The Book Jam

Marisa and Mary are back-again! We have a new season and a new episode of The Book Jam!  Today’s books are books that we’d recommend to Wednesday Addams herself. A middle grade horror book for the tricky to recommend for advanced reader who could also read Stephen King. A deliciously fun YA read for those who want a vampire story with LGBTQIA+ and a dark academia twist.

 Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy. Middle Grade, Grades 5+. Published by Balzer + Bray, September 13, 2022. 

Mary’s book:

Youngblood by Sasha Laurens. Teen, Grades 9+. Published by Razorbill, July 19, 2022.

Books we talked about this episode:

The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy

Wildwood Chronicles by Colin Meloy

The Golden Thread: A Song for Pete Seeger by Colin Meloy

Everyone's Awake by Colin Meloy

Neil Gaiman books

Margaret Peterson Haddix

IT by Stephen King

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine 

Clive Parker

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman 

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig

Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl

The Coldest Touch by Isabel Sterling

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

The Grimrose Girls by aura Pohl

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Marisa and Mary are back! We have a new season and a new episode of The Book Jam!  Today’s books are books to read not just during Black History Month, but to read all year long. But we don’t just want to focus on reading black authors and black stories during just one month, these are excellent books that are amazing reads that will give you all the emotional feels. Explore sadness and grief on a roadtrip with Mary’s title: Me (Moth) by Amber McBride, a book in verse. Marisa’s title is a YA/new adult book, Required Reading For the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen R. Lee, about finding your voice and confronting racism on an elite college campus. Today we talk about books that make you feel something. An emotional response is the heart of a good book, a good story, and a good writer.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Mary’s book:

Me (Moth) by Amber McBride. Teen, Grades 8+. Published by Feiwel & Friends, August 2021.

Marisa’s book:

Required Reading For the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen R. Lee. High School, Grades 9+. Published by Crown Books For Young Readers, February 2022.

Books we talked about this episode:

Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

Fast Pitch by Nic Stone

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Harry Potter series

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Baby-sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin

Marisa and Mary are back! Today we’re talking about the books that got us through the dumpster fire that was 2021. Not all of the books talked about were published in 2021. There are a million reasons to read: sometimes you might read to dive deep to learn about a topic or read to escape. Whatever your reason, here are some of our favorite titles we turned to to help us get through 2021.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Books we talked about this episode:

Marisa’s books:

Starfish by Lisa Fipps, Middle Grade, Grades 4+. Published by Penguin Young Readers: Nancy Paulsen Books, March 2021.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Juvenile Fiction, Grades 4+. Published by Dial Books, January 2015.

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias, Middle Grade, Grades 4+. Published by Quill Tree Books, June 2021.

The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angelline Bouley, High School, Grades 9+. Published by Henry Holt & Co., March 2021.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune, Teens, Grades 8+. Published by Tor, March 2020.

Mary’s books:

Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clark, High School, Grades 9+. Published by Erewhon, September 2020.

Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen, Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Random House Graphic, October 2020.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo, High School, Grades 9+. Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, January 2021.

Cool For the Summer by Dahlia Adler. High School, Grades 9-12. Published by Wednesday Books, May 2021.

Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen, High School, Grades 9+. Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May 2020.

Books mentioned:

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertali

The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre by Robin Talley

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books (each book is has unique color name)

Ash by Malinda Lo

Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune

Flash Fire by T.J. Klune

Heat Wave by T.J. Klune

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Wicked Days by John Allison

By Night by John Allison

Giant Days by John Allison

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! Winter has just begun and it makes us want to read historical fiction books-but these aren’t your typical historical fiction titles. Both titles we talk about today give voice and fresh perspectives to this genre. Marisa talks about So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow; this book was set in 1863 in the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island and centers on the binding love of a family of four black sisters each finding their own way. Mary talks about The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros, a book set against the backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. In this queer historical book (with paranormal elements), a Jewish Romanian immigrant teen is possessed by the dybbuk of his murdered best friend and is thrust into a deadly hunt for a serial killer. Other topics we discuss are our feelings about being told the books you ‘should’ read and how the pandemic affects reading habits. 

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Fiewel Friends, September 2021.

Mary’s book:

The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Inkyard Press, October 2021.

Books Mentioned:

Harry Potter series

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

One of the Good Ones by Marika Moulites and Maritza Moulites

A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee

Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi

What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore

Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Delilah Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Ash by Malinda Lo

Huntress by Malinda Lo

A Line in the Dark by Malinda Lo

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Karen McManus’ works

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

The Killing Joke by Alan Moore

Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson

Guardian of the Galaxy series

Wonder Woman: Lords and Liars by Mariko Tamaki

Wicked Things by John Allison

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam!  We love to highlight LGBTQIA+ voices and authors and today’s books are all about non-binary and gender non-conforming characters. Marisa’s book, Both Can Be True by Jules Machias, is a middle grade debut that “explores identity, gender fluidity, and the power of friendship and acceptance in a dual-narrative story about two kids who join forces to save a dog.” Mary speaks about Gender Queer: a Memoir by Maia Kobabe; this is a graphic memoir that relates-with sometimes painful honesty-the experience of growing up gender non-conforming. If this title sounds familiar, it is because it has been in the news lately as some try to ban it from school libraries. Both books are a great read if you are queer or questioning, OR if you want to develop a better understanding of the world around you. Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile. Marisa’s book: Both Can Be True by Jules Machias. Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published by Quill Tree Books, June 2021. Mary’s book: Gender Queer: a Memoir by Maia Kebabe. High School, Grades 9+. Published by Oni Press, May 2019. Books we talked about this episode: Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender The Quick and Easy Guides: A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities by Mady G. & J.R. Zuckerberg A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni & Tristan Jameson A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella Rotman & Luke Howard A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality by Molly Muldoon & Will Hernandez A Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability by A. Andrews If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo Once & Future by A.R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy Sword in the Stars by A.R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough Get It Together Delilah by Erin Gough Luna by Julie Anne Peters Cemetery Boy by Aiden Thomas Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir Manifesto by George M. Johnson

