Book Tour: What I Like About Me

Age Range: 12 - 16 years
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company (April 1, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1682631605

Praise for WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ME

“Debut author Guillaume's novel features funny dialogue and fresh takes on body image and personal relationships as well as a plucky heroine who slowly but surely comes into her own…. Perfect for fans of Dumplin’, a hilariously sweet yet complex romance.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Guillaume’s delightful debut deals with teenagers and their self-esteem, as Maisie’s story is relayed through her journal entries. This intimate lens will invest readers in Maisie’s journey to self-acceptance and confidence. A fun story, abounding in humor, romance, and inspiration and filled with multifaceted characters that readers will enjoy.” ―Booklist

“This book draws obvious parallels to Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’, but Maisie and her diverse cast of friends are fresh and distinctive, as is the Australian setting…. A fun, upbeat, and tender coming-of-age story written in an engaging and lively diary format.” ―School Library Journal

You know all those movies where teenagers have, like, THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES? This vacation is probably not going to be that.

The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she’s spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie’s already shaky confidence. And especially not when her best friend starts flirting with the boy she’s always loved. But Maisie’s got something to prove.

As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn’t let anything, or anyone, hold her back.

Jenna Guillame’s American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie’s realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one’s body and celebrating one’s self.

You can purchase What I Like About Me at the following Retailers:

 

Photo Content from Jenna Guillaume

Jenna Guillaume was editor-at-large for BuzzFeed Australia, where she wrote about very important things like pop culture, identity, feminism, social media, and Chris Hemsworth's biceps. Previously, she spent more than half a decade in the features department of Girlfriend magazine, editing the sealed section (yes, all those questions are real), and writing about everything from bullying and body image to bad kisses and boy bands. She was also a contributor to Girlfriend Life Hacks, an essential guide to navigating a girl's completely-awkward-but-totally-awesome teen years.

      

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Review: Call It What You Want To

When Maegan and Rob are forced to pair up for a school assignment, both of them wish they could back out. Both of them are social outcasts - Maegan because she was caught cheating on the SATs and Rob because his father's a criminal. Many people think he helped his father steal money - or at the very least he knew about it.

With nothing left to lose, they start talking. And it helps. But they both still have secrets, secrets that could ruin this delicate friendship.

My Thoughts: I love all her books, and this one was hard to put down. I loved seeing a relationship bloom between the cop's daughter and the criminal's son. I liked unraveling the family secrets. I loved how Maegan and her sister became close - how they broke down the walls of secrets. My heart broke for both Maegan and Rob and for all they were going through. I loved Owen. I'd love to see him in a future book as the main character. I really liked the big question of this book - the question about mistakes and doing some wrong for the right reasons. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your library. 

Giveaway: Hearts Made for Breaking

About Hearts Made for Breaking

Lark has always been the queen of breakups. When she ends things with a boy, there are never any hard feelings. Sometimes he doesn’t even realize that she broke up with him. And that’s exactly how Lark likes it. What’s the point in hurting people? Or getting hurt?

Her best friends, Cooper and Katie, think Lark’s dating pattern is tragic. How can she know what love is if she refuses to take risks? They dare her to finally have a bad breakup, one that matters. To appease her friends, Lark selects “Undateable” Ardy Tate as her target. He’s a mysterious challenge and different from any guy she’s ever dated. Can she win him over? Will she break his heart? Or will the Queen of Breakups have her heart broken?

About author Jen Klein

Jen Klein is the author of Shuffle, Repeat; Summer Unscripted; and Hearts Made for Breaking. When she's not writing YA novels, Jen is an Emmy-nominated television writer. She has written on Grey's Anatomy and Star and is currently writing on The Resident. She lives in Los Angeles.

jenkleinbooks.com

@jenkleinbooks 

Excerpt:
Yesterday, my heart was “broken,” which is why today I’m sitting on a glossy but practical daybed with hidden drawers for extra storage. The mattress is firm, the spread is a bright floral pattern, and the throw pillows are wide and comfortable.
 
