Saturday, March 02, 2019

Sunday Mews: Goodbye February, Hello March! (February Wrap Up & March's TBR List Poll)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post, where any book bloggers who write monthly wrap-up posts can link up and visit other bloggers to see what they have been reading.  



It has been a wet weekend with more rain. I am in no way complaining though. I love these rainy days. Spring has been peeking her head around the corner earlier this past week, giving us a taste of sunshine and warmer weather. My rose bushes are beginning to bloom. I wasn't sure they would survive our freezing temperatures. We never did get that snow Mouse wanted; although several other areas nearby that usually do not see any did. Mother Nature is such a tease.

How did you fare this February? Are you ready for March?

New to My Shelves: 

 Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
Hunted by Meagan Spooner

 Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Dr. Snow Has Got to Go! (My Weirder-est School #1) by Dan Gutman


Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren (#7) by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
The Knight At Dawn (Magic Treehouse, #2)  by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Salvatore Murdocco
I am . . . A Journal for Extraordinary Kids by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
Dog Songs by Mary Oliver
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala
Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James
Dragons Get Colds Too by Rebecca Roan, illustrated by Charles Santoso


Mr. Right Stuff by Sophie Brooks


Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse


About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis


What I Am Reading: My bookmark currently is in Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet. I have been on a role as of late reading books that I do not want to put down, and this one is among them. It is so good!

What I Am Watching: I watched a couple episodes of The Umbrella Academy--the jury is still out on what I think, although I am interested enough to continue. I also recently watched the short documentary Period. The End of a Sentence., which recently won an Academy Award.  I can see why it won.

Off the Blog: February was a busy month with all our usual activities, in addition to auditions for the summer musical, birthday planning and preparations, and Girl Scout cookie sales. I will be so glad when cookie season is behind us!

Mouse has been working on her Frida Kahlo report and will be finishing it up this weekend. She was named Scientist of the Week for school this coming week, and so will be coming up with a science project she can show her class. My husband has a whole slew of ideas, but none of them are realistic for a second grader to demonstrate to her class on her own. I nixed his burning magnesium idea.

Looking Forward To: My daughter's birthday this month. We are having a painting party, which she is excited about. And later in the month we are going to Drag Queen Story Hour: HERstory at our local independent bookstore. My husband, Mouse and I are all looking forward to it. It's been a regular event at the bookstore for a couple months now, but this will be our first time going.


Here is what I finished reading in February:
  • The Mortal Word (Invisible Library, #5) by Genevieve Cogman
  • Sleepy Hollow Sleepover (A to Z Mysteries, #4) by Ron Roy
  • Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward
  • White House White-Out (A to Z Mysteries, #3) by Ron Roy
  • Stars Uncharted by S.K. Dunstall
  • Judy Moody and the Right Royal Tea Party (#14) by Megan McDonald
  • Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself by Margaret Frith
  • Who Was Frida Kahlo? by Sarah Fabiny
  • Getting Hot With a Scot by Melonie Johnson
February was a good reading month overall. Of the four books I read just for myself, they were all winners. Stars Uncharted, the February TBR poll winner, was my favorite, but it was close!  All of the books were so different from one another. 

Mouse really enjoys our reading time together. We take turns reading out loud to each other. She is really into the A to Z Mysteries and Judy Moody books. I tend to like the Judy Moody books a bit more, finding the writing in the A to Z Mysteries repetitive at times. I am sure it's partly because of the age group they are written for. What matters is that Mouse enjoys them. I love it when she speculates as to how the mysteries will turn out. Sometimes she is way off, and other times she is spot on. Mouse has two other series going as well, The Magic Treehouse and The Wish Fairy, but those she is reading with her dad. 

This Past February In Reading Mews:

Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your February? Do you have anything planned for this month?

*

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 




I had a hard time settling on three books to choose for this month's poll. I am not sure why it was so difficult to choose. I think all of these will be good, and all are books I have been wanting to read for awhile now. I look forward to seeing which one wins!

City of Lies (Counterfeit Lady #1) by Victoria Thompson

Elizabeth Miles scours 1920’s Washington, D.C. for a killer in the first Counterfeit Lady novel from the author of the New York Times bestselling Gaslight mysteries.

