Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas [Review]

“I knew then that there were things you would always be powerless to change about your life.” She spoke softly. “And that I couldn’t protect you from all of them.”

Because You’ll Never Meet Me seemed very promising when I first took it off a bookstore shelf to read its blurb. I thought it would be about two people overcoming impossible obstacles just to see each other in person. And I knew I just had to buy it knowing that these two developed a deep relationship only through words. But it wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. 

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta [Review]

 

Saving Francesca is not as elaborate as Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road but I thought it was an entertaining read that exudes humor and honesty.

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos [Review]

The story revolves around 11-year old Jack Gantos and his shenanigans in the decrepit town of Norvelt. He’s been grounded for the whole summer thanks to one of his said antics but his elderly neighbor Miss Volker, the town obituarist, asked him to help her fulfill her lifelong duty to Eleanor Roosevelt. Next thing you know, there are old dead people everywhere, poisons and anesthetics, flames and gunfire, and blood. Lots of blood.

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt [Review]

“If there were angels, then bad things wouldn’t happen.”

“Maybe angels aren’t always meant to stop bad things.”

“So what good are they?”

“To be with us when bad things happen.”

Joseph looked at him.

“Then where the hell were they?” he said.

I don’t know how to say anything about this book without doing it injustice. But I’m going to try anyway.

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson [Review]

 
Amy Curry had just finished her junior year at Raven Rock High School in California. Her father died three months earlier in a tragic car accident, for which Amy blames herself. Her mother, who has left her alone for a month to get settled down in their new home in Connecticut, sent Amy on a road trip with her barely-remembered childhood friend Roger because Amy hasn’t driven since It happened. So basically, Roger agreed to be the chauffeur because he needed to get to Philadelphia to spend his summer with his dad. Or so we think…

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli [Review]

As a side note, don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a smart and funny book, with a set of characters full of life, vigor, and wit. Although some of them had trivial roles to play and were unnecessary to keep the story flowing continuously, it was still very entertaining throughout.