Yep--IKEA on a Saturday morning. That’s me. It’s not exactly something I like to publicize, but this is what I do every time I fake a heartbreak. What better place to try to forget what’s wrong with me than here: a collection of perfect rooms, just like the rooms in the houses I want to design someday. Perfect houses for perfect families full of perfectly normal people.
 
That’s the dream.
 
I stay where I am through visits from a handful of other families who are interested in outfitting their homes. In the past, I’ve gone to a compact kitchen or one of IKEA’s cleverly designed space-friendly living rooms, but yesterday’s relationship dissolution propelled me here. There’s something comforting about the idea of eventually owning a home that I might want other people to visit. A place to be peaceful, a place to be proud of . . .
 
Until there’s an earthquake.
 
At least, that’s what I first think when I jolt awake, startled by the bed’s movement beneath me. Horribly aware that Southern California is a hotbed of geologic activity, I grab for the frame, jerk to an upright position, and scramble to remember the closest exit.
 
Except then the fog wisps away from my brain, and I realize three things all at once:
  
1.   I was asleep in IKEA. 
2.   There was no earthquake after all. 
3.   Undateable Ardy Tate is sitting on the end of the bed, looking at me with undisguised curiosity.
  
“Sorry, Lark.” His eyes are wide and brown and blinky behind his dark-rimmed glasses. I notice the light freckles scattered across the pale skin of his nose. “I didn’t realize you were actually asleep.”
 
“I wasn’t.” Lie #1.
 
“I wasn’t trying to freak you out.”
 
“You didn’t.” Lie #2. Ardy is all kinds of cute and lanky and--let’s be honest--a little awkward as he perches beside me in his screen-printed tee and skinny khakis. I realize I have no idea what to say to him, and that’s the part that’s freaking me out because usually I know exactly what to say to a boy.
 
No, not usually. Always.
 
This double standard is how I know the universe is unfair: because Ardy Tate is labeled Undateable, when, despite all appearances to the contrary, it should be a description for me: Lark Dayton.
 
My third and fourth fingers are tapping against the bed frame, so I make a tight fist to still the movement. “What are you doing here?” I ask, before thinking the question through, because it’s definitely not one I want to answer in return.
 
“My mom sent me out for candles.” Ardy looks rueful. “And, yes, I know I’m nowhere near the candles. This place is a maze.”
 
“Tell me about it,” I say, grasping the lifeline he’s unintentionally thrown out for me. “My parents wanted me to get . . . napkins.”
 
“Napkins?”
 
“The cute striped ones,” I say, remembering a package my mother bought one time. “I ended up in Guest Rooms and needed to take a break.”
 
“It’s not for the faint of heart,” Ardy agrees. “I think napkins and candles are both in the Marketplace. You want to go find it?”
 
I nod because what else would I do, and moments later we’re winding our way past closet storage systems and toward the staircase. My fingers tap against the leather strap of my messenger bag, and I hazard a sideways glance up at Ardy. He’s tall--much taller than I am--with a sharply angled jawline and the finest dusting of shadow around his mouth. Maybe he doesn’t shave on weekends. I wouldn’t know, because this is the first time I’ve seen him outside of REACH High.
 
It’s October now; Ardy Tate transferred to my school at the beginning of our senior year, so I’ve only been aware of him for a couple of months. When he arrived, even though I was newly flirting with Rahim Antoun, I noticed that (a) Transfer Boy existed and (b) Transfer Boy was quirky-hot and seemed smart. At first I didn’t pay much attention to him because Rahim and I soon were finding places to make out on campus, and I was enjoying that New Boy rush. By the time Rahim and I stopped hanging out (after I invented superstrict parents who would never let me go anywhere with him), two new things had come to my attention: (c) Transfer Boy’s name was Ardy Tate, and (d) Ardy Tate was Undateable--something about an event that occurred at his old high school--plus, he was basically stapled to Hope Burkett’s side. Hope’s boyfriend, Evan, is stapled to her other side, so supposedly she and Ardy aren’t together, but they seem like they are, and that’s enough for me. Although I may mess around with lots of guys, I do not go after those who belong to other people. Not by a long shot.
 
