Good Reads & Views

A List of Cages by Robin Roe
YA Fiction 

What it’s about: Robin Roe did a fantastic job of writing a heart-wrenching yet charming novel centered around the friendship between two teen boys. Adam is a senior in high school who is well known by many of the students and teachers. Julian is a freshman at the same school who deals with constant bullying. The story is beautifully written bringing out such depth of compassion and bravery. That a life changing friendship could come from betrayal and tragedy is a miracle. 

Why you might like it: If you enjoy realistic fiction books with well-developed characters, written from a dual narrative perspective, you’ll love this book. 

You might also like: Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King

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You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow
YA Fiction

What it’s about: This is a heart wrenching story of teenage drug addiction and its effects on one family. The story of Emory and Joey explains how much you can love an addict and how desperate you are to help but it isn’t enough. The struggle Emory feels in trying to be happy with her life while helping an addict.

Is it for you? This is a story of addiction, but also a story of healing. The book and its rawness display a family’s love for an addict and the battle it can take to get them help. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with addiction or who has a loved one with addiction.

You might also like: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

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The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson
Fiction

What it’s about: The Lucky Ones is the tragic story of a girl who was the only survivor of a school shooting while her brother was killed, and a boy whose life was altered forever once his mother, a defense attorney, took the shooter's case.

Why you might like it: It's a story of mental health and people trying to do the right thing amidst devastating circumstances. It is both a heart wrenching and uplifting read.

You might also like: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

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Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton & James Patterson
Fiction

What it’s about: Annie Lee is young, driven, and talented. She goes to Nashville to chase her dreams and make it big as a singer songwriter. I’m a big fan of Dolly Parton. Once I learned that Dolly was a part of the narrating cast, I was sold on listening to the audiobook. She didn’t disappoint. I was immediately absorbed into the book.

Is it for you? It is a very inspirational story about strength and perseverance through some pretty rough hardships and the ability to overcome some of the worst things you can imagine. The characters are relatable and have a genuine feel.

You might also like: What are the Chances by Kenny Rogers.

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The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson
YA Fiction

What it’s about: The Agathas is a captivating mystery set in small-town coastal California. The story is told from two different points of view. The first person’s point of view is Iris (written by Glasgow), a hard-working, financially struggling teen eager to elude a complicated and perilous home life; the second person is rich girl Alice (written by Lawson), who is struggling to deal with the relationship between her former best friend, Brooke, and ex-boyfriend, Steve, as well as the consequences of her own social fallout.

Is it for you? If you like reading brilliantly developed and authentic characters who deal with their pains and problems in realistic ways, then you should read this book.

You might also like: You’re so Dead by Ash Parsons

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The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Fiction

What it’s about: It's about a young woman who is hired as a personal assistant to a commanding fashion magazine editor, a job that becomes frightening as she struggles to keep up with her boss's strenuous schedule and belittling demands.

Why you might like it: If you like fashion and learning about what happens in the fashion world, and what some people will go through for the sake of fashion, then you need to read this book.

You might also like: The Assistants by Camille Perri

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Firestarter by Stephen King
Fiction

What it’s about: Firestarter begins with a man and his young daughter on the run from unrelenting hunters. Andy McGee and his daughter Charlene, "Charlie," have powers that a government agency known as The Shop wants to use for its own. With his mind Andy can physically thrust other people’s bodies and control their minds. Charlie has a number of powers but the most dominant one is generating intense heat with her mind, heat extreme enough to set anything on fire. Time and time again, The Shop agents show themselves to be as reprehensible as they are determined and have already killed Charlie's mother.

Is it for you? If you love suspense and character driven plots, then you should read this book.

You might also like: Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay

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Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: This is an entertaining work of historical fiction. The story is conveyed from the view of Margaret Tudor, the older sister of King Henry VIII. It includes Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, and Mary Tudor, his younger sister, but Margaret Tudor is at the heart of this story.

Why you might like it: I love books written by this author, especially the ones that have to do with the Tudor family and that time period. I’ve investigated Gregory’s method of research which affords me to trust that when she needs to fill in the gaps, it’s safe to assume accuracy which allows me to feel as if I’m there experiencing it.

You might also like: The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

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I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) by Brené Brown
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In her book, Brené looks at the difference between shame and guilt, searches for the triggers to these feelings, and how to identify and triumph over these strong emotions. She delves deep to get to the core of what activates fear and shame and answers why we feel certain occurrences more strongly than others.

Is it for you? I really appreciated the layout and the structure of this book. It felt thoroughly researched offering many examples, cited sources, and other recommended reading. I highly recommend reading this book.

You might also like: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

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Codename Villanelle: Killing Eve Series, Book 1 by Luke Jennings
Fiction

What it’s about: This book takes you on an extraordinary journey around the world to the finest places, as if you are really there. It's exciting to imagine being a chic fashionable assassin like Villanelle, until Eve brings you back to reality with her persuasive opinions for pursuing Villanelle with a righteous vengeance. As the storyline unfolds and Eve gets closer to discovering who is and who isn't in the "12," the story becomes a mystery that you can’t decipher half-way through. Highly recommended.

Is it for you? It's a fun book, well written by an experienced author who knows how to create a captivating story.

You might also like: No Tomorrow: Killing Eve Series, Book 2 by Luke Jennings

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