100+ Books I want to read in 2016

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Publication Date: April 1st, 2014
Edition: Paperback/Audiobook Pages: 288
Purchase: Book Depository

My Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars) 

Synopsis

On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.

A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love (Goodreads).

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading/listening to this book! The main thing that sold me on this book was that it is a book about books. The book mentions so many books and authors it makes you want to read even more (here is a list of books mentioned in Storied). 

I love the characters, I love how the story progressed, I enjoyed the little twists and turns, and I adored the beautiful and bittersweet moments in the book. There is so much that I can say about this book but I really don't want to give away too much. The synopsis says enough! Oh, and I adore Amelia! She is my spirit animal!

This book has some great quotes about books and love, and just some really funny moments. 

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books about books or books about bookish people because sometimes you just need to read a book about people like yourself. 

“Sometimes books don't find us until the right time.” 

“They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?” 

“You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book?” 

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Harper Collins/Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: February 10th, 2015
Edition: Hardcover Pages: 304
Acquired: Books of Wonder
Purchase: Book Depository

My Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars) 

Trigger Warning: suicide, depression

SYNOPSIS: 

Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner. 

Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince. (book synopsis from goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS

My impression upon finishing this book can be represented by one word: incredible! The writing, the characters, the plot, the emotion... all of it was wonderful and perfect. It is hard to say you love and enjoyed a book with such a heavy topic as the main focus of the book but I did. The reading experience for this book was light and heavy at the same time and the emotion was so raw it was like being inside Asyel's mind.

This book starts off depressing because Aysel is depressed. She is living in a huge shadow cast by her father's missteps and doesn't know how she can escape it. She has walled off or been pushed away from people and even her own family has a hard time reaching out to her. The emotion of this book and Aysel's narration is scary. You kind of get sucked into her depression and even though I can't connect to her situation I can empathize because I know what it is like to be talked about and judged by people, doesn't every one? At least a little bit? Aysel's narration is also scary because it is so believable and natural. Nothing about this book seemed forced or over done. The progression of the story pulled me deeper into the black hole it had quickly become and I let it because I was so enthralled by the intricate web of words, actions, and moments Warga has crafted.

I am sure after reading that paragraph you are wondering "if this was a depressing book and it made you so sad why did you give it 5 stars?" Well you have to read for yourself but here is what I can tell you.

• This book has 5 stars because of Aysel and Roman. Their friendship, though born from a mutual desire to end their lives, is a beautiful thing and they learn so much about each other and themselves from their relationship. Aysel's science nerd-ness was fun for me as well. Plus I just want to hug them both so hard. 
• This book has 5 stars because of Tyler and Mike. They both have small inklings that something is up with Aysel and though they don't come at her head on they both make her think about her decisions. 
• This book has 5 stars because of the ending. Oh my gosh, the ending. No tears were formed but my eyes were prickly and I just can't even with the ending. It was done extremely well. I can't say more. 
• This book has 5 stars because of the Author Note at the end. I could already tell that Jasmine had put her heart and soul into this book but the author note sealed it. 

We have all been in a bad place at some point in our life in some way, shape or form. You may have lost someone, or felt alone, or any number of other reasons that may have made you feel less than someone else. Aysel and Roman's stories show you just how deep depression can go and how it can affect your choices and ultimately your life. The way their story unfolded gave me as the reader a chance to experience what it might be like to be lost in my own life like Aysel and Roman felt. This book will humble you, it will ground you and make you take a step back to inventory the people in your life and how they affect you. Being able to talk to someone and having people who care for you is a wonderful thing. 

I know that this book will not be for everyone. The subject matter of this book makes it hard to read but it must be read by those who are willing. This book has made me reflect on my role in my own life as well as the lives around me. My Heart and Other Black Holes is a destructively beautiful book and my heart aches for the characters and more importantly the real people throughout the world that are going through similar situations. I hope that this book will bring forth more people that are willing to be a pillar of support to those who need it.

“Depression is like a heaviness that you can’t ever escape. It crushes down on you, making even the smallest things like tying your shoes or chewing on toast seem like a twenty-mile hike uphill. Depression is a part of you; it’s in your bones and your blood.” 

I hope that my review will convince you to read "My Heart..." if you can, because I think it offers a unique perspective on mental illness that people should experience. If you have read and found new perspectives through Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filler, or Looking for Alaska by John Green then I would highly recommend My Heart and Other Black Holes.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: September 1st, 2015
Edition: ARC Pages: 307
Acquired: received through local bookstore
Purchase: Book Depository

My Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars) 

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

SYNOPSIS: 

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. (book synopsis from goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS

OH MY WORD! This book! It had me laughing, it had me “aww” ing, and most importantly it had me riveted to my seat! I read this book in the matter of a few hours!

Madeline has an immune disease that makes it impossible for her to leave her house for fear that she might come in contact with one of her triggers that could very well kill her, and though she has learned to be tolerant and zen about it she still yearns for the outside world. This yearning is turned into overdrive when Olly moves in next door and nothing is the same afterward.

