Katie is turning twelve, which also seems to mean everything and everyone is changing very very quickly. New responsibilities, new friends, and new...questions? about her identity? seem to be the norm as Katie figures out where she fits between her family, her homeschool co-op, her (toxic) church group, and her theater community. A sweet middle grade read that tackles some heavy topics, particularly pertaining to Katie's struggles with religion and her identity. 

 Eternally here for all the weird and all the wonderful TJ Klune wants to throw my way. I want more of it, actually, the soft and the tense and the dust and the stars; the heart-wrenching love thrumming through all of it. The hope in the broken pieces. Klune perfectly balances the action with the quiet in this one, taking us from exploding helicopters to one soul reaching out for another, to bison and stars and the wonder that is the depths of human emotion. Like Nate, I am choosing to be dragged along for the beautiful, terrible, magnificent ride and not regretting a single moment. 

 Completely understand why this book is considered Science Fiction Required Reading...after the initial slog of the world building, Breq's story becomes an intriguing study of identity and purpose. Leckie's Radchaai Empire and it's subjects leave a lot to think about after the final page, the most important of which is obviously how to pronounce any of the names.

The Earth is shaking, rolling, breaking, and so is the foundation of the life of our unnamed protagonist in Moschovakis' newest work. The physical imbalance they struggle to overcome reflects an increasing mental imbalance, a deterioration, as the protagonist obsesses over their missing roommate and the mysterious appearance of strange notes on their doorstep, forcing poetic confrontation with the human psyche and meaning in this seismic new world. An engrossing, haunting work 

 In the year after their sister's sudden death, the remaining three Blue sisters are struggling with...everything. It's been a year of self-destruction and loss of balance for Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, and only a collision of grief between the three of them and their mother will set anything on the right path. Mellors' writing was electric, and her treatment of love, loss, addiction, and grief is delicate yet poignant. 

Orin grew up with the story of the Champion, a hero of great power who will free all of Draeland from the evil clutches of the Fiendlord. Orin also wakes up one day to find out he is this mythical figure, with great power and great destiny, but he doesn't quite know how to feel powerful or act like a champion. Full of humor and full of heart, Eric Lide's "Sword of the Champion" is a great start to what promises to be a fun new series. 

 A mystery from the past, a crumbling present, and a threat to the future collide in Jane's sophomore novel, and it is beautiful in the most humorous and heartfelt of ways. I am in love with every word. 10 out of 10 recommend reading this one while on the beach of a small coastal island for the full immersive experience 

 Never thought I'd read the word "chumbis" and "chonk" so many times in a novel, but Jane's thorough adoration of cats did not disappoint. Absolutely adored the style and wit of Jane's debut novel and her ability to take both a classic UFO premise and a weirdly topical issue and create something new and beautiful. At times deep and poignant and at other times deeply absurd, this story of cats, bacon, plastic, and humanity had me hooked all the way through.