Every woman plays a part—but some are more dangerous than others…

Like most women, Elizabeth Miles assumes many roles; unlike most, hers have made her a woman on the run. Living on the edge of society, Elizabeth uses her guile to relieve so-called respectable men of their ill-gotten gains. But brutal and greedy entrepreneur Oscar Thornton is out for blood. He’s lost a great deal of money and is not going to forgive a woman for outwitting him. With his thugs hot on her trail, Elizabeth seizes the moment to blend in with a group of women who have an agenda of their own.

She never expects to like or understand these privileged women, but she soon comes to respect their intentions, forming an unlikely bond with the wealthy matriarch of the group whose son Gideon is the rarest of species—an honest man in a dishonest world. She knows she’s playing a risky game, and her deception could be revealed at any moment, possibly even by sharp-eyed Gideon. Nor has she been forgotten by Thornton, who’s biding his time within this gilded orbit, waiting to strike. Elizabeth must draw on her wits and every last ounce of courage she possesses to keep her new life from being cut short by this vicious shadow from her past. [Goodreads Summary]


Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants--the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it's located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming--until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . .

Vermont, 2014. As much as she's tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister's death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister's boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can't shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past--and a voice that won't be silenced. . . . [Goodreads Summary]


A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1) by Deanna Raybourn
London, 1887.

After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.
[Goodreads Summary]



Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful week! Happy Reading!


© 2019, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

65 comments:

  1. I am so ready for spring! And Trail of Lightning looks so awesome- I have to get that one and read it soon. Stars Uncharted might be calling to me too. :)

    I voted for a Curious Beginning- I think it looks really good!

    Have a great week!

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    1. Greg - The weather is actually warming up this weekend. I'm already looking forward to opening the windows and airing out the house some. I hope you do read Stars Uncharted. It's worth it! Thank you for voting!

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  2. I voted for Curious Beginning! Lots of great books you got here!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays

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  3. Spring has hit here too so I think that's any chance of snow gone for another year. :( I love snow so this is a miserable development despite it being nice to see some sunshine again.

    Have a good week!

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    1. Nicci - I hope you got a little more snow before spring sets in completely!

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  4. I enjoyed reading the Magic Tree House series with the students at my school. I also liked A-Z Mysteries and Judy Moody, though JM was a bit too hard for most of our students at my PreK-2 school.

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    1. Deb - That's a good point about the Judy Moody books. My daughter does struggle a little more while reading them with me than she does the A to Z mysteries. She really likes both though.

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  5. All three books look so interesting! Voted on A Curious Beginning but I think any of the three would be a fun March read!

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    1. Eustacia - Thank you for voting! I think they all sound good too. :-)

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  6. You had a busy month Wendy. I loved reading how much the "mouse" loves your reading-together time. I voted for The Curious Beginning! Sounds like the beginning of a good series. Happy March!

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    1. Diane - This month is proving to be busy too! Thank you for voting. I am looking forward to reading The Curious Beginning. :-) I hope you have a great month too.

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  7. I am yet to watch the Umbrella academy but it is on my list. I will watch it this week I guess.


    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

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    1. Gayathri - You will have to let me know what you think when you watch the Umbrella Academy.

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  8. I've had my eye on Broken Girls...and City of Lies looks tempting. Enjoy your week, and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I think they both sound good too. It's a hard choice! I hope you enjoy your weekend!

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  9. I'd love to know about the painting party. I have a six year old grand daughter who would love that idea.

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    1. Mystica - It was so much fun! We went to a little studio that hosts parties and the kids got to paint little figures of their choice. We had a popcorn machine and cupcakes as well. It was a nice afternoon, and everyone seemed to have a good time. I imagine someone could set something like that up themselves--maybe even just paint on canvases or paper.

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  10. I voted for Broken Girls as I have heard great things about it! Happy Sunday!!

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  11. A Curious Beginning because I have been wanting to read that one FOREVER and I still haven't lol

    I have the Hunted in Ebook but I have the first one on my shelf so I am debating if I want that one for my shelf too.

