BLOG TOUR --- Fresh Ink: An Anthology edited by Lamar Giles [Spotlight + Giveaway]

I am super excited to spotlight a fresh new anthology to hit stores: Fresh Ink: An Anthology.  Edited by Lamar Giles, whose works include Fake Id, Endangered, and Three Sides of a Heart: Stories About Love Triangles, this anthology brings together some of the hottest names in the game, who all also happen to be People of Color.  

In tandem with We Need Diverse Books, this anthology is full of amazing stories and a diverse breadth of work.  One book that should not be missing from your home library!

Title: Fresh Ink: An Anthology
Editors(s): Lamar Giles
Authors(s): Nicola Yoon, Malinda Lo, Melissa de la Cruz, Sara Farizan, Eric Gansworth, Walter Dean Myers, Daniel José Older, Thien Pham, Jason Reynolds, Gene Luen Yang, Sharon G. Flake, Schuyler Bailar, Aminah Mae Safi
Edition: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook; 208 pages
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 14, 2018
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & 
Noble - Book Depository - Audible - iBooks

Tour Schedule

Week One:

8/1/2018- YA Books Central- Spotlight

8/2/2018- Always Me- Review

8/3/2018- Book-Keeping- Review

Week Two:

8/6/2018- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

8/7/2018- BookHounds YA- Review

8/8/2018- Confessions of a YA Reader- Review

8/9/2018- Wonder Struck- Review

8/10/2018- Life of a Literary Nerd- Review

Week Three:

8/13/2018- Literary Meanderings- Spotlight

8/14/2018- Mama Reads Blog- Review

8/15/2018- Novel Novice- Review

8/16/2018- Savings in Seconds- Review

8/17/2018- Sweet Southern Home- Review

Week Four:

8/20/2018- The Layaway Dragon- Review

8/21/2018- Eli to the nth- Spotlight

8/22/2018- Comfort Books- Review

8/23/2018- Moonlight Rendezvous- Review

8/24/2018- laura's bookish corner- Review

Week Five:

8/27/2018- Never Too Many To Read- Review

8/28/2018- The Book Nut- Review

8/29/2018- Cindy's Love of Books- Review

8/30/2018- The Pages In-Between- Review
8/31/2018- A Dream Within A Dream- Review

The Summary

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print.

All it takes to rewrite the rules is a little fresh ink in this remarkable YA anthology from thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors writing today including Nicola Yoon, Jason Reynolds, Melissa de la Cruz, and many more, and published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books. This collection features ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print. It will give readers the opportunity to discover how the next chapter is up to them.

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you.

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.

“I absolutely love this mix of established and newer talents, and I’m really intrigued and excited by the mixed formats.” –BookRiot

“A powerful and varied collection…”—Booklist, starred review

“The stories are distinct in themes, subjects, genres, and formats, creating an inclusive, authentic, and incredible collection”—School Library Journal, starred review

(Goodreads)

READ AN EXCERPT HERE!

Giveaway

3 winners will win a finished copy of Fresh Ink: An Anthology US Only.

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BLOG TOUR --- Dear Martin by Nic Tone [Excerpt + Giveaway]

I am so excited to bring you this excerpt from the fantastic, and newly released, debut by Nic Stone: Dear Martin!  Jus's story is one that hundreds of African-Americans, not just kids either, go through every day in America, the "Land of the Free".  With books like this one highlighting these stories, both of racism and the strength to fight, the reader will be forced to examine themselves and how they exist in this system.

Title: Dear Martin
Author(s): Nic Stone
Edition: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook; 224 pages
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Audible - iBooks

Tour Schedule

Week One:

10/16/2017 - LILbooKlovers - Interview

10/17/2017 - YA Bibliophile - Review

10/18/2017 - Mama Reads Blog - Guest Post

10/19/2017 - Here's to Happy Endings - Review

10/20/2017 - Eli to the nth - Excerpt

Week Two:

10/23/2017 - Chasing Faerytales - Review

10/24/2017 - Omg Books and More Books - Interview

10/25/2017 - BookHounds YA - Review

10/26/2017 - Novel Novice - Guest Post

10/27/2017 - The Bookish Libra - Review

Week Three:

