Reviewed by Lisa K. They say that everyone, no matter how ordinary they seem, has a story to tell . . . After losing her factory job during the 2008 recession, Cara Romaro begins meeting with a vocational counselor for government assistance with finding a new job. Narrated in Cara's distinctive voice, this novel reveals… Read More
Solito by Javier Zamora
Escaping the Salvadoran Civil War, Javier's parents migrated to the U.S., leaving Javier in the care of his grandparents and aunt until they could send for him. He can't wait for the day when he can be reunited with his parents. In 1999, when he's 9 years old, the time comes for him to make… Read More
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Ray Macmillan is something of a prodigy on the violin, despite having no private lessons, and until his grandmother gifts him with his great-great grandfather's instrument, no violin of his own. Despite the lack of support from the rest of his family, and not being taken seriously because he's a black kid who loves to… Read More
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
Thiago and Vera are so excited to move into their new Chicago condo. That is, until weird things start happening. Random cold spots. Scratching from within the walls. They're able to chalk it up to, well, just weird stuff. But then, after purchasing an Itza smart speaker, the weirdness escalates to random packages arriving (industrial… Read More
Light Years From Home by Mike Chen
15 years ago, four members of the Shao family went on a camping trip. Jakob and his father went out for a hike. Jakob disappeared, and when his father returned a few days later, exhausted, confused and dehydrated, he was convinced that they'd been kidnapped by aliens but that for some reason, he'd been returned.… Read More
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Single mother Frida Liu is really struggling. Her husband had an affair and left her when their daughter Harriet was only months old. Now she is trying to keep herself afloat and balance motherhood, her job, and her sense of worth. After a particularly bad stretch where Harriet is sick and Frida hasn't slept or… Read More
These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall
Mickie Lambert has been assigned to create the digital scrapbook for Nadia Denham, a curio shop owner. Mickie meets with her at her shop and is intrigued to say the least. But before Mickie can even begin to work, Nadia is found dead. Mickie decides to do the scrapbook anyway since her company has been… Read More
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Wow! Add this book to your TBR pile! This book was so well written and had me hooked from the first page! It has earned a Caudill nomination and it is well deserved. Yes, it is a Juvenile Fiction but is definitely an All Ages book. G’ma shows up in a Winnebago, her new sweet… Read More
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Aleisha is 17 years-old and has a summer job at the library. Not being a reader, she's not over excited by the job, but it gets her out of the house and allows her to contribute at home. When she finds a crumpled up piece of paper in the back of a book that has… Read More
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Ellice Littlejohn is a corporate attorney for a company in Atlanta. On the surface, she seems to have it all - a successful career, a nice house, beautiful clothes, a handsome rich "boyfriend" (who just so happens to be her boss). One morning, called in for an early meeting, she arrives to find Michael dead… Read More