Hi there! I’m here today to talk about a non-fiction title I was able to read early about incredible advances in medical technology and genome sequencing. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

As a kid, I was always interested in science. People used to tell me they could see me in a lab coat someday, and I was asking for microscopes and pipettes for holiday presents. I will forever credit my high school sophomore chemistry teacher with cementing my decision to pursue a college degree in the science field – I originally majored in biochemistry but quickly found clinical laboratory sciences to be a much better fit. Now, almost three years after graduation, I do indeed don a white coat five days a week working in a laboratory. Although my education [for now] is complete, I find that my thirst for knowledge, especially in fields unfamiliar to me, has yet to be extinguished. So, when I saw that The Genome Odyssey, a non-fiction by Dr. Euan Angus Ashley, was up on BookishFirst, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it. I also had a feeling that not many people would be itching to pick up a book about sequencing genes, so I saved my points and took my chances with the raffle – my hypothesis turned out to be correct (it’s either that, or I’m just lucky).

The Human Genome Project, an international collaborative research program whose goal was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings, was completed in 2003, and with its completion came the first model mapping out (physically and genetically) the chromosomes of the human body. The genes in our DNA carry the instructions our body needs to decide everything from your eye and hair color to the way your cells fight off infection, and sequencing has helped us further understand how these genes can help or hinder bodily function. Since 2003, the cost of genome sequencing, once a multi-million dollar procedure, can cost no more than routine tests and has assisted in the diagnosis of several medical disorders that once left patients searching far and wide for answers. Dr. Euan Ashley walked into a colleague’s office at Standford University one afternoon in 2009 to discuss an upcoming conference, and instead left with burning questions that would lead to a future of using genome sequencing to save lives. As the title suggests, The Genome Odyssey takes the reader through the long and arduous history and adventures of genome sequencing – how far it has come in the past several decades, stories of those it has helped in its wake, and what it means for the scientific community’s future. Dr. Ashley’s humor, passion, and optimism shines through as he documents the dynamic group of researchers and doctor detectives always on the hunt for answers, and the pioneering patients who have forever opened up their lives to the medical community during their search for diagnoses and cures.

At times, this truly felt as though I was back in a lecture hall hearing Dr. Ashley talk about his contribution to the advancement of genome sequencing and recounting various patients that have entered his life throughout the process. I liked how when he was introducing his colleagues, some of whom have accomplished some incredible academic and scientific feats, he captured their humanity and personality, and that there was such a focus on the care of his patients when their anecdotes were scattered throughout the four parts. Whenever a new rare condition or piece of technology was introduced, the book would backtrack to the first time it was discovered, so it felt a little more textbook than usual, but it added context and emphasized how far science has come since then. I also want to highlight the last chapter, “The Road Ahead.” Dr. Ashley explains how sequencing technology will continue to improve, driving down the price of whole genome sequencing and allowing more patients to have access to this type of medical history. He also mentions that pathogen sequencing will also become more useful in a scientific setting, and in fact already has – when 2020 was gripped by a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, within weeks the genome of the culprit virus was sequenced, providing much-needed information on how the virus was replicating, spreading, and how it can be combated with a vaccine. Maybe it is just my history and constant fascination starting at a young age, but science never really ceases to amaze me – even in times of constant chaos, the scientists were prepared and ready to fight.

In conclusion, I think anyone with an interest in genetics, sequencing, or is looking for more scientific nonfiction will get exactly what they want out of this book. Dr. Ashley outlines every expectation in his preface, so if those first eight pages or so pique your interest I think you’ll enjoy the rest of the book, or at least learn something you didn’t know before. The Genome Odyssey is set to release on February 23rd, 2021 (which should be the day this post goes live), so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and consider picking up a copy for yourself. *Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher, Celadon Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find The Genome Odyssey:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Macmillan

Hello! Here is yet another review for an advanced copy I won through BookishFirst. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

Back in November and December of last year, I won a total of three books by writing first impressions and entering raffles on BookishFirst. Today I’ll be discussing one of those books – a YA dystopian novel The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold. I didn’t know if it was the best time to read said book, considering the premise centers around the collapse of human civilization after a Fly-Flu runs rampant around the world, but decided to give it a go. The reading experience was completely unlike anything I’ve read in a while, so I’m excited to get to talk about my feelings.

Since I don’t want to run the risk of giving away any spoilers, as I do believe it’s best going in with as little knowledge as possible, I am including the description that can be found on the book’s Goodreads page: “When a deadly Fly Flu sweeps the globe, it leaves a shell of the world that once was. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog, on a voyage devised by Nico’s father to find a mythical portal; a young artist named Kit, raised in an old abandoned cinema; and the enigmatic Deliverer, who lives Life after Life in an attempt to put the world back together. As swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, these few survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and light in a world gone dark.”

