Tour the World in 30 Books Blog Tour | Twelve Reasons You Should Pick Up The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

Welcome to my stop on the Tour The World in 30 Books Blog Tour! Today I’m gonna take you all to a beautifully crafted and fantastical realm: the world of The Tea Dragon Society!

Tour The World in 30 Books is a blog tour hosted by Sammie @ The Bookwyrm’s Den in support of her local public library’s Diverse Book Drive. The CCPL—a small, rural library in an area with a high poverty rate and a very homogeneous population, where people rarely have the means to travel or experience new perspectives. However, the library doesn’t believe that should stop people from learning more about the world around them, so they’re running a Diverse Book Drive through the month of September in an attempt to bring the rest of the world to the county instead. With a focus on MG and YA books, the CCPL aims to expose especially its young patrons to new and diverse perspectives and cultures.

Wanna help out Sammie’s library?

Blog tour book wishlists:

• Amazon
• Book Depository
• Bookshop

Hardcover books are preferred, but not required.

Other ways to donate:

CCPL’s general Amazon book wish list
Monetary donations: PayPal to orders@caseylibrary.org
Gently used or other new book donations mailed to:
Sammie Betler
Casey County Public Library
238 Middleburg St.
Liberty, KY 42539

Please note that if you order a wish list book from Bookshop, we ask that you please send a message to sammie@thebookwyrmsden.com so the book can be removed to avoid duplicate purchases, as the site does not seem to automatically remove the book from the list.

Please also note that book donations are used at the discretion of the library.

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The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author/Illustrator: Katie O’Neill
Publisher: Oni Press
Year of Publication: October 2017

Number of Pages: 72
Age Category: Middle-Grade [9-12 years]
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

Twelve Reasons to Read The Tea Dragon Society:

1. Literally some of the CUTEST artwork you’ll ever see!

2. A cast full of people who are BIPOC.
(since it’s a fantasy world, technically most of the characters aren’t completely human, but basically what I’m saying is most of the characters display a variety of skin tones.)

3. Various disability and LGBTQIA+ representation seamlessly woven in throughout the series. Everything is normalized and nothing is flashy or demanding of praise for the inclusion.

4. Multiple characters’ occupations and attire challenge gender stereotypes and the gender binary.

5. Explores the concept of tradition in changing times.

6. Tea dragons are some of the coolest and cutest creatures you’ll ever read about. The novel even includes a fun little guide in the back to learn more about all the different tea dragons!

7. Focuses on cherishing shared memories and time spent with loved ones. CAN YOU IMAGINE not only having a tiny cute little dragon, but also one whose leaves brew a tea that invoke shared memories?!?

8. Features a cute found family!

9. The Tea Dragon Society is the first in a series!

10. This short graphic novel is an easy and quick read! So not only can you easily consume it, but it will help you feel more accomplished! (especially if you’re struggling on your GR goal which tbh I totally feel right now)

11. Despite its intended younger audience, this story can easily be enjoyed by readers of all ages–I’m an adult and I am now determined to read every book in this series and that Katie O’Neill ever produces.

12. Provides glimpses into a world you won’t want to leave–which again, is awesome that it’s the first in a series of 3 so far!

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Tour Schedule:

September 1: Sammie @ The Bookwyrm’s Den – Introduction, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears
Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads – Dating Makes Perfect

September 2: Lauren @ Always Me – The Epic Crush of Genie Lo

September 3: Toya @ The Reading Chemist – Felix Ever After

September 4: Michelle @ Carry A Big Book – Sharks in the Time of Saviors

September 5: Shenwei @ READING (AS)(I)AN (AM)ERICA – The Astonishing Color of After

September 6: Maria @ A Daughter of Parchment and Paper – Patron Saints of Nothing

September 7: Bri @ Bri’s Book Nook – True Friends (Carmen Browne)

September 8: Bec @ bec&books – Lobizona || Jorie @ Jorie Loves A Story – diverse TTT

September 9: Sienna @ Daydreaming Book Lover – Loveless

September 10: Kerri @ Kerri McBookNerd – Raybearer

September 11: Noly @ The Artsy Reader – The Name Jar

September 12: Jacob @ The Writer’s Alley – Forest of Souls

September 13: Keri @ Are You My Book – The Tea Dragon Society

September 14: Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight – The Space Between Worlds

