Teen Reader Advisory: Gia's Picks
Gia's Picks
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An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by ISBN: 9781524743444Publication Date: 2018-09-25A sweeping, cinematic tale about a young woman who becomes an overnight celebrity before realizing she's part of something bigger, and stranger, than anyone could have possibly imagined. The Carls just appeared. Roaming through New York City at three a.m., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship--like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor--April and her best friend, Andy, make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world--from Beijing to Buenos Aires--and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight. Seizing the opportunity to make her mark on the world, April now has to deal with the consequences her new particular brand of fame has on her relationships, her safety, and her own identity. And all eyes are on April to figure out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from us.
★★★★★
You may know Hank Green from TikTok or Crash Course but I'm here to tell you he's a fabulous author as well! An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is an insane journey through the trials and tribulations of overnight online stardom, including the many mistakes made by the book's lovable but disastrous protagonist, April May, and the motley crew she assembles along the way. AART and its sequel A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor tell a wonderfully human story despite their otherworldly sci-fi conceit. Every character will worm their way into your heart and stay there long after you've put the books down.
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The Anthropocene Reviewed by Call Number: 814 GREISBN: 9780525555216Publication Date: 2021-05-18The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale--from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar. Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. As a species, we are both far too powerful and not nearly powerful enough, a paradox that came into sharp focus as we faced a global pandemic that both separated us and bound us together. John Green's gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is an open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world.
★★★★★
As a long time fan of John Green, I can confidently say The Anthropocene Reviewed is his best work yet. Filled with wonder and romanticizing mundanity, this novel was a perfect and uplifting read for such a bleak time in human history. Green's words could remind even the most cynical person to take a moment and appreciate the simple and steadfast beauty of a sunset. And for the Hank Green fans, he gets plenty of mentions throughout. I give The Anthropocene Reviewed five stars only because that's the scale I'm working with but it gets one thousand stars in my heart.
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Bent Heavens by Call Number: YA KrausISBN: 9781250151674Publication Date: 2020-02-25Liv Fleming's father went missing more than two years ago, not long after he claimed to have been abducted by aliens. Liv has long accepted that he's dead, though that doesn't mean she has given up their traditions. Every Sunday, she and her lifelong friend Doug Monk trudge through the woods to check the traps Lee left behind, traps he set to catch the aliens he so desperately believed were after him. But Liv is done with childhood fantasies. Done pretending she believes her father's absurd theories. Done going through the motions for Doug's sake. However, on the very day she chooses to destroy the traps, she discovers in one of them a creature so inhuman it can only be one thing. In that moment, she's faced with a painful realization: her dad was telling the truth. And no one believed him. Now, she and Doug have a choice to make. They can turn the alien over to the authorities...or they can take matters into their own hands.
★★★★☆
A truly gruesome horror novel about good ol' fashioned aliens (...or are they...?) with some brutal commentary on humans' willingness to follow along to fit in, and the limits and conditions of compassion. Definitely not for the faint of heart or those making their first foray into horror, but Bent Heavens is a must-read for body horror fans. There's one scene that will make your teeth hurt. Good luck.
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Blankets by Call Number: YA Thompson - Graphic NovelISBN: 9781770462205Publication Date: 2015-10-13Blankets is the story of a young man coming of age and finding the confidence to express his creative voice. Craig Thompson's poignant graphic memoir plays out against the backdrop of a Midwestern winterscape: finely-hewn linework draws together a portrait of small town life, a rigorously fundamentalist Christian childhood, and a lonely, emotionally mixed-up adolescence. Under an engulfing blanket of snow, Craig and Raina fall in love at winter church camp, revealing to one another their struggles with faith and their dreams of escape. Over time though, their personal demons resurface and their relationship falls apart. It's a universal story, and Thompson's vibrant brushstrokes and unique page designs make the familiar heartbreaking all over again.
