My Top Ten Books of 2015

With 2015 coming to a close, I've decided the best way to wrap up my year of literature is to make a list of my top ten best reads of the last 365 days. Each of the books on this list has taken a special part of my heart with it as I turned the final page, and I am sure that these will become staple books in my collections that I will reread in the years to come. Every one of these books is a piece of brilliant artwork, and they have truly changed my life for the better. Without further ado, here are my top ten books of 2015:

1. All The Bright Places

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is decidedly my favorite book of the year (and maybe ever!!). After I read it, it stayed on my mind for weeks. Everything I read following it paled in comparison. I began to recommend it to every one of my friends. Before I knew it, I had a pack of teenage girls confronting me with anger that I made them love a book so much. I haven’t met a single person that had anything bad to say about this book, nor have I met a person who didn’t sob like a baby at the end. ATBP is truly a masterpiece, which is apparent in the way it rests in my mind months after reading.

Read my full review: All The Bright Places Review

“You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.”

2. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz is an extremely close second favorite of 2015. This book has the undeniably best ending I have ever come across. Ever. The last page is so good that after I finished the book, I would go back and reread the last page. In fact, I’m about to do just that. From the introduction- “To all the boys who’ve had to learn to play by different rules”- I knew that I had found a gem. I recommend Aristotle and Dante to almost every single person looking for a romance that falls outside the box. The characters developed throughout the novel are incredible, and finishing the book leaves the reader resentful that it is, in fact, a work of fiction, and no, Aristotle Mendoza cannot be their new best friend. With all the time in the world, I could not fully express the beauty of this book, and the love I have for it.

Read my full review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Review

“Another secret of the universe: Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer morning could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder.”

3. Fans of the Impossible Life

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa is, again, a very close third favorite book of the year. This book was so, so incredible. I honestly don’t know whether or not a book has ever affected me as this one has. Every chapter, every page, every character, every sentence, every word of this book carved itself into my heart. It is just so fully and completely outstanding that I feel no words I can provide will adequately describe this masterpiece. After I read this book, I felt understood in a way that I never had before. Only a truly magical book can make its readers connect to feelings they didn’t know they were feeling. I finished it, in awe, of how satisfying it was to finally feel like somebody got it. Fans broke my heart and put it back together again. I remember feeling an urge to thank Kate Scelsa for writing this book. Fans of the Impossible Life is completely and heartbreakingly honest, and if I’m being completely honest- you’re wasting your time if you have yet to read this book.

Read my full review: Fans of the Impossible Life Review

“May we live impossibly… Against all odds. May people look at us and wonder how such jewels can sparkle in the sad desert of the world. May we live the impossible life. "

4. More Happy Than Not

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera is the only book I read multiple times this year, if that can begin to express the caliber of my adoration for this novel. The first time I read it, it was an ARC a few months before release. The next, a few months after its release, in anticipation of seeing Adam Silvera at Boston Book Festival. My plans fell through and I didn’t end up attending the festival, but I still jumped at the opportunity to reread this amazing book. The themes of this book are very similar to those of the three novels listed above: coming of age, struggling with sexuality, and mental health issues. It is most similar to Aristotle and Dante, which may have been the reason I loved it so much. In More Happy Than Not, Adam Silvera confronts what others wouldn’t dare: the true struggles of being different in a place where it is best to stay inconspicuous; for example, being gay while living in the Bronx. When I saw the first published hardcovers on the shelves, my heart was racing like it was my own debut novel. I’ve been known to become excessively proud of the things/people that I care deeply about. Adam Silvera leapt into YA fiction with this outstanding gem of a novel that is absolutely unforgettable.

Read my full review: More Happy Than Not Review

“The boy with no direction taught me something unforgettable: happiness comes again if you let it.”

5. Beautiful Music For Ugly Children

Beautiful Music For Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills is short, sweet, and so very real. I picked it up on a bus ride to Quebec City. Before we even hit the Canadian border, I had finished the book and I was a blubbering mess. At that point, I’m sure my classmates were finished with me. The emotion displayed by every character in the book is so raw and true, it makes the reader look inside himself for signs of the same feelings. What I found most notable about this book is how it changed my perspective about so many things. After reading it, I paid much closer attention to the feelings of those around me, and what I could do to make strangers and acquaintances more comfortable in any given situation. If you are looking for a short, sweet read, this is not for you. But, if you are looking for a short, emotional read- pick up Beautiful Music For Ugly Children.

Read my full review: Beautiful Music For Ugly Children Review

“You shoved me off the cliff. Turns out I can fly.”

6-10:

I had started writing this post with the intention of listing my top ten books of 2015, in order, with a short blurb on each one. After reaching number five, I found that I could no longer put them in order because I love them all so much. Here are books 6-10, in no particular order.