A girl has to maintain some ethics.
 
As we reach the bottom of the stairs, I can’t help asking the question. “What’s Hope doing today?”
 
Ardy looks confused. “I don’t know, homework or hanging out with Evan, probably. What’s Dax doing?”
 
His question throws me for a loop. Sure, Dax is the boyfriend who fake-broke my fake heart last night, but our short-term dalliance wasn’t front-page news or anything. Has Ardy been paying attention to who I date?
 
Or, rather, “date”?
 
“I don’t know,” I tell Ardy, because I don’t want to go there.
 
We step into the controlled chaos of the IKEA Marketplace: a tangle of aisles filled with interesting, low-priced items. The shelves closest to the stairs are brimming with galvanized metal wall letters, the type you buy separately so you can assemble them into words like FAMILY and LOVE and TOGETHERNESS to decorate your home.

Sounds great right?

Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39396874-hearts-made-for-breaking

This book comes out next Tuesday, but one lucky winner will win an ARC and a tote! 

(US only please) 

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Review: Save the Date

Charlie's older sister is getting married; giving the family one last weekend at the family home before it's sold. Things are changing and Charlie doesn't like change. She's not thrilled about movie. She's sad that her mother's comic strip is ending. She's not sure she wants to leave town for college. She does know that she wants this weekend to be perfect - to be just like old times.

But of course things don't run smoothly and Charlie spends the weekend putting out small fires. The end of the weekend will change everything, but Charlie's holding on to the past as tight as she can

My Thoughts: I adore Morgan Matson books and honestly I could have read many more pages about this family. I really loved it. I saved it to read on vacation and it was such a fun read. I loved the wedding drama, the family drama, and the moments between the siblings. I enjoyed the comic strip and learning more about how that changed things in the family. So many laughs and cute moments in this book from the borrowed dog to the donut runs to the capture the flag moment. Charlie grows during the weekend - learning things about herself and her family. Another sweet story from Morgan Matson - and I can't wait to see what she writes next. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Book sent for review - plus I attended a signing by Morgan Matson (finally meeting her)
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for school and public libraries

Review: All About Mia

Even though Mia wears a t-shirt that says it's all about her, it rarely is. Even when her perfect sister messes up big time, everything turns out rosy. Mia just can't catch a break.

So she lives life her way - messy. And unapologetic until she gets into real trouble. What happens when everything you touch becomes ruined?

My Thoughts:  This was hailed as a YA Bridget Jones - which meant I had to read it. I was so excited to get it at BEA. I really enjoyed this read, although I wanted to shake Mia at points (like her parents and tell her to grow up.) But I also think that's my adult viewpoint. I think it would be different reading it during your teen years. I liked Mia's family and how they interacted. I loved her relationship with her friends. Mia's super outgoing, which sometimes got her into trouble, but I also admired. Plus, it's set in England!

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: BEA Arc

Library Recommendation: This one might be hard for public schools as there is drinking and sex, but it's otherwise a great read. Get this for your public libraries.

Review: In Some Other Life

Kennedy's hiding a deep dark secret: she turned down a place at the local private school because of a boy. Now three years later, she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend. She wonders what her life would have been life if she had chosen differently.

She goes to the school begging for admittance. After her disappointment, she falls down outside steps and hits her head. When she comes to, everything in her life is different.

She's able to see her alternative life. And everything is not as it seems. The grass isn't always greener and she's desperate to go back to the way things used to be.