I was very confused throughout a large portion of this book, because the answers to questions are only given to you exactly when the author wants you to know them. He strategically places stories you’re led to believe don’t matter sprinkled throughout each of the three points of view, until one line is able to connect those stories to present day events so things make sense. It threw me for a loop so many times, but looking back I am very impressed with how Arnold was able to craft this story. I also noted how Kit and Nico’s perspectives are written in 3rd person point of view, but when we read chapters from the Deliverer, their sections are directed specifically at us as the reader (1st person point of view) – they act as an omnicient narrator who knows how this story is going to play out, and I suppose in a way that’s extremely accurate given to them reliving this life countless times in an attempt to make things right. I went back and forth on their identity multiple times, and appreciated how you are given clues as to who the Deliverer is, but it isn’t overly obvious. Of our three main perspectives, I think Kit had to be my favorite – he’s the youngest and is always being underestimated by everyone else in the group, but he is smart and capable and understands how his actions are going to have consequences. His knowledge learned from his Dakota and from reading the books in his library truly highlights how he doesn’t really know a life before the Flies hit, and his tidbits that he shares throughout the journey both make the reader laugh and acknowledge that all of these characters are outsiders to how society used to operate before devastation hit. But even at the end of the day, these characters find each other, and together they navigate through the bleakest of places, with only their hope as their guide.

Am I still confused about the ending and have more questions than I would like? Yes. Am I still reeling from the death of one particular character? Yep. Does this still heighten my fears while in the middle of a global pandemic? Of course. But will this prevent me from picking this book up again? Absolutely not, because I believe this is a novel that you will gain so much more from upon a reread, because you won’t be so busy trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together. The puzzle is complete, so now you can enjoy the journey that David Arnold takes you on to follow these interlocking characters throughout the darkest days of humanity. I, for one, will be taking notes of what I missed. The Electric Kingdom is set to be released on February 9th, 2021 (which is the day this post goes live if things work out), so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and please consider picking up a copy for yourself if you’re interested (and can stomach a post-apocalytpic novel right now). I highly recommend. *Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher, Viking Books, for the copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find The Electric Kingdom:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
David Arnold’s site
Penguin Random House

Hi! I’m here to talk about another giveaway win for an adorable YA contemporary that’s finally out in the world this week.**And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

I’ve talked a bit about how 2020 really was the year for virtual author events, panels, and giveaways, and while I do miss being able to gather with my fellow book nerds I think this certainly increases traffic to those events due to more accessibility. Plus, I can enter to win digital advanced readers copies and maybe end up with a winning email. That was the case with A Taste for Love, a debut YA rom-com by Jennifer Yen that I acquired through YALLWRITE 2020. I had a choice of three books to enter for, and this one sounded the most like something I would read and enjoy, and the cover gave me sweet and summer vibes, which I think greatly articulate themes throughout the novel. I am so glad this ended up in my inbox.

High school senior Liza Yang dreams of a future at culinary school while spending days and evenings after at her parents successful restaurant and bakery, Yin & Yang. They, however, try to dissuade her from following in their footsteps, which may cause Liza to be a little rebellious in their eyes, especially by dating Americans when her mother wants her to bring home an Asian guy. The summer after graduation gets even more intense when Liza is finally allowed to show off her technical expertise as a judge in her parents baking competition, but her mother’s selections may just be a bit too particular. And things start to heat up when she finds herself falling for one of the contestants, James – stoic, broody, annoyingly attractive, and able to work his way through a recipe [straight to Liza’s heart].

This was an absolutely delightful read. I will say it took me a while to get into, but as soon as the competition started and the shenanigans truly began I was totally hooked. The description of food, whether making preparations at Yin & Yang, Liza experimenting with her own recipes and creations, or hearing the contestants talk about their entries, were so vivid and enticing that I never wanted to read on an empty stomach. I loved watching Liza come into her own while struggling between not wanting to be a disappointment to her family and striving to be her own person and make choices she knows her parents wouldn’t agree with. The book highlighted sibling relationships as well – Liza feels constantly compared to her older sister, while not acknowledging that they both may be encountering the similar critiques and criticisms from their parents (it just seems less obvious because Jeannie doesn’t live at home). I liked the friendship between Liza and Grace, as they regularly exchange thoughts about shared lived experiences, and eventually when Ben and James come into the picture (as potential love interests for each), I really loved how the dynamic extended to include all four. I appreciated how protective Liza and James were of their friends, and truly did not want to see them get hurt after watching them experience heartbreak in the past. Yes, there are some moments of miscommunication used throughout the story, but with some sleuthing each party does ultimately uncover the truth and make the appropriate apologies, so it doesn’t last for much of the book. And another highlight I do want to mention is Liza and her mother’s conflicting views about dating. Liza is constantly trying to avoid her mother’s meddling when it comes to guys she may want to form a romantic relationship with. I mean, *slight spoiler, even though it’s in the Goodreads synopsis* she walks in to the baking competition to find that her mother has selecting ten Asian-American guys as potential date partners. This does spark an argument later on in the novel, where Liza confronts her mother about the ordeal and why it bothers her – she feels as if her mother never asks what she’s looking for in a relationship, and only chooses guys who fit her own ideals in a match for her daughter. Her mother’s response was that she worries Liza isn’t proud of her culture and heritage, and sparks an important conversation between the two, which I found to be impactful.

