WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Lydia Cooper is a Lie by Meagan McIsaac - Lydia's life explodes after she defies her father and creates a social media account, not knowing that she's been in Witness Protection most of her life.

What did you recently finish reading?

What Happened to Those Girls by Carlynn Greenwald - When her friends die after ditching her to go camping, Emma teams up with the sister of one victim to uncover the truth about what happened.

What do you think you'll read next?

Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Kepplinger

Book review - Beware the Abbott Boys

 

Title: Beware the Abbott Boys

Author: Chelsea Ichaso

Genre: mystery

Age range: teen

Similar book: Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

Summary (provided by publisher): The Abbott boys, fraternal triplets Henry, Bram, and Adam, live in a mansion on the outskirts of Silver Creek. For decades, their family's been at odds with the town, long before Mariana Flores died in a fiery accident on the Abbott property last year. The police ruled out foul play, but ask anyone in Silver Creek about it and they'll say one of the Abbott boys killed her. They just don't know which one.

But Hayden, the girl who lives next door to the Abbotts, swears they're innocent. After all, Henry's her best friend—maybe he could be more. She's been worried about Adam ever since he was injured in the accident that killed Mariana. As for Bram, he's a little complicated, but he and Mariana had been in love.

When the new school year brings a new victim—a popular girl, found dead in the woods—the hunt for a monster begins anew. The security camera footage doesn't show the face of the boy she was last seen with, but from his hoodie he could be any one of the Abbott brothers.

To clear their names, Hayden starts investigating the new death, but the deeper she digs, the more uncertain she becomes. Is one of the Abbott brothers a killer? Or could they all be monsters? And what will the boys do to protect themselves and the truth?

What I liked: Ichaso handles the evidence well. We have a fair number of clues that could be interpreted in a variety of ways. With flashbacks to the original crime and the various figures involved, the truth is carefully threaded throughout the novel with plenty of red herrings making for compelling reading.

What I didn't like: All three Abbotts are named after figures in classic horror novels. Their personalities seemed to reflect this connection. But there's no payoff. Ichaso doesn't see that connection through, an addition that would have truly elevated this otherwise standard novel.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

The Heirs by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

This book about prodigies, their secrets, and their father's murder could be fascinating. Let's find out together.

Listen with me

 

The Cove by Claire Rose

My first note on this book is that I struggled with some blatant factual errors. While some may not even notice these issues - when vegetables are ripe in a garden, the geography of Maine, whether books of the Bible are classified as Old or New Testament - they are also basic facts and easily verified, so every time I encountered one it jarred me out of the world of the book. Beyond that, this was moderately engaging but also not very resilient. It isn't a book that's going to hold up to repeat reads. The characters are not especially complex and the plot is thin. It's a decent listen once.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Thornbird

 

Title: Thornbird

Author: E. Kennedy

Genre: mystery

Age range: teen

Similar book: Have You Seen This Girl by Nita Tyndall

Summary (provided by publisher): Ten years after her father—the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn—was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in Starling, Tennessee, trying to lay low. No one can know who she really is. No one can know the truth about her past.

But as fresh eyes dig deeper into the case, old secrets refuse to stay buried. Cryptic texts, eerie coincidences, and a chilling note leave everyone wondering—does Ryan know more than she’s letting on? As the truth unravels, one thing becomes clear: in a town full of secrets, Ryan might be the biggest mystery of them all.

The world is hunting for answers. Now get ready for a thriller packed with twists you won’t see coming.

What I liked: Most serial killer centric novels are focused on getting to the truth about murders - proving definitively whether the widely accepted narrative is truth. That's not the case here. This book is primarily a girl coming to terms with the past and her own role in it. Ryan is a realistic character, trying to live a normal life and dealing with the fallout of her past.

What I didn't like: The final chapters go a bit off the rails as the town secrets and truths about her father are finally revealed. It detracts a bit from the overall net positive reading experience.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Beware the Abbot Boys by Chelsea Ichaso - Hayden's been friends with the Abbot triplets since childhood and is determined to prove their innocence when a local girl is killed and everyone blames the Abbots.

What did you recently finish reading?

Thornbird by E. Kennedy - Ryan can't escape her past when she's forced to move back to the town where her serial killer father committed his crimes.

What do you think you'll read next?

Clock Hands by Marieke Nijkamp

Book review - Just Ask Elsie

 

Title: Just Ask Elsie

Author: Ari Koontz

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code by Bridget Farr

Summary (provided by publisher): Fractions and conjunctions—check.

Stressing about middle school—check.

Body-positive puberty class at church that also covers feelings and identities—check.

Okay, maybe that last one isn’t so normal. It’s a little weird (and awkward) to spend her Sundays talking periods, B.O., and pimples. But Elsie’s also learning a lot more than she’s heard in her public-school health class — like the difference between sex and gender, and what consent is, and what it might mean that she can’t stop blushing around a certain cute girl at her school.

When her puberty lessons become the school’s latest gossip, Elsie’s totally humiliated… until she finds an anonymous note in her locker from a classmate who wants to know more, and realizes that other kids might have embarrassing questions of their own.