★★★★★
Blankets is breathtakingly beautiful, both aesthetically and in story. The emotions conveyed through the text and illustrations feel so real and raw that, while I was reading it, it was almost like they were happening to me. A must-read for anyone struggling to reconcile their lifelong faith with their burgeoning personal identity, and still a great read even if you aren't.
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A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by ISBN: 9781534448537Publication Date: 2021-01-19When Noa closes his eyes on Earth and wakes up on a spaceship called Qriosity just as it's about to explode, he's pretty sure things can't get much weirder. Boy is he wrong. Trapped aboard Qriosity are also DJ and Jenny, neither of whom remember how they got onboard the ship. Together, the three face all the dangers of space, along with murder, aliens, a school dance, and one really, really bad day. But none of this can prepare Noa for the biggest challenge--falling in love. And as Noa's feelings for DJ deepen, he has to contend not just with the challenges of the present, but also with his memories of the past. However, nothing is what it seems on Qriosity, and the truth will upend all of their lives forever. Love is complicated enough without also trying to stay alive.
★★★★★
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space was a wild ride from explosive start to satisfying finish. The relationships between the characters felt so real, and the emotions they experienced were very relatable despite their otherworldly setting and circumstance. A great book for people who like science fiction but prefer character-driven stories over Trekkie technobabble. I wish I could read it again for the first time just to experience all the crazy twists with a fresh brain.
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Drag Teen by Call Number: YA SelfISBN: 9780545829939Publication Date: 2016-04-26When life's a drag, you've gotta drag it up. JT feels like his life's hit a dead end. It looks like he'll always be stuck in Florida. His parents are anti-supportive. And his boyfriend, Seth, seems to be moving toward a bright future a long way from home. Scholarship money is nonexistent. After-school work will only get JT so far. There's only one shot for him -- to become the next Miss Drag Teen in New York City. The problem with that? Well, the only other time JT tried drag (at a school talent show), he was booed off the stage. And it's not exactly an easy drive from Florida to New York. But JT isn't going to give up. He, Seth, and their friend Heather are going to drag race up north so JT can capture the crown, no matter how many feisty foes he has to face. Because when your future is on the line, you have to be in it to win it, one fraught and fabulous step at a time.
★★★★☆
Drag Teen is fun fun fun. The perfect book for when you're looking to breeze through something light and silly that will make you feel good. I'm still holding out hope that we'll get a movie of this one eventually, but until then, all I can do is recommend it to everyone. Plus, as someone who very frequently has pink hair and owns a hundred different pink lipsticks and at least one tiara, I adore the cover.
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Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too by ISBN: 9780062569028Publication Date: 2017-06-27Here is the unforgettable story of Jomny, a lonely alien who, for the first time ever, finds a home on our planet after learning that earthlings can feel lonely too. Jomny finds friendship in a bear tired of other creatures running away in fear, an egg struggling to decide what to hatch into, an owl working its way to being wise, a tree feeling stuck in one place, a tadpole coming to terms with turning into a frog, a dying ghost, a puppy unable to express itself, and many more. Through this story of a lost, lonely and confused alien finding friendship, acceptance, and love among the creatures of Earth, we will all learn how to be a little more human. And for all of us earth-bound creatures here on this planet, we can all be reminded that sometimes, it takes an outsider to help us see ourselves for who we truly are.
★★★★★
This extremely cute illustrated novel will cheer up even the saddest of us. Jonny Sun's beautiful and simple words are punctuated by his equally beautiful and simple drawings. If you've ever seen that tweet that says, "Look. Life's bad. Everyone's sad. We're all gonna die. But I already bought this inflatable bouncy castle so are you gonna take your shoes off or what?" – that's this guy. In fact, that tweet made it into the book, with an illustration that brought me so much joy. Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
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Everything, Everything by Call Number: YA YoonISBN: 9780553496642Publication Date: 2015-09-01What if you couldn't touch anything in the outside world? Never breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun warm your face... or kiss the boy next door? In Everything, Everything, Maddy is a girl who's literally allergic to the outside world, and Olly is the boy who moves in next door... and becomes the greatest risk she's ever taken. "My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I'm allergic to the world. I don't leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black--black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can't predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It's almost certainly going to be a disaster." Everything, Everything will make you laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. It's an innovative, inspiring, and heartbreakingly romantic debut novel that unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, illustrations, and more.
