Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

“For Thurgood Marshall Academy's best and brightest--five friends who've been thick as thieves since kindergarten--this spring break is all about forgetting: they want nothing more than to wash away last year's tragedy, and the human-shaped hole it left in their friend group.

It's a hole the new kid, Anthony Brooks, seems to fit right into. So when he invites the Five to join him on a private island for a week at his dad's luxury resort, they agree with zero hesitation. No one's counting on a freak tropical storm swooping in and killing the vibe. And speaking of killing, they're also ill-prepared for the mounting collection of dead bodies... including (another) one of their own.

As their dream trip unravels, everything they tried to leave behind--secrets, lies, betrayals, dead best friends--seems to be washing up on the shore of their lives for everyone to see. Will any of them make it out alive?” - taken from Goodreads.

This book is the third collaboration between this team of six authors. Instead of a set of interconnected love stories like the previous two titles, breakout is a spring break trip that goes horribly wrong. Six teens head to a private island but become stranded when a hurricane hits and soon the dead bodies begin to pile up that have nothing to do with the aftermath of the storm. The trails, lies, and secrets are uncovered leading up to the end of the book. Readers will be guessing at who makes it off the island alive.

Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller

 

“High school junior Eliza Crowley is known as the Princess of Fairfield, a farm town in North Carolina that loves two things—tradition and baseball. Although Eliza loves “the game,” her life goal is to become a lighting designer on Broadway. Shaking off her reputation as the rich girl and focusing on her town's community theater production are what she’s set her sights on this summer, and nothing will stand in her way. That is until Reed Fulton, the grandson of a struggling Fairfield farmer, and ace pitcher of the Fulton Hawks, returns to town. Reed dreams of putting the catastrophe of last season behind him and leading the Hawks to a championship victory against the Crowley Cardinals. When his childhood friend turned stranger, Eliza, strolls back into his life, she makes his heart accelerate quicker than his fastball, and he’s not sure he can stay away from the girl he’s supposed to despise. Small-town summers and baseball draw Reed and Eliza together, even though the Crowleys and the Fultons are determined to run each other out of town. When the families make a deal to settle their thirty-year-long dispute once and for all, Eliza and Reed are stuck in the middle during the most important summer of their lives.” - taken from Goodreads.

Eliza Crowley is literally Fairfield royalty. Her family is wealthy and her father owns the Crowley Cardinals, the town's baseball team as well as the town’s stadium. She is excited to spend the summer working as a lighting director for the town's production of Romeo and Juliet. Life soon mirrors the theater when Reed Fulton returns to town to be the pitcher for his grandfather's revitalized team, the Fulton Hawks. Knowing that their respective families get along as well as oil and water, circumstances soon bring the two of them into each other's orbit. When the feuding steps up over which family will own the town’s stadium, can Reid and Eliza's burgeoning relationship survive the fight between their families?

This is the perfect read for fans of Kasie West and Lynn Painter.

Visit Cassie Miller’s website.

Heart Check by Emily Charlotte

“Luke Dawson and Harper Braedon could have been friends. They trade shifts at the same diner, share classes at school, and are driven by their greatest passions: hockey for Dawson and jewelry-making for Harper. But some things aren't meant to be. Dawson thinks Harper is stuck-up, too good for anything resembling school spirit. Harper thinks Dawson is a self-centered jock, a perfect fit for a hockey team that seems to absorb all the budget away from the arts departments.

When his beloved hockey coach gets fired for misallocation of funds, Dawson is terrified that all his plans for impressing scouts are vanishing before his eyes. A rumor goes around that Harper was the one who got him fired, and suddenly she’s public enemy number one.

But even with their mutual dislike at an all-time high, Harper and Dawson can’t escape splitting shifts forever. Can forced proximity help them find some common ground, or will long-held grudges finally succeed in bringing them both down?” - taken from Goodreads.

Hockey rules at Hamilton lakes High School to the detriment of other extracurricular programs. Luke Dawson hopes to play in the NHL while Harper Braden wants to succeed at her jewelry making business. Co-workers at Luke's parents' diner, they are colleagues but not necessarily friends. They both see their hopes and dreams begin to vanish when the hockey coach is fired over the mismanagement of funds and Harper is falsely accused of blowing the whistle. Soon the two begin to take notice and see that each other's goals are as valid as their own.

This book is perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Kasie West.

Visit Emily Charlotte’s website.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (Iron Widow book 1)

 

“The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.” - taken from Goodreads.

