Save the Date - Morgan Matson

My rating: ⭐⭐

From the cover:

"Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future."
Not my favorite. I thought the characters were great, but they were pretty much the only thing that kept me reading after about the first quarter of the book, which...not great. Perhaps if it had been shorter it would have held my attention better, but the first 3/4 of the book is nothing but a series of ever-more-ridiculous terrible things threatening to ruin Charlie's sister's wedding, all of which she somehow ends up responsible for fixing, despite the presence of two wedding planners, two sets of parents, the bride and groom, and several grown-ass siblings not currently in high school. All the actual human conflict gets packed into the last few chapters, which is a huge bummer since the conflict between her brother and the rest of the family is talked about throughout the entire book. Don't make me wait the bulk of the book for more details! Weave the interpersonal drama in with the ridiculous wedding drama! Also, "And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute"? Goods not as advertised. Dreamy Billiam is barely in the first half of the book, and legit nothing happens between the two of them. Almost the entire book focuses on her depressing hang up on Jesse the obvious douchebag. Don't tease me with a budding romance between the main character and a sweet, funny dude and then torture me the entire book with some asshole. Bleh. 

Ultimately, while this would make a great movie, it was not that successful as a book. You can pass on this one.

We Are Not Yet Equal - Carol Anderson

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the cover:

"Carol Anderson's White Rage took the world by storm, landing on the New York Times bestseller list and best book of the year lists from New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Chicago Review of Books. It launched her as an in-demand commentator on contemporary race issues for national print and television media and garnered her an invitation to speak to the Democratic Congressional Caucus. This compelling young adult adaptation brings her ideas to a new audience.

When America achieves milestones of progress toward full and equal black participation in democracy, the systemic response is a consistent racist backlash that rolls back those wins. We Are Not Yet Equal examines five of these moments: The end of the Civil War and Reconstruction was greeted with Jim Crow laws; the promise of new opportunities in the North during the Great Migration was limited when blacks were physically blocked from moving away from the South; the Supreme Court's landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision was met with the shutting down of public schools throughout the South; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 led to laws that disenfranchised millions of African American voters and a War on Drugs that disproportionally targeted blacks; and the election of President Obama led to an outburst of violence including the death of black teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri as well as the election of Donald Trump.

This YA adaptation will be written in an approachable narrative style that provides teen readers with additional context to these historic moments, photographs and archival images, and additional backmatter and resources for teens."

I keep starting this review only to delete what I wrote and start over because I can't find the words that are right to start this off. Instead of allowing myself to get caught in an endless loop of rewritten intros, let's start with a quote from the epilogue of this book.

"Imagine if, instead of continually refighting the Civil War, we had actually moved on to rebuilding..."

This quote basically sums up the entire book. Every chapter is full of examples of (white) people going out of their way to keep people of color down, even though doing so hurts everyone. Where could we be as a country if we built everyone up and let people succeed instead of letting racism run unchecked and tearing people down for our own bigoted amusement?

There was so much in the early chapters of this book that I had never heard before, and it's depressing to realize how much of history has been whitewashed and retaught as something less shameful than what it actually was. It's equally frustrating to read about the presidencies immediately following the Civil War and realize...things are basically the same today. The idea that equal treatment of minorities is somehow favoritism, for instance. The attitude of, "Fine, we'll grant you these rights so you can be 'equal', but do you really need to exercise all of them? Can't you just be happy with the scraps we already gave you?" Definitely still going on. Ugh.

This book is well-researched, well-written, and a great adaptation of White Rage. If you're wondering whether you should read it, the answer is yes, you should. Full disclosure: it will make you mad. Hopefully we can all use that anger to make things better.

Someone I Used to Know - Patty Blount

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the cover:

"TRIGGER WARNING: Boys will be boys is never an excuse.

It’s been two years since the night that changed Ashley’s life. Two years since she was raped by her brother’s teammate. And a year since she sat in a court and watched as he was given a slap-on-the-wrist sentence. But the years have done nothing to stop the pain or lessen the crippling panic attacks that make her feel like she’s living a half-life.

It’s been two years of hell for Derek. His family is totally messed up and he and his sister are barely speaking. He knows she partially blames him for what happened, and totally blames him for how he handled the aftermath. Now at college, he has to come to terms with what happened, and the rape culture that he was inadvertently a part of that destroyed his sister’s life. 

