“This is a memory I want to keep forever: Grace standing at the stove of her parents‘ rental cottage in one of her dad‘s oversize T-shirts as she makes us a can of SpaghettiOs.”
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Ramona Blue | 
“This is a memory I want to keep forever: Grace standing at the stove of her parents‘ rental cottage in one of her dad‘s oversize T-shirts as she makes us a can of SpaghettiOs.”
pickJulie Murphy's setting/scene building just makes the stories so easy to get lost in. Each character grows and shines and comes into their own in a world that often tides against the protagonist again and again. Ramona Blue is no different; but she's fierce, loyal, and determined to put her family first to the point of settling herself. I am certain I audibly whooped when she triumphed over this characteristic that's hardly a flaw.
pickThe dialogue in this book saved it from a so-so. The plot felt a bit boring, except for a few parts. Ramona‘s life changed after Hurricane Katrina, even if she was too young to remember it. Her family lost everything and her mother moved away. Now, they live in a trailer park and she has to work two jobs. Ramona dreams of leaving her small town, but she knows it‘s not possible, especially now that her sister‘s pregnant. As ⬇️
"It's sad that sometimes we let ourselves believe that if it's not bad, it must be good."
pickThis book... I'm sorry I'm just in awe. It was just amazing! Definitely one of my most favorite books ever! The characters are just so catching (I can't even think of words!) I definitely think this is a book that a lot of people should read! Thank you so much Julie Murphy for such an amazing book!!! (This picture is from last year's #Nttbf where I got to meet Mrs.Murphy and got one of the books signed)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Definitely ❤️ this book
so-soI liked how bisexual topic was described for a teenager that is still discovering herself as a person. She thought was lesbian but she felt attracted, in love with a male, because it is not about physical appearance is about the person you feel attracted, who you love. Bisexual persons sometimes feel judged even by the queer community b/c of their bi orientation. However, story was so slow, sometimes I was disconnected. From ok to so-so 3.3⭐️
pickCute book and interesting storyline, overall a easy read 😊 5/5
pickFinished this in one sittingor more like walking. Loved it!! 6/16 #BFC #bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn
I‘m home early from work today because of snow. ❄️ And I am grateful for the extra time, because I have to read this book for a committee ... before Friday! 😮
pickI LOVED this. While I enjoy reading YA, sometimes i find the stories a bit shallow. This was not the case here. This book manages to touch on a lot of really tough issues in a relatable way. Ramona is a super awesome strong female character, but not without faults. The supporting characters are all great too, and I dare you NOT to fall in love with Freddie.
1. Ramona Blue, and Elizabeth Warren‘s Fighting Chance on Audio.
2. Coffee
3. Diet Pepsi.. but am considering another coffee. #weekendreads
Has anyone else watched Dumplin on #Netflix yet?
It was good, so dragged out my copy of Ramona blue. #femaleleadsmakegoodreads
pickYes, it‘s YA and yes, it has romance in it - but I really enjoyed it and loved the MC Romana. She had so many things going on you wondered if she‘d every see any positive future! A lovely little read.
pickI loved this book as much as Julie Murphy's other books. She knows how to perfectly deal with issues that many teenagers and adults face! Can't wait to see what she writes next!
I‘ve been deprograming at night with an audiobook that isn‘t crime. Tonight I‘m starting this one.
pickRamona Blue was just as good as everyone told me it would be. I stayed up late, reading until the wee hours of the morn. I had bags under my eyes & was maybe, possibly, even a little late for work this morning...but it was worth it.🙈💙
If you‘re looking for a fast, swoon-worthy Summer read — one that doesn‘t shy away from discussions of class, gender, race & sexuality — while still managing to be, first & foremost, a love story, this is for you.
Reading past my bedtime & turning the pages so, so quietly so that my husband doesn‘t wake up from where he fell asleep, snoozing on the couch, & tell me that it‘s time for us to go to bed. 😬🤫😴
I finally made it outside & the joy is so real!
