BookishRealm

Paper Girls Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughn

2020-05-09T13:02:00.004-04:00

Series: Paper Girls, Vol. #2
# of Pages: 128
Publisher: Image Comics
Publication: November 30th, 2016
Source: Library E-Book
Genre: Sci-Fi
Goodreads | Amazon

Brian K. Vaughan, #1 New York Times bestselling writer of SAGA, and Cliff Chiang, legendary artist of WONDER WOMAN, return with acclaimed colorist Matt Wilson and innovative letterer JAred K. Fletcher for the second volume of PAPER GIRLS, as the hit series continues with a bold new direction. After surviving the strangest night of their lives in the Cleveland suburb of Stony Stream, intrepid young newspaper deliverers Erin, Mac, and Tiffany find themselves launched from 1988 to a distant and terrifying future... the year 2016. What would you do if you were suddenly confronted by your 12-year-old self? 40-year-old newspaper reporter Erin Tieng is about to find out in this action-packed story about identity, mortality, and growing older in the 21st century.

Oh Brian K. Vaughn, you really know how to write a hell of a comic book series. He never ceases to amaze me and blow my mind with his narratives. As this is the second book in the comic book series I wouldn’t recommend reading the rest of this review because of spoilers.

Volume 2 of Paper Girls picks up exactly where volume one has left off. The four paper girls are transported from their time in 1988 to 2016 where they meet the adult Erin. This volume definitely pushes the characters and readers to consider who they can and can’t trust as they attempt to figure out what has happened to their world, but there is also this interesting struggle between younger and older Erin. She acts in the stereotypical fashion by judging the life that the older version of herself has been living. She gives off this air of knowing best while not truly knowing anything. It’s such an interesting dynamic to read and watch. And when Vaughn throws in the possibility of another Erin, shit hits the fan. This comic book also brings forth the interesting question of whether one would want to know the day and time of death. It’s quite heartbreaking watching one of the characters deal with this revelation.

While I know that most (this includes myself) find Paper Girls to be quite confusing at times, I will admit that I find it to be fast-paced and really intriguing. Like the first volume, volume two leaves the reader wanting more answers. It’s time travel so it can be easily assumed that a lot of the components of the book are going to be complex, but readers are also put into positions to gain as much information as possible from issue to issue. I can very well admit that I didn’t know how to react to seeing three versions of Erin in addition to the confusion on who to trust. I would recommend that if you feel nervous about continuing keep going because the volumes do get better. The relationships that you see form between these 12-year-old girls and the adventures that they embark on is definitely rewarding. And the art! The art is phenomenal. The color palettes match the writing perfectly to make for an enjoyable visual experience. There are also so many nods to 80s so pop culture fans would truly enjoy. I’m typically not a huge fan of science fiction but I’m really enjoying this series.

American Royals by Katharine McGee

2020-05-07T13:19:00.000-04:00

Series: American Royals, #1
# of Pages: 448
Publisher: Random House
Publication: September 3rd, 2019
Source: Library Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Historical Fiction
Goodreads | Amazon

When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.

Quite frequently I go through phases of wanting to read a good historical fiction book. I’m quite sure that having a bachelors degree in history does nothing to improve these sudden, frequent urges. Last year American Royals caught my attention when I discovered that it was a re-imagining of American history in which George Washington never became President of the United States, but took on the title of king. As a result, this novel follows the modern-day descendants of King George Washington as they navigate their royal duties. American Royals follows Beatrice, her twin siblings Jefferson and Samantha, Daphne, and a family friend, Nina. Each struggle with the idea of status, belonging, friendship, family, and love as it pertains to the kingdom and their roles in it.

"She could smile until the bitter end, no matter what it cost her--because she was a Washington and had been trained to smile through anything.
Even through her own heartbreak."

One thing that McGee does well is her ability to capture the varying voices of each character. Each character views and handles the struggle of being a part of the kingdom in such an interesting and complex way. They battle stereotypes and community assumptions. More specifically, Beatrice becomes the key character in the discussion of gender roles as she battles to become the kingdom’s first queen. However, some of the more complex issues that the characters faced were downplayed by unnecessary and cheesy drama. Instead of using the opportunity to create a unique and complex novel, McGee ended up writing a rom-com that was akin to the stereotypical reality TV show. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed every single moment of the drama; however, the history student inside of me was cringing. There was barely any monopolization of this new idea of the United States having a monarchy instead of a democratic republic. As a result, I felt as though McGee simply utilized that premise as way to draw in readers. In addition to her inability to use the government structure as a catapult into a roller coaster of a plot, McGee left out some important voices specifically Native and Black voices. I don’t think it’s appropriate to write any historical novel of the United States without including these voices.

"She hated that her siblings thought she was cold or unfeeling. Just because she'd been brought up to keep her emotions hidden didn't mean that she never experienced those emotions."

While I did find quite a few historical issues with this novel, I won’t lie and say that I didn’t enjoy the drama. I think it would make a brilliant Netflix show. It was childish and unnecessary, but it made for a good story. I particularly enjoyed the narrative surrounding Nina as she is the only character in the book that does not have money or ties to any royal lineage. She was down to earth and I related to a lot of her experiences and feelings.

"All I know is that when I need to eat my feelings, my feelings taste like Wawa milkshakes with extra M&Ms."

I think that if McGee would have just spent time writing a rom-com she would have had a better book. Attempting to add the “historical” perspective was grossly ineffective and honestly this could have been a story about the British royal family. It wouldn’t have made a single difference in the world. I’m still debating on whether I plan to pick up the second novel in the series, but the looming drama makes me excited to see what could possibly come next.

Friday #56, #70 Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

2020-04-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

The Friday #56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Join in every Friday and share an excerpt from a book you've been reading. Here are the rules:

Grab a book
Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader
Find any sentence (or a few, don't spoil it)

**Be sure to post the links to your Friday #56 below!

Happy Reading

Series: Throne of Glass

# of Pages: 406

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published: August 2nd, 2012

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: Owned Copy

Goodreads | Amazon

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

"She traced a finger over a splotch of fuchsia silk on her dress. All those books, with no one to read them."

