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Category Archives: Young Adult

#24in48 whirlwind

I often post about my participation in the Dewey’s 24-hour readathon. It’s a break from reality which involves snack planning and stack prepping in addition to the amazing experience of focusing on your reading life for 24-hours (or as close to that as you can get).

Well from great ideas come more great ideas. One of the participants was inspired by her participation in Dewey’s but also knew that 24-hours straight was an unrealistic expectation for her so she created #24in48 in 2012 which expands upon the concept: in this one you strive for reading 24 hours over a 48 hour weekend that begins at 12am Saturday morning and ends at 11:59pm on Sunday night.

This was my first participation and I’ll now keep these events on my calendar alongside Dewey’s. Did I manage at least 24 hours this weekend? Yes, I managed more than 25 and probably could have done more but I did take the time to enjoy the Superbowl on Sunday night. I filled the time with audiobooks and unadulterated print books throughout the weekend which included finishing two audiobooks and several e- and print books.

What I liked most was the inclusion of social media posts to include in an Instagram story centered around current reads and progress but my favorite was the “quotables” where readers could share a quote from a book they were reading with the book cover. I’m a quote lover, so it’s something I’m going to take from the readathon and share more of on social media: quotes that resonated with me in the hopes they lead to discussions with other readers.

Here’s what I read:

The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist by Balko and Carrigan
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by May
Witch Hat Atelier #7 by Shirahama
Hunting Whitey: The Inside Story of the Capture and Killing of America’s Most Wanted Crime Boss by Sherman and Wedge (audiobook)
Reef Life: An Underwater Memoir by Roberts
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Brown
Troop 6000: The Girl Scout Troop that Began in a Shelter and Inspired the World by Stewart (audiobook)
The Low, Low Woods by Machado and DaNi

Are there reading events that you participate in? If so, which ones and why do you love them?

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on February 10, 2021 in Adult, Events, Fiction, Graphic novels, Manga, Nonfiction, Young Adult

Reporting for duty

01 Feb

The anticipation has reached a fever pitch. Today is now my first official day on duty as chairperson for the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award committee. I couldn’t be more eager to start. This will be my fourth committee and first as chair. Luckily, the wisdom and leadership that the chairs of the previous committees I’ve served on will serve me well.

I’m anxious for the challenge ahead. I’m excited to get to know each member of the committee. I’m pumped to put my organizational skills to good use. I’m eager to read fabulous YA nonfiction all year. I’m nervous to do the best job to serve YALSA, ALA, and the committee.

And as the year unfolds, there will be plenty of Zoom meetings, emails and spreadsheets, Post-its, stacks of books, but the reward comes as the Youth Media Awards near when we narrow down the reading to five finalists before we name one Excellence in Nonfiction winner.

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on February 1, 2021 in Nonfiction, Young Adult

Top 10 of 2020: The extra edition

28 Dec

It’s not as much about saving the best for last as using it as the last opportunity to highlight the coolest books that came out in 2020 that defy categories. If you’ve stuck with me over the last few days, I appreciate your willingness to read through my picks and share yours with me too. With this, is there anything that you’re looking forward to in 2021?

