The Daughters of Izdihar

The Daughters of Izdihar

by Hadeer Elsbai
Harper Voyager; 2023. 384 pages. Fantasy

As a waterweaver, Nehal can move any water to her will, and she desires nothing more than to attend the Weaving Academy, take control of her powers, and pursue a future with the first all-female military regiment. But her family cannot afford to let her go, and Nehal is forcibly married into a wealthy merchant family. Her new spouse is indifferent and in love with another woman, a bookseller named Giorgina. Giorgina has her own secret, however: she is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. Her only solace comes from the Daughters of Izdihar, a radical women's rights group with a simple goal: to attain recognition for women to have a say in their own lives. Tensions are rising with a neighboring nation that desires an end to weaving. As Nehal and Giorgina fight for their rights, the threat of war looms in the background, and the two women find themselves struggling to earn--and keep--a lasting freedom.

I absolutely loved the magic system: elemental magics are my jam! It was also lovely to have the cultural influences of Egypt and Western Asia reflected in this work. I'm usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but Elsbai made the work flow effectively and smoothly between the two tightly intertwined storylines. There were times when the gentle pacing seemed to drag, and the allusions to (and outright portrayal of) civil rights seemed a bit heavy-handed. I wish we had seen more of the protagonist's relationship with Malak, the leader of the Daughters of Izdihar. I also was disappointed that this book was quite long, and yet the ending was extremely unsatisfying. I understand that it's part of a duology, but it felt like the plot was arbitrarily interrupted by the end of the book.

The Shamshine Blind

The Shamshine Blind

by Paz Pardo
Atria; 2023. 320 pages. Sci-Fi

In an alternate 2009, the United States has been a second-rate power for a quarter of a century, ever since Argentina’s victory in the Falkland’s War thanks to their development of “psychopigments.” Created as weapons, these colorful chemicals can produce almost any human emotion upon contact, and they have been embraced in the US as both pharmaceutical cure-alls and popular recreational drugs. Black market traders illegally sell everything from Blackberry Purple (which causes terror) to Sunshine Yellow (which delivers happiness). Psychopigment Enforcement Agent Kay Curtida works a beat in Daly City, just outside the ruins of San Francisco, chasing down smalltime crooks. But when an old friend shows up with a tantalizing lead on a career-making case, Curtida’s humdrum existence suddenly gets a boost. Little does she know that this case will send her down a tangled path of conspiracy and lead to an overdue reckoning with her family and with the truth of her own emotions.

I'm a big fan of works that blur the lines between genres, and Pardo manages to do that beautifully here. This work is a combination of the gritty noir and hardboiled detective stories from the early 20th century on one hand, and the post-apocalyptic alternate history science fiction on the other. The idea of weaponizing human emotion is fascinating and refreshing, though I wish there had been more of a good twist at the end. And as an Argentine American myself, I secretly relished in this world where Argentina was a superpower, conquering both the Falkland Islands and Great Britain (even though Argentina is made out to be the bad guys; haters gonna hate).

Body Neutral

Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues

by Jessi Kneeland
Penguin Life; 2023. 432 pages. Non-fiction

Have you ever thought that if only you could change the way you looked, your life would be better? We all know that our problems wouldn’t actually be solved. That’s because body image issues are never just about the they’re always about something deeper inside. As a personal trainer and coach, Jessi Kneeland set out on a quest to discover what it truly takes to help people understand, process, and heal their body image issues for good. They share their discoveries in Body Neutral and will help you discover what that reason is and how to defuse its power, freeing you to enjoy a life of true confidence, security, and satisfaction.

I've had body image issues for at least a decade and a half now, and this may sound naïve, but I had never really considered what might be the underlying reason(s) for them. Kneeland presents four "avatars" that describe common profiles of people who struggle with body image. This book will make you work, and it has a lot to unpack, including specific actions to take on a personal level. I liked this book enough to purchase myself a copy after reading (which is not something I do very often, as a public librarian). I'll for sure revisit this book as I continue to work on seeing my body through a neutral, impartial, unbiased lens. (I also especially appreciated that Kneeland wrote to a diverse audience in this work: body image issues are not women-exclusive, thank you very much.)

