Happy Saturday, friends! It’s a bit late for a post, but better late than never. I’ve been trying to figure out the Public Service Loan Forgiveness application and it’s still very confusing. Leaving it for another day because I don’t need that kind of stress on a Saturday. Anyway! I had a pretty good reading week this week. For the Week of 11/6, I read a total of 9 books! I had a decent amoutn of books to review for the week, and I am happy to say I finished them!
Bite Size Reviews: Week of 11/6
Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani (11/6)
When Shaheen’s father suddenly disappears, she enlists the help of her cousin Tannaz to find him. One of their stops is the record store he frequents, where they find a mystrious jukebox. A jukebox that transports them back in time! This graphic novel was such a fun adventure, with some great nuggets of family drama. Maybe the pacing was a bit off, but overall, this was a quick fun read (3 stars).
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (11/7)
One day, Clay Jensen returns home to find a strange package on his front step. A package that contains 13 tapes. 13 tapes that recount the reasons why Hannah Baker died by suicide. This is a book that I’ve read before, and each time I read it, I see more reasons why this book is problematic. Clay isn’t the best character, and the way Hannah’s suicide seems like revenge isn’t the best tactic. But it made for an interesting book club discussion! (2 stars)
If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich (11/9)
I already wrote a review for this week, so just a few thoughts here! This is a boy band story about two of the members who fall in love. It reads a bit like fanfiction, but I didn’t mind! The romance in it was great, as was the chemistry between all of the characters (4 stars).
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen (11/9)
Vanja is familiar with taking in order to get the life that she wants. The adopted daughter of Death and Fortune, she’s not ready to pay the price of being their daughter. So, she steals the life of Princess Gisele for a year. However, when Vanja crosses the wrong god, she gets cursed. Now, she has two weeks to solve the curse and save her own life. This is like a heist novel combined with fairytale elements. I listened to the audiobook, and it was entertaining and fantastic. It had a great feel and the characters had great chemistry. (4 stars).
Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds (11/11)
I will be writing a full review for this one sometime this week! So, I’ll keep my thoughts short here. But Jason Reynolds! You know I had to read his new one. And I definitely think middle grade readers will love this one. It’s funny, relatable, with really fun illustrations. This book follows Portico as he deals with his parents splitting up, and the way his life is going to change (4 stars).
Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narváez Varela (11/11)
A strange lady approaches Anamaría to give her advice and being mysterious about saving a girl. But Anamaría doesn’t need help, she’s got everything under control, right? Set in the 90s in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and more and more girls are disappearing as well. This is a book in verse, and it’s another powerful one. Especially given the context of the author’s note at the end (4 stars).
Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong (11/11)
I already wrote a review for this this week too, so just a few thoughts! It was such a great follow up to the original book. I loved what Gong did with the Romeo and Juliet tale, and the characters and action was spot on (4.5 stars).
Other Boys by Damian Alexander (11/12)
Damian is the new kid at school, and he knows how to avoid bullying at his new school. He just won’t talk to anyone. At first, it seems to be working. However, the kids know that something’s still up with him. He lives with his grandparents and doesn’t like things that boys are supposed to. This graphic novel memoir will definitely be relatable to middle grade readers, especially with Damian’s journey to find himself. Plus, the art was great! (4 stars).
Loveless by Alice Oseman (11/12)
Despite never having been in love or having a crush before, Georgia is determined that she’s going to find love at college. It seems that romance is in sight for her. But the more she tries, she realizes it might not be the cards for her. Especially when introduced to the terms asexual and aromantic. This was a book that has great characters, funny situations, and all around good writing. Definitely one that’s going on my comfort read shelf! (5 stars).