Carmilla – Kim Turrisi

Carmilla by Kim Turrisi

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Published: May 7th, 2019
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Pacing: Normal/Slow
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, LGBTQIA+, University Life

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BLURB:

Newly escaped from the stifling boredom of a small town, college freshman Laura is ready to make the most of her first year at Silas University. But when her roommate, Betty, vanishes and a sarcastic, nocturnal philosophy student named Carmilla moves into Betty’s side of the room, Laura decides to play detective. Turns out Betty isn’t the first girl to go missing ? she’s just the first girl not to come back. All over campus, girls have been vanishing, and they are completely changed when (or if) they return. Even more disturbing are the strange dreams they recount: smothering darkness, and a strange pale figure haunting their rooms. Dreams that Laura is starting to have herself. As Laura closes in on the answers, tensions rise with Carmilla. Is this just a roommate relationship that isn’t working out, or does Carmilla know more than she’s letting on about the disappearances? What will Laura do if it turns out her roommate isn’t just selfish and insensitive, but completely inhuman? And what will she do with the feelings she’s starting to have for Carmilla?

Giant Days, Vol. 7

Giant Days, Vol. 7 by John Allison

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Comic Distributors
Published: March 27th, 2018
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comic, Humor, Friendship, Romance, University Life, LGBTQIA+

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BLURB:

Fast friends Susan, Daisy, and Esther continue their second year at Sheffield University, and these are formative times, indeed. Education and looking ahead to the future isn’t all that college holds in-store for these ladies–grocery store protests, family reunions, and even an MMORPG wedding are all on this semester’s docket.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Distributors
Published: 2015
Publisher: Marvel
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comics, Humor, Action, University Life

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BLURB:

Wolverine, Deadpool, Doctor Doom, Thanos: There’s one hero that’s beaten them all-and now she’s got her own ongoing series! (Not that she’s bragging.) That’s right, you asked for it, you got it, it’s SQUIRREL GIRL! (She’s also starting college this semester.) It’s the start of a brand-new set of adventures starring the nuttiest and most upbeat super hero in the world!

Giant Days, Vol. 6

Giant Days, Vol. 6 by John Allison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Distributors
Published: 2017
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comic, Humor, Friendship, Romance, University Life, LGBTQIA+

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BLURB:

Second year begins and Daisy, Susan, and Esther have taken their friendship commitment to the next level by moving into their “beautiful home” off-campus. But the keys didn’t come without new responsibilities. Unwanted suitor visits, a robbery, and Susan living only a few blocks apart from her ex-boyfriend, McGraw, has made the dorms feel like a haven. The girls are in for a dose of reality when they learn that there’s more to being an adult than paying your own rent.

Check, Please!: #Hockey – Ngozi Ukazu

Check, Please!: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: September 18th, 2018
Publisher: First Second
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+, University Life, Sports, Humor

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BLURB:

A collection of the first half of the megapopular webcomic series of the same name, Check, Please!: #Hockey is the first book of a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life.

Giant Days, Vol. 5

Giant Days, Vol. 5 by John Allison

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
Published: 2017
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comic, Humor, Friendship, Romance, University Life

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BLURB:

Their freshman year is finally coming to a close and Daisy, Susan, and Esther say goodbye to Catterick Hall forever. Literally forever. It’s being bulldozed and re-purposed as a luxury dorm next semester. But as one door closes, another opens and between end of semester hookups, music festivals, and moving into their first home together, the life experiences are just getting started.

Giant Days, Vol. 4

Giant Days, Vol. 4 by John Allison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
Published: 2017
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comic, Humor, Friendship, Romance, University Life

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BLURB:

It’s springtime at Sheffield University — the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and fast-pals Susan, Esther and Daisy continue to survive their freshman year of college. Susan is barely dealing with her recent breakup with McGraw, Esther is considering dropping out of school, and Daisy is trying to keep everyone and everything from falling apart! Combined with house-hunting, indie film festivals, and online dating, can the girls make it to second year?

Giant Days, Vol. 3

Giant Days, Vol. 3 by John Allison

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
Published: 2016
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comic, Humor, Friendship, Romance, University Life

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BLURB:

Best friends Susan, Esther, and Daisy are rounding out their first semester at university. The girls, along with their male hall-mates Ed and McGraw, find that college is more than academics and bad microwavable meals. Add some pub-hopping, hookups, breakups, and political scandal and this might just be the most eventful first semester ever.

Giant Days, Vol. 2

Giant Days, Vol. 2 by John Allison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
Published: 2016
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Comic, Humor, Friendship, Romance, University Life, LGBTQIA+

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BLURB:

Continuing their first semester at university, fast friends Susan, Esther, and Daisy want to find their footing in life. But in the face of hand-wringing boys, holiday balls, hometown rivals, and the willful, unwanted intrusion of “academia,” they may be lucky just to make it to spring alive.

What Made Maddy Run – Kate Fagan

What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen by Kate Fagan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: August 1st, 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Recommended Age: 14+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Non-fiction, Biography, Sports, Mental Health, Psychology, Suicide

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BLURB:

From noted ESPN commentator and journalist Kate Fagan, the heartbreaking and vital story of college athlete Madison Holleran, whose death by suicide rocked the University of Pennsylvania campus and whose life reveals with haunting detail and uncommon understanding the struggle of young people suffering from mental illness today.