There are sides. Pick one. - Samira Ahmed.

(Pick up this book!)

An interesting take on the narratives we create for each other and ourselves.

Look, it pains me to write this because I love music books (and as much as I hate country music, I LOVED Nashville). Here's what didn't work for me:

1. No chemistry between the love interests. They're all into each other (but not, because you know we gotta have some angst) but they don't really interact?
2. The male narrator in the audiobook is flat. The spoken lyrics by both parties don't work. This is a rare case where I wouldn't recommend the audiobook.
3. Even though the main character tries to be sex positive, her comments don't feel that way. We already know the pressure she's under to be a "good girl" unlike her mother.
4. The alluded "tortured artist" with a double suicide (FYI no warning in the book).

Mmm yes this was everything I wanted and more. Loved seeing the makeup licensee exam and the heartfelt moment between All Might and Endeavor. This creative team keeps making me feel things for characters I didn’t like, dangit

A wild ride, taking the unreliable narrator to the next level. What We Buried has an ending you won't see coming or easily forget. What makes this story special is the constant uncertainty. Unreliable narrators. Timelines that are quickly converging. Completely surreal and will keep you turning pages.

No doubt, Liv and Jory only share one common trait - a disdain for their parents. I, too, share this trait. But no one wants their parents to just disappear without question (right? right.)...So when they do, the pair unite on a road trip to figure out what the heck happened. This book is soooo angsty, which comes across very emotional and real. These two are obviously so uncomfortable with everything - themselves, each other, their worlds. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. It's the delving in this that brings the story alive. This book is about Liv and Jory - it's completely character driven (perfect for me).

Told in alternating POV - an important concept in the story - What We Buried is a look at two siblings who grew up in the same household yet experience things completely differently thanks to nature and nurture. Pay attention to the details and read this book twice. You won't be able to turn the pages fast enough on this one.



(the comp to OOUL originally lead me to not wanting to read this but honestly, I don't see any resemblance to that book. Fans of Dive Smack will love this one)

I admit – I was a late comer to this story. I kept seeing it EVERYWHERE but no one was talking about the story inside (honestly the biggest flaw of bookstagram). I finally picked it up when a newly acquired library card had it immediately available and I said, sure, why not.

Little did I know how sucked in I would be. I could not stop listening to this book and I just went through about 200 different emotions the whole way through. My strongest memory of this book is how I FELT the entire way through. Books that make me emote are an auto-win for me.

Emergency Contact is a character-driven story. Interviews with the author will tell you that. In order for that to work, I need to be invested in their journey. There’s so much angst here, which I enjoyed. I feel like everyone needs one of Courtney Summers’ shirts after enjoying this book.

Unlike a lot of YA books, the author uses texts in a realistic way that actually improved the reading experience. Having (amazing) dual narrators really brought this to life. I would have loved to watch them record their parts.

A modern take on a classic!

Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl are companions but set around the same fandom and con. For fans, you’ll see familiar characters and for new fans, you can pick up the story here or go back and read Geekerella (HIGHLY RECOMMEND).

You’ll fall in love with the characters and dang if you won’t wish the fandom and con were real. I loved all of the characters but when Jessica said they were too old for silly sci-fi shows, I was ready to escort her out. But Ashley is masterful at slowly peeling back the layers of Jessica so they you eventually understand her motives. I loved the commentary on toxic fanboys and their gross actions in the Star Wars fandom. I cheered all the way through.

I want to see the two worlds collide a bit more and the next con with the next movie! Also, WHERE IS FRANK? Need more. And Harper! I wish we saw more of her and Imogen in the book. Side note, Cathy Yardley writes an adult romance series in the same vein called the Fandom Hearts series. It’s one of my fav adult romance series for all the same reasons I love Geekerella. They’re on audio!

I didn’t think I could find the limit where something would gross me out but this book found it. Great job, Chelsea Cain!

I like that Maurene writes dad and daughter stories. :)