Good Reads & Views

The Dead Romantics by Ashely Poston
Fiction

What it’s about: Florence Day is a ghost writer for an older famous author. As a failed author herself, ghost writing has allowed her to do what she loves without the fear of rejection. Moving away from home after high school to New York, Florence separated herself from her family and their funeral home business. A tragedy brings Florence home and makes her confront her past and her ability to see ghosts.

Why you might like it: If you like romance with a paranormal/fantasy twist, this book is for you. Florence is a millennial so millennials will relate to her. If you enjoy eccentric characters then Florence’s family will not disappoint.

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The Ex-Hex (#1) by Erin Sterling
Fiction

What it's about: Vivienne Jones is a witch with a broken heart. To get back at her ex (Rhys), she puts a curse on him. Nine years later, that curse has come back to haunt her, Rhys, and her town of Graves Glen, Georgia. Rhys Penhallow is a descendant of a family of witches who are in charge of protecting and recharging Graves Glen’s key lines. This is done every year during the town’s Fall Festival. Not knowing he has been hexed, Rhys has done damage to the key lines which cause a lot of things to go awry for the town. Vivienne and Rhys must put their differences aside in order to break the hex and restore the town.

Good to know: This book has been described as Hocus Pocus but with spice! A Perfect goofy/spooky book to read during October. Nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the Best Romance category of 2021.

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The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
YA Fiction

What’s it about: Teenager Belly has spent every summer she can remember at Cousins Beach. Summers are for family, laying by the pool, playing on the beach, and crushing hard on Conrad. This is the first summer that Belly is old enough to hang out with the older kids and she’s ready to show how grown up she’s become. Besides Conrad, there is his brother Jeremiah who has always been just a friend to Belly, but this summer everything could change.  

Why you might like it: If you have read Jenny Han’s To All the Boys, I’ve Loved Before, this series will not disappoint. This is young love in its finest form set during the summer and perfect to lounge by the pool with.  

Good to know: The first book has been turned into a TV series on Amazon Prime and season 2 started July 14.

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It Happened One Summer (#1) by Tessa Bailey 
Fiction

What’s it about: Piper Bellinger is a socialite who finds herself in trouble with not only the law, but also her wealthy stepfather. To teach her a lesson, he cuts Piper off and sends her to her birth father’s hometown where she decides to makeover his rundown bar. With the help of Piper’s sister Hannah, the girls learn about their deceased father and reconnect to their past. If you are into enemies to lovers, this book is for you.  

Good to know: This was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2021. This is also the first book in the series of the Bellinger Sisters. Book two is called Hook, Line, and Sinker and was also nominated for a Good Reads Choice Award for Best Romance 2022.

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Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
Fiction 

Why this book: A perfect read for those who daydreamed about vacationing in the Catskills (Dirty Dancing anyone??). For sixty years the Golden Hotel has been owned by the Goldman and Weingold families. With the older generation getting older, the hotel and its legacy is up in the air. The younger generation isn’t into all the hard work that goes into preserving and running the hotel and buyers have come a knocking with plans to tear it down and build luxury resorts. Will the two families do everything in their power to save the hotel, or will they let the legacy of the hotel live in the past? 

Reviewers say: “Friedland brings laughs and nuance to the family foibles and demonstrates a wide range in her convincing narration from the many points of view. Breezy and charming, this is great fun” (Publishers Weekly).

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Heartstopper (Volume One & Two) by Alice Oseman 
YA Graphic Novel 

What’s it about: Life has been hard for Charlie (an openly gay kid at an all-boys school). After he came out, he was bullied and treated poorly by his classmates. With the help of his friends and family, he was able to overcome it. After getting to know an upper classman, Nick, Charlie joins the rugby team and the two boys become fast friends. Charlie begins to have feelings for Nick and questions whether Nick (who is questioning his sexuality) feels the same in return. This is a sweet story of finding out who you are and young love.  

Good to know: This graphic novel series has been adapted into a TV show on Netflix. Season 1 follows volumes one and two and has a lot of the same heart and humor of the graphic novel series.  

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You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar 
Nonfiction

 What’s it about: Known for her work on Late Night with Seth Meyers and her own show The Amber Ruffin Show, Amber Ruffin and her sister Lacey Lamar write a humorous collection of stories on racism. Racism is never a funny topic to read about but Amber and Lacey recount stories from their past that has the reader questioning if it really happened. Tales of people touching their hair (never do that), to thinking Lacey looks like Harriet Tubman (she doesn’t), and eye-opening stories on how far we haven’t come when dealing with racism.  

Why you might like it: Suggested for those who enjoy humorous celebrity memoirs or audiobooks read by the author. This was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Humor 2021.  

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True Biz by Sara Novic
Fiction 

What’s it about: Three students at the River Valley School for the Deaf have gone missing. Told through multiply points of view, the reader starts in the present day and travels back to go through the days and events that lead to the students going missing. A coming-of-age story of teenagers who are struggling to find themselves and learn about what it means to be deaf and the culture that surrounds it.  

Why this book: This is a great book to read if you are interested in learning more about the Deaf community. Sara Novic does an excellent job of exploring Deaf Culture and showing the struggles the Deaf community faces in a hearing world. Nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction 2022. 

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American Royals (#1) by Katherine McGee
YA Fiction

What it’s about: Imagine if instead of America winning the Revolutionary War and setting up a Democracy, they instead created their own Monarchy. In American Royals, this is exactly what happens. For two and a half centuries, the House of Washington has reigned over the American people. The King is sick and that leaves heir to the throne Princess Beatrice and twin spares Samantha and Jefferson to step up. Will Princess Beatrice be up for the momentous job of being America’s first Queen? 

Why you might like it: This is for anyone who is fascinated with the British Royals. The Washington siblings (Beatrice, Samantha, and Jefferson) are all teenagers and have a lot of drama in their lives outside of being royalty. Nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction 2019.  

Series Alert: American Royals is the first in the series. Book two is Majesty, book three is Rivals and a book four (untitled) is scheduled to come out sometime in 2023.  

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Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
Fiction

What it’s about: The story begins in Wisconsin during the winter of 1919. Young mom Mathilda is found dead in a lake, leaving behind her husband, young daughter Ruth, and sister. What enfolds is an exploration into the depths of secrets between family members and how it impacts them all.  

Why you might like it: A fast-paced psychological thriller that has readers going back and forth between viewpoints and time. If I say anymore, I would be giving it away so instead I will say, READ THIS BOOK! 

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