Here We Are: Feminism For the Real World complied by Kelly Jensen

Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World by Kelly Jensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this collection of short stories, comics, poems, lists, and articles from many YA authors as part of the #YearofYA chat featuring Empowered Females. This is a must read for everyone with many different chapters covering diverse aspects of feminism. Loved it!!!

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Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yetide Badaki did a stellar job of narrating this fascinating audiobook about young teens in Nigeria who have mystical powers and must help find who is maiming and mutilating and killing young children. Author Okorafor uses mythology, magic, fantasy, to weave a masterful mystery. Sunny, and her three friends Orlu, Chichi and Sasha made a great team as they become Leopard People and bond over juju, sports, and chittim. I can't wait to read Akata Warrior and jump right back into this world!

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The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold

The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for the twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub being held Thursday, 9/13 at 8PM; join us for a great chat. I love David Arnold and his books, but I found myself getting a little confused with Noah. His friendship with next door neighbor twins, Val and Alan, was referred to as a triangle; they were such good friends and when Noah started withholding things from them; I wanted Noah to continue to be Noah. But as he tried to figure things out by revisiting his "strange fascinations," lying to everyone about his swimming, questioning everything--I felt like I had gone off the rails as the reader. The resolution made me very happy though, yay!

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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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Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I read this awesome book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this book featured empowered females Sasha and her best friend support one another) and Sasha overcame overcame many challenges young girls face - she survives and returns HOME strong. Such a great thriller and lots of twists in this mystery from one of my fave authors!!! Sasha was one of the Groom's captives who got away. She was so traumatized she leaves her home for 10 years, abandons her friends and boyfriend, goes into therapy, has a great job that her travelling. But Sasha returns to help her mom run their inn and almost immediately she is a target BECAUSE she got away - but she doesn't know...but we sure do. What I liked about Sasha was that the 10 years away made her into a strong empowered female fighting back. If you love romance, suspense, mystery and serial killers - this book is a must read!

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Girl Man Up by M-E Girard

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this book featured empowered females (Pen and Blake) (Pen and Olivia)- Pen, Blake and Olivia supported one another and Pen overcame the many challenges young girls face. Pen doesn't have it easy- a group of guy friends who are total jerks, Portuguese parents that want Pen to confirm to a good girl look and label and although a girl, Pen likes short hair wearing her brother's shirts, and just always being who she is...which creates problems all around. I loved her voice, her honesty, her questions, and she dealt with all the crap that hits her as any teen would- she just knew who she was but could not explain why this was who she truly was and why shouldn't she be who she truly was? Girard's book is important for teens, I liked this quote from Miranda Reads review "Introducing Pen - the antidote to all those cookie-cutter YA heroines" a must read!


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Sovereign (Dreadnought #2) by April Daniels

Sovereign by April Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to/read this audiobook for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this awesome audiobook featured many main characters -Dreadnught (Danny), Calamity (Sara), and evil villain Graywytch (she had a hidden agenda to overthrow men therefore taking insanity to wack level being an empowered female). Narrator Natasha Soudek was really super with the many voices/characters resulted in an awesome performance I thoroughly enjoyed!!! As Danny works really hard to be the best superhero, she is stretched thin and needs help. Graywytch continues to be evil to Danny because he is a boy but she goes totally off the rails with her villainy and it was tough to listen to Danny as Graywytch tortured her. I loved the addition of new characters, especially Charlie (loved narrator's voice for him) In the end, I liked the world building, how Danny's close friends always had her back and can't wait for the 3rs book!.

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