Back of Book: 

In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Memoir | LGBTQIA+ | Essays

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A memoir-manifesto of one black, queer boy and his journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. 

"All Boys Aren't Blue" first pinged my radar when books were being challenged left and right in my high school and I learned that it has been one of the most banned/challenged book since it's release. It talks a bunch about racism, the LGBTQIA+ community, sex, and abuse, so it's obvious why it's being challenged across the country. To me, when a book is challenged, I find great sadness in the people who think such books are doing people harm and I like to check them out myself. 

After consuming this book, I'm left at a loss on how to rate it. I hate giving memoirs super low ratings due to the fact that someone is vulnerably giving away their life story for the world to read and that everyone's experiences are valid. However, there are quite a few things in this story that I found slightly questionable, including the preachy nature at the end of each chapter, the casual installment of 9/11 that seemed a bit out of place, and the brash inclusion of trans people's dead names. I understand that Johnson was trying to keep it raw and honest, but I feel like there were many things that drew away from the actual nature of the book. 

I am not black, male, nor queer, so I am in no way the target audience of this book. However, I found some of these essays to be really valuable and would be great resources for questioning teens, queer adolescents, or as a guide to explain different topics to not marginalized people. Some of my favorites were "Identity," "F**** Play Football Too," "You Can't Swim in Cowboy Boots," and "Nanny." I think that there is much value to be gleaned from these stories whereas some of the others had some questionable elements. "Honest Abe Lied to Me," "Losing Hope," "The Prom Kings We Never Were," and "Caught in a Haze" all seemed to leave out relevant info (such as when Lincoln said certain quotes) or touched on semi-touchy things for pretty much no reason (the improper usage of dead names and recalling 9/11 in odd ways). The chapters that dived into his sex life ("Boys Will Be Boys" and "Losing My Virginity Twice") were interesting and enlightening reads but also want to make me puke (for personal reasons; nothing that he did wrong). So long story short, this one was a mixed bag for me. 

I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much if I wouldn't have listened to the audiobook that is narrated by Johnson himself. Memoirs always feel more personal when you listen to the author narrate them, so I feel this elevated the experience for me. It made some of the hard moments even harder to swallow and made some of the odd moments stick out like a sore thumb. Johnson certainly isn't the most experienced narrator, but it was neat hearing him tell his own story. 

Overall, I have been sitting on my thoughts with this one for a bit, and I'm still troubled with my overall consensus. "All Boys Aren't Blue" is certainly a great resource for various reasons, but there are so many parts of this book that rubbed me the wrong way, making reading parts of it uncomfortable in not a great way. I love when authors challenge things and push the limits, but this story did a lot of telling rather than letting the reader draw their own conclusions, which felt a bit like someone was forcing their opinions down my throat. I wouldn't stop anyone from reading this one who is interested in Black culture, the LGBTQIA+ community, or even those who love reading about other human's experiences. I am certainly leaving this book with many memories, some good, others a tad painful. 

Back of Book: 

I could hand you a braid of sweetgrass as thick and shining as the braid that hung down my grandmother's back. But it is not mine to give, nor yours to take. Wiingaashk belongs to herself. I offer, in her place, a braid of stories meant to heal our relationship with the world. 

As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer is trained to use the tools of science to ask questions of nature. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces plants and animals as our oldest teachers. Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that when we listen the languages of others, we are capable of understanding the generosity of the earth and learning to give our own gifts in return. 

Adapted by Monique Gray Smith with illustrations from Nicole Neidhardt, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults highlights how acknowledging and celebrating our reciprocal relationship with the earth results in a wider, more complete understanding of our place and purpose. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

“I wasn’t depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay.”

Shaun David Hutchinson was nineteen. Confused. Struggling to find the vocabulary to understand and accept who he was and how he fit into a community in which he couldn’t see himself. The voice of depression told him that he would never be loved or wanted, while powerful and hurtful messages from society told him that being gay meant love and happiness weren’t for him.