How to Be Remy Cameron

How to Be Remy Cameron

by Julian Winters
Duet; 2019. 340 pages. Young Adult

Everyone on campus knows Remy Cameron. He's the out-and-gay, super-likable guy that people admire for his confidence. The only person who may not know Remy that well is Remy himself. So when he is assigned to write an essay describing himself, he goes on a journey to reconcile the labels that people have attached to him, and get to know the real Remy Cameron. 

I enjoyed how this book presented true-to-life depictions of queer adolescence (which, if you're a regular of this blog, you know that YA sometimes misses the mark for me in that regard). I also love how Remy refuses to let either his race or his sexuality be his sole defining characteristic, and Winters grapples with this important issue head on. This book is beautifully written, and there are passages and lines that really captivated me. This work is not so plot-driven and focuses more on introspection while maintaining a lighthearted and positive tone.

Man Enough

Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity

by Justin Baldoni
HarperOne; 2021. 368 pages. Nonfiction

The effects of traditionally defined masculinity have become one of the most prevalent social issues of our time. Actor, director, and social activist Baldoni reflects on his own struggles with masculinity. With insight and honesty, he explores a range of difficult, sometimes uncomfortable topics including strength and vulnerability, relationships and marriage, body image, sex and sexuality, racial justice, gender equality, and fatherhood. He challenges men to be brave enough to be vulnerable, to be strong enough to be sensitive, to be confident enough to listen. 

Every so often, I come across a book that changes my life. This is one of them. Baldoni speaks from his experiences and his heart in a raw and honest way as he discusses the challenges he has faced throughout his life when it comes to the expectations society places on us as men. Not everything in this book was perfectly relatable to me (such as the portions about his relationships with his wife and children), but most of the work rang true to what I have experienced. It was also lovely to hear him narrate the audiobook version of his work. I'm inspired to continue my work to embrace all the aspects of myself, including the masculine and the feminine. 

The Forbidden Wish

The Forbidden Wish

by Jessica Khoury
Razorbill; 2016. 352 pages. Young Adult Romantasy

When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years—a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. Is winning her freedom worth losing her heart? 

This was a great retelling of Aladdin, and I had my doubts considering it was billed as a YA romance. The romance was a part of the story, but not the main focus, and it built up so organically that it didn't seem forced in any way. The powerful, smart, flawed women in this work were a breath of fresh air, especially seeing them work together instead of tear each other down: a far cry from the typical fairy tale stereotype of a damsel in distress. Khoury strikes a good balance of familiarity from the original folktale and freshness of an original storyline with intricate and lavish descriptions. While I generally shy away from comparing retellings to their originals, I think it's safe to say I enjoyed this significantly more than the the 1992 animated Aladdin (Sorry, Robin Williams. RIP).

The God Box

The God Box

by Alex Sanchez
Simon & Schuster; 2007. 272 pages. Young Adult

Paul, a religious teen living in a small conservative town, finds his world turned upside down when he meets Manuel—a young man who says he’s both Christian and gay, two things that Paul didn’t think could coexist in one person. Doesn’t the Bible forbid homosexuality? As Paul struggles with Manuel’s interpretation of the Bible, thoughts that Paul has long tried to bury begin to surface, and he finds himself re-examining his whole life.

Honestly, this book was difficult to read because of how relatable it was. I also grew up religious in a Latinx family in a conservative town, and I struggled (and to a certain extent, still struggle) to reconcile my beliefs with my homosexuality. Sanchez raises some good points in regards to Christian beliefs and Biblical passages regarding homosexuality, like the needed "reformation" of "same-sex attracted" individuals into something less "sinful". While I'm unconvinced as to its efficacy as a tool for "converting" Christian readers into tolerance and acceptance, I don't think that was his goal to begin with. Understandably, some of the events (particularly towards the end of the work) are a bit dramatized and overexaggerated, and some plot elements are a bit predictable, but perhaps that's par for the course for a YA novel written in the mid-2000s. But notwithstanding, it reads as an authentic, believable story in terms of the experience as a homosexual Latino Christian.

Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever: The Harrowing Journey of a Cruise Ship at the Dawn of a Pandemic

by Michael Smith and Jonathan Franklin
Doubleday; 2022. 272 pages. Nonfiction

In March 2020, the world was on edge. An ominous virus was spreading on different continents, and no one knew what the coming weeks would bring. Far from the hot spots, the cruise ship Zaandam, owned by Holland America, was preparing to sail from Buenos Aires, Argentina, loaded with 1,200 passengers — Americans, Europeans and South Americans, plus 600 crew. Within days, people aboard Zaandam begin to fall sick. The world's ports shut down. Zaandam becomes a top story on the news and is denied safe harbor everywhere. With only two doctors aboard and few medical supplies to test for or treat COVID-19, and with dwindling food and water, the ship wanders the oceans on an unthinkable journey.

