Review

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is different from other books that I usually read. Long time readers of my blog may realize that I tend to stay away from books with stories about family. I don't find myself interested in may family stories, but being that this story is about sisters and I have two olders sisters - well, color me intrigued. 

I enjoyed reading about the sisters and their relationship. What made it the most wonderful for me is the fact that the story is not of the sickly sweet sisterly variety - there is quite a bit of attitude in the story. I love characters that have some cutting to their personality. It makes it more interesting and definitely more believable to me. The other aspect of these characters that I loved was the fact that both were so entirely different than the other, despite them being fraternal twins. Don't get me wrong, the other characters in this book totally added to the story, but the main event for me were the sisters Sunshine and Margot Baxter. The story truly takes us through their relationship as sisters, and what it means to be family - the good and the bad. 

I was wary of the family backdrop of this book, but I am very glad to have picked up Sunshine and Margot because it's lovely and hopeful to read about family being there for each other. Definitely recommend for lovers of family stories and for those wanting to take the plunge. 

Hello everyone.

I'm writing to you today after one of the most horrific events that has ever happened in my hometown of El Paso, Texas. Many of you may not have known that I am from ELP, and I am posting about it today to inform those who don't know plus those who may be expecting a review or two from me this week. However, I am also posting in memoriam to those who lost their lives this past weekend and to offer myself a little space to get out some of my thoughts. 

Born and raised in El Paso, I can tell you that El Paso is different than most cities in the United States. Everyone may say that about their hometown, but I can say that we honestly are different. Crime here has always been so low that we have constantly been at the top of the list for safest cities in the United States. Being so close to our sister city, Juarez, Mexico has not caused our crime rate to go up. Anyone who comes to El Paso can tell you that they have been welcomed with open arms, much love, and respect. 

So, you can see why the news of an outsider, someone not of our city, driving hours upon hours just to come and target Hispanics can cause so much emotion in our community. We are predominantly made up of Hispanics in El Paso. I am Mexican American. It truly is heinous to feel hated for the most basic "label" of who you are. 

I am tired of the outright freedom people have with their hate. 

I am sad, and I am outraged at what has happened to my city. But what this murderer didn't know is that El Paso is stronger than anything he can stand for with his hate. El Paso is a family, a community, and it will only become stronger and more resilient in the wake of this tragedy. 

I maintain this blog because books make me happy. I find myself stealing moments away to read since Saturday because I want a break from crying and feeling scared. Books are my solace. You may not hear back from me this week, but I will be back with more reviews when I feel it is appropriate. I will also be sharing this post on my other blog, Stitch Fidelity, which is where I post about my crafts. I take part in markets in my city and I make El Paso-centered artwork as well - it is only appropriate that I do so. 

I ask that you hug those you love a little tighter, but I also ask that you stand up, not just for El Paso, but for every city where there has been a mass shooting. Because unlike illness and accidents - mass shootings are something we can help prevent. We're not going to do it with more security and guns. It has to happen with the lawmakers caring about the people who vote for them. People need to care about people.

​Please take time to truly think about how you would react in this situation. I never thought it could happen here, and here we are. 

Storm & Fury
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

Review

Surprisingly, this is my first Jennifer L. Armentrout book. I know! I was definitely not disappointed as Armentrout's Storm and Fury is most definitely full of badass and action. She has fantastic world building and the characters are extremely easy to be invested in. I do believe that I would benefit more if I read the original series that this was a spin off from (I had no idea when I picked up this book to review - apparently it's a spinoff from The Dark Elements series). 

Trinity is such a strong character that proves strength and resilience beyond the degenerative disease that will ultimately change her life forever. However, Armentrout has written her so well that we are left feeling that Trinity can handle anything and everything thrown at her - this is definitely a major plus for me. I love reading strong female characters. This book is definitely worth picking up!

Each Tiny Spark
by Pablo Cartaya

Synopsis

Emilia Torres has a wandering mind. It's hard for her to follow along at school, and sometimes she forgets to do what her mom or abuela asks. But she remembers what matters: a time when her family was whole and home made sense. When Dad returns from deployment, Emilia expects that her life will get back to normal. Instead, it unravels.

Dad shuts himself in the back stall of their family's auto shop to work on an old car. Emilia peeks in on him daily, mesmerized by his welder. One day, Dad calls Emilia over. Then, he teaches her how to weld. And over time, flickers of her old dad reappear.

But as Emilia finds a way to repair the relationship with her father at home, her community ruptures with some of her classmates, like her best friend, Gus, at the center of the conflict. 

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya is a tender story about asking big questions and being brave enough to reckon with the answers.

Review

I don't read a lot of middle grade books - but I am always thankful when I am given the chance to read and review one. I do believe that Each Tiny Spark is the first middle grade that I read as an adult that has truly grabbed my attention and made me want to share it with the world. 

Each Tiny Spark is a story about Emilia Torres - a lovely girl in the 6th grade who has Inattentive ADHD. She knows that she can only study inside her home, and not in the body shop office her grandma owns with her best friend, Gus. She knows she needs to go over her schedule every week with her mother - paying extra attention to test days and project deadlines. Emilia and those around her, family, teachers, and friends, are still learning and learning how to support Emilia to help her succeed. Emilia is bright and inquisitive and just a wonderful girl. Her story is about how it is to live in an ever-changing, coming of age time of her life where friendships are changing, she needs to rely on herself more than ever, and all while coming to terms to seeing her father who has been deployed most of Emilia's life since she was four years old. 

I loved this book for a variety of reasons. First of all, I loved that Emilia is a diverse character in more ways than one. She is a person of color, plus she has Inattentive ADHD. She represents a group of individuals who I feel are not focused on in our fictional stories (or non-fictional, to be honest). Emilia and her friend Gus, as well as Emilia and Gus's family, talk in Spanish and - as a Mexican American woman - I loved seeing the language on the page without a translation. I can't fully explain why this made me so happy because it's not like I mind translational sentences after foreign sentences, but it made it flow so well for me. 

This book is definitely for everyone. We can all relate in one way or another to Emilia's struggles and worries. However, I especially recommend it to my fellow POC, especially the younger ones who need to see themselves represented in our fiction.