Nightmare Of A Trip follows a family of two 40-something parents and their three children as they travel from Wisconsin to Florida to visit a theme paNightmare Of A Trip follows a family of two 40-something parents and their three children as they travel from Wisconsin to Florida to visit a theme park. It begins with the regular delays and annoyances of a family vacation with some weird/unfortunate occurrences as well as the youngest kids saying they’re seeing questionable things ...more
I fell in love with Amber McBride’s writing in 2023 when I first read her YA books, We Are All So Good At Smiling and Me (Moth), and this year I read I fell in love with Amber McBride’s writing in 2023 when I first read her YA books, We Are All So Good At Smiling and Me (Moth), and this year I read her debut adult poetry collection Thick With Trouble. In every single book I’ve read by her, I’m awestruck by the way her words hit me. This historical fiction middle grade selection, Onyx & Beyond, was no different. The audiobook is a little more than two hours long but there were dozens of times I had to pause and sit in what the last sentence made me feel. She has a way of really hitting you in the heart, breaking it and holding it together all at once. This story is inspired by Amber McBride’s father, Mario McBride, and his stories and poetry. The main character, Onyx, is a young Black boy growing up between Alexandria, Virginia with his mother and Washington D.C with his father in the late 1960s, early 1970s. He is surrounded by family members that love him immensely, and he loves them right back with the same strength. When one of his grandmothers passes away, his mother’s symptoms of early onset dementia suddenly worsen, leaving Onyx to believe he has to take on the responsibilities of caretaker. Onyx is a dreamer, keeping a secret journal for his hopes and fears, while around him The Civil Rights Movement is amplifying. Martin Luther King Jr is killed right before his gran passed, leaving Onyx scared and uncertain of his place in the world. But he knows one thing, that he has to figure out how to help his mom before Child Protective Services come for their evaluation. Fueled by both of his grandmother’s interests (space and birds) and dreams, he thinks if only he could fly, he could solve his mom’s disease. He enlists his cousins assistance in his plans. This book goes so deep in such a short amount of time. I only wish it was longer so I could stay with the characters longer, but there is nothing missing. By the end of the book, Onyx learns that he doesn’t have to do it alone, that his strength lies in his community and the power passed down from his ancestors. I would recommend this to middle grade readers and adults alike. Really, I recommend all books by Amber McBride ❤️ and I can’t forget to mention that Andrè Santana is a masterful narrator, and truly cemented as one of my favorites....more
Taxi Ghost is a super cute, laugh-out-loud funny, middle school graphic novel that tackles the topic of gentrification through the perspectives of a yTaxi Ghost is a super cute, laugh-out-loud funny, middle school graphic novel that tackles the topic of gentrification through the perspectives of a young new medium and an organization of ghosts. I loved the main character, and her willingness to help the ghosts.. I also loved her family, her grandmother, a community activist who avoids her gift, ghost-proofs her home, and her supportive older sister who can’t talk to spirits but wishes she could. I really enjoyed this one, and would recommend to all ages!...more
“I’m made of emotions. They make me the person I am—the whole range of them.” I Feel Awful, Thanks is a graphic novel originally published in Spanish “I’m made of emotions. They make me the person I am—the whole range of them.” I Feel Awful, Thanks is a graphic novel originally published in Spanish as “Estoy Fatal, Gracias” In a world where magic is a normal part of everyday life, Joana lands her dream job as a potions maker in Paris but quickly becomes overwhelmed with balancing work life, social life, home environment, and her mental health soon declines. She carries her emotions (that turn to dragons if not understood) in a locked box. When the box is cracked open, she goes to a “dragon tamer” (therapist) and learns about her emotions and about herself. It’s a really beautiful story of the “other side” of anxiety and depression (which takes hard work and so much self love and compassion), there’s an emphasis on the goal not being happy all the time, instead to embrace positive and negative emotions and what they can teach you. It’s okay to ask for help, from your family and friends, and from professionals. I would suggest this for Inside Out lovers of all ages. The art style is bold and detailed, really adding life to the story. Definitely recommend. ...more
In Every Life follows Harper, 30-something high school art teacher living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She’s madly in love with her film score composer In Every Life follows Harper, 30-something high school art teacher living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She’s madly in love with her film score composer husband Ben. But during their honeymoon, the couple is unpleasantly surprised by the news that Ben has stage four pancreatic cancer. After rounds of torturous treatment, Ben decides to quit treatment and comes up with an interesting proposition for Harper… he wants her to fall in love with someone new basically to become his successor as her husband. Then the only other man Harper has been in love with turns up at their door as the journalist assigned to write about Ben’s life… and his idea of finding Harper another love. Harper’s emotions are all over the place which leads her to take a chance on a full moon ritual that throws time travel and alternate realities into the mix. There was one trope in this book that I usually hate but I kinda rooted for it in this one. I will say a comment one of Harper’s best friends makes about grief really rubbed me the wrong way. The whole book is about grief and she makes a comment that grief doesn’t last forever, which I very much disagree with. Grief is something you carry with you the rest of your life. You may “move on” but the grandness of loss doesn’t go away. Overall, I enjoyed the story and really wanted to keep listening to know what happened next. It made me think about the impact of our choices, and how different our lives may be in other universes. I always love books with creative MCs and the art descriptions in this one were intriguing. I’m also from Chattanooga so the imagery in that setting was very nostalgic. Narrator Jennifer Jill Araya portrayed Harper well and kept me engaged throughout. I would recommend this one to fans of One Italian Summer and Oona Out Of Order....more
