BOOKS

Chloe's Book Club is like the pie buffet at Thanksgiving: There's something yummy for everyone, no matter what you crave!

If you love real-life royalty (and romance), dig into American Royals by Katharine McGee. Believe In You: Big Sister Stories and Advice on Living Your Best Life by Christina, Katherine, Lisa, Amy, Lauren and Danielle Cimorelli gives you tips, tricks, love and life advice from these super talented YouTube sibs. More in the mood for a dark, humorous sequel about cool characters, spells, magic and zombies? I highly recommend The Witches of Orkney #2: The Rubicus Prophecy by Alane Adams. 

So, grab a mug of spiced cider and settle into your favorite cozy spot to indulge in my fave way to chill when it's chilly outside: Reading a good book!

Have a thing for Harry and Meghan? William and Kate? If real-life monarchy fascinates you (The Crown is coming back soooo soon!), then American Royals by Katharine McGee is just for you.

I'm obsessed with the U.K.'s royals (Meghan is my fave. And OMG Kate's toddlers!). So, I was pretty psyched to get my hands on American Royals, a new novel that creates a world where George Washington was crowned the first American King—and then all of his heirs become our current monarchy. In this book, America has its very own set of swoon-worthy royalty!

But honestly, what's so adorable about this read is the oodles and oodles of soap bubbles that practically burst out each time you turn the page. I mean, this book takes the soap opera genre, turns it into a teen fantasy and then runs off with the bath water. I love a good melodrama—Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars and The Rain. So, this was pure entertainment for me; a true pleasure that I'm not feeling one bit guilty about.

In American Royals, Princess Beatrice is next in line for the Americna throne. She's been such a good girl: followed all the rules, made every sacrifice. But now that the time has almost come for her to take over, she needs to find a suitable prince. Of course, she doesn't want the one who's considered *suitable*. Duh! So there's that. Will she risk her crown to follow her heart? 

Princess Beatrice has younger twin siblings—Samantha and Jefferson—who are just considered "spares" since they're second in line for the throne. But it seems kind of nice—and sometimes naughty—when they get to do whatever they want without all the scrutiny.

If you like romance, politics and lots of plot, you may get just as hooked on this book as I did. The only bad part about this book is how it leaves you hanging at the end. Luckily, the sequel is coming in 2020. 

Now it's time to dip into darkly comic fantasy. Just in case you didn't get enough spooky stuff for Halloween, this book will get your cauldron bubbling. Drum roll please—It's the sequel, The Witches of Orkney #2: The Rubicus Prophecy by Alane Adams!

It's always fun to read fantastical novels about a dark and wonderful witch-filled world. I had read the first book (which I also suggest you read), and this story was equally enjoyable.

Actually, Part 2 may be better than Part 1. (Can I get away with saying that?). Well, it's true—and Part 1 was pretty darn good. We catch up with Abigail and Hugo again in a new story, and the Tarkana Witch Academy comes right back to life—exactly where it left off.

War is coming, and Abigail and her friends must prevent Melistra and her daughter from ruining Orkney. They also help a young boy from a ship find his missing item. Of course, they wind up in the Tarkana Fortress with the living dead. Can they use their magical spells, friendly (and not-so-friendly) ghosts and the Norse gods to fight the sinister powers that threaten to destroy them all? I totally suggest you read this awesome book to find out.

It's easy, breezy and full of good writing, which my brain craves after the rigors of daily schoolwork and studying. And the character development is so stellar. You'll finish this book quickly: It definitely casts a spell on you!

You probably already know the singing, dancing and all-around entertaining super sister group called Cimorelli from YouTube. (Hint: My Sister Does My Makeup Challenge!) If so, you may want to find out what these talented girls think about life and love in their new book called Believe in You: Big Sister Stories and Advice on Living Your Best Life by Christina, Katherine, Lisa, Amy, Lauren and Danielle Cimorelli. 

In my family, I am the big sister to Clara. So, I try to help her whenever I can. I know how important it is to support her and understand her no matter what. That's why I love that the Cimorelli sisters are opening up their hearts (and their lives) to help all of us girls out there, whether we have sisters or not. I wish I could've read this book when I was younger. Since I am the oldest (and wisest, ha ha), this book is exactly what I needed when I was Clara's age!

The Cimorellis weigh in on all the hot topics like body changes, friendship drama, money, the future, self-care and, of course, relationship ups-and-downs. If you're interested in spirituality, you also get their real-life take on their faith. They believe their Christianity has made them strong and secure—and successful! 

They even write letters to their younger selves, offering the advice they wish they'd had in the past. That's an excellent exercise that I have done before, too. If you want to try it, take out a blank piece of paper and write a letter to yourself two years ago. What do you know now that you wish you'd known then? You'll learn so much about yourself and be able to see how you've changed and grown.

And that's what this book—and teen life—is really about. We go through it all, and we grow constantly. We want to be happy, healthy and we try to do the right things. That's what you'll get in this book.

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by Chloe Lukasiak and Chloe's Book Club | 11/12/2019