Middle Grade Madness! discussion

Romance is in the air! Or on the page, in this case😂

This is our first ever romance readathon in the group. It’s a genre I usually avoid on the group because it’s not very MG but I love doing new things on this group, so please recommend books responsibly with content warnings if necessary. Let’s read some great books!

How it works:
- Recommend some romance books/graphic novels for our list as you want (read more about that below) OR you can just take part.
- There's no need to sign up to take part, just join in the conversation below.
- This readathon starts in February 2023.
- Create a new Goodreads shelf for the Romance Readathon so you can keep track of what you’ve read for it if you want!

- Recommendations for our list closes on 15th January.
- I will feed the books/graphic novels from our list into a random picker.
- Using the link below (not yet added), you can access the random picker, spin the wheel, and it’ll randomly pick a book/graphic novel from our lists for you to read.
- Read the book/graphic novel and let us know your thoughts on it below!
- Then spin the wheel of the random picker again and it’ll choose another book/graphic novel for you.
- Try to read what the random picker picks for you but if you don’t have access to that book/graphic novel yet or if it chooses something you’ve already read for the readathon or that you've already read before or that you don't want to read/have DNF'ed/aren't interested in, then spin it again and it’ll choose something different.
- Alternatively, you can just ignore the random picker and read anything on the list that you like, but the random picker makes it more fun and spontaneous!

IF YOU WANT TO RECOMMEND A BOOK/GRAPHIC NOVEL FOR THE LIST:
The Rules on Recommending:
- It can be a book or a graphic novel or even a manga.
- It doesn’t have to belong to the romance genre. The theme is love so love between family members or friends also applies.
- If the book is YA, new adult, or adult and contains adult content please include warnings or do not recommend them!
- The book or graphic novel or manga must be in English or translated to English.
- They can be MG, YA, Adult or New Adult.
- If the book/graphic novel is part of a series please only recommend the first in the series.
- You can recommend between up to 3 books or graphic novels to be added to our list.

RECOMMEND A BOOK FOR OUR BOOK LIST HERE:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

The Book List:
MG
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - Tarria
Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper - Aurora
All You Knead Is Love by Tanya Guerrero - Aurora and Maeve
Keep It Together, Keiko Carter by Debbi Michiko Florence - Aurora
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai by Debbi Michiko Florence - Aurora
The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker - Maeve and Chara
Summer at Meadow Wood by Amy Rebecca Tan - Maeve
A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan - Maeve and Chara
Karthik Delivers by Sheela Chari - Maeve
Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleski - Maeve
Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate O'Shaughnessy - Maeve
Crashing in Love by Jennifer Richard Jacobson - Chara
*Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova - Chara
Focused by Alyson Gerber - Chara
Turning Point by Paula Chase - Chara
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale - Tarria
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale - Tarria
Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets: The Story of Iduna and Agnarr by Mari Mancusi - Tarria
Cake Pop Crush by Suzanne Nelson - D.L.

YA
Making Faces by Amy Harmon - Kadi
By Your Side by Kasie West - Kadi
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Kadi
^In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 1 by Mika Yamamori - Kadi
My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth - Eden
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston - Lynn
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant - Lynn
Paper or Plastic by Vivi Barnes - Lynn
*Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman - Dana
From Little Tokyo, with Love by Sarah Kuhn - Aurora
Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon - Aurora
The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos - Aurora
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee - Aurora
Don't Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel - D.L.
Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest - D.L.
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - Audrey
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - Ilsen
The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum - Ilsen
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales - Ilsen

Adult:
A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass - Eden
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert - Eden

KEY:
* - Graphic novel
^ - Manga
All names in italics are the recommender.

Link to random picker: https://www.classtools.net/random-nam...

Hey everyone, the list and link are officially up! I didn't know MG romance books even existed so I'm delighted at how many we've managed to get on the list!

This sounds super fun! I am definitely participating. TY for organizing :)

Reading List:

1. Keep It Together, Keiko Carter by Debbi Michiko Florence
2. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
3. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
4. Cake Pop Crush by Suzanne Nelson
5. Don't Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel
6. From Little Tokyo, with Love by Sarah Kuhn
7. The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos
8. Focused by Alyson Gerber

Well I meant to put something because school sucks! But I love the selection!!!

Ahh these all sound amazing!

I did put 3 in but it’s ok haha

Thanks sm for organising Kadi

@D.L. I think I might read The Princess Academy too. I saw this review that described it as the poor man’s Selection and that made me laugh because the selection is not even that great. It’d be interesting to see that concept from an MG perspective.