As someone who is not as well-versed in Asian cultures as she should be, I always strive to make a conscious effort to educate myself in whatever way I can. However, I do make mistakes and say things that can come across as ignorant – even if that was not my intent, I have to take responsibilty as my words have consequences and should be challenged if necessary. I think the character of Sarah kind of embodies just that in the story – she can say things that come across as insensitive, and that’s part of the reason why Liza and Grace don’t particularly want to invite her into their space. She isn’t inheritently bad, and doesn’t say things to be malicious, but she does get things wrong. By the end, I do believe she has undergone growth – she is more particular with the words she uses in certain situations and understands she is not an expert so she needs to educate herself. Grace and Liza should not be her only sources of information, as it is not their job to be the comprehensive encyclepedia for their cultures – Sarah has to make an effort to learn on her own.

So there you have it, my thoughts on this adorable, enticing, and inviting YA romantic comedy that I hope will find the readsership it truly deserves. I thought this was a delighful debut, and can’t wait to see what Jennifer Yen brings about in the future. Also, apparently the story is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and I might be out of touch with the story because I truly did not make the connections until after I had finished (although looking back I can definitely see the inspiration and similarities). A Taste for Love is set to be released on February 2nd, 2021, which means it is officially out in the world so please join me in wishing the book a happy pub week, and consider picking up a copy of this story which will have you craving boba, pastries, and a teenagers falling in love. *Thank you to YALLWRITE, NetGalley, and the publisher, Razorbill, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find A Taste for Love:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Jennifer Yen’s site
Penguin Random House

Hi there! I’m here today to discuss my thoughts about a non-fiction memoir I won from BookishFirst. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

I talk a lot about BookishFirst. It’s become a bit of a routine to check what books are going to be up for raffle, investigate beforehand, and write my first impressions while I’m home from work on Monday afternoons so I’m waiting over a week to find out if I’ve won anything. It’s brought a lot of joy to me during this pandemic, to say the least. I’ve read a non-fiction that was featured on the site before – a true crime novel A Tangled Web by Leslie Rule, which detailed the events around the murder of Cari Farver. When I saw a non-fiction book up for raffle in early December with dogs on the cover, it immediately piqued my interest. So, I entered to win a copy of When Harry Met Minnie (A true story of love and friendship), and, well, now I’m here to tell you what I thought!

Martha Teichner has been an American television news correspondent with CBS News since 1977. She’s been a proud owner of several bull terriors throughout her life – Piggy, Goose, and then eventually Minnie. Since moving to New York, she would walk her dogs down to the Union Square farmer’s market – without at least 1 dog beside her, she feels incomplete, and sometimes even the passersby only notice her when she’s walking a four-legged friend. In 2016, Martha had to put Goose down, and both she and Minnie were lost without him, so for many months Saturday mornings were left without the market. However, on July 23rd, 2016 she wrestled them both out of the house, and their lives were forever changed when Martha was approached by a man named Stephen, who asked if she’d be willing to take in an aging bull terrior named Harry from his friend, who was dying from cancer.

I really wanted to start this review by talking about Carol – the woman who, without her, the events of this memoir never would have happened. She was the glue to her friendship groups, a woman with a big style and an even bigger heart, and someone who was always putting the needs of others, especially those she loved, before her own. I knew from the start of this memoir it was going to be difficult watching the progression of Carol’s illness, watching her chapter by chapter lose her strength while trying to hold on as long as she could. She touched the lives of countless individuals, including Martha, leaving behind incredible memories – “Memories are our true remains, to be treasured, to be shared, to dim, and, eventually, to be lost, when no one is left to remember.**[please see note below]” This is a story about being in the right place at the right time, with the right people around. It’s a story about Minnie and Harry meeting for the first time, and, through subsequent visits, learning to enjoy each other’s company as if they’d lived together forever. But it’s also a story about Martha learning about Carol, so close to the end of her life and wishing she’d been around earlier or had more time to get to know this remarkable human being. It truly is a powerful story about love and friendship, in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. I didn’t expect to becomes so emotional, but that is a nod to Teichner’s storytelling and the way she was able to capture my attention as a reader the whole way through.

I often find reviewing non-fiction, especially memoirs, can be particularly difficult, because essentially you are critiquing a person’s life story that they have, for whatever reason, chosen to share publically with the rest of the world. While I loved Teichner’s story, I did find a few tangents to be a little unnecessary – I can understand why she decided to include them, as they help establish herself as a character within her own story, but sometimes I felt they were a little out of place. The ending also felt a bit rushed, which, again, I understand why (because after Carol’s death, events did appear to occur rather rapidly), I just felt like the rest of the book had an established pace that was a little thrown off towards the end. Please proceed with caution if you have recently lost a loved one, a pet, or have a particular connection to 9/11, as some events may be a bit triggering (athough, of course, you will know your comfort levels with approaching these topics better than I would, so please do not let that deter you if you were thinking about picking this book up).

