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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Dress Codes for Small Towns by Courtney Stevens

Dress Codes for Small Towns by Courtney C. Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved Billie and her Hexagon friends- she loved her hometown, her friends, but boy did she have internal questions that kept her second guessing throughout most of the book. I really liked Davey and his side story (esp the one about Billie as a mask wearing girl). A great read about small towns, clergy families, and the power and love that friendship nurtures, heals, and grows. I read this for #2jennsbookclub to be discussed Thursday, Dec 13 at 8PM EDT- it is a quick read so jump into it and JOIN us for a twitter chat that is absorbing.

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Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book since I read it when it came out & now there will be a #2jennsbookclub chat Thursday 11/8 at 8PM EDT- join us for a great book discussion. I really liked the narration of Soneela Nankani - she got Maya's insecurities, her parents' with their restrictive suffocation, and best friend Violet, crush Phil, and awesome Aunt Hina. A must read, ripped from the headlines novel dealing with racism, hatred, terrorism, and smothering family expectations.

This debut novel by Samira Ahmed is one all teens need to read- not only does it cover love, longing, restrictive parents, Islamophobia, and bullying but Maya's life rings true as the only Indian and Muslim in her school, parents who came to America but have not really progressed as Americans-they are successful without being devout, and are suffocating in their love and expectations for their only child. Thank god Maya has a close friend in Violet, a job she loves at a book store and her trusty camcorder which helps Maya see the world as a worthy documentary to be filmed, cataloged and kept for posterity. As a senior, Maya has not told her parents she wants to go to film school yet has applied and been accepted to NYU. Maya has been crushing on Phil since 7th grade and with his break-up maybe Maya will have a chance now. I really liked Phil, Violet, and Maya's aunt, Hina ( a successful graphic designer, has not married and so so supportive of Maya) and the positive changes and strength Maya garners when there is a hate crime perpetrated close to home, make this a must read for teens. Highly recommended.

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The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold

The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for the twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub being held Thursday, 9/13 at 8PM; join us for a great chat. I love David Arnold and his books, but I found myself getting a little confused with Noah. His friendship with next door neighbor twins, Val and Alan, was referred to as a triangle; they were such good friends and when Noah started withholding things from them; I wanted Noah to continue to be Noah. But as he tried to figure things out by revisiting his "strange fascinations," lying to everyone about his swimming, questioning everything--I felt like I had gone off the rails as the reader. The resolution made me very happy though, yay!

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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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The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this jarring nonfiction book for #2jennsbookclub twitter chat to be held Thursday 2/8 at 8PM EST, this was a riveting read and I am sure the chat will be, too! Dashka Slater, the author, covered this story first in the NYTimes and this compassionate, achingly real story of 2 teens, a crime, on a bus in Oakland, CA. I learned so much about the juvenile court system from this book, the power of forgiveness, how choices can radically change lives, and how teens are many times misunderstood and need adults (lawyers, police, parents, school officials, court personnel) to really understand their choices, and how very important empathy is in every day life and could mean the difference in an incarcerated youth's life. I think everyone needs to read this book; teens, adults, school employees, lawyers, judges will all be impacted by Sasha and Richard's story. You can help but be torn apart with their story. If Sasha and their parents (Sasha identifies as agender) and Richard and his mom, were different - Richard's life could have been even more harsh (adult vs juvenile). Not many people could be burned as Sasha was and together with their parents, forgive and hold no animosity. Likewise Richard's mom knew what her son did was horrendous, stupid and unforgivable but she knew he was a 16 year old who did not always understand the impact of what he did (being in a juvenile detention at age 14) but she visited him every week, and became his supporter while apologizing and supporting Sasha's family. Highly recommended!!!

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The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe Translated by Lilit Thwaites

The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the #2jennsbookclub twitter chat taking place Thursday 1/11 at 8PM EST; please join us! I can't tell you how deeply affecting this Holocaust book was- yes, all Holocaust books are (fiction or nonfiction), but Iturbe's book translated by Lilit Thwaites was so compelling, horrific, yet outstanding and I believe it is because of the main character, Dita Kraus, and her deeply moving narrative of her courageous life in the killing machine known as the Auschwitz Prison, her friends and family as they are forced all day, every day trying to survive while the SS officers, Dr, Mengele (oh is he so very evil) want to extinguish all the Jews and many others. I will be forever contemplating Dita's words whether she is creating a picture of her life before Auschwitz, running (hiding) to preserve the books in her library (8 in all) in order to bring the love of books and school to the children in Block 31. Fredy Hirsh was a real hero too and his depth of character and deep love for the children in his care, allowed these children to thrive in hell as they listened to their teachers read a book, discuss the world, and drill them on math. I fell in love with Fredy as Dita did and his strength of character urged Dita on to never give up hope. There are so many great quotations in this book- I highly recommend it for adults and teens. The world needs to keep reading and sharing these books!

