Oh this volume was so beautiful and in so many ways so damn sad. I cannot believe that we’ve gotten to this point in the series. There isn’t much thatOh this volume was so beautiful and in so many ways so damn sad. I cannot believe that we’ve gotten to this point in the series. There isn’t much that I can explicitly talk about because of spoilers but once again I feel as though Vaughn challenges our black and white perceptions of certain topics and forces us to look at those same topics from a variety of lenses. I’m nervous about reading the next volume because I know that after the faint glimmer of hope I felt in seeing the final panels of this volume it’s most likely going to come crashing down. We have so many storylines at work at this point and I’m interested in seeing how they’re all going to be tied together and what characters we’re going to lose in the process. There is so much character growth and changes that I found myself actively enjoying a character that initially despised. My heart warmed during so many moments in this story and I know it’s all going to come to end. This is such a great comic series!
Merged review:
Oh this volume was so beautiful and in so many ways so damn sad. I cannot believe that we’ve gotten to this point in the series. There isn’t much that I can explicitly talk about because of spoilers but once again I feel as though Vaughn challenges our black and white perceptions of certain topics and forces us to look at those same topics from a variety of lenses. I’m nervous about reading the next volume because I know that after the faint glimmer of hope I felt in seeing the final panels of this volume it’s most likely going to come crashing down. We have so many storylines at work at this point and I’m interested in seeing how they’re all going to be tied together and what characters we’re going to lose in the process. There is so much character growth and changes that I found myself actively enjoying a character that initially despised. My heart warmed during so many moments in this story and I know it’s all going to come to end. This is such a great comic series!...more
This is the second book that I've read by Camryn Garrett and it was a solid read. It wasn't as strong as Off the Record, but still good. If you're looThis is the second book that I've read by Camryn Garrett and it was a solid read. It wasn't as strong as Off the Record, but still good. If you're looking for a fun and sometimes emotional contemporary book that focuses on a queer Black teen then I would recommend checking this out. CW: stereotyping of Black students, racism, homophobia, queerphobia, abandonment of parental figure. 3.5 Stars
Friday I'm in Love follows 16 year old Mahalia Harris (yes, she is named for the gospel singer) who wants nothing more than to have a sweet 16 party like her best friend Naomi. Instead of going with a sweet 16, Mahalia decides that she wants to have a coming out party. However, unlike Naomi, Mahalia and her mother do not have as much money. To help with the cost, Mahalia commits to saving certain amounts of money for a deposit on a location and other supplies. While doing this, she gets distracted by a new girl at school, Siobhan, who's just come to the States from Ireland. What ensues is a charming book about finding oneself in the midst of chaos.
What Worked: There were a lot elements about this book that I enjoyed. There were some great conversations related to the intersection of being Black and queer and how it may impact one's faith. Garrett never fails to handle this conversations with care and passion. Mahalia is not out to her mom and struggles greatly with the history of her faith. It makes for an interesting dynamic between the two because Mahalia's mother is extremely religious and heavily depends on her faith to get them through their most difficult moments. There was also this interesting dynamic related to socioeconomic status and how it impacts teenagers. Mahalia and her mother don't have much and it impacts Mahalia socially and personally. Readers see this tension build between her and Naomi due to their difference in socioeconomic status. When Mahalia is tasked with taking over more household responsibilities due to the lack of funds, readers begin to see how it affects her schoolwork, her stress levels, and more. It's a reminder that it's not only adults who are severely impacted by finances or lack thereof. Lastly, I enjoyed a few of the relationships in this book. Mahalia and Siobhan were charming. It was clear that the two had chemistry, but it took a while for them to figure out where they stood. And Mahalia and her mom had this great dynamic at all. They weren't perfect and they didn't always get along, but there was support and love in their relationship that I really enjoyed.
