Book Review: Fable by Adrienne Young

Published September 1st, 2020 by Wednesday Books. 357 pages, YA Fantasy “You weren't made for this world, Fable.”~Adrienne Young, Fable Synopsis GoodReads For seventeen-year-old Fable, the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home she has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her...

AudioBook Review: When You Ask Me Where I’m Going by Jasmin Kaur

When You Ask Me Where I'm Going by Jasmin Kaur Published by Harper Collins Release date: October 1st, 2019 YA Poetry, Contemporary, 256 pages Audiobook Format Synopsis GoodReads Perfect for fans of Rupi Kaur and Elizabeth Acevedo, Jasmin Kaur’s stunning debut novel is a collection of poetry, illustrations, and prose. screamso that one daya hundred...

Audio Book Review: You Must Not Miss by Katrina Leno

You Must Not Miss by Katrina Leno Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Release Date: April 23rd 2019 YA Contemporary, 290 pages Audiobook format Synopsis GoodReads One of Us Is Lying meets Carrie in this suspenseful story of friendship, family, and revenge. Magpie Lewis started writing in her yellow notebook the day after her family self-destructed....

AudioBook Review: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Taherah Mafi

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Taherah Mafi Published by HarperTeen Release Date: October 16th, 2018 YA Contemporary, 310 pages Audiobook format Synopsis GoodReads It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped. Shirin is...

AudioBook Review: Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis

Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis Published by Katherine Tegen Books Release Date: March 3rd 2020 YA Contemporary Fiction Survival, 240 pages Audiobook format But the world is not tame, and neither are people. Or how I feel about them.~Be Not Far From Me Synopsis GoodReads The world is not tame. Ashley knows...

Mara’s 2020 Reading Resolutions Check in!

Hey guys, I thought it would be fun to go over my reading resolutions for 2020! I definitely had more unexpected time to read, but also more distractions and unexpected reading slumps as well. Overall, I think I did well with my reading, and am proud of myself for getting more into audiobooks! ~Read 40...

Book Review: How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather

Published July 26th, 2016 by Knopf Books for Young Readers. 358 pages, YA Fantasy Paranormal Synopsis GoodReads It's the Salem Witch Trials meets Mean Girls in a debut novel from one of the descendants of Cotton Mather, where the trials of high school start to feel like a modern day witch hunt for a teen with all...

Book Review: Creating Character ARCs by K.M. Weiland

This is another book on writing and character development I read in preparation for, and during, NaNoWriMo this year. Synopsis GoodReads Powerful Character Arcs Create Powerful Stories Have you written a story with an exciting concept and interesting characters-but it just isn't grabbing the attention of readers or agents? It's time to look deeper into the...

ARC Book Review: Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe

Published October 13th, 2020 by Balzer + Bray. 336 pages, YA Contemporary Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy for review! Synopsis GoodReads Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted...

I recommend: 5 YA Contemporary Novels on my TBR

  Here are some contemporaries that I have collected, either found or purposely ordered, without having time to read them yet. Some are because I loved the author's previous novel(s), so I had to get their next. In no particular order:   Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi After a year of college, Pablo is...