Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reagan O'Neill is a bad girl who has just been cheated on by her loser boyfriend so she decides to follow her best friend and singer Lilah Montgomery across the country. What I liked about Reagan is that she is hard core and has a brittle front that puts most people off. It is Matt Finch, who joins the tour to pose as Lilah's boyfriend, who figures out Reagan is like him in many ways. This was narrated PERFECTLY by Rebecca Gibbel! She had the right voices for Matt, Lilah, Reagan and others. I enjoyed listening because the narrator got the pitch and tone right. What will happen to bad girl Reagan as good guy Matt begins to strike a chord in her heart?

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Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this crushingly sad middle grade book for a Twitter book chat with #yabookchat Sunday 10/2 at 9PM. I loved the writing of Lauren Wolk as she described Annabelle's world which takes place in a small Pennsylvania town after WWII. Annabelle's is a normal 12 year old but when bully Betty Glengarry moves in, Annabelle is afraid and lying to her family. She gets the gumption from deep within to stand up to Betty, but what Betty decides to do is strike at a war veteran who is Annabelle's friend. I read this book with a heavy heart, and hated the attitudes and ideas that were prevalent at that time, and only served to further Betty's evil intent. Readers will be rocked by this searing book. A must read.

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Mortal Danger (#1) by Ann Aguirre

Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There was so much I did not like about this book. This was an audiobook I listened to narrated by Susan Hanfield. She did a good job with Edie but as the male character, Kian- his personality/voice came across as forced monotone the whole book (even when he is in love with Edie). The book is about Edie being bullied and as she readies to jump off a bridge, she makes a deal with her rescuer, Kian (but it is really a deal with the devil) and since the story line was not fluid, therefore when the supernatural aspects begin to show, it was just not believable. I did not like how Edie was supposedly so smart so they whole time she is figuring things out, it seemed forced.
Also at the end, the Author's Note was really good about bullying but I wish it had been at the beginning, it might have made a difference...but I am not sure. Not sure I will continue with this series.







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Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai

Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Thanhha Lai's, Inside Out & Back Again so I knew I would love this book about a perky totally Americanized girl (Vietnamese-American), age 12, who must leave the comfort of her home in Southern California for a summer in Vietnam with her father and grandmother to find out where her MIA grandfather is or any information about what happened to him in the Vietnam War. Mai's (Mia) voice is so authentic- she is funny, angry, honest, insufferable and just so much fun! I enjoyed her drama, her life, her friends at home & in Vietnam, and she taught me so much about the Vietnam War, the food, flowers, & scenery in Vietnam! Her text messages & phone calls with her mother who stays home are funny, irreverent & as time goes on every understanding. I loved the families in both places, their hopes, dreams, and culture. Highly recommended read for young and old alike!

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The Rose Society by Marie Lu

The Rose Society by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Marie Lu books!!! But main character, Adelina is a tough character to like. She does not listen to anyone and does not confide in anyone or trust anyone, even her sister. In this 2nd book, disgraced from The Daggers, she gathers other Elites (loved Maggiano and Sergio) and forms The Rose Society in order to conquer and rule. I am looking forward to the 3rd book in this series because I have so many questions. As always Lu kept me on the edge of my seat and totally enthralled with her worlds and characters.

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Tell Ma Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Leila is an Iranian American teen who attends Armstead Academy, has old fashioned parents and likes girls. When new student Saskia swallows her up with attention, Leila develops a crush on her. But as time goes on Leila is given mixed signals from Saskia, experiences old boyfriend jealousy, and lives in constant fear of being outed (can't have her parents EVER find out). What is a girl to do? I loved Leila, she is authentic as a teen who feels conflicted being Iranian, American & gay. She branches out and joins drama gaining new friends and becoming better friends with an old friend and a better sister. A thoroughly enjoyable story with strong characters.

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Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings

Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to Jazz Jennings on Audible as she described her life's journey from a child to teen as transgender. Jazz's voice is authentic, real, honest, and a personality that is larger than life. She has a supportive family, is very involved in supporting transgender rights (accompanying her mother to Philadelphia to speak at conferences) and speaks and acts as a role model for other youth (and their families) like her. She has a very special voice that talks about the bullying and judgments made about her but she only asks for acceptance for herself and others. She is courageous, funny, smart and sensitive. I am going to check out her TV show and some of her YouTube videos. Highly recommended & a must read.

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Empire of Storms (#5 Throne of Glass) by Sarah J Maas

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, what a read; if I could have just inhaled it in one day, I most certainly would have!!! Queen Aelin was spectacular; she was strong, yet vulnerable, always thinking of ways to save her kingdom, forming alliances, fighting battles and growing the bonds of her commanders-those she trusts with her life - I absolutely loved Rowan, Dorian, Lysandra, Aedion, Elide and yes, Manon. The magic was spellbinding and also horrific; the relationships oh so sweet the way Maas builds them. I will be honest that I was not happy with the ending; but I can't wait for the next book either!

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Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan

Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow what a book! Steven Crashinsky is a teen with ADHD, a tough father, nasty older sister and wonderful younger sister. He narrates his life as a struggling student (son & friend), and then also as an author writing the story for his editor and his readers of how he thwarts a school shooting by one of his so-called friends David Burnett. It was at times funny, heartbreaking, and so easy to become one with Crash as he views his life both before and after "the incident" and also see his metamorphosis from youngster to teen (experimenting with drinking, alcohol, girls). This was a recommended read from one of my twitter book clubs #YearofYA during the month we explored tragedy theme books.

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The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina

I loved this book by Meg Medina!!! Sonia’s family has believed since she was born that she was very special – she could silence the wind, after all.  She has spent her whole life listening to family, friends and the pleas of villagers beseeching Sonia for prayers and good works for their family members.  When a close friend is found dead and returned home in ghastly shape, Sonia loses faith in herself and God. This story takes place in South America and is filled with superstitions of race, culture and family.  Sonia flees to work as a maid in the capital city at the same time as her brother, Rafael, strikes out to get a “real job” not constricted to the hazards of being a miner.  But all is not as it seems; Sonia loves her new job but not the harsh judgments of the overseer or the owner’s nephew and his unwanted advances.  When her good friend, Pablo finds out Sonia’s brother may have fallen on touch times in his job search; he goes against odds to aid/help Sonia find her beloved brother.  I loved Sonia’s tenacity, sincerity and honesty.  Pablo’s dream of becoming a poet made him a hero (to me) who battles to help Sonia in whatever way he can.  Will Sonia believe in herself again?  A mesmerizing read with fantastic settings and strong characters, Medina has crafted a beautiful story; highly recommended read!