ya contemporary

Cover Reveal: The Meaning of Birds by Jaye Robin Brown

January 10, 2019

The Meaning of Birds on April 16, 2019
Genres: contemporary, LGBT, YA Contemporary
Pages: 368
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Barnes & Noble, Buy on Books & Books
Goodreads

Before, Jessica has always struggled with anger issues, but come sophomore year that all changes when Vivi crashes into her life. As their relationship blossoms, Vivi not only helps Jess deal with her pain, she also encourages her to embrace her talent as an artist. And for the first time, it feels like the future is filled with possibilities. After In the midst of senior year, Jess’s perfect world is erased when Vivi suddenly passes away. Reeling from the devastating loss, Jess pushes everyone away, and throws out her plans to go to art school. Because art is Vivi and Vivi is gone forever.

Desperate for an escape, Jess gets consumed in her work-study program, letting all of her dreams die. Until she makes an unexpected new friend who shows her a new way to channel her anger, passion, and creativity. Although Jess may never draw again, if she can find a way to heal and room in her heart, she just might be able to forge a new path for herself without Vivi.

This sapphic read comes out on April 16, 2019, and I am definitely adding this to the top of my TBR list! Meaning of Birds has one of the most beautiful and simplistic covers I have ever seen!

After reading the synopsis, I have a feeling I am going to experience many ugly cries through reading this own voices novel! I love books that are filled with emotion and depth because they are the kind of books that I never forget. Being a huge arty girl myself, I am excited that Brown’s MC has a love of art. Even though, I tend to gravitate towards fluffy contemporaries I am always game for a good emotionally gripping story.

Cover Reveal: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

December 18, 2018

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
on April 16, 2019
Genres: contemporary, YA Contemporary, YA Romance
Pages: 432
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Barnes & Noble, Buy on Books & Books
Goodreads

After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.

Happy Holidays! When I laid eyes on this book cover I seriously thought that this was a YA-cozy-winter-read with the Hallmark feels! This book just SCREAMS a winter read for me and I was surprised to find out that this book comes out on April 16, 2019! Just feast your eyes on this adorable cover by Jenn Bennett who is also the author of the much-talked-about summer book Alex, Approximately!

The synopsis of the book sounds like the perfect cozy read. This book has a mystery element to it and I am not an avid mystery reader but I love the fact that it has a combination of a romance and that the mystery is set in a historic Seattle hotel. Serious Moonlight sounds like the perfect novel to read on a rainy day with some pie and a warm cup of coffee! Pre-order your copy here!

Love, Simon Private Screening!

February 15, 2018

On January 31, 2018, on a school night, I drove about a good hour away from work to because I was invited to see a private screening of Love, Simon based on the novel Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda!

After experiencing a bit of the January blues this was exactly what this tired teacher needed!

via GIPHY

Sometimes when your just feeling like nothing could make you feel better it’s good to do something for yourself and shake up the routine a bit!

My new crush Simon, played by Nick Robinson!

If I had to describe the experience of seeing Love, Simon in a few words I would say that it was kind of amazing! Like genuinely amazing!

I am at the bottom posing with my book club buddies!

Unfortunately, I committed a book nerd crime and I saw the movie before I read the book! I know! The horror!

via GIPHY

Becky Albertalli’s book was so readable and so freaking cute that I just flew through the pages! If you want an easy read/emotionally gripping/quirky/adorable/coming-of-age book this is a perfect rec for you! Simon is officially one of my favorite characters and he just warmed my heart to the very core! I loved his innocence, his self-awareness, his awkwardness, his quirkiness, his insecurity, and his brutal honesty!

There are distinctions between the book and the movie but it didn’t derail from the essence of the story which is about a boy figuring out who he is and trying to live with the fact that he is gay. The story centers around a boy named Simon who is struggling with the growing pains and trying to come out to his friends and family. Unfortunately, Simon is put into a blackmailing situation where he may be forced to come out to everyone he knows including the whole school.

I felt that the book and the movie captured the spirit of the book and after walking out of the movie theatre my heart broke just a little because it was so darn heartwarming! I was in tears throughout the last twenty minutes of the movie and I fell in love with the characters! Immediately I finished the rest of the book within two days! I have to say that even though Simon has my heart, I am looking forward to reading more about the character of Leah! I am so stocked for the upcoming book Leah and the Offbeat! Totally a slave for any Becky Albertalli book and I hope they create more movies based on her books because Love, Simon was better than eating a bag of Oreos!