Burn by Patrick Ness

Burn by Patrick Ness
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting book awesomely Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt. I loved the audiobook version of this historical fiction book that also weaves in drag0ns, humans, goodness/evil, Russia and satellites. I loved Sarah and Jason both good, kind, honest teens who are hated by the locally racist sheriff because Sarah' mom was black and Jason's parents are Japanese. But life in 1957 is not always fair and Sarah's dad hires a dragon to burn their fields. But this blue dragon is highly intelligent, has a message for Sarah, and has evil forces working against them. When Sarah, Jason, the sheriff and the dragon clash, something awful happens, and that brings an assassin into the picture too. Malcolm is a Believer, who has been groomed to kill someone. He is great with knives and dangerous. As he falls in love with another man; another no no from the racist sheriff; they run away together and are pursued by law enforcement. I loved this book until they arrived in a new alternate universe and then the story just got bogged down bringing the reader up to speed in the new world. Evil was raging here and with Covid I find some books and what happens in them really turn me off, just like this book.

View all my reviews

Let the Sky Fall (Sky Fall, #1) by Shannon Messenger

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book awesomely Narrated by: Kristen Leigh , Nick Podehl. I can't wait to listen to the rest of this fantasy about slyphs, windwalkers, gale winds and saving the world from evil Radan. The story of Vane and Audra, who knew each other as youngsters when tragedy strikes them, then pulls them apart. For 10 years Vane has dreamed of Audra while Audra has been his invisible guardian, protecting Vane. What happens when Audra must reveal herself and tell Vane who he really is and how they must prepare for battle? I loved this book and know I will love this series!

View all my reviews

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!!!

View all my reviews

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love, love, love this book!!! I am such a Katie McGarry fan (look and see on my Goodreads---I have read all of her books!!!) and this book was such a great read--it tackles abuse and how it affects the characters, Jesse and Scarlett were authentic characters teens will relate to with the school drama, social cliques, family dysfunction, and hopes and dreams. I was captivated be the way Jesse, Glory and Scarlett love the natural land---Jesse's farm and his love of it was so poignant to read (loved the tribunal aspect!). More difficult to read was Scarlett's loss of Jesse's friendship and how it affects her; Jesse's (and others) belief in the family curse, and the abuse Jesse's mom (and Jesse and his grandmother) and the abuse in Scarlett's family (what is does to her mom, sister and Scarlett). I could not put this book down; I rooted for Jesse and Scarlett to make it, persevere, and grow with each other. McGarry's writing is beautiful, deep, and magical. Highly recommended! Teens will be passing this stand alone around---guys and girls will relate to Jesse and his friends (I loved V) and Scarlett and her friends. This book deals with so much more than romance; there is friendship, family, and Jessee and Scarlett's ability to change and grow, to be vulnerable and emotional, to forgive and hope for a future that includes survival and love. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to @AmyTasich for her wonderful endorsement of this book! Oh did I love Coyote and Rodeo, a father/daughter team who rove the United States in a big yellow school bus, what an adventure! Coyote is twelve going on 30, with a heart of gold--kids will fall in love with her for so many reasons--Ivan her kitten and Gladys the goat are pets she gives her heart and home (the bus) to, her knack for meeting people and helping them (while also helping herself) and her happy outlook. It is when she talks to her grandmother on the phone about her old neighborhood park demolished, that Coyote's outlook in life, her Dad, and herself changes. I could not stop reading this book; there were so many strong, wonderful characters and a plot that will grab your heart and not let go! I will definitely be reading other Dan Gemeinhart books!

View all my reviews

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book as part of the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge and the review of the ARC is below but I just have to say narrator, Michael Crouch was so totally awesome as tortured Carver Briggs, who has lost everything (his 3 best friends, the school community and his 3 friends families). Crouch has flawlessly presented Zenter's enthralling, tortured book - one which teens will embrace, love, talk about and cry lots and lots about too. I especially loved the Goodbye Days and his psychiatrist and Jessamyn---they all (and especially Carver) become key to helping Carver navigate his self-loathing, his aching for his friends and his many what-ifs...another great story by Jeff Zentner that will be read and enjoyed over and over again.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random Houses Children’s and Crown Books for Young Readers for the ARC, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner. I was compelled to read The Serpent King three times and with Zentner’s 2nd book, Goodbye Days, I will certainly be reading this book multiple times. Carver Briggs loses his 3 best friends with just one text, Where are you guys, text me back. With this ripped from the headlines story, a teen loses everything he loved - his best friends known as The Sauce Crew. Teen readers will deeply feel Carver’s palpable grief, his tremendous loss, and also the anger, rage, and unforgiving nature of some of his best friend’s family members. When Nana Betsy asks Carver to help her celebrate her grandson, Blake, in a Goodbye Day, both Nana and Carver learn things they did not know about Blake. It is a deeply moving day but one that Carver needed to deal with the loss of his best friend. Even though we never “meet” Blake, Mars and Eli; Carver’s memories of how they each met, each of their goodbye days, and Carver’s celebrations of their Sauce Crew antics, made these guys real and very exceptional to me. I knew them and loved them like Carver did. Carver navigated his grief and self-hatred by leaning on strong characters: Blake’s sister, Georgia was remarkable and supportive while Jesmyn (dated Eli) was such a new, special friend along with honest psychiatrist, Dr. Mendes. Teens will be passing this book around; there is so much they will relate to with Carver’s loneliness, despair, and turmoil but he is also someone they will root for, love, and hold tight in their hearts. Highly recommended for teens and adults.

