I've read about 40 books so far this year. I tend to give my thoughts about each book on Goodreads and for a time, I shared all of them in this blog. But this time, for the sake of time, I will share my favourites so far this year. Please note that my reviews vary in length dependent on my energy that day. Also, I didn't include any picture books in this list, which doesn't mean I hadn't read any good ones. I guess you can say I'm slowly getting back into blogging. I hope you enjoy my reviews!
Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney
Wow. This book was not what I expected. A totally fresh voice and it dealt with the topic of a teen girl discovering her body, sexuality, and relationship within a strict household. Mo, the main character, is a PK (preacher's/pastor's kid). She's dated Dom (the "good boy") for years but has begun to have eyes for Reggie (the so-called troubled kid). The tropes are familiar but the take on this was so new.
This book also pushed some boundaries of conversations about sex for a teen audience. But it presented balanced view points-- morally, ethically, spirtually, and emotionally. I think a lot of teens would enjoy reading this and learn a lot but I also can see that some adults would be concerned about the content. This book also offers a rare but interesting glimpse at the lives of Christian teens in ya. I look forward to reading more of Joya Goffney's books.
Wow. This book was not what I expected. A totally fresh voice and it dealt with the topic of a teen girl discovering her body, sexuality, and relationship within a strict household. Mo, the main character, is a PK (preacher's/pastor's kid). She's dated Dom (the "good boy") for years but has begun to have eyes for Reggie (the so-called troubled kid). The tropes are familiar but the take on this was so new.
This book also pushed some boundaries of conversations about sex for a teen audience. But it presented balanced view points-- morally, ethically, spirtually, and emotionally. I think a lot of teens would enjoy reading this and learn a lot but I also can see that some adults would be concerned about the content. This book also offers a rare but interesting glimpse at the lives of Christian teens in ya. I look forward to reading more of Joya Goffney's books.
Hold my Girl by Charlene Carr
Excellent, breathtaking, and so current. We need more IVF/fertility journey stories. This was a complex storyline that also incorporated ethical/moral issues, trauma, and other topics. I identified with a main character.
Excellent, breathtaking, and so current. We need more IVF/fertility journey stories. This was a complex storyline that also incorporated ethical/moral issues, trauma, and other topics. I identified with a main character.
Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow
Wow! Intense. Classic Caribbean style storytelling. Stringfellow is effective at maintaining suspense and a foreword momentum throughout this novel. There was never a dull moment. I loved Bahni Turpin's narration. Brilliant. Great debut, Lisa. (I met the author through Amplify Black Stories cohort through Highlights.)
Wow! Intense. Classic Caribbean style storytelling. Stringfellow is effective at maintaining suspense and a foreword momentum throughout this novel. There was never a dull moment. I loved Bahni Turpin's narration. Brilliant. Great debut, Lisa. (I met the author through Amplify Black Stories cohort through Highlights.)
New From Here by Kelly Yang
I’ll read anything Kelly Yang writes. She’s an amazing middle grade writer and I love when she shares the specific life events that inspire each of her stories and this is no exception. This is the pandemic novel I read, the early stages of the Corona virus spread. Knox’ voice is so clear and authentic. I like how Kelly never shies away from racism and specifically addresses anti-Asian hate and anti-Black racism. I also notice that all of her Black characters are helpers (not in the Jamaican meaning of the word in her books. This book is so well-done. I love how the kids- siblings- take the parents’ problems— job uncertainty, family separation, lack of health insurance— into their own hands. I love how she portrayed Knox living with eczema and DHD. I love how Brian, the older brother grew. Well done, Kelly Yang. Again.
I’ll read anything Kelly Yang writes. She’s an amazing middle grade writer and I love when she shares the specific life events that inspire each of her stories and this is no exception. This is the pandemic novel I read, the early stages of the Corona virus spread. Knox’ voice is so clear and authentic. I like how Kelly never shies away from racism and specifically addresses anti-Asian hate and anti-Black racism. I also notice that all of her Black characters are helpers (not in the Jamaican meaning of the word in her books. This book is so well-done. I love how the kids- siblings- take the parents’ problems— job uncertainty, family separation, lack of health insurance— into their own hands. I love how she portrayed Knox living with eczema and DHD. I love how Brian, the older brother grew. Well done, Kelly Yang. Again.
The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan by Salma Hussain
Very well-done Salma. I am very impressed with the breadth of topics addressed including an immigration and third culture analysis. Mona's voice is very clear and I can see why this might be a middle grade book. My only suggestion would be to age her to twelve or thirteen. This book also helped me to see that potentials and possibilities of middle grade. Amazing debut novel.
Very well-done Salma. I am very impressed with the breadth of topics addressed including an immigration and third culture analysis. Mona's voice is very clear and I can see why this might be a middle grade book. My only suggestion would be to age her to twelve or thirteen. This book also helped me to see that potentials and possibilities of middle grade. Amazing debut novel.
The Mother of All Degrassi: A Memoir by Linda Schyuler
Beautiful, inspiring, and so authentic. This novel energized me and reminded me of the many possibilities out there, ones that I may not even know about yet. The narrator was amazing and sounded like it could have been Linda herself. Great work!
Beautiful, inspiring, and so authentic. This novel energized me and reminded me of the many possibilities out there, ones that I may not even know about yet. The narrator was amazing and sounded like it could have been Linda herself. Great work!
The Girl in the Middle: Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor by Anais Granofsky
Original story, authentic, a little bit of repetition but it kept my attention.
Original story, authentic, a little bit of repetition but it kept my attention.
Room to Dream and Key Player by Kelly Yang
(Room to Dream) Kelly Yang, you've done it again. And never, disappoint. Often in series, I find I like one more book than the other. And I appreciate as a writer that it is challenging to sustain the interest of the reader or keep a character's storyline going. And yet, Kelly Yang does it so well with so much interest. I loved this book-- the visit to China (reminded me of my uncle's visit as a Black man married to a Chinese woman), the gentrification, Mia's writing and her crush, and dealing with consent. It all came together so beautifully. Well done!
(Key Player) Kelly Yang does it again with this latest installment of the FRONT DESK series. I think this one mught be my second favourite after the first book. I love how Mia’s journalism career is growing to more opportunities, including interviews with the Women’s FIFA World Cup. I also how Mr. Yao was given more development of back story. Hank was too but I’d love to see more back story and/or development with his social circle. I love seeing Mia, Lupe, mom, and Jay mature and come into their own. And I absolutely love how the author takes on racial Justice and inequality in all of her books.
(Room to Dream) Kelly Yang, you've done it again. And never, disappoint. Often in series, I find I like one more book than the other. And I appreciate as a writer that it is challenging to sustain the interest of the reader or keep a character's storyline going. And yet, Kelly Yang does it so well with so much interest. I loved this book-- the visit to China (reminded me of my uncle's visit as a Black man married to a Chinese woman), the gentrification, Mia's writing and her crush, and dealing with consent. It all came together so beautifully. Well done!
(Key Player) Kelly Yang does it again with this latest installment of the FRONT DESK series. I think this one mught be my second favourite after the first book. I love how Mia’s journalism career is growing to more opportunities, including interviews with the Women’s FIFA World Cup. I also how Mr. Yao was given more development of back story. Hank was too but I’d love to see more back story and/or development with his social circle. I love seeing Mia, Lupe, mom, and Jay mature and come into their own. And I absolutely love how the author takes on racial Justice and inequality in all of her books.
Dear Current Occupant: A Memoir by Chelene Knight
Well done. Gorgeous. I had read a section for my MFA program, so reading it in its entirety was helpful to get a fuller picture. Gorgeous language, filled with honesty and dare I say, resilience.
Well done. Gorgeous. I had read a section for my MFA program, so reading it in its entirety was helpful to get a fuller picture. Gorgeous language, filled with honesty and dare I say, resilience.
Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined by Danielle Younge-Ullman
I think this book was very well-written. It was the first time I saw this format in young adult literature: the flashback. The chapters alternate between the thoughts and experiences of Ingrid in the present day to the past, repeated. I have seen this format in several adult novels, most recently in Thomas King's Indians on Vacation and Yaa Gyasi's Transcendent Kingdom. I also found Ingrid's voice to be strong and authentically teenaged. Danielle's writing is great at the slow reveal and the shock at the end. Beautiful and tragic. Great work!
I think this book was very well-written. It was the first time I saw this format in young adult literature: the flashback. The chapters alternate between the thoughts and experiences of Ingrid in the present day to the past, repeated. I have seen this format in several adult novels, most recently in Thomas King's Indians on Vacation and Yaa Gyasi's Transcendent Kingdom. I also found Ingrid's voice to be strong and authentically teenaged. Danielle's writing is great at the slow reveal and the shock at the end. Beautiful and tragic. Great work!
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