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Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the December twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub to be held Thursday 12/14 at 8PM; please join us for what will be a timely and awesome discussion! I have read & loved all of Jason Reynolds' books and Long Way Down takes a hard look at the urban violence that has ensnared black teens & men. Will has been taught the rules of the street by his brother, Shawn. When Shawn is shot dead, Will gets his brother's gun and is on his way to honor the rules. As he descends the elevator with his brother's gun in the back of his pants; Will runs into people/family who have been gunned down and as each ghost/spirit relates the gun violence - there are things Will is compelled to think about- is Riggs really the one who shot Shawn, and "Another thing about the rules They weren't meant to be broken. They were meant for the broken to follow." What will Will do as he talks to the spirits in the elevator? I liked how Will used anagrams to help him figure things - scare=cares, ALIVE=A VEIL, FEEL=FLEE and Reynolds first hand knowledge of this life, these kids, and the failures of those older. I will be reading this again; reluctant readers will be absorbed by this urban fiction tale, and I am definitely going to listen to Jason Reynolds' narration on Audible. Highly recommended!

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Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for the #2jennsbookclub twitter chat being held Thursday 6/8 at 8pm EST (join the chat!!!)& like her other books, Roth had me spellbound with Cyra and Akos' drama - their families, their gifts, their feelings of not being in control as their worlds splinter, explode, and maime. We see the good and bad in their worlds; the love and hostility between them and their cultures. I could not put this book down, I can't wait for the 2nd book and more more more on Cyra and Akos- rooting for them! There is horror, adventure, drama, politics and so much more!

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American Street by Ibi Zoboi

American Street by Ibi Zoboi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book which I read for #2jennsbookclub in May & #yearofya Debut Authors topic for March broke my heart. After finishing The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, the shooting in this book devastated me. As a reader, I rooted for Fabiola's life in Detroit along side her mother. But her mother is detained at the airport & sent to NJ with no resolution in sight. Even though Fabiola wants to care for her aunt and 3 cousins, when she arrives at American Street, they are involved in their lives and Fabiola is left to figure things out for herself and that is just a real shame. When will Fabiola see her mother, why does Tray hit Donna, what will she tell the Detective to get her mother back to Detroit? The suspense, loneliness, violence, greed, and secrets all spell doom for Fabiola and her 3 Bees cousins. I loved Fabiola's Haitian culture, beliefs, and her native religion and how it sustained her but I ached for the mother she so needed, the American world & family that let her down, and the harshness of living between two worlds. A tough read, teens will love this urban fiction and diverse characters.

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Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for a twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub Thursday 3/9 at 8PM EST. If you want a great teen read about grieving fat girl being cut out of her home deciding to go to high school & make a difference, oh is this book for you! Libby Strout speaks her mind and when latched onto by Jack Masselin as part of riding rodeo girl, the sparks fly. Libby punches him, they both get community service and counseling and what results is a friendship, then maybe something more. Jack is hiding a secret that he confides to Libby in a letter he puts in her backpack as he rides his rodeo girl. Libby is big and beautiful, has an attentive father and just wants a normal life. Jack is full of swagger, from a family of boys and parents who are going through some tough times. Both main characters are cook, flawed and totally worth knowing. Teens will love this book, identify with the high school and family drama and ask for more, more, more!

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The Reader (Sea of Ink and Gold) by Traci Chee

The Reader by Traci Chee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so excited- another new series I can't wait for book 2!!! Sefia has not had an ordinary existence but before the deaths of her parents Sefia loved her parents. Discovering her father murdered sets off a series of events that is paralyzing and beyond upsetting for 15 year old Sefia-aset again she is torn from Nin who ferried her far and away. She saves a boy who cannot speak from fighting other boys to the death. She carries a book that she does not realize is a book...and it seems the book is responsible for all the heartache she keeps suffering. Will Sefia ever get the ansers, revenge and redemption she wants for her parents and Nin? Unbelievably GOOD!!!

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Flawed by Cecelia Ahern

Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I could not put this book down, #2jennsbookclub certainly picked a winner and even better, it is the first book in a series and the second book is due out April 2017. Celestine's family and boyfriend see her as perfect and lives in a society where people deemed FLAWED must live by strict rules, be branded and be treated as less than human. One day she makes a decision that costs her the love of her life and makes her fear for the safety of her family and herself. Who can she believe and trust? Cecelia Ahern builds a scary believable world where life seems perfect until you are deemed flawed. But Celestine is so believable as a character who is so sure of her place in society that when she intervenes to help a flawed older man putting her life into danger; Celestine just as believably becomes a symbol the reader roots for - she is vulnerable, afraid, but convincing as she wades through fear, secrets, and lies to obtain information and truth. I loved Celestine, her grandfather, mother, father and Carrick. I can't wait to find out more in the 2nd book and I hope there is a 3rd book too!!! Highly recommended dystopian series!

