2017

Why Not Me?

By Mindy Kaling

Genre: Autobiography (Humor)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

By Mindy Kaling

Genre: Autobiography (Humor)

Yes Please

By Amy Poehler

Genre: Autobiography (Humor)

The Evolution of Mara Dyer

By Michelle Hodkin

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Paranormal/Romance)

Book #2 of the Mara Dyer series

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls and Everything in Between

By Lauren Graham

Genre: Autobiography (Humor)

Rich People Problems

By Kevin Kwan

Genre: Contemporary Adult Fiction

A fun third and final installment of the Crazy Rich Asians series, Rich People Problems expands the narrative perspectives from the first two books to some of the minor characters. I enjoyed the internal commentary from the various perspectives and found myself laughing out loud at many points in the book. Kwan's snark in the footnotes started to get to be a bit over-the-top, but I would definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for a light-hearted read.

Almost Midnight

By Rainbow Rowell

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Rainbow Rowell is my favorite YA author. This book contains two short stories, one of which was published in My True Love Gave to Me, an anthology of short stories set during the winter holiday season. I'd already read that book, but this version contains illustrations! The second story "Kindred Spirits," was also a cute contemporary that I enjoyed.

Alex, Approximately

By Jenn Bennett

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

This book is described as a You've Got Mail - esqe book, and I agree. I love that movie, so I was really interested in this book. It was a fluffy contemporary romance, and I enjoyed it for what it was.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here

By Patrick Ness

Genre: Magical Realism/Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

The premise of this book is unique, as it focuses on the other people who live their lives while extraordinary events happen (zombies, vampires, etc.). If you've every wondered what the "regular" teens are doing while the world is being attacked, read this book! I really enjoyed it.

The Schwa Was Here

By Neal Shusterman

Genre: Magical Realism/Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Antsy Bonano, an Italian teenager from Brooklyn is a typical "middle child": mostly invisible to his parents and a mediator by nature. When he befriends The Schwa and gets in trouble with Old Man Crawley, hilarity ensues. This book was a fun departure from the books I typically read, and I highly recommend it!

Turtles All the Way Down

By John Green

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

If you live with anxiety, you may feel excited about a book with a character who reflects your own experiences. Personally, I had difficulty empathizing with the protagonist, but I can see where many readers will appreciate reading about Aza.

The Kind Worth Killing

By Peter Swanson

Genre: Contemporary Adult Fiction (Thriller/Suspense)

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD! It's exactly what I want from a mystery/thriller novel. The twists and turns kept me on my toes and wanting to read more. I was constantly surprised, and I enjoyed each of the narrative perspectives. I must read more from this author!

Note: Mature readers recommended

King's Cage

By Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Fantasy)

Book #3 of 4 in the Red Queen series, and I still cannot sympathize with Mare and her internal struggle. What she experienced in the first book WAS NOT REAL! I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop dwelling on the past. There is a new narrative perspective in this book that is surprising and intriguing. Yes, I will finish this series once the fourth book is released!

Cruel Crown

By Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Fantasy)

Book #1.5 of 4, this binding contains two novellas exploring the life of Cal's mother and the rise of the Scarlet Guard. While the two stories were interesting, I do not think they add much to the Red Queen experience.

Glass Sword

By Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Fantasy)

Book #2 of 4 of the Red Queen series, and this book picks up right where the first book left off. I don't want to spoil the plot of the first book, but I must say that I got tired of Mare's internal struggle in this book. However, the plot kept me going and another cliffhanger ending means I must continue with the series!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

By Michelle Hodkin

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Paranormal/Romance)

Book #1 of 3, and this book was in interesting ride. It was hard to tell what Mara was imagining and what was real, as she didn't even really know herself. The writing was descriptive and the story kept me interested, wanting to find out what was really going on with Mara. And the cliffhanger ending means I need to continue with the series!

Red Queen

By Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Fantasy)

Book #1 of 4, it took me a while to get into the world, but then I was hooked! I enjoyed Mare's voice and her relationship with the princes. But that ending! Maybe I should have been expecting it, but I was definitely caught off-guard.

