Month: October 2023

Girls Like Girls / Hayley Kiyoko

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Girls Like Girls
By: Hayley Kiyoko
Genre: YA, Romance
Number of Pages: 336
Published: May 30, 2023
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Dates Read: October 9, 2023 - October 10, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook / Audiobook

Trigger Warnings: mentions of suicide, grief, loss of a parent, homophobia, underage drinking and drug use

It’s the summer of 2006 and 17-year-old Coley has been forced to move to rural Oregon after losing her mother. She’s in no position to risk her already fragile heart – but then she meets Sonya, and everything she’s tried to keep down goes flying. Both girls have a lot to figure out and realize before they can step up.

Based on Hayley Kiyoko’s hit song and music video with the same title, Girls Like Girls is about young, queer love between two girls.

The writing of this isn’t perfect, I didn’t think it would be, especially being Hayley Kiyoko’s debut novel, but it made up for it in the parts that really hit it home. Sure some parts were a bit cringey and filled with teenage dramatics, but it was also very lyrical and still realistic in parts.

Though, Tenton drove me so nuts! I understand in a way that it’s set in a small town and you don’t always have a wide selection of people to hang out with but like – come on! Sonya would continuously defend him but we never saw anything good from him.

Overall, this is a cutesy YA sapphic romance that gives a bit of a “cinematic extension” to Kiyoko’s song and music video with the same title. Don’t hold it up to high standards of regular romance, it is Young Adult – other than that, I can see quite a few people enjoying the read.

*Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Eagle Drums / Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson, Irene Bedard (narrator)

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Eagle Drums
By: Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson, Irene Bedard (narrator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 256
Published: September 12, 2023
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Dates Read: October 6, 2023 - October 9, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook / Audiobook

Trigger Warnings: Death of siblings, grief, animal death, depictions of depression and anxiety

As his family prepares for winter, young hunter, Piŋa must travel up the same mountain where his brothers died in order to collect obsidian for knapping. When he reaches the mountaintop, he’s immediately confronted by an eagle god named Savik who gives him a choice: come with me, or die like your brothers.

What follows is the origin story of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition.

99% of this I listened to as an audiobook on my way to and from my hometown (2.5 hours each way, perfect amount for the 5 hour audiobook). I’m glad I listened to it because I would have been pronouncing everything incorrectly and I already do enough of that in English (and that’s my first language).

This is a beautifully written, fast paced middle grade novel that gives the important origin story of the Native Alaskan tradition of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast – a story that has been heavily relied on the Elders’ accounts of it from when they were children after encroachment of the missionaries into Indigenous territories and communities. Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson’s writing mixed with Irene Bedard’s narration made me feel like I was sitting around a campfire listening to the stories of long ago.

This is a story of grief, courage, honor, and community mixed in with lessons about leading, sharing, and communicating.

I know this is aimed at the Middle Grade reading level, but I can see many age groups reading and enjoying it, especially since it is about a part of a culture that was on the verge of being snuffed out because it wasn’t Christian.

*Thank you Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library / Michiko Aoyama

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What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
By: Michiko Aoyama, Alison Watts (Translator)
Genre: Fiction, Japanese Literature
Number of Pages: 304
Published: September 5, 2023 (1st Published November 9, 2020)
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Dates Read: October 4, 2023 - October 6, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook

Everyone who walks through the doors of the small community library in Japan, has a desire to somehow change their lives. From a sales attendant who feels stuck in her job, to a struggling working mother who longs for the career she lost, to an artist who feels like no one will ever care about his drawings – they all get led to Sayuri Komachi, the reference librarian who loves needle felting. After having a conversation with them, Sayuri Komachi gives them a book list, all with a surprising book at the end, and a bonus gift. What they don’t realize is how much of a life changing conversation that would be.

I’m going to be honest, I kind of went into this a little blind. I saw it was for fans of The Midnight Library and Before the Coffee Gets Cold and registered it’s about a library. I’m a librarian and I’m always interested in books about either libraries or books so I asked for an ARC on NetGalley without really looking too much into it. Because of this, I didn’t realize how the set up would be for the story going into it. The first story’s voice threw me off just a little bit because of how young she was. I didn’t know if I wanted to read a whole story with that voice – but obviously it changes with each chapter.

