Review: MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE, by Robin Sloan

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is a rare delight, in that perfect space where bibliophilia and technology intersect. I wasn't sure what to expect out of this book when I first picked it up; I was merely intrigued by its mystery. From the start, it became clear that mysterious scenarios would abound throughout the book, taking the reader on a journey through high-rising bookshelves and the depths of technological advancement. I really enjoyed the unique-yet-relatable characters and the pacing.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: anyone interested in twists on mysterious general fiction

Review: BEEN HERE ALL ALONG, by Sandy Hall

At its outermost layer, BEEN HERE ALL ALONG feels like your everyday run-of-the-mill young adult contemporary: the characters have dilemmas they must overcome and there's a love story coupled with some jealousy. But there's more to this story, something I have trouble putting my finger on. The characters are believable and lovable, the plot is propelled with ease, and the two main characters have enough tension stretching between them to send tingles up your spine. Sandy Hall's words jump off the page in a style that is so simple it becomes perfection. Bonus points: the cover is adorable, and the author represents bisexuality in a realistic way that is sure to turn heads.

Stars: 4.75/5
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys young adult contemporaries about self-discovery and finding true love

Review: THE CLOWNS, by Tim McBain and L.T. Vargus

Buckle your seat belt for another creepy thriller from Tim McBain and L.T. Vargus! Whether as a Halloween treat to yourself or just your average Sunday afternoon delight, you'll definitely want to check out The Clowns. As always, the characters jump off the page with their unique quirks, and the twisty story will have you squirming in your seat.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Fans of contemporary horror who love when a book weirds them out in unexpected ways.

Review: "YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING": AND 20 OTHER MYTHS ABOUT LGBT LIFE AND PEOPLE, by Michael Bronski, Ann Pellegrini, and Michael Amico

YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING provides a great overview for tackling common myths about the LGBT community, including myths perpetuated by those for and against LGBT rights. I enjoyed the format of this book, which allows the reader to pick and choose which sections to read. You can read the book all the way through, or you can go directly to a topic that interests you. As the writers point out in the introduction, this book gives readers enough information to dispute the myths during a dinner conversation (so to speak). The reason I'm attributing 4 stars to this book is that in some sections I was left feeling as though the authors did not fully dismantle the myth in question.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in learning more about the LGBT community and how that community is politically and socially relevant today.

Review: TATTOO ATLAS, by Tim Floreen

Tattoo Atlas was a whirlwind of emotions for me. I flew through this book, unable to pull away from the plot and characters. Tim Floreen has a knack for combining amazing storytelling, creative plot twists, and harrowing character relationships. After reading this book and Willful Machines, Floreen has easily jumped to the top of my list of favorite authors.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Readers who love sci-fi thrillers that explore the complex aspects of human emotion make you think "What if?"

Review: ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek

Escape from Witchwood Hollow was an unexpected thrill ride for me. The book mainly bounces between three women during three different time periods in the same location. Jordan Elizabeth Mierek did a great job of emphasizing each character's unique qualities and placing the reader within each time period, whether historical or contemporary. The twists in the plot kept me locked into the story, eager to find out where it was headed. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the present-day character Honoria, who I found to be one-dimensional and unlikeable. Still, I enjoyed reading it and will recommend it to others.

Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: anyone who likes mysterious young adult fantasies.

Review: IN THE REARVIEW, by Maria Ann Green

The emotional conflict abounding in Maria Ann Green's IN THE REARVIEW will take your breath away. The main character's development and journey to rise above self-inflicted harm is powerfully realistic; I even caught myself gasping out loud more than once. Ms. Green writes beautifully and has a knack for breaking her readers' hearts before giving them hope, allowing her characters to struggle beyond recognition before they can begin to piece their lives back together. IN THE REARVIEW seamlessly weaves together prose and poetry to give readers a 360-degree view of an intense issue that deserves more recognition in young adult literature.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Fans of unconventional storytelling and realistic contemporaries