Shine by Lauren Myracle

Synopsis

When her best guy friend falls victim to what seems like a vicious hate crime, 16-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.

Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.

Even after reading the synopsis for this book, I wasn't quite prepared for how dark and sad it got at times. It deals with some really harsh topics such as racism, addiction, sexual assault, LGBTQ hate crimes, and questions about sexuality, and more. All of that was packed into a relatively short novel. The fact that it didn't feel disjointed and forced speaks a lot to how well the book is written. 

There were times it made me feel uncomfortable. There were times it made me sad. There were times it got me to smile. Its definitely a story of the power of love and a coming-of-age story about the importance of family. It's a real look into how trauma can touch so many lives in so many different ways.

At first it kinda seemed like it was trying to be one of those young adult books where some kid or young teenager solves all the problems of a small town. But it ended up being so much deeper than that, and I really appreciated it in the end. 

It's not an easy read due to the topics, but it is written well and goes pretty fast. 

4/5 stars

Memorable Quote: "That was the problem with lying to yourself. Sometimes you got too good at it."

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yolo by Lauren Myracle

Synopsis:

Through texts and messages, the mega-bestselling, beloved Internet Girls series followed the ups and downs of school for three very different, very close friends. Now it’s freshman year of college for the winsome threesome, and *everything* is different. For one, the best friends are facing their first semester apart. Way, way apart. Maddie’s in California, Zoe’s in Ohio, and Angela’s back in Georgia. And it’s not just the girls who are separated. Zoe’s worried that Doug wants to break up now that they’re at different schools, and Maddie’s boyfriend, Ian, is on the other side of the country.In the face of change and diverging paths, Maddie’s got a plan to keep the friends close, and it involves embracing the present, making memories, and . . . roller derby! Using of-the-moment technology, Lauren Myracle brings her groundbreaking series into the brave new virtual world of texting and tweets.

So, I know this isn’t my typical genre, but I have loved these books since I was a little youngen.  So, when this one came out, I jumped on the opportunity to get back into these girls’ lives. It took me awhile to get to it, because I was waiting for the right moment, but I’ve finally done it!

yolo is a pretty typical “feel-good” young adult book. Well, except for the fact that it’s written in all text messages. That’s what initially drew me to the series. Maybe it had something to do with growing up with the Internet, but I’ve always had a soft spot for these types of books.

It took me back to being a freshman in college and how much of a culture shock it is from high school. It was kind of sweet reading it from their perspectives even though their first year isn’t treating them all well. They have their ups and downs. But, the one thing keeping them going is the promise of spending their Thanksgiving break together.

I know some people might say that the series should end here, but I would love it if it kept going. I read so many books about rough subjects, it’s nice to have one that’s up-beat even if everything isn’t always happy. I think Myracle does a great job giving each character their own voice and personality even though it’s all told through text.

I also want to know how their Thanksgiving went, so another book is necessary.

5/5 Stars

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