★★★★★
Reading Everything, Everything is self-care. It's like curling up on the couch on a rainy day with fuzzy socks and a cup of tea. It's a quick read, since some chapters consist only of a single line of text, a drawing or a text conversation. The story is very romantic and, although it's a little predictable, that predictability brings an element of comfort. It's a touching story about the overwhelming feelings of first love and self discovery that anyone can relate to. The 2017 movie adaptation starring Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson is also one of my favorite book-to-movie adaptations ever done.
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Goodbye, Again by Call Number: 152.4 SUNISBN: 9780062880857Publication Date: 2021-04-20Jonny Sun is back with a collection of essays and other writings in his unique, funny, and heartfelt style. The pieces range from long meditations on topics like loneliness and being an outsider, to short humor pieces, conversations, and memorable one-liners. Jonny's honest writings about his struggles with feeling productive, as well as his difficulties with anxiety and depression will connect deeply with his fans as well as anyone attempting to create in our chaotic world. It also features a recipe for scrambled eggs that might make you cry.
★★★★★
Goodbye, Again felt like an emotional spa treatment. Refreshing, lovely, a little sad, a little hopeful, a lot comforting, I read the entire thing in one sitting and it made my heart so full. Every essay is wonderful, but my personal favorite was "Your last 15 minutes before the end of the world, ranked from worst to best" which you can read here if you need convincing. I don't want to say too much else and spoil the experience of reading this book, but if the simple title and beautifully minimal cover are calling to you, then you will almost definitely enjoy the whole thing.
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Harrow Lake by ISBN: 9781984814531Publication Date: 2020-08-25Lola Nox is the daughter of a celebrated horror filmmaker--she thinks nothing can scare her. But when her father is brutally attacked in their New York apartment, she's quickly packed off to live with a grandmother she's never met in Harrow Lake, the eerie town where her father's most iconic horror movie was shot. The locals are weirdly obsessed with the film that put their town on the map--and there are strange disappearances, which the police seem determined to explain away. And there's someone--or something--stalking her every move. The more Lola discovers about the town, the more terrifying it becomes. Because Lola's got secrets of her own. And if she can't find a way out of Harrow Lake, they might just be the death of her.
★★★★☆
Oddly enough, I didn't enjoy Harrow Lake much while I was reading it. Some of the horror tropes – small-town gossip, estranged grandmother and mysteriously disappeared mom, protagonist from the city who thinks she's above all the townsfolk – were just a bit too on the nose for me. But I pushed through and read the whole thing, then found myself thinking about it constantly in the following weeks and reevaluating how I felt about certain parts of the story. Definitely not for everyone, but lovers of slow-building horror and creeping tension should make Harrow Lake their next read. The Cake Scene will stick with you.
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Heartstopper by Call Number: YA Oseman - Graphic NovelISBN: 9781338617436Publication Date: 2020-05-05Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out. This edition features beautiful two-color artwork. Soon to be streaming on Netflix! Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn't think he has a chance. But Nick is struggling with feelings of his own, and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works.
★★★★★
All I have to say about Heartstopper is [takes a deep breath] [SCREECHES FOR TWENTY MINUTES]. This book and its sequels (and the webcomic, where you can read ahead of where the physical books have stopped for now!) are so cute that the entire time I was reading them I was chomping on my tongue to keep from audibly reacting. Heartstopper is a beautiful, funny, touching story about blossoming love that's filled with tons of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC representation. I'm obsessed. And watch out for the TV show coming soon-ish!
