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Posted in Audiobooks, book lists, books, favorites

Audiobook Appreciation month

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Did you know that June is Audiobook appreciation month?

Audiobooks make up the bulk of my reading. They are entertaining, allow access to people with different abilities, for students to experience books above their usual reading level, for all to learn how to pronounce words and names correctly (specially when reading about other countries or cultures). It’s convenient for long commutes, or those with limited time to sit down and read.

But having a great story isn’t the only important ingredient. Narrators really are the ones that bring the story to life.

So here is a selection of some of the books and narrators I’ve enjoyed over the years:

Favorite full cast production:

  • Daisy Jones and the Six: This one really felt like I was listening to a documentary, and what an amazing cast of actors!
  • Soundrack: the addition of original music, sound effects and the full cast, this amazing story by Jason Reynolds is a must listen

Better on audio: they really made the characters pop out of the page

  • How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water narrated by Rossmery Almonte as Cara Romero
  • The Girl with the Louding Voice narrated by Adjoa Andoh
  • Impossible Creatures narrated by Sam West

Favorite Narrators and some of the books I’ve enjoyed:

  • Bahni Turpin: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The Sun Is Also a Star, The Underground Railroad, Children Of Blood And Bone series
  • Julia Whelan: Educated, Book lovers, The night we lost him
  • Imogen Church: All the books by Ruth Ware
  • Ell Potter: Emily Wilde’s series, Saint, The Swan’s daughter

Narrated hy the Author:

  • Everything is Tuberculosis and The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
  • A Promised land by Barack Obama, seriously I could listen to him narrate the phonebook
  • The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
  • Atomic Habita by James Clear

Most Meta moment: Wil Wheaton the actor, narrating about Wil Wheaton the vice-president of the OASIS User Council in the novel.

Favorite non human character: Marcellus from Remarkably bright creatures narrated by Michael Urie

What books would you pick for these categories?
Or, tell me one of your favorites

Posted in book lists, books, favorites, graphic novels, middle grade books, Picture books, Pride Month, YA

Pride Month book recs 🏳️‍🌈

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

June is Pride Month!

Last year I shared a stack of books for pride
But I’m making it a point this year to work on my book rec posts and Pride was on my list


I was actually surprised at the number of graphic novels I had to add on my list!
As always, these are all books we’ve read over the years that have queer rep or authors or both.

Have you read any of these?
Are you reading any specific books for pride month?

Posted in books, favorites, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com, Romance

Recipe and a Review: A little buzzed

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

I’ve been dreaming of the day I could share my Old fashioned cocktail recipe with y’all and the day has finally come, pun intended and if you’re familiar with this book you’ll know why 😉😉

Old fashioned are typically made with Bourbon, but I usually make them with spiced Caribbean rum. So either one is great for thia recipe.

Summary:

After Scout’s career in aeronautics literally exploded prematurely, she found work in none other than the sex toy industry.

When life finally seems to be in a stable place, enter Hudson, a software engineer tasks with working with Scout in her latest creation. The problem, he’s inexperienced in the sex toy department; the solution…. Let’s just say, working together starts to lead to some very interesting experiences for both


“…I meant Hudson, who had ordered an old fashioned and smoldered at me over the rim of it. I clenched my thighs together.”

If you make it or share it please tag me 🤩

My thoughts:

  • This was spicy and hot from beginning to end
  • I have to admit the setting of the story was very original and entertaining, and it definitely set it up for a whole lot of learning for me, I had no idea there were soooo many different toys 😉😉
  • The steam was A+, even if the mini golf scene was too out there for me, I definitely enjoyed all of them overall
  • Scout and Hudson had great banter and steaming hot chemistry, but I had issues with both of their communication issues, and I understand both of them had their background issues, I’m glad we got to see them worked on together
  • Kudos to the narrator Isabelle Turner, she was fantastic!

Have you ever tried an Old Fashioned? 

If you enjoy cocktails, which one is your favorite?

My hubs is the Okd fashioned lover, I personally prefer Rum mules

Enjoy!

Posted in BIPOC / Latinx characters, book lists, books, Caribbean Heritage, favorites, graphic novels, middle grade books, Novels in verse, Picture books, Poetry, YA

Caribbean-American Heritage Month book recs

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month

The Caribbeanis made up of a total of 13 sovereign states and 12 island territories, and is home to a rich diversity of cultures

Since 2006 this month is celebrated in June to honor the achievements and contributions of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, particularly in government, sports, entertainment, and the arts.

It’s a great occasion to highlight and celebrate so many wonderful authors who add so much to our lives through their work.

I was born in a Caribbean island and currently live in another one, no matter where I live, I’ll always be an island girl. You can’t shake the sand, salt and sea from my veins.

Today I compiled a list of many books for different age groups and genres, so there is a little for everyone.
I have a lot of books from DR (my home country), and I need to add books from Haitian, Jamaican and Trinidadian authors to my tbr.
So send me your book recs!

See any books you’ve read?
Give me some recommendations for your favorites

🇵🇷🇨🇺🇩🇴🇯🇲🇹🇹🇭🇹🇵🇷🇨🇺🇩🇴🇯🇲🇹🇹🇭🇹🇵🇷🇨🇺🇩🇴🇯🇲🇹🇹🇭🇹

Posted in book lists, books, fantasy, favorites, graphic novels, Jewish Heritage, middle grade books, Rom-Com, Romance, Romantasy, YA

Jewish Heritage month book recs

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

May is Jewishs Heritage month in both the US and Canada

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews’ achievements and contributions to the United States of America during the month of May.

As I set to make this list, I honestly thought it would be shorter, but then I realized I had many authors that I really enjoyed and have read many books by.

Have you read any of these?
Any other authors or books you can recommend?