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! Today we are talking about teen spooky and horror books-but not your typical horror books; these books feature BIPOC main characters (one LGBTQIA+) and they are NOT going to be the first ones to die. These books are like no other. We also discuss the need in publishing for more diverse-diverse books, what do we mean? Listen to the episode and hear us discuss these great horrifying reads.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass. Teen, Grades 7-12. Published by Putnam, July 2021.

Mary’s book:

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson. High School. Grades 9-12. Published by Katherine Tegen Books, September 2021.

Books we talked about this episode:

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

Harry Potter series

Six of Crows by Leigh  Bardugo

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-íyímídé

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Prom House by Chelsea Mueller

Gamechanger by Neal Shusterman

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! Today we are talking about teen mystery books-but not your typical teen mysteries; today’s books we discuss are also action, adventure, and thrillers that are ‘locked room mystery’ books. Is this the episode where we realize we have become mystery reader fans?

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Mary’s book:

The Marvelous by Claire Kann. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Swoon Readers, June 2021.

Marisa’s book:

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe. High School, Grades 9+. Published by G.P. Putnam & Sons for Young Readers, January 2021.

Books we talked about this episode:

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

The Scavenger Hunt by Claire Kann

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

Six of Crows by Leigh  Bardugo

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn

They With They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Cousins by Karen McManus

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

The Box In the Woods by Maureen Johnson

There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins

Barry Lyga’s work

Cold by Mariko Tamaki

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-íyímídé

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Warcross by Marie Lu

A Chorus Rises by Bethany C. Morrow

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! We have a special guest today, Samatha Lee, she is Head of Reference Services at the Enfield Public Library AND serves as chair of the CT Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee.

This makes Sam, the perfect guest for today's topic: we are talking about the books 'they don’t want you to read' because it is Banned Books Week. Listen and find out what is Banned Books Week, what is a challenge versus a ban, and of course hear us talk about our favorite banned books. These books cover big topics like racism, black lives matter, homophobia, sexual assault, and #metoo movement.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brenda Kiely. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Atheneum, and Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, September 2015.

Mary’s book:

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, August 2013.

Samantha’s book:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. High School, Grades 9+. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, October 1999.

Books we talked about this episode:

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Rainbow Boys by David Levithan

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias (Marisa’s unnamed reference to this book plot)

Better Nate Than Never by Tim Federle

Middle School’s a Drag by Greg Howard

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, Emily Carroll (illustrator)

Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Monstress by Marjorie Lui

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 by Stephenie Meyer, Young Kim (illustrator)

It's Perfectly Normal: A Book about Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris

Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell

Jack of Hearts by A.C. Rosen

Caleb Roehrig’s works.

Camp  by Lev A.C. Rosen

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Judy Blume’s works (She has the distinction of being one of the most banned writers in the U.S).

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam!

This month’s book theme is all about mental health. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act-and how we handle stress, relate to others, and how we make choices. It is no wonder that so many good teen books are tackling this topic.

The books we talk about in this episode could be triggering. Marisa’s book, The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf, features a music loving teen girl who has OCD who struggles to do everything she can to find her way back to her mother during the historic race riots of 1969 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mary’s book, Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan, is a modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling with a twist. Two teens from feuding families who fall in love in an indie comic book store.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and it is important to discuss mental health year-round to help try and reduce the stigma.

The NAMI Information HelpLine can be reached by calling 800-950-6264, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.– 8p.m., ET. If you are in an emergency call 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf. Teen, Grades 8+. Published by Salaam Reads, part of Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2/5/19.

Mary’s book:

Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan. Teen, Grades 8+. Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, part of Penguin Random House, 4/21/20.

Books we talked about this episode:

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Click’d by Tamara Ireland Stone

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

Lost In the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Slay by Brittney Morris

So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! We have been busy with summer reading, starting new library jobs, and doing tons of reader’s advisory. It is summer...and that means we’re going to talk about summer camp: bugs, s'mores, scary stories. Marisa’s book, You Got a Match by Emma Lord, is a romcom with a messy main character, ditching summer school to attend a summer camp with a secret influencer older sister she never knew about. Mary’s book Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen has a diverse LGBTQ cast of campers at queer camp. The mission? Land the boy of his dreams by pretending to be the complete opposite of who he truly is (while having fun and destroying toxic masculinity). These books have it all!

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

You Have a Match by Emma Lord. Teen, Grade 8+. Published by Wednesday Books, 1/12/21.

Mary’s book:

Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen. High School, Grades 9+. Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 5/26/21.