    Have a great week, Wendy! Happy Reading! xx

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    1. Michelle - I hope you get to read A Curious Beginning! Thank you for voting!

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  12. The Broken Girls is great! I wasn't sure about The Umbrella Academy...until Five arrived, and then I was all in!

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  13. Thanks for mentioning that Period documentary. I just added it to my Netflix list.

    Congrats to your daughter winning Scientist of the Week! I had to LOL about your husband's burning magnesium idea.

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    1. Jinjer - I hope you get a chance to watch the documentary, if you haven't already. I thought it was well done. Thank you for the good wishes for my daughter. She was quite proud of being Scientist of the Week. Her experiment went very well, and she has decided that among her various professions, she wants to add earth scientist and geologist to the list. :-)

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  14. Oh my gosh, they had a Drag Queen story hour at one of the libraries in our little town and some people got very upset. There were protests for and against the event and things got so heated it made the BBC News. A friend and I talked about going in support but didn't. She says it's a good thing because she would have been arrested. I told her I would have bailed her out so it would have all been good.

    We have had so much rain lately and we're over it. March came in like a lamb here but things are going to change when a storm comes through this afternoon.

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    1. Kathy - The first one the bookstore did made the news and there was a particularly nasty protester there. This will be the fourth one, and the last couple have gone without incident.

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  15. I really liked Hunted. (But then I'm a fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings.)

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  16. I love seeing what you and Mouse are reading together! And Scientist of the Week? That's cool! But yeah, burning magnesium's not a great idea for second-graders.

    I'm looking forward to sunnier skies, whenever they get here. We've had a bit too much rain. My lawn is waterlogged, and that's not good for the septic system.

    I voted for A Curious Beginning, because I love that series. Although City of Lies, which I have not read, is also tempting. Have fun!

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    1. Lark - She was so excited about being Scientist of the week. She'd been waiting for her turn since the start of the school year. :-) I hope you see the sunnier skies soon. I am thinking of opening the windows today. It's so nice out. We've seen so many more blooms and the butterflies are everywhere thanks to all the rain we've received. I love it. Thank you for voting!

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  17. I read City of Lies last year and thought it was really good. Really enjoyed reading about the women's fight for voting rights.

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    1. Iliana - I am glad to hear you liked City of Lies. I have been wanting to start the series for a while now.

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  18. I'll vote for The Broken Girls; and A Curious Beginning sounds good too. No matter which book you're reading, I'll be watching for your thoughts, Wendy.

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  19. I'm ready for Spring :) Aw the painting party sounds like it will be fun, enjoy it! And yay to being Scientist of the Week !

    I've been wanting to read Jill Shalvis for a while, her books look good. Enjoy your week and good luck to Mouse with her presentation!

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    1. Naida - The painting party turned out very nice! Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. I hope you have a good weekend!

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  20. I love seeing what you're reading with your daughter! My son and I used to do the 'you read one page, I'll read one page' when he was younger, both when he was learning to read and after he'd mastered it. I so enjoyed those times, so it's nice getting to kind of relive it through your blog. He was a big fan of Junie B and the A-Z Mysteries series as well. :) Congrats to Mouse on being named Scientist of the Week!

    I'm totally jealous of your Drag Queen Story Hour! Nothing like that here, but I'd absolutely go with my daughter if we did have one.

    Bring on March and some warmer weather, PLEASE. It's still in the negatives here, but by the end of the week, we should reach the upper 30's, and then the 40's. I'm so tired of being cold all the time, the sight of 40-degree temps practically had me singing!

    Best wishes for an amazing March! :)

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    1. Stephanie - Alternating pages seems to be the only way I can motivate her to read out loud with me. Otherwise, she wants me to do all the reading. I'm glad your son was a big fan of those two series too!

      I can't wait until this weekend for the Drag Queen Story Hour. Mouse has been talking about it all week.

      I hope you are starting to get warmer weather. It'll be in the 70's here this weekend. I am looking forward to it.

      I hope you have a great month of March too!

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  21. Sorry Mouse didn't get her snow. I'm just grateful we didn't get as much as they were calling for. No matter what book wins, looks like you'll have some great reading (although personally I'm wishing for the Veronica Speedwell books).

