Once school is back in session, it's much harder to find the time to read books that you might actually choose on your own. With a month left of Summer break, here are some great books to get lost in.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens agenda
Becky Albertalli
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Albertalli, Becky
LGBTQ+, Humor, Romance, Young Adult
"Sixteen-year-old, not-so-openly-gay Simon Spier is blackmailed into playing wingman for his classmate or else his sexual identity--and that of his pen pal--will be revealed"--
Lobster is the best medicine : a collection of comics about friendship
Liz Climo
COMIC Climo
Humor
A celebration of friendship returns readers to a quirky animal kingdom where a menagerie of grizzlies, bunny rabbits, and other critters humorously explore relationship issues.
A pure and honest series of comics documenting the ups and down of friendship. This book is so cute. Fans of Sarah Anderson Nathan W. Pyle and Allie Brosh will get a kick out of this.
- Victoria
We are each other's harvest : celebrating African American farmers, land, and legacy
Natalie Baszile
630.973 /Baszile
Black History, Black Lives Matter, Nonfiction
"In this impressive anthology, Natalie Baszile brings together essays, poems, photographs, quotes, conversations, and first-person stories to examine black people's connection to the American land from Emancipation to today. In the 1920s, there were over one million black farmers; today there are just 45,000. Baszile explores this crisis, through the farmers' personal experiences. In their own words, middle aged and elderly black farmers explain why they continue to farm despite systemic discrimination and land loss. The Returning Generation--young farmers, who are building upon the legacy of their ancestors, talk about the challenges they face as they seek to redress issues of food justice, food sovereignty, and reparations."--
An absolutely fascinating exploration of African American connection to land past, present and future. I loved the acknowledgment of historical truths and hopes for restorative futures in this series of essays, poems and photography.
- Victoria
This is my brain in love
I. W. Gregorio
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Gregorio I. W.
Diverse Characters, Young Adult
Rising high school juniors Jocelyn Wu and Will Domenici fall in love while trying to save the Wu family restaurant, A-Plus Chinese Garden.
This book was recommended to me by a Teen patron. Not usually one for romance, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author manages to successfully and more importantly honestly navigate conversations about mental health and different cultural lived experiences of Americans.
- Victoria
Furia
Yamile Saied Méndez
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Mendez Yamile
Diverse Characters, Sports, Young Adult
Rosario, Argentina. At home Camila Hassan lives within her mother's narrow expectations, her soccer-star brother's shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father. On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila dreams of getting an athletic scholarship to a North American university. But her parents wouldn't allow a girl to play fúbol-- and she needs their permission to go any farther. Can she make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her? -- adapted from jacket
Furia is passionate, driven and a character I think many will be able to identify with. This is a story of defying expectations and rising about to become your best self!
- Victoria
Hani and Ishu's guide to fake dating
Adiba Jaigirdar
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Jaigirda Adiba
Diverse Characters, Young Adult, LGBTQ+
Everyone likes Humaira 'Hani' Khan, she's easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can't be bi if she's only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she's in a relationship, with a girl her friends absolutely hate. Shita 'Ishu' Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She's an academic overachiever who hopes that becoming head girl will set her on the right track for college. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular so that she stands a chance of being elected head girl.
This is a lovely story of questioning our identities and comparing ourselves to our family expectations and more importantly having the courage to be authentic.
- Victoria
One of us is lying
Karen M. McManus
YOUNG ADULT FICTION McManus, Karen
Thriller, Young Adult
"When the creator of a high school gossip app mysteriously dies in front of four high-profile students all four become suspects. It's up to them to solve the case"--
I could not put this one down! If you have read this, check out One of Us is Next!
- Victoria
An authentic and utterly heart-warming story. Simon is adorable; you will instantly like him and this is a wonderful "love is love" tale!
- Victoria