@Ilsen I can still add your recommendations if you want to let me know what they are.

@Eden I got all your 3 right? 1 YA and 2 adult ones I think. And aaw no problem! I think this is going to be a great readathon, it’s something new for me, I’ve never read MG romance!

Ok yay! My three picks are:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
The Art of French Kissing
Never Ever Getting Back Together

I got

A Letter to Three Witches
My Mechanical Romance
All You Knead Is Love
The Fascinators
Small Town Pride

Let's see how many I'm able to read.

Ahh Yas I didn’t c haha sorry Kadi! I own My mechanical romance so I’m reading that today and omg nearly finished it already it’s so quick n easy to read

Oh and I did read ten blind dates a couple days back. It was ok I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it

I decided not to spin the wheel for this one because I’m such a picky romance reader.

I started with Paper or Plastic and I give it 4 stars or at least I will when I get around to writing the review and posting it!

Now I’m reading Crashing in Love. I’m only 3 chapters in but it’s pretty good so far

Reading so far its pretty good. The mayor seems very strict, but I'm sure she has her reasons.

I was wondering if anyone had any romance recommendations for books that are like the protagonist is in difficulty and their perspective changed or they made themselves a better person because of falling in love or the love interest. Are there any books like that on our list already? I don’t mind recommendations off the list too.

This is a trope I normally hate but lately work has really sucked because the people at work can be snakes. I’m a very straightforward person and I don’t like dealing with pettiness or unnecessary drama but the people at work are like that and unfortunately I’m stuck with these people. I’m fed up of it and I’m also fed up of complaining about it. Soooo I thought if I read a book about a protagonist who has less trivial issues than me then that would put things into perspective and seeing them overcome whatever it is would be motivational and uplifting. And it being romance sticks to the theme of the readathon too.

Awww I'm sorry Kadi! Hopefully things can get better with work. I can't think of any books like that (that isn't problematic) because all I am thinking about is All the Bright Places and My Heart and Other Black Holes

I really liked the books when I read it but yea, proceed with caution for questionable mental health representation.

Also I don't know if you got my message but yea when I meant picks, I meant the recommendations to be added to the list. But no pressure. Thank you Kadi!

finished 4 stars.

Ilsen wrote: "Awww I'm sorry Kadi! Hopefully things can get better with work. I can't think of any books like that (that isn't problematic) because all I am thinking about is All the Bright Places..."

Haha no it's a good thing you said because I thought you meant they were your picks from the random picker. Ok so I'll add them to the list above and the random picker then.

Also thanks for the recommendations and the kind words. Since my grumpy comment I've had a job offer from another law firm so I think things are looking up for me and hopefully they'll be nicer there, fingers crossed!

I started reading My Heart and Other Black Holes and it seemed heavy but good so I'll continue with that one. I've already read All the Bright Places back in the day. I'm pretty sure it made me cry but thinking back on it, the ending was dumb.

Congrats on the job offer I hope things go well.

just finished 4 stars, the art style is really unique.

Kadi wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Awww I'm sorry Kadi! Hopefully things can get better with work. I can't think of any books like that (that isn't problematic) because all I am thinking about is [book:All the Bright P..."

Oh yea All the Bright Places also made me cry but if I read it now, I feel like I would not like it. I'm too scared to reread it honestly. But I am glad that my message helped! Let me know what you think of My Heart and Other Black Holes!

I've been in a reading slump for a month and think I might only get to one book for this challenge. I am not sure what I want to read yet, so I will be reading the descriptions and will let you all know.

Kadi wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Awww I'm sorry Kadi! Hopefully things can get better with work. I can't think of any books like that (that isn't problematic) because all I am thinking about is [book:All the Bright P..."

It's tough to enjoy work when the environment is toxic.

Just started reading love and gelato

Maeve wrote: "I've been in a reading slump for a month and think I might only get to one book for this challenge. I am not sure what I want to read yet, so I will be reading the descriptions and will let you all..."

Aaw reading slumps are such a pain. If you manage to read one book though then it's fantastic. You got this! I hope you find one to your liking on the list. Maybe try one of the graphic novels if you're looking for a quicker read.

AurorainBookland wrote: "Congrats on the job offer I hope things go well.

just finished 4 stars, the art style is really unique."