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The Serpent King by Jeff Zenter (audiobook)

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this stunning audiobook (since I had already read the book!!!) for a twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub on 8/8 at 8pm. Since I had already read the book and knew the whole plot; it was at times aching and at times haunting to listen to Dill, Travis, and Lydia as their lives unfold during their senior year of high school. Readers will continue to think about the confines of a small town, bullies, and three best friends who exist only for each other's friendship. Dill is mesmerizing as a poor, down trodden, teen with a disgraced father in prison with debt weighing on Dill and his mom. Travis's dad has become an abusive alcoholic toward Travis and his mom with his brother's death in Afghanistan. And Lydia has supportive parents, a wildly successful fashion blog and looks forward to college in New York. What is most sad is the torment Dill suffers as each day ticks by as senior year draws to a close and Lydia will leave him and never know he had been in love with her for a very long time. What lies in store for these three friends- will their dreams come true or will small town life decide their futures? A must read and listen to!!! Narrators Michael Crouch, Ariadne Meyers, Ethan Sawyer were awesome, with irresistible voices drawing the listener into their sympathetic characters' hearts, minds, and lives! A MUST READ!





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I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fantastic book/graphic novel about the deep friendship of two young girls. Libby and May were best friends as youngsters but one rainy night Libby and her mom are in a fatal car accident. Now three years later, May is still sad about losing her best friend and their make believe world of Princess X who fights against evil. Imagine May's surprise when she begins to see Princess X stickers everywhere she walks. What does this mean? May befriends a computer nerd to help her locate more about Princess X and possibly, Libby? I loved the mystery, the web comic and fandom that has become legend for Princess X followers. I will be discussing this with #2jennsbookclub 7/7 at 8PM- Read this book and discuss with us!

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Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First I read and loved this book, read it again for a Twitter Book Chat and just finished listening to the audiobook which won an award for top 10 Amazing Audiobooks from YALSA! I listened to this audiobook as part of the 2016 Hub Reading Challenge. I was a little unsure about how this book would convert to audio BUT it was fantastic! All of the narrators were unbelievably awesome in delivering this thriller! The sounds of AIDAN, pilots, battles, hackers, and of course, Kady & Ezra make this one of my favorite books and I am most definitely looking forward to the 2nd book! There will be a great Twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub at 8pm Thursday 6/9- join in the discussion!

Here is my review from reading the book:) https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
What a fantastic rip roaring good read! As Kady & Ezra break up (this is a big thing) little do they know by afternoon their planet, Kerenza, has been attacked and the ex-lovers (barely speaking & angry with each other) are fleeing for their lives. What I loved about this sci-fi action drama was the high octane super charged way the authors accomplished this first in a series- using Memos, hacked documents (IMs, texts, emails), interviews, pictures, graphics all pull this story into a hold your breath drama where 1 girl (great with technology, doesn't work well with others & super bad ass) and 1 guy (team player, fighter pilot and still in love with Kady) fight together & separately to save those on The Alexander, Lincoln & Hypatia from a mutating disease, AIDAN's insanity, and still stay alive. I could not stop following the Kady & Ezra communications (OMG!!!) I am so looking forward to the 2nd book in the series! Kaufman and Kristoff create a thriller where everything is crazy and Kady & Ezra are very strong protagonists the reader just keeps rooting for! Highly recommended!

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The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great book about how Mikey & his friends slog through senior year trying to be "normal" while experiencing many extraordinary things such as blue lights, mountain lions, gods, immortals, love, friendship, OCD, vampires and much, much more. Ness' characters Mike and sisters Mel & Meredith hang out with Henna and Jared and talk about the group of indie kids and vampires and their goings on...life is anything but normal. They are normal kids dealing with some big issues and how will they impact life, prom & graduation?

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Audiobook!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this AMAZING audiobook as part of a twitter chat with #2jennsbook club taking place 4/28 at 8pm. This is one of my favorite books EVER and now I am in love with author, Leigh Bardugo, so someone suggested I read her Grisha books and OMG what a treat. What I loved about this narration is that Audible used many narrators for the cast of characters and they got each of the characters' voices PERFECT, especially Kaz. I will certainly be reading & listening to The Crooked Kingdom, only problem is I have to wait TOO LONG!!!

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The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read The Hired Girl as part of my YA twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub to be discussed 3/7 at 8pm, join us for an exciting chat about a young girl in the early 1900s who barely escapes harsh farm life, caring for her family and their house, and enduring her father's ire after her mother's death. After her father pulls her out of school (FOREVER) Joan runs away and is able to find work as a hired girl with a Jewish family. I liked Joan; she was dramatic, funny, forthright, and writes daily in her diary. She is 14 but tells the Rosenbach family she is 18; she wins over the obstinate cook, Malka with her hard work ethic and begins an eventful life with this Jewish family that owns a department store. I admired Joan's pluck (she calls herself Janet as part of her new life) her constant drama (much of which she brings upon herself) and her wish to be educated. She also strives to better herself by reading, attending classes to become a Catholic, and reading books suggested by kind Mr. Rosenbach. A great coming of age book as this hired girl works hard to better herself, to better understand herself and be a positive addition to the Rosenbach family as friend and servant.

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Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this spectacular audiobook as part of The Hub Challenge and for a virtual book chat with the #2jennsbookclub. Having read the book first on my kindle, it was a real treat to listen to Michael Curran-Dorsano's narration! He had the timing, the voices, and Caden's thoughts down in his flawless delivery! Caden's descent into schizophrenia came alive with the spot on narration and the dive of Caden to Challenger Deep, his day by day recovery and self-realization about his illness will have teens and adults wanting to read & learn more.

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