Katrina

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the alc!

This was a quick but thoughtful dive into an interesting time, place, and character. I was immediately drawn in by Manod, and enjoyed the gentle twists and turns of the story. I would certainly recommend to people looking for a contemplative coming of age story that is character rather than plot driven. Lovely audio production.

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the alc!

Ok this sounded like it was up my alley but I wasn't prepared for how much I actually adored it. It's strange, thoughtful, tragic, humorous, and romantic. Like I just finished listening to it (solid audio but kind of odd pauses) and now I want to read it again.

I would happily recommend this to theater teens who want something a little edgy, but personally I just didn't really enjoy the ride with Rory. It reminded me in all the worst ways of my high school theater days (and why I stopped doing theater).

A little bite of the world and characters that I enjoyed. A lot of explanation of the situation that I didn't think was really necessary for a novella. I'm ready for the next book!

I adored this book and I sincerely hope I can get a lot of middle school boys to pick it up. A sincere meditation on consent, puberty, and toxic masculinity as told by an 8th grade boy. Oh, the hormones! I found it to be fascinating, honestly.

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the alc!

I am a sucker for historical fantasy, especially if there's a weird little romance going on. This book was set in a fascinating albeit terrifying era, and I thought Bardugo's historical detail was really well done. I also really liked how she handled the magical elements of the story. Most of the characters were interesting (but not all). I might have had better success in reading this one instead of listening, because I found my attention wandering fairly often. Overall I found it enjoyable, but it didn't knock me over like I wanted it to.

A very inventive magical medical mystery! I liked the characters and the world-building. I did find it predictable so I ended up getting bored, but I would still recommend to teens. I think other people will enjoy it more than I did, especially if they are interested in medicine.

Very engaging story with some clever history along with the paranormal activity. Ending seemed to wrap up a little abruptly, but overall it was a great read.

I listened to this one on a recommendation from my friends on the Vibe Check Podcast. They have never steered me wrong, and they didn't with this essay collection either. Humorous, thoughtful, and written with a strong voice that spoke right to my aging millennial heart. Would recommend.

I kind of wish I didn't read any of the other reviews on here, because they were way more negative than I felt about it (but also not totally wrong). At any rate, I think it's weird to rate memoirs. At the end of the day, her stories kept me interested. There is some really lovely food writing in here, along with some meditations on love and family that I also found engaging if not totally agreeable.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the alc!

An engaging collection of horror featuring Black girls. Some stories were definitely stronger than others, but there was a good variety. Would definitely recommend.

Engaging story about a diverse group of young people coming together to resist corruption and work to make their city more livable for all. Rather inspiring honestly, and I loved the art.

Romantic, real, and great for teens. Some lovely poetry really enhances the story, but the real power is in the characterization and development of these two young women. Will definitely recommend to teens.

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the alc!

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir in verse. It is no surprise that the audio is truly excellent, as it's read by the author and even includes some sound effects. Worth a read.

A deeply affecting novel in verse about a young person trying to find their way while struggling with OCD and violent intrusive thoughts. I think this is a book that could really really help someone if they get it at the right time, so for that I applaud it. I loved the relationship Ariel forms with Ruth and Rex, and the way they create space for each other. I thought Ariel's relationship with her sister was so important. I do wish there was a little more resolution about her parents, but overall I appreciated the ending (which is really more like a beginning for Ariel). I sincerely hope this book finds the people who need it.

A very fun take on Jekyll & Hyde. Loved the atmosphere and the art, and would pick up the next installment (cliffhanger!!). I got a little lost in the sauce with some of the action sequences, but otherwise had no problem following the story, metaphors, or the large cast of loveable and odd characters.

Enjoyed the overall plot and the narration. I do love an unreliable narrator. Maybe one too many twists and turns for me, I was rather exasperated by the end.

Great plot and world-building. Loved the whole vibe of it and will definitely pick up the sequel.

Beautifully written during the quiet, contemplative moments as well as the moments of intense action and feeling. This is a historical fantasy novel based on The Seven Samurai, and wow does it deliver. I had a little trouble at first with the second person narration, but over time I really came to appreciate how Chee was able to keep the characters so distinct in this way. The whole story is a bit heartbreaking (what with the traumatized child warriors and all) but there was a lot of hope here too. Overall, an intensely satisfying book I will be happy to recommend.

I think I liked the concept more than the content of this one. Four distinct young women with their own problems, ambitions, etc. come together to pull off a grand heist. Sounds epic and the cover is really eye-catching. Unfortunately, I didn't think the meat of the book stood up to what was promised. The heist part was a little underwhelming, the drama of the actual Titanic sinking read kind of strange for me, and I think the characters could have benefited from a little more development. A fun quick read, but not as gripping as I had hoped for based on the description.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the alc!

I am all for subverting the mystery genre and doing something fun or weird with it. There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed, and I thought the narrator did an admirable job with all the switching around of formats (2nd person, 1st person, script?). As a whole, it almost seemed like the author was writing a thesis about the history of the genre, and then kind of made up some story as a vehicle for all the research they did? This style took me out of the story so often that I no longer really cared about the characters/plot. If you want to get outside of the box with your mystery without turning the whole thing into an essay, see Stuart Turton, Anthony Horowitz, or Benjamin Stevenson.

Another excellent installment for Evander Mills! I already can't wait for the next one because I just love Andy so much. An interesting plot, wonderful characters, and all of the classic gumshoe dialogue I could ever want. Amazing narration really makes this a worthwhile listen.

I loved it. Part memoir, part food writing, part journalism, part cultural reflection. It takes you to all sorts of pockets of America to show you what's there and why. It asks questions about race and culture, and examines how food is a common thread through it all. Really worth a read.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the alc!

This is such an intriguing, twisted, magical, snarky, romantic, wtf moment novel and I am here for it. It's made all the more fill in the blank by January LaVoy's brilliant narration. It is long as hell but I was happy to be along for the ride.

Honestly this one broke my heart a little and I wasn't ready for it. Exactly as advertised: a sweeping romance and intimate portrait of grief all at once. I thought the writing was quite strong, the plot kept up a nice clip, and I loved how it all wrapped up. I'm excited to give this to all those teens looking to get weepy.