The Gatekeepers by Jen Lancaster

Gatekeepers is inspired by true events that took place in Jen Lancaster's hometown. Suicide is a major theme in this novel and it focus's on teenagers and the teenage life in particular the pressure to reach perfection, to succeed , to be #1 at all costs.

Academics and extra curricular activities are the way of life at North Shore High School. One must excel, get into the right college, get the best of the best job and do better then their already successful parents. 98% of North Shore kids to to college but they aim to make it 100%.

This book is 450 pages but it seems like fewer than 200 because you can't stop reading it! You have to KNOW what happens next. The story is told from multiple perspectives and is full of interesting characters, some might even remind you of those you went to High School with.

Simone is our main character and she has just arrived from London. She is the new girl at school and has no interest in being #1 at everything, she's unlike her North Shore peers and doesn't stress about academics. She's laid back, fun and enjoying her teen years.

She's taken back when a student commits suicide shortly after she starts attending school, the school's history of suicide's start to unfold and more students sadly take their lives.  It's tragic and dark but there is some sunshine in this as other characters bloom and find their peace.

Full Throttle by Joe Hill

Joe Hill is quite possibly the very best short story teller I have ever come across. I normally avoid short stories - I tend to stay as far away from them as possible but Joe Hill always draws me into his.

Full Throttle is a phenomenal collection. Some of the stories still haunt me!
In particular, Dark Carousel, Late Returns, Twittering From the Circus of the Dead  and In the Tall Grass (They story is significantly better that the movie on Netflix).

This is an excellent collection of stories that are solid from start to finish. Please take the time to read the authors note and forward. It really adds to his storytelling.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Expected publication: May 19th 2020 

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Weiner and when I was given an opportunity to read an advanced copy of her newest novel I jumped at the opportunity. Weiner puts a bit of a different spin on this novel compared to her previous ones. It  doesn't disappointed. I was completely engrossed and you will be too! This will make for a perfect Summer read. 

Daphne Berg is our main character. She is a twenty something  plus sized social media influncer. She is dragged back into the past when her ex-best friend Drue contacts her asking her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Daphne is understandably hesitant but she has a big heart and gives in. 

Daphne ends up finding herself swept back into the life of Drue and the wedding planning.  Then the unthinkable happens and Daphne finds herself front and center. 

The story is told in present time with flashbacks to give historical content to aid the story telling. Weiner deals with a variety of topics in this novel, bullying and body shaming are prevalent but health friendships and love also makes the rounds.

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

Regretting You is an excellent read. I was completely absorbed and stayed up way too late reading. Colleen Hoover really understand characters, emotions and knows how to tell a story. 

This story is told in alternating chapters, giving insight into Morgan and Clara, the relationship they have with one another and the relationships they have with others. 

Morgan had Clara as a teen and it's very interesting to see Morgan, Clara's mother as a teen vs. her daughter, Clara has a teen. 

 Morgan's story goes back from her teenage years and is seamlessly integrated into current time. Clara's teen voice is very distinct. All the relationships in the books seem rather typical until a life changing event takes place that results in secrets being discovered and trust being broken.

Morgan attempts to protect Clara but misunderstandings happen that results in causing additional fissures in a fragile relationship. 

There is a wonderful mix of romance but their is also grief, anger and healing. This is a book that can easily be enjoyed by young adults and adults. It doesn't really fit strictly into either slot and can easily fall into both categories. This would be a perfect book club read or a read for a mother and daughter to share. 

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

I am Mexican-American. I am first generation. My father was born in Mexico, in 1955. He was brought to the United States at age four. He was granted permanent residency and then eventually became a citizen in 2001.

 I grew up living in a  border city and spent a lot of my youth driving back and forth across the border to visit family. I learned how to speak English and Spanish at the same time as it was the only way I could communicate with grandparents, great-grandparents (who lived in the US) and my familia in Mexico.

I keep hearing about, "American Dirt", my gringo friends wanted to know my opinion on it - my thoughts. Why had I suddenly become the voice of the Mexican people? Why did my opinion matter? Was it because I am Latina or because I am the only Latina they know? What it because they genuinely carried about my opinion or because the book is so controversial?

I was hesitant to pick it up as I heard a lot of negative backlash on it. It sat in my TBR pile for days until I finally picked it up to read.

Immediately I rolled my eyes. It start's of with the slaughter of a family at quincenera, which immediately made me think of  The Border by Steve Schafer as his novel starts off the same way! I thought what a cliche way to start a novel. Suddenly everyone knows about quinces but 20 years ago they were not common to those outside the Latino community.

I pushed myself to read more because I was intrigued  and then I came across the main character using the word "carajo" - A word I didn't grow up using or know of  until my Puerto Rican friends taught it to me however I just dismissed it as something I wasn't familiar with as my family lived in a different part of Mexico.

I felt myself growing engrossed with the read, the characters and the writing. I feel in love with Luca and his mother as they made their trek across Mexico. Fleeing their hometown to make it to the United States so that they could have an opportunity to live and not be slaughtered like their loves ones. I winced as they attempted to get on "La Bestia"" the freight train the many migrants ride, a train that takes many of lives. The journey is dangerous and Cummins writing pushed my mind back to the many documentaries I've seen regarding this harrowing ride. I felt their fear.

I eventually became a bystander in their journey to the United States as they came across good and bad people. Auxiliary characters became important  and I was on edge in regards to who they could and could not trust. I turned page after page as the read and then ..... reality hit. My reality.

I had to set the book down and pace ..... Was I angry? Was I upset? Had Cummins, "white washed" the story, the journey, the characters ...... Was I a traitor to my gente for liking and enjoying a book that so many hate? After thinking, I came to this conclusion. I enjoyed the read. It isn't my experience or the experience of others as we all experience things differently.

What was important was that Cummins has brought attention to the violence in Mexico and Central America - the violence migrants are fleeing from. She's giving  a voice to those who shout but no one hears because they are deaf to the voices of the Latinos seeking asylum, safety and freedom or maybe I am too Americanized to be angry about this book - this story. Are there things she got wrong? Absolutely! Are there things that made me cringe? Yes! Was the story about a mothers love for her son a solid one? Yes, absolutely. Was this story worth the read? It was - for me that is. Make your own judgments, push the negative reviews aside and make your own opinions.