Novel Opinions
3 Middle Grade Book Series Your Whole Family Will Love to Read
updated
youtu.be/W-NCsRuUKAM
Find Alex online:
alexpicard.com
Tiktok: sounds_like_alex
Instagram: it_sounds_like_alex
Twitter: alexpicard24
Pseudonym: Lexi Crusher
audible.com/search?keywords=alex+picard&ref=a_hp_t1_header_search
https://libro.fm/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Alex+Picard
Find me on Instagram jillians_novel_opinions
Websites mentioned
acx.com
findawayvoices.com
learningally.org/Solutions-for-School/K-12/Audiobooks-Solution?utm_source=ext&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=aw-ad&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4OybBhCzARIsAIcfn9l_gRjwZltAQlW6sJ0IMqHjylZgXIIg0JsBmt0cvK8Z6rBDg8QcLXkaAiIDEALw_wcB
audiopub.org
johnnyheller.com (New England Narrator Retreat)
audible.com
spotify.com/us/premium/?utm_source=us-en_brand_contextual-desktop_text&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=alwayson_ucanz_us_performancemarketing_core_brand+contextual-desktop+text+exact+us-en+google&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4OybBhCzARIsAIcfn9lA1czNx51YituuovfnS-Hnp1Ro8rFyiH835GVKMPlvxMKz9cRWS88aArYREALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
whisperroom.com/?utm_term=whisperroom&utm_campaign=Branded+(US/CAN)+-+SKAG&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_cam=11669865524&hsa_src=g&hsa_grp=116487483587&hsa_tgt=kwd-301849438523&hsa_ad=481305901657&hsa_kw=whisperroom&hsa_ver=3&hsa_acc=8022526060&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_mt=e&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4OybBhCzARIsAIcfn9mVHW0u3hPxnWXUadhig3rp3rWqFiT9iQ24OnMnT0hhlJbRCBK_dC8aAt9fEALw_wcB
studiobricks.com
narratorsroadmap.com
App mentioned: iannotate
Books mentioned:
Dance Among the Flames by Tori Eldridge
The Fire in the Glass by Jacquelyn Benson
YouTube video mentioned: youtu.be/NPzPi-_0Xi8
Time stamps
Intro 0:00
Tell us a little about yourself: 0:38
What is the audition process like 4:00
Audiobook community 9:28
How do you prep a book 12:19
How much say does the author have 16:57
Can a book be rejected 19:35
Warm up Routine 20:28
How long do you stay in your studio 22:22
Mistakes 26:00
Equipment: 28:20
Payment 32:40
Favorite experience 34:20
Least favorite thing: 38:25
Most surprising thing 41:28
One piece of Advice for someone considering narrating 45:40
1.) what you read: how has your taste in books evolved?
2.) how you read: has the format changed?
3.) how much you read
4.) how has booktube changed you?
5.) tag some people (forgot to in video - I tag @melodiclaine )
Filmed inside the Paper Nautilus in RI.
#evolutionofareadertag
#booktube
Take a trip with me to the Traveler Restaurant in Union, Connecticut where you get three free books with the purchase of each meal.
Channel mentioned - @booksimnotreading
1.) Double Vision Featuring twins
2.) Double Talk Two or twice in title
3.) Seeing Double - Reflection shadow or mirror image
4.) Take Two Two covers that look similar
5.) I Second That Retelling
6.) Two Can Play at That Game: Character with alter egos or plays two characters
7.) It Takes Two - Duology
8.) On the Double:Two timelines
9.) Perfect pair - last two five star reads
10.) Two For the Show: Book adapted to film two or more times
11.) Two’s Company: Book with two authors or translated fiction
12.) Double Take: Two books pair together well
Email me at JilliansNovelOpinions at gmail dot com
Tagging @M-J , @novelideea , @kellireadsalot
Kristin’s video: youtu.be/9W8KuQKyy_I
Thanks for stopping by and considering being part of the Traveling Book Club
The books do the traveling and we the readers leave notes for one another in the margins and end pages! To participate we ask you to commit to choosing a book you’ve already decided was a five star read or predict will be- read it with your own notes then sending it forward in the chain, reading the next book sent to you, marking it in a color pen you pick and then sending it on to the next person to do the same. This continues til you will receive your book back to you having traveled and having read many others five star reads. If you’ve read one of the books before please still read it again to mark it or transfer your notes from your copy before sending forward. We ask books chosen be under 400 pages and all books be read and sent on within three to four weeks. You are responsible for shipping charges and repackaging.
