The Burying Place (Jonathan Stride, #5) by Brian Freeman

The Burying Place by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh do I love Brian Freeman mysteries; especially the Jonathan Stride series (but the other stand-alones and series are awesome too!!!) and this 5th book broke my heart! The case that Jonathan and Serena is working on involves the abduction of a baby, while Maggie has another case of missing women from the surrounding farms. Add to that, Maggie has a new partner Kacey who has met the killer and is now his main target. The mysteries are always taut, psychological, and I can never put them down. But I will say the Serena aspect in this book broke my heart; Joanthan is still suffering from the last book with panic attacks which he tells no one about---typical male! While I love Jonathan, I did not like his internal struggles and how he handled them, and Brian Freeman told me to read the next book in the series, I definitely will with fingers crossed!

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Picture Us In The Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Stonewall Honor Award (first & most enduring award for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I read and loved Kelly Loy Gilbert's first book, Conviction, and like her debut---this 2nd book deals with many issues and themes that still continue to fill my brain. As the narrator, Danny Cheng is flawed, insecure, and a child/teen with VERY secretive parents. The reader knows how much they love their only son, but how they show it...Danny is a gifted artist and I loved the way the author let us see Danny's world and his introspections through his mind's eye. I liked the way the book was set up, I don't want to give away anything but I rooted for Danny as he got a scholarship to RISD, ached for him as he struggled personally and with his art. But through all this drama, Danny has friends like Harry and Regina (though there are tense times, they remain true to one another) and also Danny himself as he tries to figure out just what is going on with his parents and his life after high school. I also liked the Asian American teens, their families, and high school life--totally mesmerizing, yet authentic, and true. There were so many quotes in this book I could not stop putting in the little post-its to mark them. Now I need to put them all in Goodreads quotes- if they are not already in there- so memorable about Danny, loved ones, his art, his friends. This book MUST be read--teens, guidance counselors, parents will all come away with enduring feelings about family, friendship, suicide, adoption, and diversity!

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great audiobook/read---Cassandra Campbell did a superlative job narrating the story of Marsh Girl, Kya, last child of a drinking, lying, abusive father who sees her mother walk out and never return. With her exodus, so do all her brothers and sisters until she is the only one (age 6) left behind with her father. This is such a beautiful, spine tingling story of nature vs nurture, a wild girl who is educated by a friend of her brother's, and a murder mystery and trial. I could not stop listening---Campbell's voice was mesmerizing as she described the beauty of this small North Carolina swamp (as seen by Kya) ---the gulls, the flora, and Kya's love of her natural family. The characters were all distinctly drawn - loved Tate and Jumpin, & his wife Mabel---hated Chase and the mean spirited townspeople. I rooted for Kya and Tate (he was so sweet and in love with her---but knew how skittish she was and how he had hurt her) would there be a future for them? Great surprise ending- highly recommended!

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Courting Darkness (Courting Darkness #1) by Robin LaFevers

Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since I could not put down His Fair Assassins series, I knew this continuation of Sybella's story with the history involving her queen and also the convent goings on with Mortain was heart stopping, gripping and totally suspenseful. With alternating viewpoints (Sybella and Genevieve) the worldbuilding continues with Sybella and the many sinister forces plotting the queen's downfall, Sybella's sisters continue to be threatened and a new plotline with Genevieve. The characters were rich strong, fearful and fearless----I could not put this book down and can't wait for the next in this duology---read it you will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!

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Favorite 2018 YA Books

My favorite books of 2018 by BJ Neary

In no order
1- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi














2- Pride by Ibi Zoboi














3- Dread Nation by Justina Ireland














4- Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed














5-The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo














6- The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
7- The Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
8- Fresh Ink: An Anthology by Lamar Giles

Odd One Out by Nic Stone

Odd One Out by Nic Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What did I like about this book??? Everything---characters Courtney/Cooper (best friend & in love with Jupiter for 11 years) Jupiter (proudly gay, best friend to Courtney & interested in new girl) Rae is the new girl (afraid she will have no friends in a new school but gets Jupiter to acknowledge with words and actions as a new likable part of her personality) and is besties (interested in) with Cooper & Jupiter. Nic Stone hit another homerun with this must read book about teens, labels, friendships, romance, and love. I could not put it down, loved all their voices, insecurities, yearnings, and rants. Even Cooper's basketball & cheer friends, his mom, Jupiter's dads, and Rae's dad were real authentic characters, friends, and interested but not overdone family members. Teens will most certainly be interested in ALL that this relatable books covers; highly recommended!