Even now, some three-and-a-half years after the events of the book at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, this was still a difficult book to read. My family and I love travelling by cruise ship, and it's haunting to think that we could have easily been among those who endured the hellacious ordeal aboard Zaandam. This work reads like a thriller, and the writing style lends itself quite readily to a movie format. The subject matter is spooky enough to make anyone think twice about cruising in general. Yet amid the terror and despair, you read of the optimism and heroism of a few individuals that literally saved thousands.

When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered

by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Dial; 2020. 264 pages. Graphic Novel

Omar and his little brother, Hassan, arrived in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya, seven years ago. Their father was killed the day they left home, and they haven't seen their mother since they joined their neighbors who were fleeing to Dadaab. Now Omar is eleven and Hassan is nine, and Omar has quit school to look after his brother, who has an intellectual disability. When Omar is given the opportunity to return to school and carve out a future for himself and Hassan, he feels torn. He loves school and could have the opportunity to earn a coveted scholarship to a North American university--and with it a visa for himself and Hassan. But is it worth the risk and heartache of leaving his vulnerable brother for hours each day?

This is an important story to read, especially for young readers. Many in the Western world (myself included) don't truly understand what refugees experience. This story, told in a graphic novel format, is at times hopeful, frustrating, depressing, and moving. Mohamed's experiences are portrayed in a realistic and relatable way, with bits of humor here and there and with candor throughout. This work and stories like it can help readers achieve a level of deeper understanding of lives dissimilar to their own, which in turn can help the rising generation live lives filled with empathy while inspiring them to achieve their highest potential.

Deaf Utopia

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir - And a Love Letter to a Way of Life

by Nyle DiMarco with Robert Siebert
William Morrow; 2022. 317 pages. Biography

A heartfelt and inspiring memoir by Nyle DiMarco, actor, producer, model, advocate, and cultural icon of the international Deaf community. DiMarco is half of a pair of Deaf twins born to a multi-generational Deaf family in Queens, New York. At the hospital one day after he was born, Nyle “failed” his first test—a hearing test—to the joy and excitement of his parents. In this moving and engrossing memoir, Nyle shares stories, both heartbreaking and humorous, of what it means to navigate a world built for hearing people. From growing up in a rough-and-tumble childhood in Queens with his big and loving Italian-American family to where he is now, Nyle has always been driven to explore beyond the boundaries given him. Deaf Utopia is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem—a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle’s primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience.

I haven't seen the reality shows where DiMarco earned his fame, and I didn't really know who he was when I started this book, but I did have an interest in his story, and it only grew the more I read. Intersectionality is the concept that any given individual belongs to several different identities at the same time, such as LGBT and Deaf, in DiMarco's case. It's refreshing to hear stories about how multiple identities interact and overlap in the life of a single person, and I was grateful for the safe spaces DiMarco has been working to create for many marginalized communities. I'm also always interested to self-discovery and coming out stories; it really is so different for each of us.

I'm Glad My Mom Died

I'm Glad My Mom Died

by Jennette McCurdy
Simon & Schuster; 2022. 304 pages. Biography

Nickelodeon child star Jennette McCurdy opens up in this hilarious yet harrowing memoir. She tackles tough topics like her eating disorders and anxiety, the role of religion in her life, and her multifaceted relationship with her overbearing and abusive mother. McCurdy steps the reader through her journey from being cast in iCarly through the launching of the spin-off series Sam & Cat, her mother's death of cancer, and her decision to quit acting, find recovery, and decide for the first time what she really wants for herself.

I loved iCarly growing up, and I was excited to see McCurdy's biography on the shelves. The title notwithstanding, I still thought it would be a mostly lighthearted behind-the-scenes romp. In reality, this work is a powerful and candid exploration of mental health, the impact of a toxic and abusive parent, and the exploitation of child actors in Hollywood. This was by no means an easy read, and there were moments I had to take a break before I was ready to continue. For those of us who have struggled with disordered eating, it can be a bit difficult to hear the level of detail McCurdy puts in this work. McCurdy moves at a pretty quick pace, and the story she tells is very engaging. 

