The Lost Sunday / Iléana Surducan

June 30, 2025June 24, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

The Lost Sunday
By: Iléana Surducan
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 64
Published: June 17, 2025 (1st Published January 1, 2021)
Publisher: Oni Press
Dates Read: June 24, 2025
Format: eBook

Nina lives in a town haunted by the six angry wolves of the week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each day brings new chores that need to be done. There’s rumors of a seventh day of the week, Sunday, but everyone knows an evil witch stole it and keeps it locked away with her in the well she was banished to. When Nina has had enough of constantly working, she sets out on a quest to find the witch so that she may rest.

First off, the art in this graphic novel is fantastic and beautifully detailed. The cover alone made me want to read this. The colors matched the themes of the day and the whereabouts of Nina in the witch’s world.

Secondly, this novel shines a light on the importance of leisure and finding time, even in a busy week, to relax and enjoy life. I wasn’t familiar with the folklore or fairy tales that this story inspired until after I read it, but I could surely relate to the need for leisure time, especially in today’s society.

Overall, I would highly recommend this to both kids and adults alike, especially those who just want to have some fun and relaxing times.

*Thank you Oni Press and Edelweiss+ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Wild Robot Protects (The Wild Robot #3) / Peter Brown

June 27, 2025June 24, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

The Wild Robot Protects (The Wild Robot #3)
By: Peter Brown
Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Number of Pages: 304
Published: May 6, 2025 (1st Published September 26, 2023)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: June 17, 2025 - June 23, 2025
Format: Paperback

Roz has fought hard to get back to her island with her friends and her son Brightbill, all seems to be going well until one day an injured seal washes ashore and warns of a dangerous, dust poison tide that’s in the water and heading the island’s way. Once the poison tide is at the island’s edge, the animals are forced inland and resources begin running scarce.

Roz helps the island as much as she can but understands the toll everyone is under. When Roz discovers she’s waterproof, she sets out across the ocean to find out what’s causing the poison tide.

During her underwater journey, Roz meets amazing creatures and sees fantastical geological formations. Friends she makes along the way direct her to the north, to find the giant Ancient Shark. When she finally meets the Ancient Shark, they explain where the poison tide is coming from and that they want to prepare an attack with an army of sea creatures. Roz however, hopes for a peaceful interaction. Can the wild robot save the ocean and her island?

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first or second of the series, mainly because it focused on taking care of the environment, especially with the choices that we make and the consequences that could happen. It kind of made humans to be the bad guys – even if we did clean up after basically getting caught.

Readers who fell in love with Roz the first two books will also enjoy this book, especially because Roz is learning and experiencing something new, but just note it focuses heavily on the message of environment protection, especially within the oceans.

Soundtrack: A Listening Library Audiobook Original / Jason Reynolds

June 25, 2025June 23, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

Soundtrack: A Listening Library Audiobook Original
By: Jason Reynolds, Full Cast (Narrators)
Genre: Young Adult
Number of Pages: 6 hours, 29 minutes
Published: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Listening Library
Dates Read: June 19, 2025 - June 22, 2025
Format: Audiobook

Full Cast: Nile Bullock (Stuy), Mekhi Hawling (Dunks), Jade Williams (Keith), Brandon Miles (Alexis), Ryan Vincent Anderson (Uncle Lucky), Amir Royale (Frankie), Jasmin Richardson (Stuy’s Mom), Christopher Grant (Dom), Khaya Fraites (Ashley), Nadine Simmons (Mrs. Dyson), Robb Moreira (Mr. Garcia), Wé Ani (Lisa), Rocky Anicette (Dylan), Brandiss Seward (Frankie’s Mom), with Siho Ellsmore, Tyrell Buckner, Gina Daniels, Karen Murray, Jonathan Beville, Karla Moore, and Ronald Peet

Stuy has been learning the drums since he was a little boy, all thanks to his mom, a founding member of the punk band The Bed-Stuy Magic Dusters. After high school, Stuy knows he wants to start a band, so when he meets his Uncle Lucky’s cosmos loving landlord, Dunk, the duo set out to find the rest of their members. Stuy, Dunks, Alexis, Keith, and Frankie then form SOUNDTRACK, and to everyone’s surprise, they become an underground sensation

I have been highly anticipating this audiobook since I found out about it! But of course, even once I got my hands on it finally, I waited for a trip back to my hometown so I could have as much of an undisturbed listening as I could (2.5 hours each way) and boy did this book make the time fly!

