| | | | | 166590352X
| 9781665903523
| 166590352X
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408
pp
| 3.91
| 1,010
| Feb 27, 2024
| Feb 27, 2024
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 31, 2023
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1250881382
| 9781250881380
| 1250881382
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352
pp
| 3.57
| 1,848
| Oct 31, 2023
| Oct 31, 2023
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liked it
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3.25 stars
People to Follow held my interest and it was a quick read. I was intrigued at where things were headed even though the cast of characters ha
3.25 stars
People to Follow held my interest and it was a quick read. I was intrigued at where things were headed even though the cast of characters had quite a few individuals who were obnoxious. The ones who didn't get on my nerves, I was indifferent about at best. Can't say I loved the ending but points awarded for creativity. So yeah, there were things I liked about the book and things I did not.
A group of social media influencers have been invited to take part in a reality tv series. The young adults will be filmed in a big house on a secluded island. The participants must give up their phones during their stay. After making it to the island the influencers find out the production crew will not be arriving until the following morning. So they will be there by themselves that first night and guess what? Someone dies. Even though they don't have phones they are able to receive messages and they get one threatening to expose their deepest, darkest secrets.
This story requires you to suspend disbelief and just get on board the crazy train. To be fair that's something you have to do with a lot of books in the mystery and thriller genres or when watching a horror film. It's wild and outlandish but there's stuff that isn't so off the mark. The author takes that whole social media influencing thing but ratchets it up a few notches. I didn't like every creative decision but at least I wasn't bored while reading.
I won an advance copy in a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Apr 16, 2023
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1728209676
| 9781728209678
| 1728209676
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320
pp
| 3.81
| 6,861
| Mar 07, 2019
| Apr 07, 2020
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liked it
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The Truth about Keeping Secrets is a YA mystery thriller. Sydney is a high school student and her dad recently died in a car crash. At the funeral, ho
The Truth about Keeping Secrets is a YA mystery thriller. Sydney is a high school student and her dad recently died in a car crash. At the funeral, homecoming queen June Copeland shows up and Sydney can't figure out why as they aren't friends. Hmm...
Given the setup by the author, there are many directions the story could have gone in which was part of the appeal for me. I wasn't quite sure of the final destination but there was enough interest for me to stick along for the ride. The last chapters were a mixed bag. There were some genuine surprises which was nice but I can't say I loved every aspect.
Not a memorable read but I do like how serious subjects were incorporated into the story as you don't always get that in mystery or thriller genres.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for sending me a copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Apr 09, 2023
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Paperback
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| | | | | 166590237X
| 9781665902373
| 166590237X
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320
pp
| 4.26
| 7,546
| Apr 04, 2023
| Apr 04, 2023
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really liked it
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I watched a lot of soap operas in the 1980s and 90s so I'm no stranger to an amnesia storyline. I was pleasantly surprised the author was able to come
I watched a lot of soap operas in the 1980s and 90s so I'm no stranger to an amnesia storyline. I was pleasantly surprised the author was able to come up with something that felt fresh and different using this trope. There's a lot of heart to this story and it's a book worth checking even if you don't typically read YA fiction.
Stevie and Nora are in love. Both their families and the town they live in are conservative, so they secretly have come up with a plan to move to California at the end of summer. But tragedy strikes and Stevie has a horrible accident that has left her with no memories of the last 2 years. That means Nora is a complete stranger to her and therefore she has no idea they were dating. Will Stevie regain her memory?
With the two leads being teenage girls, it allowed the author to branch out in a few different directions with the storyline. That's what really sets it apart form other amnesia plots. It was fascinating and heartbreaking to watch Stevie take in the fact she has no clue what has happened over these last few years. Nora having to deal with the aftermath of Stevie's accident was equally interesting.
