Welcome!
I’m thrilled to have you here!
It is my fervent hope that you’ve landed on this page because you liked and followed the blog I authored for almost six years, Donovan Reads. If you don’t already know me, I’m Beth Stillman Blaha, a Clinical Psychologist who is independently publishing my first YA fantasy novel later this year. I’ve moved my blog over here and I’ll be reviewing YA books like mine as well as putting up news of my new novel as it becomes available.
Come for the awesome book reviews and stellar inside looks at writing, stay for the novel. Or just stay for my glittering wit.
So, as promised, my first book YA book review on my new site!
The Babysitter’s Coven, Kate Williams
Esme is seventeen years old and completely unremarkable. She lives with her Dad and she and her best friend Janis have a babysitter’s club, which is the only thing she doesn’t feel completely average, or below average, at. When she starts to demonstrate kinetic powers and a beautiful new girl at school starts wanting to be friends, she discovers that her powers are intended to keep humanity safe from otherworldly threats.
Now, I love me some telekinesis, obviously, because that’s what my book is about, too. Average girls who are more than average and have a greater purpose in this world, a purpose that can save their mother, too. And a plot that’s a slow unfolding of events that keeps you reading. Additionally, this book is hilarious, and has amazing pop culture references which I know are a no-no but they add so much to Esme and Janis. The author does not steer away from a good fart joke and knows the appeal of using a sweet farty dog as a real character. This is something I’d want to write, except I can’t think up outfits and make funny references like this one, although I am pretty sure I understood all of them, 80s as they were. Clearly appeals to the old Moms who like YA too. I’m old Moms.
Don’t let my old momhood scare you off my site, though.
There are two more books in this series, For Better or Cursed, which is already out, and then in September the last installment, Smells Like Teen Spirit, which I’m sure are worth checking out. Especially since that last title reminds me of an awkward period of my own childhood I could stand to forget.
Like with Donovan Reads, I plan on blogging weekly. I have lots of delicious reads for you in the next coming weeks as the details of my book, in it’s final edits, comes to fruition. So many decisions being made.
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