The Liar's Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson

The Liar's Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Melissa Moran, this book about a girl involved in a cult was mesmerizing as the narrator, Piper age 17, alternates between BEFORE and AFTER telling of her life that she loves in the cult with Father and Mother and her many brothers and sisters and friends, Caspian and Luke (?). The author reeled me in with Piper's love of father and mother in BEFORE and it is as time goes on and others question father and mother that the reader sees how indoctrinated Piper has become. It is AFTER when the compound is invaded by the authorities and Piper is now in a home with a woman, child and dog, that things roll out of control for Piper as she stops eating, sleeping, bathing and plots escape all the while talking to a therapist, making friends with the girl next door. The Authors Note was so important to read, this is a book teens will enjoy as a story and cautionary tale that can and does happen.

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The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I relistened to this book on Audible with awesome dual narrations by Fiona Hardingham as Emily, Shaun Grindell as Damon. I found this 2nd time around gripping, haunting and relevant as the GAME becomes clearer and sicker. Teens will find this a great story packed with suspense and a lesson about the mistakes that can be made.
I received this ARC at ALA Philadelphia in January. I loved the mystery, drama and how the reader sees Damon's perspective and Emily's in the alternating chapters. I was totally surprised to learn about The Game(s)and was glad Emily and Damon both figure out (together) what happened to Ashlee. The PTSD that Emily's dad suffered from alienated her mom but Emily still believed and loved her dad. Damon was fighting his own demons with the loss of his dad and the final night he can't remember with Ashlee. I couldn't put this book down, it had the right amount of mystery to drag you in and keep on turning those pages. The only thing I think teens in the US will not enjoy is the dialect the author and her characters use; I found it foreign (and I understood all the words, phrases, etc.) and American teens will notice as well.

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Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives by Kareem Rosser

Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! This is definitely a MUST READ! Many thanks to my reading neighbor, Carrie Ogorek, for so fully pushing this book into my hands. The life Kareem Rosser describes in "The Bottom" of West Philadelphia was so sad, fraught with death, violence, and trauma. With a mother and many brothers and sisters, many fathers - all absent, Kareem is a shy, shell shocked child who grows into a fearful teen--but his older brothers lead him to the Fairmount area on one of their explorations and it is there he falls in love with horses. The horses are the balm that Kareem needs to live, to heal, to grasp for something better out of the bottom. Fraught with problems every step of the way, he is able to grow in the Work to Ride program, white owner, Lezlie Hiner provides---he also learns how to play polo with his brothers and together they dream of a life away from the violence that is their neighborhood and life. I could not stop turning the pages, Kareem writes from the heart about his life of undiagnosed panic attacks, his daily fear for the members of his family and friends, and his "new" life as he strives for better against all the odds thrown up time and time again. This is a MUST READ for all! I donated immediately to the Work to Ride program because "they---Kareem as a fundraiser too-- want to build an indoor polo field and I also read that he has partnered with famous polo player, Nacho Figueras is bringing the 1st Philadelphia Polo Classic in September 2022, what an amazing event.

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The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash, #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 4th in the Blood and Ash series has Poppy and her team (Cas, Kieran, etc) was tough for me to read at times. We live in such a chaotic world now and the separation of Poppy and Casteel really upset me. Her evil mother made me sick and made me lose hope...which normally JLA's book do not do, but Cas' time in prison was entirely TOO LONG...many times I wanted to put this book down, but I do LOVE JLA's books so much so I continued. I love the interactions between Cas and Poppy, the draken, the wolves! I love the way the characters give their all for the good of the Kingdom and am looking forward to the next book because the foretellings, the destruction, the realms all have to be answered.

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Bury the Lead (Andy Carpenter #3) by David Rosenfelt

Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this 3rd book of the Andy Carpenter series, Andy is asked by his newspaper friend, Vince, to represent his newspaper and his journalist, Dan, when he is accused of being a serial killer. I also loved the parallel story of Rosalie and Eddie and the Tara Foundation dog rescue!

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Impact Winter by Travis Beacham

Impact Winter by Travis Beacham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this British cast audiobook involving the end of the world and the survivors being plagued by vampires, or not? There was suspense and I loved listening to Darcy and her younger sister as strong female characters living in the future in fear of vampires (and their own friends and superiors???) and their story line had me captivated and I would love to listen to another Impact Winter II!

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I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another MUST READ from Ruta Sepetys; I have read and loved all her historical fiction books and this one was particularly hard to read, like Cristian Florescu I was forced to bear witness to the horrors of 1989 Romania and dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife for 24 years. Just like The Fountains of Silence, Cristin and all the Romanians live in abject fear and watch as the world is left in the dark about the horrors (starvation, forced to be informants against friends and family, monitored by security 24/7 ). Cristian's family has been held hostage by Ceausescu's spies, his mother and father have changed, his philosopher grandfather continues to rail and speak out (Cris loves his fight and honesty). When he is approached and forced to spy (hence the title!!!) he is determined to outwit them, but at every turn, the spies know what is going on...as Cris is plunged into self loathing, doubt and fear---he grows closer to Lilliana Pavel (whom he has cared for from afar for years). Cris is forced to spy on the American ambassador) VanDorn family son, Dan. After seeing Dan's notebook, Cris begins his own notebook of thoughts and poems, I loved this coping mechanism, and how he decides to use it. The informer top secret files were interspersed and were totally awful---who was undermining Cris and reporting back to Paddle Hands? This is such an important read for all; it is another example of people in history suffering under Communism, under a dictator that prospered while he sowed fear amongst his people. Such a thoroughly researched book, and I needed the epilogue and author notes for further knowledge.

