Summer Book Series Vol. 1

For the next two months, I’m going to try to only read books that have to do with summer or take place in the summertime. I did this last year as well and really enjoyed it. I thought that I would make a few different posts throughout this summer, highlighting some of my favorite summer books.

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Girl Made of Stars – Review

I think I’ve just read my favorite book of the year. Last year I read How to Make a Wish and I instantly fell in love with Ashley Herring Blake’s writing. A simple story, wrought with so much emotion. Her latest book is no different.

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LGBTQ+ YA Recommendations –

Happy Pride Month!

I do not identify with the LGBTQ+ community, but I am a major ally and advocate. I think the YA community has some incredible stories about teens wrestling with their feelings about their sexuality and trying to figure out what it all means. On the opposite side, there are some books about people who are so sure of themselves. So sure about who they are and what they represent. So, I thought I would round up a list of YA books  that center around queer characters. Some of these are also own voices rep. These are all books that I have read and really love, but as someone who doesn’t identify, I’m not the person to accurately judge the representation. Just giving out my recommendations of some great stories and character arcs.

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YA Recommendations: Mental Health

Here are my YA recommendations when it comes to mental health. You can find tons of lists just like this all over the Internet, but these are just a few that I’ve read that really resonated with me. I hope you’ll enjoy, but please be advised ***TRIGGER WARNING*** for depression, suicide, anxiety, and self harm.

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Puddin’

“Riots. not diets!”

I devoured Dumplin‘, by Julie Murphy, when I first heard of it a few years ago. Fat main character? Sold! Puddin’, the companion novel, was no different. Instead of following the trials and tribulations of Dolly Parton obsessed Willowdean, we hear from two complete opposites: dancer Callie Reyes and Miss Positivity, Millie Michalchuk.

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Spring Book Festival Wrap-up

Every spring brings two book festivals to Southern California: The LA Times Festival of Books and Yallwest. Over the years attending these two festivals, I’ve been able to meet some of my all-time favorite authors and listen to them discuss their process, the hardships of writing, and the joys of meeting readers. This was my first time where my health and my body really limited my time and experience but I tried to make it work.  There was no way I was going to miss these events, as they are some of my favorite of the year. Without further ado, here is my wrap-up of the two festivals!

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