Teen Girl in the Nineties Loves the Beatles - It could be my auto biography!

Nowhere Girl by Magali Le Huche
4 stars

A teenage girl growing up in France in the nineties is dealing with severe school anxiety and learns to deal with it by immersing herself in the world and music of the Beatles.  I could definitely relate to this, I also was teenager in the nineties dealing with (a milder) anxiety and an obsession with the Beatles.  I loved the art in this graphic novel which went from detailed to abstract, black and white to very colorful.  The font was somewhat hard to read at times, but that in no way distracted from my enjoyment.  I received a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

New Releases - July 13, 2021

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
4 stars 

I don't usually read and review book so early (this doesn't come out until mid-summer 2021!) but I really just needed a book like this so I cheated on my own rules.  Piper is a rich,  beautiful influencer who is living a rather vapid life when she is dumped by her longest relationship (3 weeks) who had some very harsh words for her.  In retaliation she throws a big, illegal party and gets sent to a small fishing village to run her deceased father's bar.  Of course, she meets a man, Brendan, right off the bat.  This is a story of opposites attracting but I really enjoyed the story of Piper finding out there's more to herself than she ever realized.  Piper is really funny and I loved her character and found the romance charming.  I think this will probably be a big release and I don't regret finishing it way early.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

New Releases - July 6, 2021

Books Promiscuously Read: Reading as a Way of Life by Heather Cass White

3 stars

I adore books about reading and normally manage to pick up any new releases on the subject.  I was especially excited about this book due to the intriguing title.  I just really couldn't get into it though.  I think I was expecting something more personal, which means that I probably should have read the description of it more closely.  This is fairly dry and very academic, which is sometimes very useful, but just not what I was in the mood for at the moment.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic by Jessica Hopper

4.5 stars

I love works of non-fiction in which the author's passion for the subject is so apparent.  This (re-issued) collection of essays and articles by music critic, Jessica Hopper, is so infused with passion for the music that it is infectious.  A lot of the time, I didn't even know of the musicians that were discussed but it didn't matter one bit.  She discusses super stars and local legends, feminism in rock and artist making their way.  This is one of the best collections of music writing that I have read.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.