You Are Fatally Invited

You Are Fatally Invited

by Ande Pliego

Bantam, 2025. 371 pages. Thriller.

When renowned anonymous author J. R. Alastor hires former aspiring writer Mila del Angél to host a writing retreat at his private manor off the coast of Maine, she jumps at the chance – particularly since she has an ax to grind with one of the invitees. The guest list? Six thriller authors, all masters of deceit, misdirection, and mayhem. Alastor and Mila have masterminded a week of games, trope-fueled riddles, and maybe a jump scare or two: the perfect cover for Mila to plot a murder of her own. But when a guest turns up dead – and it’s not the murder she planned – Mila finds herself trapped in a different narrative altogether. With a storm cutting off the island, and the body count rising, Mila must outwit a killer who knows literally every trick in the book.

It's been a minute since I've read a good thriller, and this definitely scratched the itch. This locked-room mystery reminded me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None plus a few unexpected twists and a sprinkling of the board game Cluedo (better known to North American audiences as Clue). The audiobook used different narrators to identify the various perspectives, but even still I got a little confused sometimes, especially by the second-person passages.  Also, the several intertwining plotlines were a touch on the overwrought side (bordering on convoluted) for my personal liking. However, this brilliant and complex work was well executed and enjoyable, and the biggest twist was not identifying the bad guy, as that revelation was actually rather underwhelming.

How to Piss Off Men

How to Piss Off Men: 109 Things to Say to Shatter the Male Ego

by Kyle Prue

Sourcebooks, 2024. 144 pages. Nonfiction.

Have you ever been badgered by an annoying pick-up artist at the bar? Ever felt a burning desire to emotionally torture a friend’s boyfriend in an act of revenge? Have you ever endured just talking to a man? If so, this book is for you. With more than 100 phrases, questions, and comebacks, How to Piss Off Men is your essential guide to sending even the most relentless mansplainer into an existential crisis. Whether it’s referring to his NFL jersey as “cosplay” or letting him know he has the confidence of a much taller man, this handbook will ensure you’re equipped to combat toxic masculinity in any situation.

With an air of levity, this quick read is a real page-turner, with usually only a few sentences per page. Prue also delivers surprisingly poignant afterword commentary on the damaging and damning effect of a patriarchal society on people of all genders, calling for men to "take our cultural medicine" by allowing anger to "inform us of our hurt and finally heal from it."

First-Time Caller

First-Time Caller

by B.K. Borison

Berkley, 2025. 448 pages. Romance

Book #1 in the series "Heartstrings"

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he's fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, that's a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in asking for dating advice for her mom Lucie, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and his show Heartstrings into the limelight. Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life (or lack thereof), she begins to question if she's as happy as she thought. Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending – even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. When sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored Happily Ever After and the man right next to her.

This was a sweet, fluffy romance that I really enjoyed. The premise was original, and the writing was very well done. The audio format naturally lends itself well to the "on air" portions, and it was clever how these sections were portrayed. The pacing did lull in a few spots, but that's nothing unforgivable. I do think Aiden needs therapy, but don't we all? 

Caveat lector: this work contains a few scenes of open-door intimacy. Honestly, I'm not really sure how to feel about the scene in the closet -- is it really realistic to cum from riding someone's thigh? -- but maybe that's just because sex with women is something I'm not interested in at all, whether it's in literature or elsewhere. It didn't ruin the book for me, which might be saying something.

Sunrise on the Reaping

Sunrise on the Reaping

by Suzanne Collins

Scholastic, 2025. 387 pages. Sci-Fi

Book #0.5 in the series "Hunger Games"

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he wants is to make it through the day and be with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he’s torn from his family and his love, and shuttled to the Capitol with the three other tributes. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight – and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

It's not an understatement to say that I was a Hunger Games girlie when the dystopian series came out in 2008-2010. I was in high school, the target demographic, and it was exactly what I needed at the time. Flash forward to 2020, when Collins published The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel to the original trilogy. I thought it was alright, but it just wasn't up to the same caliber as the first three. I was apprehensive to read Sunrise on the Reaping, but that was quickly dismissed as I dove back into the familiar world of Panem. Some have criticized this book for pandering to fans with cameos and namedrops, but I say: let Collins pander. This is exactly the fanservice I wanted after so many years of fandom. That said, I do wish we had seen more development in the character of President Snow: he seemed to be too similar to the version of him we see with Katniss, and it would have been nice to see a midpoint between that and who he is in Songbirds and Snakes. Is this work some big, earthshattering revelation that changes how I see the whole series? No, and I think that that's okay.