Starting an underground advice board wasn’t exactly in her plans, but Elsie won’t pass up a chance to turn her reputation around — or to share words and labels that have not-so-accidentally been left off their curriculum. But when the principal tries to shut down the unauthorized puberty talk, Elsie has to decide what she’s willing to risk to tell the truth to kids who really need to hear it.

What I liked: The characters are realistic and age appropriate. These are clearly children. Their understanding of the world is simple and blunt and part of the plot involves beginning to understand nuance. As such, the solutions here aren't straightforward and easy. This is more about starting a journey than revolutionary change. The conversation around puberty is straight-forward and age appropriate. 

What I didn't like: There are some uncomfortable moments but nothing to the point of becoming unreadable. Mostly this is a solid read.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

The Cove by Claire Rose

This tale of a troubled teen exiled to a strange farm in Maine could make for an entertaining listen. Let's give it a go together.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Tell Me My Future

 

Title: Tell Me My Future

Author: Eileen M Ruvane

Genre: mystery

Age range: teen

Similar book: Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

Summary (provided by publisher): Kess Turner is used to starting over. Her mom has dragged her all around the country her whole life, never spending longer than a few months in one place.

But nothing is normal about their new home—a dusty psychic shop—or the the way Kess's mom was summoned when a mysterious accident left the psychic Madame Amalia in a coma. When Kess finds coded messages and cash hidden among the crystal balls and Tarot cards, she knows there’s a lot more to the story than her mom is telling her.

Desperate for answers, Kess poses as a psychic in order to pump Madame Amalia’s clients for information—only to start experiencing strange visions of events that actually come true. The more she investigates, the more she suspects her mom and Madame Amalia were involved in a murder years ago.

When Kess’s visions escalate—and seem to predict her own death—it becomes clear that if she wants to save her future, she’ll first have to unravel the secrets of the past . . .

What I liked: Desamours's approach to psychic abilities here is compelling. As is standard in these tales, the visions are never a clear picture. They are fractured, impressions without context. As a result, the exploration becomes more about not having the full story, about making a vision happen by trying to prevent it, and raises the question of the changeability of the future. While these questions aren't explored in depth they are certainly raised. With engaging characters and a reasonable plot, this remains a solid read.

What I didn't like: A lot of what is happening here is quite expected. The twist ending is solidly threaded through the rest of the narrative so an attentive reader won't be particularly surprised. Additionally, the final action scenes are chaotic and over the top.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - The Spiritualists

 

Title: The Spiritualists

Author: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb

Genre: historical magical realism

Age range: teen

Similar book: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Summary (provided by publisher): Stella Bohdan is never alone—never—and yet she is the loneliest person she knows, dead or alive. A gifted psychic who can hear the voices of spirits, all Stella wants is to con enough people to survive on the brutal New York City streets and find a way to deal with the tragic death of her sister.

Performing seances in parlor rooms and tarot readings by candlelight, Stella is barely holding on. Until she meets Pax, a mysterious young man who offers Stella an invitation and a promise: Join a secret group of talented mystics who explore the darker realms of spiritualism, and together they will get revenge on her sister’s killer.

But how can Stella admit she is the reason her sister is dead?

In the hope of righting past wrongs, Stella joins Pax and his team of mystics. It’s soon clear there is more behind their partnership than just vengeance.

They must tread carefully though, because in the world of spiritualism, not everything is what it seems—especially when communing with the unknown.

What I liked: This book strongly captures the setting. We see a lot of the Spiritualism movement, of course, but also simply historical New York in the wake of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. This is also more than just an historical novel, though. In many ways it is a heist narrative as we walk through the assembling of the team, their diverse abilities and the secrets they all carry. There's a strong emphasis on action, constant twists and complications that make for an engaging read.

What I didn't like: The pacing can be a bit inconsistent, dwelling on introspection at moments that disrupt the flow of the narrative. The characters are no equally portrayed, with some members of the team serving as little more than props. While it is an engaging read it may not hold up to repeat reading.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

The Spiritualists by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb - A young psychic finds herself embroiled in a revenge plot.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp - Starting high school proves to be more challenging than a group of friends expected and threatens to drive them apart.

What do you think you'll read next?

Summerwork by Carrie Mesrobian

Book review - The Chismosas Only Book Club

 

Title: The Chismosas Only Book Club

Author: Laekan Zea Kemp

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: upper middle grade

Similar book: The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

Summary (provided by publisher): Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.

But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .

What I liked: The characters here are realistic and deeply flawed. For all of their close connection they are also distinctive and have wide ranging problems. None of them are portrayed as innocent victims, pure hearts. These are kids actively making choices that the outsider can recognize will go wrong even as we understand the choice they make. The pacing is solid and has enough going on to keep us engaged.

What I didn't like: The transition between perspectives can be a bit jarring as we jump between narratives. It isn't always a comfortable read but it is a reasonable one.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Our Fair Share

 

Title: Our Fair Share

Author: Sarah Marie Jette

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Family Week by Sarah Moon

Summary (provided by publisher): Seasonal work at the fairgrounds for most summers means Serafina, James, Avory, and Cassi are all experienced in fair life. Beloved traditions keep the best friends plenty busy. For them, this is more than just a summer vacation in Knox County, Maine. These are the best months of the year. This is their fair.