View all my reviews

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

View all my reviews

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this book- there is so much to love in this book- great characters, a scifi component, friendship, family, and the many crises Ozzie (what a great kid) is presented with in this compelling, beautiful story of loss, life problems, secrets, and finding oneself. Ozzie's best friend and boy friend has suddenly disappeared and with this disappearance, his friends and family do not ever have any memory of Tommy!!! What is going on and therein comes the shrinking universe and Ozzie's obsession with that problem. There are so many different, characters in this book and I think I loved all of them- Hutchinson's writing - language and dialogue, was beautiful, aching and kept me turning the pages. A definite high school read with many tough topics- abuse, rape, cutting to name a few, but a must read and highly recommended.

View all my reviews

The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk

The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Random House Books and Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk in exchange for an honest review. Woodfolk’s debut novel is a sad, sad book dealing with a trio of teens who try to make sense of the loss of three other teens (sister, friend and ex-boyfriend. The characters are well drawn, and authentic dealing with devastating grief, loss, love, and devastation. Each of the three teens narrates through chapters as they tell their stories, uncertainties, and speak to the power of friends, family, and relationships. As the book moves forward, the reader will be gripped by Shay’s, Autumn’s, and Logan’s loss, their sympathetic stories kept me turning the pages, as they use their love of music, friendship, and family to find “the beauty that remains” after their lives are irrevocably changed. This book stole my heart, teens will love this positive, affirming tear jerker. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was plunged to the depths of despair with Marin, as LaCour's main protagonist struggles with her life before, during, and now in the present, after the death/disappearance of her grandfather. Even though Marin and her grandfather have a great relationship; it was too weird- they did not go into each other's room?!? They did not relate all the time as their dynamics would suggest. And the way Marin deals with "things" after is just plain unbelievable, but then she did receive such a jolt and then she had to question everything in her life-unfortunately that ended in Marin fleeing from her best friend, Mabel and her wonderful supportive family. How she deals with her grief is so awfully lonely, I can't imagine- why would she not answer any of Mabel's endless texts? Why would she flee the police station knowing Mabel's parents were waiting? But the visit from Mabel at her college, the 3 days they spend together, gave me hope and such a wonderful feeling that with Mabel's love, help, and the support of her parents, Marin would heal, find answers and become hopeful once more.

View all my reviews

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook read awesomely by Michael Chamberlain nails the Wow what a tear jerker, heart breaking story of best friends viewed from Matt's POV ( I would have loved to gotten Tabby's POV) as they enter high school. Matt & Tabby have been inseparable since they were babies (Matt's family helps raise Tabby because she has single Dad, no other family), lived across the street, played, and laughed. Matt loves basketball, has such an insecure brain (it does more harm than good) and fell in love with his best friend when they were 12 years old and they were being bullied and Tabby came to the rescue. Matt never tells Tabby about his feelings but hopes she knows. Mistake #1 because Tabby is a very special girl and as 9th graders, senior Liam Branson falls for her. Matt hates him (but Branson is nice, nice, nice) and after seeing Branson pick her up Matt stays up all night fighting jealousy and make a "do list" of the girls in the school. When Tabby finds this list and takes Matt to task- does he come clean and admit his feelings? No he makes it worse and so begins a few weeks of them avoiding each other. Reviews call this book funny, I never saw anything funny about it. Matt is a typical boy who does not confide in anyone- just us readers and what good does that do him. When life takes an even crueler turn, Matt may not be able to survive his crushed feelings, may not be able to relate to his family, and lose his coveted spot on the basketball team. What will Matt do? Reck's debut tore me up and will be one teens talk about and pass around for the authentic voice of flawed, insecure, yet lovable Matt Wainwright (his poetry is an added perk to the book).