Please email to let us know you want to participate. What color pen would you like to mark in (including a second choice is helpful) and give us your address. Are you willing to ship overseas? We will make groups as able to accommodate as many as would like to participate.
JilliansNovelOpinions@gmail.com
EntertheBookKristin@gmail.com
It was inspired by a video made by @CriminOllyBlog
I was tagged by Deea @novelideea
1.) What format is your perfect book? Hardback, paperback, audiobook or e-book?
2.) About how many pages is your perfect book?
3.) Are you particular as to where the chapters begin?
4.) Are you particular as to where the page numbers are located?
5.) Favorite font? Do you check to see the font details if available?
6.) Do margins matter to you?
7.) Does your perfect book have any other unique features that make it perfect?
8.) Show us the cover! What do you find perfect about it?
9.) Tag some fellow booktubers
I tag Courtney @TangibleReads and Jack @spreadbookjoy
The Dolphin House by Audrey Schulman (please read about controversies prior to reading)
The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
Please let me know if you prefer live or pre-recorded and also any questions you have for her. If you’d like to email me questions please do so at JilliansNovelOpinions@gmail.com, otherwise just comment on this video :)
You can find me on Instagram @ jillians_novel_opinions
You can find Alex on Instagram @it_sounds_like_alex
On twitter @alexpicard24
On TikTok @sounds_like_alex
Her work on Audible (except for the football bit which isn’t hers, just similar name :) )
audible.com/search?keywords=alex+picard&ref=a_hp_t1_header_search
Her work on libro
https://libro.fm/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Alex+Picard
More work coming this fall!!
Allen @bighardbooks770
1.) Do you use (or read along with) audio books?
2.) Do you utilize your local library
3.) Do you DNF books?
4.) Do you read multiple books at the same time?
5.) Do you make time or have a specific time in your day devoted to reading?
6.) Do you dog ear books?
7.) Do you annotate your books?
8.) How do you feel about “spoilers”?
Thanks to the Athenaeum website for the bits of history on Poe and the building.
Channels mentioned: @ReadbyFred , @Nixreads
Channels tagged: @GinaStanyerBooks , @ReadbyFred
Questions:
1.) How do I come across books to add to my TBR?
2.) Booktuber Shoutout to a person who adds the most books to my TBR
3.) Book that has been there the longest?
4.) Most recently added book?
5.) Which book will I read next?
6.) Most anticipated book and why haven’t I read it?
7.)Books that I added due to the hype around them
8.) Books that I added that I knew I wasn’t going to read
9.) Any books I will remove?
10.) Number of books on tbr?
I would like to tag @ReadingwithTatiana and @melodiclaine
The prompts are:
1. Do you reread how often?
2. Why do you don’t you reread?
3. What have been your favorite books to reread?
4. What would you like to reread?
5. What book will be so good you’ll want to reread it?
6. Pick a book from your younger years you’d like to reread.
7. Tell us a series or book that’s so complex you need to reread to better understand.
8. Is there a specific type of genre you think is best/worst for reread potential?
9. Is there a book you’ve liked more upon reread?
10. Is there a book you liked less upon reread?
11. If you reread let us know a book you’d like to reread before the end of this year.
12. Tag some friends
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Finlay Donovan is Killing it by Elle Cosimano
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Channels mentioned:
@Nixreads
@M-J
@SueJacksonDE
1.) Best Book you’re read so far in 2022.
2.) Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022
3.) New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.
4.) Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
5.) Biggest disappointment.
6.) Biggest surprise.
7.) Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
8.)Newest fictional crush.
9.) Newest favorite character
10.) Book that made you cry.
11.) Book that made you happy
12.) Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
13.) What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
Booktube Channel Mentioned: @M-J
Booktuber mentioned: @SueJacksonDE
Little Free Library
Make Way For Ducklings statue
The Corner Bookstore
Commonwealth Books and Old Prints
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
The Martian by Andy Weir
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
1) how do you get any reading done?
