Chasing Pacquiao / Rod Pulido

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Chasing Pacquiao
By: Rod Pulido
Number of Pages: 272
Published: May 2, 2023
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: April 29, 2023 - April 30, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook

Trigger Warnings: violence, assault, homophobic language

When Bobby is unwillingly outed at his notoriously violent high school, he no longer has the luxury of being invisible. After a vicious encounter with a group of boys from his school, Bobby must find a new way to survive (and fight back). Inspired by Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, Bobby takes up boxing and challenges his attacker. But when Pacquiao publicly declares his stance against the Queer community, Bobby must figure out what and how he’s going to find the strength to continue.

Be aware there is a lot of homophobia and violence in this novel. It’s not dark or gory or anything like that, but it’s a book about boxing – so there’s fighting, you know?

It took me a bit to get a feel for Bobby. Male YA main characters and I tend to not get along very well to begin with so I wasn’t his biggest fan at the beginning, but he definitely grew on me. 

I had also wanted to read this book because of boxing. I box myself so I’m always interested in how writers write about boxing and if the descriptions make sense or not. I feel like Rod Pulido did a wonderful job at describing the different strikes and foot movement needed to box. It’s not all just arm movements and that’s sometimes forgotten when writing about this sport.

Overall, I enjoyed this contemporary, queer, YA novel about a new boxer learning the sport alongside finding out what he stands for. I can see this having a little bit of everything for everybody, but again, it is a book with bullying violence, so keep that in mind.

*Thank you Viking Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss+ for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Secret Rules of Being a Rockstar / Jessamyn Violet

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Secret Rules of Being a Rockstar
By: Jessamyn Violet
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 288
Published: April 18, 2023
Publisher: Three Rooms Press
Dates Read: April 20, 2023 - April 28, 2023
Format: ARC / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: fat shaming, drug use, alcoholism, anxiety, talk of suicide, abortions

18-year-old Kyla Bell dreams of getting out of her dusty basement and playing the keys professionally, but she hardly gets any support from her parents. One night, her dreams are answered after the rocker Ruby Sky, frontwoman of her favorite band, Glitter Tears, hears Kyla perform and asks her to join the band for their upcoming tour.

In order to be ready for tour, Kyla must drop out of high school in the last few weeks of her senior year and immediately move out to LA to live with a producer who has agreed to put her through “rock star boot camp”.With her feelings towards Ruby emerging and the lifestyle of a rockstar, Kyla has a lot to learn as she stumbles through the 90s music scene of Lose Angelos.

This book definitely doesn’t sugar coat anything about the hard truths of rockstar life in the 90’s – there’s drugs, alcohol, fat shaming, abortions, and the stress of being in the public eye. I’m a ‘92 baby and grew up reading about all the craziness that happened back then, so it was interesting to see it from a band member’s point of view.

I had a little bit of a hard time with this one because of the exploitation of Kyla – which, the hard truths of rockstar life in the 90’s, I get that, but I wanted someone to look out for her better <spoiler> it didn’t seem like it was going to get any better by the end of the story and now I’m sitting here worrying about Kyla… </spoiler>.

Overall, I see a lot of people enjoying this book and behind the scenes of the rockstar life. It wasn’t 100% for me, and that’s okay. The story is interesting and kept my attention throughout it, but I kind of wish there was more to it.

*Thank you Three Rooms Press and LibraryThing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Stoked for This: May 2023

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I was already pretty bad at keeping up with this, wasn’t I? April kind of got out from under me, but I am trying to get my feet back on the ground for these next few weeks. I was lucky enough to have two extra days off last week and that allowed me to get caught up in some things. Of those things included my Stoked for This: May 2023 edition!

RELEASE DATE: MAY 2, 2023

Warrior Girl Unearthed

by: Angeline Boulley

Why am I stoked for this release?

Angeline Boulley wrote Firekeeper’s Daughter, which is one of my all time favorite Young Adult books – I’m constantly recommending it at work. In this book, Perry Firekeeper-Birch and a group of Misfits work together to give Warrior Girl and twelve other Anishinaabe ancestor’s remains back to their tribes. Boulley brought up Indigenous issues in her last book that I honestly wasn’t aware of and I’m anticipating I will learn a lot in this book as well.

