Author: Alisha Helms

Huda F Cares? / Huda Fahmy

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Huda F Cares?
By: Huda Fahmy
Genre: Graphic Novel, Humor
Number of Pages: 208
Published: October 10, 2023
Publisher: Dial Books
Dates Read: March 7, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Huda and her sisters are actually taking a family vacation this summer – to Disney World! But, it’s not all going to be a walk in the park. First Huda must survive the 24-hour car ride from Michigan to Florida, crammed in the back seat with her sisters. Then, Huda can’t help but notice all the stares her family gets, especially when they’re praying in public – back home in Dearborn, their family blends right in with the large Muslim population, but in Florida, not so much.

This graphic novel is filled with force (but successful??) sisterly bonding, a possible new friendship, and some mixed feelings about exactly why Huda cares so much about what other people thought.

The sibling dynamics are so spot on – especially sisterly ones. So many scenarios where I thought, “Yep, my sisters and I have had a version of this fight ourselves”.

I love how the author was able to mix nostalgia with humor and still be very eye opening. Her family is very blessed back in Dearborn to be surrounded with a large Muslim community, but her parents know that’s not how it will be “out in the real world” and their trip to Disney World is kind of a tester for them. It takes Huda a bit to realize that, but she still comes out of the trip being proud to be Muslim.

Overall, I love Huda’s series and will definitely be recommending her books to loads of people. You don’t necessarily have to read her first graphic novel to understand this one at all. But this one is nice for those with sisters to read a story of a family road trip – cause we’ve all been there, right??

Stoked For This: March 2024

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I tried to be ahead of the game this month and prewrote a section of my March’s Stoked for this. When I finished it and posted it last night, WordPress went and “published” it on the day I originally started the draft (which was February 16). I’m reposting this now so it shows up in the right spot on my website.

Here to TRIPLE CHECKING EVERYTHING before posting y’all!

I’m cutting this a bit late on the posting day but I’m really trying this year to post these all by the first Tuesday of the month.

This is a pretty big month for releases as it’s the publisher’s spring burst. I don’t know if I’d call any of these beach reads, which is usually what I think of when I think of March releases – maybe one of my YA romances, but I think it may be pushing the definition of “beach read”.

Some historical fiction (duh), stories with mental health, stories of science fiction, a book with actual science (hello eight legged sea alien), and a mystery thriller I could see a Netflix deal with (if it’s done properly).

You ready to see what I’m stoked for??

Release Date: March 5, 2024

The Fragility of Light

By: Heather S. Lonczak

Why am I stoked for this release?

This book is supposedly an unforgiving dive into mental illness. And I like that about books – ones that tell it exactly how it is and don’t sugarcoat anything.

Mental illness was such a taboo when I was a growing up and it makes me happy that hopefully people can see themselves more and more in text and media.

Hidden Yellow Stars

By: Rebecca Connolly

Why am I stoked for this release?

Historical WWII Fiction – but Alisha, I thought you were trying to get away from this time period?

I’ve been trying not to read WWII historical fiction novels since 2010. It’s not happening. So I’m going to enjoy it.

This one is based on a true story of two WWII heroines who ricked their lives to save Jewish children from the Gestapo in Belgium.

Tell me you don’t want to read that!

The First State of Being

By: Erin Entrada Kelly

Why am I stoked for this title?

I read We Dream of Space when it came out in 2020 and I still think about those siblings to this day.

Set in August 1999, in the loom of the Y2K crisis, Michael and his babysitter Gibby, meet Ridge – the world’s first time traveler.

We all know how I feel about time traveler books (love them) and the fact that this will be a teenage time traveler right before the turn of the century? What could go wrong??

Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal

By: Gretchen Schreiber

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is a teen romance so I may not be in love with it, but I’m willing to give it a try!

Why?

It’s being marketed as The Breakfast Club meets Five Feet Apart.

I enjoy both of those things, so let’s see what mashing them together can mean.

Coyote Lost and Found

By: Dan Gemeinhart

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is the second book to the Coyote Sunrise series and i absolutely adored the first book.

This one is picking up a year later when Coyote finds her mom’s ashes and wants to not scatter them in her chosen place. The only problem is the secret place is hidden in a book that Coyote mistakenly sold the year before while riding around the country. Now she must find it without telling her dad.

If I remember correctly the first book was filled with a cast of characters I loved so I’m ready to meet them again and go on this touching journey.

The Poisons We Drink

By: Bethany Baptiste

Why am I stoked for this release?