I'm glad her mom died too.

Jack of Hearts and Other Parts

Jack of Hearts and Other Parts

by Lev A. C. Rosen
Little, Brown and Company; 2018. 352 pages. Mystery

Jack Rothman is seventeen and loves partying, makeup and boys. His sex life makes him the hot topic for the high school gossip machine, but when he starts writing an online sex advice column, the mysterious love letters he's been receiving take a turn for the creepy. Jack's secret admirer loves him, but not his unashamedly queer lifestyle. And if Jack won't curb his sexuality voluntarily, they'll force him. As the pressure mounts, Jack must unmask his stalker before their obsession becomes genuinely dangerous.

I wish I'd had this book when I was in high school, but Teenage!Daniel never would have read it. This irreverent and raunchy novel frames sex-positive advice for audiences of diverse sexualities in the context of humor with well-developed characters and remarkable queer representation. Rosen does get a bit graphic with the sex, yet he tackles heavy issues like consent, gender fluidity, BDSM, and the fetishization of the queer community by straight people. If you're shy about teenagers having casual (gay) sex, you may want to skip this one.

The Last Fallen Star

The Last Fallen Star

by Graci Kim
Rick Riordan Presents, 2021. 336 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the "Gifted Clans" series

Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision, even though Riley herself has no magic. Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could cast a spell that would allow Riley to share Hattie's magic? They decide to perform a forbidden incantation from the family's old spell book, but in so doing, they violate the laws of the Godrealm. With Hattie's life hanging in the balance, Riley has to fulfill an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it? Riley finds herself meeting fantastic creatures, collaborating with her worst enemies, and uncovering secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe. Now she must decide what it means to be a witch, what it means to be family, and what it really means to belong.

I love the way in which Kim has seamlessly incorporated Korean mythology (about which I know very little) into modern life without info-dumping tons and tons of backstory. She deftly addresses the struggles of immigrants' descendants to connect with their roots while keeping the story entertaining and the plot moving. This work is definitely set up for a sequel (or multiple), of which there are already two published.

The Awakening

The Awakening

by Nora Roberts
St. Martin's Press, 2020. 435 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the "Dragon Heart Legacy" series

When Breen Kelly was a girl, her father would tell her stories of magical places. Now she’s mired in student debt and working a job she hates, until she stumbles upon a shocking discovery: her mother has been hiding an investment account in her name, funded by her long-lost father — and worth nearly four million dollars. But little does Breen know that when she uses some of the money to journey to Ireland, it will unlock mysteries she couldn’t have imagined.

I've not read anything by Nora Roberts before (nor her pseudonym J.D. Robb), so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I was delighted by how easily I was swept away into the storyline, despite the somewhat relaxed pacing. I had expected more romantic elements, but I wasn't bothered that they were not the focus of the work. I do wish that the queer side characters were developed a bit further; some of them seemed a little like caricatures of stereotypes. The story definitely has an open ending, which makes sense considering the trilogy has an additional two volumes. Roberts's book makes me all the more excited to pack my bags and explore the British Isles this coming autumn.

Reasons to Stay Alive

Reasons to Stay Alive

by Matt Haig
Canongate, 2015. 266 pages. Nonfiction

About one in five people suffer from depression, including both Matt Haig and the author of this review. If you're not a member of this group, chances are that someone you love dearly is. In this work, the author of The Midnight Library shares the ways in which he was able to work through his personal darkness. 

A large part of this work is written as his present self, coping and managing his life, chatting with his past self, drowning in the depths and at the end of his rope. His candor spoke to me and made me feel seen in the midst of my struggle, as I'm sure it would help those on the outside understand what depression truly is. This book changed my life because Haig was willing to 1) honestly address how depression feels, 2) legitimize the challenges of depression as a real, valid medical disorder, and 3) phrase it in such a natural and accessible way.

That's 2 for 2 on Matt Haig books I've read.

How High We Go in the Dark

How High We Go in the Dark

by Sequoia Nagamatsu
William Morrow, 2022. 304 pages. Sci-Fi

Follow a cast of intricately linked characters over hundreds of years as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague. Beginning in 2030, a grieving archeologist arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue the work of his recently deceased daughter, where researchers are studying long-buried secrets now revealed in melting permafrost, including the perfectly preserved remains of a girl who appears to have died of an ancient virus. Once unleashed, the Arctic Plague will reshape life on earth for generations to come, quickly traversing the globe, forcing humanity to devise a myriad of moving and inventive ways to embrace possibility in the face of tragedy. 