When it all comes to a head at Thanksgiving, Derek and Ashley have to decide if their relationship is able to be saved. And if their family can ever be whole again."

Oof, this book. This is a difficult topic to write about, but it's so important when it comes to opening a dialogue to have stories like this out there, and while it feels weird to read a book about a 14-year-old being raped and say "this book is important, and everyone needs to read it," well...this book is important. And everyone needs to read it.

The use of dual narrators, telling the story from both Ashley and Derek's perspectives, was an excellent approach. As Derek and his friends learn, it can't just be women, male victims, or people with sisters/wives/daughters fighting this fight...men with no other stake in the game besides a desire to be a good person need to become allies, and what better way to help young men along that path than to give them a role model like Derek? Watching Derek grapple with his mistakes was almost as painful as reading Ashley's story, but it was also inspiring to see him learn from them, ask questions, and start to become a better, stronger person. We need more narratives like his in the world.

With Ashley's story, the court excerpts at the start of chapters were a punch to the gut, and they help the reader right away to get into Ashley's head and try to feel what she was and is still feeling. Her chapters were hard to read at times, but they should be hard to read. I don't want to meet the person who reads this book and doesn't struggle through it. 

One thing that really hit me hard was her realization that there is no justice. No matter what happens, nothing is going to fix what happened to her. She will always have to live with it, it will always be a struggle, and nothing about that is just or fair. Another heartbreaking piece of her narrative was the question of why the bright future of a high school football player was more important than her bright future. That is a narrative that is spun so often in cases like this...look at Brock Turner as a real-world example. He's so talented, he has such a bright future, something like this shouldn't define the rest of his life! But...it's fine that it will define the rest of his victim's life? He chose this, they didn't. Nothing about that is acceptable, and the fact that so many people don't even think about the victim in cases like this is disheartening.

Ultimately, I think what makes this book most important is that nothing about it felt like fiction to me. Every word, every experience was real. Ashley, Derek, and their family may be made up, Vic may not have ever existed, but the things that happened to them have happened to other people. Do happen to other people, every day. Read this book, then share it with someone you know. Build more allies. Put less pressure on women to attempt to police the behaviors of others and shift that responsibility where it belongs. Books like this can help change the world.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the cover:

NOT THIS TIME! And here's why:

This book caught me by surprise in such a good way. Full disclosure, I often have a tendency to judge books by their covers, in that I see a book like this one and think, "yup, that cover caught my attention. I'm gonna read this." without ever checking to see what the book is about. Consequently, knowing nothing about the plot, I started reading this with the expectation that it would be a little light, somewhat salacious, and funny.

I mean, I wasn't wrong. But it also did a mind-blowing job of weaving deeper themes into the story, making you think without ever coming right out and spelling out for you, "hey, let's talk about social issues." Monty's dad's treatment of him, the way people react when they find out Monty's sexual orientation, and the things Percy deals with being dark-skinned are just a few examples that come to mind, but it happens throughout the book, small comments slipped in when you least expect it that make you pause and consider the issue. It was masterfully done and such a pleasant surprise.

As if that weren't enough, I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters. I listened to the audiobook first, then read the physical book, and my god, every time Monty says, "hello, darling" I died a little. He was just the right blend of sarcasm and genuine caring, Percy was infinitely sweet and somber and made me want to hug him, and Felicity...I don't like hashtagging midsentence, but she is #goals, for sure. Then we get the side characters, and the little details we see that bring them to life...just sublime. After reading this, I think I'm going to start reading more books based only on the cover. I may get burned at times, but it was such a nice surprise going in blind and coming out of it with this experience. Amazing book. Please read it.

Quiver - Julia Watts

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the cover:

"Libby is the oldest child of six, going on seven, in a family that adheres to the "quiverfull" lifestyle: strict evangelical Christians who believe that they should have as many children as God allows because children are like arrows in the quiver of "God's righteous warriors." Like the other families who adhere to this philosophy, Libby's family regards the father as the "Christian patriarch" and leader and the mother as the "helpmeet" who gives birth to, cares for, and homeschools the children. 

Meanwhile, Zo is the gender fluid offspring of Libby's new neighbors who have moved to the country from Knoxville in hopes of living a slower-paced, more natural life. 

Zo and hir family are as far to the left ideologically as Libby's family is to the right, and yet Libby and Zo, who are the same age, feel a connection that leads them to friendship—a friendship that seems doomed from the start because of their families' differences."

