We Told Six Lies by Victoria Scott

We Told Six Lies by Victoria Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We Told Six Lies by Victoria Scott is geared toward the teen market, however I really enjoyed this book as an adult. This is a book that resonates with nuanced character development; Cobain is a moody teenager, on the fringe in his high school and often bullied and misunderstood. Molly is the mysterious and oh so desirable young teen girl he is lusting after. Their relationship develops into something neither of them is quite ready for, and that is where the plot truly takes off. While some of the behavior between the two seemed a little over the top, and some of the dialogue was a little bit of a stretch, the author has a way of creating an emotional bond between the two that pulls you in. Not particularly likeable characters, but relatable in some ways, Cobain and Molly could be any teenager who feels on the outside looking in. They both embellish the truth, especially Molly as she puts on various acts to get by, to get along. Told in alternating perspectives and time frames, the plot is skillfully put together with a great twist along the way, although that twist is not totally unforeseeable. Even with that element of predictability, the story was enough to keep me interested until the last pages. Highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Truth Behind the Lies by Jaeson D. Rau

The Truth Behind the Lies: One Man's Journey Through Wwiii by Jaeson D Rau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Truth Behind the Lies: One Man’s Journey Through WWIII by Jaeson D. Rau uses the personal touch of a journal in order to encapsulate thoughts on society and mankind as a whole. The format is a little tough to get into, the main character's words form one long rant after another. He even indicates that he is ranting to his wife Summer as he goes on and on about tough subjects. Having seemingly escaped from war, and hanging out in a remote cabin after he becomes free, he embarks on recounting his thoughts in this expansive personal expose'. From tackling subjects like mass consumerism to adultery, to addictions of all kinds, to simply letting our lives go by, the author has taken great pains to point out the ills of society, and blames us, not the government for war and much more. We let this happen. This is certainly a unique book, and one that requires several readings in order to digest the content, The Truth Behind the Lies is a tour de force that is a great social commentary of many of the horrific issues plaguing man today. Highly recommend.

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Save the Last Dance: A Bittersweet Love Story about Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams by M.G. Crisci

Save the Last Dance: A Bittersweet Love Story about Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams: 9781456630560 by M G Crisci
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Save the Last Dance: A Bittersweet Love Story About Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams by M.G. Crisci is a wonderful tale of two young lovers that will capture your heart. This is a non-fiction book that recounts the lives of Fanny and Charlie, who met as children in New York, went on to live their lives, got married, yet stayed in touch until the very end. They were even buried near each other, proving that true love lives on forever. Along with this touching story, there are photographs that really capture the essence of New York from lower Manhattan to Franny and Charlie as young children, and the people that comprised family. The author captures the tone and tenor of the time, with language that resonates and a true story that will uplift. Highly recommend for a great story about a couple who never truly fell out of love.

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Violent Hearts: A Haunted Journey by Keith Deininger

Violent Hearts: A Haunted Journey by Keith Deininger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Violent Hearts: A Haunted Journey by Keith Deininger will scare you to death. Of course that's what the author Deininger wants, and he succeeds on all fronts. The plot of the book is certainly unique, and brings together the two main characters unlike anything before. Owen and Chloe couldn't be more different, but a ritualistic act has bound them together, and continues to haunt their everyday lives. The writing is a marvelous example of astute creativity, with different creatures and oddities. Along with the creative bent, Deininger has a way of fully creating his characters, adding depth and humanity, giving them very real emotions. These elements all combine to render a scary yet highly readable story, one filled with horrific magic and implausible events that seem all too real. Highly recommend for a book that will keep you awake at night. A must read.

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Cenzontle/Mockingbird (YA Edition): Songs of Empowerment by Daniel Garcia Ordaz

Cenzontle/Mockingbird (YA Edition): Songs of Empowerment by Daniel García Ordaz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cenzontle/Mockingbird (YA Edition): Songs of Empowerment (Poetry * Drama) by Daniel García Ordaz is a great collection of poetry for the YA audience that espouses and capitalizes on the need for linguistic diversity. As indicated in the title, the Mockingbird is the background theme, the mockingbird singing every other bird's song relentlessly, never quitting, and giving us listeners such great beauty. These poems resonate in that way, covering many different, fluid styles,and juxtaposing the verse across many different genres. With an ample amount of questions throughout, these poems not only spark the imagination, but the questions are great discussion starters for students and teachers alike. Love Forbitten is a fantastic example of bending the scope and layout of a poem to capture similar meaning with different verbiage. Overall, a fantastic collection, thought provoking and exploratory. Highly recommend, but it may help to have a familiarity with the Spanish language.

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Kinetic by Anna Durand

Kinetic by Anna Durand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kinetic (Psychic Crossroads #3) by Anna Durand is a great addition to the romantic psychic suspense genre and truly starts out with a bang. A bombing in a cafe nearly takes the life of Sean's best friend David, and opens up a can of worms that Sean never saw coming. When Kira entered the cafe she only intended to use her psychic powers to fill the building with a smoke bomb, not a real bomb. Then when Kira's life intersects with Sean's, sparks fly, as Sean determines to find out anything he can about the bombing. This is solid and substantial writing with a strong plot, well described characters, and a fast pace. You get to know the characters well as the story moves along, their motivations and their backstories. Durand has a great command of language and story structure. If you enjoy learning more about psychics this is a great story to that end. While it may be helpful to read books 1 and 2 in this series, this book stands solidly on its own as well. Highly recommend.

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The Cats of Laughing Thunder: Guide for Kids and Money by S.S. Curtis

The Cats of Laughing Thunder: Guide for Kids and Money (The Cats of Laughing Thunder by S. S. Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Cats of Laughing Thunder: Guide for Kids and Money (The Cats of Laughing Thunder (Nonfiction) Book 3) by S.S. Curtis is a great book about money for kids. The author writes in a way that is understandable for kids even when explaining some complex subjects. From getting that first paying job to investing to buying real estate, there is a lot of information in this book that will help young kids get a fuller understanding of money, making money, saving, donating, and much more. The illustrations are great as they depict a bunch of cute cats, there are photos too, as well as quotes from famous people about money. Along with all of that, the author helpfully provides links at the back of the book from articles about money to direct links to investment firms. This is such a great idea and really makes kids feel in control about making money decisions at a young age. A fantastic basic book full of good information, this book is highly recommended for kids in grades 3-6.

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