I’ve always loved witches and this one is about a witch who brews magic potions (even though it has painful side effects). After her mother is killed by an enemy’s bullet, she has the chance to punish her mother’s killer with potions.

I’m sure there will be lots of corruption and the mix between magic and power questioned.

The Girls We Sent Away

By: Meagan Church

Why am I stoked for this release?

Another historical fiction novel but this one set in the 1960’s about a young woman who gets pregnant out of wedlock. To hide their family from shame, she gets sent to a maternity home.

The library just did a maternity home event about the one that was here in KC and this is just an interesting topic, so of course when I saw this as an ARC come in I grabbed it and hopefully will be able to get to it here soon.

Release Date: March 19, 2024

In the Orbit of You

By: Ashley Schumacher

Why am I stoked for this release?

Another YA romance? Are you sure??

Yes – this one sounds like it will be cute and full of little childish memories and stuff okay??

There’s also recovering from past trauma – which, aren’t we all?

Rainbow Black

By: Maggie Thrash

Why am I stoked for this release?

I’m just going to leave you with the little marketing snippet this book has and tell me you also wouldn’t be intrigued.

“Rainbow Black is part murder mystery, part gay international-fugitive love story—set against the ’90s Satanic Panic and spanning 20 years in the life of a young woman pulled into its undertow.”

Secrets of the Octopus

By: Sy Montgomery

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is a companion to the highly-anticipated National Geographic television special will beautiful illustrations.

Octopus are freakin’ amazing and cool and WEIRD, but I love them. I’m excited for the tv show and I’m excited for this release.

The Woods All Black

by: Lee Mandelo

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is a queer, trans romance novella that’s historical horror with blood-soaked revenge all set in the 1920’s Appalachia.

Historical fiction? Check.

Revenge? Check.

Appalachia? Also check.

James

By: Percival Everett

Why am I stoked for this release?

This is said to be a “reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and that’s got me curious.

We all know the story of Huckleberry Finn, and it’s set in Missouri – so let’s go!

Release Date: March 26, 2024

What Happened to Nina?

By: Dervla McTiernan

Why am I stoked for this release?

Nina and Simon are the perfect couple until they leave for a weekend trip in Vermont and only Simon comes home. And his story doesn’t add up.

Now, Simon’s family is doing everything they can to protect their son while Nina’s family is doing everything they can to find their daughter.

This has potential Netflix deal written all over the description – if it can be done right of course.

I’m a true crime television addict, you would think I would also be into mystery thrillers. I tried one last year and it didn’t blow my hat off, but I’m willing to try again on this one.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White / Amélie Wen Zhao

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Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White
By: Amélie Wen Zhao
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 345
Published: January 2, 2024
Publisher: Delacorte
Dates Read: February 28, 2024 - March 2, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

The ending of the Song of the Last Kingdom duology picks up years after the Elantian’s invaded Lan’s homeland and killed her mother. Determined to finish her mother’s legacy, Lan departs to destroy the Demon Gods. Meanwhile, Zen makes a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise and has set out to save everyone – even if that means destroying himself. 

The world building in this book was so much more than I felt like we got in the first book. We find out more about the Demon Gods and how they came to be and why. We find out the history of the imperial clan and how they’ve wiped out complete clans and disconnected people from their culture and ancestors.

There is a lot of yearning in this book – which is why I didn’t give it full five stars (sorry, I’m not the biggest fan of YA romance). As much as the first book had more action packed scenes, this one was more of a build up to the conclusion, which made me care more for Lan and Zen. 

I was worried we wouldn’t have everything wrapped up as we were still given quite a bit of newer things with this book as well, but I really love and appreciate the ending of the series.

Overall, I can see myself recommending this series to those who love fantasy, especially those inspired by Chinese mythology and folklore. The writing is gorgeous and the world building was amazing. This was a series that I myself got into better while listening to as an audiobook, and that was mostly because I would get stuck on pronouncing things correctly.

Marshmallow & Jordan

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Marshmallow & Jordan
By: Alina Chau
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 384
Published: January 1, 2021
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: February 27, 2024 - February 28, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

After an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, Jordan is no longer the star player for her school’s basketball team, even though she’s still captain, her competition days are over. After practice one day, Jordan encounters a small, baby white elephant, whom she names Marshmallow. The duo bond quickly and Marshmallow even helps Jordan discover a new sport.

This is so cute and I love it so much.

What a wonderful, positive representation of friendship, love, and different abled bodies. I absolutely appreciated how much support everyone was always giving Jordan. Sure, when the water polo team first met Jordan, they had some doubts but for the most part, everyone was still supportive of her.