Books we talked about this episode:

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Jack of All Trades by Lev A.C. Rosen

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Pulp by Robin Talley

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

Camp Spirit by Axelle Lenoir

Honor Girl: a Graphic Memoir by Maggie Thrash

As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman

Flamer by Mike Curato

Agatha Christie mysteries

Nothing Happened by Molly Horton Booth

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! June is Pride Month and celebrating by talking about a plethora of LGBTQIAP+ books! Hawke and Grayson flee a political coup of their noble house, to stay alive they must hide and assume new identities in Niki Smith’s debut middle grade graphic novel,  The Deep & Dark Blue. Dahlia Adler's Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love, as high school senior Lara attempts to figure out her life and what she wants. Come jam with us!

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith. Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published by Little Brown & Co., 1/7/20.

Mary’s book:

Cool For the Summer by Dahlia Adler. High School, Grades 9-12. Published by Wednesday Books, 5/11/21.

Books we talked about this episode:

Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag

Legend of Korra (multiple series)

Crossplay by Niki Smith

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, Wendy Xu (illustrator)

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki

Kiss Number 8 by Colleen A.F. Venable, Ellen T. Crenshaw (illustrator)

Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman

Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Girl From the Sea by Molly Ostertag

The Prince & the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges, Meaghan Carter (illustrator)

Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass by Lilah Sturges, polterink (illustrator)

Lumberjanes: The Shape of Friendship by Lilah Sturges, polterink (illustrator)

Young Avengers series by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie & Mike Norton (illustrators)

His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler

That Way Madness Lies by Dahlia Adler

Date Me Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lord

Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

The Marvelous by Claire Kann

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

All Us Villains by Amanda Foody

Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! We are closing out May with an episode celebrating two titles by Asian American authors. Luck of the Titanic, Stacey Lee’s latest historical fiction, follows British Chinese twins on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Maurene Goo’s The Way You Make Me Feel is about an LA girl who loves pranks until one goes too far and gets a unique punishment; it is a funny and entertaining story to remind you it's never too late to make change.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s book:

Luck of the Titanic. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 5/4/21.

Mary’s book:

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo. Teen, Grades 8+. Published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 5/8/18.

Books we talked about this episode:

Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingals Wilder

Babysitter’s Club graphic novels

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

I Believe In a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Camp Nowhere by Lea Taddonio

Marisa meant to say: Secrets of Camp Whatever Vol. 1 by Chris Grine

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! New format: we will talk about 2 books on a theme. Let us know if you like it! Both of the books we talk about are about LGBTQ characters, one contemporary setting and the other set in the past. No matter the setting, both books are about finding and being true to yourself.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Mary’s book:

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. High School, Grades 9-12. Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, 1/19/21.

Marisa’s book:

Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvatore. Teen, Grades 8-12. Published by Bloomsbury, 3/9/21.

Books we talked about this episode:

Ash by Malinda Lo

Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars by Nathalia Holt

Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell (Editor)

Wide-Open Town: A History of Queer San Francisco to 1965 by Nan Alamilla Boyd

Adaptation by Malinda Lo

Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone

Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala

Thirsty Mermaids by Kat Leyh

Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler (Editor)

That Way Madness Lies by Dahlia Adler (Editor)

Marisa and Mary are back with a new episode of The Book Jam! All of the books we are talking about today are about families and mysteries. These books have it all: sibling disappearances, secrets, and supernatural mysteries.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Marisa’s books:

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published by Balzer + Bray, 1/19/21.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. Teen, Grades 8+. Published by Putnam Publishing Group, 4/6/21.

Mary’s book:

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh. Middle Grade, Grade 5+. Published by First Second, 2/4/21.

What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo. High School, Grades 8+. Published by Farrar Straus 2/2/21.

Books we talked about this episode:

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Lumberjanes by Kat Leyh

The Wilds by Vita Ayala

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia

Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Tales of Terror by Richard Phillip Hoffman

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Plane Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Wilder Girls by Rory Powers

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Girls to the Front: the True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution by Sara Marcus

My Riot by Rick Spears, Emmett Helen

Marisa and Mary are back with a new season of The Book Jam! We are excited to have our first guest to come jam with us, Kym P., a Library Specialist and Children and YA Consultant. Today, Kym gets to pick 2 books and Mary and Marisa each pick a complementary readalike. All of these are stories of resilience; these kids and teens find ways to survive, and hopefully thrive no matter the setting, no matter their age. 

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Kym’s books:

Find Layla by Meg Elison. Teen, Grades 6-9. Published by Skyscape. Published September 1, 2020.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett. High School, Grades 8+. Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. Published October 29, 2019.

Mary’s book:

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden. Middle Grade, Grades 6-8. Published by Sky Pony Press. Published September 4, 2018.

Marisa’s book:

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian. Teen, Grades 8+. Published by Balzer + Bray. Published June 4, 2019.

Books we talked about this episode:

Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobsen

Angie Thomas, author

Nic Stone, author

Jason Reynolds, author

Walter Dean Myers, author

I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Slay by Brittney Morris

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

New Kid by Jerry Craft

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson

I am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall (Mary remembered the book!)

Go Ask Alice edited by Beatrice Sparks

It Happened to Nancy by an Anonymous Teenager, A True Story from Her Diary edited by Beatrice Sparks

And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre by Robin Talley

WitchBoy by Molly Ostertag

Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvatore, out 3/9/21

White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

Fan Girl by Rainbow Rowell

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Marauders by Gerry Duggan Vol. 1 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli (illustrator), Michele Bandini (illustrator), Lucas Werneck (illustrator).

