Book-review post!
Some recent YA…
James Dawson – All of the Above
Toria moves to a new town, a new school, and befriends the cool-misfit crowd – a group that hang out on an almost-abandoned mini-golf course and have all kinds of issues of their own, ranging from unrequited love to eating disorders. She quickly finds herself smitten with local rock-god Nico, but then there’s also Polly – filthy-mouthed, flirty, and utterly compelling. Toria’s definitely not gay, even though a fair proportion of her new friends seem to be, but as time goes on she starts to wonder where exactly the line is between friendship and love. This is a terrific read that touches on a lot of heavy and important issues but never feels too weighed down or solemn; Toria’s voice is brilliantly modern-teen-girl. Do read.
Lynn Weingarten – Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls
You know that friend that you have who knows you better than anyone, who fascinates you more than anyone else, and who ultimately ends up being too much trouble? That’s Delia for June – and she’s just turned up dead. Everyone insists it’s suicide, but June refuses to believe it. Delia wouldn’t have done that. But is June just in denial, or is there more to Delia’s death than meets the eye? For anyone who likes their YA dark and twisty – this is for you.
Cat Clarke – The Lost and the Found
Laurel disappeared thirteen years ago, when she was six. There’s no way she’s coming home. Faith knows this, but Laurel’s disappearance still haunts her family, and filters into every aspect of her life. Then one day, out of the blue, Laurel returns – the happy ending they’ve all been waiting for – or is it? What’s it like when the sister whose shadow you’ve always lived in comes home, and isn’t quite as perfect as everyone seems to think she is? This is a thought-provoking read about missing children and how the media handle the cases – one of the journalists the family refuse to speak to has written a scathing book about how many missing-child cases there are, and how sickening it is that such attention was paid to pretty, white, blonde Laurel – and has a kick in the end that will leave you feeling as though… well, as though you’ve read a Cat Clarke novel. Terrific read.
Sarra Manning – The Worst Girlfriend in the World
I do so love Sarra Manning’s YA, and this one focuses on a pair of best friends – Alice, the titular ‘worst girlfriend in the world’ (an epithet stolen proudly from bathroom-stall graffiti), and Franny, the narrator, who’s just started a fashion course rather than pursuing A-levels along with most of her classmates. She’s living outside of Alice’s shadow for the first time in a long while, and making new friends – but Alice is not happy, and decides to pursue the local rock god (the same one Franny’s been lusting after for the past four years). And what Alice wants, Alice gets. This is a great look at studying fashion and design, at complicated friendships, at girls and how they’re judged by others, and at life in a small town where nothing much seems to happen. There’s also a heartbreaking subplot involving family and mental illness, and the strains put on the children of sufferers. Suffice it to say I had a lot of feelings while reading this.
