Review: 19 Love Songs

19 Love Songs
by David Levithan

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication Date: January 7th, 2020

19 Love Songs, written by David Levithan, delivers a beautiful experience full of some good laughs, a few good cries, and a lot of love. Like most short story anthologies, 19 Love Songs is a short read with a lot of great diversity. Every story is unique and filled with fresh perspectives on what love is. Unlike a lot of love stories, 19 Love Songs focuses on all types of deep, emotional relationships; ranging from romantic to family love. For anyone who is a fan of David Levithan, who likes unconventional love stories, or who just wants a short read that involves a lot of fun, 19 Love Songs is an essential read. 

Review: Hope and Other Punchlines

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.

Review: Life Sucks

Life Sucks
by Michael I. Bennett and Sarah Bennett

Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Publication Date: April 9, 2019

LIFE SUCKS is not a story, but more of a (slightly comedic) guide to life. It goes into detail on many common problems one may have in their life, from home to family to friends and more. This book gives advice on how to deal with many issues, understanding these issues, and how what you need to do might differ from what you think you need to do. But my favorite section of this book is “What your parents say to try to help," “...and why it isn’t helpful at all." These sections are fairly self explanatory. 

As someone who felt his life sucked for the past year, I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels like their life sucks or is struggling with any of the mentioned topics. However, I would recommend this book even more to the parents of kids who are struggling. 

Review: Immoral Code

Immoral Code
by Lillian Clark

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 19, 2019

IMMORAL CODE by Lillian Clark is an honestly written Robin Hood-like story about coming of age, fighting for what’s right, and the rollercoasters of friendship. IMMORAL CODE focuses on a plan to rob the privileged and callous billionaire known as Robert Foster, whose eccentric wealth is also the reason his daughter, Bellamy, does not qualify for MIT financial aid. Since Foster’s only presence in Bellamy’s life is childcare payments, Bellamy’s dreams of MIT and space travel are practically over; at least, until her tech-wiz friend Nari comes up with the heist to end all heists. Bellamy and her group of friends pack up for a Spring Break trip consisting of donuts, horror movies, and taking seven thousand dollars right out from under Foster’s nose; you know, normal teenage stuff.

I have to admit, the writing in this book primarily focuses on each character’s inner monologues, right down to every specific thought and detail; in the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I liked the writing style, but it soon grew on me, as it made the characters feel much more fleshed out and was really funny. Clark did a great job at creating each of these characters' unique personalities and relationships to each other, especially staying true to the complicated yet endearing terms of friendship. IMMORAL CODE was a delightful read, and I recommend it to those who enjoy hilarious shenanigans and adventure!

Review: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
by Julie C. Dao

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication Date: October 10, 2017

Xifeng is a peasant girl who’s been told all her life that she would one day be Empress of Feng Lu. Yet, to sit on the throne, she will have to give up her friends, her family, and possibly even herself.

FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS by Julie C. Dao is, without a doubt, one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read! Though a retelling of The Evil Queen legend, Dao manages to make every aspect of the story her own. The world of Feng Lu that Dao paints is masterful -- every page bristles with culture and history -- and the complex characters within it ooze life and passion. Xifeng is both someone you root for and fear for her success. If you’re looking for a book with strong historical influences, a protagonist you’ll hate to love, and a gripping plot that, simply put, will make it nearly impossible to stop reading, FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS is the book for you!

Review: Sam and Ilsa's Last Hurrah

Sam and Ilsa's Last Hurrah
by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication Date: April 10, 2018

SAM AND ILSA'S LAST HURRAH by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan was a delightful, sweet, and hilarious short novel about twins saying goodbye to their pasts and jumping into their new lives after high school. When given the chance, twins Ilsa and Sam hold extravagant dinner parties at their grandmother's penthouse in New York. To make things interesting they each invite three secret guests that the other sibling doesn’t know. At the close of their high school days they hold their final dinner party which turns out to be a wacky, magical night during which secrets are professed, glass is shattered, and the truth comes out whether or not it was meant to be shared!

This story had me laughing out loud. Its plot was so absurd yet emotional and meaningful. In one scene, a sock puppet might be trash talking a toddler while other characters seriously consider the impact their lives have on the environment and how life will change as sea levels rise and the polar ice caps melt. As the events follow a whirlwind pattern, both Sam and Ilsa experience a rollercoaster of emotion throughout the book. They fight, change their minds, and change them back. Each party guest adds another layer of turmoil for the narrators. The cast of characters includes ex-boyfriends, new potential boyfriends, new potential girlfriends, horrible best friends, a sock puppet, dance partners, and neighbors. Overall this book is crazy and fun, a good short read! 