September 15: Melissa @ Ramblings of a Jedi Librarian – Girl in Translation

September 16: Livy @ Shelves of Starlight – Clap When You Land

September 17: Crystal @ Lost in Storyland – American Born Chinese

September 18: Lili @ Lili’s Blissful Pages – A Wish in the Dark

September 19: Leslie @ Books Are The New Black – The Poppy War

September 20: Noura @ The Perks of Being Noura – Love From A to Z

September 21: Crini @ Crini’s – A Pale Light in the Black

September 22: Rachelle @ Rae’s Reads and Reviews – Dear Haiti, Love Alaine

September 23: Dini @ DiniPandaReads – Wicked As You Wish

September 24: Madeline @ Mad’s Books – Spin the Dawn

September 25: Tessa @ Narratess – Brace Yourself

September 26: Kimberly @ My Bookish Bliss – Truly Madly Royally

September 27: Rena @ Bookflirting 101 – Anna K: A Love Story

September 28: Susan @ Novel Lives – Burn the Dark

September 29: Arina @ The Bookwyrm’s Guide to the Galaxy – A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

September 30: Maya @ http://mybookishbliss.com/ – Jackpot

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Have you read The Tea Dragon Society before? If so, what did you think? If not, did I convince you to read it?

Do you use your local library? Do you feel that its collection is adequately diverse? If you could change one thing about your library, what would it be?

July Wrap-Up: Wrote 60K Words for Camp NaNo and Drank Way Too Many Sugary Coffee & Tea Drinks

I’m both sad and glad July is over! July was a crazy month in that I spent most of my mental and creativity energy (and motivation) on my Camp NaNo project (and thus accomplished like nothing else). My writing buddy and I quickly realized we were most productive during the morning, so I started almost every day with an early writing session. Though I loved the routine of it, my sleep schedule was less appreciative. (My taste buds on the other hand, quite adored all the food and drinks I was bribing myself with.)

In terms of reading and blogging? July was much less productive. Once again, I read 4 books, which is on track with my reading goal, but not quite as much as I was hoping to get through. I’m finding myself reading in spurts more and more now, and less so on a regular basis–I’m keeping my fingers crossed I can reverse this shift in August!

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BOOKS READ:

1. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Rating: 4.25 stars

I’ve put this book on so many TBRs and I finally read it! Rogerson crafted an intriguing and gorgeous world and I WANT MORE! This world has such promise for further exploration and I could easily see a dozen companion books written in it! *crossing all my fingers and toes for at LEAST one companion* I LOVED both Nathaniel and Silas’ characters, but tbh I wasn’t much of a fan of the MC, Elizabeth. She was okay, but gave me a lot of ‘stereotypical YA heroine vibes’. Regardless, the story was so fun and addicting and I definitely recommend it!

Buddy-read with the amazing Sammie @ The Bookwyrm’s Den
(My first successful buddy-read! Would have been the second but I failed Sammie back in February, whoops)

2. I, Coriander by Sally Gardiner

Rating: 3 stars

A reread of a book that I originally read in 2009! (I even checked my library’s checkout history to confirm this fact). Definitely noticed some more problematic elements this time around, which is often my fear with rereads. It was still a fun, quick read with some rather unique characteristics, but I’m not sure if it’s one I’ll continue to recommend to others.

3. Pretend You’re Mine by Laura Conway

Rating: 3 stars

This was a super fun f/f romance novella that I devoured in a day (before my KU subscription ended, haha)! It was so cute to see Lauren and Jackie pretending to date while secretly harboring crushes for one another. I adored it, though I do admit the plot was a little lacking (aka there wasn’t much of one).

4. Flunked by Jen Calonita

Rating: 3.5 stars

This was a cute, quick MG read! I’m a sucker for anything related to fairytales, especially when they involve overlapping retellings. I did find the worldbuilding a bit lacking and vague, but with 5 books following it, this issue will likely get addressed. Though I intend to use August to focus on ARCs, I may have to squeeze the next book into my agenda.

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Life Updates:

• I participated in Camp NaNo! (And that was basically my entire month right there, eek)
  • My goal was to complete a 50K new, revamped first draft of an old story idea, and I surpassed my goal by writing a total of 60K words! I’m going to take a break from writing for a couple of weeks before going back and figuring out how to re-plot the monstrous hot mess of a story.
  • Binge-wrote 6.7K words on the last day of July in an attempt to give my draft a semblance of an ending, and wowza, was I dead afterwards!
  • Would not have survived Camp NaNo if it were not for my writing buddy (and all the sugary coffee & tea drinks we bought, lol)! We literally met up every day of July for writing sessions (outside, of course). I totally would have dissolved into a bemoaning puddle of mush if it wasn’t for her. ❤

• ‘Celebrated’ the 4th of July by attending a protest!
• Was able to see more of my old high school friends at a couple of socially-distant gatherings at parks this month! It was so lovely to see their faces and talk with people who aren’t my family, lol.

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Posts by Other Bloggers That I Enjoyed:

• Jaime @ Jaime Writes Words and Waffles posted a review of The Crow Rider that makes me eager to return to The Storm Crow duology!
• Destiny @ Howling Libraries wrote a review about Emily Henry’s Beach Read. I didn’t think I could get any more excited about the book, but Destiny’s review did just that!
• Kay @ Hammock of Books shared some of her spreads from her first year of bullet journaling! Her spreads are so cute and pretty and ahhhh, now I’m itching to attempt to draw something and/or buy a bullet journal.

