Tag: Young Adult

Book Review: Invitation to Poetry by Mihai Brinas

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“i leave taking with me

the sadness of so many books left unread”

Eloquent and memorizing, Brinas’ Invitation to Poetry invites readers to experience a number of emotions through the simplicity of the written word. A collection of 61 brilliantly written poems, Brinas discusses a wide range of topics that are incredibly relatable and relevant to the world today. From the beauty of love to the struggle of identifying oneself in the world, Brinas’ Invitation to Poetry is such a delightful read that one may consider a must read collection.

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Book Review: The Colonel and the Bee by Patrick Canning

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“If there was one thing to know about the Colonel, it was that his brand of reasoning was peculiar and entirely his own. If there was a second thing to be known, it was that his methods often showed results.”

A brilliantly written story full of humor and wit, Patrick Canning’s The Colonel and the Bee features an epic “around-the-world” adventure with rather peculiar characters and a grand treasure hunt. After escaping her brutal life in the circus, Beatrix “Bee” becomes part of the Colonel’s crew on his flying ship and becomes entangled in a mystery adventure like none other. With a captivating plot and a rather humorous undertone, Canning’s novel displays the true essence of the steampunk and adventure genres in a splendid manner.

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Book Review: Time Crawlers by Varun Sayal

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“Sin is geographical.”

A collection of six uniquely fascinating and diverse Sci-Fi short stories, Varun Sayal’s Time Crawlers provides an interesting take on the complexity of the university and intrigue regarding parallel worlds. From magic lamps to disturbingly dark societal practices, Time Crawlers provides entertainment for a wide audience.

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Book Review: Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

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“One day all of this will be proof, proof that we were here, proof that we loved each other. It’s the guarantee that no matter what happens to us in the future, this time was ours.”

In the final installment of Han’s beautifully put-together love story, Always and Forever, Lara Jean takes readers on an emotional roller coaster as this unforgettable coming of age trilogy comes to a close. As they prepare for college life, Lara Jean and Peter take part in all the fun activities that occur as one exits high school. But as plans don’t seem to be going as intended, Lara Jean and Peter must reexamine their wants and dreams before they can even consider what their future together holds.  A breathtakingly passionate story that’s nearly impossible to put down, Han sheds light in the most romantic way what it’s like to transition from high school to young adulthood.

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Book Review: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Published on by Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts6 Comments

“All you need is time, and you, little one, have all the time in the world.”

Just as quirky and comical as its predecessor, Jenny Han’s P.S. I Still Love You is a fantastic sequel to this thrilling and adorable YA romance trilogy. No longer playing pretend, Lara Jean’s experiencing for the first time what it truly means to be in a real relationship. But what happens when you can’t fully trust someone you love? What does it mean when you start to have feelings for more than one person? Wonderfully written and hard to put down, P.S. I Still Love You beautifully and accurately illustrates what it’s like to be young, in love, and searching for ones place in the world during those essential high school years.

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Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

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“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That’s the part of the risk. I don’t want to be scared anymore.”

In the first instalment of a glorious young adult love story, Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I Loved Before takes readers on a romantic getaway full of bumps and twists along the way. After Lara Jean’s secret love letters are sent to all of her past unrequited love interests, she seeks the help of an old to friend to minimize the damage and get life back to normal. But when sparks come to life and other secrets from those close to her start to spill out as well, Lara Jean must uncover who she is and what she wants before more damage is done. A breathtaking story with both drama and humour, Han leaves readers with an overbearing desire to seek their own tremendous and magical love story.

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Book Review: The Boxcar Baby by J.L. Mulvihill

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“Sighing, I put my head on my knees and watch an ant crawl up the tree limb, so small and insignificant, and all alone. I’m glad I’m not an ant, though sometimes I feel like one.”

With the main heroine being the adventure taking Boxcar Baby herself, J.L. Mulvihill’s The Boxcar Baby follows AB’Gale as she desperately seeks to find her papa and set things back in order. When her papa doesn’t return home, AB’Gale takes it upon herself to discover his whereabouts before she and her family lose their home and way of life. But after discovering some bits of information and unveiling too many dangerous secrets, AB’Gale finds herself on an epic and treacherous quest to save her family and herself before she’s captured again. An exhilarating and wild read, Mulvihill’s opener to the Steel Roots series will have readers grasping for more!

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Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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“And it seemed to me that Dante’s face was a map of the world. A world without any darkness.

Wow, a world without darkness. How beautiful was that?”

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an elegantly written coming of age story, one that’s truly unique in the realm of YA literature. During one profound summer day, Ari and Dante meet and quickly become the closest friend they each have in the world. But when tragedy strikes and subsequent events occur, Ari and Dante’s friendship is put to the test. Set in the 1980’s, Sáenz’s emotional roller-coaster of a novel opens readers’ eyes to a world where openly discussed topics were once tabooed and what happens when you don’t fit into the “norm” that society has dictated for us. An addictive story with tremendously brilliant characters, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is nearly impossible to put down!

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Book Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

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“There’s no story,’ I say. ‘I saw you one day, and I just knew.”

Isla and the Happily Ever After beautifully and poetically closes off Perkins’ incredibly enticing YA romance series with a bang! In her final year of high school, Isla discovers her high school crush returns her feelings. But when friendships come into question and doubts creep into her mind, Isla must learn to take risks and discover herself before she loses everything. From New York City to Paris to Barcelona, there’s no stopping the intensely romantic adventures of Isla and Josh. A comical and loving coming of age novel, Isla and Josh’s raw passion and magnificent connection will have readers at the edge of their seats and grasping for more until the final chapter.

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Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

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“But it’s a person’s imperfections that make them perfect for someone else.”

Lola and the Boy Next Door is an utterly adorable read, grasping the realness of that fine line between friendship and romance. A retelling of that “boy next door” classic love story, our main protagonist Lola undergo’s emotional turmoil as she must choose between the man that once broke her heart and the man who may not be fit for her heart. On top of Lola’s romantic frustrations, Perkins’ novel discusses bullying, peer pressure, familial struggles and expectations, LGBTQA+ relationships, and that ultimate desire to either fit in or stand out. A fun and fast read, Lola and the Boy Next Door is a grand coming of age romance that won’t disappoint the little romantic inside of you.

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