ARC Review: Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year- Vincent Meis

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Title: Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year

Author: Vincent Meis

Publisher: Spectrum Books

Format: e-book

Pages: 239

“Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year” is centered around 14 year old Colton who lives in San Francisco with his two dads. He discovers acceptance, first love, deception, and disappointment all within a year. His trip to Thailand was one of self-discovery for Colton.
Growing up with his two dads Colton always felt a little different, and he felt they didn’t understand what it’s like being a black teenager. Colton starts to question his roots and where he came from. He decides he wants to meet his surrogate mother. Unfortunately, that meeting didn’t go as he planned and he’s left with this hole in his heart and confusion.

Colton has already went through so many emotions this year. From his first kiss with the girl of his dreams, to having to deal with a long distance relationship, to having to deal with racism from one of his family members, to his dad getting sick. It was just all too much for Colton to bear.
“Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year” is a coming of age story that deals with a lot of issues set in 2020, when the whole world was uncertain for everyone, especially a teenager. Issues such as: racism, the pandemic, and the BLM movement. Just like every teenager, Colton is becoming “woke” and starts to realize everything going on around him.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I would’ve definitely finished it on one sitting if it wasn’t for my adult responsibilities :). The author did amazing addressing teenage dilemmas, capturing the love amongst Colton and his diverse family, as well as the drama, and navigating relationships. I also enjoyed the trip we took to Thailand through the author’s writing; Beautiful scenery, and temples. I really commend the author for creating such a fun and diverse set of characters, as well as including different sexualities as well.

Overall, this book was excellent. Touching on a lot of important topics. I’m a huge lover of YA so I already knew the intended audience and writing. I will definitely be reading more of Vincent Meis’s books in the future. Special thanks to @bibliophile.nat (Instagram) and @vincentmeisauthor (instagram) for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Released: 3-4-2023

Book Review: Over my Dead Body- Greg Melville

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Title: Over my Dead body

Author: Greg Melville

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Format: Hardcover (Library)

Pages: 272

Cemeteries have always been a fear of mine. I never liked to walk past them because I thought the dead would become like zombies and come eat me, but I was always really intrigued by them. From very young I was always exposed to death. no matter if it was a family member or a pet or someone I knew. ‘Over My Dead Body’ is an extremely informational book filled with whit and a barrage of dad jokes. 

The book speaks about early cemeteries and graves. The lack of respect for indigenous and African American graves is also talked about in the book in depth. People had their graves disrespected by colonists building over them. One that’s pretty surprising is the African American burial ground that they built over in Central Park (the markers were removed). Another great topic brought up in the book is of funeral costs or the “American Way of Death” as described by Jessica Mitford. How grieving families are taken advantage of in a way. Wanting to upsell “the best” to these families. 

Overall, a great read. Very educative and informative (sometimes that drives me a bit mad lol). The author did great writing this book.

Book Review: All the Living and the Dead- Hayley Campbell

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Title: All the Living and the Dead

Author: Hayley Campbell

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: Hardcover (Library)

Pages: 288

I picked up this book while visiting my local library. I absolutely am obsessed with books that deal with mortuary science in some way or form. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m highly fascinated with something that has scared and continues to scare me, which is death. I will admit after losing my grandmother, I’ve become more intrigued about the roles of people who are involved in the business of death. 
The best thing about this book was the fact that there’s a person for every job listed here, and you get to hear the experiences they go through working in these fields. It really isn’t easy and I truly admire what they do. I really enjoyed a few stories more than others, especially: ‘The Executioner’. The fact that these people have to fear for their lives on a daily basis because of other people’s beliefs is insane. However, a lot of the people who’ve taken the role of The Executioner have been known to also stop all together after being consumed by nightmares and death threats….most taking their own lives as well. The process of Freezing your body, grave Digger, and many more! Many think books like these are macabre and dark, but I think it gives great insight into the world of the dead. The people who take care of our loved ones during the death process should be given credit and be spotlighted a swell. It’s not for the faint of heart. The author did an amazing job interviewing these professionals as well as getting an hands-on experience in these fields of work.
I think after reading about some of the cases and what these professionals do, I have even more respect for them. 

Hello!!

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Hello Eeveryone!