Looking for a book to read while you keep up with the Olympic Games this summer? Let The Games Begin is the perfect Olympic companion!! During a fictiLooking for a book to read while you keep up with the Olympic Games this summer? Let The Games Begin is the perfect Olympic companion!! During a fictionalized 2024 Olympics set in Greece, Olivia, determined to still make the most of her summer after being robbed of her dream Olympic internship, and Zeke, record breaking sprinter, meet and then continue running into each other. This rom com had me giggling out loud at work ...more
Last year I read and absolutely loved Cemetery Boys, so I knew I would continue to read Aiden Thomas' work. I listened to Celestial Monsters less thanLast year I read and absolutely loved Cemetery Boys, so I knew I would continue to read Aiden Thomas' work. I listened to Celestial Monsters less than a week after finishing The Sunbearer Trials. The ending of The Sunbearer Trials SHOCKED me so much, I couldn't understand how we got here and had so many questions. Celestial Monsters did not let me down at all as it followed Teo, Aurelio, and Niya's journey to stop the apocalypse. They don't have an easy trek by any means, running into the beasts the Obsidians unleashed... Without the light from Sol. I couldn't help but wonder why the gods decided to stay back and let their half mortal teenage children take on this quest alone (although they did send them with a few supplies/weapons to help). Especially Teo... he won the Sunbearer Trials but he never had any hero training, unlike Aurelio and Niya. Throughout their journey, Niya continues to be a powerful badass who fiercely protects her best friend. In spite of the dangerous mission they are on, the almost love affair between Teo and Aurelio finally starts to blossom as they both open up more about their childhood past and their possible future together (if they're successful at saving the world). In alternating chapters, the reader also gets an inside look into what's going on with Xio while the remaining Sunbearer competitors are imprisoned. We learn why he did what he did, how he is an Obsidian, and witness his ongoing struggle between right and wrong. He uses his vengeance to power his strength, but also has an empathic voice in the back of his mind, especially toward Teo and Niya. Ultimately, Teo, Aurelio, and Niya gain help from an unexpected community that makes them question their entire society and way of life. They question what really makes a monster, a hero, a god. They challenge the flawed system and upend the only life they've also known for the possibility of a brighter future. One thing that really stuck out in this one was how fluid the acceptance of changing pronouns. Xio reveals they want to be referred to as they/them and even while imprisoned and angry, the Sunbearer competitors immediately change their verbiage. Overall, I loved this book. The development from the first book to the sequel was smooth and I felt so attached to the characters. I really didn't want the book to end and hope maybe Aiden Thomas will continue it. Regardless, I will continue to read anything he writes for the rest of time! Also, the narrator did an incredible job capturing the varied voices and personalities of so many different characters! I will for sure be looking out for more audiobooks narrated by André Santana. I can't wait for readers to get their hands (or ears) on this book so we can discuss more! Also can we take a minute to admire the cover art?! ...more
With Love, Miss Americanah follows Enore after she moves from Nigeria to America, starting her senior year of high school in her first American schoolWith Love, Miss Americanah follows Enore after she moves from Nigeria to America, starting her senior year of high school in her first American school. She’s grieving the loss of her father and confused about how to fit into this new society. Her cousin gave her 60 teen movies to prepare: Mean Girls, Sixteen Candles, The Heathers, Reality High, High School Musical, Love Don’t Cost A Thing, etc. She makes rules for herself based on the teen norms in movies and breaks them promptly when she meets a cute boy who convinces her to try out for the school musical. I loved this one so much! It had the musical element that was so fun but went so much deeper, and the narrator was phenomenal!!! She went above and beyond to voice the different characters and accents....more
Neesha, from the Bronx, and Gabby, from a beach town in Florida, are both the new girls at a North Carolina high school. They both have their own struNeesha, from the Bronx, and Gabby, from a beach town in Florida, are both the new girls at a North Carolina high school. They both have their own struggles that they are privately dealing with. Neesha stays quiet and hides her cerebral palsy in class because she doesn’t want to be treated differently. Gabby is a year out from the death of her mother and silently fights her PTSD. They meet on the first day of school and as much as Neesha just wants to lay low and blend in, she can’t deny the charisma of talkative Gabby. They become fast friends when they realize a shared love of a sci fi yuri manga, and decide to start a book club and competition to find all the volumes of the series. Sometime in the midst of this reading adventure, they fall in love! So sweet! I loved both characters: their passions, their vulnerability, and their unwavering support for each other....more
His Last Wife follows a woman who discovers her new beau has a missing wife… once she moves into the home that he and his last wife shared, Anna becomHis Last Wife follows a woman who discovers her new beau has a missing wife… once she moves into the home that he and his last wife shared, Anna becomes more and more suspicious, not only of her new partner but of all of her new neighbors as secrets start to unfold. This one is super twisty and will have you guessing from beginning to end. ...more
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