“It’s Monday! What are you reading?” is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date. The folks at Teacher Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers have given #IMWAYR a new lens by focusing on books for kids & teens. Check out their blogs to see what they’re reading!

I use #IMWAYR mostly to organize my reading list for the week and set out my book goals.

WHAT I READ LAST WEEK:

• The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James
• The Opposite of Innocent by Sonya Sones
• Sugartown by Hazel Newlevant
• Kim Reaper, Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings by Sarah Graley
• When Life Gives You Demons by Jennifer Honeybourn
• Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

 

WHAT I’M EXCITED TO READ THIS WEEK:

 

We Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan

I love books about teens who have their future plans turned upside down and have to adjust. This one has a mystery twist, so I’m excited to read a different take on this theme. The cover & title are also perfect.

Goodreads summary: “Mischa Abramavicius is a walking, talking, top-scoring, perfectly well-rounded college application in human form. So when she’s rejected not only by the Ivies, but her loathsome safety school, she is shocked and devastated. All the sacrifices her mother made to send her to prep school, the late nights cramming for tests, the blatantly resume-padding extracurriculars (read: Students for Sober Driving) … all that for nothing.

As Mischa grapples with the prospect of an increasingly uncertain future, she questions how this could have happened in the first place. Is it possible that her transcript was hacked? With the help of her best friend and sometimes crush, Nate, and a group of eccentric techies known as “The Ophelia Syndicate,” Mischa launches an investigation that will shake the quiet community of Blanchard Prep to its stately brick foundations.”

 

Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruz

Since I interact with kids a lot at my library now, I’ve been trying to read more middle grade fiction. I’m excited to read the ARC of Everlasting Nora that I received, especially since it takes place in the Philippines (I’m part Filipina & am always looking for Pinay rep!). It sounds like it will be a tear-jerker, so I’m hoping not to cry too hard.

Goodreads summary: “After a family tragedy results in the loss of both father and home, 12-year-old Nora lives with her mother in Manila’s North Cemetery, which is the largest shanty town of its kind in the Philippines today.

When her mother disappears mysteriously one day, Nora is left alone.

With help from her best friend Jojo and the support of his kindhearted grandmother, Nora embarks on a journey riddled with danger in order to find her mom. Along the way she also rediscovers the compassion of the human spirit, the resilience of her community, and everlasting hope in the most unexpected places.”

 

What are you reading this week?