This summer I’ve had the time to listen to a few more audiobooks than I normally can squeeze in. I’ve kept a lot of the listening on the lighter side, but recently listened to back-to-back books that were definitely a little more serious and a little more literary. I liked both The Nickel Boys and Marilou Is Everywhere and want to share a few thoughts on each with you today….

Read More

The post The Nickel Boys and Marilou is Everywhere | Audiobook Reviews appeared first on Novel Visits.

Warning: There are spoilers in this discussion!

Even with a book I didn’t like there are still good points. Let’s start with some things I liked about The Last Time I Lied.…

Read More

The post I Don’t Get It! Why the Love for The Last Time I Lied? | Discussion appeared first on Novel Visits.

Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Length: 224 pages
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Speak No Evil delivers a beautiful, haunting coming-of-age story surrounded by collisions between culture, sexuality and race….

Read More

The post Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

Audiobooks have changed my reading life! A year ago, I’d only listened to a handful and now I can’t stand to be without one. Don’t get me wrong, I still prefer a book in print, but for those times when you can’t actually read (driving, making dinner, etc.) listening is the way to go. Other times it’s just so nice to relax and listen. A great narrator brings me back to my childhood when my mom would tell me stories. If you haven’t tried audio, it’s time!…

Read More

The post Mini-Reviews: The Fall Audio Edition appeared first on Novel Visits.

Emma In the Night by Wendy Walker
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: August 8, 2017
Length: 298 pages
Buy on Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Three years ago sisters Cass and Emma Tanner went missing, and when Cass returns alone, she has vengeance on her mind….

Read More

The post Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka (debut)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Length: 368 pages
Buy on Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Three unlikely residents of a small Colorado town examine their own hearts as they stumble upon clues in the murder of a popular high school freshman….

Read More

The post Girl in Snow by Danya Kukafka | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

Marlena by Julie Buntin (debut)
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: April 4, 2017
Length: 288 pages
Buy on Amazon

Single Sentence Summary: Resonating with truth, Marlena is a powerful story of the lasting imprint one teenage girl can have on another.

Primary Characters: Cat – An insecure 15-year old girl whose world has been turned upside-down leaving her vulnerable and ripe for change. Marlena – The beautiful, experienced 17-year old neighbor who quickly becomes Cat’s closest friend….

Read More

The post Marlena by Julie Buntin | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

I was fortunate to have last week off for Mid-Winter Break. I do admit that among the best parts of teaching are the regularly scheduled breaks. The downside of that is that we’re locked into those specific times off. I can never travel in the fall. I know…no sympathy! Anyway, I chose to stay home over this break and was able to accomplish quite a lot in addition to reading. I changed the way my reviews are listed “By Title” and also added a “By Author” section. Then I spent too much time reorganizing my Pinterest boards and editing all my pictures. I have paid almost no attention to Pinterest up until now, but will be putting greater focus on it. Please, check out all my changes!

Last Week’s Reads:

…

Read More

The post It’s Monday! What are you reading? 2/27/17 | More appeared first on Novel Visits.

Running by Cara Hoffman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Length: 288 pages
Buy on Amazon

Single Sentence Summary: Three teens, “running” in Athens, become embroiled in a scheme that will forever alter their lives.

Primary Characters: Bridey Sullivan– A girl from Washington, raised by her survivalist uncle. Bridey likes being alone and starting fires. Milo Rollack – A high school dropout, turned boxer from Manchester. Milo left with Jasper the night they met. Jasper Lethe – An Eton dropout, on the run and in search of something more. Jasper becomes more and more unstable as the story goes on. The three become their own sort of dysfunctional family….

Read More

The post Running by Cara Hoffman | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian – This book is not only one of my favorite coming-of-age novels, it’s also one of my favorite Chris Bohjalian novels. The story centers on 16-year old Emily, orphaned, homeless, and hiding her real identity, after the nuclear power plant where both her parents worked suffers a catastrophic meltdown. She is amazing!

Girl at War by Sara Nović – I loved this story of Ana as a 10-year old child and as a college student. At ten, she’s caught up in the crossfires of Yugoslavia’s civil war and must learn to survive at any cost. As a college student, now in America, she returns to her Croatian home to face the ghosts that have never stopped haunting her. In many different ways this is a stunning story of survival….

Read More

The post 10 Favorite Coming-of-Age Novels | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.