Lisa Francine
Powerful, poignant, and bittersweet.
A stark reminder that for many immigrants the journey to their new home is an agonizing undertaking – they are often fleeing from their home country due to war, persecution, poverty, etc.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC copy of this graphic novel.
Quote from Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate & Holocaust Survivor
“You, who are so-called illegal aliens, must know that no human being is illegal. That is a contradiction in terms. Human beings can be beautiful or more beautiful, they can be fat or skinny, they can be right or wrong, but illegal? How can a human being be illegal?”
Helen Hoang's debut novel is full of vim, vigor, and vitality!
Stella's autism has gotten in the way of having a boyfriend - her solution, hire a male escort to help practice her social and sexual skills. Michael steps into this role for the money, but this intriguing relationship goes in directions neither of the participants originally intend.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC copy.
PS: Many nights after work, I would pull into my driveway and sit captivated by Carly Robins audiobook performance.
What would you say to your 15 year old self if you could?
An immersive, emotional, and captivating story!
Austin Channing Brown tells her truth as a black woman of faith. Over and over again, I was breathless, at her honesty, her eloquence, her passion, and her life examples of growing up black in a “world made for whiteness” - required reading for all!
Morris is an exemplary storyteller! Told in alternating time periods (1992 and the late 16th century) about the community of Entrada de la Luna (New Mexico) and the history of crypto-Jews. High schooler Miguel loves the stars, and science, but not much else about his life in Entrada. As the story unfolds we learn that his Jewish ancestors were forced to leave Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, and eventually settled in present day Entrada. Pick this book up if you enjoy stories about identity, community, faith, and family.
Another thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
Powerful & heartbreaking! 6 year old Zach teaches us all about love, loss, anger, & sympathy after gun violence impacts his family, his school, & his community.
3.5/5
Gloria's grit, the support of her family, and finding love, allows her to finally live her truth.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC.
4.5 star
Thank you Chessy Prout for sharing your story of surviving sexual assault, and being a voice to those who have not spoken, or are not able to speak about their survival stories. I support #IHaveTheRighTo and #AllSurvivors and their families.
Vern, Perry, Sylvia, and Trance give us options for resistance in troubled times. Thanks for this fable Bill McKibben and these humorous, quirky, intelligent characters!
4.5/5: My favorite quote is:
“Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can't be what you can't see.”
–Sally Ride
A timely book for all of us to reflect on, share, and learn from each other!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced eChapter: Books.