Home Body by Kaur
- I had it in my hands the day after it was published because Kaur puts it all out there with her poetry and artwork that make you laugh, cry, and just plain feel.
Dancing at the Pity Party by Feder
- This graphic memoir brings up all of the pain that any child who lost a parent young must feel with dark humor and heaps of love.
Once Upon an Eid edited by Ali and Saeed
- One of the first books I read in 2020, the anthology sparkles and shines on Muslim writers and the culture and religion in their celebration of Eid.
You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Murphy
- It goes without saying that I liked listening to this book about listening. Murphy touches on aspects of our inability to listen that you hope to internalize as a reader to help you improve yourself.
Fights: One Boy’s Triumph over Violence by Gill
- I’ve read his other graphic nonfiction and was surprised that this was his memoir until I got into it and thought that everyone should read it. Gill’s raw demonstration of a boy on the wrong path is a testament to growth and maturity.
Girl From the Other Side (Volume 8) by Nagabe
- I’m ready for volumes nine and ten whenever they get published here in the United States. The haunting darkness of the other side and the saccharine relationship between Teacher and Shiva create a rich atmosphere and intriguing storyline.
When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Parker
- This was my book of the month in October. Parker’s humorous approach to serious mathematical issues encourages everyone to pay attention to why math matters.
Dear Justyce by Stone
- Stronger than her first, this epistolary novel punches you in the gut as Quan and Justyce write to each other.
Go With the Flow by Williams and Schneemann
- A graphic novel about periods, sign me up. Their approach using female friendship and activism is the kind of story any middle graders should read.
This Book is Antiracist by Jewell
- The choice of layout and color scheme enhances the message about antiracism that’s a workbook for working on yourself.

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on December 28, 2020 in Adult, Blogging, Fiction, Graphic novels, Nonfiction, Poetry, Young Adult

Top 10 of 2020: Nonfiction edition

27 Dec

What did you think of yesterday’s young adult fiction list? Anything you agree or disagree with? Up today is nonfiction. I read widely in this genre so it’s not organized in any particular way from children’s through adult, simply my favorite 10 published in 2020 because there’s nothing more spectacular than learning from the people, places, and things that you read about.

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team by Soontornvat
- I know the outcome but I’m still in the cave with the boys and out of the cave with the rescuers every minute that Soontornvat writes this out.
Beauty Mark by Weatherford
- Most younger readers won’t know Marilyn Monroe, but this verse novel biography is more about her ability to overcome immense adversity rather than about who she was as a celebrity.
The Beauty in Breaking by Harper
- Tugging at every heart string you have, Harper details her life, her work in medicine, and her self care routines while fighting against racism in healthcare.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You adapted by Reynolds
- One word: listen. If you haven’t listened to Reynolds read the book, you haven’t really read the book. Then do what I did and read the book too. And then make sure everyone else does too.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by Johnson
- Using essays to share his life’s story was the perfect choice for this new voice in literature about his upbringing as a queer Black man.
Lifting As We Climb by Dionne
- When the whole story isn’t told, Dionne decides to tell it. The story which was important as election season ramped up, she goes back in time to talk about the Black women’s fight for the right to vote.
A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America’s First All-Black High School Rowing Team by Cooper
- You can’t get more inspirational and heartfelt than the story being told by one of the rowers on this first all-Black high school rowing team from Chicago. Sports story with heart.
Becoming a Good Creature by Montgomery
- Creating a picture book from her adult biography in thirteen animals, the artwork compliments the storytelling and makes you appreciate what animals can teach us about being human.
Wisdom of the Humble Jellyfish: And Other Self-Care Rituals from Nature by Shah
- This was a sleeper hit for me and a quick audiobook I listened to during a readathon this summer. Similar to Montgomery’s book, sometimes we have to look toward non-humans to help us be better humans.
You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Coe
- A female biographer’s approach to telling George Washington’s story is equally fascinating to learn it from her perspective as it was to provide the best humor to learning about a founding father with one of the punniest title for a book.

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on December 27, 2020 in Adult, Blogging, Childrens, Cover Love, Middle grade, Nonfiction, Verse, Young Adult

Top 10 of 2020: YA fiction edition

26 Dec

There’s nothing like the end of the year lists, pictures, and stories to review the year. If you’re not a fan, then you might as well stop reading now and ignore the next few days worth of posts. First up, my top 10 of young adult fiction, tomorrow is nonfiction that spans all levels, and last will be my “extra edition”. As always, my top 10 lists are not what I read (which was a lot) in 2020 and finding my top 10, this is a true top 10 in which all of the books published were published in 2020. Though the order is not noteworthy. You’re already asking me to pick from the multitudes, I simply can’t also then rank them.

