Good Reads & Views

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh
YA Fiction

What it’s about: This is a coming-of-age book about a girl named Ada. She’s had a troubling past and has messy relationships with both of her parents, the church, and her own body and sexuality. The main narrative focuses on the time after her high school graduation and her first semester of college, though we do get flashbacks into her primary years. It’s the first time she’s living on her own, miles away from her family, and she is struggling to find her rhythm in both her classes and the day-to-day lifestyle of a college freshman. One day she wanders into a dance studio and peeps on a young woman expressing herself through movement that captivates her. They become friends, and Ada finally starts to build confidence.

Why you might like it: This novel is written in free-verse, making it a quick read despite its 400-page length. The way the words fall on the pages really fits Ada’s mood and tone. The reader falls in love with her and the relationships she builds. This is Candice Iloh’s debut novel, and I’m excited to read more from her!

Other free-verse books: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, and Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai.

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Dragman by Steven Appleby
Nonfiction

What is it? This is a graphic novel that, quite literally, has it all. A main character who is questioning his gender identity. Superheroes. Mystery. Murder. Love. Selling of souls. Dynamic relationships. Flying dolls. And babies.

What’s inside: A collection of beautiful and unique watercolor paintings, telling the rise and fall of August Crimp, AKA Dragman. Ever since he was a child, August has been questioning his identity, and wearing women’s clothing in secret. One day he dons a pair of pantyhose he found behind his couch, and he starts flying! He applies to become an official superhero, but ultimately gets rejected. He continues to live his life as just August, getting married, and having a child. But when a scientist discovers the human soul, and then corporations discover they can sell and exploit the human soul, Dragman, along with his companion Dog Girl, go on a secret mission to discover the truth behind soul-trafficking.

Reviewer’s say: “Despite its many twists and turns, the graphic novel’s emotional heart lays with August’s struggle to accept his own identity and its full power. Gender fluidity in this jaunty superhero story is trumpeted not only as a gift and a source of strength, but as something that might just save the world” (Publisher’s Weekly).

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When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In this memoir, Patrisse Khan-Cullors tells her story of living in a poor black neighborhood, growing up with multiple family members in incarceration, and becoming one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. She elaborates on undiagnosed mental illnesses being misconstrued as resisting arrest, and the gut reaction of police officers. She touches on racial profiling and the multiple times her residency was raided, once with a 6-year-old girl present, because “someone fitting the profile” could maybe, possibly, live there. Everything that she, and all black Americans, experienced growing up lead to her forming Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, shortly after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, murderer of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old kid.

Why it’s important: I chose to listen to this memoir, as it was read by the author. Hearing her tell her own story, in her own words, with her town voice, was powerful, and it broke me a few times. Given this current world, and its current problems, I thought it was important to educate myself on something I didn’t know much about. Hearing her stories and how her family has been treated was truly eye opening, and it’s extremely important for people of every race and color to understand what is happening behind this movement.

Further Reading: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.

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Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
Fiction

What it’s about: Rose Gold and her mother, Patty, have a complicated relationship. For the first 18 years of her life, Rose Gold believed she was seriously ill, allergic to everything, wheelchair bound, and practically lived in the hospital. Garnishing sympathy from the town, Patty was given money and sympathy from her community, when, in reality, she was just a really, really, really good manipulator. She serves 5 years in prison. Upon her release, she begs Rose Gold to take her in, give her another chance, and everyone in town is shocked when she says yes.

Why you might like it: This novel was a nail biter. It had great pace and really keeps the reader interested. If you like books with surprising twists and a great revenge story, you’ll like this book.

Content warning: The mother in the novel suffers from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental illness in which the caregiver makes up or causes an illness or injury for the person under their care. While I do not feel the author goes over-the-top, this subject matter may be unsettling or upsetting to some readers.

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

What is it? This is a fun, well-written, and quirky comedic graphic novel about best friends who work together every fall in a pumpkin patch. Deja and Josie have worked together at the Succotash Hut for four seasons. They both share a love of the season and all things autumn. It’s their last shift before they both head to college, and Deja finally convinces Josie to go talk to his crush, Marcy, who he has been infatuated with since freshman year orientation over 4 years ago. Deja hilariously refers to her as Elmer Fudge, Cornelius Fudge, Fudge Judy, or Fudge Ripple, because she works in the, you guessed it, Fudge Shoppe. The remainder of the novel follows Deja and Josie as they race through the pumpkin patch to find Marcy, all the while reliving memories and contemplating their future together.

What sets it apart: Graphic novels are becoming more and more prevalent in library collections. There are good ones and there are bad ones. There are original stories and there are retellings. Many times it is hard to develop a character in images and speech bubbles. Rainbow Rowell, who is a fan-favorite among my generation, does a great job giving these characters a back story, and moving them forward throughout the book. And Faith Erin Hicks’ illustration style fits perfectly for Rowell’s bouncy writing style. Dare I say it, this is a perfect graphic novel that you will absolutely finish in one sitting and will be thinking about for a long time.

Book Buzz: Pumpkinheads won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Graphic Novels & Comics in 2019.