Martha Teichner’s powerful memoir, When Harry Met Minnie, truly touches upon love, loyalty, friendship, and canine companions. It’s a story to remind us why we love the way we do, how sometimes we wish we had more time, and how one person can impact the lives of so many, even long after they are no longer with us. When Harry Met Minnie is set to be released on February 2nd, 2021 (which is the day this post goes live, if I finish writing it on time), so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday and consider picking up a copy for yourself. *Thank you to Bookishfirst and the publisher, Celadon Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

**As this is a quote from the book, I have to acknowledge that it is from an advanced reader’s copy, and that all quotes should be checked with the finished copy to ensure accuracy, I just thought it was appropriate to include at the time

Where to find When Harry Met Minnie:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Macmillan

Hi there! I’m here for the first post in my new series based on a year-long read-a-thon. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

Buzzword-a-thon is a read-a-thon originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. Previously, it was hosted for seven days a few times a year, but starting in 2021 a Goodreads group was created and themes were picked for every month so readers could participate in a variety of ways. (Click here to watch Kayla’s video explaining the Buzzword-a-thon reading challenge for 2021). What I’ve chosen to do for myself is read one book that centers around the month’s theme, and talk about it briefly in my blog post along with a recommendation (book I’ve already read and enjoyed) and a TBR pick (to read in the future) that also coincide with the theme. It’ll be a new style for me, so we’ll see how this goes. For January, the word was “dream,” so here is how my read-a-thon went for the month.

Read in January – Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
-This month I decided to pick up Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles. The book was featured in an OwlCrate box in 2020, with a gorgeous special edition, and it had been compared to Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge. The story follows a magical competition – a Star yearning for her time in the spotlight, a Master striving to get back what he’s lost, and a Magician trying to escape his past. I listened to the audiobook and really wanted to take my time with it, because I have a tendency of rushing through audiobooks, which sometimes lessens my enjoyment of the story. It was so interesting to see Kallia’s relationship with each of the main characters grow throughout the novel – with Jack, Demarcos, and even her assistant Aaros (who might be my favorite character, and should be protected at all costs). I loved the atmosphere of Glorian and the people we encounter throughout the town, and let me tell you, I was stressed when we got to the last few chapters, because I knew something was going to go wrong, but I hadn’t quite figured out what. I’ll just say now that I will slowly be counting down the days until the sequel, When Night Breaks, is released, because I need to know if the characters I’ve grown attached to are ok.

Recommendation – The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
-Apparently, according to my reading tracker, I’ve only completed one other book with the word “dream” in the title, and that would be The Dream Thieves, the second book in the Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater. I was a few years later to The Raven Cycle hype, but one day at work I needed to find an audiobook to listen to and The Raven Boys was available through my library. I listened to the entire series through audio and really enjoyed my time with Gansey, Blue, and the rest of the crew. I also associate my time reading the series with me recounting everything to my coworker, who had little interest in reading, and him getting upset at some of the events – it was pretty entertaining to watch, especially after the events of The Raven King. I don’t think the series is without its faults, but it’s definitely a YA fantasy staple for a reason, and I would love to reread the series (physically, this time) to delve deeper into the story and pick up on some things I might have missed.

Want to read – Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
-Again, according to my reading list, I don’t have many books with the word “dream” in the title on my TBR pile. The closest I could find was Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater, which is the first book in The Dreamer Trilogy. This series follows Ronan and his brothers, along with a newfound cast of characters, after the events of The Raven Cycle. I ordered an edition for this book from OwlCrate when it was first released, and have been waiting for news about the second book because I’ve heard this one ends on a cliffhanger. The second book in the series, Mister Impossible, will be released in May, so hopefully I can get to Call Down the Hawk sometime this year.

In conclusion, I think I should find more books with the word “dream” in the title. Where Dreams Descend was a great pick for this prompt, and I cannot wait for the release of its sequel later this year. I had so much fun participating so far, and it’s only month one, so I can’t wait to see what the other prompts have in store for Buzzword-a-thon.

Where to find all these books:
Bookshop: Where Dreams Descend The Dream Thieves Call Down the Hawk
Amazon: Where Dreams Descend The Dream Thieves Call Down the Hawk
Goodreads: Where Dreams Descend The Dream Thieves Call Down the Hawk
Author’s sites: Janella Angeles Maggie Stiefvater

Hi there! I’m here to talk about an incredible own voices debut that puts a unique twist on time travel. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure how an advanced copy of Yesterday is History, a debut contemporary (soft sci-fi) book by Kosoko Jackson, ended up in my possession. I must have been scrolling through NetGalley, was drawn in by the cover (I mean can you blame me? It’s stunning), found the synopsis interesting. requested it, and was accepted. It sounded like a hard-hitting read that would contrast the light and fluffy books I was reading at the time. I didn’t know what to expect going into it, and, let me just say, I was incredibly impressed.

