Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to and loved this audiobook from Kerri Maniscalco for #yearofYA October horror chat. I loved Nicola Barber's voice, I loved Audrey Rose and Thomas as they lived and worked as a forensic team for her uncle during the time of Jack the Ripper. The mystery and horror were palpable and I loved the new twist; a must read and a thriller!

View all my reviews

The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3) by Maureen Johnson

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the first book, the 2nd a little less and I really did not like this 3rd book; I had high hopes but Rory was not the spitfire of the first 2 books, she seems to be caught between 2 worlds, and once again her lies are her undoing. The therapist Jane and her followers were awful. The only people I liked because they remained true to their characters were Boo, Callum and Thorpe (he did not take any crap and he believed in what the group was doing) even Stephen bothered me (he keeps too much to himself ALL the TIME) and there seemed to be more lag time trying to find Stephen. I know there is supposed to be a 4th book but I am asking Maureen Johnson, please go back to the 1st book and craft a 4th book that will do justice to Rory and her ghost fighting friends.

View all my reviews

The Hive by Barry Lyga

The Hive by Barry Lyga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome page turned by one of my fave authors, Barry Lyga, for the Oct twitter chat with #YearofYA which includes any kind of creepy mystery scifi books - come join us Thursday 10/24 at 8PM EST. But about this book---Cassie is deeply angry due to her father's death 6 months ago (he was famous hacker Harlon Mckinney and Cassie spent her life right next to him as a coder, hacker, social media king). In a new school with no friends and still really angry, Cassie spurns a new friend and joins with a mean girl coven, and remains ridiculously callous toward her mom and life. One awful jokes gets Cassie noticed, not in a good way, and in days she is being vilified by the HIVE, loses her few friends, her mother and must run for her life because the HIVE wants her dead. This was a deliciously creepy, thrilling page turner on the world as it exists with social and political upheaval, mob justice, apathy abounding, and violence just around the corner. I ached for Cassie's grief and rooted for her anger to leave, a great book teens will be passing around!

View all my reviews

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to my reader/librarian friend, Nancy Summers for recommending this new series from Maureen Johnson! It will also be part of my #YearofYA reading for October--anything that leaves you with goosebumps and this Jack the Ripper copycat thriller did just that!!! Come join us for a discussion of creepy YA titles Thursday 10/24 @8pm EST for a delightful twitter chat with #YearofYA. Rory is a teen from Louisiana spending a year at the London Boarding School Wexford. It is there that she begins to make friends, choke and almost die and begins seeing ghosts!!! Maureen Johnson's writing was sizzling, perfect, and scary as a Jack the Ripper copycat begins murdering again in and around her school. As Rory falls into life at her school, she also unknowingly sees the real murderer; but why didn't her roommate see him? Enter the police and also "secret police" investigating the current murders. I could not put down this book; can't wait to read the 2nd book and find out what happens with Jazza, Jerome, Stephen, Callum and Boo. Even more delicious was the Oh My Gosh ending!!! You have to read it, it is creepy, scary and I could not put it down. Teens will love Rory and her fierce personality.

View all my reviews

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook as part of the October #yearofya twitter chat featuring mysteries, science fiction, and horror books to take place 10/24 at 8PM EST. Please join us! Awesomely Narrated by: Jack Hawkins, Louise Brealey, this absorbing mystery revolves around a psychotherapist, Theo Faber (who has a past he has spent a lifetime getting over) who is obsessed with treating and curing a silent patient, Alicia Berenson (painter with a past) who shoots her husband in the face 5 times and immediately stops talking. I could not stop listening to Theo and his musings and Alicia's journals as they are discovered and then read...There are many red herrings as the mystery unfolds, I could not put this mystery down!

View all my reviews

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the May topic of crossover books for the twitter chat with #yearofya. I love Patrick Ness and also his author friend, Siobhan Dowd, who shared this idea with him before she died of cancer. Connor is 13 years old and his mother has been battling cancer---he has a recurring dream with a monster in it---but one night a different monster (the yew tree in the yard) comes calling (he tells Connor he called him to come) and has 3 tales to tell Connor and then Connor must tell him 1. Boy are those tales tough for Connor----no easy answers and impossible tasks---who needs this when he is suffering in school (a bully and his crew pick on him and everyone else treats him like he is invisible) and now his grandmother is taking care of him, and worse still--his father (now with a new family in the US) comes to visit him, why? This story broke my heart.

View all my reviews

I Am J by Cris Beam

I am J by Cris Beam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for #yearofYA and the May topic of Crossovers---this book was recommended by Book Browse as an Adult/YA Crossover. J is a teen who has known for a long time she is not a girl but a boy. Now as a teen, J makes a concerted effort to show everyone who he truly is---and it is not easy at all. Many subjects are explored in this transgender book; taking testosterone, binding breasts, haircuts, deep voice, feeling alienated from family and friends. As J explores and obsesses over girls, girlfriends, he makes a choice to move out of his house, get into a shelter, see a therapist while exploring future options with his life. He was so brave yet so conflicted and it was through friends (old and new) accepting J that helps propel this book to a hopeful ending.