10/30/2017 - Never Too Many To Read - Review

10/31/2017 - Mrs. Knott's Book Nook - Interview

11/1/2017 - Reese's Reviews - Excerpt

11/2/2017 - Novel Ink - Review

11/3/2017 - Wandering Bark Books - Guest Post

Week Four:

11/6/2017 - Amanda Gernentz Hanson - Review

11/7/2017 - Lisa Loves Literature - Excerpt

11/8/2017 - Feed Your Fiction Addiction - Review

11/9/2017 - Lost in Ever After - Interview

11/10/2017 - A Backwards Story - Review

The Summary

Justyce McAllister is top of his class, captain of the debate team, and set for the Ivy League next year—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. He is eventually released without charges (or an apology), but the incident has Justyce spooked. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood, he can’t seem to escape the scorn of his former peers or the attitude of his prep school classmates. The only exception: Sarah Jane, Justyce’s gorgeous—and white—debate partner he wishes he didn’t have a thing for.

Struggling to cope with it all, Justyce starts a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But do Dr. King’s teachings hold up in the modern world? Justyce isn’t so sure.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up. Way up. Much to the fury of the white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. And Justyce and Manny get caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack. The truth of what happened that night—some would kill to know. Justyce is dying to forget.

(Goodreads)

Excerpt

About the Author

Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.

You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her husband and sons on most social media platforms as @getnicced.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads 

Giveaway

3 winners will receive a finished copy of Dear Martin , US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older [Review]

Title: Shadowshaper
Author(s): Daniel José Older
Edition: Audio, 7 hours 21 minutes/6 discs
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication Date: November 1, 2015
Source: Library
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Summary

Sierra Santiago planned to have an easy summer of making art and hanging out with her friends. But then a corpse crashes the first party of the season. Her stroke-ridden grandfather starts apologizing over and over. And when the murals in her neighborhood begin to weep real tears... Well, something more sinister than the usual Brooklyn ruckus is going on.

With the help of a mysterious fellow artist named Robbie, Sierra discovers shadowshaping, a thrilling magic that infuses ancestral spirits into paintings, music, and stories. But someone is killing the shadowshapers one by one -- and the killer believes Sierra is hiding their greatest secret. Now she must unravel her family's past, take down the killer in the present, and save the future of shadowshaping for herself and generations to come.

Full of a joyful, defiant spirit and writing as luscious as a Brooklyn summer night, Shadowshaper marks the YA debut of a brilliant new storyteller.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

If you have been aching for a great supernatural book with kick-ass Latinx and Black characters, full of family, danger, and love, then look no further because Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older has it all!

The first thing, and maybe this was even more apparent because I was listening to the audiobook, was the voice within this book is amazing.  Each character is distinct, and while maybe not wholly explored, rounded in presentation.  Within the voice comes each character's heritage.  Both Latinx and Black culture is prevalent, with a multitude of different countries represented.  Sierra, Robbie, and their friends all come from different families, customs, and beliefs, and this is reflected in their speech, clothes, and attitude.  I felt like I was in their slice of Brooklyn, one which I've never experienced before.

Older also didn't hesitate to discuss the differences between minorities either.  While it wasn't an especially big part of the book, the prejudices that do exsit between White, Latinx, and Black cultures were mentioned.  While I am in no way an expert on this subject, it made the events of the story more believable because it is set in a real society rather than a perfect one.  Also Sierra's group of friends feels even tighter for overcoming those prejudices and assumptions that color everyone's perception.

So with that, this book would've been just a fantastic contemporary exploring the dynamics and relationships of the neighborhood, and Sierra's crew.  But of course, there was magic to be had, and BOOM it turns into Urban Fantasy!  Shadowshaping is very unique.  It reminds me of a religion, and feels very dogmatic and synced into the machismo that can exist in Latinx culture. By the time Sierra learns about shadowshaping and her place within that heritage, the magic is dying, and it is up to Sierra, a girl never meant to be a shadowshaper, to save it.  