More Than Just a Pretty Face by Masood
- This was my book of the month in June. There’s just something about this hard-hitting story with loveable leads.
Fighting Words by Bradley
- Gut-wrenching situation in which two sisters are feeling their way through the foster care system after experiencing trauma.
Punching the Air by Zoboi and Salaam
- Captivating drama that could be ripped from the headlines with discussable elements about the prison system and juvenile justice.
Every Body Looking by Iloh
- Iloh heavily borrows from her own upbringing for this verse novel about religion, family, and growing up and into yourself.
Watch Over Me by LaCour
- The magical realism coupled with the main character’s loneliness is a whole mood.
Show Me A Sign by LeZotte
- Historical fiction? Sounds like the kind of thing more people should know about and that’s why LeZotte works an unimaginable story based on true events.
Crownchasers by Coffindaffer
- The first in a planned duology, I’m not always the first one to pick up science fiction but the action and a sassy female lead makes it a must.
Cinderella is Dead by Byron
- This was my book of the month in July. Retellings are imaginative and this one makes sure to infuse fantasy and dystopia.
Darius the Great Deserves Better by Khorram
- It’s even stronger than Khorram’s introduction of Darius to readers because of the liveliness of Darius’ internal dialogue.
Verona Comics by Duggan
- An underrated author in YA fiction, this salty/sweet play on Romeo and Juliet delights.

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on December 26, 2020 in Blogging, Cover Love, Fiction, Young Adult

Outstanding book of the month for November 2020

30 Nov

Is it already the end of November? Didn’t that seem to go by fast? Yet I’m just as excited to share my outstanding book of the month!

That Way Madness Lies: 15 of Shakespeare’s Most Notable Works Reimagined edited by Dahlia Adler which will hit shelves in 2021. Why am I choosing a book that’s not even out yet for the outstanding book? Well obviously because it needs to be pre-ordered so that you can get it in your hot little hands unless you’re the kind that uses sites like Edelweiss and Netgalley to get a jump on great literature.

I’ll share that the book was on my TBR list on Goodreads well in advance of the publication and even before it had an actual cover. I exclaimed with glee seeing it hit Edelweiss and read it pretty quickly thereafter devouring each short story contribution.

YA short story collections have been my jam and with the uptick in anthologies published, I’m always in the market to read more. But it’s a dangerous proposition since each must carry the weight of the theme of the anthology so that even a dud here and there don’t dissuade the appreciation for the whole collection. Then you find the rare anthology where each short story shines individually and collectively. This was that kind of anthology. Each includes a few lines from the Shakespeare work (including one that’s a sonnet!) and the reimagined story with a few author’s notes depending on the story. It’s a thing of beauty. It can inspire reading Shakespeare’s original work or not because the story itself is cleverly plotted.

Get thee to the local, independent bookstore nearest you to preorder!

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on November 30, 2020 in Book of the Month, Short Story, Upcoming Releases, Young Adult

Outstanding book of the month for September 2020

30 Sep

It’s the end of September so that means I’m ready to announce the outstanding book of the month for September based on what I’ve read this month– it doesn’t mean that they were published this month or even this year– but it does mean that out of the dozens of books I’ve read (at least one a day) that it had an impact on me as a reader and a librarian.

Without waiting, here is September’s book!

Poisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan Fought for Their Lives and Warned the Nation by Candy J. Cooper with Marc Aronson

And boy, what a book! A nonfiction accounting of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan is both well-written and cringe-worthy. The multiple failures that maintained the secrecy and then the continued ignorance of the problem is explained in great detail by highlighting the citizen activists who took charge of holding people accountable. Poisoned Water gets the prize for encompassing all aspects of the story for a teen audience which includes STEM and citizenship, advocacy and politics. And Cooper also includes well-placed pictures to show how the water affected the skin simply from using the water to bathe but also showing what the brown liquid looked like in a bottle that would be unsuitable for drinking.