Wow. It’s been a REALLLLYYY long time. It’s been about a year (maybe more) since I wrote a blog or a review. I do apologize. I kind of fell out of reading for about a year and a half. It truly wasn’t starting to feel very overwhelming and pressuring. I was struggling keeping up reading ARC’s because I didn’t know how to pace myself at all and just kept requesting and requesting; major burnout.

But I am here for 2023, and absolutely ready to knock out all these books I have to read. Already read my first book of the year. Last year, I was lucky enough to have read the 10 I did. Anywho, I’m so glad to be back and don’t be afraid to say hello. I will be posting my first review of 2023 shortly. Thanks for sticking around!

-Bella

ARC Review: Finding Bryan- Matthew Kesselman

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Title: Finding Bryan

Author: Matthew Kesselman

Publisher: Novel Novels

Pages: 310

Rating: 5/5

TW/CW: homophobic comments, death of a parent, cancer talk, micro aggressions 

Gosh, there’s so much to say about this amazing and well-written contemporary. First of all I will warn you that you will not like Forrest Wilcox. He’s grumpy, self-absorbed, and overall a chaotic person who spends all his time focusing on his failures and what he could’ve done better. Along the way of his chaotic life, Forrest lost his brother Bryan, but not to death. Bryan ran away at the age of 17 in search of a better life. Ever since then, Forrest has felt a little lost. That could be what some of his bitterness comes from.

Now, Forrest is married to his HS sweetheart and they have a daughter named Casey (whose spunky). He also works at his father’s auto shop as a mechanic, but Forrest feels like something is still missing from his life. One day Forrest’s father talks to him and tells him his mom’s cancer is doing worse and she hasn’t got much time to live. That’s when his father says that his mom wants Forrest to find his brother…Bryan. Forrest doesn’t hesitate to go and look for his brother, he even takes his daughter Casey with him despite what anyone was opposed to. As Forrest and Casey travel across the country they come across numerous characters and go through some serious things, but it’s all in the name of Bryan. 

Let me just say that I absolutely loved this book and the southern twang that the author utilized. I loved how raw Kesselman portrayed Forrest. Yes, he was unbearable and a jackass, but at the same time he still was human under that hard exterior. Special thanks to Novel Novels, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: Enduring Freedom- Trent Reedy & Jawad Arash

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Title: Enduring Freedom

Author: Trent Reedy & Jawad Arash

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 352

Rating: 5/5

Enduring Freedom is a fictional YA book based on the horrific events that took place on 9/11/2001. I remember where I was when the planes hit. I was in global history class in High School. I saw the smoke from the the first tower from the window. It was such a life changing moment for everyone around the world. It was a time of uncertainty, and reflecting; the course of history would change forever. Right after those tragic events, troops were immediately dispatched to Afghanistan to fight in the war. 

Baheer is a boy from Afghanistan. His life revolves around his educations. He’s very studious and wants nothing but to educate himself and learn English. His brother on the other hand, only cared to work. Learning and having an education meant absolutely nothing to him. Baheer just sits and sees how his family lives in constant fear because of the wars and violence that plagues their country every single day. He wants better than that for them. 
Joe is a young army private who lives on the other side of the world. He’s studying to be a journalist, which is one of his biggest dreams. Joe just wishes that he could be a full time journalist and give up the rifle. When September 11th happens, Joe is immediately shipped to Afghanistan, flipping his life upside down. When Joe and his unit arrive to Afghanistan, he’s on high alert. He doesn’t’t trust anyone. On the other hand, Baheer see’s it as an opportunity to learn from the soldiers, especially English. 
When Baheer and Joe meet, they’re uncertain about each other, but as they get to know each other they start to see how much they have in common; their friendship blossoms. Of course, the friendship doesn’t come without some rocky moments. Baheer and Joe’s friendship is put to the test. Will they be able to ignore the differences and situations that surround them. Huge thanks to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. (less)

Review: Dylan McFinn & The Temple of the Four Winds

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Title: Dylan McFinn and The Temple of the Four Winds

Author: Liam Jenkins

Publisher: Self

Pages: 244

Rating: 5/5

Finally!
I’ve finished the second installment in the Dylan McFinn series. I was anxiously waiting to see what adventure and trouble Dylan and his brother Axneus were going to get into next. 