Where You See Yourself

By: Claire Forrest

Why am I stoked for this release?

Always a goal of mine is to read more books with different representation. This one is about Effie, a senior in high school with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, and her journey in finding the right college to attend the following year. I’m actually in the process of finishing this book right now and, while there is some romance to this, it’s not really the main focus (I’m not the biggest fan of YA romance anywho…). But the complexity of the disability representation is amazing and I’m exciting for this to hit the shelves.

Hula

by: Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes

Why am I stoked for this release?

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so it’s a perfect time for this release and read. I’m going to be honest and admit that I haven’t read a lot of novels set in Hawi’i culture so I’m excited to read this one that dives into mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional families, and the history and culture of Hawi’i.

RELEASE DATE: MAY 9, 2023

A Shadow Crown (The Halfling Saga #2)

by: Melissa Blair

Why am I stoked for this release?

Technically I’m excited for both books of this Saga. I already knew I was going to love the first book and shortly after I had picked that one up, did I realize there will be another. I’m kind of weird when it comes to series – and weird in the way that I hate waiting to have to read one and will just wait for the next one to come out (but what if it’s a longer series – then I usually cave) Anywho… assassin female spies in a Fantasy land? Count me in.

Daughters of Snow and Cinders

by: Núria Tamarit, Jenna Allen (Translator)

Why am I stoked for this release?

Kaite got this in as an ARC from the publishers at work and I immediately asked for it because I loved the artwork. This will be the English debut of Spanish cartoonist and illustrator Núria Tamarit. But again, I’m so excited to see the storyline that goes with the art that I saw when I did a flip through.

RELEASE DATE: MAY 16, 2023

The Guest

by: Emma Cline

Why am I stoked for this release?

Did anyone else read Emma Cline’s book The Girls? I did quite a few years ago and I don’t remember a lot of it (it was before I would review all my reads) but I do remember that it was a crazy book. This one a young girl pretends to be someone she isn’t as a homeless “grifter” in Long Island.

The God of Good Looks

by: Breanne Mc Ivor

Why am I stoked for this release?

First off, please look at the cover of this book and tell me you aren’t intrigued! This one is about a young Trinidadian woman finding her voice and new kind of happy ending. I have a patron I adore who is from Trinidad & Tobago and this is novel will hopefully give me a bit more to insight to her island so the next time she tells me about her home, I may have more connection.

Paper Planes

By: Jennie Wood, Dozerdraws (Illustrator)

Why am I stoked for this release?

A summer camp for troubled youth after “an incident” where now to ex best friends have to rekindle their relationship? Give me.

RELEASE DATE: MAY 30, 2023

Witch King

by: Martha Wells

Why am I stoked for this release?

The description of this says, “A story of power and friendship, of trust and betrayal, and of the families we choose”. That pretty much checks off a lot of my favorite tropes, so that’s pretty self explanatory as to why I’m stoked for this…

Girls Like Girls

by: Hayley Kiyoko

Why am I stoked for this release?

A YA novel based on hit song, Girls Like Girls from Hayley Kiyoko. I was the type of girl who grew up reading fan fiction of stories based on songs. I’m curious to read the actual story of a song from the singer.

This Book Will Make You Feel Seen / Chloë Jade

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This Book Will Make You Feel Seen
By: Chloë Jade
Genre: Self Help
Number of Pages: 231
Published: December 8, 2022
Publisher: Self Published
Dates Read: April 14, 2023 - April 21, 2023
Format: Library Book / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: this book will most likely make you cry

This collection of writing from Chloë Jade contains themes surrounding mental health, healing, childhood trauma, self-compassion, self-discovery, heartbreak, letting go, and relationships. Woven with easy-to-digest gentle reminders and perspective shift prompts, this book will help you acknowledge your past and pain and help you begin to move forward with a better understanding and acceptance.

I was able to get a copy of this for my library so I could read it but this is definitely a book I will purchase my own copy of here in the future that I would grab off the shelf as I need it. There’s some solid reminders you sometimes just need to see as words in front of you in this book.

Shoot, in the first 20 pages of it had me crying a few times.