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Life’s Accessories: A Memoir & Fashion Guide by Rachel Levy Lesser
Nonfiction

What is it? Do you have items in your jewelry box or hanging up in your closet that you can’t seem to part with because they’re attached to a memory? Growing up, did you attend summer camp and make bracelets with your life-long camp friends? Rachel Levy Lesser did, and in this memoir she chronicles those stories attached to her most precious accessories.  

Why you might like it: This collection of essays really got me thinking about my own accessories. You might like it if you’re sentimental about things. If you can look at an item and get emotional thinking about it, this book is for you. You’ll love how a scarf can take her back to the last day shopping with her mother before she died of cancer, or how a Kate Spade bag represented a huge step-up in her professional career. I think what she writes about is relevant to everyone in its own way. You might not have a watch that is significant to you, but that tchotchke from your grandmother definitely has a story to tell.

Moving forward: Take an opportunity to rummage through your jewelry box, closets, and/or china cabinet. Take pictures of your items and write down their story. You’ll be happy you did.

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Holy Hannah by Will Dinski
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Hannah manufactures software. Years back she hit it big and earned a lot of money and semi-fame. With said money, she was able to live a quiet, solitary life, eating only in a café beneath her apartment. But, money doesn’t last forever. And humans need other humans. Lacking a purpose, she develops a new app called Know Me. It’s purpose is to have people answer personal and intimate questions anonymously. She tests it out at a local church, and the congregation gets very into it. Eventually, she moves into the church dormitories. She gets involved with the Reverend. And completely swept up in the cul-, err, church.

Is it for you? This graphic novel seems long (544 pages) but reads very quickly. It also serves as a cautionary tale as to why you shouldn’t blindly follow someone. And why it’s best to think for yourself and make the decisions that are best for you. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

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Lost Causes of Bleak Creek by Rhett McLaughlin & Link Neal
Fiction

What is it: Rex, Leif, and Alicia are best friends living in the small southern town of Bleak Creek. They’re spending their summer before 9^th grade filming a movie about a ghost dog appropriately named “PolterDog.” While shooting a pivotal scene, they have an accident involving the head of The Whitewood School, which is a reform school in their town. Many troublesome children, or lost causes, get sent there. Some are sent home, changed somehow. Others never make it back home. When Alicia gets sent there, Rex and Leif are determined to figure out a way to help her escape. But strange things start to happen, which cause Rex and Leif to question what is really going on at The Whitewood School.

Why you might like it: This story will keep you in suspense. There are some very dark and creepy elements, reminiscent of Stranger Things. So, even though the 2 main characters are 14 years old, this isn’t a book for kids. Readers will develop with the characters and the story unravels nicely. Readers will be begging for a sequel.

About the Authors: Rhett & Link are popular internetainers, with over 20 million subscribers on YouTube. They host a daily morning show, Good Mythical Morning, and produce a weekly podcast, Ear Biscuits.

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Open Book by Jessica Simpson
Nonfiction

What’s inside: Open Book is a memoir of Jessica Simpson, a pop star who hit her stride in the late ‘90s, early ‘00s. You may remember her from her MTV reality show Newlyweds with her then-husband Nick Lachey. She was portrayed through the media as a ditzy-dumb blond who is always the butt of the joke. But her memoir reveals just how much hurt and pain she was in during most of her adult life. She was thrust into the limelight at such a young age, she never really had a chance to discover who she was without the influence of media, her family, or her significant others.

Is it for you? This memoir truly is a story of discovering yourself and who you are. Jessica figured out who she was meant to be, and how she was supposed to spread light in this world. If you’ve had a similar journey, this book is for you. If you’re a woman who has felt judged or scrutinized by how you look, this book is for you. And even if you love pop culture and are looking for Jessica to spill the tea on her past relationships, this book is DEFINITELY for you.

Want a taste? “You’ve been listening to me talk, so I want to hear from you. Press pause for a second on your life and ask yourself, What is my calling? What makes you feel passionate? … I think sometimes we get so caught up in the vessel of the work rather than what matters: the spirit that fills it” (Open Book, 259).

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Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
YA Fiction

What it’s about: Amy Gumm lives in Kansas with her deadbeat mother and their pet rat, Star. Her mom goes through waves of depression, in and out like her hand in her bag of Bugles. She is usually found on the couch, but the night of the storm she found her way out to a tornado party. While she is away, Amy gets swept up in the tornado, and lands in Oz. But this isn’t Oz like she remembers. Nothing is cheery. Nothing is bright. She wanders, accompanied by Star, meeting up with a munchkin, Indigo, who has swirling, twirling tattoos, and Ollie, a wingless-winged monkey. She quickly learns you can’t trust anyone in this version of Oz and winds up training with the wicked to kill Dorothy. Will she succeed?

Is it for you? If you have an emotional attachment to the angelic, doe eyed, rosy cheeked, Judy Garland version of Dorothy Gale, might I suggest a different title? But if you like gruesome, and sometimes macabre retellings of classic stories, give this one a go.

Look for: Book 2 in this series: The Wicked Will Rise.

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