My Brother's Husband (Omnibus #1) by Gengoroh Tagame

My Brother's Husband, Volume 1 by Gengoroh Tagame
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome manga because I an participating in the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and the 2nd book in the series won an award and I wanted to read the first book- and it was heart breaking and awesome- loved the illustrations and the little girl, Kana and how her view of the world helps her father. Proceeding immediately to Book 2!!!

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United As One (Lorien Legacies #7) by Pittacus Lore

United as One by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this series- listening to all 7 books one right after the other was awesome! I loved all the narrators; the voices kept me rapt with the next daring feats of the Garde. I was happy with the ending but I must admit Setrakus Ra's villainy really wore on me---I wish he wasn't so evil, vile, and reprehensible---it was horrific for me to listen to the awfulness that was him!!! The young teen characters were definitely not the same (saddened me but I understood) but there was a hopeful ending...but everyone still needs to be vigilant---a great great series!!!

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Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to @rajanilrocca (Rajani LaRocca), Yellow Jacket (an imprint of Bonnier Publishing USA) and #BookJunkies for allowing me to be an early reader of Midsummer’s Mayhem by awesome debut author, Rajani LaRocca, in exchange for an honest review. Wow, did I love this debut novel for middle grade children. Just let me gush about the beauty of LaRocca’s language – the descriptions of the foods (Indian, sweet, and salty) had me drooling; I wanted to eat (and bake) everything in this contemporary retelling mixing fantasy elements of fairies, friends, and the importance of family. The beauty of Mimi’s woods (the trees, herbs, and flowers) held me captive when I realized this was no ordinary forest. In addition, I loved strong, reasonable but mighty main character, Mimi and her passion for baking sweet treats. But Mimi feels outshined by everyone else in her family, has lost her best friend, and struggles with the baking contest she has entered. When new kid, Vik rescue’s Mimi in a tree; her summer turns into one of foodie love, a fast friendship, and many new adventures in her woods. With her siblings’ involvement in the summer play, Midsummer Night’s Dream, paralleling Mimi’s summer of mayhem, the reader is ensconced in Mimi’s world of sweet treats, family drama, and the magic of food and fairies. Food lovers, Shakespearean lure, and the diversity of Indian food, customs, and folklore will delight readers of all ages. You will also enjoy at the end; The Acknowledgements, Baking Terms and even recipes from the book; I am certainly going to be baking these mouth-watering treats! Highly recommended; get your copy in a store near you, June 2019.

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Crush (Awkward #3) by Svetlana Chmakova

Crush by Svetlana Chmakova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel (award winner of Top 10 Amelia Bloomer and Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Such a great middle school graphic novel from awesome Svetlana Chmakova in the 3rd book of the Awkward series. Jorge is a big, nice kid who will not hurt anyone but stands up for those who are being bullied and oh yeah, he really likes Jazmine but doesn't really know how to talk to her. There is conflict, friendship and bullies---you will root for Jorge and Jazmine and the others in their middle school!

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On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

On A Sunbeam: A Webcomic by Tillie Walden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this webcomic (Amelia Bloomer Top 10, Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Telling a story of past and present---Mia is in the present working on a dig in outer space and as she becomes friendly with the crew she tells them of her past- falling in love in boarding school with Grace and then losing her. She asks her family/crew to help her find Grace in the outer reaches of space known as the Staircase. You will love the cast and crew and root for them. Wonderfully illustrated, beautifully told by Tillie Walden, teens will love this space opera.

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Best Laid Plans by Brenda Jackson

Best Laid Plans by Brenda Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this Brand-New Madaris Family Novel; Noel Madaris was a favorite for me- techie, nerd, man about town and even better was Ivy Chapman- owning her own hacking firm, nerd, and happily single. When Nolan's grandmother decides to marry off Nolan to Ivy; she begins a storm of annoyance that has Nolan and Ivy making up a scenario where they are lovers but then break up---but their attraction is strong and reading about their relationship was steamy and awesome. The perfect romance for me!

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The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Dan Brown

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Great Graphic Novel Award Winner and Nonfiction Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Brown's illustrations and accompanying words/stories of the Syrian Refugees was horror filled with immigrants suffering death, beatings, and racism as they flee because of the reign of terror of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad. Neighboring countries extend aid but it becomes too much for many and they stop allowing the refugees to enter and extend them aid. A must read as this crisis continues to unfold.