I love how complex and intricate this story was. I'm generally not a fan of nonlinear, sweeping storylines, partly because it's hard for me to keep everything straight. However, Nagamatsu presents what feels like a collection of disparate short stories -- until you realize that they're all thoroughly interconnected. It was a fun realization to have as a reader because it was executed so expertly that it felt effortless.

Mr. Malcolm's List

Mr. Malcolm's List

by Suzanne Allain
Lemoyne House, 2009. 220 pages. Romance

The Honourable Mr. Jeremy Malcolm is searching for a wife, but not just any wife; one who will meet the qualifications on his well-crafted list. But after years of searching, he's beginning to despair of ever finding this paragon. Until Selina Dalton arrives in town. Having been scorned by Mr. Malcolm, Julia Thistlewaite invites her friend Selina Dalton, a vicar's daughter of limited means and a stranger to high society, to London as part of a plot to exact revenge on Mr. Malcolm. But when Mr. Malcolm begins judging Selina against his unattainable standards, Selina decides that she has some qualifications of her own. And if he is to meet them he must reveal the real man behind the list.

I read this book with my book club, and it was delightful! It's what I call a cotton candy read: light and sugary, with nothing to heavy or serious. Was it predictable? Perhaps, but maybe that's part of the appeal. I also feel that, while Mr. Malcolm was a little arrogant, he didn't deserve all the backlash he got. Julia was a terrible friend, and Selina truly got the short end of the stick. While lacking in historical accuracy, this was a gentle, fun, light-hearted romp that avoided the tragic miscommunication that seems so common in this genre. 

Spin Me Right Round

Spin Me Right Round

by David Valdes
Bloomsbury YA, 2022. 352 pages. Sci-Fi

All Luis Gonzalez wants is to go to prom with his boyfriend, something his “progressive” high school still doesn’t allow. Not after what happened with Chaz Wilson. But that was ages ago, when Luis’s parents were in high school; it would never happen today, right? He’s determined to find a way to give his LGBTQ friends the respect they deserve (while also not risking his chance to be prom king). When a hit on the head knocks him back in time to 1985 and he meets the doomed young Chaz himself, Luis learns firsthand that a conservative school in the ’80s isn’t the safest place to be a gay kid.

I love how this story featured voices from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as a variety of LGBTQ identities. It certainly went far beyond tokenism to provide a richly developed cast of characters that each felt true-to-life. I do wish Valdes had unpacked Luis's selfishness a little more, as there was an opportunity for some real growth that wasn't fully realized. He was also relatively unlikable, and it never really got resolved. That said, the writing was top notch, and it was fun to see the compelling, Back-to-the-Future-esque plotline adapted for a modern audience.

The Charm Offensive

The Charm Offensive

by Alison Cochrun
Atria Books, 2021. 354 pages. Romance

As the most successful producer in the history of the long-running reality dating show Ever After, Dev Deshpande always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess, and behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off. As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

My friend recently introduced me to Bachelor Nation (thanks, Mickala!), and I've been hooked on watching Bachelor in Paradise, mostly because other people's drama is easier to deal with. I love the idea of the behind-the-scenes realness of reality TV (since you know the show is very scripted). I was pleasantly surprised to see how Cochrun addressed the issue of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in show biz, and it made me hopeful for the future. And now I'm off to watch season 8 of MTV's Are You the One?

It's Elemental

It's Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything

by Kate Biberdorf
Park Row, 2021. 304 pages. Nonfiction

Have you ever wondered what makes dough rise? Or how your morning coffee gives you that energy boost? Or why your shampoo is making your hair look greasy? The answer is chemistry. From the moment we wake up until the time we go to sleep (and even while we sleep), chemistry is at work—and it doesn't take a PhD in science to understand it. Biberdorf demystifies the fundamental principles of the science that may have eluded you in high school and shows how chemistry comes alive in everything we do.

I studied chemistry in university, and it's always made sense to me. I loved this crash course in the basic concepts of the field, but if I put myself in the shoes of someone who didn't "get" chemistry in high school, I fear I might have been lost after the first few chapters. Biberdorf can get a bit technical with her details, but that was no issue for me. I loved exploring the chemical principles at play in our everyday life, but it might go over some people's heads.

