Review: The Charmed List by Julie Abe

The Charmed List by Julie Abe

The Charmed List
Julie Abe
Wednesday Books
Published July 5, 2022

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About The Charmed List

After spending most of high school as the quiet girl, Ellie Kobata is ready to take some risks and have a life-changing summer, starting with her Anti-Wallflower List—thirteen items she’s going to check off one by one. She’s looking forward to riding rollercoasters, making her art Instagram public (maybe), and going on an epic road-trip with her best friend Lia.

But when number four on Ellie’s list goes horribly wrong—revenge on Jack Yasuda—she’s certain her summer has gone from charmed to cursed. Instead of a road trip with Lia, Ellie finds herself … Continue reading

Review: Set Me Free by Ann Clare LeZotte

Set Me Free by Ann Clare LeZotte

Set Me Free
Ann Clare LeZotte
Scholastic Press
Published September 21, 2021

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About Set Me Free

Three years after being kidnapped and rendered a “live specimen” in a cruel experiment to determine the cause of her deafness, fourteen year old Mary Lambert is summoned from her home in Martha’s Vineyard to the mainland to teach a younger deaf girl to communicate with sign language. She can’t help but wonder, Can a child of eight with no prior language be taught?

Still, weary of domestic life and struggling to write as she used to, Mary pours all her passion into the … Continue reading

Review: Restore My Soul by Laura L. Smith

Restore My Soul by Laura L Smith

Restore My Soul: the Power and Purpose of 30 Psalms
Laura L. Smith
Our Daily Bread Publishing
Published July 5, 2022

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About Restore My Soul

The book of Psalms is full of wonderful passages that illuminate the intimate connection we get to have with our Father. Despite the chaos of our busy lives, the Father is frequently whispering to our souls to spend time with Him. Dive into the power of the Psalms and be inspired to praise God as you read RESTORE MY SOUL: THE POWER AND PROMISE OF 30 PSALMS.

In each chapter, a Psalm is accompanied by personal stories that help to illustrate and explore the verses and … Continue reading

Review: Boys I Know by Anna Gracia

Boys I Know by Anna Gracia

Boys I Know
Anna Gracia
Peachtree Teen
Published July 5, 20222

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About Boys I Know

*A high school senior navigates messy boys and messier relationships in this bitingly funny and much-needed look into the overlap of Asian American identity and teen sexuality.*

June Chu is the “just good enough” girl. Good enough to line the shelves with a slew of third-place trophies and steal secret kisses from her AP Bio partner, Rhys. But not good enough to meet literally any of her Taiwanese mother’s unrelenting expectations or to get Rhys to commit to anything beyond a well-timed joke.

While June’s mother insists she follow in her … Continue reading

Review: Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume One
Alice Oseman
Graphix
Published May 5, 2020 (Originally published in 2018)

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About Heartstopper: Volume One

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.

Places  … <a class= Continue reading

Top Ten Tuesday: 2022 Summer Reading List

Summer Reading List

Top Ten Tuesday: 2022 Summer Reading List

School has been out where I live for almost a month, so we’re nearly halfway through with summer here. A few weeks ago, I posted this list of 25 new summer releases that I can’t wait to read. Lately, though, I’ve been finding myself reaching for some of backlist titles. Since most of my lists feature upcoming books, I don’t get a lot of chances to talk about backlist titles that I’m reading or longing to. So, today I’m giving those books the spotlight. Here are my top ten backlist titles at the top of my 2022 summer reading list.

Note: Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme … Continue reading