This will find a home in our library but I know it won’t sit on the shelf for long because I have plans to share this book widely be it in booktalks but certainly during our social justice unit working with the English department. It’s a deeply affecting book and one that everyone should read.

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on September 30, 2020 in Blogging, Book of the Month, Nonfiction, Young Adult

Grab bag of books

28 Sep

These last few weeks have far and away been the hardest of my school librarian career but one thing has remained steady and that’s the challenge I gave myself once COVID closed the doors to our school building and that was to read at least a book a day. Yes, I’m back in school, but we’re teaching our kids virtually which is a blog post for another day. And I’ve still been able to maintain a book a day so far. Here were some of the books I’ve read recently:

Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 6
- Pre-order and purchased in print because I will own every book in this series
The Bird Way audiobook
- I’m a nut for nonfiction animal books
Hello, Neighbor!
- I’ve been diving into the world of Fred Rogers and this picture book by Matthew Cordell was delightful
Every Body Looking
- Verse novels are more commonplace formats but Iloh chose this format wisely for this heavily biographical story
Flyy Girls, books one and two
- A series by Woodfolk that are neatly-packed and easily accessible titles with realistic characters who work through their problems with the help of friends
Poisoned Water: How the Citizens of Flint, Michigan Fought for their Lives and Warned a Nation
- It’s as riveting as it is upsetting to read

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on September 28, 2020 in Childrens, Fiction, Manga, Middle grade, Nonfiction, Verse, Young Adult

Just add popcorn

10 Sep

There’s no hiding my respect for the writing abilities of Ruta Sepetys. Every book she publishes is one to be cherished. And as much as I try to go slow, they always end too soon.

Her first book was Between Shades of Gray, published in 2011 and seven years later, a movie was released based on the book though using a different name, Ashes in the Snow.

I’ll say that I’m not an avid moviegoer. The last few movies I’ve seen in the theater were accompanying my young sons’ to LEGO movie releases and watching movies at home are often what’s available on streaming services while I’m working out. However, I made an exception for Ashes in the Snow when I discovered it was on Hoopla. In the two years since it’s release, I haven’t sought it out because I generally try not to watch the movies based on beloved books. Yet I’m not against it especially after a tweet by Angie Thomas years ago that compared a book to its movie as twins: genetic makeup may be the same but they are distinct and individual entities.

Needless to say, I was finally ready to sit by myself in the dark and watch the movie based on Sepetys’ book directed by Marius Markevicius featuring Bel Powley as Lina with a bevy of superbly cast actors for the full character list. Five minutes in I knew that this movie would move me. And every last moment did because the cinematography captured the mood as well as Sepetys words do on the page. It’s pacing with plenty of quiet played against the starkness of the situation. The motifs reappeared at opportune moments. And the ending. I was breathless.

But once I caught it, I texted a fellow book lover, Sepetys fan, and friend that she needed to watch it with her mother who was suffering from a bout of drought of Sepetys material. We’re all pre-orderers of her books and it’s been almost a year since the release of The Fountains of Silence rocked us to our core.

For others who have seen it, what did you think?

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on September 10, 2020 in Authors, Miscellaneous, Young Adult

In celebration

06 Sep

Today is National Read a Book Day, but let’s be real, every day should be national read a book day. If you follow “national day” celebrations, it’s also coffee ice cream day. Ironically, yesterday I bought a half gallon of Stewarts’ cream and coffee fudge ice cream. So, I’m all set for this Labor Day weekend Sunday.

Today I’m finishing up the audiobook for The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky which is a second read (well, listen) because I’ll be joining a “Forever YA” book discussion and this is September’s book. The things you forget after five years!

When I take my reading outside with a drink (ice cream will be for later), I’ll also finish up The Brave by James Bird before diving in to Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts.

What are you reading on National Read a Book Day?

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Posted by Alicia Abdul on September 6, 2020 in Events, Nonfiction, Upcoming Releases, Young Adult