Libby Hazlett and Zo Forrester meet when Zo and hir family move to the farm next door to Libby's after the property had been empty for more than a year. The Hazlett family is fairly sheltered, primarily spending time with each other and with members of their church congregation, so right away Libby finds herself intrigued by the new family and, in particular, Zo. 

The two families have radically different ideologies--Libby's father is a strict disciplinarian, unwavering in his ultra conservative principles, while Zo's parents are liberal and much more relaxed in their parenting style. As it turns out, though, they also have a lot in common, and everyone seems to hit it off...until, that is, their fathers getting into an argument at an ice cream party and Mr. Hazlett decides that his family will no longer associate with the Forresters. 

Alas, the damage Mr. Hazlett fears has already been done. Spending time with Zo has gotten Libby thinking, and it turns out she may not be as content with her life as she previously convinced herself. Will she risk angering her father and turning her back on the God she is supposed to believe in to continue her friendship with Zo, or will she bend to her father's will and allow things to return to how they used to be?

This book is like nothing I have ever read. Coming from a family who, while not evangelical Christians, were close enough for some of Libby's experiences to hit close to home made this a difficult read, but seeing Libby and Zo learn more about each other, grow closer, and take the time to understand the other's perspective was worth the discomfort. I felt connected to both of them right away, and watching them grow throughout the book warmed my heart. Not only that, but I found myself unexpectedly tugged into the friendship between their two mothers, rooting for Mrs. Hazlett's happiness as she struggled through a difficult pregnancy and, after their husbands' fight, losing her new friend. Julia Watts did a remarkable job bringing the Hazlett and Forrester families to life, and if you're looking for a book that allows you to experience worlds you aren't familiar with, I can't recommend Quiver strongly enough.

The Day Tajon Got Shot - Beacon House

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the cover:

"Meet Tajon.

Tajon is sixteen and black.
He's tall and skinny, and he wears his hair in dreads.
Tajon works hard and tries his best to be good.
He does OK in school. He has plans.
He's determined.

Tajon is the kind of son who cares about his family.
He's the kind of brother who stands up for his sister.
He's the kind of kid who dreams big dreams to get himself and
those he loves up and out of the hood.

Tajon is the one who gets shot.

Meet the authors.
Ten black teen girls in Washington, DC started writing this book during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. They began with one central question: What really happens in a community when a black youth is the victim of violence by police? Each writer takes on the perspective of a central character - the victim, the police officer, the witness, the parent, the friend - and examines how it feels to be a human being on all sides of this event. Their stories thoughtfully explore issues of race, violence, loyalty, and justice in a community torn apart but seeking connection."

This book is important, and not just because of the topic. Books like The Hate U Give, All American Boys, How It Went Down, etc. are all valuable, and if you have the time and inclination I recommend reading all of them. Before you do, though, I suggest you get your hands on a copy of this book--legit, ask me, I will lend you mine.

Why should this be number one on your to read list? First things first, because it was written by a group of teenage girls. If that knowledge doesn't hit you like a punch in the gut with every word you read, then you just might be missing a heart. Think about what they must be going through to be able to produce something like this. These girls worked together to examine all sides of the epidemic of police violence toward black people in a thoughtful, emotional, and powerful way, and I was blown away with every page. As if that's not enough, they brought each character to life, and I caught myself holding my breath multiple times as I read. Finally, the artwork incorporated into the story added even more depth. This book is a work of art. And page 151, man...I don't think I've ever reacted so strongly to a book before. 

Final reason to read this? Jason freaking Reynolds tweeted that people needed to read it. Jason Reynolds, guys. If you don't want to take my word for it, take his. I promise you, he's right.

The Kissing Booth - Beth Reekles

My rating: ⭐

From the cover:

"Meet Rochelle Evans: pretty, popular--and never been kissed. Meet Noah Flynn: badass, volatile--and a total player. And also Elle's best friend's older brother... 

When Elle decides to run a kissing booth for the school's Spring Carnival, she locks lips with Noah and her life is turned upside down. Her head says to keep away, but her heart wants to draw closer--this romance seems far from fairy tale and headed for heartbreak. 

But will Elle get her happily ever after?"

 

They didn't ask me for one, but if they had, this would be my front cover blurb for The Kissing Booth: "I rolled my eyes so many times reading this, I was worried they would stick that way."

