Death Sworn

Written by Leah Cypess

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Kalyna

    

In Death Sworn, a young girl named Ileni is a sorceress whose powers are depleting by every minute. She is sent to teach assassins sorcery inside a dark mountain. Ileni becomes very fond of an assassin named Sorin, even though he could kill her in any way possible.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy slightly romantic novels. I enjoyed reading every page. It was very captivating and made you want to just keep reading.

Well, That Was Awkward

Written by Rachel Vail

A book for readers in grades 5 and up reviewed by Madison

        

Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail is about a girl named Gracie, who has a crush on her friend, A.J. She gets her friend Emmett to see if A.J happens to have a crush on anyone. Unfortunately, Gracie learns that A.J has a crush on her best friend, Sienna. Following this, Gracie becomes jealous of her friend, but decides to stay humble and not tell Sienna that she has a crush on A.J.

I enjoyed Well, That Was Awkward because I believe it is relatable and very funny. I think that it captures what middle school is like, especially while having a crush and going through drama. I also love this book for its unexpected ending.

All the Wrong Chords

Written by Christine Hurley Deriso

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Kalyna

        

In All the Wrong Chords by Christine Hurley Deriso, Scarlett Stiles must spend her entire summer with her grandfather after her older brother, Liam, passes away due to a drug overdose. While she is taking care of her grandfather, she finds out that a rock band is in need of a guitarist. To keep herself busy, Scarlett joins, and she finds herself attracted to the band's lead singer.

I enjoyed this book because both the plot and Scarlett’s character intrigued me. I would definitely recommend it to many of my friends.

Out of Control

Written by Sarah Alderson

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Shayne

    

Out of Control is a book about Olivia AKA Liva and Jaime AKA Jay, who are on the run from two cops. The cops are corrupt and murder Liva’s host family. After Liva witnesses the murders, the cops attack the police station where she has been taken into custody just to kill her. It turns out that Liva's father was actually running one of the biggest human trafficking rings of the decade. Liva and Jay work to take down her father and the two cops trying to kill them.

I like Out of Control because it has a really good twist and a lot of action. Throughout the book, Liva and Jay’s relationship also changes because of certain events that occur. We also get to know Jay's family and learn how chaotic his life actually is.

The Hating Game

Written by Sally Thorne

A book for adult readers reviewed by Caitlin

        

The Hating Game follows Lucy Hutton, who has always been the nice girl in her office. One day, the company she works for has a merger and becomes Bexley & Gamin. This merger brings new workers like Joshua Templeman, an intimidating and straight to the point worker, into the workplace. When Lucy and Joshua are forced to work right across from each other, a hatred forms between them. The two are constantly playing mind games with each other until their hatred turns into something else…

The Hating Game’s writing is nicely paced, and its romance made me smile the entire time I was reading it. At times, this book was extremely funny and cute, which made reading it so enjoyable. I finished this book in one sitting, which shows how much I adored it.

It Ends with Us

Written by Colleen Hoover

A book for adult readers reviewed by Caitlin

        

It Ends with Us follows Lily Bloom as she unexpectedly meets Ryle Kincaid, who she soon becomes romantically involved with. This unexpected love leads Lily to relive traces of her past that she is trying to run away from. With the horrors of Lily’s past coming back to haunt her, she finds herself also meeting her first love after so many years have passed.

This book has become one of my all-time favorite reads. It has everything, from romance, drama, and heartbreak to comical moments. Colleen Hoover’s writing can suck the readers in and get them immediately hooked!

Ugly Love

Written by Colleen Hoover

A book for adult readers reviewed by Emma

        

Colleen Hoover is a truly phenomenal author and never fails to encapsulate a great deal of emotions in her books. Throughout Ugly Love, you experience a roller coaster of emotions, whether it be love, loss, or heartbreak. Miles and Tate have a young, blooming relationship that never fails to surprise readers and constantly leaves them on the edge of their seats. Not only will you fall in love with this book, but you will also learn valuable lessons, such as that you cannot be selfish and that you need to work through the past in order to create a beautiful future.

It Ends with Us

Written by Colleen Hoover

A book for adult readers reviewed by Emma

        

It Ends with Us is phenomenal in that it truly takes you through the experience of a domestic abuse survivor. It is one of the best books that I have ever read and has made me a huge fan of Colleen Hoover. The author truly describes the emotions and complications experienced by the main character, Lily. Readers will be tremendously engaged and feel as though they are in her shoes. Overall, this book will alter your mind about falling in love and heartbreak, as well as open a whole new world about your ideas relating to abuse.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A book for adult readers reviewed by Lauren

        

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the captivating story of Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo and her rise to fame through ruthless ambition and unwavering talent. The book shifts between modern times and her rise to stardom in the 1950s as she details her life story to a reporter, Monique Grant. During her rise to fame, Evelyn meets another Hollywood actress, Celia St. James, who she forms a secret relationship with despite the intense bigotry of the time. To safeguard themselves, as well as their relationship during a period characterized by Hollywood splendor and blatant homophobia, Evelyn is willing to do whatever it takes, including marrying men she does not love.

This novel is an empowering story that brings light to the hardships that members of the LGBTQ community face, as well as the strength that it takes to overcome these obstacles while in the limelight. Despite the flaws that each character has, it is impossible not to grow to love and root for them.