The Small and the Mighty

The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

by Sharon McMahon

Thesis, 2024. 320 pages. Nonfiction

Most pundits and historians sell a dangerously naïve version of the American story: either praising its most consequential figures uncritically or criticizing them unfairly. McMahon believes the truth is more human. She here tells the inspiring stories of twelve Americans – regular people with human foibles – whose extraordinary heroism in the face of mounting trials created the character of our country. With clarity and candor, McMahon follows the daughter of formerly enslaved parents who sparked a reformation in Black education, a Japanese immigrant who nearly died in combat and became a consequential Senator, and the electrician who saved her husband’s life.

I had the wonderful chance to go with a bestie to hear McMahon speak on her press tour for this work in October 2024. I hadn't read the book beforehand, and I quickly realized that I was missing out for sure. McMahon's extensive research shows in the depth of the stories, and the inspiring lessons learned from these unsung heroes are impactful. She also intersperses the work with her personable asides and commentary, which made for an entertaining read that felt nothing like a boring history lesson. 

This was a good book to read slowly, enjoying the nuance of each episode and the multifaceted characters involved. In this politically fraught time when I'm not so sure that I'm always proud to be an American, McMahon reminds us of the goodness of humanity and the meaning of what America is at her best.

Hera

Hera

by Jennifer Saint

Flatiron, 2024. 389 pages. Fantasy

Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the Titan Cronos, helped her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father so that they could rule the world. But as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as their father was. She begins to question her role: she was born to rule, but does that mean perpetuating the cycle of violence and cruelty that has existed since the dawn of time? Will assuming her power mean that Hera loses herself? Or can she find a way to forge a better world? Traditionally portrayed as a jealous wife, wicked stepmother, or victim-blaming tool of the patriarchy, Hera is here cast as a powerful queen: ruthless when needed, but also compassionate, strategic, and ambitious.

When I think of Greek mythology, I vividly remember some heroes and deities, but Hera is never one of them. In my mind, she always appears as a minor character in someone else's story. The decision to give the Queen of Mount Olympus her own narrative was ingenious, and this iteration is remarkably well executed. Having read Saint's Ariadne and Elektra, and Madeleine Miller's Circe and The Song of Achilles, I thought I knew was I was getting myself into. However, Saint channels the story of the most powerful female being of the Greek pantheon into a nuanced and remarkably introspective tale of feminism under the patriarchy, sexual abuse survivorship, and privilege with complex, evolving characters, all without coming across as pedantic nor preachy. It was a remarkable read with a quick pace and a bittersweet (yet fitting) ending: I mean, how else did I really expect the story of the Queen Goddess to end? In death? Hardly. I can't wait to see what she writes next. 

The Phoenix Keeper

The Phoenix Keeper

by S.A. MacLean

Orbit, 2024. 496 pages. Fantasy

As head phoenixkeeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, Aila's childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic heist sabotages the flagship initiative at a neighboring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins. But saving a species from extinction will require help from the hotshot (and hot) griffinkeeper at the zoo's most popular exhibit, who happens to be her archrival from college. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success is no longer merely a matter of keeping her job: the future of a species – and her love life – now rests on her shoulders.

This work struck just the right chord for me: funny and relatable characters, fantasy creatures amid a surprisingly pedestrian life with emails and DVDs, intrigue and suspense in trying to prevent a heist, and of course queer romance involving our female protagonist and characters of differing genders (although I still think she should have dumped that white man a bit earlier). MacLean has some very poignant messages about wildlife conservation and animal trafficking, entitlement and privilege, introversion and mental health. I also loved the bisexual and trans representation where it's just a part of life, no justification required. The LGBTQ+ elements are woven in naturally without being a slap in the face, which is the queer rep we deserve. Don't let the page count startle you; this character-focused book has a gentle (and intensifying) pace, but with a writing style engaging enough to keep the pages turning.