• Confess by Colleen Hoover
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (and the other two books that go along with it, Isla and the Happily Ever After and Lola and the Boy Next Door)
• The Accident Season by Moira-Fowley Doyle
• Suicide Notes for Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten
• Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

Notable Mentions:

And of course, what kind of person would I be if I didn’t mention my other favorites of the year.

• Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
• The Fog Diver by Joel Ross
• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
• The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes
• Broken Skies by Theresa Kay
• I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
• Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
• Fault Line by C.Desir

If you are interested in hearing more about any of these books, there is a review of each one posted on this blog. Head over to the Review List and find it from there! I hope you all had as successful of a year in literature as I did, and I hope to hear from you in 2016. Happy New Year, and cheers to another year of great books and great friends! 

Just My Luck

The Bookworm says... Yes! Just My Luck by Cammie McGovern is an uplifting story about having a family member with a disability. The summer before fourth grade, Benny's best friend moves away. He's trying to find a replacement, but it's to no avail. Another thing Benny can't succeed at- bike riding. His older brother, George, who has autism, can ride a bike better than he can. While Benny's dad is trying to help him learn to ride, an accident happens and days later, Mr. Barrows is in the hospital. Benny is trying to follow his mother's advice: be kind to everyone, especially when you are experiencing a hard time. But with his dad in the hospital, possibly because of him, this is easier said than done for Benny.

I really enjoyed Just My Luck! I had previously read Cammie McGovern's Say What You Will, and though the stories have a similar baseline, I don't think that they can be compared to each other. I am very glad I didn't form my opinion of Just My Luck based on Say What You Will, because I do not think I would have liked it as much as I did. Benny is a prime example of what it feels like to be the sibling of a child with a disability, especially being the sibling that knows best how to respond to their quirks. A household struck by chaos has never been depicted so truly- if you are struggling to understand how to prevail in a time of chaos, or if you are trying to understand what it's like to love someone with a disability- READ THIS

"Everyone has bad days. You have to make the good ones."

DISCLAIMER: This review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Tentative on-sale date is February 23, 2016.

Blue Voyage

The Bookworm says... Yes! Blue Voyage by Diana Renn is a thrilling story of teen rebellion, travel, and smuggling rings. After a series of events send Zan's picture perfect life into a downhill spiral, her mother decides it would be best If she and Zan visit Zan's Aunt Jackie in Turkey. They meet Jackie at the dock to catch a Blue Voyage cruise that her recently deceased husband was supposed to be a guest speaker on. In an attempt to forget the pressures waiting in America and mourn her late Uncle Berk, Zan tries to make the best of the trip that seems like a punishment. However, it's hard to enjoy a cruise when you find yourself wrapped up in an international smuggling ring. Suddenly, Zan is the prime suspect, accused of trying to smuggle stolen artifacts across country lines. If she can't find a way to clear her name, Zan may find herself stuck in Turkish prison- forever.

I cannot express enough how much I loved Blue Voyage. It had been catching my eye on the shelf for a while, and I was meaning to pick it up. But then, I had the chance to attend a writing workshop with Diana Renn at Buttonwood Books and Toys and picked up a copy then. Her personality was so endearing that I knew any writing that she produced would be incredible. This book is perfect for not only people who love adventure and crime novels, but for lovers of travel and history of artifacts as well!

"The beckoning counts. Not the clicking latch behind you."

Humans of New York: Stories

The Bookworm says... Wow! Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton is truly fascinating. Humans of New York began as a photography blog on tumblr. Then, Brandon began to ask for short quotes to accompany the photos. Eventually, he was conducting fifteen to twenty minute interviews with all of his subjects. HONY is a concept that is taking social media by storm, and having a lasting impact in American hearts through it's latest featured segment on Syrian refugee families.

In Humans of New York: Stories, Brandon Stanton includes hundreds of stunning photographs with captions ranging from nothing at all, to a short quote, to a whole story. Some stories are heart breaking, and some heart warming. Some are just plain adorable ("Today in microfashion...). I can't think of a simpler way to say it: HONY is so cool. Read this, and then mail Brandon Stanton an aggressively long letter thanking him for doing this, because that's what I'm about to do. There is no better way to get to know the real New York City than to read this book.

"There are two books in America: one for the rich and one for the poor. A poor person does a crime and gets forty years. A rich person gets a slap on the wrist for the same crime"(241).

