ARC review, book review, young adult

Shine by Jessica Jung (ARC Review)

What would you give for a chance to live your dreams? For seventeen-year-old Korean American Rachel Kim, the answer is almost everything. Six years ago, she was recruited by DB Entertainment—one of Seoul’s largest K-pop labels, known for churning out some of the world’s most popular stars. The rules are simple: Train 24/7. Be perfect. Don’t date. Easy right?… Read More Shine by Jessica Jung (ARC Review)

ARC review, book review, young adult

The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich (ARC Review)

High schooler Matt’s father is rich, powerful, and seemingly untouchable– a mobster with high hopes that his son will follow in his footsteps. Matt’s older brother Lukas seems poised to do just that, with a bevy of hot girls in tow. But Matt has other ambitions–and attractions. And attraction sometimes doesn’t allow for good judgement. Matt wouldn’t have guessed that Jason, the son of the city’s police commisioner, is also carrying a secret. The boys’ connection turns romantic, a first for both. Now Matt must decide if he can ever do the impossible and come clean about who he really is, and who he is meant to love… Read More The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich (ARC Review)

ARC review, book review, young adult

10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon (ARC Review)

Pinky Kumar wears the social justice warrior badge with pride. From raccoon hospitals to persecuted rock stars, no cause is too esoteric for her to champion. But a teeny-tiny part of her also really enjoys making her conservative, buttoned-up corporate lawyer parents cringe. Samir Jha might have a few . . . quirks remaining from the time he had to take care of his sick mother, like the endless lists he makes in his planner and the way he schedules every minute of every day, but those are good things. They make life predictable and steady… Read More 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon (ARC Review)

book review, young adult

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw (ARC Review)

Be careful of the dark, dark wood…Especially the woods surrounding the town of Fir Haven. Some say these woods are magical. Haunted, even. Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. She and the Walker women before her have always shared a special connection with the woods. And it’s this special connection that leads Nora to Oliver Huntsman—the same boy who disappeared from the Camp for Wayward Boys weeks ago—and in the middle of the worst snowstorm in years. He should be dead, but here he is alive, and left in the woods with no memory of the time he’d been missing… Read More Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw (ARC Review)

ARC review, book review, young adult

Frankly in Love by David Yoon (ARC Review)

Two friends. One fake dating scheme. What could possibly go wrong? Frank Li has two names. There’s Frank Li, his American name. Then there’s Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California. Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl–which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit . . . who is white… Read More Frankly in Love by David Yoon (ARC Review)

ARC review, book review, young adult

Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi (ARC Review)

After a year of college, Pablo is working at his local twenty-four-hour deli, selling overpriced snacks to brownstone yuppies. He’s dodging calls from the student loan office and he has no idea what his next move is. Leanna Smart’s life so far has been nothing but success. Age eight: Disney Mouseketeer; Age fifteen: first #1 single on the US pop chart; Age seventeen, *tenth* #1 single; and now, at Age nineteen…life is a queasy blur of private planes, weird hotel rooms, and strangers asking for selfies on the street.… Read More Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi (ARC Review)

book birthdays

Book Birthdays: October 8, 2019

Here are the books (on my radar) that are celebrating their Book Birthdays this week (a.k.a. books that are that were published in Canada this week)! Happiest of Book Birthdays to all of these lovely new releases! (P.s. you can find my past Book Birthdays posts here!) Which book birthdays are you most excited for?

book review, comic/graphic novel, young adult

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks (Review)

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1. But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.… Read More Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks (Review)