I'm going to go out on a limb here--I feel like this is more of an adult book with a slight YA appeal. Set in the 1990s--that is historical fiction toI'm going to go out on a limb here--I feel like this is more of an adult book with a slight YA appeal. Set in the 1990s--that is historical fiction to my high schoolers. I'm just not sure they'll get all the cultural references, or will want to.
Joel tells us his story of how he Is Not Normal, life after the Very Bad Thing Happened, and how he is coping, or at least trying to cope. It's a great look at mental illness struggles, and the stigma surrounding it. Joel also tells us about this great cast of characters/coworkers/friends he has at the video store he works in. (Just call me Sarah Conner, lol.) ...more
Loved this story of how the shared love of books brings together two girls at a time when life is falling apart for one. And then later when grief thrLoved this story of how the shared love of books brings together two girls at a time when life is falling apart for one. And then later when grief threatens to overwhelm again, once more, the shared love of books and story bring healing to more than just one. ...more
Nick's coming out story is sweet and slow as he grapples with his fears and other feelings. He realizes his friends aren't really all that great and sNick's coming out story is sweet and slow as he grapples with his fears and other feelings. He realizes his friends aren't really all that great and should be left behind. What a thing to have to deal with and so true for so many. Charlie is so patient and kind.
Lots of kissing. Two tone art in the e-book. Black and white in the paper copy I have at school. ...more
This two color graphic novel--green with black line work tells the beginning of the friendship/possible romance of Charlie and Nick. If you have read This two color graphic novel--green with black line work tells the beginning of the friendship/possible romance of Charlie and Nick. If you have read SolitaireSolitaire you know that they become a couple. I haven't read her previous book, but this graphic novel caught my eye because a friend read it and loved it.
I loved the development of the friendship between Nick and Charlie. The struggle Charlie has with his feelings of falling for a straight guy, and the struggle Nick has wondering if he may or may not be straight after all. I look forward to book two....more
This was a sweet, fast YA romance read. Brett believes in love because he sees his parents perfect relationship. Becca has closed off her heart after This was a sweet, fast YA romance read. Brett believes in love because he sees his parents perfect relationship. Becca has closed off her heart after her parents divorce and her best friends abandonment. When Brett steps in as Becca's fake boyfriend--you know exactly what will happen. And it is sweet, even as they both get hurt, grow, and recover. (view spoiler)[There is closed door sex after "I love yous." after the break up and get back together. (hide spoiler)] I bought this for my high school library. 3.5 stars, and read it in one day....more
did you know 50 cent wrote a book? not me. it's not bad but I did skim quite a bit. very heavy on dialogue.did you know 50 cent wrote a book? not me. it's not bad but I did skim quite a bit. very heavy on dialogue....more
Rhen wants to be a scientist but in her kingdom, scientist is not an acceptable role for females. Every year there is a Labyrinth contest and the winnRhen wants to be a scientist but in her kingdom, scientist is not an acceptable role for females. Every year there is a Labyrinth contest and the winner can take the placement test to university with scholarship money attached. To participate, Rhen will need to disguise herself as a boy. To win, she'll need every bit of her wits, creativity, and observation skills. But before the contest starts there is a lot of story about the terrible crippling disease that is killing so many people in the town, including Rhen's mother. Rhen and her father are researching cures, but coming up empty handed.
I enjoyed this one, but the contest did not start until about the halfway point. There is a bit of romance and much discussion of gender roles. ...more
This feels like it wants to be Six of Crows, but I just can't get interested. DNF at 40 pages. This feels like it wants to be Six of Crows, but I just can't get interested. DNF at 40 pages. ...more
What happens when the public wedding proposal answer is no?
Nik is blindsided when her boyfriend proposed at a Dodger's game. She thought they were juWhat happens when the public wedding proposal answer is no?
Nik is blindsided when her boyfriend proposed at a Dodger's game. She thought they were just casual, and her "no" goes viral. Carlos and his sister rescue her from the descending reporters and television crews. Nik and Carlos start a "just dating" relationship, that quickly becomes more, but Nik refuses to see it. HEA eventually happens. I got frustrated at the characters in this one but still read it in two days. Carlos' need to keep reminding us and himself that he needs to take care of his female family now that his dad has died...ugh...enough already. His sisters are grown, one is married!
