Reading, Writing, and Me

Today, I'm super excited to share a new Into YA post with you! I get to feature spectacular debut author Liz Lawson today to chat about her new book, The Lucky Ones . If you haven't gotten a chance to read about the book, you can check out my review here . We chat about handling sensitive topics with care, articulating very internal experiences on the page, her day job as a music supervisor, and more.  If you enjoy the interview, Liz is a great person to follow on Twitter (@LzLwson). She's been doing her part to raise awareness about the importance of social distancing and always has something relatable to say about the realities of self isolation. Also, please consider supporting the book in whatever way you can. Ordering from bookstores, requesting from libraries, and talking about it on social media all contribute to helping authors and the book industry. 1. The Lucky Ones revolves around the aftermath of the aftermath of a school shooting. I’ve participated in loc

Since we're all looking for something new to watch, I figured I'd share some of my favorite YouTube channels. I spend a lot more time on YouTube than I do watching Netflix or regular television. I play videos in the background while I work or go through Twitter, and I love how many different topics and genres I can experience in an hour because YouTube videos tend to be quick. I mostly watch whatever catches my eye in the recommended, but there are a few channels that are my go to's. After making the list and reflecting on my choices, I noticed that a lot of these channels include vlogs and advice videos about becoming an adult or navigating the transition to college. I think I'm so drawn to these videos because they fill a certain hole that books used to more. They give a peak into what to expect and almost a chance to vicariously live out the experiences before they come up in my life. Since New Adult and YA featuring college experience are still mostly nonexisten

Full Disclosure  by Camryn Garrett Overview: Simone is HIV positive. It's a disease she's had to contend with her entire life since she was born with it, but under careful medical care, she's able to live a normal, healthy life. She's had to change schools due to her status getting out and the bullying that ensued, but, at Sacred Heart, she feels like she's finally found her place. She's directing the school musical, has a great group of friends, and a potential boyfriend on her radar. Life feels pretty close to perfect until notes threatening to reveal her status start popping up in her locker. They threaten to topple everything she's built in the last few months, but she doesn't know what to do. Overall: 4.5 Characters: 5 It's the characters that make this book. Simone is lost in a lot of aspects of her life in a super relatable way. She wants to study theater in college but doubts whether that's a practical choice, and she feels unsure a