Everything about this was amazing: the voice actors, the sound effects, the music, the storyline itself! All fantastic! I even jump scared myself a few times with the sound effects from the speaker feedback!

This audiobook is an experience that I can see winning an Audie or two in the future. I can also see people who don’t like audiobooks greatly enjoying this as well (though it will set a pretty high standard for audiobooks they listen to afterwards!)

*Thank you Listening Library and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Under the Same Stars / Libba Bray

June 23, 2025June 23, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

Under the Same Stars
By: Libba Bray, January LaVoy (Narrator), Jeremy Carlisle Park (Narrator), Major Curda (Narrator)
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 480
Published: February 4, 2025
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Dates Read: June 13, 2025 - June 16, 2025
Format: Library Book / Audiobook / eBook

The Bridegroom Oak is a magical tree where if you leave a note for the love of your life in its knot, your love will answer back.

In 1940s Germany, Sophie is excited to discover a message in the Bridegroom Oak from a mysterious suitor. Meanwhile, her best friend, Hanna, is also sending messages, but not to leave in the Oak’s knot. As WWII rolls into their small town of Kleinwald, the oak may very well be a key to resistance against the Nazis.

In 1980s West Germany, American teen Jenny feels out of place until she finds herself falling for Lena, a punk-rock girl who hates the government. She also befriends Frau Hermann, an old lady downstairs who most people call her a witch, but Jenny finds her to be kind.

In Spring 2020 New York City, Miles and Chloe are struggling with virtual senior year when an unexpected package from Chloe’s grandmother leads them to investigate a cold case about two teenagers who went missing under the Bridegroom Oak over eighty years ago.

I love how connected everything was in this book with how Libba Bray was able to highlight both current and past forms of fascism in history and oppressive governments while also showing characters trying to do the right thing, even under dangerous circumstances.

I wasn’t as into the Covid storyline as the others, but I honestly think it’s because that’s probably still, “too soon” for me – maybe in another ten (or twenty) years I would be more invested. The historical narratives were a lot stronger for me, and I cared about the characters a lot more. All three of the narratives were connected of course, but I really really enjoyed the WWII storyline the most.

Overall, though this is marketed as being Young Adult, I can see adults enjoying it as well (even with the teenage angst a bit). Bray has amazingly strong prose that she showcases in all three narratives.

*Thank you Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Uncertainty Principle / Joshua Davis & Kal Davis

June 18, 2025June 18, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

The Uncertainty Principle
By: Joshua Davis & Kal Kini-Davis, Elena Rey (Narrator)
Genre: Young Adult
Number of Pages: 272
Published: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Dates Read: June 9, 2025 - June 12, 2025
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

After a mortifying incident in the school cafeteria, sixteen-year-old Mia is now standard on a battered sailboat with her family in the middle of the Caribbean. Her mom and dad believe that leaving everything behind is the best decision they’ve ever made, but Mia feels like she’s been kidnapped and imprisoned with no internet and no destination.

Her only hope is putting together a solar-powered satellite phone from scratch using salvaged parts so she can call her best friend and fix everything. By day, it’s island hopping. By night, Mia squeezes into a narrow bunk and talks to her imaginary friend, award-winning female scientist, Lene.

And then, two teenagers sail into Mia’s life, Alby and Nisha, promising friendship, and maybe even romance. Alby, who grew up in Australia, but now also sailing the world with his family, is thoughtful and kind. Nisha, who is vacationing on her dad’s megayacht and is bold and beautiful.

Now Mia has to decide to stay with her family or to go live with her Uncle in Tennessee.