What Didn't Work: There were some interesting issues that occurred between Naomi and Mahalia that made me feel like there were some unresolved romantic feelings between the two. I don't think that was the intention, but it read that way so when they come to their conflict resolution it felt like pieces and parts of the narrative were missing. I also felt like there were some unresolved conflicts with Mahalia's dad. He pretty much is absent for some time and it's due to the fact he believes that he wanted to give Mahalia "the choice" to see him on her terms. He apologizes, but then goes back to doing some really weird stuff that had to do with balancing his new family and his relationship with Mahalia. Honestly, this part of the story felt a little underdeveloped. If Garrett was going to introduce this conflict, I think that it should have gone a little deeper. It just felt a little surface level to me. And lastly, there are a lot of pop culture references in this book. I loved Mahalia's passion for music and most of the references worked, but it sometimes it was a little much for the narrative.
Overall, this was a solid read. It definitely reads for a younger YA audience even though the characters are 16. I actually appreciated this because it's hard to recommend some YA books to younger readers in terms of accessibility. I don't think this is Garrett's strongest work, but I definitely see myself reading more of their books in the future....more
3.5 Stars. This was a cute short from D. Rose that focuses on two coworkers who've been fighting their attraction to each other for a long time. Reade3.5 Stars. This was a cute short from D. Rose that focuses on two coworkers who've been fighting their attraction to each other for a long time. Readers are introduced to the characters when they meet up at a work New Year's Eve party. They connected with each other and had sex the year before and they use this years party as a way to possibly explore their relationship. There isn't much that can be said about this one beyond the most basic synopsis because it's so short; however, I really enjoyed the writing and I look forward to picking up more of D. Rose's book next year. ...more
This is my first time reading Jay Ashlei and it won't be the last! I randomly found The First 48 on KU when I was looking for new Black romances that This is my first time reading Jay Ashlei and it won't be the last! I randomly found The First 48 on KU when I was looking for new Black romances that focus on New Years. This didn't disappoint. It focuses on Chanelle who wakes up with a letter from a man that she apparently had a one night stand with. She has no recollection of the night; however, when he reaches out, she decides to give spending time with him a chance. Listen, there is much to be said about pushing back against stigma's and I'm happy that Ashlei decided to do that through the plot of this book. While I can't really say what it is due to spoilers, I can say that it was completely unexpected, but handled in a thoughtful and caring way. I almost wish it was longer so that we could see conversations about this topic discussed even more between our two characters. Some people are going to argue about how consent works in this book which in some ways is dubious because Chanelle is drunk; however, Bryan is up front and honest about everything from the beginning and didn't realize how intoxicated Chanelle was or that she would forget everything the next day. That being said, I enjoyed my read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Jay Ashlei....more
In case anyone was wondering, I'm still on my middle grade graphic novel kick and this was next up on my docket of middle grade graphic novels that I In case anyone was wondering, I'm still on my middle grade graphic novel kick and this was next up on my docket of middle grade graphic novels that I need to read. This one made my little heart hurt more than I anticipated, but I enjoyed it.
Manu focuses on a young girl by the name of Manu who attends a boarding school of sorts with other young children who exhibit magical abilities. Manu is known as the trouble maker of the school often getting into things and creating awkward situations for everyone. Unfortunately, Manu begins to struggle with her magic. To help fix it, she and her best friend do a ritual that ends up causing more trouble than they anticipated.
What Worked:I loved the character development in this one! At first, I was extremely annoyed with Manu like a lot of the other secondary characters. It seemed like no matter what she couldn't figure out how to be considerate of everyone around her. As the story progressed, I began to understand her more and how badly she just wanted to fit in and have friends. It reminded me that no matter the circumstances a lot of people want that in their life. I also loved the friendship between Manu and Josefina. I probably was reading too much into it, but I definitely got sapphic vibes between the two of them. Fernandez made sure that their relationship was realistic. They didn't always get along and I appreciated that simply because it's something that needs to be normalized. I was also excited to see the blending of magic, witchcraft, and more with Catholicism. I know that it can be jarring for some people when they initially read it; however, Fernandez discusses in the author note that this blending is true to her Dominican culture and heritage.
What Didn't Work: Readers spend a little time learning about Manu's past and I wish that we could have gotten just a little more of that. Manu's magical abilities are clearly different from the rest of the students and I wanted Fernandez to explore that just a tad more. It gives enough context for the rest of the story, but I think that a little more backstory could have led to a more robust narrative.