On December 22^nd, 2020, Daniel McIntyre dies unexpectantly in a car crash. Andre Cobb, recently diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, is the recipient of his liver through a transplant, and six months later he finds that he might have gained more than just a vital organ. When nodding off to sleep, Andre finds himself in the year 1969, under the magnetic pull of a mysterious stranger named Michael. Before long, he is whisked away back to his present-day Boston home, where he requires a little more than an explanation from the donor’s family. Blake McIntyre, Daniel’s younger brother, is tasked with ensuring Andre has the tools he needs to control his new-found time-traveling abilities, and while the two grow closer Andre just can’t seem to stay away from Michael. But it can be dangerous to meddle with the past, and at the end of the day Andre will be forced to make a choice that will greatly impact his present and future.

I was really blown away by this debut. I think it’s great for readers (such as myself) who tend to gravitate towards contemporary novels but enjoy a slight fantastical or sci-fi twist. Since Andre is just as new to time travel, it really felt like we were learning the law of the land right alongside him, through lessons with Blake, sit-downs with Claire, and even self-discoveries while in the past with Michael. Andre, as a character, was super dynamic for me, as he has been pushed in the direction of medicine for so long by his parents, even having a personal connection to it with his cancer diagnosis, but struggling to differentiate between pursuing it because he wants to or because his parents want him to. Additionally, he is fully aware that he has been handed a social disadvantage because of his race – Andre is consistently pointing out the prejudices put upon him by society as a whole and people in his life because he is Black. In terms of the McIntyre family, I thought this novel was an important portrayal of grief – Blake and his parents have all lost a loved one, due to tragic circumstance, and they each have their own way of dealing with the pain, but sometimes that blindsides them and they don’t see how their coping mechanism can actually hurt each other. It’s something to be worked through with communication and understanding. I’m usually not one to root for love triangles, but I appreciated what both Blake and Michael had to offer Andre as a respective love interest, and in turn what Andre helped them both work through in their personal lives. And the slow buildup to the climax was, well, something I definitely didn’t see coming, but looking back was really well incorporated into the story and I should have caught on. That’s just a nod to good writing and story-telling.

I am sure, as with every other book I’ve read, I can comb through the details and nit-pick things that I wasn’t the biggest fan or think of the story more critically, but I think I’ll leave my thoughts as they are. Because at the end of the day, I read this months ago and am still impressed with the story and how the characters and their story arcs impacted me enough to make positive change in my personal life. I think that provides more insight than anything else I have to offer. Hats off to Kosoko Jackson – I can’t wait to see what he has to offer in the future. Yesterday is History is set to be released on February 2nd, 2021 (which is just a few days after this has been posted), so if you want to reach for a contemporary with discussion of grief, consequences of your actions, and time travel, please consider preordering a copy, as those sales do help the author greatly (and if you’d like to support a local independent bookstore, you can find one here). I hope the story sticks with you as much as it has for me. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, for the e-arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Places to find Yesterday is History:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Kosoko Jackson’s site

Hello! I’m here to review an advanced copy of a romance novel that just so happens to be a sequel to a book I’ve already reviewed here on my blog. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

Back in May of 2020, I won a copy RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair on BookishFirst, which is an adult romance that follows the story of Anh, who moved to Rome, Rhode Island to escape her never-ending cascade of failed relationships and Emmitt, a photojournalist recovering from an injury and wanting to be more of a presence in his daughter’s life. When I heard there was going to be a sequel, titled Hopeless Romantic following Levi, Emmitt’s best friend, I immediately put in on my TBR. I also entered into a Goodreads giveaway for an early copy, and was incredibly surprised when I got an email saying I’d won. I guess this is a lucky streak for me (and I hope it continues). It was such a joy getting to revisit these characters, and I loved seeing Levi and Beckett finally get their chance for a happy ending. (I will say I was a little disappointed that a play on the word “rome” was not included in this title, but I digress).

Beckett Hayes has found it hard to keep a normal job due to her position as a caregiver, so she starts her own personal concierge service, Consider it Done. That leaves plenty of time for rushing home whenever needed and training emotional support animals to be paired with their person in her small town Rome, Rhode Island. She’s never really had time for dating, at least seriously, but she does fit flirting with the bartender, Levi Rhodes, into her busy schedule, even if she has to bring some of her trainees along for emotional support. Levi had his sights on setting sail away from Rhode Island sixteen years ago, but returned home when his father’s death and his sister’s unexpected pregnancy were more important than following his own dreams. Now, running the family marina and bar doesn’t leave him much time for socializing. Well, except for conversations with Beckett, ensuring she gets home alright during a storm, and making an exception for her getting takeout for her service from his bar. Both Levi and Beckett have rough pasts, and family dynamics they’re afraid the other won’t understand, but after being the ones to help other in need maybe they can find solice in each other, and let themselves enjoy something that makes them happy for once.

