The Difference Between You and Me--"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

Title: The Difference Between You and Me

Author: Madeleine George


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer):  Emily is vice-president of student council, blonde and beautiful, in love with her boyfriend, and working as an intern for NorthStar.  Jesse puts up flyers to "liberate all weirdos," cuts her hair short with a Swiss army knife, is openly queer, and is working to keep NorthStar  corporation out of her school.  Jesse and Emily seem to have nothing in common, yet they meet secretly to kiss passionately in the library restroom every Tuesday afternoon.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): At first, I felt very sorry for Jesse and disliked Emily intensely.  Jesse is bullied and Jesse's only friend left school to be home-schooled.  Jesse is a social misfit kind of drifting through life and has a hopeless crush on Emily, who is seemingly the stereotypical preppy perfect high school girl.  Emily likes to toot her own horn and explain over and over how good her intentions are and how she so much wants to help people.  Very irritating.

Rainbow Road--"A very Sweet Valley Rainbow High road trip!"

Title:  Rainbow Road

Author: Alex Sanchez


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In the last book of the Rainbow Boys trilogy, Jason receives an invitation from an all-LGBTQ high school in California wanting him to speak, as a star high school athlete, about his public coming-out.  He, Kyle, and Nelson decide to drive to California to have a last adventure before Kyle goes away to Princeton.  The boys get on each others' nerves and learn more about themselves, as you do on a road trip.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): When I read the premise of the book, all I could think of was the SVH book Perfect Summer, one of my favorites, in which the key SVH characters go on bicycle trip, and Jessica meets a hot guy named Robbie October (seriously), somehow a rich girl gets stuck riding with them and she and Lila fight, and the guest nerdy guy (someone's nephew?) saves the group from a forest fire and a bear attack! Road trips in books are SO much more fun real-life road trips!

Openly Straight--[Insert tagline here]

Title:  Openly Straight

Author:  Bill Konigsberg


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Rafe has lived his last few years as "the gay kid," and he's tired of being defined by his sexuality.  So when he transfers to an all-boys boarding school, Rafe decides to "openly straight"--not necessarily going back into the closet, just letting people assume he's a straight jock, just "one of the guys."  Rafe's plan seems to be working, until he falls in love with one of his friends, who has no idea Rafe's gay.


What I think (This will definitely be more than 250 words): I set up perimeters for this blog for a reason:  I wanted to keep the reviews short and sweet, so that I will choose my words carefully, only write what's important, and not overwhelm myself by thinking I have to write a lot about each book.  That being said, I have already reviewed a few books where I just had to write over 250 words.

Oh well, I made the rules, I get to break 'em 😉.

Huntress--"I love the world, romance, heroine's quest, and writing style"

Title: Huntress

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the fifth of five fiction novels I am reviewing)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Huntress is set in the same Asian-inspired fantasy world as Ash.  A summons has arrived for the king by the Fairy Queen. Xi, a fae race, have been spotted in the human world, violating a centuries-old treaty.  Taisin, a gifted sage academy student, and Kaede, the councilor's daughter, are among the group appointed to visit the queen, but Taisin is haunted by visions of falling in love with Kaede and having to leave her behind. 


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  Huntress is very enjoyable as a stand-alone book, and I wish I had read it before Ash, which is a book that didn't really work for me.

In some ways, Huntress is a typical hero-on-a-quest story in the style of Joseph Campbell.  I'm a fan of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings so this worked well for me; I actually have written the Star-Wars-as-a-hero's-journey research paper before and could do the same for Huntress. 

Autoboyography--"Oh honey, this will not end well"

Title: Autoboyography

Author:  Christina Lauren

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Tanner is bisexual, and he was out and proud when he lived in California, but now that he and his family have moved to Utah, Tanner is back in the closet.  When Tanner joins a writing seminar class at school, he and the cute TA, Sebastian, fall for each other. But Sebastian is a strict Mormon whose whole life revolves around church and family, and if he admits he is gay, he will lose everything.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Autoboyography was kind of a tough book for me to read.  I enjoyed the story but reading it gave me a nervous stomachache.  All I wanted to do is sympathetically say to Tanner Oh honey, this will not end well.  Sebastian is going to break your heart.  Tanner's parents agreed with me and also warned him.

Inheritance--"I’m not going to waste my time thinking about people who hate me"

Title: Inheritance

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the fourth of five fiction novels I am reviewing)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In this sequel to Adaptation, David and Reese are struggling to figure out whom to trust. Should they trust the Imria, the alien race who wants to help humanity become better? Should they trust the government, who claim to protect them from humanity-using aliens? Also, do the special powers they have mean they are now aliens, too? Plus, Reese's new relationship with David is tested because Reese still has feelings for Amber, her Imrian ex-girlfriend.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Inheritance was more intense and less predictable than Adaptation, which I appreciated. I honestly could not figure out who the "good guys" were. The Imria want to "fix" humanity, but it would be a risky procedure, and the ethical question is, does humanity really need to be fixed?

