betweentheshelves's reviews
2802 reviews

The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was just okay for me. It didn't have as much suspense for me as some of Goodman's other books have had. It's also marketed as dark academia, but it's more just a murder mystery set at a boarding school. At times, even with different narrators, both of the main characters kind of blurred together as well. It's a quick read, though, if you're looking for a quick mystery!
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Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

While I don't think this is a book that a lot of teenagers will necessarily be drawn to, it's a lovely, quiet kind of story that leaves you thinking. I really enjoyed the fact that the story was end-capped by Selznick's signature artwork. It both helps set the tone of the story and leaves you with the impression of Danny and Angelo. 

The prose is focused on a lot of different stories, specifically that Angelo is telling Danny. There's also a bit of a mystery that parallels Angelo and Danny's own story. I'm not quite sure who I would recommend this book to, but it is a lovely story.
A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The way this includes people's stories about the fire interwoven throughout the book was a great choice for how to tell this story. It shows how devastating wildfires can be, and how suddenly people can lose everything. While the wildfire is at the center of the story, it's also a story of learning how to move forward after trauma and figuring out what the future might hold. 

Be warned, this is definitely an emotional story, which I should have known because it was blurbed by Jeff Zentner. If you're looking for a complex story about grief, dealing with natural disasters, and finding strength in community.
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Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was the perfect blend of humor and emotion, with a great cast of characters that add to the overall story. It's about community and coming together, even when you're hurting. It's about finding the courage to be yourself. It's about healing from emotional trauma. Plus, it will make for a great summer read!
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Dear Manny by Nic Stone

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book rounds out an important YA trilogy looking at racims in the United States, especially as it relates to power. Stone took a risk with this story, focusing Jared, who you might remember from the previous books. We get to see him working to be better, but still making mistakes. I think that's one of the most important take aways from this book. No one is ever going to be perfect right away, but all that's important is that you keep trying to make yourself better.
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Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Review to come!
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Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Maybe not my favorite of Ashley Herring Blake's works, but still an enjoyable read overall! I feel like this one especially makes for a good summer read, and there are some lovely romance moments in here. I wasn't connected to the main characters as I have been in some of Blake's other novels, but they did have some good chemistry. A fun read if you're looking for a romance for Pride month next month!
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Hyo the Hellmaker by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Though it takes a bit to get used to this world, this is a really fascinating book. It reads sort of like anime, focused on Japanese mythology with illustrations throughout. There aren't a lot of YA books for older audiences that include both text and illustrations like this book does, so I'm always happy to see something new. I do feel like the illustrations enhanced the story here, bringing some of these different scenes to life.

The story itself is sort of a cross-genre story, a blend of mystery and fantasy. You think the story is going one way, but it takes different twists and turns along the way. It doesn't follow the usual YA fantasy script, so if you're interested in some that feels different than the popular YA fantasy that's published, this one might just be for you!
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Shampoo Unicorn by Sawyer Lovett

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Though the topics aren't really that similar, this gave me I Kissed Shara Wheeler vibes in that its focus is a small town with queer teens finding their community. The podcast angle was a great way to introduce the story, and I enjoyed the different voices we get throughout. Though I'm not necessarily a fan of second person, it did feel like it had a purpose in Greg's chapters.

The characters are definitely what draw you into this story, and what keep you reading until the end. There's also a plot twist that I didn't see coming, which just added complexity for some of the side characters as well. Definitely add this one to your summer reading list!
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Up in Smoke by Nick Brooks

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Nick Brooks has delivered another twisty mystery with a commentary racism and the way that people treat Black teen boys. The inclusion of poetry in Monique's chapters added to the overall emotion of the story, and the dual points of views added to the mystery. I'd definitely recommend the audiobook if you're thinking about checking it out!
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