Behind Her Smile

A novella about one young girl's sexual trauma and the steps she took to reclaim her life in the aftermath. Donna is a stand out track star, but running isn't enough for her. She has been running away from the past long enough and now she wants a fresh start - to purse piano lessons and study music in college. Her parents are perplexed by her sudden change - why would she want to quit track? Donna finally works up the courage to tell her best friend Larry, that she was raped last summer and she is tired of pretending that everything is ok. Her parents confront her about her changes and she ultimately tells them both as well that she has been violated. The only question is, is that monster(s) still in her life? Despite my low rating, the story is powerful, it's just written in a very mediocre way. Ver conversational and not at all how a young girl would talk - hence the low score. I did appreciate the appendix which contained warning signs and true stories of sexual trauma written by the victims. A good story to raise awareness of what sexual trauma can look like it just could have been told better. 

Things We Couldn't Say

A young adult book coming of age novel that focuses on being true to yourself and finding your real family. Gio has always had a big hole in his life, the void left when his birth mother abandoned him and his little brother. His father is a pastor and has remarried a wonderful woman, but it just isn't the same. What did he ever do that was so bad to be abandoned? Gio has two best friends whom he can lean on but the dynamic changes when a new white kid moves in across the street and joins the basketball team. He slowly starts to join Gio and his friends and when he announces he's bisexual, Gio has some feelings. To make matters more complicated, his birth mother has shown up, announced, and wants to be involved in her sons life again. Will Gio let her in his heart again? Will Gio let in romance? A good coming of age novel that deals with a myriad of issues that teens will relate to. One of the reasons I really enjoyed this book was that it was set in Indianapolis, specifically at Ben Davis High School, a school that I've been to in real life. It was neat to read about a place I had actually been.

A Curse of Gold

 

A fun sequel that I enjoyed even more than the first installment. King Midas' daughter, Kora, must find a way to defeat Dionysus (the god who cursed her father and as a result forever changed her) before he comes to their kingdom and attacks them again. Her father is weak and a myriad of beasts have started attacking the kingdom trying to attack Kora. She sets out with her lover, Royce the admiral of her father's fleet, in order to find Triton, a god who can lead them to Dionysus' hidden island. Along the way they encounter gods, monsters, and other horrible creatures and must stay alive using their wits and a half formed plan. Lovers of mythology will delight in this young adult adventure novel. Readers will want to know, are there more books in this series forthcoming?!

The Cartographers

 Shepherd, Peng. The Cartographers. digital. 2022. 

A fast paced thriller about the secrets maps can hold. When Nell's father is found murdered in his New York Public Library Office, there is no initial cause of alarm; it must have just been a heart attack. When Nell is going through her father's belongings she discovers an odd gas station map, the very one that caused their estrangement, hidden in her father's portfolio. What is the meaning of it and why has he saved it after all this time? After a string of connected murders in the New York Public Library, Nell is convinced that someone is after this seemingly worthless map, but why? She seeks the help of a mentor and an old flame and discovers that the map she discovered may be worth millions and may be the very last copy in existence. According to online records someone has stolen or destroyed every single copy of the map. What is it hiding and what dark family secrets will it lead her on? Narrated by a full cast, this wild adventure will keep listeners engaged and invested. From one rabbit hole to another, this mysterious map will lead Nell to a place she never knew she needed to discover. This action packed thriller is too unique to forget anytime soon! - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN

Yerba Buena

Two women find themselves falling for each other despite the heavy baggage they each carry. Sara fled her hometown at sixteen when her girlfriend was found dead in the river. She needed a fresh start away from her hometown that sucked the life out of people. Emilie is unsure with what she wants to do with her life - she desperately wants to be closer to her addict sister, but doesn't know how to bridge the gap. In the meantime she becomes a super senior changing her major over and over. When the two star-crossed lovers meet at the hip restaurant, Yerba Buena, it isn't quite love at first sight - but the two find themselves being pulled together. If they ever set their baggage down - they might just find that they are exactly what they've been looking for. 

The Montague Twins: The Devil's Music

It's been a while since I read the first graphic novel in this series so it took me a little bit to recall the characters and what had happened prior. Honestly though - it wasn't a major plot point to remember everything from the first book (although it does help). A handsome stranger comes to town and attends the twins rock band concert. They soon discover that this stranger is actually a famous rock and roll star - but how did he end up in Port Howl? After his arrival - someone from their school begins acting weird - does he he worship Satan? What is going on? Also, a long lost uncle in town? Something fishy is definitely on the horizon. A graphic novel that explores, friendships, romance, family troubles, and mysteries. It will be interesting to see where this series goes! 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

This is one of those books that I can't believe I've waited soo long to read. Honestly, it's a bit of a travesty that I waited nearly 27 years of my life to get around to reading this. I made the fortunate decision to listen to the audiobook version narrated by Douglas Adams himself and I was not disappointed. He perfectly captured the essence of his work with his fast paced, British, odd humored narration. Perfection. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is the first of its series and hilariously recounts the adventures of Arthur (a human earthling) and Ford (an experienced alien hitchhiker) as they try to muddle their way around the galaxies. Ridiculousness abounds. Excellent, tongue in cheek book and I can't wait to read the next in the series.