Leah Williams X-Men work

Vita Ayala’s X-Men work

House of M by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Olivier Coipel (Penciler), Tim Townsend (inker)

Sailor Moon by Naoka Takeuchi

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate

The Invasion, Animorph graphic novel by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Marisa and Mary are back! Today we’re talking about the books that got us through the dumpster fire that is 2020. Not all of the books talked about were published in 2020. There are a million reasons to read: sometimes you might read to dive deep to learn about a topic or read to escape. Whatever your reason, here are some of our favorite titles we turned to to help us get through 2020.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Books we talked about this episode:

Mary’s books:

Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill. Middle Grade, Grades 4+. Published by Oni Press. Published October 31, 2017.

Marauders by Gerry Duggan Vol. 1 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli (illustrator), Michele Bandini (illustrator), Lucas Werneck (illustrator). High School, Grades 9+. Published by Marvel. Published July 21, 2020.

Once & Future by A. R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy. High school, Grades 9+. Published by Little, Brown, and Company. Published March 26, 2019.

Die, Vol. 1: Fantasy Heartbreaker by Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans (artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer). High School. Grades 10+. Published by Image Comics. Published June 11, 2019.

Marisa’s books:

The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean. Middle Grade, Grades 5-8. Published by Dial Books for Young Readers. Published May 26, 2020.

Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir. High School, Grades 9+. Published by Razorbill. First book published February 9, 2016.

His Fair Assassins series by Robin Lafevers. High School, Grades 10+. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Grave Mercy published April 3, 2012, Dark Triumph published April 2, 2013. Mortal Heart published November 4, 2014.

Courting Darkness duology by Robin Lafevers. High School, Grades 10+. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Courting Darkness published February 5, 2019. Igniting Darkness published August 4, 2020.

This is My America by Kim Johnson. Grades 7+. Published by Random House Children’s Books. Published July 29, 2020.

Books mentioned:

Music From Another World by Robin Talley

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Slay by Brittney Morris

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman.

Girl Serpent Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Lobizona by Romina Garber

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Elatsoe by Darcy Little Badger

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Wink by Rob Harnell

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Nikki On the Line by Barbara Carroll Roberts

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Katie O’Neill (out 6/1/21)

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

House of X/Powers of X by Johnathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz (artist), R.B. Silva (artist)

Sword in the Stars by A.R. Capetta

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Traitor: A Novel of World War II by Amanda McCrina

Bat Girl #50 by Cecil Castellucci, Emanuela Lupacchino (artist), Marguerite Sauvage (artist), Aneke (artist).

The Department of Truth by James Tynion IV, Martin Simmonds (artist)

The Backstagers series by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh (illustrator), Walter Baiamonte (illustrator)

Marisa and Mary are back! Today we’re talking books about Middle School problems and Dystopian horrors. It is a mood. In lieu of a listener question, we talk about book world news of: BookExpo being retired and Penguin Random House buying Simon & Schuster.

Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.

Mary’s first book is Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Donte is tired of the racism and microaggressions thrown his way at his new very white, prep school. He decides to take on the bully of the school at his own game-fencing. In doing so, Donte discovers there's a lot more inside in him than he first realized.

Marisa’s first book is Class Act by Jerry Craft, companion to the award winning New Kid. In a graphic novel format, this time it’s Jordan’s friend Drew who takes center stage in a story about being one of the few kids of color in a prestigious private school. Craft uses humor to explore racism and microaggressions as his characters try to process and navigate the world of middle school.

Mary’s second book is the graphic novel: The Wilds by Vita Ayala. A bacterial plague has spread across the world turning people into aggressive plants. Daisy Walker is a runner for a compound securing goods and medicine for her community. On a run, Daisy discovers a lost doctor trying to collect samples from plant zombies. When she picks him up, little does she know that she will discover a horrible secret and fight to save the love of her life.

Marisa’s second book is Skyhunter by Marie Lu.  A post-apocalyptic thriller about a world broken by war: one refugee girl, Talin, is part of an elite striker force willing to fight and defend the last country holding out against the Federation. The Federation experiments on humans, creating zombie-like Ghosts and even a new secret weapon who could end the war once and for all. Talin and other rebels have to band together to sacrifice everything to save what they love.

Books we talked about this episode:

Mary’s books:

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Middle Grade, Grades 5+. Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers. Published March 3, 2020.

The Wilds by Vita Ayala. High School, Grades 10+. Published by Black Mask Comics. Published December, 3, 2019.

Marisa’s books:

Class Act by Jerry Craft. Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published by Quill Tree Books. Published October 6, 2020.

Skyhunter by Marie Lu. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Roaring Brook Press. Published September 29, 2020.

Books mentioned:

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Harry Potter series

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Fence by C.S. Pacat

Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrick Henry Bass, Jerry Craft (illustrator)

The Offenders: Saving the World While Serving Detention! By Jerry Craft, Jaylen Craft, Aren Craft

Mama’s Boyz by Jerry Craft

Legend of Korra: Turk Wars by Michael Dante DiMartino, Irene Koh (illustrator)

Marguerite Bennett’s works

Wonder Woman by Phil Jimenez

Ever After by Olivia Vieweg

Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Warcross by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu

James Patterson

Fern Michaels

Marisa and Mary are back! We had to re-record Episode 13 (we blame recording the first time on Friday 13th). We have a listener question asking for teen book recommendations with not so super hero powers. Check out the Books Mentioned below! 