A million moments large and small over the years all came together to convince Shaun that he couldn’t keep going, that he had no future. And so he followed through on trying to make that a reality.

Thankfully Shaun survived, and over time, came to embrace how grateful he is and how to find self-acceptance. In this courageous and deeply honest memoir, Shaun takes readers through the journey of what brought him to the edge, and what has helped him truly believe that it does get better. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Memoir | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An empowering memoir that at times feels like it's ripping out your heart and at others feels as though it's embracing you in a hug of a friend you haven't seen in ages. 

Every single book that I have read by Shaun David Hutchinson has been an absolutely brutal read. They've ripped out my heart and attempted to sew it back in. When I learned he wrote a memoir, I knew that this one would absolutely destroy me more than any of his novels has in the past, because this one all actually happened to him in the real world. And let me say, he destroyed me so brilliantly. 

All of his books I've read deal with less than positive views concerning self-worth, suicide, depression, self-harm, sexual assault, and so many other devastating topics and I knew they had to be inspired by something. Despite this, I still wasn't prepared to read this account that is so raw and honest about literally all of those tough topics and so many more. Shaun approaches them all with such finesse and he does an amazing job at warning the reader when touchy subjects are about to grace the page (put self-care first, people!). 

Beyond all the trying times, Shaun also talks about many of the nerdy communities that he was a part of throughout his early years as a high schooler and college student. Whether it was acting on stage, writing in his journal, or playing D&D with his friends, creative escapes from reality are the ones that appealed to him greatly. I can heavily relate to wanting to step out of one's own life and completely embody someone else for a while; it's one of the main reasons I have always enjoyed writing, acting, and roleplaying. 

The very ending of this book had me tearing up; I'm an emotional girl and Shaun did such a good job of making me feel seen. I definitely don't struggle with depression and such as heavily as Shaun does, but as humans, we all deal with bouts of hopelessness and despair. The way that he affirms that everyone is good enough as they are and pleads that we ask for help when we need it is so powerful. This is definitely a reminder that one can never hear too many times, so I'm grateful for him giving it to us again. The final few chapters truly feel as though a friend you haven't seen in years is wrapping you up in a warm hug and whispering into your ear, "I love you despite all your flaws." I often find myself masking and putting on a brave face, too, so these words in the last few chapters really hit me in the feels. 

Overall, "Brave Face" is such an extraordinary young adult memoir by a truly talented writer. I have eaten up Hutchinson's novels in the past, but dang, this book is truly a brilliant work of art. It talks about so many hard topics, but I truly believe that as humans, we all go through hard things, and it only helps to talk about them. Make sure to check out the trigger warnings though; there are many! The raw yearning that things get better eventually is so visceral, and I truly believe that one can never be reminded enough that they are worthy just as they are. I was desperately in the need of this reminder, so I hope that others will feel just as comforted by this book as I was.  

Back of Book: 

Ed Sheeran is the soulful singer-songwriter from England who has captivated American audiences. Ed Sheeran: A Visual Journey will reveal his early childhood experiences and the various musical influences that have helped him become the musician he is today. It's an intimate book that will give fans a look at the musings, dreams, and hopes of this very private artist.

With close to 100 photos and illustrations by well-known illustrator Phillip Butah, who has worked with Ed Sheeran to create the artwork for his huge hit album +, this is a book that all Ed Sheeran fans would love to own and cherish!

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Memoir 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Review: 

The early life and career of Ed Sheeran straight from the source accompanied by stunning visuals by his lifelong friend, Phillip Butah.

This book makes me appreciate Ed Sheeran in a whole new way. I have always loved his music and thought he seemed like such a cool guy every time I saw him on television, but this book helped me appreciate just how much of a genius he is. I love how honest he in about his opinions, how confident he is in his ideas, and how down to Earth he seems. It was super interesting to hear some of the inspirations behind some of his earliest music. For example, I have wondered what "The A Team" was about for the longest time, and I feel truly enlightened knowing the inspiration behind this complicated and nuanced song.

