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When It All Syncs Up Review

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Wow! Where I do I begin? When It All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw is a YA novel set in Canada. The MC, Aisha, loves ballet and is trying to get recognized by any prestigious ballet academy, but things weren't working out at her elite ballet academy. She decides to move in with her childhood friend Neil (after Neil himself has a huge health scare) and transfer to his public arts high school.  Unfortunately, things don't change a lot right away, but now Aisha has a new circle of support with Neil, Neil's best friend (and later Aisha's boyfriend) Ollie, a guy named Ebi, and another girl named Khadija. Aisha also learns in her new environment what does she really want to do, and try not to live up to other people's expectations (mostly her mother's).  On the surface it looks like another work-really-hard-for-your-dreams book with ballet as the center, but this story ended up being a lot deeper than that! It dealt with racism, sexism, eating disorders, alcoholism, strain...

Underrated Books Part 19

  I haven't made one of these in several months! But here's part 19. You can look for previous parts in the Navigation page.  1. Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour -Emi, an aspiring movie set designer, and her best friend Charlotte, track down and find the grandaughter of a famous Hollywood actor named Ava. After they meet and work together on Emi's movie, they fall in love. 2. A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard -Steffi has selective mutism and communicates mostly in sign language. She falls in love with the new boy in her school, named Rhys, who is deaf. Steffi is then able to feel more comfortable with who she is and find her place in the world. 3. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo - Our main character named Ferris has an unforgettable summer with her friends and family, mostly involving a supernatural mystery with her grandmother. 4. The Very Last of the Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews --yes, another book by the famous actress (the first one I shared was Mandy ). Thi...

Favorite Romance Graphic Novels and Manga

  A part 2 to my favorite romance novels from two weeks ago.  These are just some random romance graphic novels and manga that I love, and I hope you love, too! 1. Girl From the Sea by Lee Ostertag 2. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang 3. Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez 4. Cheer Up by Crystal Frasier 5. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz 6.  If You'll Have Me by Eunnie 7. Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione 8. Leap by Simina Popescu 9. Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton (The rest of these are all manga series)  10. A Sign of Affection by Suu Morishita 11. Sakura, Saku by Io Sakisaka  12. Kilala Princess by Rika Tanaka 13. Donuts Under a Crescent Moon by Shio Usui 14. In the Name of the Mermaid Princess by Yoshino Fumikawa 15. Our Not So Lonely Planet Travel Guide by Mone Sorai 16. Gokinjo Monogatari by Ai Yazawa

Pet Review

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Please read the full list of trigger warnings for this book here: https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Pet_by_Akwaeke_Emezi  Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is a young adult dystopian (although set in a utopia), speculative, and urban fantasy book. It is set in a utopian community called Lucille that has is run by Angels (people considered good) and has (supposedly) eliminated all of the Monsters (people considered bad) after a revolution a long time ago.  The main character is a trans girl named Jam who has selective mutism. One day she accidentally brings to life one of her mother's paintings, and a creature emerges from it named Pet. Pet is there to search for and destroy a Monster that still exists in Lucille. It needs Jam's help because the Monster is at Redemption's (Jam's best friend) house.  The whole situation is shocking and confusing, but Jam will do anything to help and protect her best friend and his family.  This book wasn't very long (only 12 chapters), but it reall...

Second Chance Books

  Aka books I want to give a second chance to read. These are books I either DNF'd, read but didn't like, or that I know I read but can't remember anything about.  Most of these I read or attempted to read before I started my blog.   Hopefully I end up liking or even loving these the second time around! 1. A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey 2. Again but Better by Christine Riccio  3. Emily the Strange: The Lost Days by Rob Reger  (first of a series) 4. Old School by Tobias Wolff 5. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 6. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell 7. Chrissa by Mary Cassanova (an American Girl book, also a duology) 8. Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites by Z Brewer  (first of a series) 9. Love at First by Kate Clayborn 10. The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells 11. Mistress Pat by LM Montgomery  (sequel to Pat of Silver Bush , which I read last year) 12. To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers 13. Summer of Salt by K...

OP: Law's Story Review

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Omg this might be my favorite One Piece spinoff novel so far! One Piece: Law's Story by Eichiro Oda and Shusei Sakagami is the story of the character Trafalgar D. Water Law on how he met his closest crew members (Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin) and formed the Heart Pirates. He learns a lot about doctoring and martial arts, but especially life, love, and kindness from his new guardian, an eccentric elderly scientist named Wolf.  I can't get too into it because you'd have to be very familiar with One Piece to understand it, but let's just say this book warmed my heart so much! It's very emotional and well written, and it definitely made me love Law even more as a character. I am so glad we get books like these to get to know certain characters in the world of One Piece more. That's because in the main storyline, we only get bits and pieces of other characters backstories, but books like these put it all together.  So yeah, I gave it 5 stars . It's a must read f...

My Favorite Romance Novels!

  A random list of romance novels I've read over the years that I love and I hope you love, too.  I will do a part 2 soon of favorite romance graphic novels (includes manga) soon!  1. The Sun is Also a Star and Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon 2.  Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley 3. Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Johanneau 4. Sleeping Around by Morgan Vega 5. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson 6. Everything Leads to You  by  Nina LaCour 7. If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia/Holden So 8. Dos and Donuts of Love and Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar 9. I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver 10. Moment of Truth and By Your Side by Kasie West 11.  Let's Talk about Love by Claire Kann 12. A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen 13. Flip the Script and I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee 14. The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery 15. She Gets the Girl   by  Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick 1...