Reading, Writing, and Me

The Great Unknowable End  by Kathryn Ormsbee (February 19) Overview: Stella is stuck being a mother to her younger sister while her father works long hours and nights, her older brother left them for a cult, and her mother died when she was nine. Gilliard lives in this cult, better know as the Red Suns of a tiny Kansas town. He doesn't think of it like a cult, though, because he's never had a desire to leave. Until he loses the spot of resident artist and the next ten years of his life are predetermined in a direction Gilliard never wanted it going. Stella and Gilliard aren't pleased with where they landed in life, but will either do anything about it? Overall: 4 Characters: 4 Gilliard and Stella are both interesting, thoughtful people. Gilliard definitely has the greatest awakening of sorts as he finally questions his upbringing, much later than most of the commune kids. He shrugs off childhood ignorance and realizes that maybe he should form some of his own opinions...

Over the last two-ish months since I posted my Best of 2018 list, I've found tons of amazing titles! Since they aren't 2019 releases, they won't be on my next year end list, so I thought I'd honor them by writing valentines to each of these amazing books! I've also thrown in one bonus 2019 that I'll definitely be talking about all year long that you should preorder now! Down And Across by Arvin Ahmadi This book just made me happy. Scott doesn't know where his life is headed, but, as the world is fascinated with grit (and loves to tell young people they have none), he decides to head to Georgetown to seek out the professor who is an expert in it. And then he doesn't take no for an answer till he scores himself somewhat of an internship. Along the way, he befriends a few college kids, starts working at a bar, and learns a thing or two about the world outside of high school. I love books that skew on the older end of YA and explore life o...

Monday's Not Coming  by Tiffany D. Jackson Overview: When Monday isn't there for a spinning hug with Claudia when she gets back from her summer in Georgia, Claudia knows something is wrong. When Monday isn't at the first, second, or third day of eighth grade, Claudia tells her parents they need to do something. But Monday lives in the projects with her single mother and her situation isn't something people talk about. It's Patti's business what she does with her kids. But when the stories about Monday's whereabouts keep changing and the police refuse to look into it, Claudia has to take matters into her own hands to find Monday. Overall: 4.5  Characters: 5 The characters bound off the page. Claudia's voice is so strong, and her friendship with Monday is so honest. From the parents to her teachers to Monday herself, Claudia makes the characters around her come to life. Even minor characters have motivations and details. Plot: 4 My advice is to ig...