Side note: Who else loves Scrabble?
Word nerd dream: A New England #litsymeetup. We bring books to swap (obviously) & Scrabble boards to play. When you finish one game, there‘s another empty board & another ready nerd waiting for you. No one tries to play abbreviations or proper nouns & everyone goes home happy - with new books & a feeling of dorky victory.
Who shares my dream? ✋
😍😭🤓
A school of fish. A gaggle of geese. What do you call a bunch of unwanted guests? 😅 I was about to head outside but my landlord‘s entire extended family just appeared (around a newborn babe) on my once-quiet deck.
Most of the time, I don‘t want the hassle of home ownership. But sometimes, when I‘m feeling antisocial & I don‘t want to coo, I get it.
Relegated to my husband‘s office, where the early evening light is best. Best kick off my shoes.
pickI was so excited for this book I accidentally bought it twice, in hardcover and on kindle, and it did not disappoint me. So good and sweet.
"Life isn't always written in the stars. Fate is mine to pen. I choose guys. I choose girls. I choose people. But most of all: I CHOOSE." - Ramona
I love that!
#25infive #8inTwo #Readathon #WeekendsAreForReading #PrideBooks
pickRamona Blue is 6‘3”, a high school senior, from a small town and is 17 going on 45. Ramona feels a certain sense of responsibility for keeping her family afloat, especially after her older sister gets pregnant by a typical townie. She doesn‘t see a future for herself aside from staying in her town and getting a job to help out her dad. All and all, pretty good, Ramona reminds me of myself, total martyr complex😂 4/5 ⭐️‘s
pickRamona, 6‘3” and blue-haired, has lived in a dilapidated FEMA trailer ever since Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. She shares the tiny space with her dad, her sister, and her sister‘s baby daddy.
Maintaining a long-distance romance with Grace gets complicated when her childhood bestie comes back to town and makes her question her sexual identity.
Wonderfully diverse and vivid cast of characters. I loved it!
Snagged 4 books off the Kindle Flash Deal going on today! Ramona Blue, The Queen‘s Rising, Orphan Train and The Keeper of Lost Things. There‘s 30 to choose from! #justtakemymoney
Today for 1.99 you can pick up Ramona Blue! I‘m really excited to finally read this one since I loved Dumplin!
pickAt first I was concerned about the central story, but it‘s just as important for queer kids to realize sexuality can be fluid as it is for straight kids (and adults, let‘s be real.)
I always enjoy Murphy‘s writing and this one stuck in my head.
pick✴✴✴1/2
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, a YA about a gay girl dealing with her girlfriend leaving and the return of an old friend. The 2nd half was not as enjoyable getting bogged down in problems and a Ramona I had trouble liking. So a decent mixed read that had some good moments, but not enough for me to love it. #romansty #osrbc
pickExcellent contemporary YA fiction about a girl who is 17 going on 30. The story of her evolving and confused sexual identity is also central to the story.
Life is a series of conflicts, and maybe the only resolution is accepting that not all problems are meant to be solved.
so-soI liked this book but didn't love it. The feelings were messy and raw in a good way, but parts of the plot felt forced or too easy. Also, I had some expectations about what kind of a queer book this was going to be, and it turned out to be a different kind of queer book, so that was a disappointment that is most likely unique to me.
"I'm sort of impressed with myself. Not because I'm good, but because I don't stop."
pickLoved this! Beautiful love story that shows how fluid sexuality is with an impactful post-Katrina setting.
Loving Julie Murphy‘s newest. I want so much more for Ramona that she seems willing to settle for.
Julie Murphy is the best!
Photo cred to the husband.
#pdxbookfest #wordstockpdx
A few months ago I was listening to this and then... disc 3 restarted after track 4! 😱😭 it's finally back in my possession (and fixed), so this half hour I have to spend waiting for a friend for dinner is no big deal! 😍
