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YOUTH ARE AWESOME

Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth. YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them. Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.

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HomeUncategorizedWhat's On My Summer Reading List?

What’s On My Summer Reading List?

Now that it’s summer, I have all the time in the world (seemingly) to finally dig into those books I’ve been lusting over for months. My jam packed schedule during the school year inhibits the time I have for things I enjoy doing, like reading! I decided what better to do then share what’s on my summer reading list so keep reading to see some of 2016’s hottest and acclaimed summer reads.


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You Know Me Well by David Levithan

“Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken. For whatever reason, their paths outside of class have never crossed. That is until Kate spots Mark miles away from home, out in the city for a wild, unexpected night. Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way. When Kate and Mark meet up, little do they know how important they will become to each other — and how, in a very short time, they will know each other better than any of the people who are supposed to know them more.”

What makes it so appealing? I’ve been hoping to read one of David Levithan’s works for awhile now. I started in on Will Grayson, Will Grayson (a join venture between Leviathan and John Green) back in 8th grade, and never finished it. With lgbtq aspects and an alluring plot, I’m really eager to read this book. As well, It’s cover is really aesthetically pleasing, and while I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, who wouldn’t fall in love with a design like that?

9780143187578Shooter by Caroline Pignat

“A lockdown catches five grade 12 students by surprise and throws them together in the only unlocked room on that empty third floor wing: the boys’ washroom. They sit in silence, judging each other by what they see, by the stories they’ve heard over the years. Stuck here with them–could anything be worse?”

Why I want to read it: Pignat is an Irish Canadian author and a two-time recipient of the governor general’s award. Her latest novel, “Shooter” sounds reminiscent of The Breakfast Club and a story not to set aside.

IMG_1514-1With Malice by Eileen Cook

“Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron wakes up in a hospital room, leg in a cast, stitches in her face and a big blank canvas where the last 6 weeks should be. She comes to discover she was involved in a fatal accident while on a school trip in Italy three days previous but was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care. Care that includes a lawyer. And a press team. Because maybe the accident? wasn’t an accident. Wondering not just what happened but what she did, Jill tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.”

Why I want to read it: I’ve come to realize that I have a thing for suspenseful novels. Last fall I reviewed E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars and just recently, I finished Kelley Armstrong’s The Masked Truth. Thrillers are easy to become addicted to, and the plot of Eileen Cook’s latest novel sounds enticing.

tumblr_o987ecBFT21tsy7l5o1_1280Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick

“Nanette O’Hare is an unassuming teen who has played the role of dutiful daughter, hardworking student, and star athlete for as long as she can remember. But when a beloved teacher gives her his worn copy of The Bubblegum Reaper–a mysterious, out-of-print cult classic–the rebel within Nanette awakens. As she befriends the reclusive author, falls in love with a young but troubled poet, and attempts to insert her true self into the world with wild abandon, Nanette learns the hard way that rebellion sometimes comes at a high price.”

Why I want to read it: Something about this book is pulling me towards it. It might have to do with the aspect of poetry (which is a huge part of my life) within it’s plot that lures me into it’s grips. I’m always on the hunt for contemporary fiction with a predictable-yet-not-so-predictable story, and I feel like that’ll be the case with Matthew Quick’s novel. I also fell in love with the plot of “the silver linings playbook”, so I have high expectations for this book.

tumblr_nnocvkgalq1qbb8ebo1_1280All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

”When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.”

Why I want to read it: I’ve seen this book everywhere. It’s always prominently displayed in the bookstores whenever I pop in, and it’s been on my list for so long now. With a clear schedule and lots of time on my hands, I’m excited to finally get my hands on this book before it’s turned into a motion-picture film.


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Emily Donville
Emily Donville
Hello! My name is Emily and besides being a YAA blogger, I'm an indie music fanatic, aspiring poet, amateur photographer and lover of all things arts. I'm a student at William Aberhart High School and my goal is to write about things that spark discussion/ or provoke emotions in an individual, so I hope you enjoy my posts!
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