The Sun Is Also a Star

Written by Nicola Yoon

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Adanya

        

The Sun Is Also a Star tells the story of Natasha, a Jamaican American who is hours away from her family being deported, and Daniel, a Korean American struggling to meet his family’s expectations. While Daniel believes in fate, Natasha believes in science. When they meet, Daniel is confident that fate brought him and Natasha together. In order to prove this to Natasha, Daniel proposes that he can make her fall in love with him scientifically.

I recommend this book because it teaches us what life is like for a modern-day immigrant. Both Natasha and Daniel struggle to stay true to their cultural roots while also maintaining an American identity. They both want to build their American identities on their own terms with their own dreams and aspirations.

Everything, Everything

Written by Nicola Yoon

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Adanya

        

Everything, Everything is the first book written by Nicola Yoon and was published in 2015. It tells the story of the day-to-day life of eighteen-year-old Maddy, who lives with severe combined immunodeficiency (or SCID). Suddenly, she meets Olly, the boy next door. Though her illness stops her from leaving her house, Olly will stop at nothing to see Maddy in person.

I recommend this book because it teaches you to take risks. Even if you’re afraid of an outcome and how it may affect you, you may find enjoyment and learn new things about yourself.

Reality Boy

Written by A.S. King

A book for readers in grades 10 and up reviewed by Jose

    

A.S. King’s Reality Boy is about Gerald, a high school junior who has to deal with the outcome of being aired on a reality TV show called Network Nanny when he was 5 years old. He struggles with anger and familial issues, as well as the reputation he developed from being the main star of the show. Because of his reputation, he is criticized, scrutinized, and treated like a freak by others.

Gerald’s life changes after he meets Hannah, an employee at his job who has familial issues of her own. The two run away together and embark on a journey that leads to their growth. 

I liked Reality Boy because it makes you empathize with Gerald, whose feelings are well illustrated. I liked the flashbacks to his time on Network Nanny because they illustrate his family’s dynamics during his childhood and show what led him to end up being the way he is. Overall, I liked how the book showcased Gerald’s struggles in an immersive way.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A book for adult readers reviewed by Caitlin

    

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the story of Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo. Until now, no one has ever seen inside Evelyn’s glamorous and intriguing life. But, when she chooses reporter Monique Grant to write her biography, we see how their lives have become entangled. 

I have such a strong love for The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It has its funny moments, yet can also make you cry. The way it depicts Evelyn’s life and shows how it was behind the curtains can make you view Hollywood differently. This book is extremely well written and made me feel for the characters.

Shutter

Written by Laurie Faria Stolarz

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Stefanie

    

This book is about how Day Connor, the main character, views her life through the lens of her camera. Thinking the perspective of her camera lens is everything, she views her camera differently than everyone else. She believes that photographs never tell a whole story, and I agree with that. Pictures just show where people are and might show them being happy, but we don't really know what they're actually going through.

When Day crosses paths with Julian, the world she observes and the truths she believes completely change. Julian is not armed and dangerous, but he has escaped from the police. They are searching for him, but his alibis don't add up. So, they believe he's guilty.

Day wants to find out if Julian is innocent or guilty. Later on, she develops feelings for Julian, which confuse her. This leads to things beginning to change.

I read Shutter because I like how it describes how the main character views things. I usually don’t read books or like reading, but this book just kept me hooked. I like mystery and romance, so reading Shutter was so amazing. From Shutter, I learned we can't judge someone if we don't know their entire story. This is shown with Julian, who was being chased by the police and felt like the entire world was against him while he was going through some things.

I would recommend this book to everyone, especially teens.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Written by Becky Albertalli

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Molly

    

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda follows Simon Spier, a closeted high schooler whose interests lie in musical theater and eating Oreos. Using a secret email address, Simon chats with an anonymous user named Blue, who he ends up falling for. When one of his emails finds its way into the wrong hands, Simon must navigate out of his comfort zone and authentically be himself without losing his friends, distancing his family members, and missing his chance at happiness with Blue.

I really enjoyed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I expected to find the book entertaining, but it’s really much more than that. While the movie was pure entertainment, I felt the book was pretty realistic in depicting what Simon faced. Simon is portrayed as very earnest, which is pretty admirable. However, this can sometimes be what gets him into situations that he finds difficult to navigate. I really liked how all of the characters were three-dimensional. No one was flawless or without reaction to Simon’s truth.

Love, Stargirl

Written by Jerry Spinelli

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This is the sequel to Stargirl. Stargirl is writing a journal entry almost every day to Leo, the boy she loved. She tells him about her new 5-year-old friend Dootsie and Betty Lou, an old lady who doesn’t leave her house. She goes on several adventures with Dootsie and brings her community closer.

I loved this book so much. It shows how people of different ages can be close friends.

Stargirl

Written by Jerry Spinelli

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This story is about a high school boy named Leo. He lives in Mica, Arizona, where nothing interesting ever happens. One day in school, a mysterious girl named Stargirl catches his and everyone else’s eye. Leo has feelings for Stargirl, and Leo and Stargirl go on several adventures together.

This was a fantastic story. I loved how it showed that it is okay to be different and to show your true colors.