Overall, this was a great read! It's Fernandez first graphic novel and I'm excited to see what else she'll produce in the future....more
This was such a freaking cute read. I know that the kids at the library love it, so I wanted to give it a try and it didn't disappoint.
The Haunted HouThis was such a freaking cute read. I know that the kids at the library love it, so I wanted to give it a try and it didn't disappoint.
The Haunted House Next Door is the very first book in the Desmond Cole series (it's currently at 18 books). Unlike the name of the series, the actual story follows a young boy by the name of Andres who moves into a new house in Desmond's neighborhood. At first, Andres tries to keep his distance from Desmond because he believes that Desmond is strange. However, before he knows it, he needs Desmond's assistance to help deal with a little problem AKA a ghost.
What Worked: So many things worked in this book! I can see why it has such great appeal amongst younger elementary readers. The story itself is fascinating and then the artwork just made the story even more fun. This is definitely for younger readers who enjoy longer books or reluctant readers who need just a tad more encouragement. The addition of the illustrations provide a certain level of comfort that transitional readers may need. Naturally, it was a quick read for me as an adult but I didn't enjoy it any less than. The contrasting between Desmond and Andres as characters was also something that I enjoyed about the text. They are polar opposites in terms of interests and they balance each other out. There is plenty of humor as well some gross moments that kids will enjoy.
Overall, I'm invested in finishing this series out. They are quick reads and fun. I definitely could see my own child reading this one when she gets older....more
I really liked this one! I thought the story is super unique and fun in a way that a lot of middle grade readers will enjoy.
Freestyle is a middle gradI really liked this one! I thought the story is super unique and fun in a way that a lot of middle grade readers will enjoy.
Freestyle is a middle grade graphic novel that sequestered my attention with the cover alone. Readers follow Cory who lives in NYC with his parents and is one of eight members of this middle school dance crew. The crew is competing for a coveted first place at a dance competition. Unfortunately, Cory gets in trouble with his parents for not keeping his grades up leading to him being grounded. He is then forced to meet with a tutor who introduces him to the wonderful world of yo-yoing.
What Worked: So much about this graphic novel worked. It explored some interesting things in regard to friendship and even parental expectations. Most of the story is seen from the perspective of Cory, but readers do get to see how these elements impact a lot of the characters. The competitive yo-yoing was AMAZING. I'm not really sure I even knew much about it before reading this graphic novel and it was fun learning more about it along with Cory. Galligan also does a great job of creating flawed characters that learn from their mistakes. All of the characters make not so great decisions that impact the people around them, but the learn and move forward. In my opinion, one of the greatest parts of this book was the artwork. The panel work is so damn complex and unlike some artwork that I've seen in other middle grade graphic novels. There was so much movement in the panels that contained yo-yoing and/or dancing which may me feel even more immersed in the story. I was even more appreciative of the coloring which was so bright and vibrant and made the story just pop off the page.
What Didn't Work: One of the main characters in this story, Sunna, wears a hijab. There have been Muslim readers who commend Galligan for the work that they did with this, but also point out some minor issues with the character representation. I am not Muslim and cannot comment on the representation of Sunna as a character so I would definitely recommend checking out those reviews. I can say that it was nice to see that Sunna wearing a hijab was simply part of her character and not necessarily a point of conflict.
Overall, this was fun! I'm definitely interested in checking out more books by Galligan in the future....more
This was cute surprise! I especially loved the fandom elements. 3.5 Stars.
If you didn't know, I've been on a journey of reading a lot of middle grade This was cute surprise! I especially loved the fandom elements. 3.5 Stars.
If you didn't know, I've been on a journey of reading a lot of middle grade graphic novels so when I saw Scout is Not a Band Kid I knew that I had to pick it up. Readers follow main character Scout as she joins her middle school band to meet her favorite author. When she joins, Scout lies and says that she’s played the trombone before without realizing that she would ultimately come face to face with the best trombone player the school has ever seen. What starts as a "fake it to you make it" situation quickly turns into a heartfelt story about friendship and being confident in who you are.