I’ve just come to love the way Marina Adair writes her characters and gives them so much depth within her romances. Beckitt has been in a parental role in her family ever since her mother abandoned them when she was a child. She had to grow up understanding that her father, who has Asperger’s [although this language is outdated, it is what is used on page], and her brother, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, will always need her closer to home than other people her age. She’s even a bit ashamed that she still lives at home, in her childhood bedroom, and avoids getting rides from Levi several times in order to spare herself the embarrassment. Levi will also do anything to help his family. He put his sailing scholarship on hold and returned home without a second thought when things took a turn. He took charge of the family marina and bar, and became a full-time uncle until her sister married. And now, with his sister’s unexpected death, he has to parcel out his own feelings while being the shoulder for his brother-in-law, his niece, and his mother to lean on in their grief. Beckett and Levi both feel, at times, they’ve put their own lives on hold in order to be there for those they love most. And while that itself is a powerful act of love, it doesn’t leave much room for their own happiness. Together, they realize that maybe wanting something good for yourself isn’t selfish. Their banter is great, and I loved Beckett’s support animal cohorts who she would bring to Levi’s bar in order to give her confidence and talking points (honestly, the rooster stole the show for me from page 1). It was lovely getting to see Emmitt and Anh (and how they manipulate some situations so Levi and Beckett can spend more time together), along with Gray and Paisley – I really do love the characters in this series. My only gripe was I believed the conflict took place too close to the end and was resolved too quickly, and we didn’t get to see equal amounts of interal conflict for Levi and Beckett before the final resolution occurred.

While ASD is not my experience, I felt the representation of both individuals with the disorder and those who are caretakers was done with care. I would personlly recommend checking out some own voices reviews if you’d like further information on it. *And I will note that there is a preface at the beginning, thanking organizations for the work they do to bring awareness to autism and assist those living with it. One of the organizations mentioned (at least in my advanced review copy) is Autism Speaks, which, from my research, has done harm to the autism community. Again, I will recommend you to do your own research on the matter, and come to your own conclusion, it’s just something I would like to mention and bring attention to.*

And that’s a wrap on book two on the When in Rome series. I found both books so far incredibly enjoyable and heartfelt, and getting to see Emmitt and Anh find each other, and Levi and Beckett comes together, has been such a delight. I do hope that we get a book for Gray, because after everything he’s been through, he deserves a happily ever after of his own (in his own time, when he’s ready). Also, according to the book’s Goodreads page, a portion of the royalities will benefit The Organization for Autism Research, which is an organization whose mission is to use science to address the social, educational, and treatment concerns of self-advocates, parents, autism professionals, and caregivers. The organization is also founded and led by parents and grand-parents of children with autism. You can visit their site here to learn more. Hopeless Romantic is set to release on January 26th, 2021 (which is the day this post goes live, if I finish writing it), so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and if you’re in the mood for a small town romance, I highly recommend giving this series a try. *Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher, Kensington Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Hopeless Romantic:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Marina Adair’s site
Kensington Publishing

Hello! I am here to finally talk about my favorite book that I read in the last month of 2020. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

So trying to pick my favorite book I read in December was probably the hardest out of every month last year. It was a pretty even tie between You Should See Me in a Crown, a YA contemporary debut by Leah Johnson, and Almost Like Being in Love, an adult contemporary romance by Steve Kluger. I enjoyed so many aspects of both these books, and I often revisit the endings of both when I need to smile (often a tell-tale sign of a favorite for me). In the end, I decided to go with Leah Johnson’s debut, because when it comes to my preferred genre, YA contemporary always wins, and in my mind this was anything I could have ever wanted from that genre. **Additionally, I’d just like to say that this will be my last “Favorite Book of the Month” post for foreseeable future. I’m finding myself struggling to get these posts up, even though they were my favorite books and I want to gush about how great they are. For 2021 I will be participating in the year long “Buzzword-a-thon,” created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. So those will act at my “once every month” posts for now, and then I will reevaluate what I want to do in the future.**

Liz Lighty is on track to graduate high school as valedictorian and escape her small midwestern town to attend Pennington College, playing in their world famous orchestra and studying to become a doctor to one day help people suffering like her mom and brother. When she doesn’t receive the financial aid she so desperately needs, Liz is utterly disappointed, until she remembers her prom-obsessed town awards scholarship money to the king and queen of the senior class. Liz enters the race, and she will campaign, volunteer, endure humiliating public events – anything that will award her what she needs to succeed. The only thing Liz hadn’t counted on was Mack, the school’s new girl and fellow competitor who’s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider. Can Liz achieve her goal while also getting the girl of her dreams?