Find Brandon Stanton and Humans of New York:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork
Official Website- www.humansofnewyork.com

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2015

The Bookworm says... Absolutely. The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2015, edited by Adam Johnson and series edited by 826 National, is a collection of the best literature available. Selected by a group of high school students in San Francisco, guided by Adam Johnson, BANR is full of short stories, excerpts, and poetry. Some of my personal favorite pieces: Dynamite by Anders Carlson-Wee, "You are in the dark, in the car..." by Claudia Rankine, A Speck in the Sea by Paul Tough, An Inventory by Joan Wickersham, The Future Looks Good by Lesley Nneka Arimah, and Sky Burial by Alex Mar.

Whether or not you usually read short stories or poetry, or whether or not you like stepping out of your safety zone, you have to read this book. From articles that open your eyes to the troubles of the world to poems that open your eyes to the troubles of the soul, this collection of literary genius is sure to leave its mark on each and every person that reads it. As stated on the back cover of the paperback copy, "The writing in this book is very essential, if not required, like visiting the Louvre if you're in Paris".

"Surviving what you were never meant to survive creates a hard rock of happiness under the bones of the chest." (from Isaac Cameron Hill by Ammi Keller)

The Possibility of Now

The Bookworm says... Yes!!! The Possibility of Now by Kim Culbertson is a perfect, uplifting winter read that changed my perspective on a handful of things. Mara has a full scale meltdown right before starting a calculus exam. Like, ripping up her test into tiny pieces and crying, full-scale. When a video of her meltdown goes viral, Mara needs to clear her head. In order to do that, she goes and stays with her biological father Trick in Tahoe. While she is there and immersed in relaxed ski culture, away from the competitive, private Ranfield High School, Mara begins to realize things about herself. Mara gets a chance to clear her mind, take a break, learn to live in the now, and possibly fall in love on her road to mental recovery.

I love this book. So much. Mara is incredibly resilient, and her journey is incredible. Watching her learn to live in the present made me remember to do the same. It brings to mind the familiar line from the popular rock-opera, Rent, "No day but today". The lessons that Mara learns are the same lessons that Kim Culbertson teaches to every single person that picks up this book, and I commend her for it.

"He's the fire in the woodstove you take totally for granted but, when it goes out, leaves everything cold."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release date is January 26th, 2016.

The Fog Diver

The Bookworm says... Yes. The Fog Diver by Joel Ross is an excellent middle reader novel. The fog took over the earth years ago, killing everything trapped inside it. The fog gets anyone that goes down too long- they might get attacked by a fog shark, or they might get fog sickness. Children dive into the fog every day to scavenge for things to sell so they can survive in the slum. Chess is one of these children- a tetherboy. Chess is an excellent tetherboy, maybe the best, and he is a secret that must be kept from Lord Kodoc- the tyrannical ruler. The woman that has been taking care of Chess and his crew of orphans becomes ill with fog sickness, so Chess and his crew set up to find a cure for her, all while keeping Chess hidden from Lord Kodoc.

I generally shy away from JUV books and stick to YAD,but something drew me to The Fog Diver. I'm not sure what it was, but I'm glad it happened- I loved this book. The quest, supernatural, and post-apocalyptic aspects of this story make it perfect for all lovers of The 5th Wave, Harry Potter, and Gone. The Fog Diver is truly a triumphant debut for Joel Ross, and I can't wait to see what the rest of this series brings.

"I'd dived into uncharted fog for three years and seen things nobody else had even imagined, but I'd never seen anything like Hazel"

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda

The Bookworm says... Yes! Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli was an enjoyable read. Simon, under the alias of Jacques, exchanges emails with a peer under the alias Blue. The boys are in school together, they are both gay, and neither of them has come out. As they continue to email back and forth, Simon begins to fall for Blue. Not even Simon's closest friends know that he is gay, so anyone reading these emails would wreak havoc on Simon's life. Naturally, that is exactly what happens. When the class-clown Martin gets his hands on the emails, he puts not only Simon's privacy and sexuality at stake, but Blue's as well. Martin blackmails Simon with the emails, and Simon's life begins to enter turmoil. Suddenly, everything in Simon's life is a question. Who is Blue? Who does he love? Is he attracted to boys or girls? While fighting through tension from every direction in his life, Simon has to figure out why he's so in love with a boy he's  never met.

This was a quick, light (ish) read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The plot seemed vaguely familiar, but I can't place exactly what it is that it reminds me of. One of the best aspects of this novel is how true it is to teenagers. With the dominance of the internet in this day and age, relationships beginning online are not uncommon. That makes Becky Albertalli's story feel more real. The characters she created are so artfully crafted that you fall in love with them falling in love with each other. Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is  a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, relaxing read that still has an eventful plotline.

"Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn't be this big thing whether you're straight, gay, bi, or whatever."

