind him and focus on his dissertation, but a chance encounter with his sister, Biz, introduces him to the Bright Young Things, a group of socialites famous for their elaborate costume parties and treasure hunts spanning London. At one such party Ezra meets Celia, a young socialite who introduces him to a world of magic and secret societies.
 
Unbeknownst to many, a powerful cabal of magicians known as the Order has been stealing magical artifacts in the hopes of impressing its mysterious leader. The ultimate prize is said to bestow immortality on its bearer and Celia suspects Ezra may be in possession of the powerful, ancient magic key to locating it. When Biz mistakes a note from Ezra’s mother for the start of another scavenger hunt, the Order is alerted to Ezra’s presence forcing him, Celia, Biz and her fiancé on a race across Cairo to find the treasure before the Order does.

Format: 384 pages, Paperback
Expected Publication: September 22, 2026 by Redhook
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I have been a fan of Ryan for many years now, and so I am still buying all her new books, though I am a little bit behind as well. <3 And ohh, I'm excited about this one :D I think it looks and sounds so awesome.
What are you waiting for on this bright Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #770

Hello. I am still all kinds of dead. Gosh. Been a very long and exhausting week. And yet it has gone by so very fast. Ahh. I have not gotten much done at all. I got home from my mini vacation on Sunday evening, and I feel like it was yesterday, haha. Been so dead since then. But getting better. I think. My fingers have had such bad psoriasis lately. Sigh. Painful. And my bumps are the worst too. I'm also just so tired and in pain all the time. Hmph. But I'm so glad we went on our mini vacation. A car ride, 7 hours into Finland and Sweden. Although it takes longer as we do have several shopping stops. My sister drives. And went with mom and grandma as well. <3 Just one night in a hotel, but it was such a great trip. With good food and lots of shopping, haha. And spa hotel, so got a great warm bath in the evening. Yeah. I loved it. Hopefully going again next year :) The drive is pretty scary, so it is not something we want to do often, sadly. But we made it, and had such a nice time. <3 But yeah. Exhausted. Finally managed a spa bath tonight :) But still hurting. Hope it passes soon. Not much mail this week; a couple of books, and some things that I bought. Also still want summer. Sobs. This week I'm waiting on Chaotic Orbits. <3 Hope you are all doing well :D 

The Dream Thieves Graphic Novel. I know, I have yet to read book 4. Ahh. But these are just gorgeous.
The Half King. Fairyloot edition :D Had to buy this from someone in Norway; really wanted this edition.
Diverse. All of these items were bought on my mini vacation. <3 I got some Moomin magnets, which I love so much :D I got two cat plushes, eee. That big one is so soft and just perfect. Got some Pokemon cards, ha. Nothing great, but love them even so. A Bridgerton lipgloss. And Lotso lipgloss and soap :D

More Instagram photos here. <3