Waiting on Wednesday (#42) #LGBTApril

 "Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

Expected publication:  September 30th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

 

 

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In 1959 Virginia, the lives of two girls on opposite sides of the battle for civil rights will be changed forever.

Sarah Dunbar is one of the first black students to attend the previously all-white Jefferson High School. An honors student at her old school, she is put into remedial classes, spit on and tormented daily.

Linda Hairston is the daughter of one of the town’s most vocal opponents of school integration. She has been taught all her life that the races should be kept “separate but equal.”

Forced to work together on a school project, Sarah and Linda must confront harsh truths about race, power and how they really feel about one another.

Boldly realistic and emotionally compelling, Lies We Tell Ourselves is a brave and stunning novel about finding truth amid the lies, and finding your voice even when others are determined to silence it.
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I have a feeling this is just going to be one of those. You know, the ones that everyone should read.


What're you waiting on?

 

LGBT Month is hosted by Cayce at Fighting Dreamer and Laura at Laura Plus Books. It runs throughout April and it’s here to celebrate LGBT readers, LGBT authors and of course LGBT books!

 

Review: The Break-Up Artist

The Break-Up Artist
Author:  Philip Siegel

Publication Date: April 29th 2014         

~A proof copy was provided by Harlequin Teen in exchange for an honest review~

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Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 



After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.

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I didn't expect to like the Break-Up Artist as much as I did. Yeah, I know, it's mean and I say it all the time but it applies. It was also unsolicited, and just from the synopsis you don't get much from, it's all about the content. Either way, luckily for The Break-Up Artist it's not as good as it sounds.

It's better.

Review: Tease

Tease
Author:  Amanda Maciel

Publication Date: May 1st, 2014      

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From debut author Amanda Maciel comes a provocative and unforgettable novel, inspired by real-life incidents, about a teenage girl who faces criminal charges for bullying after a classmate commits suicide.

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media. In the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her own role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

With its powerful narrative, unconventional point of view, and strong anti-bullying theme, this coming-of-age story offers smart, insightful, and nuanced views on high school society, toxic friendships, and family relationships.

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I knew Tease was going to be a hard one to review as soon as I read the synopsis. I usually avoid books with these topics, I think the only other strong one I've read was Thirteen Reasons Why. Bullying in general is more of a taboo subject, and no matter how much campaigning and bringing things to light on bullying, I honestly don't think it makes a difference. Bullying isn't an issue. It's a human issue. It's not just a thing that kids don't understand, it's not just kids on a playground or teenagers in high school, it's adults and work places just alike. But, I do think all that campaigning and bringing to life highlights the fine line between what we think is teasing to bullying. And Tease highlights that perfectly.

Stacking the Shelves (#41) & Recap

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

So, how was everybody's week? Next week I am really anxious about as I have a few things going on and ahhh. But, this week has been awesome, so there's that. And all of these books arrived this week. My mailman is wondering what the hells going on.

 

 

 

 

Review: Prisoner of Night and Fog

Prisoner of Night and Fog
Author:  Anne Blankman

Publication Date: April 22nd 2014      

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In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.

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Prisoner of Night and Fog is a hard one to review, not because it's confusing or annoyed me but because it is simply remarkable. And I'm pretty speechless. There's no doubt that it's well researched, and I'm not going to pretend that I know much about Germany or that time than probably most of us. So it was an eye-opener and such an breath-taking way to learn.

Waiting on Wednesday (#41) #LGBTApril

 "Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore

Expected publication: June 17th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion

 

 

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Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.

Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.
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☑ Magic?
  ☑ Thriller?

☑ 1930's?

    ☑ Me want?



 

What're you waiting on?

 

LGBT Month is hosted by Cayce at Fighting Dreamer and Laura at Laura Plus Books. It runs throughout April and it’s here to celebrate LGBT readers, LGBT authors and of course LGBT books!