This is a unique twist on Chinese history through a science fiction lens. Zetain is the ultimate feminist anti-hero who will continue to rebel against society’s constraints against women to the end. Soon caught between the boy she knew before joining the military and the boy she is ultimately paired with, Zetian is determined to live her own life. With that shocking reveal at the end, readers will be ready to conclude Zetian’s story with the next book. 

The story concludes with Heavenly Tyrant, out now.

Visit Xiran Jay Zhao’s website.

Stay With My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan

 

“Liana Sarkar lives and breathes music, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her A&R coordinator father. Maybe if she succeeds, he’ll finally give her the time of day instead of drowning himself in work to distract from the grief of her mother’s passing.

When Liana accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming local band, Third Eye, she makes it her mission to steer them towards success—without them discovering her role in their setback. But as she gets closer to Third Eye, especially their enigmatic leader Skyler Moon, it becomes harder to hide the truth.

With both her heart and their futures on the line, will Liana be able to undo the damage she’s caused?” - taken from Goodreads.

Once again, another great love story from one of my new must read authors. With a heavy influence of music throughout the story, Liana is mentally struggling since her mother’s death. When an aspiring musician lies to Liana, causing her to champion him to her record producing father, she is determined to right her wrong without her father’s involvement. The closer Liana gets the the members of Third Eye, especially its leader Skyler Moon, the lines begin to blur and it’s just a matter of time before the horrible truth is discovered.

Visit Tashie Bhuiyan’s website.

The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park

“Chloe Kwon can't stand Peter Li. It's always been that way. Their families don't get along either: their parents operate rival restaurants in the Riverwood Mall food court―Korean food for the Kwons and Chinese food for the Lis. Now it's the holiday season and Chloe's the photographer at the mall's Santa Land, and Peter works at the virtual reality North Pole experience right across the atrium. It's all Chloe can do to avoid Peter's smug, incredibly photogenic face.

But it turns out the mall is about to be sold to a developer and demolished for condos. Eviction notices are being handed out right before Christmas. Their parents don't know what to do, and soon Chloe and Peter realize that the two of them need to join efforts to try to save the mall. Just when it seems like they can put aside their differences and work closely (very closely) together, they discover that the Kwon and Li feud goes far deeper than either of them realize...:” - taken from Goodreads.

For me, this book fell flat and nothing was really resolved at the end. Expecting a Christmas story, Santa at the mall is the extent of the holiday season that is portrayed. Thanksgiving got the most page time of any holiday story. Not one of my best reads.

Visit Suzanne Park’s website.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

 

“Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He's a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine.

Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption--yet, she's still not cool enough for the popular kids' table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that's how Celine sees it.)

These days, there's nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she's surprised to find Brad right beside her.

Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a slow read for me. I heard such great things about this book that I couldn’t wait to read it. Unfortunately, it took awhile for me to get into it. Not wanting to give up and see how the story ended, the ending was okay. Definitely not one of my favorites. 

Visit Talia Hibbert’s website.

Ride With Me by Lucy Keating

 

“As a driver for her local ride share app, Charlie Owens loves what the open road gives her: freedom, extra cash for an epic road trip, and a path to getting out of her sleepy town of Chester Falls, Massachusetts. She’s seen her fair share of mysterious passengers and explosive break-ups in the backseat of her car, but Charlie lives a no-strings-attached lifestyle and never gets involved.

But when a routine post-party pick-up ends with Charlie crashing into Andre, her school’s notorious party boy, she’s forced to make a deal to drive him anywhere he needs to go, anytime, until his car can be repaired. Suddenly Charlie and Andre are stuck together, and they couldn’t be more different. But Andre’s charm wins over Charlie’s passengers, and she soon finds herself at risk of breaking her most sacred rule: don’t fall in love.” - taken from Goodreads.

When Charlie hits Andre's car at a party, neither have the money to repair it. Since Charlie drives for a ride share app, Andre decides that Charlie can drive him wherever he needs to be. What turns out to be a major annoyance at first, soon blooms into friendship between the two. The more time Charlie and Andre spend together, the more they learn about one another. Soon sparks begin to fly but neither wants to be the first to act on it. Can two people with opposite goals in life be able to meet in the middle and make a relationship work?

Visit Lucy Keating’s website.

Seoulmates by Susan Lee

 

“Hannah Cho had the next year all planned out—the perfect summer with her boyfriend, Nate, and then a fun senior year with their friends.