George

The Bookworm says… Absolutely. George by Alex Gino is fantastic. George knows she is a girl. Nobody else does, which is hard for her. Looking at her, you can’t tell. But she knows. When her fourth grade class holds auditions for a stage version of Charlotte’s Web, George decided she wants to audition for the role of Charlotte. At auditions, the teacher tells George she can’t audition for Charlotte- because she’s  a boy. George’s best friend Kelly earns the role, and the two hatch a brilliant plan that will allow George to be Charlotte, and show the whole world who she really is.

This book is so important. It’s a story about a young transgender child, written for children. In the past few years, horizons have broadened in the YA world. There is now a plentiful amount of YA books with LGBTQ+ protagonists, which is incredible. That being said, there aren’t many books aimed towards younger children, and they’re the ones who truly need it. They need to learn that they have other choices for their lives- they aren’t limited to what is put in front of them. George does a very good job of explaining life in the eyes of a transgender child simply and easily, in a way that any young reader can understand. I want this book taught in every elementary school in the world. It is so important that we do not raise a generation of close-minded people. Every child should read this book as a part of growing up- the same way they read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and The Care and Keeping of You. It’s that important. This book makes me so happy; I want to thank Alex Gino and give them a hug.

"Be who you are."

Echo

 

The Bookworm says... Yes!!!! Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan is fantastic. Otto finds himself lost in the forest in a game of hide and seek. Three mysterious sisters, a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica later, Otto is out of the forest. Years later, the harmonica lands in Christopher's hands in Germany, then Mike in Pennsylvania, and then Ivy in California. They find themselves entranced with the seemingly magical harmonica, and the power of music. The power of music holds families together, saves a friend in need, and so much more. Though Christopher, Mike, and Ivy have never met, their gift for music stitches them together as they conjure up a beautiful orchestra of sound. 

Echo is incredible. The feeling you get when you finish this is that of finishing Harry Potter for the first time. Echo is beautiful written and magically told; the plot is perfect, as are the characters. The three separate plot components come together seamlessly to create a perfect dynamic. 500+ pages of historical, magical, fiction, do not let the size deter you. Echo truly is a wonder, maybe even the next Harry Potter. 

"Your fate is not yet sealed. Even in the darkest night, a star will shine, a bell will chime, a path will be revealed."

Fans of the Impossible Life

The Bookworm says... Yes!!!!! Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa is an amazing book. Jeremy has been alone since the incident last spring. 

Mira comes into his life when his English teacher, Peter, forces him to start an art club. Mira is the first member. Mira has been practically alone, with just Sebby by her side, since she got out of the hospital last year. Sebby comes to art club with Mira, and Jeremy suddenly feels complete. As Jeremy adapts to the way Mira and Sebby orbit each other, he realizes the challenges they face daily and the lengths they go to to keep them invisible. This is the story of Sebby, Mira, and the boy who loves them both. 

Fans of the Impossible Life is excellent. The characters all have a good side to them- Mira her knack for fashion, Jeremy for art. They all have bad sides as well- Mira her depression, Sebby his shoplifting. What is truly unique about Kate Scelsa's characters is that you can see aspects of their "bad side" in their "good side". They let their troubles shape them, and it really shows. The ending was so perfect I wanted to scream. The last page. Oh my. Simply put, this book is a masterpiece. 

"They rolled up the maps of their bodies until they were two continents of interlocking roads and rivers and dreams, and she thought, This is how I will leave to live again."

DISCLAIMER: review is based on an uncorrected proof. Publication date is September 8, 2014. 

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

The Bookworm says... Yes!! Fun Home by Alison Bechdel is a stunning graphic memoir. Beginning with Alison as a young girl, she realizes that she and her father were very alike, but also nothing alike. As she grows older and matures, her relationship with her father becomes more and more forced. She's trying to be herself, while he tries to express himself through her. She grows older still, and the relationship grows tenser. A funeral home director/high school English teacher/historical restoration expert and his lesbian cartoonist daughter, trying to live their own lives while stuck in a perpetual orbit around each other.

An illustrated history of her fragile relationship with her father, Alison Bechdel's Fun Home is a shimmering gem of an autobiography. It details their relationship throughout her entire life, but not in a linear manner. In any given chapter you may have Alison as a child, Alison as a teenager, Alison as a new adult, or all three. Bechdel frequently alludes to Ulysses and The Odyssey as comparisons to her and her father's relationship, which works excellently. The detail conveyed in the illustrations could not be reproduced in any other form. Heartbreaking, humorous, detailed, and intimate, Fun Home is like no other.

"My father once nearly came to blows with a female dinner guest about whether a particular patch of embroidery was fuchsia or magenta. But the infinite gradations of color in a fine sunset--from salmon to canary to midnight blue--left him wordless."