This is a story that really pulled on my heartstrings. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a book about love.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Mar 21, 2023
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1368052401
| 9781368052405
| 1368052401
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386
pp
| 4.16
| 778,025
| Sep 01, 2020
| Sep 01, 2020
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liked it
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Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 14, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9781665927123
| 1665927127
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352
pp
| 3.59
| 321
| Jun 27, 2023
| Jun 27, 2023
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really liked it
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3.75 stars
Sometimes you need to reach the destination in order to appreciate the journey. It was a bumpy reading experience but in the end I liked thi
3.75 stars
Sometimes you need to reach the destination in order to appreciate the journey. It was a bumpy reading experience but in the end I liked this book and the fact the author went out on a limb.
Mia and Alfie dated in high school but are no longer a couple. In fact, they haven't seen or spoken to each other in months. While interviewing for a position at a coffee shop, Mia spots Alfie with another girl. That stirs up a lot of feelings and it motivates Mia to reach out to him. That might be easier said than done though.
It took me close to 100 pages before I firmly settled into this story. The problem was the angst. It was too much to handle without the backstory of the relationship. I'm all for cheesy dialogue and sentiment but I need to know how we got to that point before I can buy into it. As the story focused more on their time in high school, my interest level improved quite a bit. Worth mentioning though I didn't care for Mia and Alfie all that much but that's not a requirement for me to enjoy a book. The last chapters contain the best writing and it's really what boosted this book from average read territory into one I grew to really appreciate.
Thank you to Book Club Favorites for sending me an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Feb 23, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9780385741279
| 0385741278
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280
pp
| 3.67
| 1,176,507
| May 13, 2014
| May 29, 2018
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really liked it
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This book had been on my tbr list for years so I'm glad I finally sat down and read it. I can see why it's a divisive read and thankfully I land on th
This book had been on my tbr list for years so I'm glad I finally sat down and read it. I can see why it's a divisive read and thankfully I land on the side of people who enjoyed the book. Having now read two books by this author, I appreciate her unique storytelling style and the fact she takes risks rather than playing it safe all the time.
It's one of those stories in which you will have a lot of questions as you read but you just got to exercise some patience as bit by bit you will get the answers. A family tree is located at the beginning and I did refer to it quite often until I was able to keep track of all the key players in the story.
Cadence is a teenage girl who spends her summers on the private island owned by her wealthy grandparents. She spends her days with her cousins and a family friend. The summer of her 15th year something happens, and well, you will just have to read the book to find out what that something is because I'm not spilling the beans.
I will give myself a fraction of credit because I was on the right track but yet I still managed to miss the mark by a mile. The mystery has the potential to be jaw dropping or eye-roll worthy. There really isn't much in between when it comes down to how you feel about the direction the author went with the story. If you enjoy YA fiction and are one of the few people who hasn't read the book, take a leap of faith and give this one a read.
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1
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Jul 20, 2022
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0593202341
| 9780593202340
| 0593202341
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376
pp
| 4.50
| 50,872
| Mar 01, 2022
| Mar 01, 2022
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it was amazing
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4.5 stars
What a powerful story! It was a good read from the beginning but somewhere after the midway point it turned into one of those incredible read
4.5 stars
What a powerful story! It was a good read from the beginning but somewhere after the midway point it turned into one of those incredible reading experiences. The writing just grabbed a piece of my soul and wouldn't let go. If you love YA fiction, do yourself a favor and put this book on your tbr list.
Misbah and her husband Toufiq leave their home country of Pakistan and come to America hoping for a fresh start. They open the Cloud's Rest Inn Motel in Juniper, California and have a son named Salahudin, aka Sal. After tragedy struck, Noor was brought to the United States from Pakistan and she's been best friends with Sal for years but they become estranged after a big fight. During their senior year of high school, Sal deals with his mother's failing health and his alcoholic father. Noor awaits word after submitting her college applications as she can't wait to escape her life in Juniper.
