A Series of Brief Reviews - Part 2

I started a new job in the middle of November...new system, new type of librarian, so much new! I then promptly, two weeks later, got sick. And have been sick ever since. So...that's fun.

While the silver lining to having been sick for over two months now means plenty of time to sit around and read while I lack the energy to do much else, the obvious downside is...well...I lack the energy to do much else. Even, sadly, review books.

I am in the middle of reading an ARC of Maurene Goo's upcoming book, Somewhere Only We Know, so a full review is in the works. Until then, hopefully this will tide you (all my many readers) over.

Becoming - Michelle Obama

Look...real talk? I don't understand anyone who dislikes Michelle Obama. You don't have to love her the way I do, but straight up not liking her? Seems impossible. The woman is incredible. So is her book. Read it.

Little Paris Bookshop - Nina George

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz so boring. I gave it a hundred pages, then gave up. DNF.

Track - Jason Reynolds

Alright, I actually read Ghost quite some time ago, after I got it as my Summer Reading prize, and I loved it. Then I had to wait forever to get the audiobook for Patina, and now I can finally say that I have read (er...read/listened to) the entire quartet, Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu. And shock of all shocks, they are amazing. It's Jason Reynolds, was there ever any doubt? 

I have to give a special shout-out to Sunny, my personal fave and an anthem to all the weird kids out there. I loved Sunny so much, and he is the character little weirdos deserve to read about and see themselves in. You guys, this book. It's perfect. I love the entire Track series, but Sunny's story is my favorite. The narrative is shared in the form of Sunny's diary (do NOT call it a journal. It is a DIARY.), and at first although I loved Sunny as a character, I didn't know if I would enjoy the format, but oh my god. It was so perfect. I listened to the audio, and the narrator just...WAS Sunny. Guy Lockard brought to life the way Sunny manipulates sounds and his unique and wonderful quirks, and my love for his narration only grew when I found out that he and Jason Reynolds grew up together. Listen to the audiobook, and do yourselves a favor and listen to Jason Reynolds and Guy Lockard talk about Sunny and the rest of the track series after. So beautiful.

Furiously Happy - Jenny Lawson

If you have ever struggled with your mental health and felt alone, feel alone no longer. Thank you, Jenny, for opening this dialogue, reassuring us that it's ok to be fucked up, and reminding us not to compare ourselves to the shiny people. I didn't realize how much I needed this book until I started reading it and couldn't put it down.