I love this line from the book because it reminds me that even those Celaena is an assassin she loves to read. This book is a re-read for me as I attempt to finish the Throne of Glass series this year. What are you reading this Friday?

Can't Wait Wednesday, #70 The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

2020-04-22T09:30:00.000-04:00

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa over at Wishful Endings She has taken on a similar meme to Jills Waiting on Wednesday over at Breaking the Spine. Since Jill hasn't posted in a while I'm going to join in on this meme. To participate all you have to do is spotlight upcoming publications you're eagerly anticipating. Keep reading to see what I have chosen for this week.

Series: N/A
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication: May 12th, 2020
# of Pages: 400
Genre: Contemporary

Goodreads | Amazon

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this rom com about two teen girls with rival henna businesses. When Nishat comes out to her parents, they say she can be anyone she wants—as long as she isn’t herself. Because Muslim girls aren’t lesbians. Nishat doesn’t want to hide who she is, but she also doesn’t want to lose her relationship with her family. And her life only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life.

The brief discription of this book was enough to capture my attention. And then I looked at the cover. I literally cannot wait for this book to come up and I'm thinking about pre-ordering it for my kindle. This is the kind of book that everyone needs to pick up in their spare time.

Anti/Hero by Kate Quinn and Demitria Lunetta

2020-04-21T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 160
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication: April 14th, 2020
Source: Copy Provided by Publisher
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Goodreads | Amazon

A new graphic novel for middle-grade featuring all original content and characters found here in Anti/Hero! As if middle-school wasn't tough enough, two students who are sworn enemies run into big problems when a freaky event makes them switch places! Now they must work together if they want their old lives back, but the journey of being in someone else's shoes may bring some BIG surprises. Don't miss out on this new original graphic novel from author Kate Karyus Quinn known for her work on Not Hungry, The Show Must Go On, Down with the Shine, Another little Piece and more

Happy Tuesday everyone! I'm back with another DC Zoom review. I've done several other reviews for their new middle grade series. Check out Diana, Princess of the Amazons here, The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid here, and Black Canary Ignite here. Each of these books were phenomenal and Anti/Hero proves to be no different. This graphic novel follows two very different, yet similar middle school girls: Piper and Sloane. Piper considers herself a hero, but has such a difficult time controlling her strength while Sloane is more of an antihero who conducts a series of crimes for a very important reason. It is during a competition and a heist that their worlds collide forcing the two girls to see past their own lives and build empathy for one another.

While the other graphic novels were based on characters that have had a presence in DC comics, Anti/Hero introduced new and exciting characters. Piper is from a Latinx background and lives with her abuela and uncle instead of her parents. She has super strength and considers herself a hero, yet struggles with how to effectively help the people in Gotham City. In addition, she struggles with academics and coping with the absence of her parents. In contrast, Sloane lives with her single mom who struggles to maintain a job and pay bills. While weak physically, Sloan is extremely intelligent and commits petty crimes to help support herself and her mom. As a result, she spends a great deal of time alone. At first glance, it appears that these two characters are complete opposites, but throughout the graphic novel the reader finds that they have more in common than initially perceived. I absolutely loved the dynamic between the two girls. Their relationship was authentic with successes and failures. There were times when they got along really well and there were times when they could not see eye to eye. What Quinn and Lunetta managed to do successfully was illustrate the importance of empathy. By the end of the graphic novel, each girl had a different level of respect for the other's background and circumstances.

Like the other graphic novels, Anti/Hero had a quick paced plot with various twists and turns. While there were some aspects of the plot that were obvious, there were others that I did not see coming. There was a Freaky Friday element to the book that added such an interesting element to the character development. I did want to know more backstory about Sloane's family particularly her grandfather and his ties to Gotham city; however, I can understand the writers not wanting to delve too much into to side characters for the sake of the length of the comic as well as consideration for the intended audience. With the being said, the plot of the story is incredibly accessible and one that I think will be enjoyed by children of all ages.

One last component of the graphic novel that stood out to me was the artwork. I'm a sucker for a comic book/graphic novel that uses bright colors and Anti/Hero illustrator, Maca Gil, definitely uses a beautiful array of colors to portray the story. Outside of inking, one of the most important tactics that Gil utilizes to illustrate the relationship between the two girls is through panel work. There were several times when Gil would use a full page and divide the panels into contrasting pieces of art to show the different lifestyles and characteristics of the main characters. It's such a remarkable attribute of the story.

Overall, I thought that this was an amazing introduction to new DC characters with a fast paced plot, great characters, and beautiful artwork. I hope that this won't be the last time that we see Sloan and Piper.

Fred's Big Feelings and Patricia's Vision (Mini Review)

2020-04-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 40
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication: January 14th 2020
Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book
Goodreads | Amazon

A picture book biography about Fred Rogers, the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Fred Rogers was a quiet boy with big feelings. Sometimes, he felt scared or lonely; at other times, he was playful and joyous. But when Fred’s feelings felt too big, his Grandfather McFeely knew exactly what to say to make him feel better: I like you just the way you are. Fred grew up and created Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the television program that would go on to warm the hearts and homes of millions of Americans. But one day, the government threatened to cut funding for public television, including Fred’s show. So, Fred stepped off the set and into a hearing on Capitol Hill to make his feelings known.

