I really enjoyed Phillips's Disappearing Earth, so I had high hopes for this novel. Unfortunately, it didn't grab me.

The narrative surrounding the two sisters at the heart of the novel, Sam and Elena, didn't have much meat to it. With the focus almost always on Sam, we didn't really get much detail about what Elena was feeling, particularly her obsession with the bear. I wanted more in-depth discussions/interactions between the sisters. I kept thinking, "But why is she so obsessed with the bear? What's driving this connection?" Even th novel's frankly odd ending didn't clarify things.

Phillips's writing is as gorgeous as ever, but the lackluster storyline and shocking but unfulfilling ending don't match her talents. I'm absolutely going to read her next novel, but this one was a disappointment.

As a passionate reader AND crusader against the banning of books, I adored this novel. Funny, sharp, and decidedly liberal, it doesn't mince words when it comes to fighting back against the banning of books and fighting for the marginalized communities targeted by book bans.

Lula Dean, a curmudgeon in a small Georgia town, has filled her little free library with, what she considers, "appropriate" books. However, someone else in town decides to replace the books within the book jackets with books Lula and her conservative crusaders want to ban. As more and more townspeople start taking the books and reading the true books underneath, they learn the truth: reading and books can change minds, hearts, and truly make the bad good.

What I loved most about this book was that Miller doesn't sugarcoat things--she blatantly "says" that book bans are NOT legitimate and do go against freedom of speech. I will admit, some of the situations seemed a little far-fetched, but, underscoring all of them is the power of books to change hearts and minds, which is absolutely true.

I loved this book. It's absolutely perfect for this time in history. Thanks to Miller for speaking against the banning of books so beautifully in fiction!

Aspiring actress Carrie Adams lives in LA and is frustrated with casting directors who can’t see beyond her pretty, slim exterior to the determined actress inside. When she’s not auditioning, she works at a local bar. Her verbal sparring with attractive bartender Nick Stokes is both entertaining and annoying—but things take a turn for the even more tense when she starts hankering to kill him. Next, she wakes up with a buff bod of muscles and the ability to conjure a sword of fire. In the case of Carrie and Nick, their enemies-to-lovers romance has literally become coworkers-to-mortal enemies! When Nick was turned into a vampire, a person he disliked—in this case Carrie—gets turned into the vampire slayer tasked with killing him.

This vampire romance is quippy, sexy, and fun. I really loved the behind-the-scenes info about Hollywood. Nick and Carrie’s chemistry is built through pitch-perfect banter. I also loved how music played a role in them growing closer. This book is in the same vampire universe as Gloria’s debut, When Life Gives You Vampires, so there’s still the shadowy cabal of vampires out to harm their own.

I appreciated how Gloria put a new spin on the body image commentary of her debut. This time, she focuses on how a change from the status quo—Carrie’s bulk and muscles—is viewed by Hollywood as “wrong.” It reminded me of the ridiculous comments I read a few weeks ago about certain women athletes at the Olympics and their muscular bodies. I love romances that touch on real-life issues amidst the steam and chemistry.

Get out and get your copy of this perfect-for-Halloween-season romance today!

A confession: I'm predisposed to like any Chris Whitaker novel since his We Begin at the End is one of my favorites of all time. I'm thrilled to say that All the Colors of the Dark is as amazing as I expected it to be! What a book!

In 1975 small-town Missouri, 13-year-old orphan Saint and small, scruffy Patch find solace in friendship with each other. Yet when Patch saves a young girl from being abducted--and ends up going missing himself--Saint sets out to find her friend. I don't want to spoil too much, but as we read the stories of Saint and Patch through the next few decades we're treated to a riveting drama that kept me glued to my seat. Part serial killer mystery and part character study, this book will chill you, while also making you sob for Saint and Patch--two amazing, vibrant characters.

Whitaker stands out not only with the narrative, but his writing as well. While I tear up at many books, it's rare for me to full-on sob, but that happened with both We Begin and this one. The complexity of the characters and the nuggets of wisdom woven into the dialogue and description elevates this book from one that is enjoyable in the moment to one that I will remember for years to come. One example: "The bad are the few, but often they shout louder than the many. Don't mistake silence for weakness." I love it!

This novel transcends traditional genre labels, so I think it would be enjoyable for just about anyone. It was absolutely a highlight of my summer reading. Definitely take the time to savor this masterpiece soon. You won't regret it!

This introspective and engaging novel about two queer women traversing the PA landscape initially piqued my interest because I live in PA and Emma’s local.

Bernie (a photographer) and Leah (a writer) meet when they’re housemates. After Bernie’s famous photography mentor dies and leaves her his studio in rural PA, the pair set off across PA to chronicle their trip through photos/writing. I really liked the discussions about art and its impact on society. Emma's commentary about body image and the representation of a plus-sized character was illuminating as well. I"m also inspired to check out large format photography!

In life, people take the beauty in the everyday for granted. I adored how this book celebrated it, and created an engaging storyline around the idea. I was also thrilled to find out it was inspired by real-life lesbian photographer Berenice Abbott. I'm definitely going to read more about her.

This charming YA book finds friends-turned-enemies Said and Tiwa growing close again while working together to save the Islamic center in their small town. I loved how they reconnected while working to save their culture, and how this helped with them growing and finally truly opening up to one another.

This is a great book for teens (it’s PG rated) to learn about the lives and religion of Muslims (extra props for the discussion of racism within the Islamic faith) or to see their own experiences and lives represented within a sweet romance.

An uplifting and worthwhile read (perfect for reading with your tween!).