Trust Me, I'm Lying

By Mary Elizabeth Summer

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Suspense/Mystery)

What intrigued me about this book was the idea of a teenage con artist. I enjoyed this book for what it was, and didn't fully expect the twist at the end, so it was a solid read. I'll likely pick up the second book.

Summer Days and Summer Nights

Edited By Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction Anthology (Romance)

I need to read more anthologies! I really love the format of the short story, and while the winter-themed companion anthology My True Love Gave to Me was a bit better, I still enjoyed most of the stories in this one.

Kalahari

By Jessica Khoury

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Science Fiction)

This book took me longer to read than usual. It was tough to get into, but then I found out that it was the third book in a series, so that might have been part of the problem. The adventure picked up about a third of the way into the book, and the chase was exciting.

Second Chance Summer

By Morgan Matson

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Although predictable, I enjoyed this story and its characters.

The Smell of Other People's Houses

By Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Genre: Fiction (Contemporary)

Just because the protagonists are teenagers doesn't mean the genre is always "young adult." The themes presented in this book and the way the stories of the various characters weave together is sophisticated, and it would be a mistake to write it off because of it's YA protagonists. Also, YA books are rarely set in Alaska, and I enjoyed this setting.

China Rich Girlfriend

By Kevin Kwan

Genre: Fiction (Contemporary)

Book #2 of the Crazy Rich Asians series, and it was somewhat disappointing compared to the first book. While I enjoyed the descriptive details of the lives rich Asians lead in Hong Kong, it didn't have the same pull as the first book, as the story was a bit too ridiculous to feel real. The situation was too unbelievable to be as fun as Crazy Rich Asians. I'm still going to read the third book, though!

Crazy Rich Asians

By Kevin Kwan

Genre: Fiction (Contemporary)

Another gorgeous cover, and the meat of the book holds up to it! I laughed and marveled at the customs, really feeling Rachel's emotions throughout the novel. This was such a fun ride, and I was so glad to learn that it's a series!

When Dimple Met Rishi

By Sandhya Menon

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

First of all, THIS COVER IS GORGEOUS. Secondly, Dimple is in a summer camp for app coding (hooray for women in STEM!). While I would have loved reading more about the actual coding that took place, I enjoyed this "own voices" book about Indian culture, breaking stereotypes, and competing for an amazing prize.

After You

By Jojo Moyes

Genre: Fiction (Contemporary)

I read Me Before You last year and was excited to find the sequel After You in a used book store for a good price. I really loved being back in Louisa's world again, and remember how much I loved her family and their quirks. This was a solid, enjoyable "chick lit" book.

The Woman in Cabin 10

By Ruth Ware

Genre: Fiction (Thriller/Suspense)

While I enjoyed the writing of this book, the story line was a bit disjointed and the twist at the end wasn't completely unpredictable. The main character was unlikable, in my opinion, and really, all of the characters were unlikable as a whole. It was a decent read, but nothing wowed me.

Lady Renegades

By Rachel Hawkins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Magical Realism)

Book #3 of the Rebel Belle trilogy, and I only read it because I hate not finishing a series and I found it cheap at a used bookstore. It was pretty dumb and confusing, and in this one we get David's perspective. If you feel the need to finish the series, this is a fast read, but, as I mentioned in my Rebel Belle review, stick with the first book and pretend it's a stand-alone.

The Upside of Unrequited

By Becky Albertalli

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Molly has had twenty-six crushes in her lifetime, but has yet to act on any of them. I appreciate the way this book treats anxiety and depression (Molly takes medications without resentment), and enjoyed the family dynamic, in addition to the female-female relationships (both romantic and familial). Overall enjoyable read.

This Is What Happy Looks Like

By Jennifer E. Smith

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

This somewhat predictable novel is told from two perspectives. Two teens find themselves in an accidental friendship via email, then find themselves in the same town for the summer. It's a cute read, but maybe 100 pages too long.

This Is What Happy Looks Like

By Jeanne Ryan

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (possibly Sci-Fi)

This fast-paced game of dares is easy to get into and fun to read. It's not a great work of literature by any means, but it was an enjoyable read from start to finish.

