Holly Linneman narrates this story of Boston teenagers who are brought together by an unthinkable tragedy. On a cloudy November day, the Tobin Bridge collapses, plunging cars into the Mystic River or Charlestown. Victims are rushed to Boston General Hospital, and there Scott, Skyler, and siblings Jason and Alexa meet as they anxiously wait for news about their loved ones. Linneman delivers a mostly flawless performance, save for an uncertain but sparingly used Boston accent. With a keen ear for teen dialogue, Linneman makes every interaction, from the mundane to the emotionally explosive, sound authentic. The bridge collapse is an attention-grabbing plot device. But Linneman especially shines as the story reveals itself to be a thoughtful character study punctuated with moments of high drama and surprising revelations. A.T.N. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
February may be the shortest month of the year, but there’s nothing lacking in its bookish offerings. Kicking off with some of the most anticipated new voices in YA, sprinkled with gorgeous releases from some already beloved voices, and ending with a collection of historical rainbow joy, it’s truly a month of magic both figurative […]
Whether it’s the must-have fantasy of the season you’ve been clamoring for, or a debut everyone’s been talking about, or the newest by an old favorite, your time has come! Immerse yourself in heartbreaking contemporary, nuanced sci-fi, great queer voices, and more in YA’s newest crop of glorious releases.
Once upon a time, there was a website called Gawker, and I spent a whole lot of time leaving comments on it about Top Chef and Gossip Girl. Fast forward ten years and I learn that A) the author of one of my all-time favorite YA thrillers (and gay YAs), Last Seen Leaving, was also a commenter, […]
Somewheeeeeere under the rainbow you’ll find that 2018 is bringing lots of beautiful new rainbow books! On the rise from January through June this year are explicit asexual and pansexual representation, romances between bisexual female main characters and genderqueer love interests, and rep of non-white queer guys. Glaringly absent? Transgender main characters in novels, which […]
Fantasy novels may tend to have the highest profile in YA lit, but as much as I love them, contemporary will always have my heart. Whether it’s a coming of age, a heart-fluttery romance, a pitch-perfect friendship story, a heart-racing thriller, a tearjerking examination of grief and tragedy, or an empowering and inspiring look at […]