Hello friends! We’ve come to an end of another week. Today, work was really slow, but that means I got some stuff done! And maybe just a bit of reading, at the end of my shift. I’ve just started The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, and I’m hooked! Anyway, for the Week of 5/15, I finished 11 books! That tends to be a trend, lately. Probably because I’ve been reading so many graphic novels. And I just requested a bunch more from the library!
Also, I can’t believe that May is almost over already. Working on making my TBR for June, which is probably going to include all queer books! Which means I should probably finish some of my library books before then.
Bite Size Reviews: Week of 5/15
A Sisterhood of Secret Ambitions by Sheen Boekweg (5/15)
I already posted a review for this this week, so just a few thoughts! This is basically an alternate history book where women are behind the scenes for a lot of power moves in the United States. Elsie and her friends are competing to be the wife of the future president of the United States. Some of my favorite things about this book were the friendships between the girls competing and the characterization of Elsie. It comes out on June 1st (4 stars).
Heartstopper Vol. 4 by Alice Oseman (5/15)
We pick up pretty close to where the last volume left off, which Nick and Charlie on summer vacation. Nick is getting more worried about Charlie’s anxiety and possible eating disorder. I can’t believe there’s only one volume left of this! I want it to go on forever. What I liked about this volume is the way that Oseman deals with mental illness. She doesn’t shy away from the topic, and deals with it in a very realistic way. Also I just love all the characters in this. I could read about them over and over again (5 stars).
Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland (5/15)
After her father is killed, Ophie and her mom move to Pennysylvania to live with relatives they don’t know very well. In order to make ends meet, Ophie has to help her mom at the Caruthers’ house. However, the house is filled with ghosts. And Ophie can see them. Ireland’s first foray into middle grade is in the same vein as her YA books. There’s a supernatural element to this historical fiction novel, and Ophie is so endearing. I loved her. I think middle grade readers looking for something on the spooky side will definitely like this (4 stars).
Ancestor Approved by Cynthia Leitich Smith (5/16)
This is a series of short stories all surrounding the same event: the Powwow at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There are a lot of different genres represented in this book, so there’s a little something for everyone. What I liked was the interconnectedness between the stories and characters, really setting the scene for this major event. Plus, we get to see Native characters from all different walks of life, which is a rarity in middle grade fiction. Definitely recommend! (4 stars).
Blue Flag Vol. 1 by Kaito (5/16)
You’ve heard of love triangles? Well, get ready for a love quadrangle. Taichi is helping Futaba to get the romantic attention of his best friend, Toma. However, spending more time together might just create sparks between them. Meanwhile, both Taichi and Futaba’s best friends are falling for them. This manga definitely has a bit of a slow start, but it picked up toward the end. Which means I have high hopes for the second volume (4 stars).
From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry by Paula Yoo (5/17)
There is a lot packed into this fairly short YA nonfiction book. This looks at the story of Vincent Chin, who was killed in 1982. His death sparked the Asian American movement in the United States. For someone who grew up in Michigan, I didn’t know anything about this. And it happened in Detroit. This just shows how much we gloss over in history classes in school that we shouldn’t. It should definitely be required reading for all high school classes (5 stars).
An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahrerh Mafi (5/18)
It’s 2003, and the US has officially declared war on Iraq. Which makes life difficult for Shadi, who is a part of the Muslim community and wears a hijab. But she has her own worries after the death of her brother, with her dad in the hospital, and her mom struggling with depression. As per usual for Mafi, the prose in this book is almost poetic. This is definitely more of a study in character than a plot driven book, because nothing really happened plot wise. And the book just kind of ended, with no resolution. I was kind of confused about this one! (3.5 stars).
Pawcasso by Remy Lai (5/19)
This book is going to get a review next week, so I don’t want to give too much away here. Pawcasso is about a dog who does his own shopping and a girl who just wants to make some friends. This was an absolutely adorable graphic novel. I loved the characters and the connections with friends and pets. Can’t wait for it to hit shelves next week! (4 stars)
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (5/20)
Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are chosen to be prefects for their final year at Niveus Academy. They’re ready for the best senior year ever. But when they become the target of a mysterious bully named Aces who is exposing all of their secrets, their hopes come tumbling down. They have to figure out who Aces is before things become too dangerous. This book will also bet getting a review this coming week! But let me tell you, I couldn’t put down this thriller. And what a wild ride it was! (4 stars).
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (5/20)
Nikolai is trying to figure out how to rebuild Ravka after the civil war with the Darkling. However, the effects of his torture at the hands of the Darkling still has lingering effects. Effects that could hurt his country. While this isn’t my favorite Grishaverse book (that still goes to Crooked Kingdom), I still liked the characters in this one! Nikolai has always been one of my favorites, and I like getting to see more of him. Plus, that ending leaves me ready for the next book, which I’ve pretty much only heard good things about! (3.5 stars).
This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm (5/21)
This nonfiction comics anthology covers Native history from Canada. What I particularly liked about this book was the inclusion of timelines at the beginning of each of the stories. For someone who doesn’t know anything about the Native population in Canada, I really learned a lot reading this book. Plus, the art in some of the stories included here was gorgeous. Definitely something I’d recommend to someone looking to learn more on this topic (4 stars).