Love Songs and Other Lies by Jessica Pennington

Love Songs & Other Lies: A Novel by Jessica Pennington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Tor Teen for the advance reader copy, Love Songs and Other Lies by debut author, Lisa Pennington, in exchange for an honest review. Oh, did I love this story; I also think this awesome debut is a YA story but can also be put into the new adult genre since the characters are college age. Vee and Cam’s story was heartbreaking, breathtaking, and I rooted for them to hang in there (despite Cam’s past) and prosper as a couple. Pennington’s use of THEN and NOW as well as Cam’s or Vee’s point of view was critical in establishing what was happening (took place) in the past as well as the present for the main characters. Vee’s progression was great to read; she was an attentive granddaughter, funny, great singer and songwriter and good friend to her band members. As she becomes friends with Cam, the reader is treated to her snarkiness, wanting to just be friends with Cam, despite her growing feelings. I liked the way as time went on, she shared everything with Cam and wished her honesty led him to break down his terrifying walls of blame and self-hatred. The music element of being in a band, writing songs, and how the music moves Vee and Cam was so exciting; I loved the tour, the tightness of the band members, especially her best friend, Logan. The drama of the tour, what went down between Vee and Cam, kept me mesmerized and turning the pages. This is a great beach read, teens will love the music, band aspect, as well as the reality TV drama in this emotionally charged second chance winner!

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What You Left Me by Bridget Morrissey

What You Left Me by Bridget Morrissey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance reader copy, What You Left Me by debut author, Bridget Morrissey, in exchange for an honest review. Teens will enjoy this stunning debut, that examines through alternating perspectives and dream sequences, the power of love, friendship, hopes, and dreams when two teens, Petra and Martin, seated next to each other (alphabetically) meet for the first time at their graduation from high school. Petra has a secret so she holds Martin’s antics at arms-length, but she really enjoys his kidding, prodding, and agrees to attend his graduation party that night. Morrissey has a real gift for description and drama as she treats the reader to Petra and Martin’s friends and the way they talk, laugh, cry, and communicate with each other. I really enjoyed these teens, their honesty and fierce protectiveness toward each other. Much will be learned through the time these new friends spend together as they gather in the hospital, waiting for news about Martin after he and his best friend are in a car accident. Verdict – a must read for teens!

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Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds

Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love anything by Jason Reynolds and was so happy this was on the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge. Urban teen with Spider-Man heroics, Miles Morales life is not easy with his spidey sense going off in the classroom- getting him in trouble with his parents and the school. The only one he can confide in his is wacky friend and roommate. Will Miles be able to defeat the sinister forces at work in his school and community? I hope this will become a series because I want to follow more of Miles' heroics!

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Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome nonfiction, science memoir for a book club discussion at the Jenkintown Public Library and I loved Hope Jahren's story of her life as a child- precocious, questioning and her rise to a plant biologist, her times with her partner, Bill and encompassing her marriage and the birth of her son. Hope is a woman we all need to read about; she will entertain and inform, loved this book!

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They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this for 2 wonderful reasons: for the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge (I had read the ARC) and this book will be discussed on twitter book chat with #2jennsbookclub on Thursday 6/14 at 8PM. Listening to this book from Audible tugged once again at my heart!
Narrated awesomely by: Michael Crouch, Robbie Daymond, Bahni Turpin I was devastated and happy with the Last Friend app that brings Rufus and Mateo together after they are contacted by deathcast that this is their end day. Through the narration, Silvera's beautiful writing the reader is blesses with this enduring story that celebrates friendships, family and the power of love- a must read!

Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for the ARC, They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera. I LOVE Adam Silvera’s writing style, and this 3rd new book is just as moving! I was so impressed by Silvera’s note to readers setting the affirming, challenging, positive tone, inspiring and challenging all of us to “be who you want to be” encouraging friendships and experiences, free from insecurities and judgments. Rufus and Mateo are real teens dealing with the horrendous news that this is the last day of their lives. Rufus is a foster child who has a tight group of friends, calling themselves The Plutos while Mateo is a sheltered, sweet teen whose Dad is in a coma. Death Cast is the entity alerting people to their day of death. Since they are going to die “today” both Mateo and Rufus, who do not know each other yet, decide to use the Last Friend app, and spend their day together. While I was not a fan of the whole Death-Cast part of the story, I totally enjoyed these two opposites, meeting one another, getting to know one another, and enjoying their final day with a growing and deepening friendship. Silvera has such a sweet gift for writing sympathetic stories that grip you from page one, tug on your heart, and keep you turning those pages, all the while blowing your nose and wiping tears from your eyes. This is a must read that teens will be caring about and sharing. This book stole my heart and spoke to the power of friends, relationships, and family. Highly recommended!

