This was fun! The sexy times were more amusing than hot (they did a lot of “undulating”), but the characters were fun and all the tropes that are supposed to be there were there. (11)

An upcoming graphic novel from First Second. It‘s got gorgeous art and an interesting take on dragon myths, but ultimately it didn‘t grab me. I might be persuaded to give it another try, though, when the finished copy is released. (10)

This is super Avi-y, if you know what I mean. You‘ve got your strong female heroine with your time stamped dialog and your extra details with a little edge of your seat adventure. All-in-all, it‘s good stuff. I‘m hoping/expecting there to be a sequel to this one, as well as some Newbery chatter later in the year. (9)

Strange and melancholy and unexpectedly relatable, which is what you‘d expect from Lisa Brown. It‘s hard to believe this is her first graphic novel. I can‘t wait for more.

You guys. Where was this book when I was a tween? A teen? In my twenties when my mother asked the emergency room doctor if he‘d considered endometriosis as the cause of my excruciating pain and he said that he was the doctor, not her, and clearly this was an inflamed appendix? (Guess who was correct.) Get this book into the hands of a girl you love, her school administrator, her doctor‘s waiting room. For real. It‘s important. (7)

I don‘t think I‘ve ever read anything like this before. The author has taken what should have been a standard fantasy/romance and turned it into a non-binary magical adventure love story. Exceptional. The book comes out in May. Watch for it. (6)

This isn‘t going to win any awards, but I did enjoy having Edith Head as a main character.

I‘m not surprised this book is showing up on so many mock Newbery lists. The book, despite the sadness, is easy to read. The dialog flows smoothly and naturally, like a real person - a real middle schooler - is talking to you. Even the sadness feels real. I never once felt manipulated or that I was being taught something, if you know what I mean. Nothing ever felt heavy or played for tears. This book impressed me. (4)

Dang. No wonder this book is getting rave reviews. Maia knows what e is doing. The honesty, openness, and love e shows to eirself and the people who love em is startlingly touching. I can‘t wait to see what e does next. (3)

This is locally published and features local writers, illustrators, and muralists. The writing is fine (gets stronger as the book goes on) and isn‘t oppressively bibliotherapeutic. It took some getting used to, but I came to like the illustration style. If you need a book full of diverse kids doing socially just activities surrounded by caring, supportive adults, this will do the trick. ISBN: 9781733983600 (2)

Although published recently, this memoir is very much a product of the time period it‘s set in. If you love stories of society, fashion, and the designers of the time, and can look past some troubling statements about class and classiness that reflect poorly on those same times, you‘ll enjoy this quick read. Kind of like having drinks with a maiden uncle who has great stories, but is far from woke. (1)

Dang. This is one heck of a book. Strong storytelling, full of truth, compassion, and entirely relatable. Due out in April and definitely worth your time.

You guys. This book. It is so good. So. Good.

Broochtober!

Broochtober!

I wait all year for this and it‘s finally here. Broochtober! This year I‘m going for all book-based baubles.

I started a book and finished it all in the same day. It was just like old times! {sniff}
Wonderfully funny, sweetly romantic, and now I want to move to a small cottage in Maine. Which is unlikely to actually happen since I don‘t really like weather, tourists, or small towns.

It took me 11 freaking years to finish this series and all I get is a hug at the end?!? That‘s it, I‘m never reading manga again. (Kidding.)

The expression on the cat‘s face is a mirror of how I feel about this book. I love a good mystery and I love highbrow lit fic. But together they merge to form a giant meh. Alas.

This is what you get when your ugly stepsisters are feminists out to smash the patriarchy. The ending is a bit convenient, but otherwise great fun.

I went to NetGalley looking for Hoop Dreams (it wasn‘t there, boo) and came away with this instead. It has a definite bias (it means to), but the author explains his points clearly and well. Definitely worth a look if you‘re interested in the topic — and nowadays you should be. Thanks to First Second for access to the pdf.

“...the place has all the allure of a dehumidifier.” So perfect a description I can‘t even.

Geez Louise, this book took forever to finish. My boyfriend and I took to calling the author “Isabel No-ende”. A single paragraph will cross over two pages; sometimes the paragraph consisted of one sentence. But by golly, it was good. A generational saga taking place in an unnamed country, but very Chile-like, sweeps through history with a vibrant, magical, incredibly wordy brush. Recommended, but make yourself comfortable. You‘ll be there awhile.

And then this happened! ALA Annual 2019

Absolutely as sweet as you‘ve heard. Family drama, young love, coming of age, and baked goods. How can you resist?
#teenbooks #firstsecondbooks

Amy King‘s YA books are some of my favorites (Vera Dietz being my favorite, natch). I missed her first foray into #kidslit, so when I was sent this ARC, I snapped it up. The story is as intense as you‘d expect. Liberty is dealing with both her parents‘ breakup and her fear that she might have depression. A “mirror” story for me, I related to so much of Liberty‘s experience. All this and talking inanimate objects? Sold! #childrensbooks #middlegrade

If L. Frank Baum‘s OZ and Erik Shannower‘s OZ had a baby that didn‘t want to live in OZ, this is the book you‘d get. Sweet story that‘s not over told and absolutely gorgeous art. Great for kids and OZ fans of all ages. #kidslit #childrensbooks #middlegrade #vikingbooks #litsywelcomewagon