Adaptation--"I hardly think a few birds are going to bring about the end of the world"

Title: Adaptation

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the third of five fiction novels I am reviewing)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): On June 19, thousands of birds go berserk, flying off course and smashing themselves into airplanes, causing over a dozen planes to crash.  Thousands of people die and most of the United States fears that this is terrorism-related.  David and Reese are driving home from Arizona that night when a bird causes their car to crash.  After a stay in a mysterious hospital, David and Reese heal from their injuries and acquire mysterious new abilities.


 What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I have a beef with the tagline:

In case you can't read it, it says "The others are already here." 

Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue--"Remarkably fabulous"

Title:  The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

 Author: Mackenzi Lee

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Monty is an eighteen-year-old rake, enjoying all of the pleasures of his upper class life in the eighteenth century.  He embarks on a tour of the continent, along with his sister, Felicity, and his best-friend-turned-crush, Percy.  When Monty pockets a trinket  in what he thinks is an act of petty thievery, he turns their tour into an adventure, complete with highwaymen, pirates, and angry duke bent on revenge.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Have you ever had a million things to do, but instead of doing them, you decide to download an e-book because why not, and then read the entire book in one sitting? Yep, I did it, and I'm not sorry: this book is remarkably fabulous!

At the Edge of the Universe--"Like I give a steaming corn-filled pile what those inbred sociopaths say about me"

Title: At the Edge of the Universe

 Author: Shaun David Hutchinson

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Weird things are happening in Ozzie's world.  First, Tommy, Ozzie's best friend and boyfriend, has disappeared--from the world and from everyone's memories but Ozzie's. Ozzie then makes a startling discovery:  the universe is shrinking, and he's the only one who realizes it. Meanwhile, Ozzie's parents are divorcing, and Ozzie begins to have feelings for his new physics lab partner, Calvin, who is keeping a dangerous secret.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): First, let's talk characters. Dustin, is the stoner valedictorian, who has a shot at a scholarship.  Lua, a gender-fluid character, plays in a band and is one of my favorite YA characters ever (seriously, Hutchinson? Write a book from Lua's POV, please).

Rainbow High--"Sweet Valley Rainbow High"

Title: Rainbow High   (Not to be confused with the Evita song that I've been singing all day)

Author: Alex Sanchez


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Jason, Kyle, and Nelson are back in this sequel to Rainbow Boys.  Jason is still struggling to accept his sexuality and is also working to earn a basketball scholarship.  Kyle is in love with Jason and unsure if he wants to leave him to go to Princeton.  Nelson is scared he is HIV-positive and trying to win the love of Jeremy, an HIV-positive boy.

What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Sanchez creates some wonderful, multi-dimensional, believable characters. A review that likens this trilogy to Sweet Valley High explains exactly what I think.  I devoured SVH books as a kid and loved them, even when they veered off into stereotype-world. Rainbow High is a fun and important story in spite of my issues with it.

Two Boys Kissing--"We resent you. You astonish us."

Title: Two Boys Kissing

Author: David Levithan


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Craig and Harry want to set the world's record for the longest kiss.  Peter and Neil are a couple who are going through normal ups and downs in their relationship.  Avery and Ryan have just met, and Cooper is alone and depressed. Snapshots of the lives of each boy are described.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): First of all, this book was one of the most challenged books of 2016, and a lot of the hype was caused by its cover, which is a picture of . . . two boys kissing.  Duh. What else should be on the cover? Oh my goodness, teenagers will discover that gay people exist by looking at the cover even if they don't read the book!!!!

I'm clutching my pearls, guys, for real.

Anything Could Happen--"Ellie Goulding and George Bailey"

Title:  Anything Could Happen

Author: Will Walton


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Tretch has an idyllic life in a small town with his supportive family, loving grandparents, and best friend, Matt. Tretch enjoys choreographing dances to Taylor Swift songs, but his biggest secret is that he's gay and has a secret crush on Matt.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I tried to read this a few months ago but lost interest halfway through.  I gave it another chance; it was worth reading.

The relationship Tretch has with his parents, brother, and grandparents is wonderful.  Tretch's favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life, which delights me (Tretch fan-girling over a cardboard cutout of Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey made my day!). Tretch is extremely excited about visiting his grandparents and experiencing all their Christmas traditions together.  Tragic news makes the holiday bittersweet for the family this year, allowing Tretch to discover the importance of love across space and time.

