Wow, I've read some really good middle-grade books this year that deal with tough subjects. These books are opening up dialogue for kids on some hardWow, I've read some really good middle-grade books this year that deal with tough subjects. These books are opening up dialogue for kids on some hard-hitting topics.
Not until I got to the end of the book did I find out this was a graphic novel memoir about Omar Mohamed's experience of being a refugee in Kenya. His journey to get to America started when he was 4 years old in a refugee camp. It took 15 years before he made it to America.
I listened to this graphic novel but I also have a digital copy so I could see how the author designed the book.
When Stars Are Scattered packs a powerful punch.
Audio book source: Library Narrator: full cast Length: 3H 42M
One Crazy Summer caught my attention because it won the Coretta Scott King Award in 2011. And it also was given the Newbery Honor title.
The story centOne Crazy Summer caught my attention because it won the Coretta Scott King Award in 2011. And it also was given the Newbery Honor title.
The story centers around 3 sisters whose mother left them years prior with their dad. They are being raised by their dad and grandma. In the summer of 1968, the girls flew across the country to spend a month with their mom.
Unfortunately, their mother doesn't want anything to do with them. Their mom is involved in the Black Panther movement and has the girls attend their camp to get them out of her hair.
The summer isn't going the way the girls had hope. They were hoping to see movie stars in the grocery store and spend their days at Disneyland. But instead, they are learning they don't like California very much ... the people they've met aren't friendly and there aren't any movie stars grabbing groceries in the stores.
There are 2 more books in this series. I look forward to see what these sisters will do in their next adventure.
Audio book source: Hoopla Narrator: Sisi Aisha Johnson Length: 5H 7M
First, I have to state I had no clue who Hilarie Burton is. I've never seen any of the tv shows or movies she was in. I also didTHREE POINT FIVE STARS
First, I have to state I had no clue who Hilarie Burton is. I've never seen any of the tv shows or movies she was in. I also didn't know she was married to Jeffrey Dean Morgan until after I picked up the book. Of course, I knew who he was because of Grey's Anatomy back in the day.
So, for me, this book was like if I met a stranger at a party and we got to chatting about their life. The book mainly centers around her life as an average Joe and not about her time as an actress.
She shares recipes for natural healing and how to tell what color of eggs your chicken will lay - in case you're wondering, for the most part, it deals with the color of their feet. Her story focuses on their life on a farm and the townspeople they call friends.
Audio book source: Hoopla Narrator: Hilarie Burton Length: 7H 17M
If All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood and Twilight - the part of the story with Jacob and his family - mixed together with a pinch ofIf All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood and Twilight - the part of the story with Jacob and his family - mixed together with a pinch of Harry Potter -the magic part- you'd end up with WOLFSONG. Possibly a love child of those books. *lol*
I enjoyed listening to this one but found it a little challenging on keeping everyone straight for the first part of the story. Since I listened to the audio I wasn't able to go back and search for a name or a word. So, I wrote out a quick character cheat sheet.
CHARACTERS: Ox - main character. As a pre-teen, his dad walked out of his life but not before making Ox feel unwanted. Maggie - Ox's mom ____ The Bennett Family: Thomas - dad and alpha of the werewolves Elizabeth - mom and Thomas's wife Carter - oldest son Kelly - middle son Joe - youngest son, the love interest for Ox Mark - Thomas's brother, first one to meet Ox and friend him ____ Gordo - gives Ox a job. Tether to Ox. Also a (view spoiler)[ witch (hide spoiler)] Tanner, Chris, and Rico - works for Gordo Jessie - Chris's sister and Ox's first girlfriend ____ Richard Collins - bad guy
There are Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Omegas = bad guys It's been a while since I've read a book with the setting in Oregon, so I was glad I could add this one to that shelf.
Audio book source: Audible Narrator: Kirt Graves Length: 18H 40M
YOU LOVED ME ONCE is a story that demands an answer to that question. And once rules are broken who must pay the consequARE RULES MEANT TO BE BROKEN?
YOU LOVED ME ONCE is a story that demands an answer to that question. And once rules are broken who must pay the consequences. The making of a choice to save one person over another is something the majority of people don't have to do daily. But for those in the medical field, they are faced with that reality.
Serenity, a gynecologist oncologist, is running a drug trial that has the potential to help a lot of women. Everything was going well until it wasn't. Her ex showing up with his wife who is part of the trial makes for a messy time of decisions.