View all my reviews

The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1) by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the May topic for #YearofYA---crossover books and I got the title from Goodreads as a crossover but I really do not see how this can be a crossover book! It is definitely adult in content, would YA readers like this book? I am not really sure...But I loved Don Tillman described as awkward, highly intellectual, geneticist who is looking for a wife. This book is very humorous because Don is so funny with his reactions, adherence to daily rituals, times, etc. The fact that he thinks he can get a wife by having candidates completing a 3 page questionnaire is hysterical! I loved this book, Don and Rosie and can't wait to read the other 2 in the series. Is Don a highly functioning autistic/Asperger and when is he going to find out?!?

View all my reviews

28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Chalres R. Smith, Jr.

28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the #yearofya twitter chat (African American Authors) and loved the moments and heroes that changed the history of America and the world. Told in 28 days with beautiful words and illustrations such as American doctor, Daniel Hale Williams performing the 1st heart operation, Madame CJ Walker, Bessie Coleman, etc. A very essential and memorable book that will teach all who read it about civil rights and equality. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Black Enough edited by Ibi Zoboi

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America by Ibi Zoboi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the #yearofya twitter chat (books written by African American authors) and the short stories were awesome and covered pain, humor, dreams, friendship and romance while being black in America. From inside the cover "Black is urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants and more---because there are countless ways to be Black Enough." I enjoyed so many of my favorite authors stories; teens will revel and see themselves in these short stories. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Rescued by Eliot Schrefer

Rescued by Eliot Schrefer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as pat of the #yearofya twitter chat featuring middle school books taking place Tues 10/9 at 8PM EST. I have read Schrefer's previous two books in this compelling heartbreaking series and this book was so sad as it covers the loneliness of a child/teen and his pet/brother, orangutan Raja which his father brings back to the US as a pet for his young son, John. Both John and Raja are very sympathetic characters as life (his parents' divorce) and the horrors of endangered animals become the driving force as teen John breaks out of his shell to rescue and try to give Raja his life back in the rain forest.

View all my reviews

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this totally awesome middle grade book for the #yearofya twitter chat being held 10/9 at 8PM EST. Meg Medina takes plucky 11 year old Merci Suarez and her close-knit family and treats the reader to the highs and lows of middle school (friends, sports & school clubs) through Merci's eyes (she and her brother are scholarship students at a private school and the dynamics of a close-knit family (3 families live side by side in little houses called Las Casitas). As Merci dreams of a new bike, trying out for the soccer team and joining the family painting business---troubling things are happening with her revered grandfather, Lolo, but no one in the family will answer her constant questions. I loved Merci, I loved her family, and rooted for her in school fraught with mean girls. This is a must read and Meg Medina's plot and her notes from the author about Alzheimer's disease broke my heart. I especially loved her quote in the Acknowledgments section, "Books happen in my life as the result of the time, talent and love of so many people."

View all my reviews

City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1) by Victoria Schwab

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just continue to fall more and more in love with Victoria Schwab (& pseudonym V.E. Schwab) books!!! I read this book as part of the #yearofYA twitter chat on Middle Grade Books taking place 10/6 at 8PM EST, please join us!!! Cassidy Blake died and was brought back by a ghost who becomes her best friend, Jacob. As she navigates her "new" life, the Veil, her parents who hunt ghosts for a living; she is part and parcel of a new adventure when her parents surprise her with a documentary TV show "The Inspecters" they are hosting that takes them to Edinburgh. I reveled in Cassidy, her joys and fears, her hauntings were riveting, and I can't wait to join her continued adventures (hopefully Lara will follow her) with Jacob as she is dragged to a new TV ghost location in Book 2!!! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the middle grade book twitter chat being held by #YearofYA on 10/9 at 8PM EST, come join us. I could not put this book down (CPC's writing is thought-provoking, powerful and true) but I wanted to turn away (the horror of what Cap'n Buck was & what he did to ALL people, but slaves mostly made my stomach turn) from the painful, fearful reality of 12 year old Charlie Bobo's once his father dies & Cap'n Buck enters. This book takes place in 1858 and features the South Carolina dialect which middle school kids (and some adults) might have problems with ---but I also think this is a perfect class novel, with a teacher's wonderful guidance, knowledge of history, and understanding of human nature enriching the middle school reader experience. There was so much stacked against Charlie (even his height) it didn't seem fair---but I loved that he was able to constantly recall what he was taught by his parents and that helped him as his fear and despondency threatened to take over. Little Charlie's ignorance, being raised on racism and bigotry, and the poverty he suffered really had me rooting for his courage and bravery. A must read for all; Curtis does a powerful job!

