After reading and enjoying Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe last year, I couldn’t wait for The Inexplicable Logic of My Life to be released. On several counts, Sáenz’s book lived up to my expectations. The prose, though simple, once again was stellar! I love introspective characters, and after reading two books from Sáenz, I’m convinced that he’s a master at writing them. And while single parents are ubiquitous in YA fiction, Sal had an adoptive father who was gay, thereby expanding representation for non-traditional families.
LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins
What do you make of a book that everyone has already loved to shreds? How do you pick up those pieces and see what others saw before you? Hype has a way of bringing awareness to certain books. At the same time, it can negatively impact one’s enjoyment. Without the hype I wouldn’t have loved Lola and the Boy Next Door. With the hype, I came to feel indifferent.
THE SPACE BETWEEN US by Jessica Martinez
Amelia’s younger sister, Charlotte, better known as Charly, always gets into trouble. But everybody loves her anyway. She’s a crazy and colourful character whose shenanigans tend to be nothing more than pure mischief on her part. Being the elder sister in a household with their father and grandmother means Amelia takes care of her younger sister and also covers for her, so she doesn’t get into too much trouble.