There's a lot going on in terms of what the characters face throughout the novel. Sometimes authors are overly ambitious and try to cram in so much substance that it ends up detracting from the overall story. I'm impressed in this case it enhanced everything and made it a thought-provoking read with well-developed characters. I also appreciate the fact Sabaa Tahir was not afraid to show that life sometimes takes you in unexpected directions.
I won a free copy of this book from the publisher and BookishFirst. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Jan 17, 2022
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Hardcover
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| 9781728248974
| 1728248973
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368
pp
| 3.31
| 3,208
| Oct 01, 2020
| Nov 02, 2021
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liked it
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Surprisingly there are not that many Christmas themed YA books out there so I jumped on the chance to read Blame it on the Mistletoe. While I had some
Surprisingly there are not that many Christmas themed YA books out there so I jumped on the chance to read Blame it on the Mistletoe. While I had some problems with the writing along the way, I am glad I stuck with the book. It had some charming moments. Maybe not a must read, but it was something cute and light for the holiday season.
Elle is a social media influencer and she is desperate to gain even more followers. So she comes up with the idea to swap places with one of her British fans to drum up publicity. Holly is obsessed with Christmas and she will be flying out to America to hang out with Elle's family for a week. Meanwhile, Elle will head to England. And of course each girl will meet a cute boy during their trip because it wouldn't be much of a holiday romance if love wasn't in the air, right?
Unfortunately the book got off to a bad start as the writing was a bit clunky and all over the place. It was like information overload and it didn't help that Holly is written in a way that is kinda annoying. Lots of capitalized words and periods after a single word to really emphasize the point. I read Ya fiction frequently, and even I thought it was a bit too much at times. Thankfully, as I got to know the character better, I did enjoy her storyline.
The story alternates between the two girls and I thought each one had good chemistry with the male characters. I liked the message that life isn't always picture perfect, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's also good during the holiday season to sit back and reflect on what truly matters the most.
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with a digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Dec 01, 2021
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Paperback
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| | | | | 133859334X
| 9781338593341
| 133859334X
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336
pp
| 4.02
| 6,051
| Jun 01, 2021
| Jun 01, 2021
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really liked it
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I enjoyed how this book was more character driven rather than relying on a fast moving plot. On a surface level you could say not much happens in the
I enjoyed how this book was more character driven rather than relying on a fast moving plot. On a surface level you could say not much happens in the story but it really is such a worthwhile read because it incorporates two important subjects. As an added bonus it explores how friendships can evolve over time.
Liam Cooper's older brother, Ethan, was killed in a hit and run accident. Losing someone is hard enough but on top of that relationships with Liam's two best friends are on shaky ground. The story alternates between the present day with Liam grieving and the past in which you see pivotal moments leading up to Ethan's death.
Liam is a nonbinary character and it's something the author gradually works into the story. Along with witnessing a family grieving the loss of Ethan and complex friendships, it was a fascinating and heartbreaking read. Each reader has the potential to take away something different from the story as certain parts might resonate more than others. Perhaps it is because I'm old enough to be Liam's mother, but I appreciated the story didn't only focus on the loss of a brother but went into how the death affected the parents and Ethan's best friend.
Highly recommend reading this book if you enjoy YA fiction and/or want to support diverse reads.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Apr 17, 2021
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 031670542X
| 9780316705424
| 031670542X
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304
pp
| 3.76
| 917
| Jul 06, 2013
| May 25, 2021
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really liked it
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3.5 stars
This YA fiction read was cute and had some heart. The opportunity to read about an Indian wedding is what drew me in but I found myself equal
3.5 stars
This YA fiction read was cute and had some heart. The opportunity to read about an Indian wedding is what drew me in but I found myself equally interested in how this story also touched on the loss of a family member and how it affected this particular family.
Mini is in high school and she has been tasked with planning the wedding of her older sister, Vinnie. Their mother died seven years ago and all of the adults lead busy lives so they can't help out. With only two months to go before the big day, Mini is determined to pull off a dream wedding that would make her mother proud. She certainly doesn't have time for any distractions especially not that good looking guy Vir Mirchandani who she she keeps running into around town. Probably best to keep him off her mind for now. Right?