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    1. Barb - I am looking forward to reading the Veronica Speedwell books--even if they didn't win this round. :-)

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  22. You got some great books. I like Trail of Lightning and About That Kiss. I also enjoyed Nightchaser. You might consider Polaris Rising, it has a similar trope to Nightchaser but a totally different story. I totally loved it. Happy reading! Anne - Books of My Heart

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    1. Anne - Thank you! I am looking forward to reading them. I have my eye on Polaris Rising. It sounds really good! I am glad to hear you loved it.

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  23. Happy early Birthday to your daughter! A painting party sounds like so much fun. And yay for being named scientist of the week. That is impressive!

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    1. Suzanne - Thank you! The painting party was a lot of fun. :-)

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  24. Sorry Mouse didn’t get snow, but I’m excited for spring. It’s hard to get things done with all the snow we get here. Enjoy your new books. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - She was really disappointed about no snow, but she got over it fairly quickly. :-) I hope you have a great weekend.

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  25. I hope you love Wonder and Broken Girls as much as I did they are fantastic! I tried to watch Umbrella Academy but I didn't find the first two episodes very exciting. I think I'll try two more :)

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    1. Daniela - I am really enjoying Broken Girls right now. I hope Umbrella Academy gets better for you. I'm taking a little break from it, but do plan to get back to it.

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  26. Brooks and Shalvis are so fun in different ways :) Ah on the rain. It's cold rain here and I'm so ready for a little warm. I think we hit 24 tonight. Yikes! That's awesome your roses have survived. It's always exciting to see those hints of spring :)

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    1. Anna - I am looking forward to reading both. :-) I hope your weather has warmed up some. I love the rain, but I really hate the cold.

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  27. I've heard great things about Wonder from my daughter who read it with her class last year. It's also a movie now too. Looks like you did lots of reading. Our February has been a lot colder than yours sounds like. Lots of -20 or lower wind chills. I can't wait for Spring!

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    1. Kathleen - Mouse is interested in Wonder. We haven't seen the movie, but I know that's part of what caught her interest. I hope your weather warms up soon!

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  28. I am glad Spring is coming there :) Lol, my rose bushes are also dying but because of heat. Summer is already here and my plants are dying :( It is hard to keep those plants live.

    I loved Wonder so much. It is such an amazing book. I hope you enjoy it too.
    Have a lovely week ahead :)

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    1. Sim - I am sorry to hear about your roses. Roses are such hardy plants. I hope yours find a way back.

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  29. Happy birthday to the Mouse! Sounds like you've got a great birthday planned for her. Your poll was hard! I've read A Curious Beginning and City of Lies and loved them both. City of Lies is not the typical mystery - it's more historical fiction with a touch of mystery. Hope you're having a great week!

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    1. Katherine - Thank you! She had a wonderful birthday weekend--and evidently the fun hasn't ended yet. We're going all month, if she has her way. LOL Thank you for voting!

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  30. Last Sunday I binged The Umbrella Academy. It was good and got more suspenseful and crazy as it went. That poll was totally unfair. I loved Broken Girls and A Curious Beginning.

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    1. Kimberly - I am glad to hear it! I haven't had a chance to watch anymore, but maybe tomorrow. :-) That's why I made you vote--because I couldn't make up my mind. LOL

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  31. Happy birthday to Mouse! I hope she has a wonderful birthday. I have been binge watching The Umbrella Academy. I've heard really good things about it. I am really excited for Spring to get here. I am over the weird weather we've been having. I hope you enjoy your #MyTBRList winner! I went with Broken Girls.

    Tina @ As Told By Tina

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    1. Tina - Thank you! She had a great birthday. She plans to celebrate all month if she can get away with it. :-) Thank you for voting!

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  32. I'm watching Umbrella Academy too. I'm enjoying it so far, but I'm not all that far into the season yet.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Nicole - I am taking a little break from Umbrella Academy right now. I ended up watching the first season of The Order.

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  33. Junie B books were a staple in our house--it seems like just yesterday we went to meet Junie B. (an actress who dressed the part and did photo ops). I really want to read Dennard's series and added it to my wishlist for Mom's Day.

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