Serenity is faced with many choices once she realizes she knows someone involved in the trial. But that is only the start of a hard decision she'll have to make. And with each choice, she makes there's the potential for a major ripple effect.
Westin, a neurosurgeon, is a in relationship with Serenity. He's ready for a full commitment but Serenity is scared of having her heart broken so she holding him at a distance. When things with Serenity's job start to go sideways she holds onto the idea that Westin is better off without her.
Serenity's journey created a lot of stuff to think about in regards to ethical decisions that needed to be made. Lots of questions beyond the are rules meant to be broken? come into play as the story continues on. Would you stand by the person who broke them? Is a person deserving of a second chance at life, love, and happiness?
YOU LOVED ME ONCE ● medical setting ● medical trial ● flashmob ● angst ● ethical dilemma ● standalone
Audio book source: Audible Narrator: Julia Whelan Length: 8H 27M
Another powerful book by Ms. Cherry. It starts out when these two are teenagers and progresses into adulthood. This book isFOUR POINT SEVEN-FIVE STARS
Another powerful book by Ms. Cherry. It starts out when these two are teenagers and progresses into adulthood. This book is hard-hitting because Eleanor and Grey each deal with the death of a loved one. Eleanor deals with it when she is a teen and for Grey, he deals with it as an adult. The power of being there for each other is what ultimately helps them heal and move forward in their lives.
ELEANOR & GREY ♦ friends to lovers ♦ second chance ♦ emotional ♦ dual pov ♦ standalone
Toni and Justin have been best friends for 17 years. Except for the last 7 years when one of their rules was broken which caused Toni to cut off commuToni and Justin have been best friends for 17 years. Except for the last 7 years when one of their rules was broken which caused Toni to cut off communication with Justin. During those 7 years, Justin had gotten married and divorced, and became a dad. Now, it's time for these two to bury the hatchet.
This is their time to try and make a relationship work because in the past they've never been single at the same time. It seems like everywhere they look there are roadblocks keeping them apart because of their miscommunications.
BENDING THE RULES ♦ best seller author / business owner ♦ single dad ♦ friends to lovers ♦ miscommunication ♦ Dual pov ♦ standalone
A continuing story where secondary characters from the first book become the main focus in subsequent books.
Audiobook source: Hoopla Narrator: Sean Crisden & Adenrele Ojo Length: 6H 55M
If I Only Knew is the fourth book in the Second Time Around series. It can be read as a standalone. This is my first book by Corinne Michaels. I look If I Only Knew is the fourth book in the Second Time Around series. It can be read as a standalone. This is my first book by Corinne Michaels. I look forward to reading more from her.
Danielle's husband was murdered while at work. Which leaves Danielle as a single mom of two kids. To put her life back together she takes a job at her friend's husband's company. One day a stranger showed up in her office demanding that her job is actually his job. At this point, she realizes this guy is the owner's arrogant brother, Milo. To teach Milo a lesson his brother makes him Danielle's assistant. Milo & Danielle's relationship starts out rocky until Milo learns of Danielle's situation.
IF I ONLY KNEW ● second time around romance ● widow / boss's brother ● single mom ● enemies to lovers ● America / London ● standalone
Audiobook source: Audible Plus Narrator: Sophie Eastlake & Shane East Length: 7H 21M
Maybe Now is a continuation from Maybe Someday. In the first half of the book, Sidney's immatureness, for her age, bothered me.
I loved getting to seeMaybe Now is a continuation from Maybe Someday. In the first half of the book, Sidney's immatureness, for her age, bothered me.
I loved getting to see Bridgette and Warren throughout this book.
These are the CoHo books I haven't read yet: ●Point of Retreat ●This Girl ●Finding Perfect Never Never: Part 1 Never Never: Part 2 Never Never: Part 3*I'm not sure if I'll read this co-authored series*
Awe, this book will have you believing in love again!!
Anna has been in a horrible car accident which left her in a coma. During that time her husbandAwe, this book will have you believing in love again!!
Anna has been in a horrible car accident which left her in a coma. During that time her husband turns to her best friend for comfort. So, when Anna comes out of her coma her life looks nothing like how it used to.
She meets the man (Leif) who helped save her from the car wreck. He's the type of guy that reads Twilight to you while you're in the hospital in a coma. Beyond his sweet side, he is also a tattoo artist who isn't looking forward to anything beyond a friendship with Anna.
A budding friendship to a full-blown romance happens between Anna & Leif.