Thanks Aurora😊 I want to read Heartstopper as well but for some weird reason Hoopla only has the spanish edition of it. I'll have to find a copy elsewhere.

Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Congrats on the job offer I hope things go well.

just finished 4 stars, the art style is really unique."

Thanks Aurora😊 I wa..."

Thats weird. I got a copy from Libby app most libraries use it for their ebooks.

AurorainBookland wrote: "Thats weird. I got a copy from Libby app most libraries use it for their ebooks."

My library has libby so I'll check that thanks

Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Thats weird. I got a copy from Libby app most libraries use it for their ebooks."

My library has libby so I'll check that thanks"

Your welcome! The Netflix adaption looks cute but I think its bassed all 5 of the books or close to it. So Im reading the books first.

AurorainBookland wrote: "Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Thats weird. I got a copy from Libby app most libraries use it for their ebooks."

My library has libby so I'll check that thanks"

Your welcome! The Netflix a..."

The Netflix adaptation is based on the first and second volumes.

Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Congrats on the job offer I hope things go well.

just finished 4 stars, the art style is really unique."

Thanks Aurora😊 I wa..."

You can read the series online, it used to be a webcomic. I think you can still find it.

Kadi wrote: "Maeve wrote: "I've been in a reading slump for a month and think I might only get to one book for this challenge. I am not sure what I want to read yet, so I will be reading the descriptions and wi..."

Most of the time, I can get myself out of it and find that I slowly want to read again. But I can't commit myself to 1 book. I end up quitting after just a few chapters.

I think I am going to read I haven't read it yet, I did read a few reviews and it sounds like something I might enjoy. But there are so many great options. Like has been on my list forever! Too many choices hahaha...

Maeve wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Thats weird. I got a copy from Libby app most libraries use it for their ebooks."

My library has libby so I'll check that thanks"

Yo..."

Good to know, thanks!

YOUNG ADULT SERIES RECOMMENDATION IN ROMANCE GENRE!

The selection series! It exceeded all my expectations and recommend it for anyone who likes royalty and romance. Also side note it has a book that will make you feel angry, sad, happy, and all the emotions that the characters feel. 5 star series!

finished 4 stars, Keiko is pronounced Kay kow not key ko.

finished 4 stars, almost five

3 stars

3 stars

Hey lovebirds and bookworms! How’s the reading going? I still haven’t finished my second read for this readathon! Hopefully I can finish it in the last half of the month

Great! I'm really enjoying this readathon, thanks for hosting it Kadi! Good luck with your book. Happy reading everyone!

Kadi wrote: "Hey lovebirds and bookworms! How’s the reading going? I still haven’t finished my second read for this readathon! Hopefully I can finish it in the last half of the month"

I've read lots of romance this month, just not the ones on the list. Ooopppss.

Lynn wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Hey lovebirds and bookworms! How’s the reading going? I still haven’t finished my second read for this readathon! Hopefully I can finish it in the last half of the month"

I've read lo..."

It still counts! I read a few off list Heartstopper vol 2 and vol. 3. And

AurorainBookland wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Hey lovebirds and bookworms! How’s the reading going? I still haven’t finished my second read for this readathon! Hopefully I can finish it in the last half of the month"
..."

Yay! Right now I'm reading Begin Again. It has some interesting plot elements that I've never seen in a romance novel. Not sure yet if I like them, but time will tell.

I just completed "The Goose Girl," and it was fantastic. I had not heard about this series before and got it from our random picker. Thanks for recommending it, Tarria

Lynn wrote: "I've read lots of romance this month, just not the ones on the list. Ooopppss. "

Haha that’s ok! It’s still in the spirit of the readathon

Sameeksha wrote: "I just completed "The Goose Girl," and it was fantastic. I had not heard about this series before and got it from our random picker. Thanks for recommending it, Tarria"

That’s so nice to hear! That’s the beauty of the random picker so I love to see it’s working for people👏🏻
Would you say Goose Girl is a quick read? Because I’ve been wanting to read it for a while but now the month is over. If it won’t take long I might consider still reading it.

trying to finish this before the month is over. Its written kinda boring so I keep doing other things instead.

Edit done CW domestic and child abuse mentioned throughout. Alcholic abusive father. MC has depression not adressed nor is it said Alba and her mom will get the therapy they need.

AurorainBookland wrote: " trying to finish this before the month is over. Its written kinda boring so I keep doing other things instead.

Edit done CW domestic and child abuse ment..."

Wow the content on that one is a lot heavier than I expected from a book with such a sweet cover