#Melissa Wiesner

[catmint1]

If you need to be anything other than exactly who you are - for anyone - then the problem is with them, and not with you.

—Melissa Wiesner, The Second Chance Year

[dkehoe]

Math Professor, Catherine Lipton has a plan for everything but when she starts a new job and her identity disappears she doesn’t even know where to start to get her documentation put back into the system. She reluctantly accepts help from her frustratingly laid-back doorman Luca Morelli. With his help she finds herself breaking the rules, meeting mysterious strangers, and generally having a great time. As she unravels the truth behind her identity disappearance she realizes that she may have been missing for a lot longer than she realized. The publisher has described this book as being for readers who are fans of Sophie Cousens and Ashley Poston, and you know what? They were exactly right! I like both of those authors and I really enjoyed reading this novel about Catherine’s journey with the help of her very charismatic doorman Luca. Melissa Wiesner did a great job of showing Catherine’s growth from straight as an arrow professor to a more open to anything lady who is drawn to someone who seems to be her complete opposite. This novel had one of my favorite things that I usually only find in small town romances. A fun, quirky cast of characters. I think because a lot of the story involves the building that they live in that building became the small town and each of those residents were fun, funny, and just plain lovely. Of course, they were all geriatric, so no chance of a second book in the series about one of the other characters in the book, but they added such joy to the novel. It’s funny because in real life young people don’t seem to tolerate the aging generation but in the best romance novels some of those older folks become my favorite characters. There were quite a few in this book. The romance between Catherine and Luca wasn’t without its frustrations, but the story is what pulled this book together and gave it the gravitas needed to feel complete. The romance was just kind of a side note so please don’t think this is going to be a steamy novel. It’s not, but Catherine and Luca do provide enough sizzle to bring a romantic feel to the pages. That part of the story in my eyes isn’t the most important it was the sense of family and feeling like you belong that struck home for me. I liked this novel and hope this author will continue to write and give us a second book to look forward to! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest! Click this link to purchase this book!* Wish I Were Here Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved *Amazon Associat- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

[catedwrites]

Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner

Wish I Were Here is a warm, hug of a book, with, yes, a sweet romance story line. But really, it's bigger than that. It's about community. It's about family. It's about belonging and making your own space. Wiesner has an effortless writing style that carries the reader easily through the twists and turns of the story, and I really enjoyed her dialogue, especially. Catherine's character growth was done well and by the end, I wanted to move in with the residents of the DeGreco, ArtHouse, and the Morelli family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

[dilawrosas]

[BOOK REVIEW] ARC: The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner

This Melissa Wiesner book is AVAILABLE NOW! ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ The premise of this book is about the heroine having a second chance to experience the worst year of her life. Basically, the heroine lost her home, career, and boyfriend during this year. So when a fortune teller offered her a wish, the heroine wanted to retake the whole year. And it happened. As the heroine experienced the year, she began…

[lesterpubliclibrary]

Bailey by Lester Public Library Via Flickr: Assistant Chief of Police Melissa Wiesner with Bailey, the newest member of the force, animal support. Two Rivers, Wisconsin

[dancing-mylife-away]

thank you @leothil for the unofficial tag bc i will take any opportunity to talk about books 😂 so here are 9 books i want to read this year!

a body of work: dancing to the edge and back by david hallberg. i've literally owned this book since the week it came out in 2017 but i still haven't read it 😅 idk why bc david hallberg is one of my all-time favorite ballet dancers so hopefully 2024 will be the year i finally read his memoir

illusions of camelot by peter boal. another ballet memoir that will hopefully come out in paperback this year so i can buy it. he's the current artistic director of PNB and former principal at NYCB (i think he was one of the last dancers selected for the company by balanchine) so anyway ballet books are My Thing

before you found me by michael robotham. the 4th cyrus haven book which has been my favorite mystery/suspense series since the first book came out

deus x by stephen mack jones. the 4th august snow book which is another suspense/thriller series i really enjoy

the second chance year by melissa wiesner

pointe of pride by chloe angyal. the sequel to pas de don't which was one of my favorite romance books i read last year. and angyal is a former ballet dancer so the ballet parts of the book are extremely accurate and well-written

the berry pickers by amanda peters

the undertow: scenes from a slow civil war by jeff sharlet

some shall break by ellie marney. the sequel to none shall sleep which i read a few years ago and loved!

tagging @crosbytoews @hockeyunfortunately @jackreichel @mistmarauder @murphybedard @endandblossom and anyone else who wants to do this!

