Marathon (Jonathan Stride #8) by Brian Freeman

Marathon by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Number 8 in this series kept me reading with the thrilling plot, old beloved characters and new good/bad characters! Stride is now married to Serena, YAY!!! Maggie has a boyfriend YAY!!! Cat enters a new time in her life all the while the Duluth Marathon is destroyed by a bomber; according to Dawn Basch #noexceptions, who whips the masses into believing a terrorist is responsible and then when Michael M tweets out the wrong bomber's picture, OMG, hold on for a gripping, sad, sometime hateful plot that kept the detectives chasing leads and forming their own hypothesis; I could not put this book down! Highly recommended!

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Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I totally enjoyed this debut novel from Justin A. Reynolds and the time travel element and romance aspect kept me turning the pages! Jack King is a nerd who doesn't ever get what he wants (totally in love with his best friend who happens to be dating his other best friend) until he meets Kate at a party. I laughed, I ached, and totally enjoyed the time travel aspect as Jack tries to "keep" Kate. I loved the best friends, the families, and what we will do for love!

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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.

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Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the 2nd volume of Royal City as part of the Great Graphic Novels Awards in the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and this book shows what life is like for the Pike family as it leads up to Tommy Pike's final days. The sad, dead-end part of the town has infiltrated this dysfunctional family - mother, father and the kids. I loved Lemire's detailed, authentic illustrations as a teen goes through life normally but then headaches start, pain pills are thrown down with alcohol and you see the picture. I ached for this family, the loneliness and alienation are pervasive and awful. Can't wait to read Vo. 3!

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Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones

Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the advance reader copy Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones in exchange for an honest review. I was so moved by the story of Shane, an Anishinaabe teen, who is reeling from his sister’s suicide, his mother’s withdrawal into grief, his conflicting feelings for his girlfriend, Tara, and his secret relationship with David, are just a few of the REAL things. Just as key to the plot is Shane’s lukewarm commitment to his indigenous heritage, at one with language, beliefs, and traditions. He ignores the defining elements of being an Anishinaabe but luxuriates in all that nature offers. Conversely David is proud of his heritage, has a strong belief system, and loves where he lives but wants to hide his relationship with Shane. But Shane’s need to leave the rez is absolute, going to school in Toronto, with David by his side. But can Shane make his future happen? I could not put this book down; teens will be reading, sharing, and loving this emotional, gripping book! A must read, highly recommended! #Firesong #NetGalley

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