Wrong Answers Only

Wrong Answers Only

by Tobias Madden

Page Street YA, 2024. 384 pages. Realistic fiction

Marco should be at university studying biomedicine. Instead, he’s been sent to live on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean with his estranged uncle, all because of a ‘blip’ everyone else is convinced was a panic attack (which it most definitely was not.) Even though Marco’s trip is supposed to provide answers – about himself and his family – all he finds on board the Ocean Melody are more and more questions. But then his best friend CeCe proposes a new plan: for someone who has always done the right thing in every possible way, it’s time for Marco to get a few things wrong.

It's no secret that I love to go on cruises, so the premise that this book is largely set aboard a cruise ship seemed like a perfect match. However, there was a considerable amount of suspension of disbelief required, and perhaps Madden went a bridge too far for my taste: Hunter's decision to engage in a sexual relationship with someone who is essentially a passenger would definitely have gotten him fired, full stop. It's worth noting that this work definitely doesn't classify as a romance; it's more closely a bildungsroman, and it focuses on Marco's sense of self (including a realistic depiction of grappling with anxiety), as well as his family and friend relationships. Madden also sheds light on generational differences regarding views on homosexuality, which definitely rings true.

In Our Stars

In Our Stars

by Jack Campbell

Titan, 2024. 383 pages. Sci-Fi

Book #1 in the series "Doomed Earth"

Earth, 2180. Genetically engineered with partly alien DNA, Lieutenant Selene Genji is different from ordinary humans. And they hate her for it. Still, she’s spent her life trying to overcome prejudice by serving in the Unified Fleet while Earth’s international order collapses into war. Genji is stationed on a ship in orbit when factional extremism on the planet reaches a boiling point, and she witnesses the utter annihilation of Earth. When the massive forces unleashed by Earth’s death warp space and time to hurl her forty years into the past, Genji is given a chance to try to change the future and save Earth – starting with the alien first contact only she knows will soon occur. But altering history could put her very existence in danger.

Campbell has written a fast-paced story with likeable characters. The social commentary was veiled a bit thinly at times, but it didn't detract from the plot. To say it ends on a cliffhanger is an understatement: rather, it ends in the middle of the story, which is difficult because the sequel has not been released at the time of this review.

Spare

Spare

by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Random House, 2023. 410 pages. Biography

Before losing his mother Princess Diana, Harry was the carefree Spare to the serious Heir. Grief changed everything: he struggled at school and in the spotlight. Military service gave him structure – as well as post-traumatic stress and crippling panic attacks. The world was swept away by his romance with Meghan and their fairy-tale wedding, but from the beginning, they were subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. For the first time, Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty.

I know I kinda missed the trend with this one; it was really big when it first came out, and then slipped into quiet obscurity. However, maybe it worked out okay to read this when I did, precisely because I could view it more objectively without the hubbub. I enjoyed learning the behind-the-scenes peek at the British Royal Family and their relationship with the press, and my heart broke to hear of how Harry and Meghan were treated. Harry speaks with candor and honesty, giving an honest and raw look at his life thus far. What this was missing was a true purpose: Harry doesn't seem to have a clear call to action or any goal for this work. Instead, it just seems to be him telling his story and what things were like for him. But I suppose that's fine, isn't it.

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

by Michiko Aoyama

Hanover Square, 2023. 304 pages. Realistic fiction

What are you looking for? This is the question routinely asked by Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She has read every book lining her shelves – but she also has a unique ability: for anyone who walks through her door, Komachi can sense exactly what they’re looking for in life and provide just the book they never knew they needed to help them find it. Each visitor comes to her library from a different juncture in their careers and dreams, from the restless sales attendant who feels stuck at her job to the struggling working mother who longs to be a magazine editor. The conversation that they have with Sayuri Komachi – and the book she lends each of them – will have life-altering consequences.