This might be the first time I have ever hate-read a book. If I had another audiobook lined up, I would have given this up after the first chapter. Sadly, I didn't, so I stuck it through to the bitter end--and, oh boy, was it bitter. I can't think of a single positive thing to say about this book. Truly, from start to finish, it was hot garbage with no redeeming qualities. If I could give it zero stars, I would. Hot. Garbage.

So, what was it that made me hate The Kissing Booth so much? Let's start off with the least offensive flaws and progress from there.

Flaw 1: If Beth Reekles has an editor, she needs to find a new one. If she doesn't, she needs to get one, because this book was ridiculous. Everything happened suddenly, all Noah did throughout the book was smirk, give his trademark smirk, smirk sexily, give a steamy smirk. All everyone else did was grimace at things that were happening. No kidding, it felt like every other sentence, someone was grimacing. Beth, let me help you out here, real quick, with some synonyms.

Smirk: sneer, leer, simper

Grimace: frown, scowl

Flaw 2, closely related to Flaw 1: Did you know that Beth Reekles is British? I did. Want to know how? Even though this book is set in California, everyone uses British slang and phrases! It happened throughout the book...Noah drove a motorbike, Elle didn't want to get into another row, people were sat on counters, etc... If everything else about the book was great, neither of these issues would have been a deal breaker, but as it transpired they were the least-offensive thing about it.

Flaw 3: There was no character development and no consistency in their personalities. I'm not sure Beth even knew what her characters were like, they changed so much from one chapter to the next. All of it was so weird...one chapter, Elle is one of the guys, because since her mom died when she was young she was never very girly. The next she has multiple outfit changes and needs to make sure her makeup is perfect. Oh, but don't forget that her mom died when she was young! It's important...even though it never has any impact on the story and ultimately seems like some weird detail shoehorned in for....no discernible reason? Also, her dad is just..........he may as well not have been there. Elle is a junior in high school who lives like a college student with no parental supervision.

Dad: *After Elle didn't come home until the next morning after a party* "You didn't drink did you? Because I don't want you to drink."
Elle: "Well I got super shitfaced, but don't worry, Noah stopped me from getting naked in front of the whole school."
Dad: "Oh, Elle."

Dad: "I don't like Noah, and I don't think you should date him."

Elle: "Uhh I'm gonna date him." *proceeds to stay out all night and go to a hotel with Noah*

Dad:

Reading this felt like reading a poorly-written fanfic based on Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill. The driving force behind the drama was "I'm dating my best friend's brother, but he can't know!" Why can't he know? Why does he care? There was no reason for the secrecy, and the only reason for her best friend to be upset at the two of them dating was never addressed. Which brings us to the biggest thing I hated about this book:

Noah is controlling and abusive! This is the elephant in the room the entire book, and it ends up brushed under the rug. Can we stop writing YA fiction that romanticizes abusive relationships? Can we please? At the beginning of the book, we find out Noah has been threatening every guy at school to keep them away from Elle...to "protect her," he says, but seriously? It's because he wants to date her. Multiple times throughout the story, Noah drags her away, forced her against walls, tells her how to dress, threatens other people to scare them away from her, does something unforgivable only to kiss Elle and make her forget all about it. At one point, he almost breaks a guy's rib for trying to kiss her. It gets played off like the guy was being aggressive and borderline sexually assaulting her, but it wasn't written that way at all. It was written like "guy thinks Elle is interested. Tries to kiss her. She begins to shut him down. Abusive, territorial male appears from out of nowhere to kick guy's ass before she can." Gross. 

There is one half-hearted reference to Noah seeing a therapist when he was younger for his violent tendencies, but apparently it couldn't be helped. I guess it's just one of those incurable things for everyone to look past? An adorable quirk? That's what it ends up becoming, anyway. Elle shrugs it off because Noah is just so darn cute. Besides, after their weird non-break up when Lee finds out they're "together," he turns it all around. It's like night and day, suddenly (do you see what I did there?) her violence-junky (yep, they use that phrase. Over and over) boyfriend is an over-the-top romantic, doing amazing things like presumptuously booking a hotel room for them the night of the summer dance (which they didn't even go to together), asking the band to play a song she likes, and (hold onto your hats!) holding the door open for her. What a sweetheart.

This book reminds me of those "I fed a bot 10,000 hours of content and then had it generate its own version" things. Is Beth Reekles real? Or was this book written by an alien with the barest grasp of human emotions and experiences? I truly can't decide, but either way it's terrible. Please don't read it. Please.