View all my reviews

If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout

If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of my fave YA & Adult Romance writers! What's more, she is great friends with Sarah J Maas who I absolutely adore and the first page of this novel has main character, book nerd Lena reading Maas' series of Fae, A Court of Thorn & Roses!!! Lena has been in love with her neighbor since he moved in and now that she is a senior in HS she is looking forward to moving on to college. Sebastian is her best friend, visits her on her 2nd floor porch & talks long into the night in her bed. Lena keeps her feelings from everyone (but they see) and since she went out with Andre & he went out with Skylar, there is no way he would ever be into her. Until...one night at the lake she gives him a kiss & he jumps away & acts flustered. It goes from bad to worse and things are weird. Then one night she goes to a party with Sebastian, he says he wants to talk to her at the end of the night (uh oh). But this night changes everything when Lena goes home early without telling Sebastian, gets into a car with her 4 friends, and a horrible accident occurs. Everything Lena knew is gone, so many things have changed, and will she ever be able to make it back to being just Lena again. I love Armentrout's writing, I rooted for Lena and Sebastian, and felt this book will be a wake up call for teens. Decisions can be life-altering and this book deals with choices, grief, loss and being able to move on. Teens need to read this book. Highly recommend.

View all my reviews

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing an advance copy of Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp. I love mysteries and psychological thrillers; Nijkamp did not disappoint with this taut, compelling YA novel of two best friends living in a very small, creepy Alaskan town, Lost, that is not inviting to newcomers and shuns those who leave. After growing up in Lost, Corey moves to Fairbanks, a new school and life, when her mom accepts a better job but both Kyra and Corey promise to wait for each other. With Kyra’s unexpected death, Corey rushes back to Lost and through flashbacks, diary entries, letters, phone calls, and emails we see their close, enduring friendship and the town’s suffocating secrets and lies. Kyra’s storytelling and painting give the reader a rich history of Lost. The crippling grief and loss Corey feels over Kyra’s death is compounded by the town’s new worship of Kyra’s foretelling of the future in her paintings. But Lost never accepted Kyra with her bipolar diagnosis before, so what happened over the 7 months Corey was enjoying her new life in Fairbanks? Teens will not be able to put down this riveting mystery as Corey unceasingly searches for the truth from the town that now views her as a traitor. There were really no likable characters in this mesmerizing mystery but Corey’s steadfast quest for truth (she is guilty also) holds the reader captive from the first page to the last page, highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Random Houses Children’s and Crown Books for Young Readers for the ARC, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner. I was compelled to read The Serpent King three times and with Zentner’s 2nd book, Goodbye Days, I will certainly be reading this book multiple times. Carver Briggs loses his 3 best friends with just one text, Where are you guys, text me back. With this ripped from the headlines story, a teen loses everything he loved - his best friends known as The Sauce Crew. Teen readers will deeply feel Carver’s palpable grief, his tremendous loss, and also the anger, rage, and unforgiving nature of some of his best friend’s family members. When Nana Betsy asks Carver to help her celebrate her grandson, Blake, in a Goodbye Day, both Nana and Carver learn things they did not know about Blake. It is a deeply moving day but one that Carver needed to deal with the loss of his best friend. Even though we never “meet” Blake, Mars and Eli; Carver’s memories of how they each met, each of their goodbye days, and Carver’s celebrations of their Sauce Crew antics, made these guys real and very exceptional to me. I knew them and loved them like Carver did. Carver navigated his grief and self-hatred by leaning on strong characters: Blake’s sister, Georgia was remarkable and supportive while Jesmyn (dated Eli) was such a new, special friend along with honest psychiatrist, Dr. Mendes. Teens will be passing this book around; there is so much they will relate to with Carver’s loneliness, despair, and turmoil but he is also someone they will root for, love, and hold tight in their hearts. Highly recommended for teens and adults.

View all my reviews

After You by JoJo Moyes

After You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The grief in this book was so palpable; I ached for Louisa and the loss of the love of her life, Will. But I loved Moyes' continued humor with her family and others Louisa interacts with; from Lily to Will's parents and finally Ambulance Sam (loved him). There are many starts and stop in this book, but I think it shows Lou's own inability to move on and be happy like Will wanted her to be. She tries and those efforts are commendable. I think Moyes did an awesome job with the grief Lou could not get away from and the characters in the grief group were really true to form and helped Lou more than she thought. It is so difficult to move on and I think Moyes' did an excellent job portraying this. Loved the ending!

View all my reviews