Even though I'm not normally interested in weddings I do like reading about the different customs and traditions. It might seem a bit far fetched a teenager was planning a wedding but it made total sense within the context of the story. Let's face it, in most cultures the mother of the bride usually helps out, or depending on the mother, completely takes over the arrangements. Mini wanting to go the extra mile for her sister is just one reason why she was such a likeable character.
Grief is a topic that pops up a lot in fiction but normally the focus is on the immediate aftermath of a death. I love how the author chose a time period further down the line in the grief journey. The family might not be experiencing the same intensity of feelings but they still hurt and are continuing to deal with the effects of the death. It might not have been the main plot point but it really added depth to the story.
A solid YA fiction read.
I won an advance copy of this book from NOVL. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Apr 13, 2021
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Paperback
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| | | | | 198481253X
| 9781984812537
| 198481253X
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246
pp
| 3.43
| 13,450
| Jul 13, 2021
| Jul 13, 2021
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liked it
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My love of the book cover design is what convinced me to pick this one up. I knew it was going to be a little out of my wheelhouse based on the parano
My love of the book cover design is what convinced me to pick this one up. I knew it was going to be a little out of my wheelhouse based on the paranormal elements of the storyline but I figured I might as well give it a shot. Even though it wasn't a perfect read, I was impressed the author incorporated some heavy issues into the storyline.
High school student, Jake Livingston can see the dead. Most of the time they leave him alone but Sawyer, a teen who killed six classmates before taking his life, has become a thorn in Jake's side to put it mildly. Even though Sawyer is dead, he isn't done with his killing spree and is using Jake to achieve his goals.
I was about 4 or 5 chapters in when I seriously contemplated throwing in the towel and tossing the book in the did not finish pile. I don't think a reader should have to rely on the publisher synopsis to help them understand what is going on in the story. There were some clues dropped here and there about Jake's ability to see the dead but the full scope of things wasn't really clear to me, at least not for while. Unfortunately the paranormal aspects were my least favorite parts of the story.
I was moved on an emotional level that I wasn't expecting and that helped save the book. Some of the material is dark in nature and perhaps it's because I'm old enough to be Jake and Sawyer's mom, but my heart broke for the characters at certain points. I believe this book has the potential to hit readers of all ages in different ways. And that's one of the reasons I love this genre, as your life experience can factor into your perspective and how you view the characters and situations.
I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 12, 2021
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1250622239
| 9781250622235
| 1250622239
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400
pp
| 4.23
| 3,283
| May 04, 2021
| May 04, 2021
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really liked it
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4.5 stars
It took a bit before the story hit its stride but once it did, I was all in. Every emotion the main character was feeling, I started feeling
4.5 stars
It took a bit before the story hit its stride but once it did, I was all in. Every emotion the main character was feeling, I started feeling too. Maybe not a perfect read, but it was an incredible reading experience. Pick this one up if you enjoy YA fiction.
Tilla lives in Canada with her mother and younger sister. Tilla's dad pops in and out of their lives as he spends much of his time in the country he was born and raised in, Jamaica. Tilla and her sister will spend this summer on the island with their dad and other relatives. Perhaps, this will be an opportunity to understand her father better and who knows, Tilla might just discover a thing or two about herself as well.
The author incorporates so many different things that brought substance to the story. Fair warning, there are some disturbing scenes in the story that might be triggering for some readers. For the most part every part of the story added value but I did question if the last shocking part was thrown in just for dramatic purposes. (I'm trying to be vague so I don't give away spoilers) After awhile you can't help but feel protective of Tilla and want to shield her from getting hurt.
At the heart, you have this complex father-daughter relationship. There's also Tilla feeling like she doesn't quite fit in on the island and with her relatives in Jamaica. I love how the author explored social class as well as colorism. There is one particular scene that really resonated with me in regards to the topic of colorism.