What Worked: I liked the concept and idea behind this graphic novel. I don't necessarily think that it's anything new, but the character development helped make the story enjoyable. The idea that Scout and Merrin start off as enemies, but eventually work their way towards a heartwarming and charming friendship was everything that I needed. Armstrong does some fun things with the evolution of characters that I wasn't necessarily expecting especially with Merrin who appears cold and calculated at first. As readers make their way through the story, they learn that she is layered and each new piece of the story reveals a new layer. Armstrong also tackles the ever changing dynamics of friendships. Scout slowly learns what it means to not only have supportive and caring friends, but how to be a supportive and caring friend.
What Didn't Work: I was not a huge fan of the artwork in this one. It was something about the way character faces were drawn that seemed to constantly bother me. The coloring did work for the context of the story, but I wasn't blown away by the actual drawings. I also wanted Armstrong to explore more of the relationship that Scout had with her friends from her early childhood. They weren't always the best towards Scout and she begins to notice that towards the end; however, there was a panel that seemed to suggest a minor conflict between them, but we never learn more about it. I'm not sure if readers are supposed to make certain assumptions, but I think that piece of the story could have been further developed.
Overall, this was a cute and quick read and I enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this to readers who like fandoms, bands, band competitions, and stories that center friendships....more
Eh, I feel like I just need to stay away from traditionally published romance books. It's not that they aren't good, but I feel as though they can't bEh, I feel like I just need to stay away from traditionally published romance books. It's not that they aren't good, but I feel as though they can't be as flexible as indie books. This is the second book that I've read from Sharon C. Cooper and while they both have been solid reads, they haven't been the best. Although this book isn't necessarily a sequel, I would like to point out that the hero in Business As Usual is the sibling of the heroine in this book. The conclusion to his love story is discussed in this book so I would recommend reading that one first.
In It to Win It follows two entrepreneurs, Morgan and Drake, who are competing for a real estate property. Morgan runs a center for young adults who have aged out of foster care. She wants the commercial building to be able to house and support more individuals. Drake is a real estate developer who wants to purchase the same property because it has certain sentimental value. The two have past history and find it coming back full force once they realize they are competing for the same property.
What Worked: I enjoyed the humor in this one! There were a lot of fun and light moments that I didn't necessarily expect and it added a different element to the story. And I honestly enjoyed both characters. They both brought something to the table that made their relationship dynamic fun and interesting. Not only did they have history, but they also had chemistry. Morgan comes from a wealthy family, but I was happy to see her defy their expectations and do something that not only fulfilled her passions, but also gave back to the community. Some aspects of Drake's story were heartbreaking, but it provided me with the opportunity to get to know more of his family, namely his siblings, which was fun. Both of them challenge Drake and support Drake in ways that I don't even think he anticipated. Sharon C Cooper also writes in a way that's fun and accessible and really draws readers into the story.
What Didn't Work: Honestly, the whole competition aspect behind gaining the property really bothered me. I don't really feel as though the seller had a reason to do what he did. It definitely moved the plot of the story, but it felt childish to make people jump through so many hoops just to obtain property. Then there was the (view spoiler)[surprise pregnancy which completely threw me off. There were two specific elements that made the pregnancy awkward including the fact that Morgan didn't feel as though she had a motherly bone in her body and the fact that Drake didn't want kids because he was forced to raise his siblings. It wasn't that the pregnancy wasn't plausible because even with the most care it can happen; however, for two people who seem to be so opposed to having a child, they take the news rather well. It just didn't align with the picture that was painted earlier in the book (hide spoiler)].
Overall, this was an interesting book to rate. I liked the characters and the rekindling of their romance but the outside elements that impacted their relationship took me out the story. While I'm interested in the next book in this "world," I don't think I'll be rushing to pick it up....more
This is a cute and spicy holiday novella that follows Cosima and Tristan. Cosima has recently experienced a break up during Thanksgiving and decides t
This is a cute and spicy holiday novella that follows Cosima and Tristan. Cosima has recently experienced a break up during Thanksgiving and decides to spend the holidays alone while Tristan is a divorced dad who is forced to spend the holidays alone after he agrees to allow his daughter to stay with her mother for a celebration of a big event. The two are forced to share a table at a restaurant and end up agreeing to spend the holidays together.