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Call Number: YA AdamsISBN: 9780345391803Publication Date: 1995-09-27It's an ordinary Thursday morning for Arthur Dent... until his house gets demolished. The Earth follows shortly after to make way for a new hyperspace express route, and Arthur's best friend has just announced that he's an alien. After that, things get much, much worse. With just a towel, a small yellow fish, and a book, Arthur has to navigate through a very hostile universe in the company of a gang of unreliable aliens. Luckily the fish is quite good at languages. And the book is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... which helpfully has the words DON'T PANIC inscribed in large, friendly letters on its cover. Douglas Adams's mega-selling pop-culture classic sends logic into orbit, plays havoc with both time and physics, offers up pithy commentary on such things as ballpoint pens, potted plants, and digital watches... and, most important, reveals the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything. Now, if you could only figure out the question...
★★★★★
A true classic, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a must-read for any sci-fi fan. I didn't read it until embarrassingly recently (summer 2019, in one weekend, entirely on various modes of public transit between Monroe and Brooklyn) and the whole time I felt an overwhelming sense of "why in the world did I wait so long to read this incredible book?!?!" If you haven't read it but have always been meaning to, I urge you to read it. If you already have and are thinking you should read it again, do it. It's an absolute delight.
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I Love You So Mochi by Call Number: YA KuhnISBN: 9781338302882Publication Date: 2019-05-28Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement. She's obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother disapproves, and when they get into an explosive fight, Kimi's entire future seems on the verge of falling apart. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi's estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life. When she arrives in Japan, she's met with a culture both familiar and completely foreign to her. She loses herself in the city's outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival -- and meets Akira, a cute aspiring med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. And what begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.
★★★★★
You ever read something that's so adorable that you have to physically bite your lip to keep from squeaking? That's what happened the entire time I was reading I Love You So Mochi. With characters as sweet as the mochi they eat throughout and all the classic rom-com tropes, this book was a joy. A great read if you just want to turn your brain off and bask in the cuteness. Especially if you plan to visit Japan one day, or have been and are currently missing it.
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The Kids Are Gonna Ask by ISBN: 9780778308744Publication Date: 2020-07-28The death of Thomas and Savannah McClair's mother turns their world upside down. Raised to be fiercely curious by their grandmother Maggie, the twins become determined to learn the identity of their biological father. And when their mission goes viral, an eccentric producer offers them a dream platform: a fully sponsored podcast called The Kids Are Gonna Ask. To discover the truth, Thomas and Savannah begin interviewing people from their mother's past and are shocked when the podcast ignites in popularity. As the attention mounts, they get caught in a national debate they never asked for--but nothing compares to the mayhem that ensues when they find him. Cleverly constructed, emotionally perceptive and sharply funny, The Kids Are Gonna Ask is a rollicking coming-of-age story and a moving exploration of all the ways we can go from lost to found.
★★★★☆
The Kids Are Gonna Ask was one of the most enthralling books I've read in a while. The characters all immediately felt extremely tangible, and I cared so much about what they were going through and whether or not they were going to find their father. Watching the podcast play out and gain traction and the kids' very real reactions to it all almost felt like reading a memoir rather than a fiction novel. Definitely recommend for podcast people or anyone looking for an interesting and character-driven story.
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Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Call Number: YA LoISBN: 9780525555254Publication Date: 2021-01-19Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the feeling took root--that desire to look, to move closer, to touch. Whenever it started growing, it definitely bloomed the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. Suddenly everything seemed possible. But America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father--despite his hard-won citizenship--Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.
★★★★★
If you're a fan of historical fiction, strong female leads and/or bittersweet gay stuff, Last Night at the Telegraph Club is the book for you. Lily's struggles with her identity and sexuality and what that will mean to her family are portrayed beautifully against the historical and clearly well-researched backdrop of 1950s San Francisco. I felt so much genuine compassion for Lily and Kath the entire time I was reading this novel, and the ending was extremely satisfying. It's one I'll think about for a long time. Plus, how gorgeous is that cover?
