What an original and thought-provoking meet-cute! I loved Luna and Aoife— especially Luna’s saltiness. Both girls are navigating some pretty tough famWhat an original and thought-provoking meet-cute! I loved Luna and Aoife— especially Luna’s saltiness. Both girls are navigating some pretty tough familial expectations, and I appreciated how they helped each other be their best selves. Also appreciated the way Brophy weaves in social commentary, her ability to bring in the messiness of relationships, and the way the story ended....more
Such a fun and big hearted novel— a love letter to all those who are exhausted by assumptions and limitations based on gender. I knew nothing about thSuch a fun and big hearted novel— a love letter to all those who are exhausted by assumptions and limitations based on gender. I knew nothing about the world of entertainment wrestling going into this, but I think some episodes of GLOW and WOW are in my future. Loved getting to know Birdie and the other characters. Recommended for fans of quirky....more
In the late 19th century, three former boarding school roommates continue their friendship through ongoing mail correspondence. This epistolary novel In the late 19th century, three former boarding school roommates continue their friendship through ongoing mail correspondence. This epistolary novel starts off slowly, but readers will soon become invested in the day to day happenings of Polly, Sophia, and Tirzah. Their intertwining stories will keep the pages turning quickly. Very satisfying historical fiction....more
The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my all-time favorite books. This sequel is enjoyable, but doesn’t have the sparkle of the first. The social coThe House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my all-time favorite books. This sequel is enjoyable, but doesn’t have the sparkle of the first. The social commentary has no nuance, and comes across as heavy-handed. What was sweet in the original story can at times cross over into smarmy.
That being said, the children are still delightful, and I loved the family’s new addition. Audiobook narrator Daniel Henning does a fantastic job bringing the children to life.
Thanks to Macmillan and to Libro.fm ALC for the complimentary audiobook....more
In 2005, three high school students discover they’re pregnant after prom night. They weren’t in the same circles before this happened, but they becomeIn 2005, three high school students discover they’re pregnant after prom night. They weren’t in the same circles before this happened, but they become friends, and, when their children are born, the children grow up together. We see them in 2024 as they are preparing for their own prom experiences at the same high school their mothers graduated from. This was a quick read with short, breezy chapters that alternate between the three mothers in 2005 (“Then”) and the three offspring in 2025 (“Now”). Misogyny, gender issues, and racism are all touched on in a surface-level way, but there’s not much nuance....more
Solid historical fiction. Readers familiar with Huckleberry Finn will love getting to know Mary Jane, a minor character in Twain’s classic. And those Solid historical fiction. Readers familiar with Huckleberry Finn will love getting to know Mary Jane, a minor character in Twain’s classic. And those who never read the original might be inspired to pick it up.
While this doesn’t have the emotional resonance of Percival Everett’s James, the other Huck Finn retelling published this year, Jahren has blended humor, tenderness, and lots of research for a compelling read....more
What a fantastic horror story! I really enjoyed the originality and the way that the author doesn’t shy away from the visceral and grotesque, but inteWhat a fantastic horror story! I really enjoyed the originality and the way that the author doesn’t shy away from the visceral and grotesque, but intersperses enough humor that it’s never TOO dark. Great LGBTQ+ representation and diversity of backgrounds among the group of teens.
I probably would have gone with 5 stars if I’d read the print version rather than listened to the audiobook. I found that the narrator’s tendency to emphasize unimportant words (… he SAID;… she BLURTED; … they DECLARED) created a distracting cadence.
Nevertheless, really glad to have experienced the story. Thanks to Union Square, Dreamscape Media, and Libro.fm ALC for the complimentary e-audiobook....more
15-year-old Kat and her friends are determined to fight back against the patriarchy through feminist activism, but it’s not always easy. Boys, mean gi15-year-old Kat and her friends are determined to fight back against the patriarchy through feminist activism, but it’s not always easy. Boys, mean girls, and rogue menstrual cups all play a part in making her question whether her “feministing” is making a difference. This British import is the new and improved Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging for Gen Z. Mental health issues are addressed in an authentic and sensitive way. Kate Weston has created a story that is both hilarious and heartwarming....more
Immersive and atmospheric and unpredictable and fierce. One of the best epic fantasies I’ve read. The only downside? Since this one doesn’t officiallyImmersive and atmospheric and unpredictable and fierce. One of the best epic fantasies I’ve read. The only downside? Since this one doesn’t officially hit shelves till October 1, it’s going to be a long wait for book 2 in the duology.
Thanks, PRH / G.P. Putnam for the advance readers copy!...more
It’s hard to choose a “favorite” book by Jason Reynolds because each is so different in style and subject matter. But this one… whew! The way-too-quickIt’s hard to choose a “favorite” book by Jason Reynolds because each is so different in style and subject matter. But this one… whew! The way-too-quick recap is that it’s Judy Blume’s Forever told from the male perspective. And I love that he dedicates the book to her. But of course it’s not a Judy Blume retelling. It’s the story of Neon and Aria, who have been dating for two years and are on the brink of having sex for the first time. It’s the story of how their relationship came to be, of the influences in their lives that have brought them to this moment, of the ways that Neon’s parents and grandparents have raised him to think about sex, of conversations within his friend group, of the swirl of conflicting emotions he feels, of so many things that go through his head. And we get to be there for the journey, for the anticipation and the awkwardness and the serendipitous events that have brought Neon to this moment. I am so excited for teens to read this.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atheneum Books, for the electronic arc....more
A solid 3 1/2, rounded up to 4. I appreciate the neurodivergent and gender representation, and it is a sweet story. But the tropes are laid on super tA solid 3 1/2, rounded up to 4. I appreciate the neurodivergent and gender representation, and it is a sweet story. But the tropes are laid on super thick, and the amount of time it takes for Marlowe to realize that Josh is *not* who she should be fighting for (not a spoiler, clear from about the second page) gets downright annoying.
Thanks to Wednesday Books, Dreamscape Media, and Libro.fm ALC for the complementary e-audiobook....more
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