This was a re-listen for book club tomorrow, and I honestly think I got even more out of it the second time. There's so much great information included in this, told in a way that's easily accessible. Schrefer also breaks down how scientific research reflects the status quo, and I just find it all so fascinating. 
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Oh, what an important book this is! Eliot Schrefer gives reasons for writing it at the beginning, and the majority of it is because the LGBTQ+ community is seen as "unnatural." But there are so many instances of queerness in the natural world, and a lot of them are in this book! Not only were the animal facts fascinating, but there was also a lot of information about scientific research and how it's also biased. I found it all fascinating.

I listened to the audiobook, but I know the physical book has some great illustrations and such, too! Schrefer adds humor throughout, and just makes it an entertaining book to read. If you like nonfiction, I highly recommend it!

This most definitely was not my thing. It was my final summer reading swap book, and it was so hard for me to get through. Don't get me wrong, the Scottish history was interesting and Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish had some great banter. Maybe I would have liked it better if I'd actually seen Outlander? 

It fits with the theme of friendship, though! Also, I now want to go visit Scotland and see more of it than I did last time. Maybe someday!

Georgia Avis found the body of 13-year-old Ashley James. Depserate to find some sort of justice for her, she teams up with Ashley's older sister Nora to find out who her killer was. However, the investigation puts Georgia herself in danger as she navigates the world of the wealthy and powerful. People who never have to answer for anything.

As Nora and Georgia get closer to the killer, Georgia realizes it might not just be about one person who is guily. When everyone around you is a part of the dangerous thing, how do you decide who is at fault? And how do you keep yourself from enjoying the power that it can bring? Georgia has to figure out how to have her own power to hopefully bring Ashley's killer to justice.

Thanks to NetGalley, LibroFM, and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers to review! Courtney Summers is never afraid to cover the tough topics, and this book is no different. It's being pitched as a kind of successor to Sadie, and that's an accurate description. It definitely has the same kind of feel.

I'll start with the fact that this book isn't easy to get through. Summers tackles a lot of issues connected to teen girls in relation to men who are wealthy with power. There are some very dark moments in this book, especially as Georgia tackles her own traumas. While she might not be the most likeable character, that's also kind of the point. Teen girls are complex beings, and that's part of Summers' purpose in writing these stories. They need to be told as much as the happy ones.

Summers also nails the emotions in this book. All Georgia really wants is someone to love her and appreciate her for her beauty. She wants her life to mean something, pretty much like anyone else does. It's part of the reason the relationship between her and Nora works so well. They're both looking for someone to support them, to help them through their trauma. It felt so realistic.

The narrator for the audiobook is also fantastic. I was engaged in the story the entire time, even if it was difficult to read. Summers takes you on the same journey as Georgia.

All in all, if you look for dark, true crime like stories, this one will be right up your alley.
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No one really writes the bleak reality of teen girls quite like Courtney Summers does. Stay tuned for a full review to come soon!

In order to keep the Sun’s power replenished, semidioses between the ages of 13 and 18 are chosen by the god Sol to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner of these Trials will then carry the light to the rest of the world, but only after the sacrifice of the competitor in last place. They will be used to fuel the sun for the next 10 years.

Teo is the son of a Jade god, not usually chosen to compete in the Trials. But when he and another Jade semidios are chosen to compete, Teo now finds himself competing against those training for the Trials for their entire life. Specifically, against Aurelio, his ex-best friend turned rival. And if Teo doesn’t do well enough, he might find himself becoming the sacrifice to Sol.

Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced copy of The Sunbearer Trials to review! Aiden Thomas is a favorite of mine, so this was high on my list for this year. Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. This book is being pitched as Percy Jackson meets The Hunger Games and let me tell you, that is an accurate description of this book.

Right from the start, Thomas drops readers into this rich world, drawn from Mexican mythology. There is a lot to keep track of, between the different gods and the different cities. While there were a few details I think slipped through the cracks, overall the world building is solid. I especially appreciated the way sexuality and gender were incorporated; no one really bats an eye. Teo also has a great conversation with Xio, the other Jade semidios, about gender identity, and I am here for that in a fantasy novel.

This book is also pretty fast-paced, but Thomas doesn’t sacrifice any of the character building for the plot. One of the best aspects of the book was the evolving relationship between Teo and Aurelio. They are ex-friends to a potential romance, but it doesn’t take over everything else. Can’t wait to see what happens with them in the next book.

For me, this book is closer to the feel of Cemetery Boys than Lost in the Never Woods was. Thomas’s writing has also grown, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

All in all, if you love mythology inspired fantasy, definitely pick this one up in September!
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Percy Jackson x The Hunger Games is really such a great description for this book. Stay tuned for a full review to come tomorrow!