2) what do you like to read to your kids?
3) what are your childhood reading memories?
4) Give a word of encouragement to other moms and caregivers out there.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
11/22/63 by Stephen King
The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier
Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad
The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson
Read along on Project Hail Mary on MJ’s channel @M-J
Buddy read with @teacupthestoryteller
Questions:
1.) What is your channel about?
2.) How old are you?
3.) What’s your relationship status?
4.) Did you go to college/occupation?
5.) Where are you from/live?
6.) Looking back what would you have told your 10 year old self?
7.) Tell us about your family
8.) What’s your favorite holiday?
9.) You have no budget what is your dream vacation?
10.) Name your biggest pet peeve
11.) What book changed your life?
12.) What simple invention improved the world?
13.) Favorite movies/TV shows?
14.) Describe yourself using three fictional characters
15.) What was your dream job?
16.) If magic was real what spell would you learn first?
17.) Share a favorite childhood memory
18.) What is your favorite social media platform and why?
19.) If you could pick any book character who would you spend the day with?
20.) What’s your spirit animal?
21.) What “old person” thing do you do?
22.) Do you have a hidden talent?
23.) Where do you see yourself in five years?
24.) Share an item and tell us its significance
25.) Now tag some people
Channel mentioned @M-J for the upcoming Project Hail Mary read along.
Books mentioned:
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
1.) Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
2.) Bookmark or random piece of paper?
3.) Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/certain amount of pages?
4.) Do you eat or drink while reading?
5.) Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
6.) Reading at home or everywhere?
7.) One book at a time or several at once?
8.) Reading out loud or silently in your head?
9.) Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
10.) Do you write in your books?
11.) Tag others
I tag Reading with Tatiana: youtube.com/channel/UCgYtgJuAH-Bu6emKYxsp2eA
A Day of Small Things: youtube.com/channel/UCpLpRvtxPyrA6BLZWaHJkQQ
Gina Stanyer Books: youtube.com/c/GinaStanyerBooks
Books mentioned:
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Atonement by Ian McEwan
A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison , Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
The Boys in the Boat by David James Brown
@spreadbookjoy : youtu.be/Cb3Myhtn0IA
Books I plan on reading:
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
Natural Born Heroes by Christopher McDougall
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Booktubers mentioned:
Illiterately Yours: youtube.com/channel/UCyo1hHOud0Tm9ZHM_QlTWSQ
Read By Fred: youtube.com/c/ReadbyFred
Brandon’s Bookshelf: youtube.com/c/BrandonsBookshelf
Brandon’s video of his top ten running books: youtu.be/wMVVRPHo6H8
Booktuber mentioned:
Kristin from Enter the Book: youtube.com/channel/UCBViLUY7649I0jTwTax59JQ
I was tagged by Shelly Swearingen: youtube.com/c/ShellySwearingensLibrary
1.) Into Thin Air - What is one of your favorite books about or set in the outdoors?
2.) Winterdance -This is the story Gary Paulson running the Iditarod for the first time even though he isn’t particularly good at it. Do you have a hobby or skill that you keep attempting even if you are not particularly good at it?
3.) Wild - This is the story of Cheryl Strayed hiking the PCT after the death of her mother. Recommend a book where the central theme is dealing with grief.
That good night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour by Sunita Puri
Explores the tension between trying to preserve life at all costs and accept that life is finite and the beauty in that. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the end by Atul Guwande. Medicine seeks to extend life, but increases suffering. When Breath Becomes Air Paul Kalanithi
4.) Into the Wild - Follows Chris McCandless who travels to remote Alaska and unfortunately passes away in the wilderness. Does the idea of living off the grid or away from society appeal to you?
5.) A Walk in the Woods - Story of Bill Bryson and Katz hiking the Appalachian trail. What is a book with a really interesting friendship? A gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles between Count Alexander Rostov and Nina
6.) Adrift - story of Steven Callahan’s time lost at sea. Do you like the water?
7.) Hatchet - fictional story of a young boy who is in a plane crash while traveling to Alaska and has to survive with only a Hatchet. What is your favorite survival story?
We Die Alone David Howarth
Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand
8.) A perfect storm - story of fishermen that were lost at sea during a huge storm. Do you like stormy weather?
