Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book, writer, etc...but the totally depressing topics, the Glasgow dialect made it difficult for me to gush about loving this book. I am now listening to Young Mungo, so we will see if the narration makes it easier to enjoy... Shuggie's life is so dismal- his mother drinks and she becomes abusive to her family and gets on the phone and crank calls people who have wronged her, goes thru men, is totally irresponsible and leaves her children hungry and disillusioned. As this continues, the older children plot to leave...and poor Shuggie is left to watch over his mother, hungry, cashing her child support checks and missing lots of school. I ached for Shuggie and all the difficulties he encounters, will he be able to escape this life?

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Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great must read book for young adults read by Jason Reynolds in his own awesome style! Adults will want to read this book that examines race from the beginning and reimagines Dr. Ibram X Kendi’s book Stamped. Dr Kendi also introduces this book before Jason Reynolds begins to read and Kendi is arresting and powerful in his heavily researched anti-racism, racism, abolitionists and assimilationist. Both authors offer hope through their histories.

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White Dog Fell From the Sky by Eleanor Morris

White Dog Fell from the Sky by Eleanor Morse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this audiobook much more than I did. Brittany Pressley does a great job with the dialects African dialects and their slower speech. But with this current covidD pandemic, I find I do not enjoy books that are heartbreaking and this one is especially gut wrenching ALL THE WAY through and the hopeful ending was TOO TOO SHORT. Eleanor Morse, to me, should have given more time to Isaac's return and his state of mind as time progressed maybe even for the first month. I also found myself frustrated with Alice and her decisions with men---maybe a follow up book with Alice and Isaac getting together (I know she is much older but they were alike in their resolve in so many ways)! I loved the beauty of Africa (Eleanor and Isaac's descriptions) but hated the REALITY of Apartheid Africa, the awful prison, their treatment of prisoners, and how life was so different for black and white. My friends loved this book and told of the redemptive ending but like the book, This Tender Land, the awful treatment of humanity was TOO MUCH and the hopeful ending was too little.

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Throwaway Girls by Andrea Contos

Throwaway Girls by Andrea Contos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, #BookJunkies, @Andrea_Contos, Kids Can Press and KCP Loft for the advance reader copy of Throwaway Girls by debut author, Andrea Contos, in exchange for an honest review. I could not put this YA mystery down! Caroline is a forthright yet conflicted narrator who steadfastly investigates when her best friend, Madison, suddenly disappears. Andrea Contos’ plot and characterizations will have teens guessing as this mystery deepens to involve more than one girl. Caroline is believable as she delves full force into finding out what happened to Madison. But she also gains problems that cause her to push away friends, Jake and Aubrey, who only want to help her. I understood yet I did not understand many of Caroline’s decisions. I was also confused many times with the appearance of characters, Livie and Willa. And the parents were also off the charts unsupportive, tough, and mean spirited. As Caroline struggles with her reality, she constantly keeps her goal in mind, three months to graduate, and get out. But as the plot thickens, the thrill quickens. What will happen to Caroline, Madison, Willa and the others? This is a riveting book dealing with family problems, friendship, LGBT issues, and social classes. A must-read!

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Slay by Brittney Morris

Slay by Brittney Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a great, important read! Kiera Johnson is definitely one of my favorite protagonists; she is thoughtful, lives 2 lives--- she one of 4 African Americans in a mostly white prep school & asked really stupid questions about Black culture (as if she is the expert) and her 2nd life is in a black neighborhood where she is secretly the creator and moderator of a virtual reality game (which includes role playing (loved the names and costumes, cards (with Black connotations, some really hysterical & created by moderators and members) and different worlds, known as Slay. I loved how Kiera derived so much pleasure from Slay, so many online friends, and a true sense of Black community--hence players as Kings and Queens and can only join by invitation from a member (keeping an all black membership) until it is not. A must read, teens will love it for what it says about many different aspects of Black culture, history, and today's reality.

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We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea this was the beginning of a new series!!! I loved the narration by Kyla Garcia, the strong and multifaced character, Dani, who must never let anyone know where she really came from; even more intriguing was the inner dialog from Dani as she shed or donned her faces---she was such a winner at graduation she lands the highest role, Primera, to the highest ranking political family while also having to deal with her enemy, Carmen, being chosen as the Segunda (the wife who bears the children) in the Garcia home. I bit my nails as Dani spied for La Voz and at the same time warred with hating and being fearful while wanting to do so much more to help with the movement. The characters were all so interesting; Medio was a place of magic and beauty but there were so many who suffer under harsh government control, a wall, and lives lost due to no medicine or hospitals. I was not entirely sure about Carmen and their insta-friendship. She made 5 years of Dani's life hell, so I am going to wait until the 2nd book and see what really continues for Dani and Carmen. An exciting, thrilling read!

