Review: Life Inside My Mind

31 YA authors share their personal stories in small essays.

My Thoughts: Oh boy. This was a great book to read and to start conversations, but it was also hard to read because of the subject matter. I love that so many authors shared their stories and I hope that this book spurs conversations among teens. I hope they see they are not alone. I hope they find themselves sharing their own stories. There isn't any judgement here, it's all very matter of fact. I love that so many of the essays talked about what worked for them and how it won't work for everyone. I love how they advice readers to get help and figure out the method that might work best for them. This book is so powerful - from the number of authors sharing their stories to the range of mental illnesses shared. It's an eye opening read.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have for middle school, high school, and public libraries.

Romance Review: Four Weddings and a Sixpence

Four best friends from Madame Rochambeaux’s Gentle School for Girls find a sixpence in their mattress. They determined that it will be their lucky sixpence and help them find a special suitor.
Anna needs to marry in a hurry in order to save her inheritance. She's running out of time and love doesn't seem to be in the cards for her.

Cordelia invented a fiance to keep her aunt from throwing her into the path of men. Now that she's invited to a wedding, she must show up with the man, but first she'll have to convince him of the scheme.

When it's Elinor's turn for the sixpence, it's stolen from her. The man who took it isn't going to give it up - unless it's for a price.

Beatrice doesn't believe in the luck of the sixpence, but she's promised her friends to give it a try. Could the rude man in the shop be someone of interest? 

My Thoughts: I picked this one up because I adore Julia Quinn and I was so happy I did. I really enjoyed these girls and their stories. I would have liked more interaction between the friends. I loved seeing them meet their romantic interests. I liked that they were spirited. I loved Beatrice for her love of astronomy. An entertaining read!

Cover Thoughts: Not my favorite, but I can see it's appeal
Source: My Library

Review: Break These Rules

35 YA Authors each write a short essay on which rules to break: ones they broke themselves or ones they wish they had broken - anything to make them feel more comfortable in their own skin.

My Thoughts: This book makes me reflect on my teen years and the rules I broke and the rules I wish I had broken. Looking at the past is never easy.

These authors bared their soul - lots of heartbreak, emotion, and drama in their essays. Eating disorders, abuse, religious questions, - this book covers it all. I like the idea of breaking across cliques, not saying silent, and learning to be comfortable in your own skin. A great book for teens to take a look at their own lives.

I did wish that the author bios were not in the back of the book, but with the author's essays. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review