I really enjoyed the writing and exploration of not only mental health with Mia’s mother and her OCD, but also Mia’s neurodivergence. To me, it was quite obvious that Mia was high(er) functioning autistic and I wish it was discussed or talked about more in the novel so readers could feel a bit more seen while reading. I think because of this, I was also reading Mia as younger than sixteen and felt more like she was thirteen/fourteen.

But, overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The relationships felt authentic as well as the exploration of sexuality. Things felt evenly paced and realistic time wise. Oh – and there’s amazing representation of women in STEM. I think both teen and adult readers could enjoy this novel.

*Thank you Penguin Workshop and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) / Suzanne Collins

June 13, 2025June 9, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)
By: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA, Dystopia
Number of Pages: 391
Published: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Dates Read: May 26, 2025 - June 5, 2025
Format: Hardcover

Katniss, against all odds, won the 74th Hunger Games, alongside fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark. Being alive should bring her relief, but it’s done pretty much the opposite. Her close friend, Gale, keeps her at a distance, Peeta doesn’t interact with her outside of the press, and there are whispers of a rebellion – a rebellion the Capital says Katniss and Peeta helped start.

With the victory tour, Katniss sees the small spark of revolution throughout the districts, and she doesn’t know if it’s something she wants to stop… When the 75th Hunger Games grows closer, the Quarter Quell, the Capital, is allowed different terms for the special occasion. Can Katniss defeat the odds again?

And continuing my reread of the original Hunger Game trilogy with one of my bestie coworkers and we have now finished the second book.

Boy, did I make a lot of comments on this book during our buddy read – the connections that Suzanne Collins has sprinkled in this that she masterfully reconnects YEARS later is phenomenal! I would absolutely love to see her technique to keep all of this straight… is it a wall of color coded post-its? A binder filled with character background and lore?! Even the smallest detail is not forgotten under her pen.

This book surprisingly doesn’t have as much about the games as the previous one, but to be fair, the game I think, only ends up lasting less than a week? I feel like the movies definitely focused more on the games.

As with the first book’s reread, I came at this sixteen-years-later and not only read it as an adult, but also as someone who has read everything else in the series, and I still feel shook after reading it.

How to Talk to Your Succulent / Zoe Persico

June 11, 2025June 2, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

How to Talk to Your Succulent
By: Zoe Persico
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 224
Published: April 1, 2025
Publisher: Tundra Books
Dates Read: May 26, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Eleven-year-old Adara has always had a hard time talking with her dad, but it’s been even harder now that her mom’s passed and they’re moving from sunny California to the cold flat lands of Michigan. What’s even stranger is that Dad brought so many of Mom’s house plants even though grandma will only allow them in the craft room. But when Adara meets a little succulent named Perle, she unlocks the same magical ability her mom had: she can talk to plants!

Taking care of Perle isn’t easy – the environment of Michigan winters isn’t suited for the succulent, and Adara isn’t sure how to meet her needs. If only Perle could ask Adara for help.. and Adara could speak with her dad.

Oh how I wish I could talk to my succulents – especially the ones I can’t ever seem to be able to keep alive no matter how many different ways I’ve tried to take care of them!

The art of this book is lovely and easy to see and digest.

The story itself is about grief, friendship, and supporting loved ones through change. It’s also about advocating for yourself while also still being there for others you care about.

Overall, this is a beautiful story that not only has a great message, but amazing artwork as well.

The Haunted Blizzard / Aviaq Johnson, Athena Gubbe (Illustrator)

June 9, 2025June 2, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

The Haunted Blizzard
By: Aviaq Johnston, Athena Gubbe (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror
Number of Pages: 40
Published: June 5, 2025
Publisher: Inhabit Media
Dates Read: May 25, 2025
Format: Hardcover

Inu walks home from school in a blizzard, ignoring the elder’s warning about the terror hidden within its icy winds, excited for the unexpected snow day. Once home, she finds herself alone with an unseen presence stalking and tormenting her.

This graphic novel is short but still packs a punch in thrill and horror, leaving you on the edge of your seat in both reading and afterwards!