As I was listening to the audiobook, I found an almost permanent smile plastered on my face. This was just such an adorable read that brings up important issues and conversations while incorporating so, so much joy. No one like Liz (Black, queer, both?) has ever been a serious contender for prom queen, and she feels like she has to work twice as hard in order to gain the recognition necessary for the votes. But Liz never predicted Mack, the new music nerd at her school, to ever become something more than a friend, and she is scared to share her feelings with her friends and family because, deep-down, maybe she’s still scared to admit them to herself. Their dynamic is lovely, as is the progression of their relationship where Liz gives herself the chance to give the romance a go. I loved how Liz reconnects with her former best friend, who made some stupid remarks in his past but has given himself the time and space to grow into a better person. He’s there for Liz when she needs him most, and can count on him to tell her when she’s in the wrong, which is the type of person we all need in our lives. I’m not sure if I have the proper words to articulate how important, I think, this story will be for new generations to come, but I will say that seeing a Black girl learn to love herself, and be able to dance with the girl she loves at her high school prom in a small town in the midwest was absolutely delightful.

While this book is at its core light-hearted and hopeful, I did appreciate the care that went into talking about sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder that affected Liz’s brother and their mother (before she passed away). Liz certainly feels like her brother’s care taker in a way, making sure he takes his medication, caring for him when in times of crisis (when the sickled cells block blood flow and cause pain), and putting him and his needs before hers time and time again. She is also determined to study medicine when she gets to college, to learn more about this disorder and find new ways to care for the people it affects, in memory of her mother. Even though the novel does primarily focus on Liz’s plights to win prom queen, as someone who has studied disorders such as sickle cell in the past, it was well thought-out story-line that just added another layer to this incredible read.

In conclusion, Leah Johnson’s debut may have just set an unreasonable expectation on future YA contemporary books for me. Her story-telling, characters, romance, famiy dynamics, and friendships will have you wanting to reread this book the minute you finish the last chapter. It was simply lovely to read. If you’re in need of a feel-good read that centers Black joy, prom queens, and finding confidence in yourself at the end of high school, I encourage you to pick up You Should See Me in a Crown. I highly recommend.

Where to find You Should See Me in a Crown:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Leah Johnson’s site
Scholastic

Hi! I’m here to talk about a romance book that put me in such a summer mood when the weather started to get colder. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

As I’ve begun to really refine my reading and figure out what kind of books I’m interested in picking up, I’ve wanted to explore the romance genre and see what there is to offer. Especially with the way 2020 went, there’s nothing wrong with picking up a book knowing you’re guaranteed a happy ending. So when I saw the book Shipped on NetGalley, a debut romance novel set (at least in part) on a cruise ship around the Galapagos Islands, I thought I’d give it a try. I became really invested in Henley and Graeme’s story, and even though they were competing for the same job I wanted them both to suceed. Does that make sense? I hope it does.

Henley Evans, marketing manager for Seaquest Adventures Cruise Line, barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dates between work and night classes for her MBA. When she hears she’s up for a promotion to become the company’s new director of digital marketing, which comes with a rather nice pay raise (perfect to help pay off those student loans), she finally feels like all her hard work is finally being recognized. That is until she hears she’s not the only one on the boss’s radar. Enter Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the one coworker that Henley always seems to butt heads with (she has her reasons). The two of them are sent on a cruise to the Galapagos Islands with the task of drafting a proposal to boost bookings. Henley wants more than anything to succeed, but when Graeme turns out not to be the big-bad she thought him to be, she starts to question everything she’s ever known.

This book was pitched as The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game, and while I’ve only read the former, I know enough about the latter to confirm those are the exact vibes I got from this book. Henley has her reasons for hating Graeme, dating back to his first few weeks on the job, and the two do nothing but take jabs at each other through emails and messages. But when the two meet in person for the first time, and Henley starts to realize her first impression may not have been correct, she starts to doubt herself. She learns that her misconceptions for years have painted him as this enemy at the company, a force to be overtaken, but clearly that just isn’t the case. Additionally, while exploring the islands Henley sees Graeme putting together amazing ideas to boost sales through social media clicks, as her mind is void of any creativity. I loved the dynamic between the two as the story progresses, as they both have a lot of learn about themselves and about each other, but as time goes on they find it better to come to those realizations together instead of apart. Henley is a strong and capable character, but she comes to learn that even those who seem to have it all together need to ask for help sometimes. It’s not a sign of weakness, and it will only make them stronger as a team in the end. This romance is pretty low on the steam, but I don’t think that hurt the book in any way (at least for me) as the escalating attraction between Henley and Graeme is clear and evident. I also liked how this book doesn’t end on the cruise. It isn’t just “a honeymoon trip with a happily ever after” (while there is absolutely nothing wrong with stories that use that arc). We got to see the aftermath of the trip, and maybe (just maybe) we find out that the true conflict for Henley isn’t with Graeme at all.

