At the end of every quarter, I create an expanded list that includes favorites from the last three months.

Best Books from Quarter 1

Best Adult Fiction

The Which Way Tree by Elizabeth Crook. This is the perfect combination of complex characters and landscape that’s an essential part of the story. Plus, it has a redemptive ending. I can’t wait to read the sequel, The Madstone.

Best Middle-Grade Graphic Novels

Mexikid by Pedro Martin. Even though I am not a fan of comics and admittedly was a snob thinking that graphic novels aren’t really novels, kids LOVE this genre. Kids are smart and now I love this genre too. Great graphic novels, like Mexikid, include depth of character and big themes. This is a road trip memoir about the immigrant experience. I laughed. I cried. Please read it and savor how Pedro Martin tells the story with words and amazing images.
Runner Up: First Time for Everything by Dan Santat. This is a lovely coming-of-age story about a boy who grew up in Camarillo, CA. Like Mexikid, this book is also a memoir that includes a trip.

Best Middle-Grade Fiction

Alone by Megan E. Freeman. This is a book in verse that’s a harrowing survival story dipping into dystopian waters. I couldn’t put it down. Sometimes, books in verse scare readers, but the pages turn fast with this one.

Best Picture Books

Later, When I’m Big by Bette Westera and Mattias De Leeuw, translated by Laura Watkinson. I loved this whimsical book that inspires us to think about all the wild things we’ll do when we’re big. It’s also fun to look for the flamingos embedded in every page.
Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner. Grace Lin and Kate Messner are becoming auto reads for me. I love everything they write and illustrate. This is about a young girl who dives into the pages of a picture book one day when she’s bored.

Best Craft Book

Totally Tangled by Sandy Steen Bartholowmew. This is a book that shows you how to turn doodles into art. It’s also a way to relax. I’m obsessed!

And Now for Various Q1 Delights!

Best New Gadget

Ivy Mini Printer by Canon. Take a picture on your phone. Download the app. Print photo stickers in seconds. Put those darling stickers in a cute journal or anywhere you like. Sticker refills aren’t cheap, but I love this so much I don’t care.

Best Beauty Product

Fanfest Mascara by Benefit. I have sensitive eyes and it’s hard for me to find any mascara that doesn’t irritate them. This one is awesome and makes my lashes look really long.

Best Course

Backup Bootcamp with Miss Freddy. Backing up and organizing all my digital photos has been on my TO-DO list for years. With this class, I finally finished. Now, all I have to do is yearly maintenance and I have a clear path for accomplishing the task. Miss Freddy is an amazing teacher. You can choose a self-paced option (cheaper but I never did it) or work through all the modules with Miss Freddy during a six-week course. She takes you through the entire process and answers all questions with individual attention. It’s an investment, but worth it. SALE: Miss Freddy is having a spring sale. 20% off with promo code SPRING.

Best Games

Code Name Duet. This is a great game for two people. It’s fast and you’re competing against the game so it’s satisfying to work with the person that’s usually your opponent. I like the way this game makes my brain work outside the box.
Connections by New York Times. I am obsessed! You find the connections between groups of words. Get the New York Times game app and you can play once a day for free.

Best Trader Joe’s Product

Gone Bananas Dark Chocolate Frozen Bananas. I pop a few of these in my mouth when I want a sweet treat that gives me the false belief that it’s healthy. Because fruit and if you only eat three…

Best Workout

Carol Bike. This is spin bike on steriods. It measures my heart rate, my exertion, and all the bike riding data! It gives me a sprint workout with timers and encouraging messages, but I’m on my own and not in a class. I ride it twice a week at Top Tyr where I do my strength training workout.

Light’s out. Lorrie’s out.

Here’s to a fabulous Q2, but before I go, here’s what I’m adding to my Little Free Library tomorrow morning bright and early. Happy reading!

Middle-Grade Fiction

Alone by Megan E. Freeman.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

Adult Fiction, Hardback

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim.
Family Family by Laurie Frankel.

Currently Reading and More!