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My Best Friend's Exorcism by ISBN: 9781594748622Publication Date: 2016-05-17Two high school BFFs find their friendship tested when one of them is possessed by a demon. Abby and Gretchen have been BFFs since fifth grade, when they bonded over a shared love of E.T., roller-skating parties, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. But when they arrive at high school, things change. Gretchen begins to act...different. And as the strange coincidences and bizarre occurrences begin to pile up, Abby realizes there is only one possible explanation- Her best friend Gretchen, her favorite person in the world, has a demon living inside her. And Abby is not going to let anyone or anything come between her and her best friend. With help from some unlikely allies, Abby embarks on a quest to save Gretchen. But is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?
★★★★★
One of my absolute favorite books ever written. It's hard to describe this one without giving away too much of the plot, which has so many twist and turns I could barely keep up, but in a really fun way. The perfect blend of classic horror, '80s pop culture and the raw power of teenage female friendship with an ending that made me cry because it was so lovely. If you're a fan of Stranger Things (especially Eleven and Max's relationship in season 3), IT Chapter One, or any other pieces of media about teens fighting scary things before they had cell phones, you'll definitely enjoy this one.
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Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by ISBN: 9780375835315Publication Date: 2006-05-23It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who's just walked in to his band's show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City--and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date. This he said/she said romance told by YA stars Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a sexy, funny roller coaster of a story about one date over one very long night, with two teenagers, both recovering from broken hearts, who are just trying to figure out who they want to be--and where the next great band is playing. Told in alternating chapters, teeming with music references, humor, angst, and endearing side characters, this is a love story you'll wish were your very own.
★★★★★
If you love New York City as much as I do, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is the book for you. It perfectly captures the chaos and confusion of wandering around the city with no money, no plan and no idea how you're going to get home but knowing you have the perfect person at your side to help you figure it all out. Filled with mountains of music references, some slightly dated language, and lots of kissing, this book is a ton of fun every time I read it. I never get tired of it.
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Noggin by Call Number: YA WhaleyISBN: 9781442458727Publication Date: 2014-04-08Listen--Travis Coates was alive once and then he wasn't. Now he's alive again. Simple as that. The in between part is still a little fuzzy, but Travis can tell you that, at some point or another, his head got chopped off and shoved into a freezer in Denver, Colorado. Five years later, it was reattached to some other guy's body, and well, here he is. Despite all logic, he's still sixteen, but everything and everyone around him has changed. That includes his bedroom, his parents, his best friend, and his girlfriend. Or maybe she's not his girlfriend anymore? That's a bit fuzzy too. Looks like if the new Travis and the old Travis are ever going to find a way to exist together, there are going to be a few more scars. Oh well, you only live twice.
★★★★★
This one's a heartbreaker, folks. So much so that when I was listening to the audiobook, after already having read the physical book, one scene made me cry so hard that I had to pull my car over. But if you're into that kind of thing, Noggin is for you. Despite its ridiculously outlandish sci-fi concept (cryogenic freezing AND attaching a head to a new body?!) it examines the human condition and how we deal with love and loss in ways no other book I've ever read has. I read this one in 2016 and I still think about it all the time. It'll stick with you in the best way, and I can't recommend it enough.
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The Only Good Indians by ISBN: 9781982136451Publication Date: 2020-07-14From New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones comes a novel that is equal parts psychological horror and cutting social commentary on identity politics and the American Indian experience. Fans of Jordan Peele and Tommy Orange will love this story as it follows the lives of four American Indian men and their families, all haunted by a disturbing, deadly event that took place in their youth. Years later, they find themselves tracked by an entity bent on revenge, totally helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.
★★★★★
The Only Good Indians will sneak up on you. I'd heard it lauded as one of the best horror novels of the year, and about 25% of the way through the audiobook, I wondered if I'd misread or accidentally checked out the wrong book because nothing really scary had happened yet. Then something scary happened. Then a LOT OF SCARY THINGS HAPPENED. Brutal, beautiful and haunting, this novel is perfect for fans of slasher horror. And if you like it, the author Stephen Graham Jones has plenty of other novels, novellas and short stories published to work through. Night of the Mannequins was also excellent.