The illustrations of this graphic novel were beautiful and sometimes intense (like the water polo games!). It also had really delightful setting panels of Indonesia.

Overall – this is a little long and sometimes a little choppy when it comes to the storytelling, but the elegant illustrations made up for it. It’s aimed at Middle Grade readers for sure – but if you want something cute and sweet, those of all ages will find enjoyment between these pages.

Island Witch / Amanda Jayatissa

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I wanted to start this review off by sharing something exciting.

This is my 500th book review since I started reviewing every book I read beginning in 2020! I know all my reviews are not on this website, since I only started it last year in 2023, but they are all on my Goodreads if you’d really like to check them all out.

My goal is to review everything I read for at least a decade. And seeing myself hit 500 is a bit surreal. Only 700 more reviews to go 🙂

Island Witch
By: Amanda Jayatissa
Genre: Horror, New Adult
Number of Pages: 384
Published: February 20, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Dates Read: February 18, 2024 - February 22, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

In nineteenth century Sri Lanka, daughter of the village Capuwa (demon priest), Amara, tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been happening around her village. Most of the villagers around the island have been influenced by the new religious practices brought in by the British Colonizers, but that doesn’t stop them from still calling on Amara’s dad whenever supernatural occurrences happen. But now, someone (or something), is viciously attacking the men and instead of asking for Amara’s father’s help, the villagers begin accusing him for it.

Amma is used to keeping to herself – the relentless bullying and accusations of witchcraft are never ending. She sets out to try and clear her father’s name herself, but begins being haunted by dreams that predict dark forces, that also leave her waking up in random places throughout the island as she sleepwalks. She can’t shake the feeling that all of this is connected to the night weeks ago – when she was recovering from a strange illness and woke up scared and confused, to her mother frantically saying, “No one can find out what happened”.

I don’t read horror that often, but after reading the marketing promos for it and seeing it was both based on Sri Lankan folklore and had “female rage finally being unleashed” as a highlight point, I was sold. And this didn’t disappoint.

The storyline of watching Amara from an innocent young girl turned to a rage filled woman was impressive and believable. It made the ending of the story a bit complicated because you both saw where she was coming from and kind of had to take a step back and go, “Whoa”. I haven’t read anything from Amanda Jayatissa before, but I will be adding her other two to my ever growing TBR list.

As I said before, horror isn’t my forte, but I think those who are looking for a unique and page turning, historical Sri Lanka horror, will greatly appreciate this one. There are some gory moments, but nothing that I thought was super crazy or intense, especially for a horror novel.

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

Wildful / Kengo Kurimoto

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Wildful
By: Kengo Kurimoto
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 216
Published: February 6, 2024
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Dates Read: February 18, 2024 - February 18, 2024
Format: eBook

One day while Poppy’s out walking Pepper, her dog leads her through a hole in a fence; there she finds a forgotten wild land as well as a new friend – Rob. Poppy’s mother hasn’t been the same since her Gran passed away and barely leaves the couch. Poppy spends more and more time outside with Rob, who teaches her all the magic of the wilderness. Poppy would love to share it with her mom, but her mom barely has enough energy. Can Poppy help get her mom to see the beauty of the world again?

This is such a beautifully illustrated story. It’s almost a silent graphic novel, with few words – and even those words weren’t really spoken much until near the end.

This story is a lot about grief and how to find joy again after the passing of a loved one.

It’s simple, but still powerful.

The Talk / Darrin Bell

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The Talk
By: Darrin Bell
Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir
Number of Pages: 352
Published: June 6, 2023
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: February 18, 2024 - February 18, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

The Talk is the graphic novel memoir of Darrin Bell as he recounts his childhood and growing up as a Black man as he decides how to best give his own son The Talk. 

This novel goes from Bell’s coming of age story where he finds his voice through cartooning and becomes well aware of just how dangerous his teachers, neighbors, and police see him. He also talks about how much his mom advocated for him as well as trying as hard as she could to protect him; his dad on the other hand had failed to teach him how to be a Black man in America.

There’s a lot to process in this book – a lot that Black Americans have to go through just to live their day to day lives. It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s very moving.

The Book of Doors / Gareth Brown

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The Book of Doors
By: Gareth Brown
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism
Number of Pages: 416
Published: February 13, 2024
Publisher: William Morrow
Dates Read: February 11, 2024 - February 17, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Trigger Warnings: death, torture, loss of parent

Cassie spends most of her simple life either working at a New York bookstore or hanging out in her tiny apartment she shares with her roommate, Izzy, reading. One day, one of her favorite customers, Mr. Webber – a lonely but charming older gentleman – dies right in front of her. As the EMTs are taking him away, Cassie notices a small book in Mr. Webber’s possession. But it’s not an ordinary book… It’s the Book of Doors, which has a message that any door is every door.