What a great graphic novel debut!! Seriously, I loved the art, and I loved the way that it played with the Frankenstein story. It's a graphic novel about grief, but it's also about finding your own identity, forging your own path. This is a book that's being shelved a lot as LGBTQ, and while there is a nonbinary character, I also think M's journey in the book mimics the journey of a lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community. 

The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because some of the world building was a little unclear. Magic was referenced a couple of times, but it was a little confusing how it actually worked in this world. Other than that, this was an absolutely engaging read and I can't wait to see what Talia Dutton does next!

Honestly, I think this is the best book of the series. Johnson's writing is on point in this book, and the way that the mystery wraps up is generally satisfying. I know this was originally supposed to just be a trilogy, but there's also a new kind of spin off series, so I'm interested in seeing where that eventually goes. 

I think the most satisfying part of this book is the way that both storylines end up coming together. The way Johnson ends up twining them together leads to a satisfying conclusion. Really, my only complaint is the relationship between Stevie and David. It just didn't seem to work for me; I think it could have been mostly left out and the story would have been fine.

All in all, if you're looking for a new mystery series to jump into, I would recommend this one!

It's New York City in 1922 and Nicolás Caraveo, a trans boy, is making his way there to earn money for his family back in Minnesota. It's also a chance for him to completely re-invent his life as a man. At the encouragement of his cousin Daisy, he takes the leap of faith and rents a house in West Egg.

Nick's neighbor happens to be a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, known for the elaborate parties he throws. After going to one of Gatsby's parties, Nick learns that they're just to win back Daisy. Nick also learns something else: Jay is also transgender. The two form a friendship, a friendship that eventually evolves into something more for Nick. But will Jay ever reciprocate?

Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for an advanced copy of Self-Made Boys to review! I love Anna-Marie McLemore as a writer, and I was excited to see what they did with the Gatsby story. So happy to say that I wasn't disappointed!

Honestly, I could take it or leave it about The Great Gatsby; read it for school, and it's fine. Not my favorite classic. But let me tell you, McLemore absolutely nails the feel of that book in this one. I read in another review that this isn't so much a Great Gatsby retelling as much as fanfiction. I'd say that's accurate. McLemore took liberties with the story, and I actually appreciated the changes that were made.

At the end of the book, McLemore does explain that they tried to be as historically accurate as possible while also allowing Nick and Jay to be themselves. Their evolving relationship was probably my favorite thing about the book. That and Nick's oblivious nature. There was so much going on under his nose that he didn't even realize. When he finally realizes it, it was great.

Daisy gets a redemption arc in this, too! the explanation for everything at end was just great. They're all supporting each other in a society that wouldn't accept them. And they all deserve their happy endings. One hundred percent.

All in all, if you're excited about diverse re-tellings of classics, definitely pick this one up in September!

Ooo I really enjoyed this! Went into it not really knowing that much about it, but the art was really well done and the story was interesting. I appreciated how everything ended up coming together in the end, and the way Lizzy's relationship is just accepted. More general representatioin like this, please.

I'm actually really impressed with the way the story ended up fitting together, in the end. Everything from the prologue to the wishes are all connected and I loved the way thtat it worked. I would definitely read more from Jake Wyatt!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I am here for the conversations about race, about June's exploration of sex, and about just messy relationships in general. That's what happens when you're a teen, and Gracia hit the nail on the head with that. June jumps into a series of messy relationships in this book, all for different reasons. It felt so high school and I loved that about this book.

For me, the plot itself felt kind of meandering. It's very much a character driven story, which I normally don't mind. It also fits the time of life June is in, trying to figure out what to do after high school, both meeting her own desires and her parents' expectations. June really struggles with this throughout the story, and it felt really genuine.

Overall, I enjoyed the conversations and the context in this book, it just overall wasn't necessarily a standout for me.

Jules Machias is quickly becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors. Their debut, Both Can be True, was great, and this one is basically just as good. I would probably classify it as upper middle grade, because it deals with a lot of heavy issues. Specifically surrounding school shooting drills. There isn't specifically a school shooting in this book, but the school conducts a drill that simulates the sounds, etc. of a real school shooting, which traumatizes the students. For good reason.

Avery and Sarah were both great characters in this, each with strong voices and each on their own journeys to self-discovery. I especially loved Sarah's chapters because they were all illustrated with doodles and they were gorgeous. Both are struggling with different issues, Sarah with severe anxiety and Avery with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I loved the way they helped each other, and their budding romance was adorable.

All in all, if you're looking for a middle grade that isn't afraid to delve into the difficult stuff, I'd definitely recommend picking up this one!