What’s Broken Between Us Author: Alexis Bass Publication Date: December 29th, 2015 Publisher: HarperTeen Summary: Alexis Bass’s heartbreakingly beautiful second novel is a tale of love, loss, and learning to forgive. Look to the left, look to the right. We’re … Continue reading
Synopsis
For those of us who come into the world different, we see it for what it really is. Harsh. Avery Chamberlin is special, unique. Beautiful words to gloss over the fact that she is different. She has never felt like she fit in. Why should she? She was reminded on a daily basis that she was not like her peers. Flawed. Damaged. A freak. Avery will have to come out of her shell to prove that even the bullies have their own insecurities. LIFE ISN’T ABOUT LABELS.My Review
There are a lot of books out there that are written to tell a story – and that is also the case for Scarred. While the premise is good – a young girl who had a cleft lip as a … Continue reading
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. A Tyranny of Petticoats Various Authors Edited by: Jessica Spotswood Publication Date: March 8th, 2016 Publisher: Candlewick Press … Continue reading
Synopsis
A coloring book that will relax and inspire--all the while transporting you to the wonderful world of New York City.Get your pens out, open this book, and discover a New York like you've never seen before. Gaze up in awe at the towering buildings and make your way through the bustling streets as you travel from Manhattan to Brooklyn and beyond.
Feel the stress melt away as you bring the city--and your inner artist--to life. Appealing to all ages, this intricate coloring book will inspire and delight.
My Review
Having never actually been to New York, this coloring book fascinated me from the time I saw the cover. It really always did strike me as odd that I’ve never been to New York, considering I live only a few … Continue reading
Synopsis
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White), edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.My Review
Cozy up with a fluffy blanket, some hot chocolate, and this book, and prepare to spend a snowy afternoon getting warmed up with these adorable love stories! My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories features stories from twelve … Continue reading
Synopsis
A 2015 ALA Top Ten Rainbow List TitleA 2015 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
“Both personal and universal, this is a compelling story about high school, family and owning up to who you really are. Farizan is just the voice YA needs right now. Trust me, you'll be glad you listened.” --Sarah Dessen
Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. As an Iranian American, she’s different enough; if word got out that she liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual.
Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia’s confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to her fellow drama tech-crew members, especially Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise, and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.
My Review
This is one of those books that I wish I had read while I was in high school. While I read a lot during those years, I didn’t read much YA, and books featuring m/m or f/f relationships were far … Continue reading
Half in Love with Death Author: Emily Ross Publication Date: December 18th, 2015 Publisher: Merit Press Synopsis: It’s the era of peace and love in the 1960s, but nothing is peaceful in Caroline’s life. Since her beautiful older sister disappeared, … Continue reading
Synopsis
It's the era of peace and love in the 1960s, but nothing is peaceful in Caroline's life. Since her beautiful older sister disappeared, fifteen-year-old Caroline might as well have disappeared too. She's invisible to her parents, who can't stop blaming each other. The police keep following up on leads even Caroline knows are foolish. The only one who seems to care about her is Tony, her sister's older boyfriend, who soothes Caroline's desperate heart every time he turns his magical blue eyes on her.Tony is convinced that the answer to Jess's disappearance is in California, the land of endless summer, among the runaways and flower children. Come with me, Tony says to Caroline, and we'll find her together. Tony is so loving, and all he cares about is bringing Jess home. And so Caroline follows, and closes a door behind her that may never open again.
Inspired by the disturbing case of Charles Schmid, ‘the Pied Piper of Tucson’, Half in Love with Death is a heartfelt thriller that never lets up.
My Review
Based in the 1960’s, Emily Ross’s novel Half in Love with Death deals with one family’s nightmare of having their daughter and sister go missing. Jess, the older sister of Caroline, spends her nights out with her friends and boyfriend, … Continue reading
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. Love, Lies and Spies Author: Cindy Anstey Publication Date: April 19th, 2016 Publisher: Swoon Reads Summary from Goodreads: … Continue reading
Synopsis
Like most 18th century Venetians, Adriana d'Amato adores music-except her strict merchant father has forbidden her to cultivate her gift for the violin. But she refuses to let that stop her from living her dreams and begins sneaking out of her family's palazzo under the cover of night to take violin lessons from virtuoso violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. However, what begins as secret lessons swiftly evolves into a passionate, consuming love affair.Adriana's father is intent on seeing her married to a wealthy, prominent member of Venice's patrician class-and a handsome, charming suitor, whom she knows she could love, only complicates matters-but Vivaldi is a priest, making their relationship forbidden in the eyes of the Church and of society. They both know their affair will end upon Adriana's marriage, but she cannot anticipate the events that will force Vivaldi to choose between her and his music. The repercussions of his choice-and of Adriana's own choices-will haunt both of their lives in ways they never imagined.
Spanning more than 30 years of Adriana's life, Alyssa Palombo's The Violinist of Venice is a story of passion, music, ambition, and finding the strength to both fall in love and to carry on when it ends.
My Review
If ever a beautiful, alluring historical novel has been written, The Violinist of Venice, debut novel from author Alyssa Palombo, is definitely it. Absolutely captivating, this stunning novel will capture your heart with the beautiful descriptions of Venice, the characters … Continue reading