The Hate U Give

By Angie Thomas

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

This debut novel by Angie Thomas was FANTASTIC. Star's journey from the tragic killing of her friend to finding her voice in a world that is against her is incredibly compelling. I cannot say enough about the importance of this book and that everyone should read it.

The Handmaid's Tale

By Margaret Atwood

Genre: Fiction

I picked up this book in anticipation of the Hulu adaptation. The world sucked me in, but the ending left me wanting. This book's relevance to today's issues with women's health, feminism, and the patriarchy is not diminished by the ending, but I really wanted more from it.

Love, Stargirl

By Jerry Spinelli

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

The sequel to Stargirl, this story is told in a series of letters from Stargirl to Leo. I loved Stargirl when I read it many years ago, but this book fell flat for me.

The Library at Mount Char

By Scott Hawkins

Genre: Fiction (Magical Realism)

This book was capital-I Intense! I didn't know what to expect when I picked it up, and when I finished, I was still trying to figure out what I had just read! The unreliable narrator, the crazy "Father," the parallel world: all of it still has me reeling!

Note: Some graphic content (violence), mature readers recommended

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

I read this because it was becoming a Netflix show. The book felt so relevant and real, but, in my opinion, did not glorify suicide. Instead, she is seeking to show how both small and large acts contribute to a person's mental state.

Note: Don't watch the show, just read the book.

Illuminae

By Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Genre: Young Adult Science-Fiction

THIS BOOK! I really enjoyed the mixed-media and how they the story unfolded through the "documents" in the file. The ending was unexpected, the characters felt very real, even though all we have are email exchanges, messenger-style texts, blueprints, and other media. Don't let the size of this book fool you, it's an incredibly fast read!

Always and Forever, Lara Jean

By Jenny Han

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Book #3 of the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, and Lara Jean redeemed herself. She was less in her own head and more aware of others around her. I suppose that's just what it means to grow up, and this is a fairly classic coming-of-age story.

P.S. I Still Love You

By Jenny Han

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Book #2 of the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, and Lara Jean is at it again, doubting her new relationship. In this book, she is faced with a possible love triangle. Her innocence, while charming in the first book, was irksome in this one.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

By Jenny Han

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Cute coming of age romance that is light-hearted and fun to read. I needed this after Night Film to bring me out of the slump. I liked the premise (love letters to former crushes were mistakenly sent to their boys), and overall enjoyed the authentic innocence of Lara Jean.

Night Film

By Marisha Pessl

Genre: Fiction (Thriller/Suspense)

This book put me in a reading slump. It took a long time to read (602 pages in large hardcover form). I enjoyed the mixed-media elements, but it was such a slow burn that it couldn't keep my attention. The side characters were the best part about the book.

The Sun Is Also a Star

By Nicola Yoon

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Insta-love abounds in this novel that takes place in a day, but if you let that stop you from picking it up, you'll be sorry! Family dynamics, looming deportation, and persons of color as major characters are the center of this "own voice" novel. Read it!

Thanks for the Trouble

By Tommy Wallach

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

I really liked this story. It's a quick, intriguing read; however, its subject matter may be triggering to some. Proceed with caution.

Everything, Everything

By Nicola Yoon

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

This debut novel about a girl who is allergic to everything had me hooked! I enjoyed the writing, the romance, and the unexpected ending. Read it before watching the movie!

Let It Snow

By John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction (Romance)

Three holiday love stories overlap in this book written by three prominent YA fiction writers. This was a quick and enjoyable read, great for the winter months.

Miss Mayhem

By Rachel Hawkins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Magical Realism)

The second book in the Rebel Belle Trilogy, it was wholly unnecessary. The first book, Rebel Belle, should have been a stand-alone, in my opinion. The story was fine, and I still enjoyed the protagonist's voice.

Everything I Never Told You

By Celeste Ng

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

We find out in the first page that Lydia, the favorite daughter, has gone missing. The family's past and present, their relationships with each other, and the search for Lydia are intricately woven together, beautifully written by Celeste Ng. I highly recommend it!