The Missing Hours

The Missing Hours by Julia Dahl is about a sexual assault of a college freshman and her process of trying to find out what happened to her.

Claudia Castro is known as a rich, party girl. She is a freshman at NYU who has decided to stay in the dorms over Spring break. 

When Claudia wakes up the morning after going to a campus adjacent bar, she does not know what happened to her. She is missing some of her clothing and smells like she has been sick. But she has no memory past ordering a drink.

What follows is the harrowing tale of knowing something terrible happened, having no idea what or who. With the help of a dorm neighbor, she tries to piece things together while staying away from her family until her face heals.

Dahl, a crime reporter herself, has written a hard-hitting story that is all too real in our society. 

Dahl, Julia. (2021). The Missing Hours. New York: Minotaur.

Not Here to Be Liked

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach is a high school struggle to balance being yourself and still get what you want.

Eliza Quan is the managing editor of her high school paper. Each year there is a staff election to pick the Editor in Chief. Eliza is sure she is going to be chosen as she is the most qualified and the only one running.

But when she gets to the election, Len a boy who usually sits in the corner and does not get involved other than to turn in articles about sports, announces he is running too. 

It turns out that while the staff respects Eliza, they like Len better. 

When Eliza writes an op ed about her loss, feminism, and why he was the wrong choice - an article that was never meant to be published but someone finds and post it - a wave of protests spread through the school.

Quach has written a compelling story that contains many important issued not often covered in YA. Great read.

Quach, Michelle. (2021). Not Here to Be Liked. New York: Katherine Tegen Books.

The Guide (Sequel to The River)

The Guide by Peter Heller is a fishing murder mystery where the guide might be in deep water. Heller fans will recognize Jack from The River. 

Kingfisher Lodge, located on the a mile and a half of the best fly fishing in the world, plays host to the wealthiest of clients. And now, during the latest of a series of world-wide pandemics, it is one of the last places to get away.

Jack has been hired to finish out the season when a river guide quits with no notice. He will be in charge of one to two clients at a time. And he is about to be thrown in as his first client is arriving in the morning.

Alison K is a well-known singer, taking a break from touring to recover. She is a seasoned fisherperson, having grown up in the Carolinas in a fishing family. She arrives with a security guard who assesses the lodge before he signs off on her week of rest.

But something strange is going on here. Each edge of the property is very clearly marked - one with a Don't Get Shot sign, and the other with a Beware Dogs will eat you vibe. 

What follow is Peter Heller at his best (which he is at in each of his books!). A suspenseful ride that will keep readers up until the last page. If you have not yet read Peter Heller, start today with any of his novels. You will quickly consume them all!

Heller, Peter.(2021). The Guide. New York: Alfred A Knopf.

Hot Dog Girl

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan is the story of an epic summer spent working at an amusement park. 

Elouise "Lou" Parker is hopeful for an amazing summer. It is her second summer working at Magic Castle Playland with her best friend Seeley - a place that is also nostalgic because it is where her parent met.

Lou is hoping for a good costume this year, not the hot dog she had to wear last year. If she is really lucky, it will be something that puts her near the diving pirates - Nick in particular. 

Seeley is an artist who is happy this is her last summer in town before leaving for college. She is usually up for anything, but trying to help Lou get together with Nick is not on her list. Nor is Lou trying to set her up with someone when she is still getting over her ex-girlfriend.

Dugan has written a fun, summer read. It is sweet, humorous and heartfelt. 

Dugan, Jennifer. (2019). Hot Dog Girl. New York: Putnam. 

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Cloud Cukoo Land by Anthony Doerr is a masterpiece of storytelling. Combing historical fiction, contemporary politics and environmental concerns, and space flight Doerr has woven together three eras using one story of ancient Greek philosophy. 

In current day, small town Idaho Zeno is translating a set of folios by Diogenes - trying to save a story that is personally meaningful for others to enjoy. He is about to turn it into a play for a group of fifth graders to perform at the local public library.

In the fifteen century in Constantinople, a young orphan Anna, who lives a convnet-style life, is arguing with a stranger to teach her to read. While a shepherd, Omeir, is about to be recruited with his two oxen to mount a siege of a far off city.

And in the future, in a ship called the Argos hurling through space, Konstance is using the virtual library to explore the Earth where her parents were born. 

Doerr is an amazing writer who grabs readers on the first page and does not let go. This is an epic tale of humanity, the power of story, the importance of libraries, and more. I LOVE THIS BOOK! Buy a copy and start it today. 

Doerr, Anthony. (2021). Cloud Cuckoo Land. New York: Scribner.