2024 Books Reviewed

Polar Vortex: A Family Memoir / Denise Dorrance

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Polar Vortex: A Family Memoir
By: Denise Dorrance
Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir
Number of Pages: 256
Published: March 5, 2024
Publisher: The Experiment, LLC
Dates Read: February 5, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Denise Dorrance’s memoir about the two months of her life when she suddenly must fly back to America to care for her mom with dementia who desperately needs to find her last home.

The way insurance was in this novel both shocked  and yet didn’t surprise me at all. Made me think about my own grandma who had dementia in her last years who was in a nursing home. My mom never got into details about it with me, but she is 8 of 9 children, and the surviving 7 pitched in to help with her care at the place. Still – dementia is hard. The last time I visited my grandma before she passed, she thought I was my mom but had no idea who my mom actually was (I am my mother’s mini-me). 

Unlike the author though, I’m close with my mom and my sisters, so even though I worry about what it will be like for my mom in her older years, I know the three of us have got it handled.

This isn’t a happy story. You kind of know where it’s going when you go into it, you know?

But, nowadays, everyone at least knows somebody who had dementia – maybe not a close family member, but someone. This book will kick you in the heart, that’s for sure.

A Fox in My Brain / Lou Lubie

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A Fox in My Brian
By: Lou Lubie
Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir
Number of Pages: 160
Published: April 24, 2024 (1st Published October 12, 2016)
Publisher: Fairsquare Comics LLC
Dates Read: February 3, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

A Fox in My Brian is about author Lou Lubie’s journey in discovering what causes the chaos in her brain: it’s cyclothymia – a bipolar disorder. Lubie describes dealing with her disorder in the form of taming a fox.

The art in this graphic novel is beautiful and playful – even though the pages are still teaching you something, and it’s something I wasn’t aware of: cyclothymia. The author explained the disorder in a way that I was able to understand, using the fox in her brian.

I read this as a digital ARC and there were still a few speaking bubbles and descriptions that were in French that hadn’t been translated quite yet, but for the most part, I was able to keep up with everything.

I’m definitely going to be recommending this novel, especially around Mental Health month and beyond.

*Thank you Fairsquare Comics LLC and Edelweiss+ for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

What Happened to Rachel Riley? / Claire Swinarski

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What Happened to Rachel Riley?

By: Claire Swinarski

Genre: Middle Grade

Number of Pages: 352

Published: January 10, 2023

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Dates Read: February 2, 2024 - February 3, 2024

Format: Library Book / Hardcover

rigger Warnings: sexual harassment, #MeToo

Anna Hunt is the new girl at East Middle School, but it doesn’t take her long to notice former popular girl, Rachel Riley, is now the social outcast no one talks to, or about. As a lover of podcasts, Anna decides to create her own podcast around the question, “What Happened to Rachel Riley?”. Told through first person narration from Anna, emails, texts, notes, podcast transcripts, letters, and flyers compiled together through Anna’s journal in finding out the truth.

I really enjoyed this book and the conversation it brings up for the middle grade readers. As Anna kind of discovers – harassment is still harassment, even if it’s meant to be “funny” or “a game”. This also gives these girls the courage to speak up and out about anything that’s not right.

I’m a little grippy about the ending though, cause I felt like it was super rushed <spoiler> and I wanted to know if Anna got into her podcast summer camp!</spoiler>.

Overall though, I will be recommending this novel to so many – middle grade, YA, and adult readers alike! It’s an important message, and with all the different types of format that the reader gets information from, it keeps your attention.

Cat + Gamer: Volumes 1-3 / Wataru Nadatani

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I’m going to do something a little different with this post and have the reviews for 3 separate books. They’re all from same manga series and I read them back to back to back, so in a way, they all bled together. And my reviews for manga volumes are already so short since the volumes are never that long to begin with.

Cat + Gamer (Volume 1)

By: Wataru Nadatani

Genre: Manga

Number of Pages: 192

Published: May 24, 2022 (1st Published May 17, 2019)

Publisher: Dark Horse Manga

Dates Read: February 1, 2024

Format: Library Book / Paperback

29-year-old Riko’s life revolves around video games. One day, she says yes to taking in a kitten found in the parking lot. Riko’s never had a pet before, but she uses lessons drawn from video games to help care for her new four legged roommate. 