9.) Tag some friends!
Kelli Reads a Lot : youtube.com/channel/UCRnIG0iExI_7HoaFfun-J8g
Kushi Kishore: youtube.com/channel/UCewKLdrg0iHa0ZrR_dNmzXA
Books mentioned: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
We Die Alone by David Howarth
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Being Mortal by Atul Guwande
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
1.) Do you plan your book purchases ahead or impulse buy?
2.) How do you decide what books to buy?
3.) What is your philosophy on where you shop? Online vs in-person? Large vs small? Physical, digital or audio? New vs used?
4.) What about Little Free Libraries - What do you think about them? Have you used one? Why or why not?
5.) How do you feel after acquiring a book? Do you share it like in a book haul or diary?
6.) How do you feel looking at your books that haven’t been read? Does it matter if it’s currently a lot or a little amount?
7.) How do you decide what number of unread books is the right amount?
8.) Do you have a TBR game or process for reading them?
9.) Do you have a book buying problem? If so what is the nature of it? And can it be adjusted?
10.) Tag two or three others to ponder their book buying process.
Original Tag by Enter the Book: youtube.com/channel/UCBViLUY7649I0jTwTax59JQ
I was tagged by: Gina Stanyer Books: youtube.com/c/GinaStanyerBooks
And Gloria Z Thompson: youtube.com/c/GloriaZThompson
I tagged: A Blurb from the Serb: youtube.com/c/ABlurbFromTheSerb
Vadania Silverscribe: youtube.com/channel/UCqet-QKB_g8aalr67stzrvg
Music from Soundstripe
An Unlikely Story Website: anunlikelystory.com
NY Times article referenced in video: nytimes.com/2015/05/24/business/media/the-bookstore-built-by-jeff-kinney-the-wimpy-kid.html?smid=url-share
Shelly Swearingen: youtube.com/c/ShellySwearingensLibrary
Jack at Spread Book Joy: youtube.com/c/SpreadBookJoy
Books Mentioned: Walter the Lazy Mouse by Marjorie Flack
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Alexander by Harold Littledale
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreas and Guy Parker-Rees
Creator of the tag: Jim’s Books Reading & Stuff: youtube.com/c/jimholroyd
Questions:
1.) What was your first video on YouTube?
2.) How many books are you currently reading?
3.) What were the top 3 books you read last year?
4.) How many books did you read last year?
5.) How many books have you rated as 5 stars this year?
6.) Do you have a reading target for this year? Are you on track?
7.) How many pages in the book you are currently reading?
8.) How long are your videos?
9.) Do you have a favorite number?
10.) Do you have a book on your shelves with a number in the title or on the cover?
Thank you for tagging me!
Carrie Sweetapple: youtube.com/channel/UC9nXaa6U-K70GpNmL5kxGWQ
Books I’m not Reading: youtube.com/channel/UCVKWtZJ7Rl6WitFb2jcnlnQ
I’d like to tag:
Gina Stanyer Books: youtube.com/c/GinaStanyerBooks
Bandana Bookmom: youtube.com/channel/UCa4fPufztF3CPBRtOzBneUQ
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
BookZealots YouTube page: youtube.com/c/BookZealots
Book: We Die Alone by David Howarth
1.) How many books have you read?
2.) Have you read a book that you anticipate being a 2022 favorite?
3.) Least favorite book read so far this year
4.) Most read type of book
5.) Book that surprised you
6.) Book that has come out (or will come out) in 2022 that you want to read, but haven’t yet
7.) One goal you’re succeeding at
8.) One goal you need to focus on
9.) New to you booktubers you recommend
Booktubers recommended:
Teacup the Storyteller: youtube.com/channel/UCVFnQ9jEtI8mHPNzI8Yyq6g
Carrie Sweetapple: youtube.com/channel/UC9nXaa6U-K70GpNmL5kxGWQ
11/22/63 by Stephen King
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
In the Garden of the Beasts by Erik Larson
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Music:
A Year Ago (instrumental) NEFFEX
Till I Let Go (instrumenta)l NEFFEX
discussion on themes in the book:
litcharts.com/lit/the-westing-game/themes/prejudice-and-bigotry