What a fun, sexy read. I borrowed this from the library based on all the reviews and blog recommendations I'd read about it. It did not disappoint, anWhat a fun, sexy read. I borrowed this from the library based on all the reviews and blog recommendations I'd read about it. It did not disappoint, and I'm glad I read it. ...more
When renovating workers finds an old skeleton under the floor boards of Rowan's family's servant quarters, she and her best friend James decide to do When renovating workers finds an old skeleton under the floor boards of Rowan's family's servant quarters, she and her best friend James decide to do the detective work to figure out who it could be. Told in dual POV, Rowan and James are in modern day Tulsa, OK; William lives in 1921 Tulsa. What follows turns out to be a fictionalized account of the days leading up to and the race riot that happened May 31-June 1, 1921. I had no idea that had happened, and had to do my own research. We are also exposed to the continuing racism prevalent today. I was uncomfortable many times, a fact that says way more about myself, than the content of this book. I plan to buy it for my library, stick it in the mystery section, and think it will be quite popular. I really enjoyed trying to figure out who the skeleton belonged to and seeing how both time frames intertwined. ...more
In a magical place, can June and Saul break the curse that binds their families? June and Saul know they are not to be together, but they don't know wIn a magical place, can June and Saul break the curse that binds their families? June and Saul know they are not to be together, but they don't know why. As they visit past memories they hope they can change the future. (view spoiler)[There is a happy ending, but I was worried since this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling. (hide spoiler)] There is so much beauty in this book: love, grief, magic, memories, ghosts, curses, friendships, and future.
I have several quotes highlighted. "Most of the time when you regret something, you haven't seen what the thing you regret can lead you to, if you let it. Some of the worst things that have happened to me have led to some of the best." (p. 124)
I wanted to forget this feeling forever. The feeling of being ripped into two people: the you of before and the one you'll always be once you know what it is to lose something. (p. 160)
"I think life is about learning to dance even when you're sitting still. You learn to dance when you cook and clean, when you bite into cherries, and when you lie in clean sheets. It's easy to believe that if you could do it all over, you'd do everything different." Letting go is not forgetting. It's opening your eyes to the good that grew from the bad, the life that blooms from decay." (p. 363) ...more
I started this book listening. I liked the reader, but had a hard time with the way she said Themyscira. To me it sounded like "the mascara," ugh! I sI started this book listening. I liked the reader, but had a hard time with the way she said Themyscira. To me it sounded like "the mascara," ugh! I switched to reading at the tenth chapter as much because I needed to read faster as not hear mascara anymore. :) The story was great. The friendship of girls is very important and treated here beautifully. As a life long Wonder Woman fan, I was thrilled with the way Ms. Bardugo handled the myth and character of Diana. ...more
Aila and her brother, Miles, are sent to their deceased mother's hometown to live while their father goes to war. Taken in by their mother's best frieAila and her brother, Miles, are sent to their deceased mother's hometown to live while their father goes to war. Taken in by their mother's best friend, they find that many others in the town are not as friendly. Every seven years something disappears for the townspeople. There are no scents, no one has a reflection, no one dreams, and the stars do not shine overhead. Some have discovered remedies that bring back the sensations for a time, but no one knows what caused the "curse" or how to fix it. But there is plenty of blame to go around. Two stories are told alternately, that eventually come together in the end.
I did like this one. I'm not sure why it had to be set in the past, it felt like that was just a method to get rid of the other parent. At first I was annoyed by the side/alternate story line, but as the book went on I was drawn into it also. ...more
Wil, the youngest child of the king, and only princess, is banished after her gift/curse kills someone close to her. She then journeys to find a marveWil, the youngest child of the king, and only princess, is banished after her gift/curse kills someone close to her. She then journeys to find a marveler who can undo her curse. She is captured and drawn into a plot to overthrow another country's king. It makes for uncomfortable issues when she is drawn to her captor. Part one of a duology, which is nice--it won't drag on forever.
This is an okay fantasy starter. Wil, a princess, has agency even though she is a spare heir. A couple of the side characters have OCD, so that is interesting. I was irritated that there are four siblings and they split to three against one. None of the three tried to ever initiate any overtures to the one. so when he is cruel--no wonder. I have some issues with the "romance" also. (view spoiler)[Loom is married, and Stockholm syndrome much? (hide spoiler)] This would be fine for upper middle grade--no sex, but some violence. ...more
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