[redheadgleek]

All Systems Red by Martha Wells (audiobook) - I drove down to Yosemite with my sister for a vacation and suggested that we listen to the Murderbot Diaries on our trip. So yes, this is the third time I've read this book in the last year. Still a lot of fun. 

Artificial Conditions by Martha Wells (audiobook). When listening to them back to back (rather than with a couple of months in between, it does help to see it as one big arching story. I still love ART and hope to see it again.

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (audiobook). I must say, I still struggle to completely understand the intricacies of the plot on this one. But I do love MICKY.

The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner. A random pickup at the library - magical realism and some oblivious pining. I liked the characters and their growth.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. It's been a long time since I was a teenager, but this was a great book in the form of poems. Would have been great as an audiobook, as the author is a beat poet.

Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell (audiobook). I thought Euan Morton's voice was great the first book (Carry On), and just not as consistent with this one. I do love a road trip across America though.

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai - a novel about the AIDS epidemic in Chicago alternating with one of the characters dealing with the aftermath 30 years later. I have some quibbles about the structure of the novel, but it was engrossing and well written. My book club will be discussing this in August. 

Half A Soul by Olivia Atwater. A regency fairy tale. I would have liked a little more motivation of the fairies, but I did enjoy the exploration of social justice from a magical perspective. 

The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater. Short story prequel. Added some nice character development.

Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater. Sequel to above. I liked this one even better than the first one - the main fairy MC was endearing and I loved the romance, as well as the twisting of fairy tale motifs. It was fun.

Longshadow by Olivia Atwater. The last book so far in this series. I felt it was a touch heavy on the preachiness and I didn't really buy the romance, but I still enjoyed it. Also, I love how nerdy the author gets in her author notes at the end.

Currently reading: Anywhere the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (audiobook) (it will always slightly irritate me that she didn't keep the titles consistent across the trilogy), Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (audiobook - we have just a half hour left!), Possession by AS Byatt (my book club read for June, still not finished), A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab, and The Will of the Many by James Islington, which I had started earlier this year and hadn't finished before I had to return it.

[daniclaytcn]

Some lighthearted romance novel recs: the seven year slip by Ashley poston, the second chance year by Melissa wiesner (does deal with sexual harassment in the workplace as a heads up), midnight at the blackbird cafe by Heather Webber (sort of romance and sort of just general comtemporary fiction), Pas De Don’t by Chloe Angyal, Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

ohh, thank you so much!! i'll add these to my tbr! <3

[audiobooks24ru]

Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner  Audiobook

[bucolicbook]

Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner US pub date - 10/15/24

Both main characters seemed one dimensional and I didn’t get more of a feel for either of them during my reading (Catherine - type A, unlikable, judgmental. Luca - easygoing, had tattoos - the tattoos are mentioned quite frequently (as a result it’s the only thing I can recall about him). 

I found that the romance between the two mains never clicked for me - the chemistry was lacking and the result (for me) was a boring story that I slogged through. 

I did enjoy some of the secondary characters but, unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to elevate this story into a “liked it”. 

Hopefully other readers will enjoy this one more. 

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

[lakelandg]

Book Review - The Second Chance Year

Title: The Second Chance Year Author: Melissa Wiesner ISBN: 9781538741917 Release Date: 12/05/23 Review: 5 Stars The star of Melissa Wiesner’s The Second Chance Year, Sadie Thatcher, is having a horrible, no good, very bad year. Her life has gone down hill and down hill FAST -she’s lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment in spectacular fashion. Despite being a skeptic, when Sadie has…

[diaryandgirl]

having only officially worked for one week in January means that I've had a lot of time to read this month. it's been lovely to be inspired to read again after I went through a slump near the end of 2023 where I couldn't find a book I wanted to finish reading.

some books have been thought-provoking (East of Eden by John Steinbeck); some comforting to my soul (The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner); and some kick-starting lifestyle changes (Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport). it's reminded me of how much you can gain from reading.