Another thing that I really enjoyed while reading this one is I could hear Sheeran's voice narrating it. Usually when I read memoirs, I've never heard of the person before, so therefore I just have some random voice narrating it. But with this one, I could hear Sheeran talking to me which was a new and really nice experience.

I also really enjoyed the artwork. I never knew anything about the cover art behind his albums and knowing that Phillip Butah was behind such iconic images is so cool. I must admit, I was jumpscared by giant Sheeran faces several times throughout this book, but that doesn't make the artistry any worse. I also thought it was neat that Butah got his own section at the end of the book to explain some of his inspirations and to walk us through the process that he uses to draw. The relationship between Sheeran and Butah is truly a friendship and I really appreciated how this book reflected that.

Overall, if you are fan of Sheeran's music, I would totally recommend checking this one out. I would love to see an accompaniment of this book produced now that more time has past. This book was published in 2014 and Sheeran was so young and new to the industry back then. I would love another personal update from Sheeran and I would never turn down Butah's creative artwork.

Back of Book: 

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I Am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder—and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side—in this powerful and inspiring memoir.

Until sophomore year of high school, fifteen-year-old Allison Britz lived a comfortable life in an idyllic town. She was a dedicated student with tons of extracurricular activities, friends, and loving parents at home.

But after awakening from a vivid nightmare in which she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was convinced the dream had been a warning. Allison believed that she must do something to stop the cancer in her dream from becoming a reality.

It started with avoiding sidewalk cracks and quickly grew to counting steps as loudly as possible. Over the following weeks, her brain listed more dangers and fixes. She had to avoid hair dryers, calculators, cell phones, computers, anything green, bananas, oatmeal, and most of her own clothing.

Unable to act “normal,” the once-popular Allison became an outcast. Her parents questioned her behavior, leading to explosive fights. When notebook paper, pencils, and most schoolbooks were declared dangerous to her health, her GPA imploded, along with her plans for the future.

Finally, she allowed herself to ask for help and was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This brave memoir tracks Allison’s descent and ultimately hopeful climb out of the depths.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Memoir | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟

The portrayal of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in this one is raw and often heartbreaking, but that is pretty much the only thing this book has going for it.

Britz's memoir is set during her sophomore year of high school in which she begins to develop outlandish, obsessive behaviors that include counting footsteps, avoiding cracks and the color green, as well many other crazy things all because she thinks that she will get cancer if she does not. I was often bothered by how illogical these thought were, but I understand that this is what OCD can do in its most severe forms.

One of the biggest problems for me was the pacing. It took over 200 pages to get this girl to a doctor despite the fact that she has stopped brushing her teeth, combing her hair, and wearing anything other than ratty old pajamas. So much of the book solely focused on her triggers and compulsive behaviors that the beginning felt very repetitive and I got bored waiting for her to get diagnosed. And then as soon as she did get diagnosed, it was pretty much just a bunch of therapy sessions, and her compulsive behaviors were pretty much skimmed over. The ending was also super abrupt and caught me off guard.

I personally thought that the writing in this one was also a bit bland and made it hard for me to like Allison as a character. I know that this is a memoir about the author's own experiences and she's probably a great person, but I just couldn't bring myself to like or care about Allison as I was reading this.

Also, I was surprised by how much this book grossed me out. Between the rotting food and the pus filled and bleeding fingers, I often found myself trying not to gag at these mental images. Yuck.

Overall, I found this book a bit boring and weirdly paced, but it is still a good depiction of what life with extreme OCD is like, as far as I can tell. It dragged too much for me to truly enjoy, but I still appreciate that Britz is willing to share this tumultuous chapter of her life with the public. I could see this helping others with OCD cope, but it wasn't a book I could enjoy.