Audiobook source: Audible Plus Narrator: Andi Arndt Length: 6H 17M
I'm calling this now - this book will be in the running for Goodreads Debut Novel of the Year award that happens later this year. But I'll take it a sI'm calling this now - this book will be in the running for Goodreads Debut Novel of the Year award that happens later this year. But I'll take it a step further and say that it wins the award this year! Well done, Ms. Boulley!!
Another exciting thing about this book is The Obamas’ Higher Ground production company has opted to turn this book into a Netflix series. I'm excited to see this come to our tv screens. From the author, "I made it very clear to every potential partner that I spoke with that it was as important for me that there’d be native talent not only in front of the camera but behind the camera, in the writer’s room, and at every stage of production. They were just completely on board all the way and already had ideas about that.”
Daunis is an 18-year-old who unexpectedly is a witness to her best friend's murder. That incident gets the ball rolling on Daunis going undercover to help her community.
WOW another 5 stars for a Brittainy Cherry book! Last week I read Art & Soul by Ms. Cherry and that book was easily a 5 star! I'm so excited to see I WOW another 5 stars for a Brittainy Cherry book! Last week I read Art & Soul by Ms. Cherry and that book was easily a 5 star! I'm so excited to see I have a backlog of her books to read.
The Wreckage of Us is a small-town romance with an enemies to lovers vibe. Ian and Hazel are intriguing characters. Both of them have built up defense mechanisms to help them cope with the hands they've been dealt. Ian's is to be an asshole and Hazel's is to be sarcastic.
There are several surprising reveals throughout the story that add to the complexity of Hazel and Ian's situation.
One of my favorite characters is Ian's grandpa. He seems tough on the exterior but he has a heart of gold. And while I'm at it I loved Ian's grandma too.
I love how the word wreckage stood for a couple of different things in the book. The surface meaning and a deeper meaning of the word played out throughout the story.
I'm on a 5 star kick!! Wish me luck!
Audio book source: Audible Narrator: Rock Engle & Stella Bloom Length: 11H 22M
New Kid is a graphic novel about a Black kid going to a predominantly white private school and how he navigates this new situation where he deals withNew Kid is a graphic novel about a Black kid going to a predominantly white private school and how he navigates this new situation where he deals with microaggressions.
It's been a long time since I've read a graphic novel - probably since my kids were late grade school age.
Exciting news: "Universal Pictures has acquired film rights to New Kid, with LeBron James’ The Spring Hill Company on board to develop and produce."...more
Pulling Doubles is a romance set in a hospital. ♦ Medical professionals ♦ Enemies to lovers ♦ Dual pov
Back in the day, I loved watTHREE POINT FIVE STARS
Pulling Doubles is a romance set in a hospital. ♦ Medical professionals ♦ Enemies to lovers ♦ Dual pov
Back in the day, I loved watching nighttime medical dramas. Grey's Anatomy was on the top of my favorites list. I enjoyed watching the romance between coworkers and seeing how they would try to hide it from their colleagues. The sly flirting while trying to save a patient's life.
So far, the Wright Brothers are finding some great, confident women. These women aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. I'm looking forward to seeing who the next brother picks for his love interest.
PULLING DOUBLES is the 2nd book in The Wright Brothers series. It can be read as a standalone. Lovers of enemies to lovers.
Audiobook source: Hoopla Narrator: Sean Crisden & Adenrele Ojo Length: 5H 51M
The story was inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States. The story I love the eye-catching cover of Libertie.
The story was inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States. The story is told through the daughter, Libertie, a born free Black girl during the Reconstruction era of Brooklyn.
The book centers around this mother-daughter relationship from childhood into womanhood. Libertie's mom is a light-skinned Black woman who takes great pride in helping women with medical problems. Libertie is a dark-skinned Black woman who works under her mother's tutelage. Libertie doesn't like helping the women especially the white women because they act like she is unfit to help them because of her skin color.
Her mother sends her off to school to be educated in medical stuff. But while in school Libertie takes on other interests that have nothing to do with her mother's wishes.
Libertie eventually leaves school and marries a Haitian man where she is lead to believe she'll be his equal. There's a whole list of problems with his family. At this point, Libertie has broken her mother's heart by pursuing this relationship and going to live with his family far from home.
The mother-daughter struggle is relatable. A parent's wishes and desires for their child aren't always the same ones their child desires. Having dreams and mapping out a plan for a child to only have them reject it is crushing.
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