This novel is such an ode to libraries and librarians and how they can help transform people’s growth, no matter what stage in life they are in. This novel is so  heartwarming and touching that I feel like everyone would be able to connect to it on some level. I’ve said this before in my reviews, but Japanese literature just has a way of capturing the human experience in a way that never disappoints.

I’ll be highly recommending this novel to so many people. I can’t give this enough wonderful praise.

*Thank you Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Faint of Heart / Kerilynn Wilson

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The Faint of Heart
By: Kerilynn Wilson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 304
Published: June 13, 2023
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Dates Read: October 3, 2023
Format: eBook / Library Book

Not too long ago, the Scientist discovered that if you removed your heart, you no longer had to deal with sadness, anxiety, or anger. That’s all it took for everyone to line up. Everyone except June – but the pressure and loneliness is getting too much for her.

One day though, June finds a heart in a jar abandoned in an alley. The heart intrigues her and gives her an idea; an idea filled with hope. But the heart also brings her to a classmate, Max, who has a secret of his own.

The art of this novel is of muted colors with splashes of bright colors. It really works well to show what those without their heart look like. Some panels can be a bit much, because so much is happening in them, but it wasn’t enough to stop me from continuing to read it.

I think that those who like Coraline would enjoy this novel, as it gives out those vibes a lot. This story could relate to a lot of people – especially those who feel too much. Because as much as you would love not to feel the dark, that means you can’t feel the light either, and this book really shows that.

This is both a simple read and also a complex read. I feel like a lot of different people could enjoy this, again, especially those who are feeling big emotions that they may not want to be feeling. It let’s them feel seen but also gives the cautionary tale of what could happen if you don’t feel those things anymore.

Confetti Realms / Nadia Shammas

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Confetti Realms
By: Nadia Shammas, Karnessa (Artist), Hackto Oshiro (Colorist), Micah Meyers (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 196
Published: October 17, 2023
Publisher: Maverick
Dates Read: October 3, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook

On Halloween night a group of teens are transported from a graveyard into another realm where they must collect molars in order to return home.

I loved the art of this graphic novel – the cover alone is what caught my attention. Throughout the entire novel, the art was clear and smoothed allowing easy reading.

What I felt fell a little short was that they were in this crazy and a bit ridiculous world and we only ever get a glimpse at it. I would get lost within the panels a bit and not pay that much attention to what’s in the speech bubbles because I was more interested in the background. Which is kind of what brings me to the part where I had a hard time understanding the characters – to me, it felt like they weren’t flushed out as much as they could have been. A lot of their bickering was repetitive.

I’m also not entirely sure I know what happened at the end??

I’ll try and reread it one of these days, but right now it just wasn’t for me.

*Thank you Maverick for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Weaver and the Witch Queen / Genevieve Gornichec

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The Weaver and the Witch Queen
By: Genevieve Gornichec
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 424
Published: July 25, 2023
Publisher: Ace
Dates Read: September 28, 2023 - October 3, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Gunnhild, Oddny, and Signy have been best friends since they were little. After a visit from a wisewoman who makes an ominous prophecy involving the girls, the three take a blood oath to always help one another.

Years after Gunnhild had run away from her cruel mother, Oddny and Signy’s farm gets raided and Signy gets taken. Oddny and Gunnhild are reunited in their journey to stop at nothing to save Signy. Oddny, who was spiraled out of the life she always imagined, finds herself drawn to one of the raiders who participated in the attack. Gunnhild, who fled her childhood home to learn the ways of the witch, is surprised to find her destiny intertwined with King Eirik, heir apparent to the ruler of all Norway.

But the bonds the women have are strong and on the journey to save Signy, these bonds will be tested and stretched in ways they never could have seen.

Just like The Witch’s Heart, I absolutely loved and devoured this novel. I also adored the characters – even with all their flaws. All of the side characters stood strong on their own as well and I always wanted to hear and read about all of them.

Everything about this book was captivating and absorbing for me. Genevieve Gornichec has always done an amazing job at getting me into ancient settings and keeping me there throughout the entire book. I could practically picture myself there.

I didn’t know much about Icelandic and/or Norwegian folklore or sagas before this (some Norse Mythology). I really enjoy when a historical fiction book also teaches me things as well – or gives me something to look up and research myself afterwards. 