I may have a personal connection to this story in particular, since I am a librarian by profession. This brief book was lovely to read, with five separate yet interconnected stories who find inspiration and clarity in the library. I love when we see glimpses of the author's culture shine through the translation, as they did in this work. I do wish Aoyama had introduced us to Komachi and let us get to know her in a way beyond just her physical appearance. With its simple, digestible writing style, this made for a heartwarming and uplifting read that underscore the importance of libraries and literature.

Too Big for a Single Mind

Too Big for a Single Mind: How the Greatest Generation of Physicists Uncovered the Quantum World

by Tobias Hürter
Klett-Cotta, 2021. 398 pages. Nonfiction

There may never be another era of science like the first half of the 20th century. Many of the most important physicists ever to live – Marie Curie, Max Planck, Wolfgang Pauli, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Ernst Schrödinger, Albert Einstein – came together to uncover the quantum world: a concept so shockingly contrary to traditional physics that its own founders initially rebelled against it. Hürter takes us back to this momentous time when war and revolution upended the lives of renegade scientists. These brilliant thinkers are revealed anew as friends and enemies, lovers and loners, and men and women just like us. Quantum mechanics is a concept too big for a single mind – and its birth is a testament to the boundless potential of collaboration.

Having a background in science, I had heard of all of these scientists and their discoveries. However, my formal education focused more on the interactions between the ideas, whereas Hürter here portrays them as real people, showing how their complex individual and professional lives interacted (and sometimes clashed). The writing is exquisite and flawless, which isn't always the case for work on scientific topics -- or for any narrative nonfiction, for that matter. If you're looking for a deep dive into the science, you might want to look elsewhere. On the other hand, you don't need any sort of prior knowledge to fully appreciate this work, making it quite accessible to the average reader. I'd recommend this to any nonfiction reader interested in science or history.

The Last One

The Last One

by Will Dean
Atria, 2023. 448 pages. Thriller

When Caz steps onboard the exclusive cruise liner RMS Atlantica, it’s the start of a vacation of a lifetime with her new love Pete. On their first night, they explore the ship, eat, dance, make friends. But when Caz wakes the next morning, Pete is missing. To her horror, she soon realizes that the ship is completely empty. No passengers, no crew: nobody but her. The Atlantica is steaming into the mid-Atlantic, and Caz is the only person on board. But that’s just the beginning of the terrifying journey that she finds herself trapped on in this white-knuckled mystery.

I loved the premise of this book. As an avid cruiser, I found myself drawn in and invested in this setting, even though there wasn't much reason to connect to the characters. None of them seemed to experience much character development or growth -- with perhaps the exception of some minor characters (but it turns out, they were plants all along, so that doesn't really count.) There was a sharp change in tone around the 35% mark: this book went from a thriller to a survival story bordering on horror, and that was unexpected to say the least. I also wish the pace were a bit quicker: for a thriller, there is an awful lot of reflecting and remembering that didn't seem to influence the plot at all. I was also a bit mystified by the ending: the way I understood it, she is set up again to be a contestant on another Dark Web broadcast show, but this time it's on a plane? It seems a bit too far-fetched for my taste. All thing considered, it gave me a lot to think about.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath

To Shape a Dragon's Breath

by Moniquill Blackgoose
Del Rey, 2023. 511 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the series "Nampeshiweisit"

The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations –until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. To her people, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit: a person in a unique relationship with a dragon. Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing – and they might just be the ones to do it.

I'm always a fan of a protagonist that goes to lengths to disrupt the social hierarchy, especially one that is racist and sexist. While it has roots in reality, the world that Blackgoose has created is complex and rich in its history and scope. I particularly enjoyed learning  the details about their fantasy version of chemistry, which others in the genre gloss over or ignore altogether. However, I see how this could be a bit laborious and cumbersome to those with a different academic background. Also, dragons are always fun, but I feel they could have been developed a little further as characters. And the romance was a very slow burn: IIRC first kiss somewhere around 70%. This one definitely needs a sequel.