The mix of art and magic is very powerful, not only in the book, but in life.  Most artists, be it writers, painters, or musicians, work from the soul.  Shadowshaping takes that to another level, actually harnessing the souls of one's ancestors into the artwork to make it come alive.  Also the aspect that the medium of the drawing makes the shaping more powerful is too cool (for instance, chalk is easily destroyed, while paint is stronger).  It's beautiful, and a gift I wish was real (cause I'd want to learn PRONTO)!

The pacing is fantastic, the mystery is not easily guessed, and the ending leaves you needing more!  Luckily, there is a sequel coming out this September (Shadowhouse Fall) so you don't have to wait too long (unless of course you read it when it first came out, then you did have to wait a bit)!  Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older is one of my favorite 2017 reads, and one you don't want to miss!

Final Rating

Extras

E-Novella

Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Interview with Daniel José Older

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Reading Challenges and Me

This year I am only doing ONE reading challenge, and that is the: 

I am doing this one in particular because in 2017 I need to do better as a consumer of books.  

Because I can read even more broadly, 

Because I can take the time to highlight books from diverse genres, cultures, and authors.  

Because I can make sure that the books I read are lifting up communities and accurately reflecting the culture and people within said community. 

Because I can lend my voice to the loud cry to publishers of "These are the books we WANT AND NEED!"  

Because I want to make sure that I showcase books that can reflect all of my readers, not just the white, cisgender, straight ones.  

Because I need to recognize when my favorite books/authors are problematic and why.

Because I want to create a safe space for discovery.  

And because above all I want to learn and grow because I know I'm not near knowledgeable enough.

As an "ally" it's time for me to really start putting my money where my mouth is as much as possible.

With all that said, instead of holding myself to a list of specific books that I cement right now, I will update this post with books I hope to read AND books that I do read, along with the review when finished, so I can keep it as flexible as possible.

I want to be able to discover new books and not feel beholden to a book I might not enjoy.

1. Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices edited by Mitali Perkins - Multiple POC, #ownvoices, ethnic diversity, intersectionality

          Review - 5/5 Stars

2. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon - African American POC, Asian POC, #ownvoices, ethnic diversity, deportation

          Review - 5/5 Stars 

3. Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older - Latinx POC, ethnic diversity, #ownvoices, mythology, LGBT

          Review - 5/5 Stars

4. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - Mental health (Bi-polar), suicide

          Review - 

5. Love & First Sight by Josh Sundquist - Disability (blindness), ethnic diversity

          Review - 4/5 Stars

6. Because of the Sun by Jenny Torres Sanchez - Grief, abuse, ethnic diversity

          Review - 

7. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon - Indian American POC, #ownvoices, family expectations, ethnic diversity

          Review - 

North of Happy by Adi Alsaid - Latinx POC , #ownvoices

A Crack in the Sea by H.M. Bouwman - Folktale, intersectionality

The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui - Memoir, Asian POC, #ownvoices 

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi - South Asian mythology , #ownvoices

Mirage by Tracy Clark - African American POC, mental illness

Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz - Asian POC, #ownvoices, deportation

This Is the Part Where You Laugh by Peter Brown Hoffmeister - Socioeconomic status, drug abuse

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson - LGBT, #ownvoices, suicide

Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World edited by Kelly Jensen - Ethnic diversity, intersectionality, women's rights

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury - Fairytale retelling, Middle Eastern POC

When We Collided by Emery Lord - Mental illness

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp - Ethnic diversity, intersectionality, 

The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds - African American POC, #ownvoices, 

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo - LGBT, #ownvoices, trans issues

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera - Latinx POC, GLBT, #ownvoices, suicide

Sula's Voyage by Catherine Torres - Asian POC, mythology, #ownvoices

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten - Mental illness

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley - Mental illness, LGBT

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - African American POC, #ownvoices, disability

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst - LGBT, bisexual

Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom - Disability (blindness)

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy - LGBT, bisexual, ethnic diversity

So there's my hopeful list.  I'm really excited and encourage all of you to join in too!

The ladies have a great resource list, Diverse Reads 2017 Reading List, that you can check out for recommendations.  Also Naz, over at Read Diverse Books, is holding a reading/reviewing challenge that is also focusing on diverse books (obviously).  So you can hit two challenges with one book AND celebrate diversity in reading!!!

Happy reading everyone!

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