But then Nate does what everyone else in Hannah’s life seems to do—he leaves her, claiming they have nothing in common. He and all her friends are newly obsessed with K-pop and K-dramas, and Hannah is not. After years of trying to embrace the American part and shunning the Korean side of her Korean American identity to fit in, Hannah finds that’s exactly what now has her on the outs.

But someone who does know K-dramas—so well that he’s actually starring in one—is Jacob Kim, Hannah’s former best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in years. He’s desperate for a break from the fame, so a family trip back to San Diego might be just what he needs… that is, if he and Hannah can figure out what went wrong when they last parted and navigate the new feelings developing between them.

Her ex-boyfriend wants her back. Her former best friend is in town. When did Hannah’s life become a K-drama?” - taken from Goodreads.

I was sucked into this story right away as Hannah, a Korean American teenager, doesn’t quite fit in. She isn’t American enough for some people but when a new girl comes to town, suddenly she isn’t Korean enough either. With her plans for summer drastically changed, she receives the news from her mother that their old friends, the Lees, are coming to spend time with him. Angry with her former best friend, Jacob Lee, Hannah is determined to not to forgive him for moving to Korea and becoming a star. Can Hannah find it in her heart to forgive Jacob, especially when she discovers what life is like for a popular K-drama star?

Perfect read for fans of XOXO by Axie Oh.

Visit Susan Lee’s website.

Meet Me in the Middle by Alex Light

 

“Eden had her best friend Katie—she didn’t need anyone else. But then there was Truman.

Katie’s older brother, the artist. The recluse. The boy with the innocent smile and the dangerous eyes.

Eden had never really known Truman—not until the night of Katie’s accident. That was the night they’d finally let each other into their orbits—only to have the sky come crashing down on them.

With Katie in the hospital and Truman fleeing from his grief without a word, Eden is left alone to grapple with her own pain. But when Truman returns to the city, can Eden let him back into her life knowing that their first kiss is what tore their world apart?” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a gut wrenching read of love and loss. Told between the POV of Eden, Katie’s best friend and Truman, Katie’s older brother, the story switches between the events leading up to Katie’s accident and the traumatic aftermath. Guilty over what transpired before the accident, neither Eden nor Truman can't get past that eventful night and what they feel is their part. What happened between Eden and Truman the night of Katie's accident and why was she in the car? Will either of them be able to get past their guilt to find happiness?

Visit Alex Light’s website.

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel (Stolen Beauty book 1)

 

“These days, I’ve been killing it when it comes to letting people down. Now I’ve been kicked out of high school, arrested, and accepted into a remote, off-the-grid school owned and operated by an inscrutable billionaire tech guru.

Gray Wolf Academy is looking for a certain kind of student. Ones that no one will miss. Like me.

Then there’s Braxton. The beautiful, oddly anachronistic guy who showed up right when the trouble started. And he’s a total enigma—which means that I definitely can’t trust him, even if there’s something about him that makes me want to.

They all tell me I have a gift. A very rare gift. And Gray Wolf Academy wants me to learn it. To use it. Because if what they say is true, I have all the time in the world.

And that makes me the most dangerous high school student you’ll never know… “ - taken from Goodreads.

This time-traveling mystery is perfect for fans of Truly Devious or The Inheritance Games. Natasha Clarke finds her world turned upside down when she skips school with her friend Elodie to go to a club. Not remembering what happened the night before, she finds herself arrested for stealing. When the cute boy she met at the club gets her charges dropped, Natasha finds herself with an impossible choice, join the Gray Wolf Academy or be nothing.

Soon, Natasha realizes that Gray Wolf hides many secrets and that there doesn't seem to be anyone there she can truly trust. As her past and present lives, collide will Natasha be able to unravel the mysteries of her new life before it's too late?

Book two, Ruling Destiny, is due out on February 7, 2023.

Visit Alyson Noel’s website.

Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan

“A reserved Bangladeshi teenager has twenty-eight days to make the biggest decision of her life after agreeing to fake date her school’s resident bad boy.

How do you make one month last a lifetime?

Karina Ahmed has a plan. Keep her head down, get through high school without a fuss, and follow her parents’ rules—even if it means sacrificing her dreams. When her parents go abroad to Bangladesh for four weeks, Karina expects some peace and quiet. Instead, one simple lie unravels everything.

Karina is my girlfriend.

Tutoring the school’s resident bad boy was already crossing a line. Pretending to date him? Out of the question. But Ace Clyde does everything right—he brings her coffee in the mornings, impresses her friends without trying, and even promises to buy her a dozen books (a week) if she goes along with his fake-dating facade. Though Karina agrees, she can’t help but start counting down the days until her parents come back.