Marisa’s first book is Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker. A story about a trans girl starting a new life  and finally presenting as her true gender. In her previous life, Zen was a not so nice hacker, but now she is determined to solve a cyber mystery at her school. This book is full of family, found family, friends, and realizing you need to be true to yourself. 

Marisa’s second book is an LGBTQ+ graphic novel: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. This is a story of fairy tales, identity, and culture. Tiến is a Vietnamese American boy who loves his friends and family but is struggling with a secret. How do you communicate with your immigrant parents when the words might not exist? The author deftly weaves and adapts fairy tales to tell and imagines what if we can have our happy ending. 

Mary’s first book was Good Enough by Jen Petro-Roy. 12 year old Riley is anorexic and is in an inpatient treatment center. To get out she has to recover, but that is easier said than done. Written by an eating disorder survivor, this is a realistic depiction of inpatient eating disorder treatment, and a moving story about a girl who has to fight herself to survive. 

Mary’s second book, Heart Stopper by Alice Oseman, is a graphic novel. This is a story where a boy meets a boy, the boys first become friends, then boys fall in love. But nothing is so simple. Charlie is out and proud but why does he accept being someone’s secret? Friendly rugby player Nick invites Charlie to the team, but questions his growing feelings. This is a sweet LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between. 

Books we talked about this episode: 

Marisa’s books: 

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker. Middle Grade, Grades 5-8. Published by Viking Books for Young Readers. Published May 21, 2019. 

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Random House Graphic. Published October 13, 2020. 

Mary’s books: 

Good Enough by Jen Petro-Roy. Teen, Grades 6+. Published by Fiewel & Friends. Published February 19, 2020. 

Heart Stopper by Alice Oseman. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Scholastic Graphix. Published May 5, 2020. 

Books mentioned: 

Clowns in the Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Felix YZ by Lisa Bunker

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Chirp by Kate Messner From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Goldie Vance series by Hope Larson

Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson

Perfect by Natasha Friend

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books

Lobizona by Romina Garber

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Jen Bartel’s work 

You are Enough by Jen Petro-Roy 

Bloom by Kevin Panetta 

Prince & the Dressmaker by Jen Wang 

Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, and Deborah Biancotti 

House of X/Powers of X by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz (artist), R.B. Silva (artist)

New Mutants by Jonathan Hickman, Rod Ries (artist)

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Bryan Lee O’Malley

Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld, Alex Puvilland (illustrator), Hilary Sycamore (colorist)

Super Adjacent by Crystal Cestari

Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Episode 12:

Marisa and Mary are back and this time we are talking about Middle Grade Mysteries and werewolves. We also discuss print vs ebook, which is better? What about for advance reader copies? 

As always, if you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below!

Mary's first book, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling is a middle grade mystery with a strong girl character who was born without arms and her friendship with a boy who has Tourette's.  This is a book about kids with disabilities -but it doesn’t define them. Two friends investigate a mystery while there are also themes of acceptance of yourself and others.

Mary’s second book, Fangs by Sarah Andersen, is a love story between a vampire and a werewolf. It is a funny graphic novel all about the awkwardness of meeting someone perfectly suited to you but who is also so vastly different from you (you’ll recognize Andersen’s art style from her webcomic, Sarah’s Scribbles).

Marisa’s first book, Chirp by Kate Messner, is a middle grade mystery book about a girl, facing the challenges of growing up and struggling to find her voice, but it is also filled with friendship, science, and summer fun while trying to save her grandmother’s cricket farm. You might even want to eat a cricket after.

Marisa's second book, Lobizona by Romina Garber, follows a teen girl with unusual eyes; she has spent her life hiding in Miami as an undocumented immigrant. But besides hiding from ICE, she’s on the run from her father's Argentine crime-family...but as her world crumbles, it also widens up when she discovers a hidden world of magic, brujas, and werewolves. She searches her past for answers for her future in this magical world.

Books we talked about this episode:

Mary's books:

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. Middle Grade, Grades 5-8. Published by Sterling Kids on September 5, 2017.

Fangs by Sarah Andersen. High School, Grades 9+. Published by Andrews McMeel on September 1, 2020.

Marisa's books:

Chirp by Kate Messner. Middle Grade, Grades 5-8. Published Bloomsbury Children’s on February 4, 2020.

Lobizona by Romina Garber. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Wednesday Books on August 4, 2020.

Books mentioned:

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Bouncing Back by Scott Ostler

Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Class Act by Jerry Craft

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen

Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

Fake Blood by Whitney Garder

Moonstruck Vol. 1 Magic to Brew by Grace Ellis

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Gabriel García Márquez’s books

Go With the Flow by Lily Williams

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

Cazadora by Romina Garber (out 8/17/21)!

Episode 11:

Marisa and Mary return! This month we are all about FACTS and SPOOPY books. What is a spoopy book? A book that is fun and spooky at the same time.  We also ask the eternal question, original cover vs movie cover...and we have THOUGHTS.  

As always, if you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below!  

Mary's first book was a nonfiction graphic novel called Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf.  He tells the untold story of the Kent State shootings. On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard gunned down unarmed college students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University. Backderf follows the everyday lives of four students, leading up to that fatal day. 

Mary also talked about Harrow Lake, Cat Ellis' new horror book. It is the story of Lola, the daughter of a famous horror movie director. She must go live with her grandmother in Harrow Lake, the famous town where her dad's most famous movie was filmed. But the town has its own scary stories and legends. A thriller with twists and turns to keep you guessing and up all night. 