This was such a phenomenal picture book about a man that definitely that impacted my childhood. I think that a lot people are coming out with various things that reflect the life of Mister Rogers; however, I often struggle with reading non-fiction so this was a great starter place for me as an adult. I learned a lot. I didn't even realize that Mister Rogers had a TV show in Canada before he piloted Mister Rogers Neighborhood. I also didn't know that he stood before congress and argued for funding to remain intact for public television. I also didn't realize that he purposely sought to take classes child development to better understand the developing emotions of children. Fred Rogers was a phenomenal man and this definitely provided a great insight to his life. I absolutely loved the artwork in this picture book. The colors were so rich and beautifully utilized to reflect the joy that people often receive from watching Mister Rogers. One of the most unique elements was the use of dotted lines and hearts to exhibit the love and joy that came from Fred Rogers. It truly warmed my heart to see such a brilliant element added to the artwork. There were beautiful pictures of Fred, children enjoying Fred, and characters from the TV show. Overall, this was beautifully drawn and written picture of the life and legacy of Fred Rogers.

Series: N/A

# of Pages: 48

Publisher: Sterling Children's Books

Publication: January 7th, 2020

Source: Library Copy

Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book

Goodreads | Amazon

The inspiring story of Dr. Patricia Bath, a groundbreaking ophthalmologist who pioneered laser surgery—and gave her patients the gift of sight. Born in the 1940s, Patricia Bath dreamed of being an ophthalmologist at a time when becoming a doctor wasn’t a career option for most women—especially African-American women. This empowering biography follows Dr. Bath in her quest to save and restore sight to the blind, and her decision to “choose miracles” when everyone else had given up hope. Along the way, she cofounded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, invented a specialized laser for removing cataracts, and became the first African-American woman doctor to receive a medical patent.

Whewwwww! Ya'll this one was definitely a good one for Black History Month. I honestly didn't know anything about Patricia until I read this book and I'm so glad that I did. She was such an AMAZING individual and I learned so much about her fight to become an ophthalmologist. She NEVER let anyone deter her from following her dreams. It was so inspiring to read her story especially when I learned how much she did for communities. What I'm beginning to love about publishing companies that specifically publish picture books is that they are set on releasing books non-fiction black narratives that do not focus on the "popular" names that we're used to seeing (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr.). Understandably, these stories are important; however, I do believe that different voices deserve the opportunity to be heard. The artwork was also amazing. Every single panel including a quote from Patricia. They were absolutely beautiful and were quotes that could definitely be applicable to your every day life.

Sunday Post, #38 Week 102394700 of Quarantine

2020-04-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

This week went by faster than the weeks that I've had before since we started quarantining. I'm getting used to this new routine. I've been a little stressed this week hearing that our Governor is set on opening up our state quickly. I understand that our economy has to be restarted, but I also want our government to take the necessary precautions. I feel so deeply for those who have been affected by COVID whether it's personally or financially. I just want the world to heal for the better and here in the US politics seems to be getting in the way of providing safety. Other than that I've been enjoying my time with my daughter and family. It's been a lot of fun. I'm finding a balance with blogging and reading and working from home. I've also been walking in between 2.5 -3 miles a day which has helped lower my stress levels. I'm hoping that I can keep it up. I read quite a bit this week and I'm excited to share it with everyone. Keep reading!

This week I read a total of 1094 pages which is pretty decent considering that I'm a full time stay at home mom to a 6 month old now HAHA!

The King Maker (4 Stars), Anti/Hero (4 Stars), Pizza My Heart (3 Stars)

Muffin Compares to You (3 Stars), Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed (4 Stars), Fables Vol. 5: Mean Seasons (4 Stars)

Sweet On You (3 Stars)

Thank you so much to the authors and publishers for these books!

I want to keep it realistic in my expectations of what I plan to accomplish this week, but I've been reading so much lately. My goodreads goal was 100, but I've already read 70 books this year.

Fried's Big Feelings & Patricia's Vision (Mini-Review)
Anti/Hero (Review)
Waiting on Wednesday, #70
Locke & Key, Vol. 1 (Review)
Friday #56, #70
American Royals (Review)

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner (Mini-Review)

2020-04-18T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 272
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication: September 3rd, 2019
Source: Library Copy
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Goodreads | Amazon

Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind graphic novel about a half-witch who has just discovered the truth about herself, her family, and her town and is doing her best to survive middle school now that she knows everything! Magic is harder than it looks. Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself. In this spellbinding graphic novel debut, Emma Steinkellner spins a story packed with humor and heart about the weird and wonderful adventures of a witch-in-progress.

If you know anything about me then you know that I'm a huge fan of graphic novels, comics, and manga. This year I've been investing my time in reading more middle grade graphic novels. The Okay Witch came to me via a colleague at work. Needless to say, the fact that this featured main characters that are POC and witches was more than enough to pique my interest. The Okay Witch focuses on 13-year old Moth who is obsessed with all things related to witches. When she accidentally uses magical powers after being bullied, Moth enters into a magical word that she never expected and learns the dark secrets that plague her town Founders Bluff, Massachusetts.

One of the most obvious things that I LOVED about this graphic novel was the representation. There aren't a lot of graphic novels that feature POC witches. It was both refreshing and interesting to see this change in a middle grade graphic novel. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Moth and her mom. To me, it was extremely realistic to see how much they struggled when the knowledge of their heritage was supposed to be kept a secret from Moth. Moth had a difficult time respecting and understanding the boundaries set forth by her mom. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them figure out how to communicate with each other and build that level of respect and trust. It's definitely something that I think all middle grade kids and parents would enjoy seeing. The only issue I had with the graphic novel was the pacing. I felt as though it moved too fast towards the end. I think that the author definitely should have considered spacing the plot over the course of two volumes.

In terms of the artwork, I found it to be vibrant and a direct representation of the story being told. While Steinkellner has an interesting way of drawing humans, I loved the varied representations. It's eye catching and the panel work was amazing.

If you're looking for a new and fun middle grade comic to check out I would definitely recommend this one.