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Little White Lies (Debutantes Book 1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes mysteries and I can't wait for the 2nd book!!! Sawyer Taft is a tough, independent protagonist who lives with her mom when her estranged grandmother arrives at her door and offers ALOT of money to go through the debutante season and college. As she navigates this new world of dresses, make-up and awful rites that go along with becoming a deb! Will she find out who her father is? Will she LOVE or HATE this new world and what about friends- will she LOVE or HATE them? I could not stop turning the pages as Sawyer and the other debs (cousins and friends) try to solve mysteries and keep secrets, I rooted for Sawyer and her mind (what a scheming mind she has) and heart!

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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!

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Us Against You (Beartown #2) by Frederik Backman

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marin Ireland's awesome narration of this 2nd in the Beartown series was compelling, taut, and noteworthy. This book picks up where Beartown left off, talks about a particular time period afterword but also gives glimpses of the past with new and old characters. I did not particularly like Backman's constant repetition throughout...mostly about human failings, what ifs, and the constant microcosm of politics, people, and harsh realities. If you liked the first one, youwill certainly enjoy this book- there are so many rich characters, lots of plot twists, and a small town damn proud of hockey, their factory and hospital.

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Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians #3) by Kevin Kwan

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the final book in the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy; you learn so much more about Nicky's grandmother growing up, the history of Tyersall Park, and more about the family members. I listened to this book as well and enjoyed Lydia Look's narration. I really did not like Kitty, Colette, Eddie and of course all of Eleanor Young's friends and in laws pressuring Nick and Rachel to have children. I am still in love with Nick & Rachel, loved Rachel's college friend, Alistair was given more time, and some of the new characters were just so much fun. I will be sorry to see this series end, but I won't miss the meanness of many, the judgements of many, but I liked how the book ended.

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China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2) by Kevin Kwan

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook by new narrator, Lydia Look- she was good but I had to get used to her because I listened to and LOVED Crazy Rich Asians narrated by Lynn Chen, too! I have to admit that that I love Rachel (and her college friend), Michael, Astrid, and Charlie Wu plotlines---and really do not enjoy any of the other characters and the family and social dynamics. So as I listened to this 2nd book in the series; I was once again reminded how awful many of these characters are- driven by money and surface judgments, not reality and human kindness. So I have already downloaded Book 3 but only to find out what happens to these characters and if there is not an uplifting ending; I will not be happy.

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Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this awesome 2nd audiobook (excellently narrated by Nancy Wu) in the duology series Flame in the Mist 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 audiobook perfect with Hattori Mariko the strong female but also with lesser female characters who behind the scenes are intelligent, aware, and forthright in their agendas. Mariko is such a strong female character (within and to all who know her) and she also emboldens other females in the court and the Black Clan to be true to themselves and care for others. There is so much violence in this story, especially Emperor Roko's torture of prisoners that I gave this a horror classification as well. I loved the romance between Mariko and Okami and with Okami's reticence, Mariko stood firm, resolute, and almost embarrassed Okami to the become leader everyone saw. Thankfully when he finally escapes his torturous prison and finds gifts and letters hidden in his destroyed parents' home for his eyes only, Okami realizes what his true mission is and becomes the perfect strong leader needed in a time of battles and betrayals in court and the kingdoms bringing change to a feudal Japan wracked by evil within. Loved this book, could not stop listening!!!


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I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina

I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, Tony Medina's graphic novel sheds a light on the Black Lives Matter Movement, racial profiling, police violence, and minorities who are senselessly beaten, attacked and murdered and no one is held accountable. I liked the foreword by Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director 0f the Equal Justice Initiative, and delves into the horrid history of being of color in America. Tony Medina's Author Note is compelling and the Real Life Ancestors who appeared in the book. But I think even more impressive are the authors (on the back cover) who sing the praises of this graphic novel, the need for all to read it, and the power of this book now! I will certainly be reading Tony Medina's Resisting Arrest book too. I read this for #yabookchat and we will be discussing this heartbreaking book Monday 2/5 at 9PM EST, come join the discussion!

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The Poisoned Blade (A Court of Fives Novel #2) by Kate Elliott

Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I began reading this series for #yearofya January twitter chat Fantasy Phenoms (also highly recommend by Book Smugglers) and I just fell in love with Kate Elliott's harsh world of the Patrons, the Commoners, all the back stabbing, murders, and whatever else it takes by the royalty. Jes's world of the Court of Fives (viciously dictated by Lord Garagon- oh do I despise him) falls right into the path of the coming war and dreaded what it would mean for Jes, Kal (love them together!!!) Ro (the poet), her mother, her father (I really want to like him but the choices he has made have also forced him to be so so rigid with his daughter and I don't really like that she wants/needs his admiration). I have every confidence in her constant scheming to keep her family safe, get revenge on Lord Garagon, and in her travels garner the attention and notoriety she needs to keep her family safe and spy on the royals who will stop at nothing to get what they want and who they want on the throne. I am rooting for Kal and Jes in Book 3 but I also cringe at what may happen to Jes's world; I hope she can continue to be the fierce, formidable female protagonist!

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