Half way through the book I was thinking “aw this book is so cute” Maddy and Olly’s relationship magnifies in front of your eyes and you can’t help but to be completely engrossed in the entire thing. It is almost like you are seeing the world for the first time just like Maddy. Maddy’s condition has had her locked in her house with only books to comfort her and to give her the adventure she couldn’t experience otherwise. If you are bookish you will relate with Maddy on a very emotional level. 

Maddy is so innocent and sassy and you get a really good fell for this throughout the novel in the instant messages, drawings, book spoilers, and personal dictionary entries. Yes, the romance is a bit insta-lovey but honestly it really fits Maddy’s character. This book has it’s inconsistencies but I think it is intentional because Maddy is our narrator and her perspective is completely different from what we would perceive as outsiders. I also wish we got a better understanding of what SCID is and why everything had to be white and what triggers Maddy has. Again, I think this is somewhat due to Maddy’s narration and the way her perspective is presented to the reader.

After you get over the cuteness you realize this book has a much deeper connotation to it and WHOA! I’m not usually one to talk about a plot twist but this book has a particularly fantastic one and was in a very interesting direction. This book took me by surprise and I loved every second of it!

MUCH RECOMMEND

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA lit! Everything, Everything is wonderfully written and was so much more than I expected! Also this book could definitely satisfy anyone who is on a diverse book kick because this book confronts illness and Maddy is multiracial. This book seems like it will be one that will have some mixed reviews (it already does) but I really think that everyone that is intrigued by the synopsis should read the story because it will throw you through a loop and draw you in to Maddy’s life. Please pick this book up and give it a go!

The Rise and the Fall of a Theater Geek by Seth Rudetsky

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers 

Publication Date: June 23rd, 2015

Edition: eARC Pages: ?

Purchase: Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5 stars)

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Summary

The shows, the neon lights . . . the cute chorus boys! It's where Justin has always wanted to be--and now, with a winter internship for a famous actor, he finally has his chance to shine. If only he could ditch his kind, virtuous, upright, and--dare he say it?—uptight boyfriend, Spencer. But once the internship begins, Justin has more to worry about than a cramped single-guy-in-the-city style. Instead of having his moment in the spotlight, he's a not-so-glorified errand boy. Plus, Spencer is hanging out with a celebra-hottie, Justin's best friend Becky isn't speaking to him, and his famous actor boss seems headed for flopdom. Justin's tap-dancing as fast as he can, but all his wit and sass might not be enough to switch his time in New York from nightmare-terrible to dream-come-true terrific (goodreads).

What I Thought

This book had a rocky start for me. The main character Justin is pretentious and annoying at times and reminded me a lot of first season Rachel from Glee. The good thing is that the book got better. Justin is an openly gay teenager with a boyfriend and is very comfortable in his own skin. I like that this book didn't focus on Justin's sexuality. Justin is out and honest about who he is and crushes on boys just as hard as any teen girl would.

Justin also has great friends that complement his ostentatious personality. Spencer and Becky are the friends that take no crap, they make Justin see how controlling and manipulative he is and call him out for it. This is where things get even better.

Justin has to participate in an internship to earn credit towards graduation. Being the theater geek that he is Justin secures a Broadway internship for him and his friends with different companies. Justin furthers his rise in Broadway when he randomly meets a rising star at a musical and decides to intern for him.

The internships aren't what any of the three friends thought they would be but through it all Justin learns how to control himself and be a better friend, solves a mystery, and got the Broadway internship of his dreams..

If you love Broadway, mystery, shenanigans, or just want a fun and fluffy read I would say give this book a shot! 

Another Day by David Levithan

Genre: YA Contemporary/Magical Realism

Publisher: Knopf Books

Publication Date: August 25th 2015

Edition: ARC Pages: 300

Purchase: Book Depository
Rating: ★★★ (3/5 stars)

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Summary

Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up.

Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person . . . wasn’t Justin at all (goodreads).

What I Thought

***This review SPOILS parts of Every Day the first novel in the companion series

Do NOT continue if you haven't read Every Day Go here for my review of Every Day***

What can I say about Another Day? Was it interesting to read? Yes. Was it mind blowing-ly awesome? Not quite. If you don't already know Another Day is the retelling of the events of Every Day from Rhiannon's point of view. If you don't know who Rhiannon is, or what Every Day is about I suggest you go read that first.

Let me preface this by saying that I read Every Day and Another Day back to back and I don't recommend doing that. Why? Mainly because it was kind of boring to rehash the same events from a very slight change of perspective.

Honestly I feel like they should make a compilation book and mesh Every Day and Another Day together where the chapters alternate between perspectives because I found myself going back and rereading A's accounts anyways. I think this companion novel would have been better if it started instead where it ended and continued the story from there when Rhiannon decides to try and find A.

This book wasn't a complete disappointment though, I promise! I still really enjoyed reading it and I found parts of what Rhiannon was going through to be really interesting especially the days that A doesn't see her. I would love to know more about her family and her friends (Preston is my favorite!) but she isn't a completely 3 dimensional character that could stand on her own, at least not well enough to stand next to A, her narrative just fell a little flat.

All in all this book did what Levithan set out to do, answer the question of what it would be like to know someone who switched bodies every day. This book was fun to read as a huge fan of the first book but it wasn't compelling enough to stand alone like a companion novel should. I would definitely recommend this to those who really are interested in Rhiannon's POV.