A Line in the Dark--"The teacher was just a red herring!"

Title: A Line in the Dark

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the second of the  five fiction novels I am planning to review)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Jess has a crush on her best friend, Angie.  When Angie meets Margot, a girl from an exclusive private boarding school, she falls in love, which makes Jess jealous and also suspicious of Margot's motives. Jess and Angie are swept up in the drama of the girls from the private school, and things are about to turn deadly.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer--yeah right. Once again, I couldn't stay within my word limit.  Also, some spoilers.):  

Holy cow.  I made the mistake of starting this book while sitting in a nice bubble bath--only to get trapped in the bathtub (TIBT) because I couldn't put it down.  This book is a wild ride from start to finish; and I, who pride myself on being able to figure out mysteries before the end of books (and metaphorically pat myself on the back when I find out that I'm right), was surprised several times.

Rainbow Boys--"Its strength is in its well-developed characters"

Title: Rainbow Boys

Author: Alex Sanchez


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Rainbow Boys is a story from the point-of-view of three high school boys:  Jason (the high school jock with the steady girlfriend), Kyle (the quiet kid whose afraid of disappointing his parents), and Nelson (the flamboyant "out" kid).  Jason meets Kyle and Nelson at a meeting for LGBTQ teens, and they become friends and navigate high school while dealing with their homosexuality.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Rainbow Boys was controversial when it first came out (pun intended!), landing at number 48 on the 100 frequently most challenged books of 2000-2009.  Today, Rainbow Boys seems tame compared to other YA books, and its strength is in its well-developed characters.

Ash--"Not what I was hoping for"

Title: Ash

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the first of her five fiction novels I am planning to review)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Set in a magical, Asian-inspired fantasy world, Ash is re-telling of Cinderella, in which the title character is torn between a bargain she makes with a cruel, beautiful fairy and the king's huntress, Kaisa, with whom Ash has fallen in love. 


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I had high expectations for Ash, which was billed as "a lesbian re-telling of Cinderella," nominated for several awards, and has appeared on lists of best YA books.  Cinder and Ella Enchanted, two re-tellings of Cinderella, are among my favorite books. I figured Ash would be a win-win, but it was not what I was hoping for.

TBR Pile--Which ones should I do first?

Here is my To Be Read/Reviewed pile as of today.  I have a few e-books as well, but I keep overwhelming myself, so here is the pile of titles I have in print as actual books:

• Inheritance by Malinda Lo
• The God Box by Alex Sanchez
• Openly Straight by Bill Koningsberg
• Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
• Freakshow by James St. James
• Huntress by Malinda Lo
• Unnatural by Michael Griffo
• Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez (I have Rainbow Boys and Rainbow High as well)
• The Other Boy by M.G. McHennessey
• Ash by Malinda Lo
• Anything Could Happen by Will Wheaton
• Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
• Drama Queens in the House by Julie Williams

Sooooo . . . which one should I read and review next?  Please tell me in the comments.  Thanks!

Gracefully Grayson--"Got me especially emotional"

Title: Gracefully Grayson

Author:  Ami Polonsky


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Grayson has lived with his* aunt and uncle since the death of his* parents when he* was in preschool, and Grayson has a secret that Aunt Sally and Uncle Evan do not know: Grayson is actually a girl on the inside, even though she has a boy body. When Grayson auditions for and wins the part of the leading female in the school play, life becomes more complicated.


What I think (in 250 words or a lot more--sorry, I did not even try to limit myself):  ALSO LOTS OF SPOILERS.  

An easy, fast read that I finished in one sitting.  The first-person point-of-view made the pronoun issues that bothered me in The Art of Being Normal not bothersome.  I love the fact that Grayson is only in 6th grade and not in high school. I love all the supportive people in Grayson's life--the teacher, the drama club mom, the cast members who "adopt" Grayson as a friend.

She Loves You, She Loves You Not--"Alyssa is better than her haters"

Title: She Loves You, She Loves You Not . . .

Author: Julie Anne Peters


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): When Alyssa is caught in a compromising position with her girlfriend, Alyssa's father kicks her out and sends her to live with her mother who abandoned her when she was young.  Alyssa makes a new life for herself, in spite of looking just like her mother, who has a terrible reputation and many secrets.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  I felt so very sorry for Alyssa in this book.  Her dad is a bigoted jerk, her stepmother is a wimp, her half-brother is confused, her best friend and her girlfriend have both betrayed her, her mom is self-absorbed, and the new town is judgmental.  Alyssa can't go anywhere without the townspeople giving her mean looks and whispering about her being
"Carly's girl."  I was also scared that Alyssa would do something reckless--she was already emotionally vulnerable and pretty immature (in my opinion), as most humans are at age seventeen.