*Thank you Inhabit Media and LibraryThing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Simon’s Cat vs. the World (Simon’s Cat #4) / Simon Tofield

June 5, 2025June 2, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

Simon’s Cat vs. the World (Simon’s Cat #4)
By: Simon Tofield
Genre: Comics, Humor
Number of Pages: 104
Published: May 6, 2024 (October 4, 2012)
Publisher: Akashic Books, Ltd.
Dates Read: May 25, 2025
Format: Paperback

A collection of Simon’s cat(s) exploring the world around them and (mostly) getting into trouble.

I’ve been a fan of Simon’s Cat on youtube for ages, but haven’t read any of the graphic novels/comics, this was a fun little read.

Beautiful in full color and hilarious in silliness, this book is sure to crack a smile – especially for cat owners.

*Thank you Akashic Books, Ltd. and LibraryThing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Stoked for This: June 2025

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 / Alisha Helms / Leave a comment

Dunno why I felt like this month had less than previous when it has the exact same Stoked for This titles as May, but regardless, 12 titles is still a decent amount! One in particular is only an audiobook, but it’s a full production and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it (I’ve heard some previews of it and it’s FANTASTIC).

June 3, 3035

An audiobook original by one of my favorite YA authors, Jason Reynolds. This is to have a full cast, original music, and I watched an interview with Reynolds and the two Audio producers, Dan Zitt and Brian Ramcharan and it sounds SO GOOD!!

Soundtrack

By: Jason Reynolds

The interview can be watched here

A novel in verse (y’all know how much I love those) about a neurodivergent seventh grader who dreams of going to space.

The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez

By: Jasminne Paulino

A YA novel in verse (I can’t help myself) that’s a coming of age about a young Black girl discovering first love and the power of a good skate. As someone who is getting into outdoor roller skating (even as a 33 year old), I’m quite excited to have that connection in this book.

Under the Neon Lights

By: Arriel Vinson

Okay, so this one is supposedly for fans of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, “You’ve Reached Sam”, “They Both Die at the End” and Tiffany D. Jackson. Jackson is an author I will read anything of, so if someone is comparing a book or offering a book up as a read-a-like for her, I will give it a shot! This one is going to be tough – about suicide, addiction, and hard truth.

Your Final Moments

By: Jay Coles

June 10, 2025

Sixteen-year-old Mia is stranded in the middle of the Caribbean. On purpose. After a crazy accident in the school’s cafeteria, Mia’s parents decide the only way to deal with her is to move her onto a batter sailboat and leave everything behind. Her life is falling apart and she’s not exactly sure who she is and what she wants.

The Uncertainty Principle

By: Joshua Davis & Kal Kini-Davis

A graphic novel with a non-binary teen on a road trip with their mom who just doesn’t seem to understand. When a wrong turn leads the duo into the Realm of Spirits, they must work together in order to find their way out.

Love, Misha

By: Askel Aden

A graphic memoir about coming of age in the time when Poland as a country transitions from communism to capitalism.

Breadcrumbs: Coming of Age in Post-Soviet Poland

By: Kasia Babis

As someone who has been watching through Law & Order: SVU with her partner for the first time, this novel about a forensic team that’s investigating the murder of a child that ends up possibly being an international coverup just screams to be something I may like. It’s also only 176 pages, so I feel like this would be a perfect afternoon read.

Not Long Ago Persons Found

By: J. Richard Osborn

June 17, 2025

So apparently this is book is the first English translation of the romantic tragedy that inspired a popular TV series in China. I honestly don’t know much about it but the fact that I’ll probably be broken after reading it…

Goodbye, My Princess

By: Fei Wo Si Cun

And just a young adult novel set in the 1960s with two sisters from a struggling, damaged family who reply on each other to survive. That is until an ugly secret tears them apart.

The Grove

By: Brooks Whitney Phillips

A middle grade novel about a young girl who just wants to skateboard and stay in one place, but her influencer, nomadic parents want to get back on the road as soon as their bus is fixed. Lindy is willing to do anything to stay in San Jose – even if that means sabotage.