Friday #56, #69 Sweet On You by Shay Violet

2020-04-17T12:13:00.000-04:00

The Friday #56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Join in every Friday and share an excerpt from a book you've been reading. Here are the rules:

Grab a book
Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader
Find any sentence (or a few, don't spoil it)

**Be sure to post the links to your Friday #56 below!

Happy Reading

Series: N/A

# of Pages: 86
Publisher: Self-Published on Kindle Unlimited
Publication: December 27th, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance (BWWM)
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | Amazon

It started with a kiss at midnight. Wait, what are you looking at me like that for? This isn't a fairy tale! He's a retired English footballer-turned-chef who wants to bring his billion-dollar brand to America. I was hired to make sure his new venture goes smoothly. So yes, he needs me, but not like that. Then I bump into something hard in the kitchen, and it isn't his spatula. Okay, I was wrong. He absolutely wants me like that. But do I want that? Uh, do I have a pulse? Suddenly, it's getting really hot in the kitchen. And yes, I can take the heat, but that's not what's bothering me. This joint venture could make or break both our careers. I think we should be walking on eggshells. He says you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. I tell him that's a recipe for disaster. He says not to worry because he's got the most important ingredient: Love.

"Guess she wasn’t expecting Mr. GQ Brit to be entertaining someone with the ass, sass, and braids I possessed."

I randomly picked this up because I was looking for a romance on Kindle Unlimited and I thought that this sounded really cute! I'm so excited to finish it.

What are you reading this weekend?

Waiting on Wednesday, #69 Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

2020-04-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: N/A
Publication: September 15th, 2020
Goodreads | Amazon

Korey Fields is dead. When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to stardom. Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight. Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields? All signs point to Enchanted.

First of all this cover is GORGEOUS. I was on Instagram when Jackson released the cover and I was crazy excited. Then I read the synopsis. Ya'll I've been waiting for a book like this especially with everything that is going on with R. Kelly. I'm going to be super excited when this book releases.

Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Enjoy, But Rarely Talk About

2020-04-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Tuesday Everyone! I hope you're all staying safe. Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week we were tasked to select books that we enjoy, but rarely talk about. I had found with this topic as it allowed me to explore some titles that I haven't read in a while.

A List of Cages. This was such a powerful novel. It's definitely a difficult read, but Robin Roe is such a talented and gifted storyteller. I fell in love the first time I read this book and I wish I talked about it more. Check out my review here. The Afterlife of Holly Chase. If you're looking for the perfect YA holiday read, I would definitely check this book out. It's a twist on the classic A Christmas Carol. It's been years since I've read it and I haven't really mentioned it to anyone, but it's so good. Choices. If I'm not mistaking, Choices was the first lesbian romance that I've ever read. It was such a good book with beautiful writing and characters. It's definitely a series that I want to continue some time in the future.

Girls Like Us. Oh my goodness. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I received an early copy of it for review and I thought it was a brilliant exploration of a woman's right to choice in the 1970s. I definitely don't talk about this book enough. Check out my review here. Heroine. What a powerful and dark book. This book isn't too well known and it isn't one that I talk about a lot, but it was easily one of my favorites of 2019. Hex Hall. I remember when paranormal books used to be the "thing" in the YA community. I absolutely loved Hex Hall and never talked about it after I read it.

I Am the Messenger. Like many people I often talk about Zusak's other books, but this book is definitely just as amazing and definitely underappreciated. Small Spaces. This was such a creepy book to be a middle grade novel. I could not believe how quickly I fell in love with the story and characters. Check out my review here. Life of Pi. Okay, so this book is pretty well known but it's not a book that I talk about often. Quite honestly, I struggled reading this book, but I fell in love with it. Funny enough, once I finished it I never really talked about it again.

Spelled. If you didn't know I'm a sucker for fairy tale re-tellings. I love when authors are able to take a classic tale and make it their own. This is exactly what Betsy Schow did with Spelled. I loved it, but I never really talk about it and I haven't finished the other three books. Check out my review here.

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

2020-04-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: Loveboat, Taipei #1
# of Pages: 414
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication: January 7th, 2020
Source: Library Copy
Genre: YA Contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon

When eighteen-year-old Ever Wong’s parents send her from Ohio to Taiwan to study Mandarin for the summer, she finds herself thrust among the very over-achieving kids her parents have always wanted her to be, including Rick Woo, the Yale-bound prodigy profiled in the Chinese newspapers since they were nine—and her parents’ yardstick for her never-measuring-up life. Unbeknownst to her parents, however, the program is actually an infamous teen meet-market nicknamed Loveboat, where the kids are more into clubbing than calligraphy and drinking snake-blood sake than touring sacred shrines. Free for the first time, Ever sets out to break all her parents’ uber-strict rules—but how far can she go before she breaks her own heart?

At initial glance, I expected Loveboat, Taipei to fit within the stereotypical parameters of any YA contemporary; however, I found that this novel was complex, intriguing and informative. Loveboat, Taipei follows eighteen year old Ever Wong as she attempts to mold and shape a future of her own while following the straight and narrow guidelines set forth by her parents. An avid lover of dance and amazingly talented in her own right, Ever aspires to attend a dance program; however, her parents wish for her to become a doctor ultimately fulfilling a dream her father was abruptly forced to give up. Instead of spending the final summer before college with friends, Ever's parents send her to Taipei in hopes that she will learn Mandarin and gain some cultural perspective. It is there, at Loveboat, Taipei, that Ever learns to discover the true meaning of love, family, passion, identity, and independence.

"Maybe part of fighting the unhappiness in this world is to seize happiness when we can."

Once of the most unique and informative aspects of this book comes through the voice of Ever, a child of immigrant parents. As a person of color, I'm always intrigued by the experiences of other people of color (POC that do not identify as black). While Loveboat, Taipei tackles some typical aspects of YA contemporary, it does delve into more serious topics such a racial discrimination and cultural expectations. Like a lot of individuals that are the children of immigrant parents, Ever is consistently forced to reckon with the expectations of living in America and the expectations set forth by her traditional Asian parents. It causes a deep analysis of identify in which Ever is forced to figure out what aspects of her life she longs to design for herself instead of other people. It is elements such as this that set Loveboat, Taipei apart from other YA contemporary novels. Yes, it does include teenage angst, the stereotypical love-triangle, and awkward fade to black scenes; however, it dives into so much more and drives the reader to reckon with a different narrative. These very ideals drive the plot forward and into unexpected directions. I found myself heartbroken, happy, and rooting for Ever in so many different parts of the novel.

