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Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Posted by BJ Neary on December 27, 2015 at 12:03pm
Orphan TrainOrphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic audiobook!!! I loved the narration by Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren; their voices were mesmerizing, honest, and their emotion (guarded and euphoric) made me root for Molly and Vivienne as characters, women, and down trodden individuals. What they do with their horrific lives is uplifting, made me cry, and want to rail at all those who treated them so deplorably. If you like historical fiction, multicultural fiction, a great study of women and friendship, listen to Orphan Train! You won't be able to stop listening!!!

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All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Posted by BJ Neary on December 27, 2015 at 11:57am

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25657130-all-american-boys" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="All American Boys" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444506678m/25657130.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25657130-all-american-boys">All American Boys</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1229281.Jason_Reynolds">Jason Reynolds</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1439863042">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Wow, what an emotional roller coaster! This book is unique and special because Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely collaborated on this diverse story and as a result the reader is plunged (again and again) into the moment Rashad leans down to get money from his bag and a woman accidentally falls on top of him-- when BAM, this African American ROTC teen is beaten to a pulp by a white police officer. In a ripped from the headlines news story, video is found and played continuously for days inciting anger, fury, and sympathy. Quinn happens to be there and sees Rashad being beaten by a cop who has been a father figure to him since his father died. This book reminded me of 2 other books that deal with racism, prejudice and unreliable narrators - Fade to Black by Alex Flinn and How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon. Reynolds and Kiely do an awesome job of encouraging readers to stand up to police brutality and racism and continue to work toward being aware and educating others to fight the fight.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411-bjneary">View all my reviews</a>

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Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

Posted by BJ Neary on December 27, 2015 at 11:47am
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens AgendaSimon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I purchased this book after going to the Friends Central Celebrate Diverse Literature Conference and listening to Becky Albertalli speak. Simon is a great male character who is emailing with someone named "Blue" and as they get to know one another (they attend the same school) they keep their identities secret but begin to have feelings for one another. This is a great story about diversity, friendship, family, and coming out as gay to family and friends. Simon's world is sweet, full of tumult (but in a good, nerdy way) and as he navigates this "new" part of his life, the reader journeys with Simon and roots for him every step of the way. Highly recommended for teens, reluctant readers and adults too.

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Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell

Posted by BJ Neary on December 21, 2015 at 11:22am
Angels BurningAngels Burning by Tawni O'Dell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for providing an advance copy of Angels Burning by Tawni O’Dell. I love mysteries and O’Dell did not disappoint with this taut detective story involving chief of police Dove Carnahan investigating the grisly murder of a teen whose body was burned, wrapped in a blanket, and discovered in a sink hole. I could not put down this tense thriller delving into Dove’s dysfunctional family past and the parallel story of the murdered teen, Camio Truly’s vicious, ornery, redneck family filled with hostility, contempt and lies . Dove is one tough cookie in a world dominated by males in the police force and state police but she is harboring a big secret from her past. Dove’s sister, a loner who is a prominent dog whisperer, was a strong very likable character who fiercely loves her sister and does not suffer recriminations like those plaguing Dove. This is a riveting, mesmerizing psychological thriller and will keep mystery lovers turning the pages; highly recommended!

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Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Posted by BJ Neary on December 11, 2015 at 2:04pm
Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved, loved Kristine Hvamm's narration in this 2nd Daughter of Smoke & Bone book!!! The narration, the voices, the drama kept me hooked in...Karou wasn't my favorite in this book- I did not like her hatred of Akiva for killing her family and then Karou throws in with Thiago and becomes a resurrectionist, creating horrible chimaera to fight against the angels. I loved the human friends, Zuzana & Mik and the fact that they continue to be in Karou's confidence. The reader will be enthralled with all the betrayal by angels & chimaera, Karou and friends. But beneath this aching terrible time, I was so impressed by Akiva's steadfast love and hope for a future maybe including Karou. Another must read by Laini Taylor & I have already begun the final book, Dreams of Gods & Monsters!!!

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