I would highly recommend this book – especially those who like historical Norwegian fiction. And for those who liked The Witch’s Heart and are wondering if you’ll like this one too – I say give it a shot!

*Thank you Ace and NetGalleyfor an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Stoked for This: October 2023

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I’ve been working all weekend to make sure I actually had this done on the date I always aim for – the 1st – and look what we’ve got! October 3 is a super popular release date this month. After our September, it makes sense there’s not that crazy amount. The next few months will probably be a bit slower, but doesn’t mean I won’t be making these!

So, please enjoy my Stoke for This: October 2023 ◡̈

RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2023

Alebrijes

by: Donna Barba Higuera

Why am I stoked for this release?

Just a middle grade, sci-fi/fantasy novel with an oppressive Regime. Kind of sounds hard hitting for a middle grade novel, but I’m all for it.

Reviews of those who have already read this say it starts off a little slow due to the world building, but after a bit it it’s a page turners and that’s what I’m stoked for.

Gone Wolf

by: Amber McBride

Why am I stoked for this release?

So I read Me: Moth by this author a while ago and it punched me so hard in the gut, I can still feel the faint pain of it even now. I don’t expect anything different from her Middle Grade debut.

This is suppose to be heavy as well so I’m ready for the feels.

The Spells We Cast

by: Jason June

Why am I stoked for this release?

Magical. Gay. Cowboys.

That’s it.

That’s all I needed to know about this novel.

I mean, it’s not all about that, but shoot – the cover ALONE had me sold and when I saw it was a preview event, I immediately went and asked for an ARC online.

It’s also for fans of Cemetery Boys and Carry On, both titles I love so let’s go!

After the Forest

by: Kell Woods

Why am I stoked for this release?

A reimagining of Hansel and Gretel where Greta kept the witch’s grimoire and is using it to make an amazingly delicious (and addictive) gingerbread.

Every once in awhile I like a good retelling / reimagining and I haven’t read one with Hansel and Gretel yet.

Also for fans of Naomi Novic and I love her so I’ve got to see if it lives up to that comparison.

Curious Tides

by: Pascale Lacelle

Why am I stoked for this release?

Right, so this one is “Ninth House meets A Deadly Education” (another Naomi Novic comparison).

Magical schools – I’ve been about them ever since the J.K. Rowling incident(s).

This is said to be dark academia, secret societies, myths & legends, forbidden malice, amazing world building, and much more.

Yea, okay, again, this had me at “magical school” but also all of the above!

RELEASE DATE: October 10, 2023

Stars in Your Eyes

By: Karen Callender

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is a gay romance with “two grumpy/sunshine, fake-dating actors navigating their love story both on and offscreen”.

God, yes.

Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexia Hall.

Also, yes!

Something about the fall makes me want to read a romance more, so this may very well be the one I pick.

I Loved You in Another Life

by: David Arnold

Why am I stoked for this release?

Right, so I’m mostly stoked for this read because it’s set in Alaska and I wanted to read something there. I had just mentioned it to my coworker when this book popped up on the BookishFirst website as a review. I don’t know, it seemed like fate so we’re going to go with it.

It’s probably going to be a cheesy YA romance, and I usually stay away from those, but who knows, maybe this one will surprise me like P.S. I Love You did.

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2023

Confetti Realms

by: Nadia Shammas, Karnessa (Artist), Hackto Oshiro (Colorist), Michael Meyers (Letterer)

Why am I stoked for this release?

This one keeps changing the date on me, so hopefully I actually have the right date on this title.

I’ve got a couple graphic novels I’m stoked for and this is one of them. The art looks fantastic and I feel like I’m going to love it for that.

But also teens messing around in a graveyard when they get transported to another realm where the must collect teeth? Now that sounds unique!

RELEASE DATE: October 31, 2023

The Evolving Truth of Ever-Strong Will

by: Maya MacGregor

Why am I stoked for this release?

Right, so I don’t expect this one to be all puppies and flowers (though, look how beautiful the cover art is).

This YA novel is about Will, an agender teen who is on the cusp of freedom from providing and caring for their abusive, addicted mother, getting out of their small mindset town, and the freedom of having to hide who they truly are. But after their mother dies with a curse being her last words, Will is scrambling to find their former foster mother before Child Protective Service or local drug dealers find them first.

I’m sure this will wreck me a bit, but sometimes you just need a good read to do that to you.