The story starts off where the first book left off. After losing their parents and defeating the almighty Gate, Dylan and Axneus are trying to figure out what’s next in their lives. Dylan of course, is thinking about the more important and realistic things in life. Whereas, Axneus is thinking about riches and showing his greed. Dylan is fueled with the need to find his parents. He sets off on a adventure with his brother and Marvin though the ‘Forest of Shadows’.

As they go on the hunt for the midnight marauders, they came across the evil sea nymph, Marilla (she gave me total Ursula vibes). Marilla is working on Kadavu’s side to help him gain all control of Maloto once and for all. Marilla tries her all to brain wash numerous characters that you’ve seen in the first book for her personal gain and evil ways. Dylan must go through hell and back to find his parents, and the trials will make or break him. 

Jenkins once again delivers an amazing set of characters. Through descriptions and imagery, you feel like you’re living everything you’re reading. Let’s not forget that ending! Huge thanks to Liam for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to read what happens next. 

ARC Review: The Woman With The Blue Star- Pam Jenoff

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Title: The Woman With The Blue Star

Author: Pam Jenoff

Publisher: Park Row

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5

Imagine living in perpetual fear everyday because of your race. Imagine hoping that your family wasn’t next. Imagine getting the opportunity to go and try to escape those that wish you harm. Eighteen year old Sadie Gault and her family are Jewish and have lived in Krakow, Poland for most of their lives. Their lives were pretty peaceful until the Germans invaded. They were forced to move into the Krakow Ghetto. Everyday got progressively worse for all the Jewish families.

One day while the parents of the Jewish children were at work, the Germans raided the homes of the Jewish families, taking children with them. Sadie heard the approaching soldiers and decided to hide in a trunk in her mother’s room. It was only when Sadie heard her mother trying to kill herself that Sadie came out and showed her mother…she’s okay.

Sadie’s parents were afraid and tired of living like this and decided to come up with a plan to finally escape the hell they were living through. With the help of a sewer worker named Pawel, they created a hole and escaped into the sewer system under the most deplorable conditions. Unfortunately, tragedy struck and things for the family became harder for them. Until one day, Sadie decided to explore the tunnels and came face to face with another girl her age through the sewer grate. After that things take an interesting turn.

I must say this book was riveting; The writing was amazing. I will definitely be checking out more of Pam Jenoff’s writing. Wow…just, wow. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Park Row books for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: In Your Face- Shari Graydon

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Title: In Your Face

Author: Shari Graydon

Publisher: Annick Press

Pages:172

Rating: 5/5

‘In Your Face’ is a fantastic look into the beauty world. The positives, the negatives, and the controversies behind it. For years the beauty industry has been changing, with standards that are beyond impossible to reach. Many young women are sucked into websites that promote women with surgically enhanced bodies and making it seem like it’s a obtainable goal, when it reality it’s all fake.
I really loved how the author broke everything down, from the different decades, different fashion, with colorful graphics and illustrations. The author didn’t sound bias to me, if anything she made you think, she broke everything down for you, and fed you facts. I think that’s something admirable about this book. I believe any girl/young lady/woman who picks up this book will go into reading this with an actual eye opening experience. 

ARC Review: Curby- Alyssa Lynn

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Title: Curby

Author: Alyssa Lynn

Publisher: Self-Published

Pages: 54

Rating: 5/5

I’m going to warn you right now you’ll need some tissues for this one. I made the mistake of reading this at 9am only to end up in a mess of tears. Curby is a short story in the POV of Golden Retriever. He’s absolutely a cutie and totally in love with his mom Roxy. He cherishes her and loves being around her. He even has conversations with the other pups that Roxy’s friends have. One day Curby gets some bad news from Roxy’s friend. He didn’t know what happened exactly, but he knows his human friend wasn’t coming back. 

Curby is a must read if you’re an animal lover. It will definitely leave you in your feels. Thanks to Alyssa lyne for providing me with a copy of the book through book sprout in exchange for an honest review. Alyssa lynn always knows how to make my emotions come out. Whether it be laughing, crying, anger, or sadness. She does it all.