I really enjoyed the cute elements of this story like the ice skating, Christmas movies, Christmas tree decorating, and more. There was somewhat of an instant chemistry between Tristan and Cosima; however, by the end of the book I was left wanting just a little bit more. It feels like we get this buildup to a potential relationship and then it kind of fizzles out within the last couple of pages. I wanted them to explore their dynamic just a little more before reaching that conclusion. The spice was great and I loved the inclusion of toys and public play. This definitely isn’t my favorite from Rilzy but it is a fun book that will get anyone into the holiday spirit....more
Hands down this is one of the most poorly written books that I've read in a long time. I'm going to refrain from rating this book because once again iHands down this is one of the most poorly written books that I've read in a long time. I'm going to refrain from rating this book because once again it would not be in favor of the book and I don't necessarily feel comfortable placing a star rating on Audrina's experience.
Honestly, I was interested in picking up Choices: To the Hills and Back Again because I grew up watching The Hills. I remember having weekly watch parties in a friends dorm room my freshman year of college so I could keep up on the latest drama. Of course, as I got older I realized that the show wasn't as "real" as we thought and a lot of the drama was manufactured to keep viewers like me coming back for more. Nevertheless, when I found out that Audrina was publishing a book that would detail her experience on the show, I came running.
First, let me say that I admire Audrina for having the courage to share the details about the abuse she endured while being married to Cory. As someone who has experienced this first hand, I can honestly say that it's never easy to tell that story. Additionally, I can only imagine the assumptions that social media and the tabloids made once her attempt to get a restraining order and her divorce were made public. Any time that someone is forced to relive those traumatic experiences, my heart aches for them. While many will see her decision to continue to stay in the relationship stupid, I understand the psychological break down that happens during abuse. From the outside, it appears so easy to be able to walk away; however, it's never that simple and becoming accustomed to the abuse only makes it worse.
With that being said, Simon and Schuster should be damn ashamed of themselves for letting this get published without further editing. Audrina's gift is not storytelling and some heavy editing could have eased some of the horrible writing. Instead of this reading like a cohesive narrative, readers are often thrown through various periods of her life detailing people and life in such a repetitive manner that I came close to DNF'ing this book 2-3 times. Some of the parts were extremely confusing because I think that Audrina is still confused about how she feels in regard to certain people and events. On one page she said that the production team behind The Hills was manipulative and couldn't be trusted and then a few pages later, the production team was like family. Then it was the repetitive text. Audrina would tell readers something only to repeat the same thing a few pages later. For example, after her divorce from Corey, Audrina lets readers know that she moved into her parents house for 6 months and then rented an apartment. LITERALLY 5-6 PAGES LATER SHE SAYS THE SAME THING. I thought that I was losing my mind. It is clear that an editor did not spend time on this book and it was pushed because of who was writing the book and not the content. It was embarrassing for me as reader that this book was actually cleared for publication. It read like juvenile diary entries in some places which I feel wasn't what she was going for. It amazed me that Audrina spoke so much about getting used and for some reason I feel like she was taken advantage of with this book deal and it's publication.
Honestly, I wouldn't go into this book expecting to learn much about The Hills. There is about 50 pages of that content and then the rest of the book focuses on Audrina's relationships with exes. I'm guessing that writing this book was cathartic for her, but I can tell that she truly didn't have enough to say to write a full length novel. I applaud her for taking on the task of being a single mom with so much positivity and courage. I'm there right now; however, this book was a complete disaster. Writing isn't meant for everyone....more
Wow not Ryan North making me low key sad about dang doom bots! Y’all this was such a great issue. I’m looking forward to where this story is going to Wow not Ryan North making me low key sad about dang doom bots! Y’all this was such a great issue. I’m looking forward to where this story is going to go in the future. Unlike the first issue, this one takes place from the perspective of Reed and Susan. Clearly something major has happened to the Fantastic Four and we’re just getting pieces of the story right now. ...more
Listen, I have a best friend who loves crime fiction and I promised her that I would make more of an effort to read them in 2023. I just thought I wouListen, I have a best friend who loves crime fiction and I promised her that I would make more of an effort to read them in 2023. I just thought I would try a little earlier. This wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best thriller that I've ever read. I will say I didn't know who the culprit was until the very end
Stay Awake is an adult thriller written in dual perspectives of main character Liv and police detective working to solve a murder. The story begins with Liv waking up in the back of a cab with no recollection of anything. On her hands are written the words "stay awake." Readers slowly begin to learn that as soon as Liv falls asleep she can't remember anything that has happened. She "resets" to a certain time in her life and can't remember anything that has happened after that. At the same time, a murder occurs in the city (NYC) and in blood the words "stay awake" are written. Not sure if she committed the murder or not, Liv attempts to figure out exactly what's going on.
What Works: I really enjoyed the premise of this one. I don't think that I've ever read a thriller/mystery that focuses on a main character who has amnesia. It made the story appealing. I also loved that the story was written in dual POV. Not only are readers following the main character, but also a detective who is attempting to solve the murder that Liv thinks she may have committed. To be honest, it was the perspective of the detective that really drew me in. Not only are we following her as she attempts to solve the murder, but we see her attempt to find a permanent role in the precinct which presents a certain number of challenges within itself. Goldin also created a thriller where it is difficult to guess the stories conclusion. I had a few people pegged as suspects, but I was definitely wrong on all accounts.
What Didn't Work: I did not like Liv's narrative. There were aspects of it that did not make sense. It took her so long to seek out assistance instead of just walking around NYC confused asking random people questions. I understood Liv being in shock at first, but it takes her an incredibly long time to seek professional help. And it could just be me, but (view spoiler)[I found it convenient that Liv would have flash backs of a certain event that happened in the past, but she couldn't remember anything else. When she comes face to face with the culprit, she's able to figure out that it's the culprit based on a brief memory from the past. (hide spoiler)] It just didn't work out the way I believe Goldin was intending. By the time I got to the ending of the book, I think I lost interest in who was responsible.
Overall, this book wasn't horrible, but I definitely enjoyed Night Swim much more....more
Me and Ms. Jackson are going to have a complicated relationship. I can already tell. I've read all four of her books at this point and she always giveMe and Ms. Jackson are going to have a complicated relationship. I can already tell. I've read all four of her books at this point and she always gives me the most complex feelings about the decisions she makes with her books. I'm not even sure whether this book is a 3.5 or 4 star read.
Five Survive is the latest book from Holly Jackson and I honestly couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Readers follow 6 friends as they take a trip in an RV to Florida for their spring break trip. The trips starts off fine, but soon the tires of their RV are shot out in an area with no cell service. What ensues is a high stakes novel with secrets, lies, and drama with one of the six not making it out alive.
What Works: Listen, if you love fast paced thrillers this is the book for you. With it taking place over the course of 8 hours, Jackson has no choice but to move the story through dialogue. The secrets that these characters end up sharing with each other were mind blowing. I wasn't expecting it to get as dark as it did, but it definitely made sense for the context of the story. I was pleasantly surprised to find how emotional the story made me towards the end. I wasn't expecting that. I definitely felt a host of emotions while reading her other books, but this one was a little different. I'm not sure if it was the writing or because I'm a mother myself, but I ended up connecting with one of the characters in a way that I didn't expect which, for me, is the sign of a great writer. The ending also came with great surprise. As readers continue through each layer of the story, the way that the characters connect to each other outside of classmates/friends is intriguing. This was a great look at how humans and most importantly relationships fold in high pressures situations.
What Didn't Work: MOTHERFUCKING Oliver! I have never in my life wanted to do damage to a character the way I wanted to fight Oliver. Ya'll he is the most arrogant, pompous character that I have encountered in a long time. If I was trapped on that RV, I would have shot him my damn self and been done with the situation. Oliver, honestly, is enough to ruin the story and I wouldn't be surprised if some individuals have a difficult time making it through the book because of him. His arrogance isn't just something that happens on the side, it's glaringly apparent on almost every page which grated every single nerve in my body. By the end of the book I understood his purpose, but it was hard at some points fighting through to get to that purpose. The ending was also rushed. While it did make me emotional, we get such a complex ending in such a short amount of pages. I honestly wished that this book was just a tad longer to make the story feel more complete.
Overall, this was good. I can't lie about that. It has it's issues, but I definitely feel like Holly Jackson is going to be one of those authors that I'm going to read whenever she releases a book and that alone says quite a lot....more
I've been looking for some new Yuri titles to check out and this was available at my library so I decided to give it a try!
Adachi and Shimamura followI've been looking for some new Yuri titles to check out and this was available at my library so I decided to give it a try!
Adachi and Shimamura follows two teenage girls who frequently skip class. As they begin to get to know each other there is something beyond friendship that seems to develop between the two of them. This was definitely a slow start to the series. I found myself wanting it to move a little faster. Not necessarily in terms of the relationship but more so in the overall pacing. I found myself getting a little distracted while reading this which meant that I was completely engaged. That being said, I really enjoy Adachi as a character and I'm interested in seeing how she navigates her feelings for Shimamura in future volumes. I'll probably read the second volume and determine whether I want to continue the series or not. ...more
If you haven't noticed, I've been reading quite a few middle grade graphic novels and after reading a little bit about Invisible I decided to give it If you haven't noticed, I've been reading quite a few middle grade graphic novels and after reading a little bit about Invisible I decided to give it a try.
Invisible follows five students who were made to do community service to fulfill the principal's wishes that every student in the school participate in some type of service based activity. What's most interesting about this book is that at the beginning of the graphic novel, readers will notice that the students are being interviewed by the principal and another man. However, readers don't know what's transpired or why they are being interviewed. The story is then told from the perspective of each student as they volunteer in the cafeteria. Through each page, readers learn more about what led to them being to the interview.
Before I even dive into the various things that I enjoyed about this graphic novel, I need to say that I absolutely loved the artwork. Gabriela Epstein has done work for the Baby-sitters Club graphic novel series and she brought the same energy and beauty to this work. The personalities of each character were captured so well through the artwork. Every thought and every emotion were clearly and beautifully illustrated.
There were two elements that I enjoyed greatly about this graphic novel. I know that adults of marginalized communities often talk about not being a monolith, but it was so nice seeing that illustrated and discussed in a middle grade book. The cafeteria worker who supervises the students makes a discriminatory remake assuming that each one of the students is Mexican. It is a blatant and racist assumption that the students are the same and don't have individual experiences. Gonzalez explicitly illustrates that even though all of the students are Latine, it does not mean that they are all same or share the same experiences. I also enjoyed that this book was bilingual. The speech bubbles from the students were both in English and Spanish. To be honest, I'm not sure that I've seen a middle grade bilingual graphic novel outside of this one.
Overall, this was a run read. And it definitely hits the nail on the head with the concept and idea of windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors. ...more
I'm pretty sure this is my first Kosoko Jackson book and I can already tell where his writing and method of storytelling will and will not work for meI'm pretty sure this is my first Kosoko Jackson book and I can already tell where his writing and method of storytelling will and will not work for me.
A Dash of Salt and Pepper is a LGBT romance set in a small town that follows the relationship between characters Xavier and Logan. Xavier has returned to the small town after being dumped and not getting selected for a prestigious fellowship. While there, he agrees to work for restaurant owner Logan. Eventually, the two find that they have more feelings beyond employer and employee.
What Worked: I'm a foodie. I love to eat. So naturally seeing the title of this book instantly caught my attention. I LOVE food based romance (if you have recommendations let me know) and saw this book as the opportunity to dive into something fun and exciting. The idea of the two cooking together and falling in love made my heart swoon. I really enjoyed both Logan and Xavier as characters. There was an age gap that really showed in their personalities, but it worked. Where Xavier was fun and compelling, I found Logan to be more mellow and structured (I definitely attributed this to Logan being a single father). I enjoyed the idea that Jackson played quite a bit with the characters having to find a balance in their relationship.