T-minus twenty-eight days until everything returns to normal—but what if Karina no longer wants it to?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was an incredible story about two students who seem to be complete opposites but actually fall in love while pretending to date. Karina is relieved when her super restrictive parents go away for a month and leave her grandmother to watch her and her brother. When her English teacher asks her to tutor the school’s resident bad boy, she is not thrilled. Karina soon realizes that Ace Clyde isn’t what he seems. Thrown together, the two soon discover that they have a lot in common. As their feelings grow deeper, Karina and Ace help each other work through their differences with their respective parents.

Visit Tashie Bhuiyan’s website.

From Little Tokyo, With Love by Sarah Kuhn

 

“If Rika's life seems like the beginning of a familiar fairy tale--being an orphan with two bossy cousins and working away in her aunts' business--she would be the first to reject that foolish notion. After all, she loves her family (even if her cousins were named after Disney characters), and with her biracial background, amazing judo skills and red-hot temper, she doesn't quite fit the princess mold.

All that changes the instant she locks eyes with Grace Kimura, America's reigning rom-com sweetheart, during the Nikkei Week Festival. From there, Rika embarks on a madcap adventure of hope and happiness--searching for clues that Grace is her long-lost mother, exploring Little Tokyo's hidden treasures with cute actor Hank Chen, and maybe...finally finding a sense of belonging.

But fairy tales are fiction and the real world isn't so kind. Rika knows she's setting herself up for disappointment, because happy endings don't happen to girls like her. Should she walk away before she gets in even deeper, or let herself be swept away?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Rika feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere. Orphaned at birth, she lives with her doting aunts and cousins. Biracial, she is often made to feel out of place in her Japanese American community. When she bumps into a famous movie store at a parade, Rika’s life is turned upside down when she realizes that her mother may be alive after all. With the help of the handsome Henry Chen who just so happens to be filming a movie with her supposed mother, the two go on a quest to uncover the truth. Rika must confront not only her own insecurities but fight against a racist bully and society's preconceived notions in order to uncover her own happily ever after.

Visit Sarah Kuhn’s website.

Every Reason We Shouldn’t by Sara Fujimura (Every Reason book 1)

 

“Warning: Contains family expectations, delightful banter, great romantic tension, skating (all kinds!), Korean pastries, and all the feels.

Fifteen-year-old, biracial figure skater Olivia Kennedy’s Olympic dreams have ended. She's bitter, but enjoying life as a regular teenager instead of an athlete... until Jonah Choi starts training at her family's struggling rink. Jonah's driven, talented, going for the Olympics in speed skating, completely annoying… and totally gorgeous. Between teasing Jonah, helping her best friend try out for roller derby, figuring out life as a normal teen and keeping the family business running, Olivia's got her hands full. But will rivalry bring her closer to Jonah, or drive them apart?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This story reminded me of one of my favorite movies, The Cutting Edge but with several different twists. Olivia Kennedy's parents are Olympic gold medalist ice skating champions. Her own Olympic dreams have recently gone up in flames. She and her mother are struggling to keep their own ice rink afloat when Jonah Choi and his father walk through the doors. A speed skating Olympic hopeful, Jonah's rental is much-needed income for the rink. But soon sparks fly between Olivia and Jonah as they grow closer to each other and support each other's Olympic dreams. 

Visit Sara Fujimura’s website.

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

 

“The rock in the water does not know the pain of the rock in the sun.

On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life.

But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.

Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?” - taken from Goodreads.com

A powerful story about Fabiola’s quest to achieve the American Dream and what it will cost her to get there. Thrown into life with her cousins and aunt, she is left to own devices to find a way to gain her mother’s release from immigration officials and make her way around the streets of Detroit. Interspersed with the stories of minor characters, readers will gain insight into what life is like for an immigrant. 

Visit Ibi Zoboi’s website.

You Say It First by Katie Cotugno

 

“Meg has her entire life set up perfectly: her boyfriend Mason is sweet and supportive, she and her best friend Emily plan to head to Cornell together in the fall, and she even finds time to clock shifts phonebanking at a voter registration call center in her Philadelphia suburb. But everything changes when one of those calls connects her to a stranger from small-town Ohio, who gets under her skin from the moment he picks up the phone.