Shortly after discovering how to use the book, she is approached by a Scottish stranger in a rumpled black suit who calls himself Drummond Fox – others call him The Librarian, he who keeps watch over a unique set or rare books. Cassie’s book isn’t the only one with great power, but it is the most sought after by those who collect them. Now, Cassie is being hunted.

Drummond is the only one who knows where the unique library is and Cassie is the only one who can get them there to keep the book’s safe. But there are those who are willing to do anything to get their hands on these books, especially a sadistic woman at the very top of the list.

First off, the amount of time I spent thinking about where I would go if I had the book of doors myself during the time I wasn’t able to read was kind of crazy. I read this as much as I could during my free time over the week it took me to read it. I always felt like I read a ton, even when I hadn’t, mostly because I would be so immersed in it and would disappear in its pages.

I really enjoyed how connected everything was. Some things I called out a bit in advance, but a lot of it I would be surprised at how connected everything was. This was a heart-pounding read that sticks with you. It’s been almost a week since I read it before I’ve had time to write this review and I’m still thinking of crazy stuff that happened with this.

I’ve already been recommending this to quite a few of my colleagues, but I believe any of those who love a good magical realism/fantasy book with a story that will keep you turning pages as quickly as you can will greatly enjoy this book as well.

*Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Kamogawa Food Detectives / Hisashi Kashiwai, Jesse Kirkwood (Translator)

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The Kamogawa Food Detectives
By: Hisashi Kashiwai, Jesse Kirkwood (Translator)
Genre: Fiction
Number of Pages: 208
Published: February 13, 2024 (1st Published November 25, 2013)
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Dates Read: February 8, 2024 - February 10, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

The Kamogawa Diner doesn’t really advertise much, there’s not even a sign outside it’s doors, but the customers who need to find them always do. You see, the Kamogawa Diner isn’t just a diner, it’s a “food detective” service run by the father-daughter duo of Koishi and Nagare. Filled with six different customers’ memories and dishes, follow the Kamogawa Diner uses their customer’s treasured memories, the pair are able to recreate lost recipes that provide links to vanished moments.

There’s two things that will most likely get me to read a book. One: be recently translated from a popular Japanese seller. Two: put a cat on the cover. The cat doesn’t even need to be the main focus of the book, a general cat will do just fine.

This is such a cute book – and a warm hug for those foodie book lovers out there as well. I can’t cook to save my life, but this novel went into detail about each of the dishes so it may be something someone could actually follow and make their own versions of the recipes.

Some of the stories I felt were a little drawn out, but they were people sharing a fond memory (or what they could remember of their memory). I’ve said this so many times, but Japanese literature has such an amazing way of capturing the human experience and I always enjoy reading translated work.

Overall, a wonderfully fun, hungry story about a food detective, a father and daughter duo who use their skill of deduction to help customers recreate that special dish from their memories. I can see a lot of contemporary fiction lovers enjoying this book, as well as those who’d like a shorter comfort read.

*Thank you G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Bookshops & Bonedust / Travis Baldree

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Bookshops & Bonedust
By: Travis Baldree
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: 352
Published: November 7, 2023
Publisher: Tor
Dates Read: February 6, 2024 - February 8, 2024
Format: Paperback / Library Book / Audiobook

Bookshops & Bonedust is the prequel to Legends & Lattes where Viv, after getting injured during a job, gets left behind in the small beach town of Murk to recover. With not much to do and on crutches, Viv spends her hours in a bookshop in the company of its foulmouthed owner and their pet named Pot Roast. It’s not where she saw herself being, but maybe it’s just what she needs.

But the sleepy town doesn’t stay very quiet for long – there’s a suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and a lot of skeletons to uncover.

Tell me why I waited so damn long to read this book?? I knew I would love it. A soft fantasy with a found family feel – those will always have me signed up.

This novel is also so adorable when it comes to talking about books. The amount of times I took photos of entire passages where Fern was talking to Viv about her latest book read ❤ ️ <spoiler> like the bit where Viv is reading a spicy romance and Fern is just staring at her with a crazy grin </spoiler>.

If you’re in need of a warm fantasy to curl up with, this will do it for you. There’s no high stakes – the fact it’s the prequel to the first book, kind of gives away that everything will be okay in the end, you know? Still, watch me give these series out as recommendations left and right.

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