This is cute and I very much enjoy it. 

Riko learning about the different stages of her new kitten’s life is adorable and it just reminds me so much of my two cats when they were kittens (I’ve got a 13 year-old and a 3 year-old).

Her setting up the online account to just post photos of Musubi is relatable, because 90% of my phone’s gallery is also just pet photos.

Cat + Gamer (Volume 2)

By: Wataru Nadatani

Genre: Manga

Number of Pages: 176

Published: August 23, 2022 (1st Published August 16, 2019)

Publisher: Dark Horse Manga

Dates Read: February 1, 2024

Format: Library Book / Paperback

Riko and Musubi learn what it’s like living together. Riko learns more and more about Musubi- such as his favorite toys, treats, and sleeping spots. Musubi learns how to tell Riko it’s time for food.

Is this the best manga on the planet? No, but it’s cute and I still love reading about Musubi’s antics.

Cat + Gamers (Volume 3)

By: Wataru Nadatani

Genre: Manga

Number of Pages: 168

Published: October 10, 2023 (1st Published March 18, 2020)

Publisher: Dark Horse Manga

Dates Read: February 2, 2024 

Format: Library Book / Paperback

Okay, but the entirety of Riko finding all the cat toys only for Musubi to lose one half a second later is so real I couldn’t stop laughing. Especially since the morning I read this, I legit just pulled 6 toys out from under the washer and dryer for my own cat (including a balled up receipt she was most excited for).

Other things in this volume include: hallucinated video game dreams, a cat bath, and finding the turnaround on a cat’s favorite toy.

Big / Vashti Harrison

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Big

By: Vashti Harrison

Genre: Children’s

Number of Pages: 60

Published: May 2, 2023

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Dates Read: January 30, 2024

Format: Library Book / Hardcover

A children’s picture book about the power of words and how they can both hurt and heal. And how one can stand out while still feeling invisible.

This is such an adorable and lovely picture book. It’s recently picked up so many awards and there were a handful of my coworkers at the library that listed this as one of their favorite books this year, so I put a HOLD on it as soon as I could.

There’s not a ton of words in the story, I know it’s a picture book, but there were photos that didn’t need words that were beautifully drawn by Vashti Harrison.

I really appreciated the fact that the author acknowledged that, even when told certain words hurt them, people will still not accept that what they said did that, and that they need to step back and reevaluate how they go forward from that.

Overall, a beautiful and amazing story for children.

Day / Michael Cunningham

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Day

By: Michael Cunningham

Genre: Fiction, Literary

Number of Pages: 273

Published: November 14, 2023

Publisher: Random House

Dates Read: January 29, 2024 - January 30, 2024

Format: Library Book / Audiobook

A literary fiction novel about a family on April 5 before Covid-19, the spring during the Covid-19 lockdown, and right after the world starts opening back up.

I struggled with caring for the family on this one. The only one I really cared about was the little girl, and even she didn’t seem like she would be real to me.

This is the first book of Michael Cunningham’s that I’ve read and I’m not saying he can’t write. In fact, he wrote these days in such detail, I felt like I was really watching the family while I read them. But, it was just something that was missing for me to actually care about the characters.

Maybe it’s still weird for me to read books about the pandemic quite yet.

This book wasn’t 100% for me, but it’s still good. And I feel like those who like reading about family dynamics and such will greatly enjoy this.

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

The Eternal Ones (Deathless #3) / Namina Forna

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The Eternal Ones (Deathless #3)

By: Namina Forna

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Number of Pages: 480

Published: February 13, 2024

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Dates Read: January 19, 2024 - January 28, 2024

Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Mere weeks after confronting the Gilded Ones, Deka is on the hunt for the truth behind her divinity. But her human body is on the verge of crumbling to pieces and that’s pushing her time to save everyone even closer. When Deka’s search leads her and her friends to the edge of the world, they discover a whole new realm, filled with knowledge they weren’t aware of – especially knowledge that holds the key to Deka’s past.

Now, Deka must decide to be reborn as a God or bring about the end of the world.

This book had a lot going on in it, a lot of Deka finding everything out, but it always kept my interest and kept me turning the pages. I was also so fond of her little found family – and the fact that they were always calling each other that too!