The Daughters of Izdihar

The Daughters of Izdihar

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

Book #1 in the duology "Alamaxa"

As a waterweaver, Nehal can move any water to her will. She desires nothing more than to attend the Weaving Academy, learn control of her powers, and join the first all-female military regiment. But her family cannot afford to let her go due to her father's crushing gambling debt, and Nehal is forcibly married into a wealthy merchant family. Her new spouse, indifferent to Nehal's dreams, pines for the bookseller Giorgina. However, Giorgina has her own secret: she is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. Her only solace comes from the Daughters of Izdihar, a radical group that fights for women to have a say in their own lives. 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 / Mystery

In an alternate 2009, Argentina has supplanted the USA as a world superpower ever since development of psychopigments to win the Falkland’s War. Created as weapons, these colorful chemicals can produce almost any human emotion upon contact, and they have been embraced in the West as both pharmaceutical panaceas and popular recreational drugs. Black market traders peddle everything from Blackberry Purple (which causes terror) to Sunshine Yellow (which induces happiness). Psychopigment Enforcement Agent Kay Curtida works a beat just outside the ruins of San Francisco, chasing down smalltime crooks. But when an old friend offers a tantalizing lead on a career-making case, Curtida’s humdrum existence suddenly gets a boost. Little does she know that she's on a tangled path leading to an overdue reckoning with her family and 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 itself (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. Nonfiction

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 by magically attaining a so-called "perfect body". That’s because body image issues are never just about the surface: they’re always about something deeper inside. As a personal trainer and coach, Kneeland set out on a quest to discover how to help people understand, process, and heal their body image issues for good. Body Neutral will help you discover why you are unhappy with your body 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. Realistic fiction

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, often uncomfortable topics including strength and vulnerability, relationships and marriage, body image, sexuality, racial justice, gender equality, and fatherhood. He challenges men to be brave enough to be vulnerable, strong enough to be sensitive, and 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. 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 using ancient shape-shifting magic to stay alive 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 1992 animated Aladdin (Sorry, Robin Williams. RIP).

The God Box

The God Box

by Alex Sanchez
Simon & Schuster, 2007. 272 pages. Realistic fiction

Paul, a religious teen 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, and no one knew what the coming weeks would bring. Far from the hot spots, the Holland America cruise ship Zaandam was preparing to sail from Buenos Aires, loaded with 1200 passengers – Americans, Europeans and South Americans – plus 600 crew. Within days, people aboard Zaandam begin to fall sick. Zaandam became a top story on the news and was denied safe harbor everywhere as the world's ports shut down. With only two doctors aboard, few medical supplies to test for or treat COVID-19, and food and water supplies dwindling, the ship wandered 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

Seven years ago, Omar and his little brother Hassan arrived in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Their father was killed the day they left home, and they haven't seen their mother since they joined their neighbors fleeing to Dadaab. Now Omar is eleven and Hassan is nine, and Omar has quit school to look after Hassan, who seems to have 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 cultural icon of the international Deaf community, Nyle DiMarco is half of a pair of Deaf twins born to a multi-generational Deaf family in Queens, New York. One day after he was born, DiMarco "failed" his first test – a hearing test – to the joy and excitement of his parents. In this moving and engrossing memoir, he shares stories, both heartbreaking and humorous, of what it means to navigate a world built for hearing people. 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, DiMarco’s primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf family members, he opens 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 from 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 series "Gifted Clans"

Although she has no magic herself, Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister Hattie earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision. But Hattie gets an idea: what if they cast a spell to share Hattie's magic? The sisters perform a forbidden incantation from the old family spellbook, but in so doing, they violate the laws of the Godrealm. With Hattie's life hanging in the balance, Riley has an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it? Riley meets fantastic creatures, collaborates with her worst enemies, and uncovers secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe. Now she must decide what it means to be a witch, to be family, and ultimately, 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, 2020. 435 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the series "Dragon Heart Legacy"

In the realm of Talamh, a teenage warrior named Keegan emerges from a lake holding a sword – representing both power and the terrifying responsibility to protect the Fey. In another realm known as Philadelphia, a young woman has just discovered she possesses a treasure of her own. Breen Kelly is 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 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. 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.