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Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I just loved this graphic novel & memoir as the author describes his life being raised by his grandparents, never seeing his mother and never knowing his father---sounds bleak doesn't it? Add the argumentative, harsh grandparents and life must be pretty tough for Jarrett---but it isn't ---this memoir is a love song to his devoted grandparents who raised him with love, support, and deep pride. When Jarrett is given art lessons as a gift by his grandparents---he wants to make them proud too. This book is heartbreaking but it is also uplifting---Jarrett has a loving family without his mother (he misses her desperately as a child) ---he has cousins, aunts and uncles. As he grows up---he is told more about his mother (she is a drug addict and in jail---but she loves him deeply) and later in the book, meets his father and 1/2 sister and brother and builds and adds to his meaning of family. I especially loved the Author's Note---it made me cry (a happy cry) because Jarrett has learned through his wife, therapy, his children and the backdrop of his loving grandparents how necessary a stable family is for love, laughter and memories. A raw, honest must read YA readers will identify with, talk about and pass around to their friends!

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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.

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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many of my good reading friends highly reviewed and recommended this gem and oh did I love everything about it! The characters Aven, her parents, Connor, and Zion were very different and special, real, good people. Dusti Bowling's creativity as an author effectively used the setting of Arizona and the Stagecoach Pass with confident, funny Aven who was born with no arms and adopted by wonderful, loving parents that molded her into the normal, happy, funny girl she was throughout the move, beginning middle school, and settling into a new home. With unfailing wit and perkiness Aven stole my heart and her friendship with Connor who suffers from Tourette Syndrome and Zion who is overweight was totally special, yet true as they navigated school, friendship and life together. A must read for middle school but teens and parents would love this book because it teaches empathy, the value of family and friendship and acceptance. Highly recommended!!!

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Things I Should Have Known by Claire LaZebnik

Things I Should Have Known by Claire LaZebnik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Doris Heise, my librarian hero, for recommending this read!!! First of all I LOVE the cover with the hashtags turning the title to read Things I Know, how brilliant! Claire LaZebnik has a great voice- her dedication to her husband is totally awesome and main protagonist, Chloe is such a real voice- she is popular, dates & kisses lots of guys, doesn't like to complain about many things BUT just look how her mood changes when her autistic sister, Ivy is involved in any way. Chloe's love, concern and aggravation for her autistic sister unfolds in so many wonderful ways in this MUST READ YA novel. Then the very annoying David Fields also has an autistic brother, Ethan - Chloe thinks Ivy and Ethan should date, and get out in the world more. Together Chloe and David share many harrowing dates with Ivy and Ethan and together they find out many things about their families, themselves, and what really matters. This book did really steal my heart and it will steal your too! Highly recommended.

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The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I could not put this book down, I loved (and hated) all that happens with Lucy. Lucy is strong, a leader, and daughter of a pastor. Her mom is a school nurse and her cancer re-occurs. Lucy is devastated, she is angry at God, her faith is blindsided, and so she struggles big time. Add to this- her boy friend, Lukas wants them to PAUSE for the summer (jerk), her mother wants her to work at the next door camp (rather than the one her parents own and run) for high risk kids and Lucy does not want to be away from her mother now but she also wants to grant her mom's every wish. So she does it, and from the first day at camp with her 3rd graders and the other camp counselors, she is challenged, questions herself constantly, worries about her mom BUT she also begins to change her mind about the campers and the counselors and very soon, she is finding herself completed by these kids & teens. I loved the way Emery Lord dealt with the faith issue- it was so real and believable from Lucy, her mom and dad's POV. She lived her faith, loved her faith, practiced her faith but she also questioned, railed, and anguished about/over her faith. The other counselors have all attended this camp as kids and now as counselors and they all have "a checked bag" (their issue) - they too are real and thoroughly supportive. Anna quickly becomes Lucy's best friend and confidante, Henry wears his heart on his sleeve - settles Lucy with his trumpet and his conversation and caring. Keely and Tambe round out this group and they all SAVE Lucy with their honesty, inclusion, and friendship (weekly discussion of "highs" and "lows") but through it all the reader sees such much inward and outward change in Lucy and an acceptance of what life is going to throw at Lucy and her family as long as there is love. I thought Emery Lord could not top When We Collided, but this book is such a gem with diverse characters, kids dealing with tough lives due to illness, death, sickness and learning coping skills at this camp from the counselors. Highly recommended!