There is some good tug at your heartstrings type writing in the final chapters. However, some of it becomes a bit repetitive and loses its impact after awhile. That's just a teeny, tiny criticism though as my overall opinion is this book is a fantastic YA read and I encourage fans of the genre to check it out.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Mar 29, 2021
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Hardcover
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| B08VFSV8VR
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458
pp
| 4.21
| 375,506
| Aug 05, 2021
| Sep 28, 2021
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liked it
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I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but unfortunately As Good As Dead is a letdown in comparison. I guess the best thing I can say is
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but unfortunately As Good As Dead is a letdown in comparison. I guess the best thing I can say is the story isn't dull but to be frank it's because the train leaves the tracks and it goes off the rails. It's a pretty big departure from previous books to say the least.
Some crazy stuff has happened in Pip's life and she isn't exactly coping with it all that well. Adding to the mix is the possibility she might have a stalker and there might be some connection to a local serial killer. Better figure things out in a jiffy, Pip!
In many ways, Pip is different from the crime solving teenager we saw in the first two books. Some of that is probably by design due to a certain plotline. However, I don't think it was the author's intent to dumb down the character which is what happened in my opinion. There were at least two instances when I kept waiting for Pip to pick up on something rather obvious. You get some showcases of her intelligence but for all the wrong reasons. In general, you don't get to see Pip in the best light in this book.
I don't want to get into spoiler territory so I'll just leave it at saying be prepared this book might not be the most satisfying read.
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1
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Mar 06, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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221
pp
| 3.45
| 1,333
| Mar 16, 2021
| Mar 16, 2021
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really liked it
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This anthology contains 15 retellings of Shakespeare's works. What's neat about the collection is it was created by YA authors. So most of the retelli
This anthology contains 15 retellings of Shakespeare's works. What's neat about the collection is it was created by YA authors. So most of the retellings have a modern contemporary feel to them and that's what made it a fun read for me. I'll admit I struggled a bit in school when reading Shakespeare, and I'm glad this book serves a purpose of presenting his works but with a modern spin. Some of the stories in this collection I enjoyed so much, I now want to check out the original version by Shakespeare.
The list of contributors: Dahlia Adler (reimagining The Merchant of Venice), Kayla Ancrum (The Taming of the Shrew), Lily Anderson (As You Like It), Patrice Caldwell (Hamlet), Melissa Bashardoust (A Winter’s Tale), Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy (Much Ado About Nothing), Brittany Cavallaro (Sonnet 147), Joy McCullough (King Lear), Anna-Marie McLemore (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Samantha Mabry (Macbeth), Tochi Onyebuchi (Coriolanus), Mark Oshiro (Twelfth Night), Lindsay Smith (Julius Caesar), Kiersten White (Romeo and Juliet), and Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (The Tempest).
Keep in mind I possess the average American's knowledge when it comes to Shakespeare's works. I know the plot of Romeo & Juliet and a few random facts about other plays, but that's about it. So you will have to seek out other reviews if you are looking to find out how each retelling measures up to the original.
My favorites out of the bunch were Severe Weather Warning, Shipwrecked, I Bleed, Elsinore, and We Fail. The entire collection showed off the authors' creativity. I liked how some authors included a note at the end to give more insight into their writing process. (To be honest, I would have loved if all of them had done that as well.) Not every retelling had a traditional story format. There was an oral history format, a play/script, and in the case of the Romeo & Juliet retelling it was comprised of text messages. The stories on average were 20 pages.
Recommend for Shakespeare fans as well as people who enjoy YA fiction.
Thank you to Flatiron Books for sending me an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 05, 2021
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1338580876
| 9781338580877
| 1338580876
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256
pp
| 3.69
| 1,684
| Apr 06, 2021
| Apr 06, 2021
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liked it
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3.5 stars
I have some mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side it had a good plot and touched on important subjects. The problem for me was
3.5 stars
I have some mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side it had a good plot and touched on important subjects. The problem for me was the writing style. Matter of fact, nothing more is how I would describe it.