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy

            

The Bookworm says… Yes. The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer is an enjoyable book! At Selwyn Academy, a prestigious art school, all forms of art are valued over all else. A local television network, kTV, comes to the school to film their reality TV show about young artists, dubbed “For Art’s Sake”. That is when everything changes. Art is no longer the primary focus of everyone at the school. For those involved with the show, it’s winning. For the faculty, it’s money. For the general student population, it’s getting through the day without interrupting kTV filming and having to face the wrath of the producer, Trisha Meier. The show is taking over Selwyn, and it’s up to Ethan, Luke, Jackson, and Elizabeth to save it. An English class on Ezra Pound inspires the quartet to write and distribute a long poem to the student body, encouraging them to make their opinions about “For Art’s Sake” heard, loud and clear. The aftermath of their poem is greater than they could have imagined, and the kTV crew more cunning. Betrayal left and right, Ethan needs to do something, and fast.

            I really enjoyed Vigilante Poets! I think the story is very appealing, though I am a sucker for performing arts/arts high schools. The risks the friends take to save their school are inspiring, and the lengths they go to are daring. There were few dull moments throughout the novel, and I didn’t find the ending predictable. I actually think the ending was very unpredictable. I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

“Remember: this is not a novel, not a memoir, not produced by anyone with artistic skill. It’s just about what happened last year. It’s about reality TV, a desperate crush on a ballerina, and a heroic gerbil named Baconnaise. But mostly it’s about my friends. Please remember: not art, just life.”

Never Always Sometimes

The Bookworm says… Maybe. Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid is extremely disappointing. Dave and Julia are best friends. Entering their freshman year of high school, they make a list of clichés they would never do- be recognized by a lunch spot, dye their hair extravagant colors, and lots of other typical high school clichés. The most important thing on the list: never date your best friend. With only a few months left of their senior year, Julia and Dave decide to try to do every Never on the list. By doing the Nevers, Dave and Julia break out of their comfort zones and do things they never dreamed of doing. They get into trouble, and they get out of it. Most of all, they learn things about themselves, each other, and their feelings for each other that they wouldn’t know if not for the Nevers.

            I was so disappointed by this book. I was a huge fan of Let’s Get Lost (also by Adi Alsaid), and I had very high hopes for this book. I would go so far as to say that this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2015, and I was greatly let down. The writing was not bad, but it was not remarkable. While the concept is interesting, the way the plot unfolds is lackadaisical.  I got bored with it very fast. There was some notable character development, but some characters could have benefited from a little bit more.

Previously reviewed by Adi Alsaid: Let's Get Lost 

“Human beings are more or less formulas. Pun intended. We are not any one thing that is mathematically provable. We are more or less than we are anything. We are more or less kind, or more or less not. More or less selfish, happy, wise, lonely.”

DISCLAIMER: Review is based off of an unedited proof. Official release date is August 4, 2015.

Even When You Lie To Me

The Bookworm says... No. Even When You Lie To Me by Jessica Alcott was not good. Entering senior year of high school, Charlie and her best friend Lila end up in an English class together with the hot new teacher. Charlie is sick of living in Lila's shadow, and starts to expand her horizons. She also starts to develop a crush on Mr. Drummond, knowing she is one of many. Charlie tries to escape from Lila's shadow while trying to do well in a class where the main distraction is the teacher. 

Frankly, this book wasn't good. It was a cliche from beginning to end. Unattractive girl has a popular best friend and a beautiful mother. Brand new, mysterious teacher suddenly attracts her attention, and he connects with her like no one else. Teacher/student relationships are wrong and obviously illegal, and reading an entire novel about one in the making was boring. All of the characters in this book could've benefited from a little more development; the only characters who I felt changed significantly, aside from a relationship perspective, were Lila and Charlie's mom.

“It’s like…it’s like a catch-22. Like how women are told not to care about male attention but also that they’re not worthwhile if they don’t get it. Or how they’re expected to wear makeup, but they have to look like they aren’t. Or how they’re allowed to have power as long as it’s sexual, but then if they use it, they get called sluts. And if they don’t have sexual power, then they’re worthless. It creates a situation where the person in the double bind can’t win.”

Another Day

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Another Day by David Levithan is a good book, don't get me wrong. Justin is an average boyfriend to Rhiannon, if that. One day, he seems more than average. He skips school and takes her to the beach and she falls in love with him all over again. The next day, this amazing Justin disappears. The day after that, a stranger confronts her and tells her that they were the person she spent the day with, not Justin. It happens again. And again. She's falling in love with someone who's only constant is their mind; there isn't even a body to rely on.