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Framed! (Framed #1) by James Ponti

Framed! by James Ponti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my twitter friend (reading buddy) @lhnatiuk for recommending this awesome series! I am now going to be reading the Framed series and City Spies by James Ponti and of course, passing them along to my granddaughter! Florian Bates is such an engaging character--I love the way he thinks (TOAST), speaks and acts and with his best friend, Margaret---watch out world because these 2 will be solving mysteries and even become helpful to the FBI! An awesome read, I have the next 2 in the series on hold at my library!!! I can't wait to read them!

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Black Bird in the Sky; The Story and Legacy of The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert

Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this nonfiction book with my Albright College Book Club friends and also because I love anything Brandy Colbert writes. This is not an easy book to read as it lays bare the facts of the June 1, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. There was and still is many falsehoods about what happened that day and why it was basically wiped out of history---a prosperous black community in the Greenwood District of Tulsa (which also had a white section) was burned, decimated (people & buildings) and not properly investigated after the fact by the white populace in control of everything---government, newspapers, schools. Colbert's account must be read by all---this is history that was not in the history books after it happened, but her painstaking research has shown again what white violence against blacks caused and propagated after and through to today as history that must be addressed, remedied and stopped.

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Open and Shut (Andy Carpenter, #1) by David Rosenfelt

Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 1st book in the Andy Carpenter series, although I read the 2nd book, First Degree first in the series and my sister passed along the very first David Rosenfelt book, The 12 Dogs of Christmas and I was instantly smitten----I have to read all of Rosenfelt's books 1- they are funny, 2- they are mysteries, 3 they have dogs in them!!!, and 4 Andy Carpenter is a hoot! This first book sets up Andy's personality as a defense lawyer with his wisecracks to the reader (he loves sports, hates exercise, loves Tara, his golden retriever). Suddenly Andy's father an ex DA dies in front of him, a firestorm happens and Andy is left to pick up the pieces---number one, why did his father leave him $22 million dollars? Rosenfelt had me turning those pages- there was suspense, humor, and a deep love for dogs----I was hooked! I have been recommending this to all my friends because we love dogs and mysteries; I can't wait to read the 3rd book next, Bury the Lead!

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Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi

Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aafiyah is a 7th grade Pakistani American girl who plays tennis, has a best friend, and loves Weird But True Facts. She has a good life, friends and family, until she does not. Aafiyah's grandfather needs to come to America to have his cancer treated. At the airport her father's passport is taken, he cannot leave the country, he is accused of embezzlement. Worse is the fact that Aafiyah knows she has a problem; if she sees things she likes (some of her best friends things, her teacher things, books she likes- sometimes she returns them, sometimes she doesn't) she pushes them in her bag. As her father's case seems to stall, Aafiyah thinks she can "help" with the result that she loses her best friend, loses her mother's trust, is taken off the tennis team and gives up her phone. Readers will be enthralled with Aafiyah's world, the novel in verse is authentic, direct and so important to read. The growth of her family, and of Aafiyah during the tough times make this a must read; highly recommended!

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Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) by Daniel Jose Older

Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) by Daniel Jose Older in exchange for an honest review. This is my 4th Rick Riordan Presents book and I just keep wanting to read more and more of these fantasies about different cultures. I so love Daniel Jose Older books and this new addition to the Rick Riordan Presents series had me turning those pages and loving the thrill of San Madrigal's history (past and present) as Mateo, a music genius who has not spent each day in his community (his parents are doctors who have travelled the world and always had Mateo with them), finds he is one of the key players in Madrigal's future as a healer and much, much more. Another key player is Chela, the rabbi's daughter, and together they get to know each other, and learn more about their powers and the evil that has been a key part of their history. I loved the world Mateo lives in: the food, the music, and the religious and political drama and delicious mystery---Older does such a great job with is words, the characters (Mateo's love of music and family), his plot- this is another winner, a must read for YA!

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Rainbow Road (Rainbow Trilogy, #3) by Alex Sanchez

Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final book in the Rainbow High series has Kyle, Jason and Nelson taking a road trip to California where Jason has been asked to speak to and LBGT high school. All the main characters are put to the test with the tight quarters, poor decisions, and unreal expectations. I so loved this series and I will be sorely missing Jason, Nelson and Kyle. I especially liked Nelson in this 3rd book; he finally gets it, yes he is still spur of the moment with bad results but he grows and becomes friendlier with Jason, while realistic Kyle keeps tabs on Nelson and Jason. Such an awesome series, a must read!

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Rainbow High (Rainbow Trilogy, #2) by Alex Sanchez

Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by: Alston Brown, I love the continued coming out and friendship and romance Kyle, Jason and Nelson navigate their senior year. The interplay of family, school, and coach dynamics really paints a varied but realistic picture of queer teen boys at home and in school (with a new GSA club) and in relationships (both the pain and wonder). I can't wait for the 3rd audiobook, but I will be sorry to leave these boys ---they have made an impact on me and I will miss them!

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Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin

Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this collaboration between Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin! The words (Jason Reynolds) c0mbined with the beautiful, realistic, images (Jason Griffin) gives a powerful, moving story about a black family quarantined during Covid, but is about history and reality. Just important and a must read!

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