Zara Hossain is a 17 year old Pakistani immigrant living in Texas. Her family has been waiting for green card approval for close to nine years. Islamophobia is something Zara frequently encounters and when she is targeted at school it sets off a horrible chain of events. Now Zara's future is at risk, in more ways than one.
Normally I tend to stay away from discussing anything in my review that isn't covered in the publisher's synopsis. However, I think it is worth noting Zara is bisexual as most readers are interested in supporting books featuring underrepresented characters. Seeing how her sexuality meshed with the family's religion was intriguing and I actually would have loved it if the author could have explored it even more in the story. There are a few relevant storylines that I didn't think got their deserved attention. This will be one of the few times I ever say I wish a book was longer in length so everything was covered in depth.
Given everything Zara is dealing with it's pretty much automatic you feel for her. But that really has to do more with the nightmare situation she is facing rather than how the character was written. I do think the book is a worthwhile read though as it shines a light on the US immigration system among other things. It might not be a perfect read but I don't need it to be in order to feel like I gained something from the reading experience.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Feb 22, 2021
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Hardcover
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| B08GKQQWN8
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336
pp
| 4.17
| 7,499
| May 25, 2021
| May 25, 2021
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it was amazing
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Do you ever get the urge to hug a book when you finish reading it because you loved it so much? This one is such a terrific coming of age story and my
Do you ever get the urge to hug a book when you finish reading it because you loved it so much? This one is such a terrific coming of age story and my favorite book in the Dumplin' book series. The main character, Waylon Brewer, aka Pumpkin, just captured my heart.
Waylon is a high school senior and lives in small town in West Texas. He's overweight and openly gay and he is no stranger to getting picked on. Waylon is looking forward to moving to Austin with his twin sister, Clementine, after they graduate in a few months. But then Waylon gets dumped and he also finds out his sister has other plans. Feeling pretty down, on a whim he decides to make an audition tape for a popular tv drag competition show. Somehow the whole school ends up seeing the tape and that leads to Waylon being nominated for prom queen as a joke. But rather than decline the nomination, Waylon is going to shake things up and try to win. He'll be teaming up with prom king nominee Tucker Watson for a few prom court service projects.
Maybe it's because I'm old enough to be the character's mother, but I felt a sense of pride with Waylon. I loved his ability to just go out there and live his best life, on his own terms. Waylon was an inspiring character and I can't help but feel sad that this type of book wasn't around when I was growing up. No matter what your age, it's always good to be reminded that we are all worthy.
This story has humor, and a lot of heart. There's some romance but to me that was more of a secondary plot. Waylon is a character worth knowing and I can't recommend this book enough. It's the third book in this YA series but can be read as a standalone novel.
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1
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Feb 15, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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384
pp
| 3.94
| 2,361
| Apr 06, 2021
| Apr 06, 2021
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really liked it
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3.5 stars
I'm not quite sure how to classify this YA read because it falls into more than one category. There's some romance but it's also a coming of
3.5 stars
I'm not quite sure how to classify this YA read because it falls into more than one category. There's some romance but it's also a coming of age story. Regardless of how you want to label it, I enjoyed this book and was impressed with the different real world subjects the author was able to tackle in the story.
Penelope "Pen" Prado is an aspiring pastry chef and has worked in her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos, for years. Her dreams don't exactly match up with her parents' expectations and that leads to Pen taking a sink or swim course on this whole adulting thing.
Xander Amaro was raised by this grandfather after his father left him behind. Due to his immigration status Xander needs to fly under the radar and hopefully his new job at Nacho's Tacos will allow him to do so. Pen and Xander each have their own set of problems and after meeting, they form a connection. What could happen next?
