Author: Alisha Helms

The Uncertainty Principle / Joshua Davis & Kal Davis

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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.

Kickturn

By: Brie Spangler

A feel good Korean best seller about a convenience store and the community around it.

The Second Chance Convenience Store

By: Kim Ho-Yeon

My Friends / Fredrik Backman

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My Friends
By: Fredrik Backman, Neil Smith (Translator)
Genre: Fiction
Number of Pages: 436
Published: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Atria Books
Dates Read: May 8, 2025 - May 25, 2025
Format: ARC / Paperback

My Friends is a story within a story about the summer of four fourteen-year-old friends and twenty-five years later about a piece of artwork.

As usual, I cannot describe what Fredrik Backman’s writing means to me. Every time I pick up one of his books, I know I’m going to read something I didn’t know I needed. It always takes me a bit to get into Backman’s books, but that’s not a bad thing, you just have to take his writing slow and steady before it hooks you and you immerse yourself in it.

The characters are complex and I walked away from the novel feeling like Joar, Ted, Ally, and the artist were my own friends. Backman doesn’t shy away from hard topics – the kids are there for each other as an escape from their home lives, some of which are dangerous. The writing brings out realistic dialogue between the friends and shows the simple yet messiness that can come from being so close with someone.

With a story about childhood friendships and those people who help shape who you are, this book is sure to resonate with everyone who reads it – especially reminding you of your childhood ride or die.

“I love you.”

“I trust you.”

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

Huda F Wants to Know? (Huda #3) / Huda Fahmy, Weinye Chen (Colorist)

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Huda F Wants to Know? (Huda #3)
By: Huda Fahmy, Weinye Chen (Colorist)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Number of Pages: 224
Published: April 1, 2025
Publisher: Dial Books
Dates Read: May 7, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

In this third installment of Huda, Huda Fahmy is prepared for junior year. She’s got her “How to Kick Junior Year’s Tush” plan that includes joining all the clubs, volunteering everywhere, acing her ACTs, and writing the most amazing essays for her scholarship applications. Easy!

But then Mama and Baba announce the unthinkable: they’re getting a divorce.

Huda is devastated. As she begins to worry what the divorce means to her family and how that will affect their place in the Muslim community, her grades start to tank, she has a big fight with her best friend, and Huda feels like she has control over nothing. Will anything in her life ever feel normal again? Huda F wants to know.

As per usual, as soon as I saw Huda had a new graphic novel out, I immediately asked for a copy to read, because every book she puts out I absolutely love.

This book, though humorous at times when Huda pokes fun at herself, does deal with heavier topics: divorce and mental health. I’ve got to give Huda praise on how well both of those were handled. She showed both what she sees within the community and how her family either deals with it themselves, or how they help her. The epilogue even has information about free mental health resources, including a special hotline for young Muslims.

I will be highly recommending this (and Huda’s whole series) to those who enjoy graphic novels that can sometimes deal with tough topics, but with a dash of humor mixed within the panels. Even though Huda is going through her parents’ divorce as a young Muslim woman, this novel would still resonate with all types of readers from all types of backgrounds.

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

Mornings Without Mii / Mayumi Inaba, Ginny Takemori (Translator)

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Mornings Without Mii
By: Mayumi Inaba, Ginny Tapley Takemori (Translator)
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir
Number of Pages: 192
Published: February 25, 2025 (1st Published January 1, 1999)
Publisher: FSG Originals
Dates Read: May 4, 2025 - May 7, 2025
Format: Library Book / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: cat in distress, missing cat, aging cat

In 1977, Mayumi Inaba heard tiny cries carried by the breeze of the river. When she follows the sound she finds a small newborn kitten dangling high in the fence – clearly placed there by someone. Overcome with affection, Inaba takes the kitten back to her apartment, names her Mii, and thus the inseparable bond begins.

Over the next twenty years Inaba talked about her life as she goes through changes and compromises, but the one thing that is always there is her cat, Mii.

So, I have mixed feelings about this book. Some parts of it I absolutely loved and related to; like Inaba straight up buying a condo because finding one to rent with Mii was too hard, cause that’s something I would absolutely do, and the midnight walks through the hallway with her cat – I absolutely did that with my cat, Mushi, in college when I needed a break from homework.

Then when Inaba talked about Mii getting stuck up in a tree and how she let her be stuck there so she could hear her little cries slightly broke me, because I hear one off pitched cry from either of my cats, I’m running to them to see what’s going on. My heart also ached for Mii at the end of her life – her quality of life was horrible and as much as I desperately want my cats to be with me for as long as time allows, they shouldn’t be suffering like Mii. Oh – and not getting Mii spayed!

Overall I both enjoyed and had my heart break while reading this. I do understand this was Inada’s first cat and it’s also set in 80’s/90’s Japan, but some things I think she could have handled so much better.

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

A Language of Dragons / S.F. Williamson

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A Language of Dragons
By: S. F. Williamson, Henrietta Meire (Narrator)
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: 432
Published: January 5, 2025
Publisher: HarperCollins
Dates Read: April 28, 2025 - April 30, 2025
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Trigger Warnings: death, war, physical assault, violence, classicism, sexism

In London 1923, dragons begin soaring through the skies and chaos has erupted. Vivian Featherswallow isn’t worried though, she’s going to follow the rules, get an internship studying dragon languages, and make sure her little sister never has to worry about dropping down to Third Class. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.

With her parents arrested and her little sister missing, everything Viv has worked for is crumbling. So when a mysterious “job” is offered to her, Viv takes it. Arriving at Bletchley Park, she finds out her mysterious job is codebreaking to help in the war effort. If she succeeds, her family can be whole and safe again. If she doesn’t, they all die.

But, the more Viv learns while codebreaking, the more she realizes what she grew up believing isn’t as safe as it seems. Eventually she must decide if the side of the war she’s working for is the one she really wants to fight.

I really enjoyed the linguist aspect of this novel and the amount of world building Williamson did with it. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Viv, but she is a morally gray character at times, so that makes sense. I did appreciate her growth throughout the series though. 

I originally wanted this because of the dragons, and that part definitely did not disappoint. I also enjoyed the fast pace of the plot and the high stakes of Viv’s (and everyone at Bletchley Park) situations. It kept me turning the pages to find out more.

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