All the main characters in this series come full circle by the end of the book – nothing left open ended that wasn’t meant to be left to your imagination, you know? Also, I absolutely love Ixa and if this ever becomes a movie or a series, can’t wait to see him in the flesh! I do not have drawing abilities, but shall absolutely be on the lookout for fanart of him! Britta is also a favorite and I love her so much, and her support for 

I also wanted to point out the romance in this that isn’t anything crazy. Deka and Keita were cute and realistic. None of their relationship felt forced and Ketia was so understanding of everything. It all just felt right and you don’t always see that in YA romance. And, it’s obviously not the main focus of this book, so that may be why as well.

Overall, this series is amazing and I love it so much. I can’t wait to get it in the hands of those who love high stakes YA fantasy with a badass female lead.

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

The Merciless Ones (Deathless #2) / Namina Forna

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The Merciless Ones (Deathless #2)

By: Namina Forna

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Number of Pages: 432

Published: Mary 31, 2022

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Dates Read: January 16, 2024 - January 18, 2024

Format: Library Book / Audiobook

It’s been six months since Deka freed the goddesses in Otera and found out who she really is. With the war waging across the kingdom Deka and her army must stop the dark forces that are growing. But there are buried secrets getting unearthed that threaten to destroy her entire world, and her gifts are changing. Does Deka hold the key to saving Otera, or is she actually the threat?

So I swore I read this book when it first came out and so I requested the ARC of the 3rd book and got it. When I went to look at my reviews of these books, it was then that I realized I hadn’t read this one yet! So, I was able to read this book and then go directly into the third and final installment too – which is kind of nice because I’m so impatient when it comes to waiting for sequels. 

I also listened to this in audiobook for the most part and there are some tense bits where I was gasping out loud while doing house chores (not going to mention what bits due to spoilers).

The only con I had of this was Deka’s fault of running headfirst into situations and making rash decisions. It’s a young adult – Deka’s a young adult, and she’s learning. I did feel like she definitely grew since we first met her. 

This is an action packed fantasy novel that I can see so many enjoying – especially since the third and final installment is coming out in just a few weeks. Definitely something I can see myself recommending for some binge reading for sure.

Red / Annie Cardi

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red

By: Annie Cardi

Genre: YA, Contemporary 

Number of Pages: 256

Published: January 30, 2024

Publisher: Union Square & Co.

Dates Read: January 9, 2024 - January 15, 2024

Format: ARC / eBook

Trigger Warnings: abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, grooming, adult/minor relationship

After Tess’s mom loses her job, the two move in with her grandparents in Hawthorne. The one condition is that the two must attend church. Tess’s mom isn’t too happy about it, but Tess enjoys the community and quickly finds a place among the youth group and choir.

But after a very personal decision becomes public, Tess faces both harassment and rejection from the church community. After meeting some kids in the band room during lunch – the only place she’s able to find solitude, she learns to find her voice again with their support.

I like that this book had a religious theme, but it wasn’t overly preachy. Tess had a relationship with God before and she spends the duration of the book talking about that and how she wants to reconnect but isn’t sure how to do so.

I appreciated the fact that Annie Cardi addressed the subject of abortion and how it can still be considered controversial today but that it’s not so black and white that some people think it is. The fact that characters changed their views throughout the story was authentic and felt right – now granted, some still had a hard time “accepting” Tess’s decision but it was still nice to see.

This novel also shows how the act of grooming and abuse aren’t always so easily detectable. Predators can be anyone.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. This is unfortunately something that young women can go through and I feel like this will help a lot of girls feel seen.

*Thank you Union Square & Co. for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Color of Always / Brent Risher (editor)

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The Color of Always

By: Brent Risher (editor)

Genre: Graphic Novel

Number of Pages: 144

Published: June 6, 2023

Publisher: A Wave Blue World

Dates Read: January 9, 2024

Format: eBook

Trigger Warnings: (some stories have or mention of) transphobia, dysphoria, religious homophobia, mentions of parent death, sexual assault, misgendering, panic attack, PTSD

A graphic novel anthology filled with LGBTQ+ experience. 

I loved seeing all the different artists, their styles, and their stories. I especially love that we’re seeing more and more Trans and Nonbinary stories included in things like this.

As usual when it comes to anthologies, there were some stories stronger than others, but each of them were touching in their own way. 

I would recommend this to everyone – especially a good read for Pride Month in June too.