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Mosquitoland by David Arnold

Posted by BJ Neary on August 26, 2015 at 7:19am

Mosquitoland by David Arnold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The saga of Mim ( known as Mary Iris Malone) as she travels by Greyhound bus from Mississippi (Mosquitoland) to Cleveland is hilarious, sad, and daunting. As an immature 16 year old, Mim captivated me with her words, thoughts, feelings and wacky ideas as she makes her way back to a mother she loves (and maybe back to herself too). The cast of characters she meets (Arlene, Walt Beck are a few of the good people) will make your reader heart happy while the villains (Poncho Man specifically) will scare and horrify. I have not met a character like Mim before and I did not want to stop reading her opinions, fantasies, ironies and notions of romance. Hers is a slice of life teens will love. I am looking forward to more David Arnold books! Highly recommended, to teens and adults!!!

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P.S. I Still Love Youby Jenny Han

Posted by BJ Neary on August 21, 2015 at 1:29pm

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20698530-p-s-i-still-love-you" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #2)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422881430m/20698530.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20698530-p-s-i-still-love-you">P.S. I Still Love You</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/151371.Jenny_Han">Jenny Han</a> 
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1299101778">5 of 5 stars</a> 
This sequel was just as good as Han's first book, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, but even more probing of teens, romantic entanglements, and being true to ones' self. Lara Jean is really dating Peter, the guy she fell for back in 7th grade; but with his ex constantly part of their dating, can Lara Jean be sure enough of herself and Peter's feeling for her to rise above Genevieve's evil machinations? I did not want to put this book down; Lara Jean struggles like any teens, making good and bad choices, what will she do if some other guy from her past letter surfaces; enjoyable reading, one of my favorites! Make it one of yours!
 
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411-bjneary">View all my reviews</a>

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Posted by BJ Neary on August 21, 2015 at 1:17pm

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jenny Han is one of my new favorite authors with this book and the sequel, P.S, I Still Love You. Lara Jean is one of three Song sisters, the middle child, who is sweet, fearful, and convincing as a protagonist who grows into a teen we can all relate to with her hopes, wishes and fears. As she grows up and writes letters (puts them into her mom's hat box for safe keeping) to boys she has loved (but never dated, just crushed on)Lara Jean is startled to find all her letters have been sent to those boys and craziness ensues!!! I loved this book because it was a rom/com but deals with difficult, serious topics teens will recognize all to well. I was so luck to get both books on ILL, so I jumped into the 2nd book right away! Teens will love this book looking at romance, high school, and families, highly recommended!

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None of the Above by IW Gregorio

Posted by BJ Neary on August 13, 2015 at 1:37am

None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! When I was a librarian (I am retired), there were so many students who looked for books like None of the Above. Krissy is a very nice, normal teen who is going to college on a track scholarship, is in love with Sam and has just been voted Homecoming Queen! But life stops being rosy and Krissy is plunged into a nightmare when her visit to the gynecologist reveals she has male parts; she is identified as intersex. Even worse, she confides to her best friends and then her whole world knows and begins judging, bullying, etc. Teens and adults (parents, teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses) need to read this book- this is part of the real world; it is gut wrenching, eye opening, and tells a powerful story with facts, emotions, and growing knowledge (and coping) by Krissy and her dad. The author afterward was especially eye opening; highly recommended!!!
A must read and part of my summer reading with #2jennsbookclub; join the twitter chat 8/20 @8pm EST!

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The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman

Posted by BJ Neary on August 11, 2015 at 2:10pm

The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group –Ballantine and Ballantine Books for the ARC, The Murderer’s Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman. This psychological mystery was intriguing due to the main character, Grace Blades, and her life story she shares only with the reader. Grace has above average intellect, poise, detachment, and inner thoughtfulness. As a young child she becomes an orphan when her parents turn on each other and death ensues. In alternating chapters, Grace tells her story of foster care and her life as it unfolds into adulthood. I didn’t really like Grace Blades but I admired her tenacity, sharp mind, and keen intellect. It is not surprising that she becomes a very successful psychologist; so nurturing to her patients but remaining aloof and detached in her own life. I enjoyed being right there with her as Grace uses all her knowledge and savvy to solve mysteries and I look forward to reading other Grace Blades books!

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All the Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Posted by BJ Neary on August 6, 2015 at 1:02am

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful, haunting book! Doerr's look at WWII & the Holocaust also delves into characters' lives before the war- Marie Laure & Werner are the main, rich characters who are defined by their families (one blind, the other an orphan) and as the book jumps between 1940 and 1944 the reader is immersed in their worlds and cannot break away as war envelopes them and their lives are irrevocably changed. I loved the depth and breadth of this book; will be thinking about snails, radio transmitters, puzzles for a very long time; highly recommended to adults and HS readers who cover The Holocaust in school.

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Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier

Posted by BJ Neary on August 3, 2015 at 1:25pm

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Justine Larbalstier's book of 1920's Australia, ghosts, and a girl who can see and talk to ghosts is a rip roaring good read. Kelpie is a strong female protagonist who has lived on her own since she was young. But she stumbles into a murder and meets Dymphyna who can also see and talk to ghosts. For a look at the fictional town of Razorhurst and the likes of Kelpie and Dymphyna, struggling to survive in a community where mobsters vie for tenuous control; the reader will go on a one of a kind reading adventure and not be disappointed. I love the characters, the plot and setting---all so good. Join the twitter chat with #readyalit 8/2 at 8pm CST!

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All Posts (7)

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

P.S. I Still Love Youby Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

None of the Above by IW Gregorio

The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman

All the Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier

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