"We're breaking another taboo, talking about racism, but I've just broken a bigger one confronting that guy before the entire restaurant, instead of sticking to that Asian nonconfrontational thing. But these are rules meant to be broken. Something happens to a kid when they see their parent treated like that. Something happens to the parent."

While I was thoroughly intrigued by the social commentary and plot development, I had a more difficult time appreciating characters outside of Ever. There was a rather awkward love square the begins early in the novel which is awkwardly and quite messily handled by Wen. While I believe that characters should have and do have the right to redemption arcs there was an act committed by a main character that I could not get past. I believed that this character received forgiveness way (and I mean wayyyyyy) too quickly for the heinous act they committed. While I would not have denied this character forgiveness, I believe that they should not have been allowed to reinstate the original relationship they had with the individual they hurt.

"Maybe I'm always obsessed with the guy who isn't available, so I don't ever put myself on the line."

Overall, I thought that Loveboat, Taipei was a phenomenal YA contemporary novel with such important voices represented. According to Goodreads a sequel is due to come out in 2021. I will be reading the sequel in hopes of learning more about Ever and her friends. If you're looking for a new perspective in the YA community I would recommend checking this out.

Sunday Post, #37 // Getting Used to the Quarantine

2020-04-12T10:21:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter Everyone! It's been a while since I've done a Sunday Post; however, its been a world wind of crazy for me even before the pandemic. Once the pandemic started I had to get my depression and anxiety in check before I could even come close to thinking about posting on here or on my Youtube channel. I'm getting back into the swing of things and I've been really enjoying time with my parents and daughter. Speaking of, my daughter is growing before my eyes. I remember making a few posts about being a single mom and now my daughter is almost 6 months. It is the craziest and coolest thing. I'm still trying to read and post as much as possible. I hope you're all staying safe!

I read a total of 1115 pages. I clearly focused a lot on reading Marvel comics and Jason Reynolds' books. I don't think that I've formally stated it, but I'm attempting to read through his entire bibliography.

Long Way Down (5 Stars), Look Both Ways (4 Stars), The Amazing Spider Man, Issue #1 (4 Stars)

Amazing Adult Fantasy Issue #7 (4 Stars), Fantastic Four Issue #1 (3 Stars), Hocus Pocus & The All-New Sequel (3 Stars)

The Amazing Spiderman Issue #1 (4 Stars)

No books were hauled this week.

I'm currently working from home and I have some meetings during the week as well as taking care of my baby girls so I'm not sure how much I'm going to make it through this week, but these are some books that I do want to finish.

Loveboat, Taipei (Review)
TTT: Books I Enjoyed, But Rarely Talk About
Waiting on Wednesday
Anti-Hero (Review)
Friday #56
Okay Witch (Review)

Claiming You by Tina Martin

2020-04-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: The Lennox Series, #2
# of Pages: 141
Publisher: Kindle/Amazon
Publication: February 1st, 2016
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Goodreads | Amazon

At 39, Remington (Remy) Lennox married Emory McNeil. They’ve been friends for two years – married for one of those years. He told her the marriage was strictly for business reasons and that they'd keep it between themselves while remaining friends. That the rest of the Lennox family doesn't have to know. What he doesn’t tell Emory is, he’s deeply in love with her. She thinks they’re only friends, but he worships the ground she walks on. Still, he keeps his feelings at bay, that is until he feels like his younger brother, Giovanni is moving in on his territory. Now, Remington knows he must CLAIM his woman and let her know his true feelings. Keeping their "arrangement" a secret is no longer an option. * * * The Lennox Series are all standalone novellas with the exception of Caught in the Storm with a Lennox which is the prequel to Claiming You.

Claiming You is a short yet beautifully written African-American contemporary romance novella. The second in the Lennox in Love series, Claiming You chronicles the blooming romance between Remington Lennox and Emory McNeil. While the two characterize their marriage as "strictly for business," Remy harbors true love for Emory and makes the decision to express his true desires once his brother begins to show feelings for Emory as well. What follows is an exploration of love, friendship, and family.

"I grin to myself. I don’t have those kinds of problems. I hate makeup as much as I dislike dressing up. That’s why, as soon as my butt touched the back seat of his car, the first thing I did was relieve my feet of these stilettos and massage my toes. Next came the earrings."

For the past few months I have been spending a considerable amount of time reading African-American contemporary romances. While I have changed my ideas and attitudes towards romance as a whole, I found that I wanted to focus more on reading romance books that not only feature African-American characters, but also those that are written by African-American authors. Claiming You was an ideal choice in this venture. Character development is a key component to Claiming You since it is a short novella that doesn't really allot time for much plot development. Emory is such a beautiful (yes, beautiful) and dynamic character. I related to her in so many different ways and I loved that she was kind, compassionate, and thoughtful towards everyone she encountered. It's no surprise then that I did not find Remy to be the most compatible for Emory. It is clear that Remy loves Emory, that he is willing to move earth, heaven, and stars for her; however, Emory almost felt too good for Remy's controlling and dominating nature. Where Emory seems to be the equivalent of ease, gentleness, and peace, Remy exudes arrogance, crassness, and roughness. Nevertheless, Martin is able to create scenarios and situations that assists the development of their relationship.

"Well, Emmie is not going to be one of your drive-bys. She’s too good for that, and I won’t let you hurt her."

As with any novella, plot development can be difficult to assess because of the lack of material. That's not to say that Claiming You didn't have a plot; however, I did find that the ending was rushed and that the explanation for the original connection between Emory and Remy was glossed over for the sake of page count. I would have preferred a longer and more in-depth novel that would have explored the beginning of their relationship. This exploration would have prevented the ending from being rushed and seeming thrown together. It was through the reading of this novel that I discovered that I'm not an individual that enjoys when novels leave me wanting more. It makes both the novel and the writing feel incomplete. In spite of these issues that I had, I did enjoy the writing. Martin was able to beautifully capture Emory in a way that made me relate to her in some pretty significant ways. Overall, it could have used a little more editing, but I found the writing to be enjoyable.