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Orpheus Girl by Call Number: YA Rebele-HenryISBN: 9781641290746Publication Date: 2019-10-08In her debut novel, award-winning poet Brynne Rebele-Henry re-imagines the Orpheus myth as a love story between two teenage girls who are sent to conversion therapy after being caught together in an intimate moment. Abandoned by a single mother she never knew, 16-year-old Raya--obsessed with ancient myths--lives with her grandmother in a small conservative Texas town. For years Raya has fought to hide her feelings for her best friend and true love, Sarah. When the two are outed, they are sent to Friendly Saviors: a re-education camp meant to "fix" them and make them heterosexual. Upon arrival, Raya vows to assume the role of Orpheus, to return to the world of the living with her love--and after she, Sarah, and the other teen residents are subjected to abusive and brutal "treatments" by the staff, Raya only becomes more determined to escape. In a haunting voice reminiscent of Sylvia Plath and the contemporary lyricism of David Levithan, Brynne Rebele-Henry weaves a powerful inversion of the Orpheus myth informed by the disturbing real-world truths of conversion therapy. Orpheus Girl is a story of dysfunctional families, trauma, first love, heartbreak, and ultimately, the fierce adolescent resilience that has the power to triumph over darkness and ignorance.
★★★★☆
Orpheus Girl is an incredibly powerful work of fiction, mostly due to the plot being so deeply rooted in reality. It was a difficult novel to get through, due to graphic descriptions of conversion therapy and rampant homophobia from many of the characters. But despite the anger and sadness it made me feel, I was ultimately happy to have had the experience of reading it. I don't know if I'd say I enjoyed it, per se, but it stuck with me for weeks.
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Rayne and Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Call Number: YA ZentnerISBN: 9781524720209Publication Date: 2019-02-26Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six. But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show's guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder. Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he'll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too. As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous...and momentous.
★★★☆☆
Not my favorite book I've ever read, but its unique premise is what gets it put on my picks list. I've always been a fan of midnight horror movies and the TV hosts that show them, and to read a contemporary YA book about two girls hosting midnight horror on their local public access station was delightful. The story overall was a little slow, a little predictable, but the characters, setting and themes made it worth the read. If you're looking for a quick, fun read with silly costumes, a road trip, and some romance, Rayne and Delilah's Midnite Matinee is one for you.
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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Call Number: YA AlbertalliISBN: 9780062839701Publication Date: 2018-01-30Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: If he doesn't play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone's business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he's been emailing with, will be jeopardized. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon's junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out-without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.
★★★★★
Ahhhh, Simon. Where do I even start with this lovely book? One of my favorite YA books ever written, I've read it multiple times now and it's just as wonderful every time. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, as well as its sequel Leah on the Offbeat, struck a chord deep in my heart in a way that's hard to articulate. I often joke that Leah "plagiarized my life." If the summary intrigues you even a little bit, I recommend giving this one a chance. And if you love it, there's a movie too!
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Slaughterhouse-Five by Call Number: VONNEGUTISBN: 9780385333849Publication Date: 1999-01-12Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world's great antiwar books. Centering on the infamous World War II firebombing of Dresden, the novel is the result of what Kurt Vonnegut described as a twenty-three-year struggle to write a book about what he had witnessed as an American prisoner of war. It combines historical fiction, science fiction, autobiography, and satire in an account of the life of Billy Pilgrim, a barber's son turned draftee turned optometrist turned alien abductee. As Vonnegut had, Billy experiences the destruction of Dresden as a POW. Unlike Vonnegut, he experiences time travel, or coming "unstuck in time."
★★★★★
Slaughterhouse-Five is the only book I read in high school that I enjoyed. And, to be honest, I didn't even enjoy it until I decided on a whim to read it again a few years after high school. Now I've read or listened to it dozens of times. It's a tough one to follow, but once you break through the shell of the nonlinear narrative, SH-5 is one of the most unique, powerful and memorable stories I've ever encountered. It also permanently changed the way I look at the stars. The graphic novel adaptation by Ryan North is excellent as well.
