Tag Archive for: Young Adult

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The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight

The Statistical Probability Of Love At First SightTitle: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 236
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT was the perfect book to get me to actually sit down and read, something I’ve struggled with for most of 2023. I really enjoyed reading Hadley’s story. Smith’s writing helped draw me right in. I loved the chemistry between Hadley and Oliver. I also found myself grinning stupidly as I read the bantering between them. I also loved watching Hadley and Oliver deal with life’s ups and downs during the day they were together. You may think that the story seems fantastical to happen all in one day, but it just added to the magic.

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Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens AgendaTitle: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Series: Simonverse #1
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 336
Rating:

My Thoughts

I grew up in a very conservative religious family. Like many Christian religions, my religion believes acting on “same-sex attraction” is a sin. Because of this, I’ve always shied away from reading LGBTQ+ stories. In more recent years, I’ve come to the conclusion that LGBTQ+ literature’s important because of representation and normalizing that love is love.

SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA is a heart-warming story about love and acceptance in all its forms. I loved the relationship he had with Blue. I loved reading their emails to each other. They were fun and witty. I also loved his relationship with his parents and sisters. His family was protective and supportive, but not without their flaws which made the story more realistic.

I felt scared and happy on Simon’s behalf when he came out to his friends and family. When I read about his fear of rejection and/or disappointing those he loved, my heart broke and I wanted to hug him and tell him everything was going to be okay. I also felt sad and angry for him when he was outed without his consent and bullied at the hands of other students in his school. I actually really loved how Albertalli used the bullying Simon faced as a way for him to feel supported by his friends, family, and teachers as they rallied around him.

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Stalking Jack The Ripper

Stalking Jack The RipperTitle: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’ve been excited to read STALKING JACK THE RIPPER ever since I knew the book existed. I’ve been fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper ever since I was a teenager. I watched a couple of TV miniseries fictionalizing his rampage of terror with my parents and I often wondered who the real Ripper was and why he did what he did.

I loved how Maniscalco wove the historical in with the fiction. I loved seeing the events of Jack’s murders through the eyes of Audrey Rose and the other characters around her. I loved reading about the science of the times. In Maniscalco’s author’s note, she said she tried to remain as true to the capabilities of the time as possible. I thought it was really interesting that even though most of society scorned the work of forensic scientists because they thought it ungodly and mad, scientists were able to do all they did without the advancements we have today.

I loved the cast of characters, including Jack. Even though I guessed who Jack was in the end, I was surprised how it all went down. It made for a fun, surprising ending that I really enjoyed. I also loved the little bit of banter between Audrey Rose and certain someone. I look forward to more of that in future books in the series.

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Dread Nation

Dread NationTitle: Dread Nation
Author: Justina Ireland
Series: Dread Nation #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 418
Rating:

My Thoughts

DREAD NATION is the first zombie novel I’ve ever read and I loved it. I loved how the “Shamblers” worked and how they changed the outcome of the Civil War and society in general. The Shamblers were so much fun to read about. I especially loved reading the fight scenes with all the different weaponry used against the dead.

I liked the time period and how Ireland used the setting to discuss the oppression of black people not only during Civil War era United States, but in general the most. Even though the themes are blunt, they’re not preachy. Ireland skillfully addresses issues of racism and inequality while delivering a complex, enthralling story. Reading this book was very eye-opening. I know I’ve lived a very sheltered and safe life (and I’m not talking about a life free of Shamblers). I felt like the story wonderfully illustrates the perseverance and strength black people have while enduring horrific abuse at the hands of those who see them as lesser.

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Fangirl

FangirlTitle: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 448
Rating:

My Thoughts

I loved the whole concept of FANGIRL. Other than the writing fan-fiction thing because I don’t do that, I connected with Cath so hard. I’ve been obsessed with fandoms before like she and Wren are with Simon. I’ve met friends in forums and then in real life. I’ve traveled with those friends to settings in the books we love. And, I’ve read fanfics because I wanted those fandoms to live on.

I also loved reading the excerpts not only from the “original” Simon books, but also from Cath’s fan-fiction, especially CARRY ON. The excerpts made me love the characters almost as much as Cath does. I’m excited that Rowell decided to write a trilogy based on Simon so I can read it at some point.

I loved the slow-burn romance between Cath and Levi. I loved their relationship. It was so cute and swoony. There were times when I wanted less Simon because I wanted more kissing. And, I liked the story just the way it was because Rowell explored some really tough subjects, like abandonment, addiction, and mental illness.