Dolly Parton, Songteller

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics

by Dolly Parton and Robert K. Oermann
Chronicle Books, 2020. 380 pages. Biography

In this celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend, Parton reveals the stories and memories that have made her a beloved icon across generations, genders, and social and international boundaries. As told by Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey, illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Parton's personal and business archives.

For the full experience, I would recommend a combination of the print and audio formats of this book, which provides access to images of rare artifacts and memorabilia as well as Parton's own voice in spoken word and song through what feels like a casual extended interview.

More Than a Body

More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament
by Lexie Kite and Lindsay Kite
Mariner Books, 2020. 352 pages. Nonfiction

"Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good; it is knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks."

Our beauty-obsessed world perpetuates the idea that happiness, health, and ability to be loved are dependent on how we look, but Kite and Kite offer an alternative vision with an action plan to reconnect with your whole self and free yourself from the constraints of self-objectification. From media consumption to health and fitness to self-reflection and self-compassion, Kite and Kite share powerful and practical advice that goes beyond “body positivity” to help readers develop body image resilience. In the process, they show how facing your feelings of body shame or embarrassment can become a catalyst for personal growth.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the husband of one of my book club gals, and I'm so grateful he did. This book truly changed my life and helped me to begin addressing some of the long-standing issues I have had with body image. Although it is written for a female audience, it is tremendously beneficial for anyone dealing with body image and/or dysmorphia issues, regardless of gender. 

The Guncle

The Guncle
by Steven Rowley
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2021. 326 pages. Realistic Fiction

When tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and their father has a health crisis of his own, their gay uncle Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian, despite the fact that he's been hiding out for years, dealing with his own personal grief. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.

It can be difficult to address grief in fiction, particularly without being morose and heavy. Yet Rowley manages to do just that, tackling this serious subject with humor and warmth. The main focus of the book is on moving forward and making new relationships and friendships. Patrick and the children slowly realize that they need one another (I don't even think that's a spoiler), and that it's only through their shared bond that they can overcome the hardships in their lives.

I Have Something to Tell You

I Have Something to Tell You
by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg
Atria, 2020. 256 pages. Biography

A moving, hopeful, and refreshingly candid memoir by the husband of former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg about growing up gay in his small Midwestern town, his relationship with Pete, and his hope for America’s future.

In 2020, I was very excited to see an openly gay candidate run for presidential office with his husband by his side; I honestly didn't think I'd live to see that happen in the United States. Politics aside, it was lovely to read this engaging and emotional memoir of a sensitive, genuine gay man coming to terms with his identity, making his way in the world, and finding love with someone who would eventually run for president. (I'm still rooting for Buttigieg to become our country's first First Gentleman, but only time will tell.)

Happy Pride Month!

The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T. J. Klune
Tor, 2020. 396 pages. Fantasy

Quiet homebody Linus Baker spends his days overseeing the well-being of magical children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When he is unexpectedly given a curious and highly classified assignment regarding the Antichrist, Linus meet the charming and enigmatic caretaker Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

This heartwarming story has such a witty and engaging writing style that I didn't want to set it down. But the real gem is the intricately crafted characters, and they felt so realistic. Arthur is the embodiment of kindness, purely steadfast and dependable. His magical charges are colorful and eclectic, which contrast sharply with Linus's restrained and monochromatic personality. These disparate pieces come together to prove that family has nothing to do with blood and everything to do with love. 

Furia

Furia
by Yamile Saied Méndez
Algonquin Young Readers, 2020. 368 pages. Realistic Fiction

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila lives under her brother's shadow, her mother's expectations, and her father's abusive rule. But on the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, everything is set for her rise to greatness -- only her parents would never approve if they knew she was playing fútbol, and she'll need their permission to continue. As life becomes even more complicated, Camila faces her secrets and makes her way in a world with no place for a girl's dreams and ambitions. 

What's striking to me is how Camila never yields to her circumstances and difficulties. She lives a double life and has deep secrets, and Méndez effectively conveys the agony of concealing oneself and passions. We also feel the stigmatizing stereotypes regarding sports and gender in Latinx culture, as well as the (in some cases, toxic) family dynamics and friendships. The fact that this novel is set in my mother's hometown added an extra layer of personal interest and begged me to compare Camila to my own strong mother who also wasn't afraid to break the mold and be herself.