View all my reviews

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the #yearofYA Middle Grade topic for our Sept chat to be held 10/9/ at 8PM EST; join us! This book is also considered a crossover for middle and YA. Students are given a chance to talk freely in a room for the last hour of school on Fridays and what evolves is friendship of the truest sort. But these kids vow to only share in this room and on Haley's recorder- an immigrant father in danger of being deported, a father in prison, family fortunes rising and falling and racial profiling are safely/richly explored in the ARTT room A Room to Talk. These students will grow, cry, laugh, and share deeply. A must read from awesome Jacqueline Woodson!!!

View all my reviews

Here We Are: Feminism For the Real World complied by Kelly Jensen

Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World by Kelly Jensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this collection of short stories, comics, poems, lists, and articles from many YA authors as part of the #YearofYA chat featuring Empowered Females. This is a must read for everyone with many different chapters covering diverse aspects of feminism. Loved it!!!

View all my reviews

The Brink of Darkness (Edge of Everything #2) by Jeff Giles

The Brink of Darkness by Jeff Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this kick-ass, totally awesome book as part of the #yearofYA twitter chat Empowered Female Heroines/Characters. Zoe continues to be such a great, strong female heroine---loving and fiercely protecting those she loves. First and foremost is X, who had been banished to the Lowlands forever, in order to save Zoe & her family from Dervish's evil machinations. Failing is not an option when it comes to Zoe's outlook, zeal and defending those she loves (her mom, Jonah, Rufus, friends Val & Dallas, & most of all from the Lowlands --Ripper, Maud, and Sylvie. I listened to The Edge of Darkness and was enraptured with Giles worldbuilding, his characterization of X, and the deep romantic bonds tying Zoe & X to each other. Once I realized Audible was not going to answer my question about an audio version of The Brink of Darkness, I consumed this book from the in 2 days!!! Giles once again did not disappoint--I was on a roller coaster about the fates of X and Zoe, the heinousness of the ever expanding Lowlands was widened with X's imprisonment and torture by The Countess and in the bowels of The Cave of Swords. I dared to hope for Zoe's and X's happiness; but they were both very serious and constant in their pursuit. I could not put this book down; a favorite series of mine- highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I read this awesome book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this book featured empowered females Sasha and her best friend support one another) and Sasha overcame overcame many challenges young girls face - she survives and returns HOME strong. Such a great thriller and lots of twists in this mystery from one of my fave authors!!! Sasha was one of the Groom's captives who got away. She was so traumatized she leaves her home for 10 years, abandons her friends and boyfriend, goes into therapy, has a great job that her travelling. But Sasha returns to help her mom run their inn and almost immediately she is a target BECAUSE she got away - but she doesn't know...but we sure do. What I liked about Sasha was that the 10 years away made her into a strong empowered female fighting back. If you love romance, suspense, mystery and serial killers - this book is a must read!

View all my reviews

Girl Man Up by M-E Girard

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this book featured empowered females (Pen and Blake) (Pen and Olivia)- Pen, Blake and Olivia supported one another and Pen overcame the many challenges young girls face. Pen doesn't have it easy- a group of guy friends who are total jerks, Portuguese parents that want Pen to confirm to a good girl look and label and although a girl, Pen likes short hair wearing her brother's shirts, and just always being who she is...which creates problems all around. I loved her voice, her honesty, her questions, and she dealt with all the crap that hits her as any teen would- she just knew who she was but could not explain why this was who she truly was and why shouldn't she be who she truly was? Girard's book is important for teens, I liked this quote from Miranda Reads review "Introducing Pen - the antidote to all those cookie-cutter YA heroines" a must read!


View all my reviews

The Lightning Dreamer by Margarita Engle.

The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this compelling novel in verse by Margarita Engle for my empowering female twitter chat with #yearofya to be held on 9/6 at 8PM EST, please join us as we talk titles that feature females in the lead, girls supporting each other or overcoming the many challenges young women face and oh was this book perfect as Gertrudis Gomez de Avellanda, known as Tula famed Cuban Abolitionist. Tula not only had being a female against her, but her family wanted her to acquiesce to whatever they wanted; no reading, arranged marriage, and speak out against the slavery through words, plays, and metaphors. I loved every single word- Tula was strong, compelled to speak out against the horrible slavery in Cuba and the orphans left at the nuns convent. Using the voices of Tula, her brother, her mother and her beloved nanny (who also served as cook, maid, seamstress, gardener) Engle evokes the love, anger, and hatred of systems designed to cage and strangle. A must read as all of Margarita Engles' profound books are!!!

View all my reviews