Colby is stuck in a rut, reeling from a family tragedy and working a dead-end job—unsure what his future holds, or if he even cares. The last thing he has time for is some privileged rich girl preaching the sanctity of the political process. So he says the worst thing he can think of and hangs up.

But things don’t end there.…

That night on the phone winds up being the first in a series of candid, sometimes heated, always surprising conversations that lead to a long-distance friendship and then—slowly—to something more. Across state lines and phone lines, Meg and Colby form a once-in-a-lifetime connection. But in the end, are they just too different to make it work?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was my first book by this author but it certainly won't be my last. This was a cute rom-com about how opposites attract over a phone call about voter registration. Both Meg and Colby have family and personal situations that they need to overcome and work through before either of them could think about taking the next step in their relationship. Told from both their points of view, the reader gets to see how their words to each other can be powerful. A good read during this election season.

Visit Katie Cotugno’s website.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

“YES

Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone), Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.

NO

Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.

MAYBE SO

Going door to door isn’t exactly glamorous, but maybe it’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, the polls are getting closer—and so are Maya and Jamie. Mastering local activism is one thing. Navigating the cross-cultural romance of the century is another thing entirely.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was an adorable book of first love and standing up for what you believe in. Maya, who is Muslim, and Jamie, who is Jewish, reconnect while volunteering on a political campaign. Their families were friendly when these two were younger. Taking place during Ramadan, Jamie and the reader learn about the Muslim holiday just as Maya gains some insight into Jamie's younger sister's bat mitzvah.

According to the authors' note at the end, the event surrounding Maya and Jamie's story was based on the current political climate here in the United States. This shouldn't be a turn off because the reader gets some insight into how our political system works. Putting yourself into either Maya or Jamie's shoes is an invaluable lesson.

Visit Becky Albertalli’s website.

Visit Aisha Saeed’s website.

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

“What happens when Matt and Ella reunite one year after their breakup? Are second chances really possible?

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over her ex-boyfriend and graduate high school—simple as that. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying "yes" to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

But then Matt leaves town, breaking Ella's heart. And when he shows up a year later—wanting to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn't sure whether Matt's worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This is another book that had been on my TBR list for a while. The story takes place over two different nights, Then and Now. Then is the night Ella first meets Matt through her best friend, Meg and her boyfriend, Jake. Matt is the new bassist for Jake's band. Now is when Matt turns up six months after leaving town breaking Ella's heart and never communicating with his friends again.

When Matt turns up unexpectedly at a party thrown by Meg's brother, Ella is floored. Deciding to go off with him despite Meg's objections, Ella realizes that Matt is trying to recreate the night they first met. A night where they said yes to everything that was suggested. Told between Then and Now, the author beautifully weaves together the story to show how Matt tried to make both nights similar.

Visit Lauren Gibaldi’s website.

Matt's Story

“Seventeen-year-old Matt had the perfect life in Orlando. He met the girl of his dreams, rocked out on bass in an awesome band, and partied with the best group of friends he could ask for. But then his family gets a call and he has to move back to Texas—immediately. Now stuck with no possibility of ever seeing his friends in Orlando again, Matt is ready to give up. But can he open up his heart to new friends and a second chance?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Batman: Nightwalker. The Graphic Novel adapted by Stuart Moore. Based on the novel by Marie Lu.

“Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Marie Lu, this graphic novel adaptation brings to life the dark mysteries behind the gates of Arkham Asylum. Nightwalkers are terrorizing Gotham City, and 18 year-old Bruce Wayne is next on their list.

Bruce Wayne is turning 18 and inheriting his family's fortune. But on the way home from his birthday party, he makes an impulsive choice that leads him to Arkham Asylym, the infamous mental hospital. There, he meets Madeline Wallace, a brilliant killer . . . and Bruce's only hope. Madeline is the mystery Bruce must unravel, but is he convincing her to divulge her secrets, or is he feeding her the information she needs to bring Gotham City to its knees?

Bruce Wayne is proof that you don't need superpowers to be a superhero, but can he survive Madeleine's game of tense intrigue and deception?

This graphic novel adaptation from New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu and artist Christian Wildgoose is a dark, action-packed thrill ride!” - taken from Goodreads.com 

This was an excellent graphic depiction of Marie Lu’s novel by the same name. I enjoyed seeing the book “come to life.”

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

“Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?” - taken from Goodreads.com

A super cute and funny read about to seasonal best friends who decide to go on an adventure of a lifetime on their last night of working together before heading off to college. The illustrations were great.

Visit Rainbow Rowell’s website.
Visit Faith Erin Hicks’ website.