I used to gorge myself on books as my favourite procrastination technique, but I've now found a good balance. for one, I very rarely read a book in one sitting now as I used to. additionally, I've expanded my repertoire to include books that challenge me. I'm a better reader and a better person for having done it.

❝I love books. I hope when I grow up to be able to have lots of them.❞ –L.M. Montgomery

💌 xoxo

[stacyalesi]

Spotlight Review: THE SECOND CHANCE YEAR by Melissa Wiesner

Spotlight Review: THE SECOND CHANCE YEAR by Melissa Wiesner, a do-over year of fantastical fun & romance - don't miss it! #MelissaWiesner #Forever #romance #magic #fantastical #steamyromance #mustread #contemporaryromance #romancestagram #bookstagram

From the publisher: In this unforgettable story full of charm, wit—and just a bit of magic—a woman down on her luck is given a second chance at fixing her life and trying one year all over again. Perfect for readers of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle.  Sadie Thatcher’s life has fallen apart in spectacular fashion. In one fell swoop, she managed to lose her job, her apartment, and her…

[lovebooksgroup]

It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner @Melissa_Wiesner @bookouture @kellyalacey #bookblogger #Reader #booktwt #Sharingiscaring #Bookreview #Scottishbookblogger

It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner Back of the Book BOOK REVIEW It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner is an intense and emotionally charged romance that explores the damaging effects of keeping secrets. This novel follows the life of Anna, a young woman who works two jobs to put herself through college and keeps her family and personal life a closely guarded secret. Anna’s life…

[the-page-ladies]

Book Review…Our Stolen Child by Melissa Wiesner All Quinn ever wanted is to be a mother. Although her husband James brings her comfort, the knowledge they have no embryos left, and that their child is out there being raised by another family, is tearing them both apart. When the lawyers tell them there’s a chance to get custody, James is unsure. But Quinn knows she has to take it. Meeting Emily and the woman who raised her, Quinn’s heart cracks wide open. As the two families reckon with an unimaginable decision, a secret from James’ past surfaces, one that forces Quinn to question everything she thought she wanted. I read this book a couple weeks ago and I still don't really know how to review this book so I'm going to just say what comes to mind and hope it makes sense in the end. Our Stolen Child is an emotional and riveting story. I couldn't help but feel for both of these women but also for their families. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to live through something like that. It's a fast paced story full of twists that start from the very first chapter along with feeling every emotion you can think of. It's a powerful and beautifully written heartbreaking story. Thank you Bookouture and Melissa Wiesner! #ourstolenchild #melissawiesner #bookouture #books #booktour #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookrecommendation #read #igbooks #igreads #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #bookish https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciniv1pLQdH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tennesseepta]

My Top 20 Picture Books

by Dwight Hunter

In August 2015, I had a graduate school project to read and analyze 300 picture books, and from those 300, determine the top 100 with rationales.

In this post, I am listing the top 20 picture books from my top 100 list. Each ranking is accompanied by a brief summary and also with my justification for each book. At the end of my list is a link to a YouTube video about one of the picture books that was not in my top 20.

Now, my top 20:

20. Title: Tuesday Author: David Wiesner Illustrator: David Wiesner Publisher: Clarion Books Publication Year: 1991

Brief Summary: The whimsical account of a Tuesday when frogs were airborne on their lily pads will continue to enchant readers of all ages. Amazon.com Justification:  A fun read that even pigs can fly when trying to figure out adventurous frogs on lily pads.

19. Title: Patrol: An American Solider in Vietnam Author: Walter Dean Myers Illustrator: Ann Grifalconi Publisher: HarperCollins Publication Year: 2002

Brief Summary: Vietnam War – In a gripping and powerful story-poem, the award-winning author takes readers into the heart and mind of a young soldier in an alien land who comes face-to-face with the enemy. Amazon.com Justification: Very powerful lesson about Vietnam War from the point of view of a soldier in it -- a great discussion starter for adults and children about Vietnam and war.