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The Revenge of Seven (The Lorien Legacies #5) by Pittacus Lore

The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series, listening to the awesome narrators continues to have me hanging by the edge of a ledge as things are ramping up for the Garde. With 5 killing 8 and Setracus Ra kidnapping Ella; things have gotten out of hand as separated again they try to stop Earth's destruction. OMG!!!

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Home After Dark by David Small

Home After Dark by David Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Alex Award winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and since David Small is one of my favorite authors I totally loved this graphic novel including issues of divorce, abuse, bullying, abandonment and adolescence as teen Russell struggles to adapt when his parents divorce and his father takes him across the US, then stops coming home one day. In addition- Russell has a tough time with friends- early friend, Warren pays Russell to lay with him effectively making sure he stays away from Warren. He becomes friends with bullies, Kurt and Chris, and his life continues to plummet. I ached for Russell---Small's illustrations are masterful, chaotic and sorrowful. A must read!

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Storm and Fury (The Harbinger #1) by JJennifer L. Armentrout

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin TEEN (US & Canada) and Inkyard Press for the advance reader copy Storm and Fury by one of my favorite romance authors, Jennifer L. Armentrout, in exchange for an honest review. I plunged into this new series and did not want to stop reading!!! I loved Trinity; she was such a strong, positive female protagonist; she was a warrior to be reckoned with when her clan let her fight yet she was also struggling with lessening eyesight and being over-protected by her gargoyle warden family since it is imperative (she is the last of her kind) she be kept hidden from the world. When demons are turning up killed, a group from the DC clan comes and asks her clan for help. Trinity’s life is totally upended with the arrival of Zayne, Dez and Nikolai. Without going into too much more detail; Trinity and Zayne were steamy and swoon worthy; I can’t wait to see what happens to them in the next book of this series. This a paranormal fantasy romance you do not want to miss!!!

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Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson

Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for the advance reader copy Brave Face by awesome diverse author, Shaun David Hutchinson, in exchange for an honest review. I could not put down this book; this memoir was searing; Shaun suffered so much as a teen and young adult because he did not have enough faith in himself as a guy who realizes he is gay and how to handle being gay as a teen, son, and friend. Shaun takes the reader through his self-hatred, his preconceived notions, and how depression bullied him into believing no one would ever love him. I was so glad for his best friend, Maddie and his English teacher who encouraged him to continue to write and urged him to accept himself. Even at his lowest, Shaun continued to hold out hope that he would find happiness. He is a talented YA writer; teens love his books and they will most certainly identify with his anger, insecurities, and his feeling of being overwhelmed and misunderstood. This is a must read for teens; about gender and differences, the formal and informal messages Shaun received and how they empowered him and also caused him to live/believe in a world where bullying, AIDS, and gender stereotyping made him question himself over and over again as a queer/gay teen and young man. Highly recommended.

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The Fall of Five (Lorien Legacies #4) by Pittacus Lore

The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The drama continues in this audiobook as the Garde is together in #9's Chicago penthouse. Ten and John are plagued by nightmares invaded by and of Setrákus Ra with lies and prophecies. They also find Number 5 and he does not really fit with John Smith and company. So glad to be listening to this series!!!

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Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved the book; so did I love this graphic novel---Emily Carroll's illustrations were perfect; her artwork nailed Melinda's thoughts, anxieties, and silence. I read this graphic novel for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge because it won 3 awards (Amelia Bloomer Top Ten, Great Graphic Novels & Quick Picks)---a must read!

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The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni

The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advance reader copy The Eighth Sister by stellar mystery and detective author, Robert Dugoni, in exchange for an honest review. This latest mystery is Dugoni at his best; weaving a knuckle gripping espionage thriller, grabbing you from the first page and hooking you to the very last page. I could not stop reading this suspenseful story of Charles Jenkins, an ex-CIA case officer, age sixty-four with a failing business, a nine-year old son and a wife ready to deliver a baby at any moment. As Jenkins takes a risky assignment (kept secret from everyone he knows) he finds himself in Russia, duped and not quite sure who he can trust and how to return to the U.S. I could not stop turning the pages as Jenkins world comes crumbling down. Even more exciting was the return of David Sloan, from the original David Sloan series; as he takes on his friend’s case as Jenkins is tried for treason. Suspense abounds while you root for Charles Jenkins; highly recommended!

