Dear Justyce reminded me of Just Mercy, and This is My America. The book focuses on the juvenile justice system, and every time I read about books that showcases the flaws of the justice system, it breaks my heart.... Read More
BOOK REVIEW: Ryan’s Bed by Tijan / probably the BEST Tijan book so far
This is one book that left me speechless. After finishing the book I was still reeling from how profoundly touching, raw, and emotionally this novel was. And although I'm a long-term fan of Tijan, it did not prepare me for this tremendously beautiful story.... Read More
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo / emotional and thoughtful
Elizabeth Acevedo is a new to me author. But within a few months I already read THREE books by her. My favorite is WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH which I adored. But it became quickly clear that I really enjoy her writing and I'm looking forward to more of her books.... Read More
BOOK REVIEW: Making Faces by Amy Harmon / a beautiful and memorable YA novel!
This is probably next to WHERE THE LOST WANDER my most favorite Amy Harmon book. It blew my mind when I read it in 2014. It's emotional, beautifully written, and has so much depth. Most of all it's so much more than just a YA novel.... Read More
What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin / raw & gritty, one incredible debut novel
This book was one fantastic debut novel. I was hooked from beginning to end. Because of the rawness and grittiness of it all, the story left me heartbroken at times. But I'm also really glad I gave it a go!! Some books are just meant to be read. Even if the topic is a hard one. ... Read More
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed / another powerful and relevant story
Every time I read a book about such an important topic, I feel inadequate to talk about it. And all I can really say is that this book, as so many others, should be read by young readers and adults.... Read More
Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer / A total surprise in every way!!
2020 has been a great year reading wise. I've added so many new authors to my auto-buy list, and thanks to Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer, this author is one of them. Loved how different this coming of age felt. It was full of nostalgia, female power and feminism in the 70s, and I adored it!!... Read More
This Is My America by Kim Johnson / Another powerful YA novel
The blurb calls This Is My America by Kim Johnson a mix of Just Mercy and Dear Martin and I would agree. Throw in a whodunit mystery and I got myself a winner. The book hit the right note in regards to topic, characters and story.... Read More
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune / A Unique YA Superhero Novel
I'm a Marvel girl, but don't often read or watch super hero movies outside of the BIG ones. But then there are books by TJ KLUNE. Books I just can't miss out on. So, of course I had to give this one a go, especially after The House in the Cerulean Sea earlier this year. A new TJ KLUNE book is a must read book, whatever the topic.... Read More
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo / A heart-warming and uplifting YA novel that made me HUNGRY!!
From the very first moment I saw this book I was in love with the cover. It's one of the prettiest YA covers I've seen in a long time. As with Felix Ever After, the cover just jumps off the book. It's eye-catching and it actually delivered. The book was heart-warming and uplifting - exactly how I like them.... Read More
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender / absolutely adorable and SO GOOD!!!
I don't even remember anymore how I came across this book. All I know is that is is REALLY GOOD and needs to read by everyone!! Not only would it make a perfect addition to anyone's diverse reading list, or Black author list, it's a book that educates in a rather touching and moving way. ... Read More
Dear Martin by Nic Stone / short but powerful
I've had this book on my tbr for a long time, I think ever since I read THUG and I heard people mention that Dear Martin was equally good. But as always with these kind of books, I need to be in the right mindset for it.... Read More
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz / deserves all the hype
I can't even tell anymore how long this book has been on my tbr. It's quite embarrassing, especially since the book seems to be on every BEST OF list imaginable, everyone has read it except for me, and I was pushing it off for years - don't ask me why. Nevertheless I finally felt like it was the right time to pick it up, and it totally was! I loved it!! And can only recommend to EVERYONE.... Read More
If We Were Us by K L Walther / Adorable LGBTQ young adult novel
Oh wow!!! I actually said that when I was done with this book. If We Were Us by KL Walther took me by surprise. From the very beginning I noticed the writing. And soon after the feelings took over - and that was that.... Read More
Time of Our Lives by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka / coming of age novel
I enjoy YA contemporary romances, and I really love the covers of this author duo's novels. I felt the same when I picked up If I'm Being Honest last year. The covers look cute, contemporary, and promise a light-hearted story. Now we just have to wait and see if the story delivers too.... Read More
Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen / young adult LGBTQ novel
I think Late to the Party was definitely a #thecovermademepickitup, but then the blurb got me hooked. It's only my second sapphic novel so far, but both times the author did a marvelous job. ... Read More
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell / Wonderful fantasy series with adorable couple
I’m finally sitting down to write my review for Carry On. This review will be a mix of regular review and audiobook review, since I listened and read it, and both experiences were different from each other.... Read More
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee / A wonderful historical YA novel
Stacey Lee is a new to me author. And if I'm honest I picked the book mainly because it was a BOTM choice and the reviews looked really good. I ended up waiting for the audiobook, as it often happens with new to me authors and a genre that is not usually my strong suit. But I was really glad I did because the audiobook and the story were fabulous!... Read More
You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn / YA rockstar love story
Oh wow!!!! This book was way more than I expected. And it was so much more than I could have hoped for. I was feeling this giddiness, happiness, and an all around enchantment I haven’t felt in a long time.... Read More
If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka
If I'm being honest, I picked this mainly because of the title - lol, and the cover! It was my first book by this author couple, but it won't be my last.... Read More
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett / I needed a hug afterwards
What a book!!! I don’t think this book is for everyone, but boy am I glad that I picked it up. This is for certain a book I won’t forget anytime soon. It’s being compared to the The Handmaid’s Tale and Lord of the Flies, and that alone should have been warning enough – lol.... Read More
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James /atmospheric and spooky
This was another #bookstagrammademedoit kind of a deal. It was also a BOTM pick as can be seen in the photo, that means the #BOTM community talked about this book non-stop and I had a hard time escaping it - lol. On the other hand, Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James was my first book by this author, and it won't be my last.... Read More