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The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by ISBN: 9780425288863Publication Date: 2018-05-22This is Noah Oakman. Sixteen, Bowie believer, concise historian, disillusioned swimmer, son, brother, friend. Then Noah gets hypnotized. Now Noah sees changes: his mother has a scar on her face that wasn't there before; his old dog, who once walked with a limp, is suddenly lithe; his best friend, a lifelong DC Comics disciple, now rotates in the Marvel universe. Subtle behaviors, bits of history, plans for the future--everything in Noah's world has been rewritten. Everything except his Strange Fascinations... A stunning surrealist portrait, The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik is a story about all the ways we hurt our friends without knowing it, and all the ways they stick around to save us.
★★★★★
I know they say "don't judge a book by its cover" but when a book has a cover this cool, how can you not? Luckily, The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik lives up to its cool cover by having an equally cool story. Fans of David Bowie, pick this one up right now. Everyone else, if you like parallel universes, unreliable narrators, high school mysteries, unreality in general, and reading books where you're never quite sure what's going on, pick this one up right now. It's an absolutely wild ride.
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There's Someone Inside Your House by Call Number: YA PerkinsISBN: 9780525426011Publication Date: 2017-09-26It's been almost a year since Makani Young came to live with her grandmother and she's still adjusting to her new life in rural Nebraska. Then, one by one, students at her high school begin to die in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the body count rises and the terror grows closer, can Makani survive the killer's twisted plan?
★★★★☆
One part classic slasher, one part teen rom-com, one part whodunnit thriller and one part mysterious backstory reveal all come together in unexpected ways to create this unique and unforgettable YA novel. There’s Someone Inside Your House is a delightfully trope-filled horror romp packed to the brim with scares, suspense, and cliffhanger chapters which make it nearly impossible to put down until all is revealed.
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They Both Die at the End by Call Number: YA SilveraISBN: 9780062457806Publication Date: 2018-12-18On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They're going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure--to live a lifetime in a single day.
★★★★★
Who's ready to cry their eyes out? You, hopefully, if you're considering this book. Despite the downer (and spoiler) of a title, They Both Die at the End is a celebration of life and the people we spend it with. Yes, the ending is sad, due to the whole "they both die" thing. But the rest of the book is a joy to read as Rufus and Mateo, complete strangers who meet through the circumstance of their lives ending, spend their Last Day together and try their hardest to make it count. Plus this one's gonna be a TV show soon, so read it now before everyone else does.
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Twilight by Call Number: YA MeyerISBN: 9780316160179Publication Date: 2005-10-05Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.
★★★★★
A modern classic, Twilight changed the face of YA literature when it was published and has remained at the forefront of the cultural hivemind ever since. Is the writing amazing? Definitely not. Does it have issues, specifically with the way the very real Native American Quileute Tribe are fictionalized and portrayed? Absolutely, and that's important to talk about critically. But Twilight and the rest of its saga are fun, silly, romantic as heck and make me feel good every time I reread them, which is an annual occurrence in my life. If you like vampires, werewolves, clumsy teenage humans and/or cheesy romance, these are absolutely the books for you.
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Watchmen by Call Number: YA Watchmen - Graphic NovelISBN: 9781401245252Publication Date: 2014-05-13A murder mystery-turned-nationwide conspiracy, Watchmen examines the lives of the eponymous superhero team as they seem to decay alongside the ever-darkening America around them. Rorschach, Nite Owl, the Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias reunite to investigate who's behind a teammate's murder, but find that the truth may be even more grim than the world they seek to protect. One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, Watchmen is considered a gateway title to the entire graphic storytelling medium. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal story is the benchmark against which all other graphic novels and comic books are judged with an incredible story that chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings.
★★★★★
The word iconic gets thrown around a lot these days, but Watchmen is truly iconic. With an incredible story (and story-within-a-story) and gorgeous art, Watchmen claws its way under your skin and stays there. I've been thinking about it for more than a decade now. Its vibrant orange, green, purple and brown color palette were groundbreaking at the time of publication, when other comics were mostly red, yellow, blue and black. The 2009 film adaptation was also fantastic despite its changes to the plot, and I've heard good things about the HBO sequel series as well. There's a lot to dive into with this one.
