If I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold

I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teens will love this time travel and romance of Evan and Shosh. As teens, they have lost ones they love and while Evan has panic attacks, Shosh is drinking in her grief. The stories captivated me, I could not stop turning the pages as I learned more about Evan & Shosh, even better the many periods and the people falling in love with each other. A must read, another great book by David Arnold

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Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao

Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Chloe and Drew's fake relationship as she brings him home for the holidays. The reader can understand why this happens; Chloe's parents' expectations are ludicrous! No wonder she can't be herself. The inner conflicts of Chloe and Drew are totally understandable and I rooted for them. Recommended!

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I Am That Girl: How to Speak Your Truth, Discover Your Purpose, and #bethatgirl by Alexis Jones

I Am That Girl: How to Speak Your Truth, Discover Your Purpose, and #bethatgirl by Alexis Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, thank you to Donna Compton for giving this to me. There are great chapters, personal stories and motivation galore from the authors and contributors. This will be a good book for teens and adults! Highly recommended.

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Instant Karma (Fortuna Beach, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did not necessarily like Prudence's personality but as the story progresses but as she gets to know Quint and the sea animal rescue center she realizes many things & I could not put this book down! The plot was excellent and the character development was awesome. I am going to be reading her latest book, With a Little Luck---can't wait!

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Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was riveting; Jake is a 7th grader who has increasingly suffered from self confidence, bullying, and loneliness leading to wanting to control himself through food with a voice taking over every step of his way. Readers will not be able to put this book down; then want to share it with everyone, it is that honest and real. John Schu has personal experience with this & much of Jake is his story.

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The House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another winner from Sarah J. Maas! I have so enjoyed the Crescent series and this 3rd book is just awesome! At 900+ pages I finished in 3 days rooting for Bryce Quindlen & Hunt Althazar!
Lidia & Ruhn were kick ass as well. The plot, the settings, the world building, and the characters all made this a book I could not put down. Total suspense with the torture of Hunt & his friends filled me with horror. But what I enjoyed most was Bryce's certainty that she could figure things out. A must read!

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Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Rajani La Rocca winner; this novel in verse about twin sisters with very different personalities was awesome; middle grade and young adult readers will enjoy the format, the girls' drama, and their summer camp escapades. Will Maya & Chaya find each other as their differences threaten to tear them apart? Highly recommended!

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The Fragile Thread of Power (Threads of Power, #1) by V.E. Schwab

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Kate Reading, Marisa Calin, Michael Kramer, I loved this latest book by V.E. Schwab, the beginning of a series (which I totally love) but also includes characters from her other books, YAY!!! Returning to the worlds of her previous series, Shades of Magic, characters Delilah Bard, Kell Maresh, and the royal family from Red London are wrestling with Kell's loss of magic and his brother, the king has no magic but cannot be killed. Into this thrilling story line, the reader also meets Kosika, a young girl with powerful magic in White London who becomes Queen. I especially liked Tes, the tinkerer who can see magic---and if it is broken she can fix it. There is an enemy in Red London who wants to topple the king and his kingdom (known as The Hand). I could not stop listening to this 21 hour book!!! I can't wait for the 2nd in the series as the ending in Fragile stopped my heart!!!

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Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods, #1) by Chloe Gong

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A retelling of Antony and Cleopatra, also like Hunger Games, I loved the story of Calla and Anton, not so much August. I also liked the jumping of bodies, that made me want to sail through this lucious book of daring, danger, and backstabbing. Can't wait for #2!!!

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Dear Student by Elly Swartz

Dear Student by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Autumn begins middle school, her best friend has moved away and she is devastated (but they do keep in touch!!!) She makes 2 new friends and is awarded the coveted SECRET Dear Students letters. This throws her life into turmoil because there are letters that cause much drama with Autumn caught between her 2 friends! What will she do? Keeping in touch with her friend who has moved away & the teacher who believes she is the best for this voice, help her as she navigates this year in school and life. I love Elly Swartz's book, everyone should read this one!

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Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this debut novel in verse which do well with middle school and YA with the issues (PTSD, death, grief, anger, mental illness) Iveliz presents. Iveliz has a journal which the reader knows is from her heart and since her father's death, which she blames herself for, she is suffering, feels she can't talk to anyone (especially Mami) and even though she looked forward to a newer better year in 7th grade, she has run ins with friends and family and school. I rooted for Iveliz to share her burdens with others like her psychologist, friend Amir and her grandmother. A must read!

