Book of the Month: September - Emmy & Oliver

Emmy & Oliver

by Robin Benway

Emmy and Oliver are best friends up until grade 2 when the unthinkable happens, Oliver is kidnapped by his dad. Oliver's friends and family are all devastated when he disappears and for 10 years Oliver is always in everyone's minds - lost, but not forgotten. One day they receive the news they have all been waiting for - Oliver has been found! For Emmy this brings back fond memories of a boy that she felt an instant bond with, and a hope they can take up where they left off. However, when Oliver arrives back home it becomes clear that nothing is the same. The boy that was taken from them has grown up. Moreover, Oliver is struggling with reconciling the truth of his kidnapping by a man that he can't help but still love.

Will Emmy and Oliver find a way back to each other? Will Oliver be able to look forward to his future knowing that his past has been a lie?

A fantastic book that is funny, heart wrenching, and real. A great read!

Other books like Emmy & Oliver: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell,, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkin, An abundance of Katherines by John Green

Book of the Month - June: I'll Give You the Sun

I'll give you the sun

by Jandy Nelson

Jude and Noah are fraternal twins and absolutely inseparable. They both love art, live carefree lives, and know that they have each other. But one day something happens and their relationship falls apart. Jude no longer wants her awkward brother around, and Noah doesn't recognize his boy crazy sister. And when something imaginable happens their shaky relationship breaks and their lives are changed forever. Jude and Noah must learn to be true to themselves in order to find their way back to each other.

The book is told in alternating perspectives and time lines (Noah's chapters take place when they are 13 and Jude's when they are 16). Reading the two perspectives, at different times in their lives helps piece the story together. The writing is beautiful and the story told is unforgettable.

This book is amazing and I wanted to climb right in and enjoy every moment. Jandy Nelson is also the author of The Sky is Everywhere which is equally as good!

Other books like I'll Give You the Sun: Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, All the bright places by Jennifer Niven, Kissing in America by Margo Rabb, and Blackswangreen by David Mitchell.

Book of the Month - February: Clariel

By Garth Nix

Sixteen-year-old Clariel is not happy about the move to the city of Belisaere in the Old Kingdom. She misses her old life where she could roam the forests, and be on her own. City life is busy, crowded, and surrounded by ugly stone walls. All Clariel wants to do is find a way out so that she can start to live her own life.

However, she soon realizes that things are not all that they seem. A dangerous creature is loose in the city and someone wants to harm the King. Can Clariel find a way to regain her freedom and prevent chaos from descending on Belisaere? Or is it too late?

The book Clariel is a prelude to The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, and Across the Wall). I love this series. Clariel takes a little bit of time to get into it, but once you do the story really takes off!