Here's to Us

Here's to Us
by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Quill Tree Books, 2021. 466 pages. Romance

Book #2 in the "What If It's Us" series

Two years after the events of What If It's Us, Ben has totally moved on -- until he hears that Arthur is back in town. And while Arthur is living his dream in a Broadway internship, he is more bothered than he expects when he comes upon Ben with a mystery boy. Did his feelings for Ben ever really go away? What if they're actually meant to be?   

Never have I been this joyful over a sequel. Sometimes, a sequel can feel like a cash grab rather than the continuation of a story. But that wasn't the case here. When I read the first book, I was hooked up until the ending, which was very unsatisfying; I understand the importance of portraying two characters who realize their relationship isn't right for them and walk away staying friends, but it was hard to process that in a work of YA literature. I also appreciated how the people they were dating (Mikey and Mario) don't become characters we should hate, which rings true. It seems Albertalli and Silvera have redeemed themselves (and their characters) in this much-needed second installment.

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
Viking, 2020. 288 pages. Sci-Fi

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. Nora Seed finds herself faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Have you ever had a wonderful idea for a book to write, only to realize it had already been written by someone else? From time to time, we all wonder what our lives could have been like if only there had been some small change. Haig expertly explores these parallel universes to imagine what Nora could be living in another life. It is a bit heavy-handed on the self-help sprinkled throughout, but it certainly generates some food for thought. I guess I'll have to find another way to express my existential crises and the incidental crippling ennui. 

Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe
by Erin Estrada Kelly
Greenwillow Books, 2017. 320 pages. Realistic Fiction

In a single day, the lives of four children are woven together in unexpected ways. The shy Virgil Salinas  feels out of place in his loud and boisterous family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister Gen is always following her around. When the school bully pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well, it's up to Kaori, Gen, and Valencia to find him. Using luck, smarts, and bravery, a rescue is performed and friendship blooms.

Kelly's diverse characters surpass tokenism; their varying ethnic backgrounds (and Valencia’s disability) affect the characters’ lives without defining them. They are not diverse for diversity’s sake; their life experiences color their perceptions, as occurs in reality.

In her Newbery acceptance speech for Hello, Universe, Kelly said, “[T]he truth is, I write books for my characters…. Because I was – and still am – all of them.” She continues, “You have given me a tremendous honor tonight. And it’s my hope that you will remember, each day, how you honor the dreams of underdogs everywhere.” Kelly’s authenticity is born of lived experience, and she conveys it in a format that is easily digestible by tween readers. 

Five Midnights

Five Midnights

by Ann Dávila Cardinal
Tor Teen, 2019. 288 pages. Horror

When teen Lupe Dávila travels from Vermont to Puerto Rico to visit police chief uncle, she arrives just as he is called to the scene of a grisly murder, the first of many. Lupe and her new friend Javier set out to discover who -- or what -- is causing these murders. But the clues they find lead them into a world of myth, legend, and shadow.

This trilling novel sets the Latin American myth of el Cuco against the backdrop of modern-day San Juan. As a Puerto Rican female author, Cardinal seems to understand that not everyone in her reader base will understand written Spanish; therefore, she masterfully crafts passages that include Spanish phrases and dialogue, always being sure to weave in translations or explanations. However, the characterization feels a little forced: the protagonist never really settles into any distinct personality traits, except perhaps for teenage angst. Despite this, the break-neck pace of this plot makes for a very compelling read. 

Boy Erased

Boy Erased: A Memoir

by Garrard Conley
Riverhead Books, 2016. 340 pages. Biography

The son of a small-town Arkansas Baptist pastor, Conley was terrified and conflicted about his sexuality. While at college, he was outed to his parents and forced to make a life-changing decision: either agree to attend a church-supported conversion therapy program; or risk losing his family, his friends, and his God. Through an institutionalized Twelve-Step Program, he was supposed to emerge heterosexual, ex-gay, cleansed of impure urges. Instead, even when faced with a harrowing and brutal journey, Conley found the strength to break out in search of his true self and forgiveness.