What Didn't Work: As so many readers have said before me, this could have benefited greatly from having a dual POV. The story lost it's ability to provide a robust narrative because readers only see everything from Xavier's point of view. I also had a very interesting experience with some of the inner monologue that occurred with Xavier. There were quite a few references to Black culture that felt a little forced. This could just be a "me thing," but there were moments where Jackson was trying hard to illustrate that Xavier was Black. I don't know, the references felt a little bit like caricatures. I wasn't sure if this was an attempt to explain Black culture to non-Black readers or a way to remind readers that Xavier was Black, but it read just a tad awkward for me.
Overall, this was a solid read. I'll have to see whether I'm interested in any other books by Jackson....more
Listen, eventually I'm going to read everything that Randi Pink has to offer. I haven't been disappointed yet. If you're looking for an interesting miListen, eventually I'm going to read everything that Randi Pink has to offer. I haven't been disappointed yet. If you're looking for an interesting mix between historical fiction and realistic fiction, this is the book for you. CW: death of a loved one, grieving, selective mutism, racism
We Are the Scribes follows main character Ruth Fitz who has a political analyst as a mother, a professor as a father, and a sister who is an up and coming activist. Unlike the rest of her family, Ruth has a more difficult time finding her voice so she writes instead. Unfortunately, when a family tragedy strikes, Ruth makes the decision to stop writing. Soon she begins to receive letters from Harriet Jacobs the author of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl with a seal titled "We Are the Scribes."
One of my favorite aspects of this book is it's simplicity. It isn't overly complex, but does a brilliant job communicating the power of finding one's voice. Ruth doesn't feel like she compares to the rest of activist family. It's through the course of changing family dynamics that she realizes how much she contributes to the fight against racism and misogyny. To be honest, I really enjoyed Ruth as a character. When her mother gets the opportunity to run for office, Ruth attempts to stay true to herself even through the simple things like hairstyles and clothing.
The connection between Ruth and Harriet is seamlessly woven into the framework of the story. As Harriet details the struggles and trauma of her own life, readers begin to understand her connection to Ruth. While they are not going through the same exact experiences, the struggle to find one's voice in a sea of many is so perfectly done. I didn't realize how much both of their stories would impact me on an emotional level. They both lose so much that I couldn't help but to empathize with their journeys.
Honestly, this book has so many great elements. I'm so glad that I took the opportunity to read it. My only criticism is that I wish that it was just a tad longer so we could spend more time with the characters; however, I do recognize and realize that I am not the intended audience and that this book would work well for younger teen readers as well as reluctant readers.
Every year I come across a stand out non-fiction title that I think everyone should read. This year Half American: The Epic Story of African AmericansEvery year I come across a stand out non-fiction title that I think everyone should read. This year Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad takes that place this year.
Over the years I've become such a fan of non-fiction. It was intimidating at first, but I realized when I stuck to topics that interested me it began to feel more accessible. Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Aboard details the struggle that Black Americans faced during World War II. "Double Victory" was the desire to not only defend America abroad but to also obtain rights for the Black community on American soil. With so many people desiring to remove certain parts of history from secondary education, it's so important that these parts of history and still shared.
What was so amazing about this book was not only the information shared, but also the level of accessibility. The book is told in short biographical chapters that don't feel dense or like information overload. Delmont focuses on presenting the facts and how military decisions impacted the Black community. It never ceases to amaze me that to this day, America will attempt to hide the racist actions it partook in while attempting to "free the world" of oppressive ideals which they considered to be communism. It infuriates me to recognize and acknowledge the hypocrisy this country used to justify fighting a war, but treating it's Black citizens like trash. Even though there was some knowledge that I was aware of like the term "double victory" there were other aspects of this history that I was unaware of like the actual protocol that the US military used to keep Black soldiers out of their ranks.
This isn't an easy read. I would not go into it expecting not to feel some level of anger and frustration, but it is worth every feeling, every emotion. I learned so much and couldn't wait to share everything with my own family and friends. Definitely pick this one up if you have the chance....more
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