Some writing didn’t connect with me at all but there were others that though they didn’t scream at me right at the moment I read it, I either felt the connection from my past, or know that it’s something I will probably want in the future.

If you’re like me, who tends to self isolate a lot if something is wrong, sometimes I need a little pick me up without having to say anything; this book is definitely it.

Wynd, Book One: The Flight of the Prince / James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas

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Wynd, Book One: The Flight of the Prince
By: James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 256
Published: May 11, 2021 (1st Published June 17, 2020)
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Dates Read: April 19, 2023 - April 20, 2023
Format: eBook

Wynd works out of sight in the secret rooms beneath the floorboards at the local tavern in Pipetown in Esseriel. He dreams of being “normal” and meeting the castle’s groundskeeper he spies on working. But Wynd has pointy ears, a sign of the magical blood that runs through him. Usually his shaggy hair could hide them, but recently they’ve grown bigger and are now harder to hide.

Following a series of events, now Wynd, joined by his best friend Oakley and two others, must set off on a journey to discover the magic in the world outside the walls of Esseriel and, most important, the magic within himself.

So, I kind of found this book on random while on my library’s Hoopla account – but I’ve always enjoyed James Tynion IV’s work and usually give his stuff a go. This is definitely different from his works like Something Is Killing the Children or The Closet – on the complete opposite end really, but I loved it so much.

I have a feeling the little group that has formed in this first book is shaping up to be a found family and that is absolutely one of my favorite troupes!

The art in this is beautiful and the color pallet just makes everything pop and stand out.

This is definitely going to be one I will start recommending to others and you can bet I’m going to be reading Book Two as soon as possible!

Who Owns the Clouds? / Mario Brassard

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Who Owns the Clouds?
By: Mario Brassard, Gérard DeBoid (translator)
Genre: Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 100
Published: January 10, 2023 (1st Published May 1, 2021)
Dates Read: April 14, 2023
Format: Hardcover

Even though it’s been years and Mila is no longer a child, she still holds memories of a childhood torn apart by war. But even with those memories, Mila has a hard time distinguishing between what was a dream versus reality – especially the lines that her and her family stood in – and the clouds…

What a beautifully drawn, heart wrenching graphic novel originally in French, now in English.

There’s not a lot of text in this – it’s almost like a picture book, but with spooky, thought-provoking art about a childhood in war. But then, you’ve got text like this:

“Maybe memories are like clouds. Some, lighters, float high above; others are darker, weighing heavily on our shoulders for a long time, until the day we’re finally ready to let them fly”

Beautiful and highly recommended.

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

Throwback / Maruene Goo

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Throwback
By: Maurene Goo
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 368
Published: April 11, 2023
Publisher: Zando Young Readers
Dates Read: April 4, 2023 - April 12, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook / Library Book / Hardcover

Samantha Kang has never gotten along with her mother, Priscilla, they’re just too different. After a huge fight between them, Sam gets left in a parking lot and has to use a rideshare app to get to school. She gets there, but instead of her time, it’s now 1995… and Priscilla is a 17-year-old senior.

Now, Gen Z Sam has to fit into an analog world. The fashion she gets, but everything else is baffling; what’s with the casual racism and misogyny? And what is “microfiche?” Also – why does Sam feel like she would actually be friends with Priscilla??

Will Sam be able to figure out what she needs to fix in order to get back to her own time? And what about these feelings she’s getting for a boy in 1995?

So, I have a soft spot for time traveling; it’s not something I gravitate towards per say, but if the book catches my eye and I see it has time traveling in it, then I’ll most certainly read it. Add to the fact this one was set in the 90’s and I was most definitely going to read it.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Sam and her mother and the exploration we get to have with it in this novel. As someone who is pretty close with her own mom, I think it would be so fun to go back in time and be friends with her in high school (though she would have been in the early 80’s).

Though this is a YA book, I can see both teenagers and adults enjoying it – especially the adults that grew up in the 90’s, but the culture shock from Sam can be enjoyed by both. Those who have a complicated relationship with their mothers could also enjoy this.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this time traveling, throwback to the 90’s novel and can’t wait to put it in the hands of a few friends of mine.

*Thank you Zando Young Readers and Edelweiss+ for a digital advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Ever Flowing Judging List

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Hey everyone!