18. Title: Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me Author: Daniel Beaty Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Publication Year: 2013

Brief Summary: But what happens when, one day that “knock knock” doesn’t come? This powerful and inspiring book shows the love that an absent parent can leave behind, and the strength that children find in themselves as they grow up and follow their dreams. Amazon.com Justification: Such a moving text and illustrations that so many children (and adults) can learn from. To me, required in every elementary school and children’s library.

17. Title: A Mother’s Journey Author: Sandra Markle Illustrator: Alan Marks Publisher: Charlesbridge Publication Year: 2005

Brief Summary: Here, Markle follows a female from the nursery, over 50 miles of rugged Antarctic ice to open water and then deep into the sea, braving leopard seals and other dangers in a sustained effort to stockpile nourishment for the hungry chick that will, if all has gone well, be waiting on her return. Kirkus Reviews Justification: This first-hand observation written into a picture book is almost a required text for elementary children to understand science, environment and penguins.

16. Title: Four Feet, Two Sandals Author: Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed Illustrator: Doug Chayka Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Publication Year: 2007

Brief Summary: This poignant story of loss, friendship, and sharing introduces readers to the realities of children growing up in refugee camps. School Library Journal Justification: Based on the author’s experience of living in a refugee camp, this powerful story of sharing to survive the trauma of loss is a great lead to discussion about children around the world living as refugees. Highly recommended for social studies classroom.

15. Title: Each Kindness Author: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrator: E. B. Lewis Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books Publication Year: 2012

Brief Summary: With its powerful anti-bullying message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they've put it down. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually, Maya stops coming to school. Barnes and Noble.com Justification: A book worthy of any elementary classroom to lead a discussion on how to treat other people and that caring is good for both the sender and the receiver.

14. Title: Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Author: Doreen Rappaport Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Publication Year: 2001

Brief Summary: This picture-book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world's most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justification: Not only for Black History Month and MLK Day; this book can be used in any historical drama in elementary grades to depict the short amount of time into the past that this happened in our American history timeline.

13. Title: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin Author: Jen Bryant Illustrator: Melissa Sweet Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Publication Year: 2013

Brief Summary: Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches … until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn’t lift his right arm, and couldn’t make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint—and paint, and paint! Barnes and Noble.com Justification: Teach about perseverance and about overcoming poverty. With some history too.

12. Title: The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain Author: Peter Sis Illustrator: Peter Sis Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication Year: 2007

Brief Summary: Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps, and dreamscapes, Peter Sís shows what life was like for a child who loved to draw, proudly wore the red scarf of a Young Pioneer, stood guard at the giant statue of Stalin, and believed whatever he was told to believe. But adolescence brought questions. Amazon.com Justification: ��Peter Sís [is a] master of the not-necessarily-for-children picture book.” (The Los Angeles Times Book Review). Succinctly put – this is a great book to depict what it was like behind the Iron Curtain – stifling creativity. Should be required for any middle school social studies.

11. Title: Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring Author: Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan Illustrator: Brian Floca Publisher: Flash Point Publication Year: 2010

Brief Summary: Authors Greenberg and Jordan are less concerned with presenting the ballet (although readers do get a strong sense of it) and more interested in how such an extraordinary collaboration came to be. How does an idea go from a jotted note on choreographer Martha Graham’s pad to a fierce triumph? Booklist Justification: I never heard of Appalachian Spring or any of the characters in this book but I know now. A personal expression that this book needs to be in every elementary classroom at some point. Floca is masterful with the illustrations.

10. Title: Animal Poems Author: Valerie Worth Illustrator: Steve Jenkins Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication Year: 2007

Brief Summary: Vivid imagery and an expert command of sound and meter distinguish this collection of poems about animals. Booklist Justification: Poetry like no other – the crisp, cutting-like-knife-through-soft-butter descriptions – for any classroom; for any poetry class to read good, no, great writing. From the “Whale”  “…..His whole hill of flesh; Flesh floats easily; In the sea, light as; Dust in sun-baths ….”  Like I wrote on number 62, Worth’s poetry should be required reading for ANY level English class.

