You Should See Me In A Crown

 By: Leah Johnson

Location: FIC JOH

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, LGBGT

“I never needed this race, or a hashtag, or the king to be a queen. I was born royalty. All I had to do was pick up my crown.”

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

"This is a story on the multiple facets of identity, the juggling that comes with that, with prejudice and other people’s expectations, with how sometimes you are only seen for one thing, or you can only handle being seen for one thing. This is a story on bravery, on how it exists in many different shapes. This was a story of hope and how people can change the world in little or big ways by being the person they are meant to be, without fear and without restrictions.

I just kept loving this book more and more with every chapter and it made me feel so much. It brought out the tears and healed my heart a little bit too. I truly believe that this is one of the best books that has ever happened to me, it’s one of those that remind you of the power stories hold." Maeyls

Helenas Tick List

compelling main character ✔️
cute sapphic romance ✔️
great m/f friendship ✔️
discussions of racism, queerphobia and classism ✔️
conflict that doesn't revolve around the main character's sexuality ✔️
diversity ✔️
lots of fun ✔️

really enjoyed this one!

Bearmouth

 By: Liz Hyder

Location: FIC HYD

Genre: Dystopia, Fantasy

"A stunning YA debut. Claustrophobic, dark and yet filled with hope. Newt has the most unique narrator’s voice I have read in a long time."- Peter

Life in Bearmouth is one of hard labour, the sunlit world above the mine a distant memory. Reward will come in the next life with the benevolence of the Mayker. Newt accepts everything - that is, until the mysterious Devlin arrives. Suddenly, Newt starts to look at Bearmouth with a fresh perspective, questioning the system, and setting in motion a chain of events that could destroy their entire world.

In this powerful and brilliantly original debut novel, friendship creates strength, courage is hard-won and hope is the path to freedom.

"I read this in a state of high tension, finding myself unable to put it down as I became increasingly worried about what was going to happen to our main character, Newt. Newst is a unique and immediately-engaging protagonist as s/he introduces you to the dark and claustrophobic world of Bearmouth mine, where men work for years without ever seeing the light of the sun or going aboveground. Humans are being punished by the Mayker, destined to stay underground until there is a sign that they are forgiven and can come back up to the surface. Life in Bearmouth is tough, full of the tension between people forced to live in close quarters, unexpected cave-ins and illnesses caused by inhaling the coal dust.
This is unlike anything else I have read before and I was completely gripped!" Christina0- Goodreads

Yolk

 By: Mary H.K.Choi 

Location: FIC CHO

Genre: Contemporary, Youth Fiction, Mental Health

From New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi comes a funny and emotional story about two estranged sisters switching places and committing insurance fraud to save one of their lives.

Jayne Baek is barely getting by. She shuffles through fashion school, saddled with a deadbeat boyfriend, clout-chasing friends, and a wretched eating disorder that she’s not fully ready to confront. But that’s New York City, right? At least she isn’t in Texas anymore, and is finally living in a city that feels right for her.

On the other hand, her sister June is dazzlingly rich with a high-flying finance job and a massive apartment. Unlike Jayne, June has never struggled a day in her life. Until she’s diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Suddenly, these estranged sisters who have nothing in common are living together. Because sisterly obligations are kind of important when one of you is dying. 

"This book is STUNNING. Just one sharp, fascinating, painful, cut-glass observation after another, on the awfulness of being and dealing with people, on family bonds, immigrant culture, city life, narcissists, bodegas, Instagram, disordered eating, sex, first dates, shitty apartments. Do you remember the Upright Citizens' Brigade episode with the Bucket of Truth? This book is kind of like that. You can learn more about the plot through the publisher's copy up top, to me it's a book to read in part for story but even more to be flattened by an author's ability to skin the world and show you all its beating parts. Definitely read this if you're a writer and want to take notes/be boggled as you watch someone create a kaleidoscopic, unimpeachable vision of teeming, sweaty, sometimes sickening life through words. I can see every one of these characters, even if I don't want to."- Melissa