Marisa's first book was Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight Justice (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson. This is the story of a broken and prejudiced justice system, told through the main narrative of one man, Walter McMillan. He was a man falsely accused of murder and sentenced to death; it took years for Stevenson to defend McMillan and attempt to free an innocent man. 

Marisa's second book was Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, and illustrated by Rovina Cai.  An incredible #OwnVoices debut about Elatsoe, "Ellie," an asexual teen girl who can raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her Lipan Apache family. When the ghost of a loved one visits her in a dream, she is tasked with solving a murder. This book has a strong heroine, a clever supernatural mystery and a unique and powerful Native American voice. YES. 

Books we talked about this episode: 

Mary's books: 

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf.  High School. Published September 9, 2020.  

Harrow Lake by Cat Ellis. High School Grades 8+. Published August 25, 2020.  

Marisa's books: 

Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice (Adapted for Young Adults) by Bryan Stevenson. Teen, Grade 8+.  Published September 10, 2019. 

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai. Teen, Grades 7+. Published August 25, 2020. 

Books mentioned: 

My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

Trashed by Derf Backderf

Kent State by Deborah Wiles

White Rose Society by Kip Wilson

Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater

Scream All Night by Derek Milman 

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Harry Potter illustrated by Mary GrandPré

Rick Riordan books

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

The Tale of Despereaux: A Junior Novelization by Jamie Michalek & Kate DiCamillo

Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli 

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Two Boys Kissing by David Leviathan

Boy Meets Boy by David Leviathan

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle

Episode 10 

Marisa and Mary return this time and we declare it SPOOKY BOOK SEASON, and we discuss LGBTQIA+ books that make you feel seen. We also answer a question from a teen who asks "why does therapy get a bad rap in young adult literature?" Thank you to Lauren L., the teen who asked our question this episode! 

As always, if you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below!  

Marisa's first book was You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson. This is a fun romantic comedy with a queer black protagonist who has to win prom queen to achieve her college dreams-the perfect balance of cute fluff and serious. 

Marisa's second book was Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. This is a debut about a trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost of the school's resident bad boy-who refuses to leave. We stan.  

Mary talked about The Montague Twins: The Witch's Hand, a graphic novel about twin boys solving paranormal mysteries. Brothers? Detectives? Witches?

For her second book, Mary talked about Music from Another World, Robin Talley's new book, is a poignant look at sexuality, identity, courage, and music, set against the struggle for gay rights in the 1970's 

Books we talked about this episode: 

Marisa's books: You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson. Teen, Grade 7+.  Published June 2, 2020. 

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. Teen, Grades 8+. Published September 1, 2020. 

Mary's books: 

The Montague Twins: The Witch's Hand by Nathan Page and Drew Shannon. Teen, 7+. Published July 14, 2020. 

Music From Another World by Robin Talley. Teen, Grades 8+. Published March 31, 2020.  

Books mentioned: 

Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon 

Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan 

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson 

Riverdale by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Francesco Francavilla (illustrator), Jack Morelli (illustrator) 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Robert Hack (artist) 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 

New Kid by Jerry Craft 

Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries 

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley  

Pulp by Robin Talley 

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell, Anna-Marie McLemore, Natalie C. Parker.  

A Tyranny of Petticoats by Jessica Spotswood, J. Anderson Coats, Andrea Cremer 

Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Witchcraft & Womanhood by Tess Sharpe 

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian 

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani 

We are Lost and Found by Helene Dunbar 

Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro 

Every Last Word by Tamera Ireland Stone 

Click'd by Tamera Ireland Stone

 Train I Ride by Paul Mosier 

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella 

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert 

Chirp by Kate Messner 

Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson 

Truth About Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

Marisa and Mary are back! This time to talk about middle grade and teen books that are varying levels of spooky, scary, thriller, and horror. We also talk about graphic novels: format vs genre debate, where should they go?

As always, if you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below!

Marisa's first book was Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall. A spooky middle grade pick. Grieving Eleanor moves to an all too perfect town where she meets other teens who tell her not to talk about the odd spectral things she sees. Little does she know time is running out on an ancient deal.

Marisa's second book was ALSO by Kate Alice Marshall. It is Rules for Vanishing, a high school horror and mystery title. This book has ghosts, a mysterious road, blood and deaths. This was not the book she thought it was when she picked it up, but thoroughly  enjoyed it. We also delve into the varying levels of scary. 

Mary talked about the graphic novel Hotel Dare by Terry Blas and Claudia Aguirre (illustrator). A perfect middle grade graphic that combines mystery and science fiction. 

Mary's second book was Last Girls by Demetra Brodsky, a great thriller survival story about sisterhood and survival and end of the world preppers. 

Books we talked about this episode:

Marisa's books:

Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall. Middle Grade, Grades 5-9.  Published August 18, 2020.

Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall. High School, Grades 9+. Published September 24, 2019.

Mary's books:

Hotel Dare by Terry Blas and Claudia Aguirre (illustrator). Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published June 11, 2019.

Last Girls by Demetra Brodsky. High School, Grades 9+. Published May 5, 2020. 

