Katrina
I mean, I will always give Nancy all the stars and I'm not apologizing. I probably haven't read this one in 20 years, but it brought me right back. The audio production with Laura Linney, complete with old-timey radio program music, is a treat for any nostalgic Nancy fans.
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.
Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the audio arc!
This was very clever! I liked the author's play on classic mystery tropes with a fresh twist. Lots of fun to listen to, would definitely recommend to fans of the genre who also appreciate a twist and some humor along with their murders.
I just loved the characters so much. By the end of this suspenseful and magical story I felt like I knew them implicitly. Solid writing lends to a very atmospheric tale. On to the second!
Absolutely charming. I love books about food, and the whimsical elements were really well done. Writing felt a little stilted at some points, but overall plot and resolution were very satisfying. I'm familiar with Silva's work via social media, so it was really fun to see her style come to life in a sustained format. Would recommend.
A clear overview of the 1963 march on Washington, complete with lots of interesting “behind the scene” details, primary sources, and thoughtful questions for further discussion.
I really loved Amelie and I just wanted to hug her so hard. Well written, and I think a lot of teens will relate.
I hate rating memoirs. I really enjoyed this story and appreciate the author for putting it out into the world! I hope the readers who need it will find this gentle and affirming graphic novel. The art wasn't my favorite, but I did love the message. Worth a read.
I thought this was a well done portrait of a teen with a genetic disorder. One of the things I found most interesting about the book was the relationship between Brynn and her family. She shares the Ehlers-Danlos gene with her father, so he can understand her in a way her mother and sister cannot. This creates a particular and complicated tension in the household. Brynn's grief over her condition is delicately discussed with compassion and honesty. Her relationship with Oliver also seemed realistic to me (plus he's a great character). There's a lot to appreciate here, and I feel confident that other young people with similar conditions would feel seen and supported by this novel. Worth a read.
An enjoyable heist novel with an interesting cast of characters. I'm not sure I totally bought into all of the motivations, and I did predict the twist. Still, it was a fun read and I liked the way it ended.
A thoughtful meditation on Black girlhood and growing up. Would definitely recommend, and I appreciated the author's narration.
Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the alc!
While the description didn't totally grab me, I loved Patron Saints so I went in with an open mind and ended up really enjoying it. I love how this story followed one family line through different parts of history. I've seen this done with women in fiction, but I don't think I've ever read one that followed the men. Especially not when it dove into the father-son relationship and definitions of masculinity through time. Great narration. Would recommend.
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).
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.
There's a lot going on in this graphic novel. I felt a lot of the panels were difficult to see/understand, and included a lot of abrupt scene changes that left me feeling off kilter. I really liked the idea of the superstar band being the world's heroes, I thought that was a fun concept and I liked the character design. Machine Boy is an absolute sweetheart, but I don't think he had much else going for him. Overall, I found it underwhelming and the art didn't really resonate with me. Curious to see what my teens have to say about it!
Overcoming grief like the loss of a sibling is a very important topic, and I appreciated the way the author handled that aspect. What I liked less was the rest of the story I guess. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters by the end of the book, and I'm not sure why.
This was a really interesting read. I'm not sure I've encountered a YA novel featuring an MC with bipolar II, but this one painted a distinct picture with compassion. It is worth noting that the author has been diagnosed with this same disorder. While grappling with the condition is central to this story, I was equally invested in the other aspects of the plot. I would be curious to see how teens with bipolar II respond to this novel, and I think it brings needed attention to a mental health issue that is often misunderstood. In any case, I'm glad it exists.
I liked the art, but I thought the story was a little awkward and didn't resolve very well.
What an absolutely gorgeous, poetic, philosophical meditation of a novel. I loved it and found it incredibly moving and imaginative.
Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the audio!
As someone who spent several years in a restaurant (although not NYC) this made me nostalgic and grateful I got out at the same time. The author really hits the nail on the head when he describes the camaraderie, addiction, and absolute moments of panic that come with restaurant work. Sometimes entertaining and sometimes depressing (just like working in a restaurant), this memoir is full of juicy tidbits. I would rec this to anyone with a history in the field, or any diner who cares to glimpse behind the curtain.
Interesting and lyrical. I liked the concept of using key figures to link the history. Index, timeline and bibliography included. Worth a read!
Really immersive and a great overview of topics in American History that have long been overshadowed by other narratives.