Do not be fooled- this is not a sequel to Every Day, as I was expecting until I read the "Dear Reader". It is a companion. It's essentially the same story, told through Rhiannon's point of view, which is a very interesting insight. Whether you read Every Day yesterday, three years ago, or never read it at all, you can read Another Day. It's a very interesting contrast to A's perspective, and it gives more detail into the parts of the relationship that Rhiannon has the hardest time with: the fact that A's gender changes daily. Because it was the same story, I was still left very unsatisfied upon finishing the book. It didn't really fill me with emotion the same way that Every Day had. Once finishing it, I wasn't left thinking about it for hours. That being said, it is still a lovely book. I would recommend reading Every Day before hand, because I think the beginning of Another Day moved very quickly and could have been confusing without prior knowledge.

"It is hard for unhealthy people to masquerade as healthy ones, especially once they've stopped caring if other people notice."

Previously reviewed: Every Day , Will Grayson, Will Grayson (Co- Written with John Green)

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. On-Sale date is August 2015. 

Cut Both Ways

 

The Bookworm says... Yes! Cut Both Ways by Carrie Mesrobian is a story of the struggles of growing up and struggling with sexuality. Will has his first kiss, but he was extremely drunk and high, so he doesn't remember it very well. But he does remember that it was with his best friend, Angus. Will isn't gay, but that doesn't mean he didn't like it. Will starts avoiding Angus and seeing a younger girl named Brandy. He's relieved that he can be attracted to her, but he doesn't stop hooking up with Angus. He needs to confide in someone, but there's no one for him to talk to. His mom has her new husband Jay and their perfect twin daughters Taylor and Kinney. His dad is up to his eyes in debris, remodeling his house. Will is alone. 

Will struggles with the same identity issues as so many teenagers today. In the novel, he is never once labeled as bisexual. It's because he doesn't know. If Will doesn't know, why should the reader? So he experiments, and experiments, and he sees where he ends up. This book is such a real depiction of many teenagers; I ate it up. It is amazing. 

"And all this will go on... Between me and myself, whoever I turn out to be, years from now."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release date is September 1, 2015

Me Being Me is Exactly As Insane As You Being You

The Bookworm says... No. Me Being Me is Exactly As Insane As You Being You by Todd Hasak-Lowy is not a very enjoyable book to read. Darren is forced to confront the fact that his dad is, in fact, gay, and may or may not have had past relationships with men. A divorce between his parents quickly follows. After that, life is confusion and chaos, shuffling between the parents. Somewhere in there, Darren finds time to sneak out to Ann Arbor to visit his brother, Nate. A certain girl named Zoey accompanies him, for better or for worse. Probably worse. 

This book... Is not good. It's approximately 700 pages of boredom in list format. Initially, I thought it would be great. The list format is very unique; the general plot (finding out your dad is gay, and has had past relationships with men) is reminiscent of Alison Bechdel's Fun Home. After about 200 pages I was bored, and it didn't become more entertained throughout the rest of the novel. I would not waste your time on this novel. 

"I know I barely talk and pretty much act like I'm not even here, but I'm totally here and have a million things to say, and me being me is exactly as insane as you being you."

Fangirl- Reviews by Twos **NEW PROJECT**

Introducing the newest project on The Bookworm's Favorite Books- Reviews in Twos. There's a post on the new Reviews in Twos page explaining it, which can be found here. Basically, every month there will be a book (that I choose) and you will read it (or if you've already read it) and post a two sentence review on the announcement post! After the month is over, there will be a compilation review with all of your comments, and one contributor will win a special prize!

This month's book is Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. My first review of it can be found here. You have until June 30th to post a two sentence review in the comments of this post! If you have any questions, comment or fill out the "Contact Me" form on the side. The Reviews in Twos page will have information on the whole project, and eventually links to all the posts for the month. Ready... Set... Read!

Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls

The Bookworm says... Yes! Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten is a terrific book. Delia burned to death in her stepfather's shed, and it was a deemed a suicide because of the note she left behind.  Her ex best friend June knows this isn't the case. Delia was always living in the moment and making the most out of everything. She never wasted a second, so why would she waste the rest of her life? June is certain that Delia was murdered and she sets out to find whoever did it, and why. What she finds out may be more painful than not knowing. 

This book was... Incredible. Passionate. Dark. Crazy. Suspenseful. I'm still processing what I just read. Every single character, every action, every plot turn, was so well thought out. The whole book moved in one driven, seamless wave. I could NOT put it down. There is no way to guess what's happening, but I'll tell you this: if you think you know what's happening, you're wrong. Everything is turned upside down, and I LOVE it. This was incredible. Watch out, this is going to fly off of the shelves. 

"Even the harmless can cause harm."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release is July 2015. 

In My Father's House

The Bookworm says... Maybe. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi is not a bad book, by any means. The first battle of the civil war was fought on the Mason-McLean family's front lawn in Manassas, Virginia. The surrender was signed in their parlor in their home at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The five year period in between the two events follows the stories of sisters Maria and Oscie as their country splits in two. 