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The Elephant Girl by James Patterson and award-winning author Ellen Banda-Aaku

The Elephant Girl by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this sad, poignant story about a young African girl, her love of elephants, her loss, and her redemption. Jama relates to animals, less so with her friends, family and villagers. When poachers try to kill a mother elephant Jama has become attached to, the villagers & the rangers do not understand when the fearful elephant, trying to protect her baby, stampedes and kills Jama's mother. What transpires is an insightful, uplifting story for Jama who only wants to take care of elephants and expose the poachers. this is an issue that happens time and time again in Africa and other countries as the elephants are poached for their tusks, rendering baby elephants orphans and terrifying the natural order of the elephants. A must read!

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Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist

Eb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two seventh graders get into a fight in the cafeteria; they are expelled and have 2 weeks to think about their actions...will they be able to look into themselves and see they are not so different? I loved this middle grade novel in verse about 2 black children getting to trouble and the resulting decisions they make through contemplation, discussions with family & friends & school teachers. A must read!

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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosocozka

Sunshine: A Graphic Novel by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so loved Hey Kiddo & this book is just as great--as a teen Jarrett becomes a camp counselor for kids with terminal illnesses and as fearful as he is, once he gets to Camp Sunshine, he sees it as so much more (for himself, the kids & parents, & the staff who do this every summer) There are many funny, sad, and fierce moments & Krosoczka is masterful in his telling, drawing, and thoughts. A must read for middle school & high school!

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Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was a HS librarian, I loved Gabrielle Zevins books and this adult/new adult book was awesome. Sadie meets Sam in a hospital as a teen, and they bond over video games as he recuperates after being hit by a car. This story follows them throughout their life as they graduate from high school and college and enter the world of business- which to them is a partnership in creating video games. But their friendship is fraught with things that are never said - and this kind of bothered me. But their story kept me turning the pages and it will keep you too. You do not have to be a gamer to enjoy this book---it is life and all the drama that comes with friendship, being partners in business, families, and things that are never said.

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Bloodmarked (Legendborn, #2) by Tracy Deonn

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great 2nd book in the Legendborn series! Bree is stressed to the max as she tries to rescue Nick, deal with Sel's changes, and fight the powers to be that want to keep secret the demon war. I could not put this book down, did not like the ending...so I NEED the 3rd book for the many questions I have--- for the many answers!!!! I hate Erebus and everyone in the Order as they seek to diminish Bree and her claim as Arthur's descendant with many powers- Medium, Bloodcrafter and Scion---but these powers do not always help her. I want Bree and her friends to be victorious in Book 3!

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The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Rose

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved Kip Wilson's first book, White Rose, so also did I enjoy Hilde's journey from orphan to friend with Rosa and the family at the queer club where they waitress and sing to earn money as the Hitler regime closes in. This novel in verse was gripping and thoroughly researched (see Notes at the end) with Hilde becoming more and more strengthened by her circumstances and friendships with those at the club. Loved the cover, too. Highly recommended!

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The In-Between: A Memoir in Verse by Katie Van Heidrich

The In-Between: A Memoir in Verse by Katie Van Heidrich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Based on the author's life, this novel in verse details Katie and her siblings constant, surprise moves from place to place by her mother (who has some issues) and how it affects Katie at home, school, and with her visits to her Dad (now remarried to an Asian woman). I was so saddened by Katie's voice- her embarrassment, confusion, longing, and many unanswered questions. But this book also provides hope and determination by Katie and will resonate with middle grade & YA readers! Highly recommended!

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The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: JD Jackson , Sarah Mollo-Christensen , Joy Nash , Christopher Salazar , Karen Malina White, this is a Carrie retelling that includes a biracial girl, Maddie with a mean religious zealot white father in Georgia, with mean white high school students (do not forget the parents & police as well) who terrorize Maddie her whole life. When Maddie finds a book from her mother to her, she finally sees who she is and looks forward to going to the prom with Kenny (who has been put up to inviting her by his white girlfriend mean girl). But life is not that simple & oh do the racist people clash with the teens, their prom, and their lives. A must read!

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A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd in the Flesh and Fire series was scorching hot! I fell in love with Nyktos & Sera AGAIN as they navigate their friendship, their passion (Nyktos can't love) and their staunch support of each other and their kingdom(s) as this fantasy unfolds. As always, the characters, the plot, and the setting had me turning those pages, I can't wait for the 3rd book! Highly recommended!

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