Review: Dear Martin

Dear Martin
by Nic Stone

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 17, 2017

DEAR MARTIN by Nic Stone is a powerful, emotional story about the realities of entrenched racism in American society. The novel deals with themes of police brutality, privilege, and gang culture as protagonist Justyce McAllister struggles to come to terms with the ignorance in his community. I personally thought that this book was very eye-opening; the subject matter is incredibly relevant in today’s increasingly polarized society.

I was extremely emotionally invested in Justyce’s story; there were definitely some tear-jerking moments. I absolutely loved the character of Sarah Jane, Justyce’s outspoken, insanely intelligent debate partner who exemplifies allyship. This book felt extremely truthful and real, the writing was superb, and I honestly cannot think of a single friend I would not recommend this to. Derogatory racial slurs are used in this novel; there are also themes of violence and substance abuse, so I would recommend it for older teens.

Review: Genuine Fraud

Genuine Fraud
by E. Lockhart

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: September 5, 2017

GENUINE FRAUD is a book full of lies. Two murders, three bad romances, two girls. One is Imogen Sokoloff. The other is arguably also Imogen Sokoloff. One Imogen is the murderer, one Imogen is the victim. Both Imogens have gone missing. Both Imogens refuse to give others what they want. One of the Imogens is named Jule West Williams. And she is a runner. The plot is one big spoiler. The novel goes backwards until the very end and tosses you around like a rag doll.

I loved GENUINE FRAUD. While I am unlike both of the main characters in nearly every way--murder is simply not for me--they resonate with me, because ambition and fear are things I understand very deeply. E. Lockhart makes this roller coaster of a book feel slow enough and clear enough to shock you in a different way than you were expecting. But never does it become too confusing for you to catch every little bit: no, you stick to her writing style like fly paper and everything soaks in. It is unsettling and wild and wonderful.

        

Review: The Whole Thing Together

The Whole Thing Together
by Ann Brashares

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Ray and Sasha live in the same house, share the same room, and sleep in the same bed...but they've never even met each other. Sasha's dad was once married to Ray's mom, but a bitter divorce has left the families splitting the same beachfront property (on alternating weekends) and three older daughters, but not much else. Their older daughters are determined to change this and bring the families back together, and Sasha and Ray are caught in the tidal wave of change that follows.

Back after her acclaimed SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS series, Ann Brashares pens a beautifully poignant novel about family, sorrow, and forgiveness in THE WHOLE THING TOGETHER. Each character is unique and well-crafted, every interaction powerful and distinct. While reflective and incredibly rich in both detail and depth, this novel still manages to be bright, funny, and engaging, making it unquestionably one of the best books of this year.

Review: Geekerella

Geekerella
by Ashley Poston

Publisher: Quirk Books
Publication Date: April 4, 2017

GEEKERELLA tells the story of Elle, a young fangirl who’s obsessed with Starfield, a Star Trek-like show filled with romance and adventure. Although she doesn’t like the choice for the main actor in the reboot, she still hopes to win ExcelsiCon’s costume contest so she can meet him and get the tickets to L.A so she can finally get away from her stepmother and step sisters. Meanwhile, Darien is the new main actor for Starfield, and although it is his dream role, he is written off as just a teenage heartthrob with no respect for the fandom. Now, as he must judge a costume contest at ExcelsiCon, the place he used to love before he was famous, he begins to feel more like a fake, until he meets a girl who makes him think otherwise.

I honestly picked this book up expecting it to be horrible. But it wasn’t. I loved its developed characters and jokes, and how it very much was a Cinderella story, yet wasn’t. I also loved how it had the true essence of a fandom book, which will make all fandom obsessed readers relate to it. It is very much one of those books that is super cheesy, yet addictive. And while it is just one of those feel-good books that you finish in a day, the characters and overall essence will stick with you. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and fun read to brighten up their day. And even if you are not in a fandom, you’ll wish you were after reading this.

Review: The Heartbeats of Wing Jones

The Heartbeats of Wing Jones
by Katherine Webber

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: March 14, 2017

Fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is shocked and devastated when she learns her older brother, Marcus, was the drunk driver in a crash that killed two people. He’s fighting for his life in the hospital with a coma, leaving Wing to deal with the wreckage he’s caused. Her family is grieving, their house is under risk of foreclosure, and her bullies, armed with the news of Marcus’s accident, have become intolerable. Wing begins to cope with her stress, anger, and sadness by running. When her crush spots her on the track one night, he’s astounded by her incredible pace. She is one of the fastest young female runners in Atlanta, but when the opportunity arises to sprint professionally, she’s plagued by self-doubt. Does she have what it takes?