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The Grim Lovelies (Grim Lovelies #1) by Megan Shepherd

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Twitter chat 3/14 at 8PM EST with #2jennsbookclub, and I loved Anouk and her beastie friends! What I did not like was the witches, Prince Rennar & family- the Royal Haute, and the way they were treated throughout the novel. Beasties Anouk, Luc, Beau, Cricket and Hunter Black. The Goblins were wonderful to help Anouk and her friends, but time is running out; will they stay human? This is the first in a series and it will kill me to wait to see what Anouk does about her very difficult plight. Did not like the ending at all...

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Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for the advance reader copy of Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo in exchange for an honest review. What a great romance! I fell in love immediately with Korean American character, K-Pop Star, Lucky, and Jack’s story, spanning one day of unrestricted commitments (Lucky decides to take a chance on being freed of her overwhelming K-Pop persona and obligations) with Jack (rescuer and nice guy) providing a whirlwind tour of Hong Kong via sites, music, and food, as they really get to know and like each other. As they roam the city, Jack and Lucky continue their deceptions, even as they parse out each other’s insecurities. I loved Lucky’s pluck, while also being tremendously guarded and conversely she also trusts and feels free as Jack accepts her as just a girl he is showing around the city. Even though Jack’s deceit is worse, I saw him through Lucky’s eyes as kind, caring, and oh so handsome. What I love about Goo’s stories are how her main characters, even though flawed, and drama-filled, they each begin to feel interest, caring, and love spread, and it makes the characters oh so swoon worthy. Teens will enjoy the intense relationship Lucky and Jack generate as their whirlwind tour of Hong Kong becomes a dream come true. Lucky and Jack are vivid, sympathetic characters whose fate matters and will keep teens turning the pages. One of my favorite new romances!

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The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge; the narration by Gildart Jackson was so good it won an Amazing Audiobook Award as well as the M. T. Anderson winning the Edwards Award. I just continued to laugh and chuckle as Gildart Jackson seemed to have so much fun with the voices of historian Brangwain Spurge (also known as The Weed), himself an elf who has been asked/ordered to spy on the goblins and bring a gift to their King. He is staying with archivist Werfel and since neither one really understands the customs of each other; there is much bumbling, miscommunication, lots of blunders, but oh so many laughs on the reader's part! I especially enjoyed the authors in their afterword as they perfectly mimic their main characters in friendship and hilarity.

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What If It's Us? by Becky Albertalli and Daniel Silvera

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this wonderful award winning book (Best Fiction for Young Adults)by fave authors, Albertalli & Silvera, as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and I just loved how Ben and Arthur, meet, get pulled apart by a flash mob, and find each other. This book had me turning the pages, I loved both families and their friends were super supportive, enjoyed one another, and had each other's backs. I especially liked the drama, the comedy, and their different personalities really caring for each other in a very believable way. Highly recommended!

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Royal City (Vol. #1 Next of Kin) by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 1: Next of Kin by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book since it is the first in a series, but I am going to be reading Vol. 2 & 3 (won Great Graphic Novel Awards) as part of The 2019 HUB Challenge and because I love Jeff Lemire's work! I loved this graphic novel about a family living in Royal City haunted by an awful incident in 1993. Mother, Father, sister, brothers' lives have all been affected and Lemire's drawings of brother, Tommy, depict how each family member is coping (or not) with this loss. Can't wait to read #2!!!

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Archenemies (Renegades #2) by Marissa Meyer

Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Still not a fan of this series, but I will stick with it. I really like Adrian who is naturally good---as the Sentinel, he goes against the Renegade code to help others. Nova really irritates me- I guess I should chalk up her personality to never having the things she should have, believing the Renegades should have been there to help her family, and working as a double agent to bring the Anarchists back into power. Their romance would have been so much more normal if Nova wasn't so combative, prickly, and torn. So here's hoping for a good resolution to this Renegades series with the final book.

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great audiobook/read---Cassandra Campbell did a superlative job narrating the story of Marsh Girl, Kya, last child of a drinking, lying, abusive father who sees her mother walk out and never return. With her exodus, so do all her brothers and sisters until she is the only one (age 6) left behind with her father. This is such a beautiful, spine tingling story of nature vs nurture, a wild girl who is educated by a friend of her brother's, and a murder mystery and trial. I could not stop listening---Campbell's voice was mesmerizing as she described the beauty of this small North Carolina swamp (as seen by Kya) ---the gulls, the flora, and Kya's love of her natural family. The characters were all distinctly drawn - loved Tate and Jumpin, & his wife Mabel---hated Chase and the mean spirited townspeople. I rooted for Kya and Tate (he was so sweet and in love with her---but knew how skittish she was and how he had hurt her) would there be a future for them? Great surprise ending- highly recommended!

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