The Rest of the Story

I haven't read a Sarah Dessen book in ages - but my lord - did she become an even better writer? Or was I just so nostalgic to get back to her work that I ate this up? Either way, she's the queen of teen for a reason - this was a wonderful young adult contemporary romance with themes of identity, addiction, and family issues. Emma Saylor thought she knew how her summer would play out, hanging at her best friends house while her dad and new step mom honeymooned - but one family emergency later - Emma finds herself without a place to stay for the summer. It's eventually decided that she should go to the lake to  spend the summer with her mother's family even though she hasn't seen them since she was four. As she gets to know her grandma, cousins, and other lake folk - she starts to piece together her mother's past and think more about her future. A wonderful coming of age story. I couldn't put it down!

With the Fire on High

LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! I loved the characters, the layout, the recipes, the plot, and that beautiful ass cover. How can you not pick up this book with a gorgeous cover like this? Emoni has a lot on her plate. Not only is she a senior trying to figure out what her future after high school will be; but she lives at home with her grandma and two year old daughter, works part time, and tries to excel in class. Emoni's real passion is her daughter and cooking. She can whip up recipes that will make the strongest men cry, and whenever she is overwhelmed she feels safest in the kitchen. When her high school offers an immersive culinary class that will have a week long study abroad component in Spain, Emoni is torn. How can she afford to go and how can she leave Babygirl alone for a week? Is wanting to take this class selfish of her?  To make matters worse, that good looking boy Malachi is in that class. She doesn't have time for boys and their nonsense. A wonderful book about taking risks, putting family first, and realizing that just because your path doesn't look the same as someone else; doesn't mean it is any better or worse. A truly wonderful book that will resonate with many readers.

The Summer of '69

What a wonderful beach read. I breezed right through this and enjoyed every minute of it! The summer of 1969 on Nantucket won't be the same without Tiger, the beloved brother and son of the family. He's just been deployed to Vietnam and everyone knows nothing will ever be the same. This story is alternately told between his three sisters, and his mother; from dealing with first crushes, alcoholism, cheating husbands, and wild carefree parties; each woman is wrapped up in their own little world. Addictive and compulsively readable this story has it all; romance, adventure, intrigue, and hope. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book; this was my first Elin Hildenbrand but I will certainly read more!

The Time Traveler's Wife

Reading this book is akin to being on a roller-coaster. You will feel an insane amount of emotions all the way through and when you shut the book for the final time you aren't sure sure how you should feel. Emotionally drained? Sad? Exhausted? Glad you aren't married to a time traveler? Beautifully written and expertly crafted; this story-line is easy to follow despite its complex back story and unpredictability. From the age of 6, Clare knows she is destined to marry Henry. He's been time traveling and conversing with her for years; she can't wait to grow up and meet him on a normal timeline. Told from both of their perspectives and spanning years, this novel about a relationship that involves time travel, never once manages to be over the top or too science fiction-y. It's plausible and it makes their relationship stronger for it. It's a unique story, that readers won't stop being able to think about. I resisted reading it for a long time (stubbornness maybe?), but I'm not mad now that I've finally gotten around to it. I'm not quite sure why I didn't give it a full 5 stars, the length maybe? Overall though, a pretty solid and unconventional romance.

Seeded and Sodded

A wonderful wrap up on her gardening trilogy. This short book of gardening vignettes, letters, short stories, and secret messages is wonderful. It's a quick read and easy to put down and pick back up (while you tend to your gardening of course). This trilogy is the perfect gift for any gardener in your life; it's witty, cute, inspiring, and endearing. And it will motivate you to work in your garden like never before!

New Kid

After being told repeatedly to read this book I finally see what the big deal is. This graphic novel is perfect for middle schoolers, in fact it should probably be required reading. It deals with racism, bullying, peer pressure, and how not to be an asshole. I know a lot of adults who could get something out of reading it too! Jordan is starting an elite new school and isn't sure if he'll fit in, there are only a few other black kids there and he desperately wants to make friends and fit in. As he adjusts to his rich new school, he keeps drawing in his sketchbook and learns that there is more to people than meets the eye. It's funny and inspiring and it's helping kids realize that they aren't alone and everyone is just trying to fit in in their own way. A fantastic graphic novel that everyone should read.

The Daughter's of Temperance Hobbs

This book was the perfect witchy summer read that I didn't know I needed. I have never read the first book in this series, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment or understanding of this at all. Connie thought she just had to worry about finishing her book, getting her tenure packet in, and grading her student' papers; but on top of that her boyfriend just proposed, she might be pregnant, and she found an old family heirloom that could turn her research and life around. Her mother has convinced Connie that no men live long after "the next generation is set" and Connie is desperate to discover if that is true. She plunges herself into researching family history and realizes that her mother is right, but there may be a loophole, weather work. If she can figure out the writings she discovered in her mother's house, she may be able to save the life of the man she loves and become more intimately connected to her family history then she ever thought possible. Fascinating read! I loved the history components and all the characters, I'll have to go back and read the first one now!