My Thoughts: A Sliding Doors novel - what if my life were radically different. When thinking about how her life would be better at the private school, Ivy League almost guaranteed or being best friends with the people she stalks on instagram - Kennedy never considered her family life. And it's changed for the worse. (Except for her lovable younger brother - he's the same.) I loved seeing both sides of her life. I loved her moments with the outsider Dylan, especially their banter. I loved how she realizes that her life is worse in most aspects. I love the mystery and how it turned out. I really liked Kennedy's relationship with her family and how that changed her views on which path she wanted her life to follow. I also liked how it clearly showed the pressures of an elite school and how it changes your life (both good and bad). Very relatable as there seems to be a what-if question most people have.

Cover Thoughts: Cute and understandable with the book's premise, but neither Kennedy would wear those
Source ARC for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your public schools and libraries. Hand it to students in need of a break (I would think it's perfect for students choosing their colleges). 

Mini Review: The Hate U Give

Starr witnesses her best friend from the neighborhood die in font of her - murdered by the police.

The Good:
The parents.
The discussions you have around this book
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air references
The Hope
The Harry Potter References
The Horror movie joke

The Bad:
It's over!

I can't believe I haven't talked about this book before. It's amazingly good. I devoured it! It's one of my favorite books of the year and I can't wait for the movie!

Library Recommendation: A must have for every public and high school library. 

Blog Tour: The Whole Thing Together

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Summer for Sasha and Ray means the sprawling old house on Long Island. Since they were children, they’ve shared almost everything—reading the same books, running down the same sandy footpaths to the beach, eating peaches from the same market, laughing around the same sun-soaked dining table. Even sleeping in the same bed, on the very same worn cotton sheets. But they’ve never met.

Sasha’s dad was once married to Ray’s mom, and together they had three daughters: Emma, the perfectionist; Mattie, the beauty; and Quinn, the favorite. But the marriage crumbled and the bitterness lingered. Now there are two new families—and neither one will give up the beach house that holds the memories, happy and sad, of summers past.

The choices we make come back to haunt us; the effect on our destinies ripples out of our control…or does it? This summer, the lives of Sasha, Ray, and their siblings intersect in ways none of them ever dreamed, in a novel about family relationships, keeping secrets, and most of all, love

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be a light summer read, but instead, I found myself reading multiple perspectives (for some reason, I thought there would just be two) and re-reading bits to make sure I understood what actually just happened (I misunderstood a key moment in the book). I felt myself surprised by the opening but once I felt I understood all the siblings and their places, I devoured it. 

This book is ALL about family - the strangeness of these two families and how they revolve around each other. I loved learning more about Sasha and Ray and the room (and other things) they shared. I liked how this summer changed everyone in both families. It's a book about grief, growing up, finding yourself, understanding your role, finding happiness, and healing. The Whole Thing Together didn't leave me after I closed the book, the characters are still with me and I'm still thinking about them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ann Brashares is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now,3 Willows, The Last Summer (of You and Me), and My Name Is Memory. She lives in New York City with her family. Visit Ann’s website at AnnBrashares.com and follow on Twitter @AnnBrashares.

FOLLOW THE TOUR:

March 20: Bookhounds YA

March 21: Butter My Books

March 22: Here's to Happy Endings

March 23: Fiction Fare

March 24: A Midsummer Night's Read

March 27: Emily Reads Everything

March 28: In Wonderland

March 29: The Reader Bee

March 30: Books, Music, And All Things Written

March 31: YA Book Nerd

April 3: Peace Love Books

April 4: Tales of the Ravenous Reader

April 5: Sarah's Nightstand

April 6: Novel Ink

April 7: Fangirlish

April 10: The Fandom

                Page Turners 

April 11: Liz and Lisa 

April 12: Gidget Girl Reading

April 13: Art, Books, & Coffee

April 14: Leslie Lindsay

April 17: Swoony Boys Podcast

April 18: Ramblings of the Perpetual New Girl

April 19: YA Wednesdays

April 21: I'd So Rather Be Reading

April 22: Adventures in YA Publishing

April 24: Adventures in YA Publishing

April 25: A Dream Within A Dream

April 26: Lost in Literature