The story alternates between Pen and Xander and I liked both characters. I do wish more time was spent on Pen's mental health issues as it could have been explored more in depth. Xander's storyline of wanting to search for his father did tug at the heartstrings as well as some other parts of the plot.
I received an uncorrected copy of this book and I do hope the derogatory term "bums" is edited out of the final version. It pops up in a conversation about potentially being homeless and people who dig cigarette butts out of public ashtrays. So much of the heart of the story is being a part of a community and helping others in need and it just did not make sense for the character to say it.
One other issue I had with the story is there were a few things that didn't seem realistic. The apartment was something I questioned for a couple different reasons. I also thought one of the plotlines wrapped up too nice and neat in regards to one of the characters. Trying to be vague so I don't give away spoilers.
Overall, this book is a pretty solid read as the cultural issues were fascinating and definitely underrepresented in ya fiction and really all genres.
I received an advance uncorrected proof but was not obligated to post a review here. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Feb 15, 2021
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1250800811
| 9781250800817
| 1250800811
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422
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| 4.16
| 87,411
| Jun 01, 2021
| Jun 01, 2021
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really liked it
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I usually don't put too much stock into a publisher's description of a book, but in this case it is spot on. This YA thriller really does feel like a
I usually don't put too much stock into a publisher's description of a book, but in this case it is spot on. This YA thriller really does feel like a combination of Gossip Girl and Get Out which totally made for a fascinating read.
Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are students at Niveus Private Academy. They have been selected as senior class prefects and are in the running for valedictorian. Someone going by the name Aces starts sending anonymous text messages revealing secrets about Devon and Chiamaka. With their futures in jeopardy, the two students vow to take Aces down. On the surface the text messages might seem like a silly prank but deep down the truth is horrifying.
The mystery of Aces and why the two Black students were being targeted easily held my interest. Devon was a character I felt invested in from the start as he's kinda in that underdog type role and you feel protective over him. Chiamaka on the other hand reads like a caricature at first but eventually the author finds a good groove with her and I began to understand and appreciate the character more. At some point I ended up switching gears and became more interested in her scenes rather than the ones only involving Devon.
The big reveal for the mystery is something that I have been contemplating since I read this book a few weeks ago and I just have mixed feelings. I'm trying not to venture into spoiler territory but the direction the story takes is a lot but at the same time it is not enough. I would have loved it if the big reveal took place earlier on so the rest of the novel could have explored the author's ideas more in depth.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates diverse and thought-provoking reads.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Feb 14, 2021
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1250253020
| 9781250253026
| 1250253020
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304
pp
| 4.14
| 5,017
| Feb 16, 2021
| Feb 16, 2021
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really liked it
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4.5 stars
Amelia Unabridged is a remarkable story and one that has the potential to hit on a deep level. If you consider yourself a booklover, have exp
4.5 stars
Amelia Unabridged is a remarkable story and one that has the potential to hit on a deep level. If you consider yourself a booklover, have experienced loss, and/or are a fan of YA fiction, don't hesitate to pick this book up.
Amelia's father ran off with another woman and her mother barely pays attention to her. A chance encounter at a local bookstore marks the start of Amelia's friendship with Jenna. Soon they are inseparable and Amelia essentially becomes a second daughter to Jenna's parents. Both Jenna and Amelia are avid readers and after graduating high school they attend a book convention. The author of The Orman Chronicles, N. E. Endsley will be there, and to say Amelia is super excited to meet him seems like an understatement. This is a story of love, loss, and finding direction just to name a few things.
I really don't want to discuss much of the plot because I think the reading journey will be better without many preconceived notions. I will say I absolutely loved how much books and reading played such a crucial role in this story. And of course the topic of grief is something that has been covered extensively in fiction, but the way it was handled in this book felt unique. It's a touching story and is a good example of how the YA fiction genre is capable of providing meaningful reading experiences.
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Jan 22, 2021
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Hardcover
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