"When you love someone, you give them power over you, you know."

While it wasn't the best African American contemporary that I've read over the past 6 months, it was a enjoyable novella and I'm looking forward to seeing what else the author has to offer.

Friday #56, #68 The King Maker by Kennedy Ryan

2020-04-10T09:30:00.000-04:00

The Friday #56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Join in every Friday and share an excerpt from a book you've been reading. Here are the rules:

Grab a book
Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader
Find any sentence (or a few, don't spoil it)

**Be sure to post the links to your Friday #56 below!

Happy Reading

Series: The Kingmaker, #1

# of Pages: 344

Publisher: Scribechick Media, LLC

Publication: October 28th, 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads | Amazon

Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition. In a world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it. My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and would do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied. And neither will I.

"He stares at me for a moment before dropping his eyes to the floor. 'Him, too, yeah. I should have told you about my family.'"

This book came highly recommend from some romance readers that I highly trust. I definitely loved that Ryan has been able to capture such great representation in this story. It's been making my heart flutter and I can't wait to finish it.

What are you all reading this weekend?

The Avant-Guards Vol. 1 (Mini-Review) by Carly Usdin

2020-04-09T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: The Avant-Guards, Vol. 1 (Issue #1-4)
# of Pages: 112
Publisher: Boom Box
Publication: September 3rd, 2019
Source: Library
Genre: Slice of Life, Sports Comic
Goodreads | Amazon

When Charlie transfers to the Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics, she struggles to find her feet, but winds up exactly where she belongs...in the school’s (terrible) basketball team. As a transfer student to the Georgia O’Keeffe College for Arts and Subtle Dramatics, former sports star Charlie is struggling to find her classes, her dorm, and her place amongst a student body full of artists who seem to know exactly where they’re going. When the school’s barely-a-basketball-team unexpectedly attempts to recruit her, Charlie’s adamant that she’s left that life behind…until she’s won over by the charming team captain, Liv, and the ragtag crew she’s managed to assemble. And while Charlie may have left cut-throat competition in in the dust, sinking these hoops may be exactly what she needs to see the person she truly wants to be. From Carly Usdin (Heavy Vinyl) and artist Noah Hayes (Wet Hot American Summer, Goldie Vance) comes an ensemble comedy series that understands that it’s the person you are off the court that matters most.

Written with the same dynamic characters and "slice of life" narrative as Giant Days, The Avant-Guards explores the budding friendship between several college basketball friends. When Charlie transfers to Georgia OKeeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics, she does everything in her power to avoid making friends and getting involved with the terrible basketball team. However, with the help of Olivia and some other dynamic characters, Charlie rediscovers her love for the sport, builds new friendships, and even finds romance.

One of the most rewarding and pivotal aspects of The Avant-Guards is the representation. While representation is FINALLY on the cusp of becoming the norm in publishing (sad that I'm making this statement in 2020), The Avant-Guards reaches so many different levels of rep. Some of the representations included are: trans characters, non-binary characters, queer characters, POC, and anxiety. And while this may come across as Usdin simply adding representation to add representation, it's actually done really well and in such a positive light. I prefer to read stories where different aspects of representation are normalized and don't necessarily have to serve as part of the narrative.

While I thought that the story was fun, engaging and easy to follow, it was the artwork that truly sealed the deal for the amazing beauty of this comic series. The vibrant colors used in the panels make the story "pop" and show the time, detail, and effort placed into making this comic. There are even panels where there is nothing in the background but a bright color and simple designs pushing the reader to engage more with the characters in the forefront. The colors balance so well together that something that typically appears to be simplistic actually becomes astonishingly beautiful. Each composition gives more to the narrative of the story.

Although I found the first volume (issues #1-#4) to be a relatively quick read, I was looking forward to the next volume. It should also be stated that the reader does not need to be a fan of basketball to appreciate and enjoy the sports aspect of this graphic novel. While it is at the core of the story, the narrative also does focus on the development and appreciation of friendships. If you're looking for a fun, interesting comic series to check out, I would definitely recommend checking this out.

Waiting on Wednesday, #68 Majesty by Katharine McGee

2020-04-08T09:30:00.000-04:00

Series: American Royals, #2
Publication: September 1st, 2020
Goodreads | Amazon

Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton. As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne's carefully laid "marry Prince Jefferson" plans. A new reign has begun....

I recently finished the first book in the American Royals series a little over a month ago and thought it was okay. I definitely thought there could have been better representation and elements that would distinguish it from English monarchy. Nevertheless, I'm interested in seeing what the author plans on doing in the next book.

Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Bought/Borrowed For Hype

2020-04-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Tuesday Everyone! I hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe. Clearly I have been absent from the blog due to a pretty hectic schedule and then the pandemic. I thought I would make a reappearance by participating in another Top 10 Tuesday. It's actually been a while since I've joined in on one of these. It's now being hosted over at The Artsy Reader Girl. This weeks theme was "Books I Bought/Borrowed...." I decided to go for the "hyped" as my category because I'm always guilty of borrowing or buying books for the hype. Check out my 10 below:

The Wrath and the Dawn. I remember when this book first became popular in the bookish community. It was marketed so well and I must admit that Ahdieh did an amazing job considering this was her debut novel. Surprisingly, I haven't had the urge to continue the duology. My True Love Gave to Me. Yikes. This came out around the time that anthologies became a thing in the YA community. The stories definitely were not created equally. Food Wars. If you know me then you know that this was the best "hyped-book" decision that I have ever made. I absolutely loved this series. It got me through a really difficult time and it's definitely a comfort read.