Books mentioned:

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

Devouring Grey by Christine Lynn Herman

Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine

Slay by Brittney Morris

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom: by Terry Blas and Molly Muldoon

Giant Days by John Allison

Backstagers by James Tynion IV

Quince by Sebastian Kadlecik, Kit Steinkellner, Emma Steinkellner (illustrator)

Kim & Kim by Magdalene  Visaggio, Eva Cabrera (illustrator),  Claudia Aguirre (illustrator)

I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall 

Stephen King books

Someone's In Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Dive Smack by Demetra Brodsky 

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Ballad of Ami Miles by Kristy Dallas Alley

Dry by Neal Shusterman

The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty

Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

Andre the Giant: Life and Legend by Box Brown

Muhammad Ali by Titeux Sybille, Amazing Ameziane (illustrator)

21: The Story of Roberto Clemente by Wilifred Santiago

The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods by Svetlana Chmakova

Night School by Svetlana Chmakova

Dragon Hoopis by Gene Luan Yang

The Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Marisa and Mary return this time to talk about middle grade and teen books that feature strong female characters-no matter what happened to them, they choose their fate. We also give teen book recommendations to a mom & 7th grader who read and LOVED the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers.

As always, if you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below!

Marisa's first book was the middle grade title Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. Described as a “girl-power friendship story, an eighth grader starts a podcast to protest the unfair dress code enforcement at her middle school and sparks a rebellion.”

Intrigued by a Persian fairy tale inspired story with many great twists then you’ll love Marisa’s second book: Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust. Described as “a captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…”

Mary talked about Brittney Morris’ Slay, which follows high school student Kiera, who developed the game SLAY in an effort to carve out a space for Black gamers, after having to deal with the racism prevalent in the gaming world. This is an unputdownable book with themes of racism and feminism.

The second book Mary talked about was the graphic novel adaptation of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll (illustrator). This is an updated version of the modern classic with beautiful illustrations that tell the Mel’s story of after-after the party, after she’s alone, after the rape. Trigger warnings.

Books we talked about this episode:

Marisa's books:

Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. Middle Grade, Grades 5-9.  Published July 7, 2020.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust. Teen, Grades 7+. Published July 7, 2020.

Mary's books:

Slay by Brittney Morris. Teen, Grades 7+. Published September 24, 2019.

Speak (graphic novel) by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll (illustrator). High School, Grades 8+. Published February 6, 2018.

Books mentioned:

Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone

Go With the Flow by Lily Williams

Six Angry Girls by Adrienne Kisner

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Warcross by Marie Lu

Armada by Ernest Cline

Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Reverie by Ryan LaSala

Once and Future King by Amy Rose Capetta & Cory McCarthy

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer graphic novels Seasons 3 and 8 by various authors

Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner

Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi

Beastly by Alex Flinn

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

Episode 07

Seventh Episode: The one where we talk about all types of teen fantasy books

Marisa and Mary return this time to talk about teen fantasy books of all types, and answer the hardest listener question: "What is your favorite book of all time?"

As always, if you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below! Thank you to Audra, the teen who asked our question this episode!

Marisa talked about 

Marisa's first book was the genre-defying Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore. This is the choose your own adventure ending book for teens, it all starts with an invitation to a strange mansion on a remote island...

A brand newly released debut book was Marisa's second book: Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. Two hundred years after Cinderella and things are not well in the kingdom: Sophia would rather run away with her girlfriend than attend the ball...when things go awry she meets someone who will help her smash the patriarchy, and a great F/F romance.  

Mary talked about Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries, a middle grade graphic about a girl with a secret in a witch kingdom where your power is defined by the length of your hair; this book has won awards and has great LBTQIA+ themes.

For her second book, Mary talked about Tochi Onyebuchi's Beasts Made of Night, a Nigerian-influence fantasy where corrupt mages call forth sin beasts from those who can afford it, while young sin eaters like Taj must slay the beasts. 

Books we talked about this episode:

Marisa's books:

Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore.  High School, Grades 9+.  Published September 19, 2017.

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. Teen, Grades 7+. Published July 7, 2020.

Mary's books:

Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries. Middle Grade, 5+. Published September 17, 2019.

 Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi. Teen, Grades 7+. Published October 21, 2017.

Books mentioned:

Romeo and/or Juliet by Ryan North

Hazel Wood by Melissa Alpert

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir

Encyclopedia Brown comics by Steenz

Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

Tea Dragon Society by Kate O'Neill

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

The Killing Joke by Alan Moore

The Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

All of Rick Riordan's work

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi

Uncanny X-Men

Sandman by Neil Gaiman

Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Geisha, a Life by Mineko Iwasaki

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

 Episode 06

Sixth Episode: middle grade novels & graphic novels!

Marisa and Mary return this time to talk about teen middle grade books, graphic novels, and the world of book covers and publishing. If you need to add more books to your To Be Read pile, check out the Books Mentioned below! Thank you to Acadia, a teen who asked our question about big publishers vs self publishing this week!

Mary talked about Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow, a middle grade LGBTQIA+ novel with a girl who loves goats and encyclopedias, but even she doesn’t have all the answers for the questions waiting for her in 8th grade.

For her second book, Mary delved into the nonfiction graphic novel memoir The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by Noelle Stevenson.

Marisa talked about a debut middle grade book, Nikki On the Line by Barbara Carroll Roberts, featuring a girl who dreams of being a basketball star, but with school stress, babysitting woes, and friend drama, her confidence is taking a hit.

Marisa's second book was a newly released graphic novel Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson and Leila del Duca. A modern take on a 16 year old Diana of the Amazons.

Books we talked about this episode:

Marisa's books:

Nikki On the Line by Barbara Carroll Roberts. Middle Grade, Grades 5-8. Published March 5, 2019.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Leila del Duca. Teen, Grades 8+. Published June 2, 2020.