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We Are Okay by Call Number: YA LaCourISBN: 9780525425892Publication Date: 2017-02-14You go through life thinking there's so much you need... Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother. Marin hasn't spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she's tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that's been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart. An intimate whisper that packs an indelible punch, We Are Okay is Nina LaCour at her finest. This gorgeously crafted and achingly honest portrayal of grief will leave you urgent to reach across any distance to reconnect with the people you love.
★★★★★
I have two words to describe We Are Okay: "cozy" and "melancholy." Despite being a book about grief and loss, both of life and of love, We Are Okay felt overwhelmingly comforting, mostly due to the beauty of Nina LaCour's writing. The two protagonists are caught in a snowstorm for the majority of the book, and that's exactly what it felt like emotionally – being curled up under a warm blanket and watching the snow fall outside. A quick read, We Are Okay is one that will stay in your heart long after you finish.
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What Big Teeth by Call Number: YA SzaboISBN: 9780374314309Publication Date: 2021-02-02Eleanor Zarrin has been estranged from her wild family for years. When she flees boarding school after a horrifying incident, she goes to the only place she thinks is safe: the home she left behind. But when she gets there, she struggles to fit in with her monstrous relatives, who prowl the woods around the family estate and read fortunes in the guts of birds. Eleanor finds herself desperately trying to hold the family together--in order to save them all, Eleanor must learn to embrace her family of monsters and tame the darkness inside her. Rose Szabo's thrilling debut is a dark fantasy novel about a teen girl who returns home to her strange, wild family after years of estrangement, perfect for fans of Wilder Girls. This exquisitely terrifying and beautiful tale will sink its teeth into you and never let go.
★★★★☆
Very weird, kind of gross, extremely surreal and heavy on the gothic overtones, What Big Teeth isn't a novel for everyone but will absolutely delight the right reader. Lovers of tarot, astrology, What Remains of Edith Finch, eerie vibes, the Void Stiles season of MTV's Teen Wolf, and the way the moon looks on a cloudy night will surely find a new favorite with this one. The perfect read for a chilly October evening. And basically every character in the book is queer, if you're looking for representation.
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Yolk by Call Number: YA ChoiISBN: 9781534446007Publication Date: 2021-03-02Jayne and June Baek are nothing alike. June's three years older, a classic first-born, know-it-all narc with a problematic finance job and an equally soulless apartment (according to Jayne). Jayne is an emotionally stunted, self-obsessed basket case who lives in squalor, has egregious taste in men, and needs to get to class and stop wasting Mom and Dad's money (if you ask June). Once thick as thieves, these sisters who moved from Seoul to San Antonio to New York together now don't want anything to do with each other. That is, until June gets cancer. And Jayne becomes the only one who can help her. Flung together by circumstance, housing woes, and family secrets, will the sisters learn more about each other than they're willing to confront? And what if while helping June, Jayne has to confront the fact that maybe she's sick, too?
★★★★★
Mary H.K. Choi is the weighted blanket of YA authors. All her novels are emotionally heavy but intensely comforting, and Yolk is absolutely her best work yet. June and Jayne's relationship, the reluctant-but-unwavering support they showed each other, and the conflicts they faced throughout felt extremely authentic – no one can drive you crazier than a sibling, but no one else has your back the same way they do. A wonderful story about family, love and Korean-American culture that will tug at your heartstrings in all the right ways. And with yet another beautiful cover, as all of Choi's books have.
A rotating collection of YA books (and a few teen-appropriate adult books) I've loved for years, new and great ones I've read recently, and books I want to share with others. Click the book title to read more about the book and a short review from me.
Read all of these and want more recs? Or none of them catching your eye? Stop by the library to chat or send me an email at gia@monroefreelibrary.org and I'll give you some personalized recommendations!