The Raven Boys. This book, no, this series is so popular among YA readers. It took me a while to get the urge to read the first book and then when I did pick it up IT WAS SO SLOW. While I believe that Stiefvater exemplifies her brilliant writing skills in this series, I do believe that it is a series for those who love character development instead of plot development. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Worth ALL of the hype. If you have never read this book I would definitely recommend picking it up soon. Shadow and Bone. This first in a dynamic and complex series, I didn't pick this book up until it became required reading for a library school class. I loved every single page and I hope to continue the series this year.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I owned this book for years because it was so popular in the Booktube community; however, it took me until 2019 to actually pick it up. While I enjoyed it, I still don't get all the hype and I'm not really pressed on finishing the series anytime soon. Beautiful Darkness. Believe it or not this was such a popular OG Booktube book when paranormal books were all the craze. I finished the entire series and thought it was okay. It definitely has a lot of the typical teenage angst. Mistborn. The hype is real! Read this book! I haven't even finished the series and I'm so glad that I believed in the hype and decided to buy and read it.

The Hate U Give. I mean who hasn't bought into the hype of this book? It's worth and deserves every single praise that it receives. Read it now.

What books have you bought/borrowed because of hype? Have you been disappointed? Let me know in the comments below.

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver & Earth Hour (Mini-Review)

2020-03-21T10:00:00.000-04:00

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 40
Publication: January 14th, 2020
Source: Library Copy
Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book
Goodreads | Amazon

The inspirational story of George Washington Carver and his childhood secret garden is brought to life in this picture book biography by the author-illustrator team behind Muhammad Ali: A Champion Is Born. When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own. Here, he rolled dirt between his fingers to check if plants needed more rain or sun. He protected roots through harsh winters, so plants could be reborn in the spring. He trimmed flowers, spread soil, studied life cycles. And it was in this very place that George’s love of nature sprouted into something so much more—his future. Gene Barretta’s moving words and Frank Morrison’s beautiful paintings tell the inspiring life and history of George Washington Carver, from a baby born into slavery to celebrated botanist, scientist, and inventor. His passion and determination are the seeds to this lasting story about triumph over hardship—a tale that begins in a secret garden.

This book was AMAZING. Of course I’ve heard of George Washington Carver and I know a little bit about his legacy however I’m always amazed of how much you can learn from children’s nonfiction books. They can be phenomenal. This book really made me learn a lot about his past and why he was so passionate about agriculture. I think that people always recognize his ability to utilize the peanut in so many different ways but I think that this book definitely provides much more insight to his life. There was so much I didn’t know. For example, I had no idea that he even acquired a Masters degree! It’s such a phenomenal story. And the artwork adds a special touch. Each picture within the book showcases the artists' ability to capture detail while making sure the pictures remained soft and appeal to the eye. If you're interested in teaching your children more about historical figures I would definitely recommend checking this one out.

Series: N/A

# of Pages: 32

Publication: January 21st, 2020

Source: Library Copy

Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book

Goodreads | Amazon

Click flashlights, light lanterns, get ready to turn electric lights out to celebrate Earth Hour! Wherever you come from, you can help our planet. Kids around the world use electric energy to do all kinds of things--adults do, too! From cleaning the clothes we play in, to lighting up our dinner tables, to keeping us warm and toasty when the weather is cold, electricity is a huge part of our lives. Unfortunately, it can also have a big impact on our planet. Earth Hour--a worldwide movement in support of energy conservation and sustainability--takes place each March and is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). During Earth Hour, individuals, communities, and businesses in more than 7,000 cities turn off nonessential electric lights for one hour. Across each continent--from the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China to the Statue of Liberty--one small act reminds all of us of our enormous impact on planet Earth.

Okayyyyy so I feel so bad because before reading this book I was highly unaware of Earth Hour and I feel like I definitely should be doing better about energy conservation. The illustrations and the diversity showcased in this book were great! If you didn’t know Earth Hour occurs this year on March 28th at 8:30pm and I’m definitely going to participate. I think with the direction that our planet is going in it’s definitely important to teach our little ones about taking care of the planet and how we can do better about conserving energy. I know that a lot of things have changed since the beginning of the pandemic, but I know that this is something that the world is still going to be thinking about once this is all done and over. I hope that even during this difficult time people still consider participating.

Friday #56, #67 Food Wars Vol. 6 by Yuto Tsukuda

2020-03-20T16:58:00.001-04:00

The Friday #56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Join in every Friday and share an excerpt from a book you've been reading. Here are the rules:

Grab a book
Turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader
Find any sentence (or a few, don't spoil it)

**Be sure to post the links to your Friday #56 below!

Happy Reading

Series: Food Wars, #6

# of Pages: 192

Publication: June 2nd, 2015

Genre: Shonen Manga

Source: Owned

Goodreads | Amazon

Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?! The contestants for the Totsuki Institute’s annual Fall Classic have been chosen! A decades-old event, the Fall Classic has been the grand stage for fierce cooking battles for years. The chosen participants, each aiming to be crowned winner, begin their training! But as they do, someone special visits Polaris Dorm.

pg. 56

This is a re-read for me! However, if you know me then you know that this is one of my favorite manga series of all time. I've read up to about volume 23, but it's been so long that I decided to do a re-read of the entire series. I actually have a review of this volume as well. You can find a review here. What are you reading this weekend?

Waiting on Wednesday, #67: Clap When You Land by

2020-03-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Series: N/A
Publication: May 5th, 2020
Genre: Contemporary

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance - and Papi's secrets - the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other. Papi's death uncovers all the painful truths he kept hidden, and the love he divided across an ocean. And now, Camino and Yahaira are both left to grapple with what this new sister means to them, and what it will now take to keep their dreams alive. In a dual narrative novel in verse that brims with both grief and love, award-winning and bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.

I've read both of Acevedo's books and enjoyed them both! I was excited to learn that she was writing another book that would be coming out this year. First of all the cover is phenomenal and I think that the premise is something that I can definitely relate to. I'm debating whether I want to read this one when it comes out or what for Acevedo to read it on audiobook. Have you all heard of it yet?