I just wanted to give a quick update so you all don’t think I’m M.I.A.

I’m judging two categories in a book award that are due here in May. Between the two categories, there are 22 books.

Here’s a photo reference (minus 3 that are digital copies):

And here’s a photo for reference against my 12-year-old cat, Mushi 🙂

But, I’ve also got a few books that aren’t under book awards with publication dates coming up that I’m hoping to have read before then.

Here’s a peak at how I even manage to keep all this in order:

The green & orange are the books in my two categories that I need to read. The yellow tabs are books that have been released or are going to be released soon.

The two tabs on the right are the ones I’ve finished for this month.

So, as you can see – I’ve got a bit of a pile I’m reading through, but because I am judging, I won’t be posting those books on my website.

At least not yet!

So, be patient with me – I’m always reading and I’ll have stuff to post, but there may be a bit between postings!

🙂 Alisha

Indigo & Ida / Heather Murphy Capps

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Indigo & Ida
By: Heather Murphy Capps
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Number of Pages: 312
Published: April 4, 2023
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (Lerner Publishing)
Dates Read: April 2, 2023 - April 3, 2023
Format: ARC / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: Racism, bullying, white privilege, transphobia, references to lynching

After eighth grader Indigo intentionally gets herself detention trying to expose an unfair school policy, she gets an assignment that causes her to stumble across a book by journalist and activist Ida B. Wells – with private letters by Ida tucked inside. While reading the letter, Indigo gets inspired to investigate more into her school’s policies – and she notices that the school’s disciplinary policies seem to be enforced harsher on students of color. 

When Indigo reports on this issue, her friends tell her she’s overreacting and her classmates tell her she’s too aggressive, loud, and annoying.

By continuing to read Ida’s letters, Indigo realizes she’ll have to choose between keeping quiet and taking the easy way out or possibly standing alone to fight for justice.

An inspiring middle grade novel about a young journalist being inspired by Ida B. Wells as she finds her voice to stand against the injustice taking place at her school. So much happens in this book that I sometimes found it hard to believe it all took place in one week! But this covers a few heavy topics and the author does so in a way that makes it easier for middle grade readers to understand – segregation, lynching, racism, protests, white privilege, transphobia (just to name a few).

I believe young readers will enjoy this book as it addresses many issues they see today and is written in a way they can understand and relate to. Indigo is also an amazing example of a young person standing up for what they know is wrong – even if they’re standing alone.

*Thank you Carolrhoda Books and LibraryThing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

Saints of the Household / Ari Tison

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Saints of the Household
By: Ari Tison
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Number of Pages: 320
Published: March 28, 2023
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Dates Read: March 21, 2023 - March 22, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook

Trigger Warnings: Domestic abuse, bullying, mental health; depression, alcoholism, death, mention of suicide

Before the incident in the woods, Max and Jay were pretty much connected at the hip, they had to be in order to protect themselves and their mother from their physically abusive father. Afterwards, their act of violence threatens the brothers’ dreams of their future. As the details of the event unfold throughout the book, Max and Jay take different courses as they think about their actions, their own shifting relationships, and just how alike to their father they may be. Told in alternating points of view using vignettes and poems, Saint of the Household tells of two Bribri brothers as they deal with brotherhood, abuse, recovery, and trying to do the right thing in their last few months of high school.

This isn’t an easy book – there’s no fuzzy feelings or giant smiles. These poor boys went through a lot in this story and it’s their journey of how they came out on the other side. Now, I will say the boys’ Grandfather does come in at one point and helps the boys reconnect with the Bribri culture and some of those lessons were tender and much needed for the boys.

I thoroughly enjoyed the vignettes of chapters that we got. It made the story read faster, but it also didn’t need any kind of filler in between and what was on the page was only the important stuff. Jay’s viewpoint is told in prose and is short and to the point. Max’s are in verse and sometimes into calligrams, which match perfectly with his escapism he uses in his art.

Overall, this is an incredible debut from Ari Tison and I can’t wait to see what they will write in the future. I can’t wait to share this book with others once it’s released and the amount of book lists I will be putting it on are endless.

*Thank you Farrer, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review