I also appreciated that while the romance was adorable, it also tackled several important topics in a fair way. Toxic masculinity, misogyny, and unfair treatment in the workplace are all issues that Henley and her female coworkers deal with at the office on a daily basis. Graeme is still reeling from grief after the loss of his mother, and is finally getting back to doing the things he loved before he became a care taker. While Henley’s sister joins her on the cruise ship, she tries to hide messages from a “former” boyfriend, and when Henley finally gets her to reveal the truths about their relationship, all signs point to it being abusive. Henley is heartbroken that she was so focused on school and work to realize her sister was trying to reach out for help, and vows to do better in the future. Conversations between characters that included these topics were treated without bias and overall made the story have a message of hope. I am especially glad misogyny in the workplace was addressed and corrected when brought to the attention of supervision, as far too often we see victims of the situation not being believed, which can cause a hostile work environment. I am very glad to say this book ends with a happily ever after that even Henley didn’t expect at first, but it’s what she deserves.

I think this will be the perfect book to sit down to read in the middle of winter, to give you all the summer vibes that will make you wish for warmer weather. The vivid imagery and the extensive research made me imagine I was on that cruise along with Henley, Graeme, and the other passengers. Shipped is set to release on January 19th, 2021 (which is when this post goes live), so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and consider picking up a copy (from your local indie or best available retailer) to celebrate if you’re at all interested. I hope romance readers love this one as much as I did, and I’m looking forward to checking out what Angie Hockman has in store for the future. **Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Gallery Books, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Places to find the Shipped:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Angie Hockman’s site
Simon & Schuester

Hello! I’m finally here to give my review of Phil Stamper’s new book, as discussed in Monday’s author interview. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

In my previous post, I had a chat with YA author Phil Stamper, whose sophomore novel As Far as You’ll Take Me comes out this February. He talks about what he loves most about getting to write queer stories, how his mindset has changed since the release of his debut novel, and where he would go if given a one-way ticket to anywhere in the world (if you’d like to see his answers, see the blog post here). I have been following Stamper for a bit on social media, so when his second book was announced, I was immediately drawn in by the premise. I love books set in London and musical elements always make me geek out (if I can understand the references, I’m still a bit of an amateur). I was approved to read an early copy on NetGalley, and since it’s less than a month until the book’s release I’m here to share my thoughts.

Marty feels trapped by his hometown of Avery, Kentucky. So, when he graduates high school a year early, he hatches a plan with the help of his cousin, Shane, to spend time in London, England, under the guise of studying at the Knightsbridge Academy of Music. With his oboe and his dreams of freedom, Marty boards the plane and doesn’t look back. From the outside, his life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer to his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But when his façade starts to wither, Marty wonders if he truly belongs, and if he’ll ever find a place that feels like home. *content warning for disordered eating, religious-motivated homophobia, anxiety, and outing without consent*

As someone who has both been a band geek in middle/high school and has gone to London to study abroad, this book had so much I could relate to. I was especially excited to see Gloucester tube station make an appearance, as that was my go-to station during my stay. Back to the book, I found several important topics woven intricately throughout the story. To start, when arriving in London Marty is finally able to explore his identity freely, away from the judging and watchful eyes of his family and closed-minded town. He develops a crush on the first guy he meets, Pierce, and perhaps makes some lousy decisions, but he comes into his own, figures out “feelings” and “firsts,” and explores his new-found independence. Marty also undergoes a friendship breakup, which I don’t think I’ve encountered much in my reading. Megan’s relationship with Marty is considered toxic, and it takes Marty separating himself from her and being on his own (and new strangers hearing stories and pointing out unkind behavior) for him to truly realize the emotional harm she had cause, and conclude that he deserves to be treated better, especially by someone who he considered a best friend. I also appreciated the discussions regarding Marty’s religious parents – we learn from diary entries sprinkled throughout the book that Marty’s coming out did not go well (and being near London pride around the time of his Knightbridge audition didn’t help), and Marty suffered some pretty hefty consequences because of it. However, due to events that occur back in Kentucky, they truly begin to realize how much their actions, or at the time inactions, were affecting Marty negatively, and we see growth. The past cannot be rectified in a day, but making changes so the ones you love know you care and are supportive is a step in the right direction. I did have a few issues with pacing, and thought some things happened too abruptly, as the main action of the story happens over the course of just a few weeks. I also wish some of the side characters were developed a bit more – I found Shane an interesting perspective, and most of the time Marty is just jealous of his cousin’s success in comparison to his lack thereof. I guess the main critique is that I wish it was longer so we could have explored the cast of characters better.

At it’s core, As Far as You’ll Take Me is a sweet and simple story of a teen boy who escapes to find freedom in a foreign country and, with the help of family and friends, discovers more about himself in the process. If you enjoyed Phil Stamper’s debut, The Gravity of Us, I think you’ll be a fan of his sophomore novel. As Far as You’ll Take Me is set to be released on February 9th, 2021, which is less than a month away, so if you’re interested I highly recommend preordering to support the author (and if you’d like to help out a local indie at the same time click here to find one near you) or picking up a copy for yourself when it’s released. I highly recommend. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Bloomsbury YA, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Places to find As Far as You’ll Take Me:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Phil Stamper’s site
Bloomsbury