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

2020-02-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 209
Publication: August 27th, 2019
Source: Library Copy
Genre: Graphic Novel
Goodreads | Amazon

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1. But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye. Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . . What if their last shift was an adventure?

I wouldn't necessarily call myself a comic book connoisseur, BUT I do read a lot of comics, manga, and graphic novels. They're definitely my sweet spot when it comes to reading and I'm critical of them in a different way than I am with prose. I picked up Pumpkinheads mainly because of the hype and I wanted to see if it was truly worthy of the 2019 Goodreads award for Best Graphic Novel. Unfortunately, it did not live up to either and I'm convinced that the author's name is what garnered so much buzz. Pumpkinheads follows to main characters, Deja and Josiah, as they complete their last shift at pumpkin patch before they head to college. During this last shift, Deja encourages Josiah to go after the girl he's been crushing on for ages. The story unfolds as a misadventure of sorts to finally find this unidentified love interest. What could have been a potentially interesting story turned out to be the driest and most boring graphic novel I've read in a while. The characters weren't interesting and the plot was so predictable that it only took about 50 pages before I realized how the story was going to end. Graphic novels, comics, and manga have a shorter amount of time to engage and surprise their audiences so it takes a really gifted writer to develop one that keeps the reader on their toes. I truly believe that Rainbow Rowell is incapable of doing this. I like that there was LGBTQIA+ rep; however, the "fat" rep seemed a little off to me. There is a trigger warning for fat shaming. I just wanted more from the characters and the plot. I feel like this graphic novel was definitely over-hyped and unjustly awarded the Goodreads award when it was up against some pretty good contenders. While I didn't enjoy the plot or the characters, I must say that I loved the artwork. Faith Erin Hicks did a phenomenal job. I can't give my recommendation for this graphic novel, but if you're interested check it out at least for the artwork.

Waiting on Wednesday, #66: Now That I've Found You

2020-02-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Series: N/A
Publication: June 2nd, 2020
Genre: Contemporary
Goodreads | Amazon

A YA novel about searching for answers, love, and your eccentric grandma in all the wrong places. Following in the footsteps of her überfamous grandma, eighteen-year-old Evie Jones is poised to be Hollywood’s next big star. That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted . . . Fortunately, Evie knows just the thing to save her floundering career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi, aka the Evelyn Conaway. The only problem? Gigi is a recluse who’s been out of the limelight for almost twenty years. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears. With time running out and her comeback on the line, Evie reluctantly enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. As Evie and Milo conduct a wild manhunt across New York City, romance and adventure abound while Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.

This sounds so good! I've really been feeling contemporary books lately and I think that this one is right up my alley. And look at the cover! It's beautiful!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2020-02-20T11:29:00.002-05:00

Series: N/A
# of Pages: 391
Publication: June 13th, 2017
Source: Library Audio
Genre: Historical Fiction
Goodreads | Amazon

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means--and what it costs--to face the truth.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is such a wildly known book. I remember when it was first published in 2017 and people instantly fell in love with it. Three years later and it's still a crowd favorite, so when I noticed that the audiobook was available for check out at my local library I rushed to listen to it. Not a single second of this book failed me. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me angry, and it made me consider the type of impact that I've had on others that have been a part of my life. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is an intimate look into the life of Hugo's experience with being married seven different times. While the context of the story seems shallow (I mean who wouldn't be interested in knowing why a movie star was married to seven different men), the actual "meat" of the story is so much more. Over the years a few people have unintentionally spoiled a small part of the book for me; however, the overall plot remained a surprise and I must say it broke, no shattered my heart.

This book is not for the faint of heart and it's not for those who may think that it is nothing more than a well-developed contemporary tale. It deals with the harsh and sometimes unfair realities of race and identity. Hugo, Cuban, struggles with her heritage and runs from it by dying her hair blond. Monique is bi-racial and struggles with the age old debate of not being black or white enough compared to her counterparts. Then Reid carefully and brilliantly explores sexual identity and what it means to be queer while also finding comfort in sexual freedom and utilizing one's body as a mean to obtain advancements in life. There are sections that closely examine the objectification of women and their inability to determine their destinies and journeys. If that isn't enough, Reid also explores the heartbreaking sacrifices that come with true love and motherhood and the aching pain of regret. Even while writing this review I still can't believe that Reid was able to successfully compact all of these elements into such a gut and heart wrenching novel.

While the reader does not learn much about Monique as a character (I never felt as though she was as "fleshed" out as Hugo), there is a deep and seemingly difficult character analysis of Evelyn Hugo. While I won't go into specifics of Hugo's life to prevent spoilers, I will say that she is a complex character. There were moments when I enjoyed her, empathized with her, and disliked her. She made me feel a full range of emotions that I did realize a character was capable of giving. She surprised me and continued to develop as a character up until the very last page of the novel. In fact, I can proudly state that Hugo is one of the most dynamic characters I've ever read in a book.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will easily go down as one of the most amazing books that I've read in 2020. I was sad when I realized that the book was over and I honestly can't wait to read this book again. If you're looking for a hard hitting book that explores deep and meaningful topics I would definitely recommend picking this up.

Waiting on Wednesday, #65: A Phoenix First Must Burn by Patrice Caldwell

2020-02-19T12:33:00.002-05:00

Series: N/A
Publication: March 10, 2020Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Goodreads | Amazon

Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic. Evoking Beyoncé’s Lemonade for a teen audience, these authors who are truly Octavia Butler’s heirs, have woven worlds to create a stunning narrative that centers Black women and gender nonconforming individuals. A Phoenix First Must Burn will take you on a journey from folktales retold to futuristic societies and everything in between. Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroines of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them. Authors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Jalissa Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Davis, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Justina Ireland, Danny Lore, L.L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi.

I'm super excited for the release of this book! I think that I'll be receiving an ARC of it so I can't wait to dive in!