Mary's books:

Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow. Middle Grade, 5-8. Published October 8, 2019.

The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures by Noelle Stevenson. High School, Grades 9+. Published March 3, 2020.

Books mentioned:

Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Martin McLean Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

If It Makes You Happy by by Claire Kann

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata

Posted by John David Anderson

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Leila del Duca’s works: Sleepless, Shutter, Afar, Wicked + the Divine, and Scarlet Witch Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson’s works: Speak, Shout, and Chains

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

Wonder Woman: Warbringer graphic novel by Leigh Bardugo, Louise Simonson, and Kit Seaton

Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Dreadnought by April Daniels

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore

 Episode 05 Are Mysteries the #1 YA genre?

Fifth Episode:

Marisa and Mary return this time to talk about teen graphic novels, mysteries, and fantasy. If you need good mysteries and or fantasies: check out any and all of the titles in the "Books Mentioned" below. 

Mary talked about Sabrina the Teenage Witch by Kelly Thompson, illustrated by Veronica Fish and Andy Fish. A fresh fun twist on a favorite comic character. 

For her second book, Mary delved into the world of MYSTERY with Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious, the first in a trilogy. 

Marisa talked about The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor, a realistic mystery with a main character, Mason, whose brain just doesn't work like everyone else's. People look at him and treat him differently since the accident 15 months ago...but all he wants is a friend. 

Marisa's second book dove into the richly descriptive fantasy world of Crown Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford. A sea village of beautiful daughters, where the loveliest will go to land and marry the prince...but this book is filled with sisterhood, bravery, and the mystery of what awaits the chosen bride on land in the dark mountain kingdom?.

Books we talked about this episode:

Marisa's books:

The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor, Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published January 23, 2018.

Crown Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford. Teen, Grades 8-12. Published August 27, 2019.

Mary's books:

Sabrina the Teenage Witch by Kelly Thompson, illustrated by Veronica Fish and Andy Fish. Middle Grade, Grades 6-12. Published November 20, 2019. 

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson, Teen, Grades 8-12. Published January 16th, 2018.

Books mentioned:

Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom by Kelly Thompson

Waiting for Normal AND All Rise For the Honorable Perry T. Cook both by Leslie Connor

Frankly In Love by David Yoon

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Ember In the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

All books by Ally Carter

Allegiant by Veronica Roth 

Adult romance books by Melissa Brayden

Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

Fourth Episode: Mary and Marisa are back this time to talk about some titles for Pride Month and Asian Pacific Heritage Month.  May was Asian Pacific Heritage Month:  Marisa talks about Frankly In Love by David Yoon (a YA romcom-dramedy?) about a Korean American boy navigating family issues and trying to find love his own way.   June is Pride Month: Marisa talked about the powerful nonfiction YA title, The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater; a short overlapping bus ride of a queer teen who dresses how they feel in a tutu and black teen with a lighter and a bad dare-lives were changed in a few seconds. Mary talks about the delightful middle grade book Martin McLean, Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek; Martin tries to find his voice & his inner diva while navigating middle school and first crushes.  For her second book pick: Mary wades into the world of sports books (that secretly are about other topics too) with Geoff Herbach's Cracking the Bell. Books we talked about this episode:  Marisa's books: Frankly In Love by David Yoon, Teen, Grades 8-12. Published September 10, 2019.  The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater, Teen, Grades 7-12. Published October 17, 2017. Mary's books: Martin McLean Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek, Middle Grade, Grade 5-7. Published January 7, 2020.  Cracking the Bell by Geoff Herbach, Teen, Grades 8-12. Published September 10, 2019.  Books mentioned:  Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley Everything, Everything AND The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom by Kelly Thompson Twilight AND Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda AND The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli 

Third Episode: 

Times can be tough, but laughing makes things better. All of these books use humor to get you through it. Marisa talks about some of her favorite books, one about an evil genius, one historical fiction of a plucky girl who won't give up. Mary's two books are: one a graphic novel about a girl, technology and aliens, and the other is packed with humor and sports. We talk about how we miss our teens, patrons, and our libraries. 

Books we talked about this week: 

Marisa's books: 

I Am A Genius Of Unspeakable Evil (And I Want To Be Your Class President) by Josh Lieb, Teen, Grades 7-12. Published 10/13/09 by Razorbill. 

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee, Teen, Grades 7-12. Published 8/13/19 by Putnam.

Mary's books: 

Unplugged and Unpopular by Mat Heagerty, TinTin Pantoja, Mike Amante, Intermediate, Grades 3-6. Published 10/15/19 by Oni Press. 

Bouncing Back by Scott Ostler, Middle Grade, Grade 6-8. Published 10/8/19 by Little, Brown For Young Readers. 

Second Episode: 

Marisa and Mary are back! This week we talk about a couple of our favorite middle grade/teen graphic novels.  We also reveal our love of dark supernatural teen books; this is just the tip of the iceberg, because we love this genre so much. 

Books we talk about this week: 

Marisa's books: 

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner, Middle grade, Grades 5-8. Published: September 3, 2019. 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, High School, Grades 9-12. Published: April 3, 2012. 

Mary's books: 

This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews, Middle grade, Grades 5-8. Published: June 11, 2019.

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand, High School, Grades 9-12. Published: October 2, 2018.

Books mentioned: 

The Darkdeep by Allie Condie and Brendan Reichs

The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding

Furyborn by Claire Legrand