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Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to my wonderful reader & twitter friend, Maureen Wehmeier for our shared reading and discussion of Julie Murphy's second totally awesome book (loved Dumplin' too!!!). Ramona Blue was such a great read- I loved Murphy's writing, her characters, and what a plot. Ramona has a lot going on in her life. She is proudly lesbian (great summer romance with Grace) lives in a double wide since Hurricane Katrina wiped out their home & her mother left. Her sister, Hattie, is pregnant and Tyler has been kicked out of his home and now has squeezed into Ramona and Hattie's very small trailer. She works two jobs, feels totally responsible for her sister, and will not even think of applying to college because of all of the above. Enter, Freddie and his grandmother Agnes who Ramona grew up with during her summers. Now Agnes has retired, bringing Freddie back to Ramona. I can't say enough about Freddie (he is a romantic, honest, kind) because his return brings happiness to Ramona but as time goes on with swimming, hanging with Freddie at school and at home - Ramona finds Freddie has become all important to her everyday happiness in her dysfunctional life. I rooted for Ramona- that she would rise above her own restrictions, deal realistically with happiness, Freddie, and her future. Choices were very important to Ramona and the way she expresses herself each time as she chooses was exquisite. A must read about family, friendship and finding the very special in your life. Highly recommended!

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Traitor to the Throne (A Rebel of the Sands Novel #2) by Alwyn Hamilton

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my! What a gripping, adventure filled 2nd book that twisted my insides (the Sultan, the imprisoned Demdji, Amani's imprisonment) and I could not stop reading this heart-stopping story of the Blue-Eyed Bandit and her Foreign Prince & Rebel Prince and their continued machinations to obtain freedom for those in her desert. In this book, Amani is thoroughly enmenshed with her comrades Ahmed, Jin, Shazad, Delila, Hala, Imin, Izz & Maz in constant plans to thwart the Sultan. When Amani is captured by the Sultan I was truly afraid. Her aunt received a lot of money to give the Sultan a Demji so that he could further his deadly plans. What he makes Amani do after he inserts copper & iron his skin was hair-raising & her time in the harem was truly desperate. I can only say this is a must read- the whole series so far has had me laughing, crying, wringing my hands & rooting for Amani & her comrades. Could not stop turning the pages & oh do I love Amani - she is strong, always thinking, honest (we know why), has a temper and will run when she can't handle things - and where does that get her???

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A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns & Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 3rd book in the series! Maas' world building had me enthralled, I read 707 pages in 2 days & loved every minute of it. Fayre & Rhys were just so strong as the The High Lord and The High Lady together! Fayre grew to be so much stronger in this book; her bond with Rhys allowed her to feel she mattered, she could do anything, she could repair herself and she could forgive herself. I loved the tight knit group of Mor, Amren, Cassian and Ariel - but Elain & Nesta becoming involved in Fayre's world, helping with the Cauldron & trying to find their abilities was awesome. Lucien became very important once again as Feyre's friend and I was glad he fell in love with her world (among other things). I hated Hybern, Eris, and Ithane - evil, evil, people! There were many surprise characters like the Bone Setter & The Suriel- readers will love them. The war scenes were always brutal, bloody, took so much out of them all. Alliances were made & forged- friendships were strengthened & there were many romantic moments (Feyre & Rhys's bedroom scenes were scintillating). Can't wait for #4 - I so enjoy this SERIES!!!

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I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, could not put this book down; on my TBR & I decided to read it as part of June #YearofYA twitter chat topic, Monday 6/27 at 8PM EST. Skylar and Josh Mitchell have a few things in common. They both live in dead-end Creek View and want to leave ASAP. They both have worked at the Paradise Motel for a few years. But that is where it ends... but the Paradise is the place where Skylar, just graduated and looking forward to going to art college in San Francisco in 3 months & Josh, a Marine, home from the war and wracked by nightmares, anger, insecurity - work side by side. They discuss, kid around and ultimately begin to become really good friends depending on each other when life collapses around them. I LOVED THESE 2 TEENS! Skylar does not drink, does not really go out much and has few friends (and she likes it that way) Josh is good looking, blue eyes that melt, and a great maintenance worker who can do just about anything to repair things at the Paradise Motel (and it seems be there for Skylar when her mom loses her job). I learned so much about PTSD from author Heather Demetrios with her depictions of Josh's dreams and leg problems since he walked on an IED device in Afghanistan. But even better and VERY IMPORTANT to read were the author's notes and acknowledgments at the end of the book. She had family in wars and she did extensive research and interviews with Marines to realistically depict Josh as a wounded warrior. I will end this review with words from the author but this is a must read for teens and adults...very important... From Heather Demetrios at the end of her acknowledgments, "Finally to the Josh's out there: I wish you sleep without nightmares, laughter every day, cold beer on warm summer nights, and love -so much love.


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