In My Father's House was not bad. I, in general, dislike historical fiction. Which is why I didn't enjoy this book. The symbolism in the novel was amazing; it's perfectly clear to me that the war is used as a symbol of the relationship between two characters, but some that have read this may seem clueless as to what I mean. Everyone interprets it differently. 

"I'm no longer a military man, Captain. Only a father. And believe me, with two pretty daughters on my hands and an army camped on my doorstep, it's easier being a major in the militia."

Everything That Makes You

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay is a good book! A run in with the scalding oil from a popcorn cart at the zoo left Fiona with scars covering the right side of her face. She has a major crush on Trent McKinnon, but she's too insecure to sit on his left side. What if the accident never happened? That's where Fi comes in. Fi is beautiful, scarless, and the best player on the lacrosse team. One wrong step ruins her future, and leaves her lost in her plans. What if the accident never happened? What if? What if? What if? Fiona and Fi can show you that even a life without tragedy can still be very tragic. 

My problem with this book is that it is very slow. The climax took a long time to reach, and it wasn't a very dramatic one at that. Once it climaxed, there was still a lot of dead time until the resolution. For that reason, the book ended up taking quite a while to read, making it a little less enjoyable. 

"Feat and face and guilt and place / What-ifs and coincidence"

Alive

The Bookworm says... Yes! Alive by Chandler Baker is a pretty enjoyable book. Stella had been struggling with a heart condition when, miraculously, she was taken off the donor wish list and given a heart transplant. Fast forward to post-op recovery, when she is struck by the same blinding pain at the same time each day. The pains only cease when she is on the presence of the mysterious new boy Levi Zin. They begin to grow closer, and though she knows practically nothing about him, Stella finds her heart physically aching when he isn't around. What is her heart trying to tell her?

I really enjoyed Alive! The concept is fresh and intriguing, though semi- disturbing. At instances the gore would become almost too much to handle, but it never crossed the line. Here is a new, captivating YAD novel that is sure to leave your heart beating fast. 

"What I know is that the universe is not a Rubik's Cube, and I am glad I'll never be able to figure it all out."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Official release date is June 9, 2015. 

Everything, Everything

The Bookworm says... Yes! Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon is such a great read. Maddy has Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, so she's basically allergic to everything. Because of this, she hasn't left her house in seventeen years. She hasn't even had a reason to desire leaving, until Olly moves in. She feels herself falling for him, and she hasn't even met him yet. If and when they do meet, Maddy knows she will be doomed with a love she can't tend to. 

This was such a great book. Maddy is clever and smart while being sheltered and naive at the same time. The email dialogue between Maddy and Olly is perfect, and gives the reader a more personal sense of relation with each character. 

"Everything's a risk. Not doing anything's a risk. It's up to you."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected galley. Official release date is Spetember 1st, 2015. 

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Bookworm says... Yes! The Disreputable History of Franke Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart is a terrific novel! At Alabaster academy, a prestigious New England prep school, there is a secret society called "The Order of the Basset Hounds". The club is known for causing trouble, throwing parties, general mischief, complete secrecy, and being all male. Frankie will not stand for being treated as an inferior from her boyfriend, her uncles, her cousins, or her peers because of her gender for a second longer. She sets off on a quest to find out the club's precious secrets, and get herself in. 

I absolutely adore this character that E. Lockhart has brought to life. Frankie Landau-Banks is the ultimate high school feminist, and essentially who I aspire to be in life. She's cunning, she's sneaky, she's clever, and she's efficient. The manner in which Lockhart writes is unforgettable; liquid sentences flow across the pages. I also picked up a new favorite vocab word- schadenfreude. Happiness or amusement at the misfortune of others. A truly wonderful book. 

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is a National Book Award finalist and a Printz Honor book. 

"It is better to be alone, she figures, than to be with someone who can't see who you are. It is better to lead than to follow. It is better to speak up than stay silent. It is better to open doors than to shut them on people."

More Happy Than Not

The Bookworm says... Yes! More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera is a great book!! Aaron lives in the Bronx projects, where two things are true; being gay is a crime, and miracles don't exist. Aaron is gay, but he is still very much in the closet and has a girlfriend named Genevieve. His father killed himself, his "friends" aren't his friends at all, his mom makes barely enough money to pay rent on their one bedroom apartment, and he may or may not have a crush on his one true friend. Everything is going wrong for Aaron and he wishes he could forget everything, but that's impossible. Until the Leteo Institute opens. Leteo specializes in relief of memory, or helping to forget. If Aaron can find the cash and confidence to go through with it, Leteo may be the unlikely miracle he is hoping for. 