But it seems like everyone is distracted. James is having trouble at his new school. Avory is feeling smaller than ever. Cassi just wants to be left alone, but that's hard when your dad is caught in a scandal that leads to more eyes on her that she's never dreamed of. And Serafina is afraid she'll never get over the accident no one knows about. To make matters worse, there's a new fair manager - a community outsider - who seems determined to take away what is special about their fair. This summer is feeling a little too different. With two months ahead of them, the four friends need to find a way not just to survive their own inner turmoil, but to help their fair community thrive.

What I liked: This is a book populated by realistic, complex characters. Their problems are unique and never minimized. We never get the sense that a character could fix their life if they would only make one small change. We see how long term relationships change as we age without it becoming a simple issue of "outgrowing" a person. 

What I didn't like: Balancing four separate narratives can be challenging and often means that one doesn't get the space it deserves. The pacing is a bit slow and we don't always get enough depth on an individual issue.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Hairpins

 After making my bowtie hairpins, I was inspired to come up with another new design. I settled on these little balls of "yarn" made from narrow strips of t-shirt and little pieces of vintage ribbon.

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Our Fair Share by Sarah Marie Jette - Four kids, years long friends from their shared history at the fair, confront new challenges and face their secrets.

What did you recently finish reading?

A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat - A fishboy tries to fit in at school while looking for other fishpeople like him.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kamp

Book review - Song of the Saltings

 

Title: Song of the Saltings

Author: Rachael King

Genre: fantasy

Age range: teen

Similar book: The Lamplighter by Crystal J Bell

Summary (provided by publisher): On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an ancient bargain: every year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the creature that haunts the salt marshes. Once, it demanded children. Eight years ago, it should have taken Lotta. Instead, the monster spared her and claimed her pony, shattering tradition and anointing her both folk hero and object of suspicion.

Now sixteen, Lotta tends the Council’s sacrificial horses, keeping her distance from the islanders who whisper about her fate. But something is stirring. The island hums beneath her feet, and a song threads through her dreams. Is the Glimm calling Lotta back?

When she crosses paths with Moss—a boy once hidden from sacrifice—a daring bog rescue sparks a chain of events that forces them both to question the Council’s rule and the lore that binds their people. As crops and animals are blighted and uncanny weather plagues the community, Lotta and Moss must decide whether to obey the Council or risk everything to uncover the island’s deepest secrets.

Because on Brack, monsters come in many forms.

What I liked: King takes a concept that could be difficult to appreciate or engage with and makes it compelling. There's a fair amount of world building that flows naturally through the narrative rather than being dropped all in one glut of exposition.

What I didn't like: The writing here is rather dense, so it's a slow and almost plodding read. It takes a fair amount of dedication to read through this one and for some the payoff won't be satisfying enough to be worth the effort.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Never Leave Me Alone by Crissa-Jean Chappell - Birdie had a kindred spirit in Micah until he died in a stunt gone wrong and Birdie wants to know why he would have taken such a risk.

What did you recently finish reading?

Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride - Rick and Martina are happy to fly under the radar at school until someone targets them in a vicious prank and people start to die.

What do you think you'll read next?

No Way Home by Joy Feldman

Non-fiction book review - Diamond Fever

 

Diamond Fever! by Steve Sheinkin

Sheinkin has made a name for himself in the historical space, presenting young readers with off-beat moments in history. This book is a solid entry into that field, telling the tale of a little known but important scam. As the story unspools, we learn important aspects of the people involved and societal elements that contributed to the success of the scam. With key points illustrated by comic strip pages the text is engaging and entertaining. This is a book that might resonate with fans of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Systematic Theology for Teens in 21 Days

 

Systematic Theology for Teens in 21 Days by KJ Sanders

This is no simple devotional. It doesn't take a short look at a problem and provide a simplistic reassurance. Instead this is a book that encourages deep thinking and introspection. Starting with the very idea of belief and moving through elements of Christian faith, each entry is short and easily read in around 15 minutes. But it encourages a lot of reflection. The illustrations given for concepts are relatable and at times profound. With language that is accessible without talking down, this is an excellent choice for a teen beginning to question religious systems who is open to real consideration of their own beliefs.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Styx and Stones by Gary D Schmidt and Ron Koertge

Styx and Stones is no Percy Jackson clone. Yes, it is deeply rooted in Greek mythology. But it is also firmly present in the modern world. As such the conflicts are largely relatable to modern audiences. We have bullies, grief, loneliness, trauma, and much more. With so many issues feeding into the plot none of it is explored in a great deal of depth but the result is still satisfying. As we often see in Schmidt's books, there is a strong emphasis on characters deciding what kind of person they want to be, choosing kindness and empathy and strong morals even when it is difficult. We see characters struggling with jealousy and finding a way out of misery. And instead of clear villains and heroes we find that each character is complex and relatable even if they aren't always likeable. Well narrated, this is an audio book that is compelling and easy to absorb. It's also a book that will likely improve with multiple readings as each reading allows us to pick up on new aspects.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley