[Book Review] Anger Is A Gift by Mark Oshiro

Six years ago, Moss Jefferies' father was murdered by an Oakland police officer. Along with losing a parent, the media's vilification of his father and lack of accountability has left Moss with near crippling panic attacks.

Now, in his sophomore year of high school, Moss and his fellow classmates find themselves increasingly treated like criminals by their own school. New rules. Random locker searches. Constant intimidation and Oakland Police Department stationed in their halls. Despite their youth, the students decide to organize and push back against the administration.

When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.

[Book Review] To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

[Book Review] Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

Mila Flores and her best friend Riley have always been inseparable. There's not much excitement in their small town of Cross Creek, so Mila and Riley make their own fun, devoting most of their time to Riley's favorite activity: amateur witchcraft.

So when Riley and two Fairmont Academy mean girls die under suspicious circumstances, Mila refuses to believe everyone's explanation that her BFF was involved in a suicide pact. Instead, armed with a tube of lip gloss and an ancient grimoire, Mila does the unthinkable to uncover the truth: she brings the girls back to life.

Unfortunately, Riley, June, and Dayton have no recollection of their murders, but they do have unfinished business to attend to. Now, with only seven days until the spell wears off and the girls return to their graves, Mila must wrangle the distracted group of undead teens and work fast to discover their murderer...before the killer strikes again.

[Manga Review] Orange Volume One by Ichigo Takano

A Plea From the Future

On the day that Naho begins 11th grade, she receives a letter from herself ten years in the future. At first, she writes it off as a prank, but as the letter’s predictions come true one by one, Naho realizes that the letter might be the real deal. Her future self tells Naho that a new transfer student, a boy named Kakeru, will soon join her class. The letter begs Naho to watch over him, saying that only Naho can save Kakeru from a terrible future. Who is this mystery boy, and can Naho save him from his destiny? This is the heart-wrenching sci-fi romance that has over million copies in print in Japan!

[Book Review] The Summer the World Ended by Matthew S. Cox

As far as Riley McCullough is concerned, her best friend getting ‘dragged’ off to Puerto Vallarta for the first two weeks of summer vacation was the end of the world―at least until the bombs fell.

Life in suburban New Jersey with her mother has been comfortable, not to mention boring, to an introverted fourteen year old. As if her friend’s surprise trip wasn’t bad enough, her expectations for the ‘best summer ever’ disintegrate when she gets sent across the country to stay with a father she hasn’t seen in six years. Adjusting to a tiny, desert town where everyone stares at them like they don’t belong proves difficult, and leaves her feeling more isolated than ever. To make matters worse, her secretive father won’t tell the truth about why he left―or what he’s hiding.

Her luck takes an unexpected turn for the better when she meets a boy who shares her interest in video games and contempt for small town boredom. In him, she finds a kindred spirit who might just make the middle of nowhere tolerable.

Happiness is short lived; fleeing nuclear Armageddon, she takes shelter with her dad in an underground bunker he’d spent years preparing. After fourteen days without sun, Riley must overcome the sorrow of losing everything to save the one person she cares about most.

[Book Review] Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

A searing #OwnVoices coming-of-age debut in which an Indian-American Muslim teen confronts Islamophobia and a reality she can neither explain nor escape--perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Jacqueline Woodson, and Adam Silvera.

American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home, and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and maybe (just maybe) pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.

There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs. 

[Book Review] Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

Three friends, two love stories, one convention: this fun, feminist love letter to geek culture is all about fandom, friendship, and finding the courage to be yourself.

Charlie likes to stand out. She’s a vlogger and actress promoting her first movie at SupaCon, and this is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star Reese Ryan. When internet-famous cool-girl actress Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought.

Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with her best guy friend Jamie—no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about a fan contest for her favorite fandom, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, is an empowering novel for anyone who has ever felt that fandom is family.

[Book Review] Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Radio Silence is about Frances Janvier, a high school student who mostly is known for spending most of her time studying. She is seen as pretty boring and uneventful to her school friends, and she is pretty content with that. Even if she's not boring at all because after school she goes home and does fan art for a YouTube based podcast she loves called Universe City. She gets an email from the creator of Universe City, Radio Silence, asking her if she'd be interested in doing some art work for the podcast. Frances finds her life becoming anything but boring when she starts to become good friends with Aled Last. Especially when she finds out that he is the creator of Universe City.

H & E Bookish Chat: Eliza And Her Monsters

Erica Robyn Reads and I recently buddy-read Eliza And Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia. After messaging one another to say that we had each completed the book, this happened:

H: I’m not even sure how to review this book. I immediately revert into caveman Heather, "IT GOOD. READ. NOW.”

E: Ah, right??!?! That’s how I started my review!!! I was like: I don't even know where to start... I just kept typing “I LOVE THIS BOOK!”

Needless to say, we agreed that this would be the perfect book to roll out an idea we have had for a while now; H & E Bookish Chats!

But first, if you missed either of our reviews, feel free to check them out by clicking below:

Erica’s Review

Heather’s Review

They're both spoiler free, where the discussion will not be! So SPOILER WARNING!

This is part two of our discussion, go here to read part one!

Now, let’s jump into the chat!

[Book Review] When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Dimple Shah is determined to kick start her career immediately now that she has graduated high school and plans to go to Sanford for web design. She convinces her parents to let her go to Insomnia Con, a technology program for six weeks. Her mother wants her to focus on finding an "Ideal Indian Husband" but finally agrees to allow Dimple to go. Dimple is shocked that she agrees, and is happy her parents are finally on board with her focusing more on her career than her love life. Rishi Patel is a charismatic hopeless romantic who's parents have told him that his future wife will be at Insomnia Con but he will have to woo her. Rishi believes in tradition, stability, and feels immense pressure to live up to his family's expectations. Even if that means putting aside his passions to focus on something more practical.

Dimple and Rishi think they have each other figured out, but when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

[Book Review] Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever.

Since then, it’s been Ramona and her family against the world. Standing over six feet tall with unmistakable blue hair, Ramona is sure of three things: she likes girls, she’s fiercely devoted to her family, and she knows she’s destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. But juggling multiple jobs, her flaky mom, and her well-meaning but ineffectual dad forces her to be the adult of the family. Now, with her sister, Hattie, pregnant, responsibility weighs more heavily than ever.

The return of her childhood friend Freddie brings a welcome distraction. Ramona’s friendship with the former competitive swimmer picks up exactly where it left off, and soon he’s talked her into joining him for laps at the pool. But as Ramona falls in love with swimming, her feelings for Freddie begin to shift too, which is the last thing she expected. With her growing affection for Freddie making her question her sexual identity, Ramona begins to wonder if perhaps she likes girls and guys or if this new attraction is just a fluke. Either way, Ramona will discover that, for her, life and love are more fluid than they seem.

[Book Review] The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz

5 STARS

"Do you think the heart needs love to keep on beating?"

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life is about our main character Salvador (Sal) who is about to start senior year alongside his best friend Samantha (Sam). The year seems to go start off normally until Sal starts getting into fights, Sam's fighting with her mom has increased, and his friend Fito's home life is getting worse. Sal's always been certain of his place with his adopted gay dad and their loving Mexican-American family but now the history of his biological parents have started to haunt him.

[Book Review] The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera

3.5 STARS 

The Education of Margot Sanchez is about our main character Margot Sanchez. She's a fifteen year old Latina teenager who "borrowed" her parent's credit card to buy herself new clothes. After getting caught she is forced to work at her parent's supermarket to pay off the money she stole. She goes to a preppy school where she feels like she has to follow and change herself to fit in, which means putting herself in situations she wouldn't have been in originally. She decides she needs to just stay in her parent's good graces in time for the biggest beach party of the year and she doesn't have any intention of letting her family or Moises - a boy she meets collecting signatures outside the supermarket- stand in her way of that party.

[Book Review] Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

 

TW: self harm and mental illnesses (ocd, depression, agoraphobia, and anxiety)

4 STARS 

Under Rose-Tainted Skies is a contemporary fiction novel written by Louise Gornall. It follows the main character, Norah Dean, who is a seventeen year old girl who suffers from OCD, agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression. She is constantly washing her hands, she can't eat certain foods, she's terrified of going outside, and she's scared that her mental illness will keep her trapped in her house forever. That feeling of wanting more, but being too scared to take those steps to achieve more, increase when a boy moves next door. There is one section of spoilers that I have italicized so please read carefully.