This book was difficult to read because of how close it hits to home. I came out in a geographic location and at a time that made me a prime candidate for conversion therapy. Somehow, I fortunately was never put in a program designed to change my sexuality. The more research I do and the more stories I hear about the heartbreak and irreparable damage caused by this practice, the more humbled I am to have dodged this bullet. The historic struggles of the LGBTQ+ community have shaped our culture and how we react to the world around us. I seek to honor the pain and sorrow experienced by those who paved the way before me.

American Royals

American Royals

by Katharine McGee
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2019. 448 pages. Sci-Fi

Book #1 in the eponymous series

After the Revolutionary War, General George Washington was offered the throne. And everyone knows he said yes. This alternate history explores the America's reigning House of Washington and the drama that surrounds Princess Beatrice as she prepares to become the first queen regnant of the United States. Living in her sister's shadow, Princess Samantha generally is unbothered, but that changes when she shows interest in a boy who is strictly off-limits to her. And let's not forget Samantha's twin Prince Jefferson, who is adored as the quintessential royal heartthrob and being pursued by two very different love interests. 

This work seems like a standard YA contemporary romance, where the enjoyment comes from untangling the drama. The premise of an American royal family is quite a fun sandbox to play in, but I wish McGee had colored a little more outside the lines. Beyond the fact that this takes place in the United States, there isn't much to tie this work and its characters to the nation. 

Flamer

Flamer

by Mike Curato
Henry Holt and Co., 2020. 368 pages. Graphic Novel

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes, but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

As a queer reader, it was a unique experience reading this poignant, emotional graphic novel; I rarely read works to which I can relate so fully. There were parts that were uncomfortable and almost painful to read because of how personal and powerful the narrative is. I can easily see how this work lives up to the claim on its cover that "this book will save lives." 

Content warning: this work addresses difficult topics such as suicidal ideation, homophobia (including use of the f-slur), racism, fat-shaming, and teen sexuality.

Babel

Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages

by Gaston Dorren
Atlantic Monthly Press, 2018. 316 pages. Nonfiction

To speak fluently with half of the world's 7.4 billion people in their mother tongues, you would need to know no fewer than twenty languages. Dorren sets out to explore these top twenty world languages, which range from the familiar (French, Spanish) to the surprising (Malay, Javanese, Bengali). Witty, fascinating and utterly compelling, Babel will change the way you look at and listen to the world and how it speaks.

Perhaps it's the linguist in me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's so fascinating to have a look at twenty of the world's most popular languages and their phonetics, grammar, and scripts. I know it's unrealistic to think that I could learn all of these languages fluently, but it's fun to imagine.

Digital Minimalism

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World

by Cal Newport
Portfolio, 2019. 304 pages. Nonfiction

Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. This timely and enlightening book introduces a thoughtful method to decide what tools to use, for what purposes, and under what conditions.

Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. While I'm not going to get rid of my phone completely (and that isn't what Newport advocates for anyway), the principles in this work have helped me to feel less overwhelmed by technology and more in control.

The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2011. 378 pages. Fantasy

Brought together by chance, Achilles -- a strong and irresistible warrior -- and Patroclus -- an awkward, exiled prince -- forge an inseparable bond, risking the wrath of the gods. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of glory, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

A fresh take on a Greek classic, this work showcases the character development of Achilles, the helplessness of Patroclus, and their innocent, strong love, all while preserving the characterization of the capricious, vengeful gods found in Homer's works. The descriptions were vivid and vibrant, if at times at the expense of the plot progression. It's worth noting that the women in this work are reduced to tropes, as seen in the misogynistic original myths; Miller's Circe is recommended as a companion read to highlight the true power of women.

Bloom

Bloom
by Kevin Panetta, ill. by Savanna Ganucheau
First Second, 2019. 368 pages. Graphic Novel

Now that high school is over, Ari is dying to move to the big city with his band — if he can just persuade his dad to let him quit his job at their struggling family bakery. But while interviewing candidates for his replacement, Ari meets Hector, an easygoing guy who loves baking as much as Ari wants to escape it. As they become closer over batches of bread, love is ready to bloom... that is, if Ari doesn’t ruin everything.

This heartwarming queer love story between two teenage boys is paired with a satisfying monochromatic color palette and a gorgeous art style. Both of the main characters (and several of the side characters) are very well developed. Bonus points for authentic looks at multiple cultures, including Ari's Greek family and Hector's Samoan heritage. That said, the plot is nothing extraordinary: slow-burn small-town summer romance, sprinkled with family drama throughout. Still a delightful, light-hearted read.