Exit West
by Mohsin Hamid
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Publication Date: March 7, 2017
I have never read another book quite like Mohsin Hamid’s novel EXIT WEST. In a magical realism style, Hamid skillfully paints the picture of a country in the midst of a brutal civil war and the plight of two refugees to escape their country. The novel centers around Nadia and Saeed, two people who could not be more different. Nadia is wild and unrestrained, riding a motorcycle and smoking pot on her balcony. Saeed is gentle and kind. As the unlikely duo begin a whirlwind relationship, refugees across the world discover “doors” that, when walked through, transport them to a different place in the world. A beautifully clever metaphor for the struggles of refugees, these doors start to become international news and some “nicer” countries begin to place guards in front of them to prevent people from entering their country. As Saeed and Nadia’s story intersects that of the magical doors, all is to be revealed and much is to be learned. EXIT WEST is a wonderfully original book that will stick in the minds of any reader for weeks after.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme
by Tiffany D. Jackson
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books/HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
LET ME HEAR A RHYME is about the death of teenage rapper, Steph. His sister and two friends decide to keep his legacy alive and try get him a record deal. It is told from three different perspectives: Jazz, Quadir, and Jarrell. I really enjoyed this book. As a big fan of rap and the culture, I appreciated it greatly. The slang was well used and relevant with teens today. The author did a great job of describing the situation that they live in. The character relationships were well thought out and the plot came together nicely. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I think you would too. It's really relevant in today's society.
Missing, Presumed Dead
by Emma Berquist
Publisher: Greenwillow/HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD is a thrilling murder mystery about high school dropout, Alexandra “Lexi” Ivanovich, who teams up with a recently killed ghost, Jane Morris. Jane was murdered at the bar Lexi works at, but doesn’t remember who killed her and why. What Lexi is surprised by, however, is that Jane is not the only stabbing victim who went missing in the last month: Urie, Lexi’s boss, worries that they have a serial killer on their hands, who’s using their bar club as a slaughtering ground.
However, Lexi’s abilities branch far beyond just seeing ghosts: she can also see how and when people die just at a touch. Overwhelmed with the guilt that she had seen Jane’s death before it actually happened and couldn’t stop it, Lexi tries to help Jane find her killer before he harms anyone else. What follows is an exciting mystery/ghost story with a hefty dose of honesty, humor, and romance.
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was extremely creative and the story flowed so well, I wasn’t even paying attention to how far along in the book I was. Berquist does an especially great job with the characters, as they were not only complex in their own ways, but very likable and fun to read about! I highly recommend this book to mystery, romance, and horror fans alike. (A slight gore warning, but nothing too severe.)
I Wish You All the Best
by Mason Deaver
Publisher: Push/Scholastic
Publication Date: May 14, 2019
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST is a charmingly honest romance that focuses on the conflicts of family struggles, self-acceptance, and love. The story follows 18-year-old Ben DeBacker, who is kicked out of their home after coming out to their parents as non-binary. Finding their life flipped upside down in less than an hour, Ben struggles to not only reconnect with their estranged older sister Hannah, but deal with newfound anxiety caused by their parent’s rejection. However, one thing that makes it all a bit easier is Ben’s outgoing friend, Nathan Allan. As the two grow closer at Ben’s new school, their feelings do as well, and Ben’s new life gives way to an opportunity for acceptance, paintings, and a first love.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster, one that kept me wrapped in the story right from the start. Though I have never had experience with being kicked out by my parents or being non-binary, I really empathized with Ben’s character, and was rooting for them to find their voice and find happiness in not only others, but themself as well. This book truly was written from the heart, and I cannot recommend it enough!
How It Feels to Float
by Helena Fox
Publisher: Dial Books/Penguin
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Get ready to feel all the feelings in Helena Fox’s emotional debut novel, HOW IT FEELS TO FLOAT. Biz is an outsider at school in every sense of the word. She has to deal with confusion about her sexuality, the process of losing her best friend to a boy, cruel rumors, and above all, getting over the death of her dad. It doesn’t make it easier that she frequently imagines her dad coming back to talk to her. Later on, after a breakdown, Biz starts to take a photography class. It is here where she discovers that the pictures she takes literally talk to her. This inspires Biz to start on a road trip where she hopes to find memories of her dad in the places he has lived.
I loved this novel from the first chapter. Biz is a perfect example of a flawed protagonist, and her mental health issues are presented beautifully. I felt like I was in the story right along with Biz which led to me rooting for her heavily the entire time, feeling the highs and lows with her. The friendships that Biz makes and breaks throughout, along with her relationship to her mom, brought me closer to her. Biz’s grief, pain, and happiness felt so real and at the end of the novel, I felt like she was someone I knew in real life. HOW IT FEELS TO FLOAT is a stunning debut by an author with a lot of promise and I highly recommend it.
Her Royal Highness
by Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Reading HER ROYAL HIGHNESS is like being offered a glass of water on a really hot day; you didn’t know you wanted it, but it hits the spot. Refreshing, light, sweet, simple, goes down quick, and leaves you wanting more. Our endearing protagonist, Millie, leaves Texas for her senior year of high school in Scotland when she finds that her kind-of girlfriend has gotten back together with an ex-boyfriend. Mille finds herself a bit overwhelmed by the extravagance of Gregorstoun, an exclusive boarding school where the elite of Scotland reside. After meeting her snide, arrogant, bratty roommate, Millie discovers that she is the Princess of Scotland. Numerous run-ins with the princess, Flora, bring Millie into bar fights, close to expulsion, and stranded in the wilderness, yet still Millie is drawn in by the short-tempered princess. Millie develops a crush and tries her best to ignore it, scared of the side effects of dating royalty. We can probably guess what actually ends up happening. At times, the pressure of constant scrutiny from tabloids and royal family members seems too much for Millie. Was their relationship doomed from the start?
I’d characterize Her Royal Highness as a fun spring/summer read. It reads as one would expect, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. If you're looking for a sweet love story in Scotland then you’d love this book.
Hope and Other Punchlines
by Julie Buxbaum
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Julie Buxbaum’s newest novel, HOPE AND OTHER PUNCHLINES, tells the tale of resilient Abbi Goldstein. Abbi is fifteen years old and is desperately trying to get out of the shadow of the “Baby Hope” photo, taken of her on her first birthday, September 11th, as the Twin Towers collapsed in the background. The photograph, invented by the author, became very famous and was seen as a portrait of hope in times of despair. In an attempt to shake off this legacy that has become too much to bear, Abbi decides to be a summer camp counselor where she hopes no one will recognize her. Alas, her summer might not go the way she wanted. Medical concerns, family trouble, blackmail, turbulent friendships, and a boy all stand between her and her perfect summer of anonymity.
This book was a very quick read for me. The dual perspectives of Abbi and fellow camp counselor Noah keep things moving and provide alternate outlooks on the same events. Buxbaum does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life in a very realistic way, and I found myself truly caring about what happened to them. All together, HOPE AND OTHER PUNCH LINES is a poignant and meaningful novel about moving on, accepting your legacy, and the importance of hope. While this was not my favorite book, there is a lot to like about it.