This gripping novel explores the issues of coming-of-age and self-discovery. The author succeeds at creating incredibly realistic and touching characters. The romance is masterfully weaved in; it’s not the point of the book and it’s not overdone, but the scenes that include it are written perfectly. Katherine Webber’s crisp, conversational style is engaging.

Review: Ten Miles One Way

Ten Miles One Way
by Patrick Downes

Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: March 21, 2017

Q and his girlfriend, Nest, are walking through their small town. As they walk, Nest narrates and tells him everything: about her life, her parents, her dreams, and her struggles with bipolar disorder. TEN MILES ONE WAY is a touching and beautifully written novel that confronts mental illness. Patrick Downes draws Nest’s character superbly; she is so realistic, it is almost as if you could reach out and touch her. This book brings readers to tears. You will be thinking about it for days after you finish the last page. I highly recommend TEN MILES ONE WAY.

Review: Crazy Messy Beautiful

Crazy Messy Beautiful
by Carrie Arcos

Publisher: Philomel Books / Penguin Random House
Publication Date: February 7, 2017

CRAZY MESSY BEAUTIFUL is an unconventional story that deeply examines the meaning of true love. The story follows Neruda Diaz, named after famous poet Pablo Neruda, as he attempts to find the passionate love described in his namesake’s work. However, as Neruda’s personal relationships grow more complex, he is forced to reevaluate his previous perceptions of what love really is.

While this story is set up like a very traditional YA romance, the plot was more nuanced than I had originally anticipated. First of all, the story is more of a coming of age story than a love story: by starting to experience life instead of simply witnessing it or drawing it, Neruda matures vastly and gains understanding beyond the confines of romance. While I appreciated that this book was not especially clichéd, I would still definitely say that it is more of a light read. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that’s somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of extreme playful romance to extremely serious literature.

Review: Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined

Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined
by Danielle Younge-Ullman

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 21, 2017

EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED by Danielle Younge-Ullman follows Ingrid as she treks through uncharted wilderness with other troubled youth. Haunted by her glamorous past and the drama that ended her mother's career in opera, Ingrid finds her future is drastically different than what she’d expected. All the while Ingrid chronicles her journey in letters to her mother. Younge-Ullman does a great job of keeping the reader's interest, juggling past and present, which at first seem like different life times. However, as the reader reads on, it becomes clear why and how Ingrid ended up in Peak Wilderness for four weeks.

Emotional and exciting, Ingrid’s past is revealed and by the end of the novel each piece finally falls into place, and a big secret is discovered. Each character in this book develops uniquely throughout the novel. They take their own challenges and overcome them just as Ingrid does. Ingrid’s hilarious take on her adventures at Peak Wilderness balance out with her heartfelt and sorrowful past. It’s easy to identify with Ingrid as she’s just as sarcastic and conflicted as any teenager. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Review: Valiant

The Valiant
by Lesley Livingston

Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 14, 2017

THE VALIANT by Lesley Livingston is a creative retelling of the Spartacus story from a female's perspective. It is about a girl named Fallon who is the daughter of a king. She gets captured and sold into slavery. Where she finds herself at an all female gladiator training school. The book is well-written, with a multitude of creative names(though sometimes difficult to pronounce). I really enjoyed the plot and I had recently watched the movie Spartacus. Halfway through the book is when I found out it was a retelling of Spartacus and it was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this book!

Review: The Careful Undressing of Love

The Careful Undressing of Love
by Corey Ann Haydu

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Corey Ann Haydu’s THE CAREFUL UNDRESSING OF LOVE is a haunting and dream-like experience. The plot centers around Lorna, a “Devonairre” girl. In Haydu’s Brooklyn, there’s a little street named Devonnaire, and if you live there for more than a year...any boy you love will die. That’s what all Devonnaire residents have been told, at least.

Haydu’s novel is one that, even putting plot aside, I’d definitely recommend for the writing style alone. Reading THE CAREFUL UNDRESSING OF LOVE genuinely feels like a hazy, almost hypnotic experience. Really, it’s hard to describe! Just pick it up, check out the first few pages—you’ll see what I mean. If you’re into atypical writing styles and inquiries into what love is, you should absolutely move THE CAREFUL UNDRESSING OF LOVE to the top of your TBR list!