[Book Review] History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

4.5 STARS

"I'll never understand how time can make a moment feel as close as yesterday and as far as years."

 

History Is All You Left Me follows our main character Griffin in two different times in his life, "History" which is his past where we follow his relationship with his ex boyfriend Theo. How they came out to each other, how they started dated, and why they ended. Then we have "Today" where we follow Griffin after Theo dies in a drowning accident and he's dealing with Jackson, Theo's boyfriend, being in town for the funeral. This story's themes include grief, coming out, self discovery, forgiveness, and love.

[Book Review] A List of Cages by Robin Roe

5 STARS 

This book deserves ten million stars oh my goodness. I haven't had my heart broken and then slowly pieces back together in such a long time.

A List of Cages is about our main character Julien who is an orphan and living with his uncle. Julien is a freshman who keeps to himself for the most part, reads a childhood favorite book series on repeat, and eats PB&J sandwiches in a secret room at school during lunch. Until a senior named Adam, his foster brother from a home he lived in before being with his uncle, talks to him at school. Adam is determined to have Julien back in his life again, and Julien's secrets of what is happening in his home start to be revealed.

"If I really had powers, I could turn off pain the way I can shut my eyes. But I can't. I feel it. Skin doesn't get thicker. Instead, it remembers." 

This book is heartbreaking, but at the same really touching. There are sad parts, but there are moments of love, family, and friendship sprinkled throughout the story and because of those scenes you realize how attached you are to the main characters. It sneaks up on you and suddenly you're sobbing for Adam, Julien, their friends, and even Adam's Mom. I almost wish we had more scenes with her and Julien. You can tell she cares for him but because we don't have too many scenes with them together (either flashbacks or in the present) there isn't as big of a family moment between them. I do love her scenes with Adam though, their dynamic was really sweet. Her yelling at the TV during reality television/game shows had me laughing.

"The sick nervous feeling I had just a minute ago has disappeared. Instead I feel something warm spread through my body. People I love will be watching me. Their eyes like safety nets, I can't fall." 

I loved Julien. He was so sweet and innocent. I wanted to reach into the book and hug/protect him the entire time. I also loved Adam. He was such a humorous and loving character. I want more books with them just because they're so great. I really enjoyed that some of Adam's friends have their own personalities. The biggest ones being Emerald, Adam's crush, and Charlie, Adam's best friend. I really enjoyed Adam and Emerald's relationship. Although it's not the focus (the friendship of our two main characters has a stronger role - which I absolutely love) the few scenes you have with them together are really sweet. It's not over the top but instead it is subtle and real. When it comes to Charlie, I got really annoyed with him really easily because of how protective I was of Julien. You're supposed to, but the more you get to know him you realize he's a big softy. I found his motives to be realistic and I think they were done well writing wise. Because of the way your attachment to the characters sneak up on you, I found myself really protective of Julien the way Adam was so it was hard not to get annoyed with Charlie. Especially since we know Julien's secret and it makes you feel for him so much more. The scene where Charlie offers Julien a ride home had me in tears.

"Hate ricochets, but kindness does too." 

I don't want to give anything away, but the secret Julien is holding had me in tears. Every time it was brought up I found myself holding my breath. Wanting someone else to know, wanting Julien to be protected. Each of the scenes focused around it are written so powerfully that I found myself flinching. There's a couple moments of Julien remembering his parents tucking him in and asking him how many stars were in the sky and it always made my heart clench because they obviously loved their son.

"It's strange how many ways there are to miss someone. You miss the things they did and who they were, but you also miss who you were to them. The way everything you said and did was beautiful or entertaining or important. How much you mattered." 

I think this book is an important one. I want more young adult books with friendships being the main focus. I enjoy romance, but this is the kind of stuff that really gets to me. Robin Roe did an amazing job. I wanted to quote so many more passages. Highly recommend this to everyone.

Thanks for reading! 

Have you read A List of Cages by Robin Roe? Do you recommend any other books that focus mostly on a friendship versus a relationship?

[Book Review] More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

 

4 STARS

Before I start the review I want to add a TRIGGER WARNING on this book. It deals with topics like depression, suicide, self harm, and homophobia. Please read at your own caution and stay safe.