Reminiscent of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, More Happy Than Not confronts race, sexuality, and economic class. Adam Silvera pushes deep into the world Aaron is trying so hard to forget, dragging out every painful detail. The questions Aaron asks himself are those that all teenagers ask themselves over and over again. Adam Silvera is a piercing voice diving into young adult, and let me tell you, you do not want to miss this book. 

"In that moment, I wish my existence were as simple as being set on fire and exploding in the sky."

Tentative release date is June 2015. 

Lies We Tell Ourselves

The Bookworm says... Yes! Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley was a very good book. Sarah Dunbar and her younger sister, along with several kids from their neighborhood, are the first black students in an all white high school in 1959 Virginia. Jefferson is supposed to be a better place for them, where they will get a better education, even though they will have to integrate for it. Easier said than done. Jefferson High and the torments it brings to Sarah are practically unbearable. She gets assigned a French project, on which she will work with two white girls. Forced to do the project, Sarah, Linda, and Judy have to be civil. Over the course of the project, the girls learn how to coexist, find right from wrong, have their own opinions, and search deep inside themselves for their true thoughts about each other. 

An amazing story of willpower, courage, and determination. Sarah Dunbar and her friends are some of the most courageous characters I have ever read about. A story that confronts some of the social issues that held us in iron claws in 1959, and continues to grip us so tightly today. Monumental and drowning in emotion,  Lies We Tell Ourselves confronts just that, the lies we tell ourselves. 

"Everyone is counting on me. I can't be a failure. I won't."

Sold

The Bookworm says... YES. Sold by Patricia McCormick was absolutely incredible. Lakshmi is a thirteen year old girl living in mountainside Nepal with her ama, her baby brother, and her stepfather that has a gambling problem. After the drought, their family is struggling. The crops have dried up, and the last of their savings has been gambled away on a motorcycle. Lakshmi is sent by her stepfather to the city, where she will work as a maid and send her earnings back home. Lakshmi is excited, and proud to be the first of her family to leave their small mountain side village. However, when she reaches the city, she sees the harsh reality of her situation. She is not going to be working as a maid; she has been sold into prostitution. She will "work" for Mumtaz, alongside several other young girls, until she can pay back her debt. Mumtaz cheats the girls out of their earnings, making it next to possible to escape. The friendships make the time pass quicker, but the girls are still stuck in a prostitution house. Unless an escape walks through the front door, they are doomed. 

Sold was amazing. Absolutely amazing. It was painful, it was sorrowful, it was depressing, and it was scarring, but above all it was real. A world wide wakeup call, this is a harsh reminder of why we need feminism. Girls all over the world, especially in middle eastern countries, are sold in to prostitution each day. If this book isn't a haunting enough implication that we need to make a change, I don't know what is. 

Sold is a National Book Award finalist.

"My bundle is light. My burden is heavy."

Took

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Took by Mary Downing Hahn was good!!! The Anderson's move from Fairfield, Connecticut to rural West Virginia leaves the whole family a little disoriented, especially Daniel and Erica. The kids at school are tormenting them with ghost stories surrounding their new house, and Erica is terrified. When she disappears, it's hard to deny that something supernatural is occurring, but the police won't have it. It's up to Daniel to get her back before it's too late. 

Not horribly scary, Took was enjoyable. It was a clever story but it wasn't very substantial. It was scary enough to keep you interested, but not enough to keep you up at night. It would be perfect for young readers that have a sweet spot for the supernatural. 

"We made us our own tale didn't we- a tale like the tellers told back and back and back to the first tellers sitting around their fires, keeping the dark away with their words."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncopyedited galley. Tentative publication date is September 15, 2015. Cover photo reproduced with the permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Press.  

Proof of Forever

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer was a very good book!! Camp Okahatchee is a second home for hundreds of campers, providing a second family for them as well. Joy, Zoe, Talia, and Luce were as close as you can get without being family. Now they barely speak to each other. When they go to their Camp Okahatchee Reunion Night and all meet up in the photo booth, they get transported back to the summer they were all turning fifteen. That was the last year they attended camp together, and the year everything went wrong. They have the chance to change their fates, or do everything over again. That being said, they're stuck in the past with four days to get back to the present, whether they fix things or not. 

This was a cute book!! It was a little bit like Freaky Friday meets Back to the Future meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. That combination could hardly be bad. My only problem was how slow the beginning seemed to be. It took me a while to get into it, and for that reason, I say maybe. Once the action started, it was terrific! 

"It's neither the past nor the future--everything that has happened before now mashes up to everything that will happen one day, and she feels endless: young and ancient at the same time, like she's always existed, like she's shining brilliantly. She feels beautiful."

DISCLAIMER: review is based off of an uncorrected proof. On-sale date is June 2nd, 2015.