Favorite things about the summertime:

• Pools
• Sleeping in
• Reading all day!!!

Here are a few books I am excited about.

The Beauty That Remains, Ashly Woodfolk

I have a strong inclination towards music and many moments in my life have been chronicled by the albums or songs that were occupying my mind at the time. The Beauty That Remains is told from three unique points of view (Autumn, Shay, and Logan have all lost someone) and the story unfolds through lyrical prose that will captivate your heart and musical soul.

Down and Across, Arvin Ahmodi

Feeling lost and overwhelmed by the many twists and turns life throws at you is perhaps a feeling we are all familiar with, but it is especially overwhelming in high school when college is looming on the horizon and you have yet to find a passion to drive your forward. Scott Ferdowski, a high school senior in Washington D.C, lacks “grit” and direction but is given an opportunity to discover himself, his city, and a mysterious girl in this contemporary coming-of-age novel.

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card, Sara Saedi

As a 90s kid, I get nostalgic for references to the decade and Sara Saedi combines 80s and 90s teen pop-culture with the turbulent life of a young undocumented immigrant from the Middle East. Saedi effortlessly transitions between her fears of deportation and her relatable moments of teenage angst. Altogether, she creates a strong sense of empathy for this uncharted world of living in America in the 90s, being 13, and unwittingly breaking the law.

Poet X, Elizabeth Acevedo

The poet and author, Dylan Thomas said that “Poetry is what in a poem makes you laugh, cry, prickle, be silent, makes your toe nails twinkle, makes you want to do this or that or nothing, makes you know that you are alone in the unknown world, that your bliss and suffering is forever shared and forever all your own.” The amazing slam poet, Elizabeth Acevedo encapsulates all the feels, plus some in her poetic account of Xiamara Batista’s life in verse. Check out an exclusive excerpt read by the author and see for yourself!

I will have more books to share next week. Happy Reading!