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AUGUST TBR:

I’ve actually made a separate post for my August TBR, if ya wanna check it out! In honor of ARC August, I’m planning on dedicating most of the month to reading ARCs!

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How was your July? Did you participate in Camp NaNo? Are you writing anything currently? What are your plans for August?

Top Ten Tuesday: (Belated) Spring 2020 TBR

Okay, technically this week’s subject is “Ten Signs You’re a Book Lover,” but I totally missed posting my Spring TBR 2 weeks ago, and I can’t let a seasonal TBR post go by, even if I’m a bit late in posting it and even tho I only ever sorta follow my TBRs (is that sign #1 I’m a book lover? lol).

Also wow, it’s been so long since I’ve last written a TTT post! Usually I aim to participate at least once a month, but it’s been almost two full months (I think my last one was on Feb. 4, which technically still follows my goal, but it was still so loooong ago).

I was kinda up in the air about what I wanted to read for awhile, so I organized my thoughts by dividing my TBR into a bunch of sub-categories. It was really helpful, tho it resulted in me listing a wide variety of books, from YA to erotica to Sci-Fi, so bear with me!

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

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Books I Own & I’m Excited to Pick Up:

1. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Magic, libraries, and monsters? I acquired this book last summer, and I don’t know how I haven’t read it yet. (sign #2??)

2. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

This will be a reread for me! Ever since I read the first book, I’ve been meaning to return to the series (I’m horrible at finishing series–sign #3 I’m a book nerd??). And now with the 4th book coming out in December, this will be the year for me to finally catch up on this series, so I need to start back at book 1!

Some ARCs I Want to Get Around To:

3. Lobizona by Romina Garber

Release Date: May 5th, 2020

I’ve been horrible about reviewing books in a timely manner, but I’m determined to stay on top of this one! (says all book people. Sign #4??)

4. A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff

Release Date: January 21st, 2020

Whoops, a bit behind on this one. Luckily, I won it in a giveaway, so I don’t feel too bad about not having picked it up yet, but I still wanna sometime this spring!

5. Two Girls, A Clock, and Crooked House by Michael Poore

Release Date: September 10th, 2019

Snagged an ARC of this one like a year ago, and still haven’t read it, eek! But it sounds cute, light, fun, and it’s MG, so now feels like the perfect time to read it! (If you follow me, you’ve seen this on a lot of my TBR posts, whoops)

Books from the Library:

6. The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Was suppose to read this for part of a book club and even though I haven’t started it yet, I still wanna pick it up!

7. Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Been eyeing this one for the past couple of years, and now that I have it checked out from the library for awhile, I want to pick it up after my semester ends!

8. The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill

Everything Katie O’Neill creates is so pure and adorable and I’m determined to read all of her graphic novels!

Books to Read before my Kindle Unlimited Trial Ends:

9. Smut by Karina Halle

A smutty romance novel about two creative writing students who write smut together and fall in love? I’ve been drooling over this book since I first heard of it, so I’m determined to read it before my Kindle Unlimited trial ends!

10. Aftershocks by Marko Kloos

Now this normally isn’t the type of book I gravitate towards, but 47North was kind enough to send me an ARC of the sequel, so I want to give the first book a try.

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That’s it for my Spring TBR! Fingers crossed I can get around to most of these!?! What books are you hoping to read this spring? Have you read any of the ones I mentioned above?

If you participated in TTT this week (or posted a Spring TBR 2 weeks ago, haha), feel free to link up your post in the comments below–I would love to check them out!

December Wrap-Up: Too Much Homework-Related Writing, Fun Family Visits, and (once again) Lots of Graphic Novels!

Oh oh oh, here we are, starting 2020 off right with another late monthly wrap-up! There’s a grace period for 2020 goals, right? Because I’m already failing big time.

But yeah, sorry for the absence! I returned to college at the beginning of the month (for my last semester holy crap) and I’ve spent the last 2 weeks trying to get myself to remember how to do homework and balance commitments instead of reverting to my natural state as a couch potato.

But no more about my laziness–I’ll no doubt talk about that in my (late) January wrap-up. Despite having finals week in the middle of the month, I was on winter break for the last two weeks of December and I had an really good reading month! I read a total of 12 books, and similar to my November Wrap-up, it was due to cramming in a bunch of graphic novels for my Kid Lit final project.

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BOOKS READ:

1. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren

Rating: 4 stars

Tehehe. Honestly, not a book I ever thought I picked up, but I was searching for smutty content for a friend for Christmas. Honestly, this book was a great time with a glass of wine. I only wish it had been longer so I could know more about the characters!

2. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Rating: 4.5 stars

THIS WAS SO INCREDIBLE! It challenges the idea of heroes, villains, and monsters in a new, fresh way. Everyone was morally gray and I adored it. And that ending totally got me in the feels. Why isn’t there moreeee?

3. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Rating: 4.5 stars

This is the final book that I read for my memoir class and wow, just wow. Kalanithi’s writing can only be described as purely unique and brilliant. This one seems like it needs to be read multiple times over to be truly appreciated.

4. Normal People by Sally Rooney

Rating: 3.5 stars

Oooh, this is a hard one to rate. Rooney’s voice is original and blunt, not afraid to delve into the deep and raw. But the characters were also extremely FRUSTRATING. And then there was that ending that I both loved and hated…

5. Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Rating: 4 stars

The graphic novel follows Callie as she juggles crushes, friendships, and trying to make sure her school’s musical is a success.
It was so CUTE! How can I get more? Will definitely read more from this creator.

6. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

Rating: 4 stars

A graphic memoir that delves into the trials of childhood friendship! And it was by one of my favorite authors–Shannon Hale! I can’t wait to pick up the sequel. 😀

7. Paper Girls, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matthew Wilson

Rating: 2.75 stars

This was…truly bizarre. Don’t think I understood half of went on. There wasn’t really much of a plot to it–just the repeated setups of freaky situations. A part of me is curious to see how it will continue, but I kinda doubt I’ll actually pick up the next volume…

8. Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Rating: 3 stars

Another weird graphic novel. Though it was definitely easier to follow, it also wasn’t very satisfying. The ending seemed rushed and I felt that there needed to be greater exploration in the topics it touched upon (e.g. body image, smoking, loneliness).

My cat Lucky came to say hello as I was attempting to take pictures of my last 4 reads of 2019! (Lol, I had to brighten up this photo a lot so he could be seen)

9. The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson

Rating: 3.5 stars

I really only read the last 40 pages of this book in December, but I’m still gonna count it. (Yeah, I don’t know why I didn’t just finish it back in September).
I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t a new favorite like I was hoping it would be. You can read my full review here!

10. The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Rating: 4.5 stars

OMG, THE TRILOGY HAS COME TO AN END! It was definitely a bit cheesy and rushed, but I also love these characters so much and enjoyed how Holly Black played with fairytale tropes in the trilogy. I literally devoured this book in a single night. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

11. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Rating: 4 stars

If you don’t know who David Sedaris, he’s one of the most famous humor writers out there. This was my first time reading his work and I really enjoyed it! Sedaris is both hilarious and thought-provoking in this memoir.

12. The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley

Rating: 3.75 stars

This was…definitely unique and something else. It’s a contemporary retelling of Beowulf focused on Grendel’s mother with dash of fantasy and it was just…bizarre. There were some really cool and unique perspectives, but I feel like I need to reread it multiple times over to understand what happened.

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JANUARY TBR:

• The Will and the Wilds— I’ve actually already read this one! It was my first read (and so far, only read 😅) of 2020!
• A Queen in Hiding— Wanted to read this before its release date on the 21st, but *sigh* that’s not gonna happen now.
• Children of Blood and Bone— A bookclub at my school is reading this and I’m unrealistically hoping I’ll be able to read it before the meeting. 😬
• The Bear and the Nightingale— Some day, some winter day, I will read this book!
• What I Want You to See— I’m on the blog tour for this one in early February, so I need to get to reading!

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Random Life Updates:

• I finished my first semester of my senior year of college!
  • I had so much reading and writing to complete during the last week of classes and during finals. Afterwards I was like “What’s a sentence? What are words?” I was definitely burnt out.
  • My friends and I did manage to sneak out during finals for beer, bowling and exchanging Christmas gifts, and it was honestly so much fun.
• I was sent my first physical book from a publisher/publicity agency! It was The Will and the Wilds and it was a really fun read. Stay tuned for a review coming soon!
  • I actually got sent an extra ARC copy of this book, so if anyone wants it, please let me know! I will happily send it to ya!
• I spent 3 weeks at home for winter break! It was great to do nothing and see my dog and cats.

My dog did not appreciate taking pics with me

• I was fortunate enough to see lots of family for the holidays–my mom’s side, my maternal grandpa, and my dad’s side. Even my cousins from Tennessee!
• Saw a handful of old high school friends for coffee dates and at a New Years Eve party. It’s crazy now because with graduation approaching, I don’t know when I’ll see most of them again.
• My family went out and saw the new Star Wars movie! An end of an era (saga?)! Personally, I thought it was a decent movie–I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t hate it.
  

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  How was your December? Are you glad it’s 2020 now? What have you been up to lately? Have you read any of the books I mentioned above? Any recommendations for graphic novels I should pick up next?