9. Title: Officer Buckle and Gloria Author: Peggy Rathman         Illustrator: Peggy Rathman Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers Publication Year: 1995

Brief Summary: Officer Buckle, a mustachioed policeman who wears a crossed-out-banana-peel patch on his sleeve, has a passion for teaching students about safety, but his audiences tend to doze off during his lectures. They awaken, however, when police dog Gloria joins Buckle onstage. Publishers Weekly Justification: As a parent reading this book to my then two, young children in 1995, we all loved the pictures, the text, and the safety lessons – even to this day. A required book in any collection.

8. Title: Me … Jane Author: Patrick McDonnell Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Publication Year: 2011

Brief Summary: In this picture book biography, McDonnell examines Goodall’s very English childhood and her unexpected wish—nurtured by early exposure to Tarzan—to live and work in Africa. Publisher’s Weekly Justification: About Jane Goodall, this book can not only demonstrate following a goal but that one person can change things. A synthesis of text and art as well.

7. Title: The Biggest Bear Author: Lynd Ward Illustrator: Lynd Ward Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Publication Year: 1952

Brief Summary: Johnny found a bear. The bear loved to eat and became a local nuisance. Johnny finally had to shoot him but the bear was saved by a trap set up by a local zoo. Justification: Nostalgia plays a part in this justification. I loved reading this book when I was just old enough to read. The biggest lesson is that a plan can be changed and that a goal can be changed for the better. A required book for any book collection.

6. Title: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave Author: Laban Carrick Hill Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Publication Year: 2010

Brief Summary: Dave was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter living in South Carolina in the 1800s. He combined his superb artistry with deeply observant poetry, carved onto his pots, transcending the limitations he faced as a slave. Amazon.com Justification: A powerful book of love and wonderment that should be in every school and library. Useful to connect the past to the present.

5. Title: A Boy and a Jaguar Author: Alan Rabinowitz Illustrator: CaTia Chien Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Publication Year: 2014

Brief Summary: Alan Rabinowitz, a noted conservationist, provides children with a moving autobiography, detailing his struggles with stuttering and how his love for animals, particularly for jaguars, provided liberation. Children’s Literature Justification: Ever read a book so profound that it affects your thoughts? This is one of those books. Learn how children are not broken inside, about conservationist themes, and about a picture book that is just an all-around fantastic one and would be worth having in any collection.

4. Title: Where the Wild Things Are Author: Maurice Sendak Illustrator: Maurice Sendak Publisher: Harper & Row Publication Year: 1963

Brief Summary: Max's room transforms into a magical portal to the land where the wild things are. Justification: A picture book so overwhelmingly good that it should be a crime not having it in all book collections.

3. Title: This is not my Hat Author: Jon Klassen Illustrator: Jon Klassen Publisher: Candlewick Press Publication Year: 2012

Brief Summary: When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. Amazon.com Justification: This is a great book! Every elementary school should have this book in their collections. The artwork is so good that the book almost doesn’t need words. One can tell by the eyes what is happening – thus the quality of the artist and his work. And the ending is open-ended to where the small fish might be?

2. Title: Grandfather’s Journey Author: Allen Say Illustrator: Allen Say Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Publication Year: 1993

Brief Summary: At once deeply personal, yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man’s love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers’ attention and hearts. Amazon.com Justification: One of those books that belongs in every class room because the story reads so well and the illustrations are so stunning and support the text exclusively. Useful to discuss about family dreams and family relations and about culture.

1. Title: Math Curse Author: Jon Scieska Illustrator: Lane Smith Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers Publication Year: 1995

Brief Summary: From the inventive minds of Scieszka and Smith comes an unusual take on the subject of mathematics. School Library Journal Justification: Hey, I’m a science and math subject liaison librarian – what would you expect to be the number one book on my list! All kidding aside, sort of, this is a classic picture book for math class in elementary school that is filled with stunning illustrations, math equations, and applicable to daily life  – recommended for any school to have in collection. Even adults would enjoy reading this one.

Here is a YouTube video I made to talk about one of the picture books in my top 100 list: The Mare on the Hill.  https://youtu.be/wPmrjTwSx8s