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My Oxford Year by Julia Whalen

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this debut by awesome narrator Julia Whelan (I have listened to and loved many of her narrations as well) I was intrigued to listen to a debut and heroine, Ella Duran is one feisty, smart, compassionate character. Arriving to begin her work as a Rhodes Scholar (she also has a job back in the US which she conducts by phone or Skype) in English Lit which she really has no background in- but boy is she good with dates, authors, etc. I was mesmerized by Jamie Davenport from beginning to end- Whelan's descriptions of him and her British voice were so sexy and as a couple they were exciting with their forays, discussions, and their "no strings" romance (haha) but even more, I loved Ella's friends, Ella's thoughts, Ella's voice, and everything Ella. What a wonderful adventure for this reader; I'd like a series---Ella's life will be exciting, I am sure!

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The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie

The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a realistic look at a young teen's rape, how it reduces her to self-harm, being invisible, and unable to communicate with her loving family. Maddy Malone has just watched the school show and is making her way home when 5 boys grab her and rape her. She tells no one and begins to withdraw from everyone. Maddy will not confide in her older sister (whom she is very close to) and really doesn't have any friends in school. What makes it worse is that she loses herself and in order to cope begins to burn herself to lessen the pain of remembering (she has nightmares all the time). When she returns to school in the fall things do not get any better - but there is a class project called The Pain Eater and each week a student (alphabetical order) must read aloud their chapter. Kara is the first and does a great job in setting up the story, but as time goes on the bullies in the class begin to influence the story through their intimidation/friendship tactics. The Pain Eater parallels Maddy and her predicament---and as time goes on the reader will root for Maddy to find the courage to take control and become the happy, fierce Maddy she once was. I have read and loved Beth Goobie books for some time now- students loved her books, especially reluctant readers. Her books deal with issues teens can relate to and will jump start conversations on many real issues teens deal with in today's world. Highly recommended!

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Bloof of a Thousand Stars (Empress of a Thousand Skies #2) by Rhoda Belleza

Blood of a Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to this last book in the series, the narrator, Rebecca Soler was stellar but I also found listening to this book more confusing because it jumps and pivots with all the drama, lies, political intrigue. vast technology and the horror that is Nero. He is out to use the overwriter for his own devices- to control anyone (everyone) he wants. Aly, Kara, Rhee (and minor, awesome characters too) are all rushing to head off Nero (which seems almost impossible)- will they succeed? Not to be negative but I did not enjoy this novel as much due to the always changing technology and ever changing fast paced events that were not always explained thoroughly. Violence, lies, cheating are everywhere and the reader is propelled forward, hoping the characters will overthrow Nero which made the narrative seem cut up and rushed.

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Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1) by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this audiobook was amazing!!! My fave narrator, Bahni Turpin (she was also awesome with Underground Railroad and The Sun Is Also a Star) was spectacular as Jane McKeene, a totally kick-ass heroine, who lies a lot, is fearsome, will take a dare anytime, anywhere and is thoroughly at ease wielding scythes to put down the "shamblers" the dead who are now infected, have risen up and are roaming the country, swelling in numbers and becoming an overwhelming threat. Negro Jane attends a school in the post Civil War era that trains/arms (and educates) negroes and Native Americans in fending off the shamblers. As Jane prepares to graduate, her old boyfriend, Jackson appears asking for Jane's help to find his little sister and the white family she is living with who have disappeared. This book is an adventure, a horror story, history re-imagined with zombies, with Jane fighting for truth, freedom, becoming friends, being a leader, and always a target by the survivalists who subscribe to hate, lies, violence, and torture. Using her daring do, her very capable mind that is keen on weaponry and the art of battle, Jane strives to escape Summerland with her friends and stop the shamblers. I could not stop listening to this rip-roaring tale which made me laugh, made me cringe, and made me sick with the evil and horrors that lurked (but also lived in plain sight) and I rooted for Jane and her loyal band to succeed; I can't wait for the 2nd in this duology! A must read.

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A Steep Price (Tracy Crosswhite Series, Book #6) by Robert Dugoni

A Steep Price by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance reader copy, A Steep Price (The Tracey Crosswhite Series Book 6) by stellar mystery and detective author, Robert Dugoni, in exchange for an honest review. This latest thriller mystery did not disappoint! While Tracey was involved in a court case, her other partners catch another case involving the shooting/murder of a community activist. Also Tracy is contacted by one of her police mentees about a missing persons case, and even though Tracy is pregnant (trying to hide it from everyone) she works with this other police-officer to find a young Indian American college student/graduate. This aspect of the book will have readers riveted to the Indian family’s dynamics toward their daughter and arranged marriages. I never knew about “sugar dating” and am glad this book sheds light on this odious dating service. Dugoni’s sixth book was thrilling once again and I could not stop turning the pages! For a gripping, wild read, A Steep Price will not disappoint! I am so looking forward to Book 7 in this series.

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