Posted in AAPI, book lists, books, favorites, graphic novels, middle grade books, Novels in verse, Picture books, Poetry, YA

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander book recs

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Canada also celebrates Asian Canadian heritage

To Celebrate the month I’m sharing some books we’ve read and enjoyed in our home. These are stories that explore the rich and diverse heritage, history, and experiences of these communities. Ranging from different age groups and genres, there’s something for everyone.

Have you read any of these?
Any you can recommend?

Posted in books, favorites, recipe, recipe and review, reviews

Recipe and a Review: Yesteryear

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

I’ve been wanting to share the recipe for my Banana-pecan oatmeal muffins for a while and I finally found the book to pair it with!
Don’t worry, you don’t have to grow the bananas or thw oatmeal, or even make your own yogurt to make this one.

Summary:

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the heir to a political dynasty? What Natalie’s followers—all 8 million of them—don’t know won’t hurt them. Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a ruthless reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible.

If you make it or share it please tag me 🤩

My thoughts:
Throughout the book all I kept asking was What is going on? It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion but not really knowing if the train was real or not, it I was just a spectator, or a passenger or the driver. And I just couldn’t stop reading. What a wild ride! I’ve never disliked a MC as much as I disliked Natalie, like ever. Thing is, I don’t think we’re supposed to like her. We’re just there to see her rise and fall, how imperfect she is but at the same time how self-assured and completely convinced she’s in the right.

She’s a product, a victim and a perpetuator of the patriarchal environment she’s a part of.
And there’s no AHA moment for her, even as the world she built cracks and crumbles around her, she’s still unable to recognize the wrongs.

The narration by Rebecca Lowman was absolutely fantastic as Natalie, specially with her intrusive thoughts, she makes it feel so real.

Overall I thought it was a great exploration into relevant topics, in a way that’s almost uncomfortable and even a bit mind boggling.

Have you read this one? What did you think?
There are people who love it or hate it. I really enjoyed it, but don’t expect to like anyone in the book.

Enjoy!

Posted in book lists, books, favorites, middle grade books, Space, YA

Books about Space

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

In honor of National Space Day (that was last Friday) I wanted to share some great books about Space that we’ve enjoyed

Thanks to our cute buddy Rocky for serving as the official presenter 😅
Amaze! Amaze! Amaze! 👎🏼

These have a wide variety of age ranges and are from diverse authors

Have you read any of these?
Any books about space that you’d recommend?

Posted in book lists, books, favorites, graphic novels, middle grade books, National Poetry Month, Novels in verse, Picture books, Poetry, YA

National Poetry Month book recs

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Let’s highlighting National Poetry Month with some good ol’  book recs

These have a wide variety of age ranges and are from diverse authors

The recommendations for MG and YA are all novels in verse, which are great if you’re looking to dip your toes into poetry

MG:

– The door of no return by Kwame Alexander

– Iveliz explains it all; Something like home & It’s all or nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango

– Land of Broken Promises by Jane Kuo

– Red Bird danced by Dawn Quigley

– The extraordinary orbit of Alex Ramirez by Jasminne Paulino

    YA:

    – The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

    – Clap when you land by Elizabeth Acevedo

    – The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

    – An expanse of blue by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams

    My poetry collections are all by female authors and are all powerful and sometimes heartbreaking:

    – Poems of parenting by Loryn Brantz

    – Plantains and our becoming by Melania Luisa Marte

    – Brown girl Cromatography by Anurhada Bhowmik

    – The Princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace (CR)

    – Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

    – Poukahangatus by Tayi Tibble

    – Inheritance by Elizabeth Acevedo 

      Have you read any of this?

      If not, which one would you pick?

      Posted in book lists, books, Financial literacy month, reviews, writing

      National Financial Literacy Month

      Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

      April is National Financial Literacy Month

      Personal Finance is a topic I never wanted to read about, but found it essential to. We’ve found important to make Personal Finance a family affair, and involve our kids in an age appropriate manner, and this book helps get those conversations started. It starts off by laying out the basic foundation for understanding money, finance and it’s impact in our lives in an easy to follow manner that’s perfect for young ones.
      It’s actually the final chapters of the book that directly relate to just the topic of investing.

      By asking questions and posing exercises for kids to figure out where they are, what they want, then laying out what steps they can follow from there.

      I firmly believe that starting these discussions with our kids so they will be better prepared to succeed in the future.

      I received a digital advance copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

      Here are some of the books we have used and found helpful, along with some on our TBR.

      • Hubs favorite: Total Money Makeover; he read this one a few years ago and has worked in setting our priorities and goals.
      • My favorite: Smart money, smart kids; great tool on how to teach smart money manegement to kids, we’ve adopted many  of the principles in the book with good success so far.
      • Teens favorite: Money for Adulting; our teen has been learning a lot from this book about how to start making smart choices for the future.
      • Unique POV: Die with Zero; this books has a very unique and Interesting approach. It focuses more on how to use your money to enjoy wisely. How to identify things that you love and spending your money to enjoy them, experiences and create memories.
      • For entrepreneurs: Build a business you love; this focuses on 5 stages to build a successful business. He just started, will report back soon!
      • Our TBR: Money for Couples; this addresses the most common money issues in relationships without using boring budgets or restricting plans.
      • Good for parents: The opposite of spoiled; Interesting discussion about how to teach kids about money in age appropriate manner and raise them to be money smart.
      • Kids CR: Investing for Tweens; my younger ones have started to read this and we plan to discuss together as they advance.
      • Very specific: The white coat investor; the book that started our journey. Geared mostly to healthcare sector, but has some universal principles that can apply to a broader audience.

      Whether you’re just starting or have been earning your way for quite some time, it’s never too late to learn about personal finance and make take steps to improve your financial outlook. 

      What’s a topic you’ve found useful in books for your own life?