Story on the Square

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh

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The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
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The Damned picks up right where The Beautiful left off and introduces a few new POVs to keep things interesting. With Bastien now a walker of the night and Celine’s memories forgotten, the intrigue and drama are thicker than ever. Bastien is determined to become better than his uncle, while his sister Emilie is back from the dead as the head of the wolves. Fans of the first won’t be disappointed with this next thrilling volume in the series. The only disappointment is having to wait for the next! Renee Ahdieh is a skilled writer who has beautifully brought back the classic vampire, along with the fey and werewolves, intertwined. This is a must read for anyone who missed the classy vampires of Anne Rice, but loved the romance of True Blood.

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh, (List Price: $13.99, Nancy Paulsen Books, 9781984812605, August 2021)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
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I was so happy to get this book (mostly because of how big it was), but I was even more surprised when I sat down to read it, and I was so engaged that I lost track of time, and I couldn’t put it down. It was so amazingly well written, and the characters were astoundingly well written and hilarious. I spent three solid days reading this book, and it never felt like a chore to do so. The ending was amazing, and I can’t wait to have three solid days free so that I can read the next one.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, (List Price: $11.99, Square Fish, 9781250076960, February 2018)

Reviewed by Mandolin Moore, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

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The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
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The Grace Year is the year that all girls in the county must take before they are married off in order to burn off their magic. Tierney isn’t looking forward to this year, especially when she finds out she’s going to be married when she comes back. This book is advertised as a mixture of Lord of the Flies and The Handmaid’s Tale. That is a fairly accurate description, but it also made it hard for me to see it as anything else. I enjoyed the story and was kept on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed how things that you thought at the beginning were carefully planted to reveal an overarching truth in a beautiful and meaningful way. I feel like The Grace Year has the potential to be just as impactful as The Handmaid’s Tale.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, (List Price: $10.99, Wednesday Books, 9781250145451, October 2020)

Reviewed by Kaitlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

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What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
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What the Woods Took follows five teens forced into a wilderness trek masqueraded as a cure to them being “troubled teens”, but when their guides, who are barely older than them, disappear in the night they begin to suspect there’s something wrong in this forest, more so than the bogus promise the “camp” made to their parents. Mind-blowingly timely and terrifying at the same time. I couldn’t stop reading this deliciously dark and queer story. This is one that will have readers up late and checking over their shoulders deep into the night.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould, (List Price: $20, Wednesday Books, 9781250340672, December 2024)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn
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The Grinch Takes a Vacation is the latest installment of this new series of Dr. Suess characters starring in their own graphic novels. Suitable for early readers starting to dip their toes into graphic novels, they’re going to love seeing the classic character going on an adventure. This is a great answer for those kids who always wondered what happened to the Grinch after he and the Whos became friends at Christmas. Still a little grumpy at times, but still loveable, this is for any reader who wants a more in-depth story.

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn, (List Price: $10.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593703069, September 2024)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn

, ,
Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

The Grinch Takes a Vacation is the latest installment of this new series of Dr. Suess characters starring in their own graphic novels. Suitable for early readers starting to dip their toes into graphic novels, they’re going to love seeing the classic character going on an adventure. This is a great answer for those kids who always wondered what happened to the Grinch after he and the Whos became friends at Christmas. Still a little grumpy at times, but still loveable, this is for any reader who wants a more in-depth story.

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn, (List Price: $10.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593703069, September 2024)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang

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We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang
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Possibly one of the most delightful picture books I’ve read this year. Adorable and unpredictable, this is perfect for teaching kids in a fun way that we should always try to give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they’re different from us in more ways than one. When the friendly farmer and his wife stumble across some rather odd folk who need help fixing their car, what else can they do but treat them with hospitality? Later down the line these “humans” will remember the kindness of earth and the farmer and his friends will muse that they were definitely NOT human at all.

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774882023, August 2024)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Under This Red Rock by Mindy McGinnis

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Under This Red Rock by McGinnis, Mindy
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Mindy McGinnis has a way of taking contemporary and turning it so thrilling that I forget that I’m reading contemporary and think it’s fantasy because it’s so exciting. Neely is painfully relatable with her mental health struggles. Her desire to hide her problems from those she loves and her “rules” for coping will strike anyone who’s ever struggled with mental health, even if it’s not the same as hers. The story hits the ground running and doesn’t stop. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or do anything but read this book as soon as I started it. My heart raced with adrenaline every second I was reading it.

Under This Red Rock by Mindy McGinnis, (List Price: $19.99, Katherine Tegen Books, 9780063230415, March 2024)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDounough, Georgia

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Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

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Starling Houseby Alix E. Harrow
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As someone who has always been a little too soft for the world, nothing delights me more than living vicariously through fierce and hard as nail protagonists like Opal. Opal is fighting every day to make sure her brother doesn’t go without in the town of Eden. Despite barely having time to think, Opal begins to dream of Starling House, the Secret that no one talks about, and even though she knows better, she finds herself at the front door. Arthur is going to be the last warden of the Starling House, taking its legacy of monsters and magic down with him. He’s determined to be so until Opal breaks down the walls around his heart with her knock at Starling House’s door. This is a story of two people who are less than beautiful that smile with crooked teeth and black eyes, and I didn’t want it to end.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, (List Price: $28.99, Tor Books, 9781250799050, October 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

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The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
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The Black Flamingo is a poetic look into the coming of age and coming out stories of a young biracial teen in England. When he goes off to university, he explores who he is through the beauty of drag. This novel is a raw look at the complexity of identity with the beauty of poetry.

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, (List Price: $15.99, Balzer + Bray, 9780062990303, April 2021)

Reviewed by Nannette Matthews, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters

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All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters
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An October Read This Next! Book

Erica Waters never disappoints with her dark and queer tales. I loved every bit of this dark academia story. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t stop reading. Don’t let this one pass you by!

All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters, (List Price: $19.99, HarperTeen, 9780063115965, October 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Alanna by Tamora Pierce

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Alanna by Tamora Pierce
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I have loved Alanna since I was a middle schooler. Before I wrote this review, I literally had been pulling out my old dusty copies for my 14 year old goddaughter to read and I’m so thrilled to see that Tamora Pierce is being reprinted once again! Alanna’s story is timeless and portrays healthy relationships as well as bravery and excitement. I cannot wait to welcome a new wave of readers into Tamora Pierce’s world and hope the reprint of the Lioness Quartet is just the beginning!

Alanna by Tamora Pierce, (List Price: $12.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665937412, September 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on The Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Behold the Monster by Jillian Lauren

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Behold the Monster by Jillian Lauren
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Beautifully written and heartfelt while stark and horrifying, Behold the Monster is an absolute triumph. Jillian Lauren is masterful with her pen and you can tell the struggle she feels internally and externally when dealing with such stark evil. Her internal conflicts are relevant without being distracting and she lends heart to the important part of Samuel Little’s story, the victims. I usually do not enjoy nonfiction, because I find it either too dry or too emotional. This is a perfect balance of both and I recommend it to anyone who feels compelled to read the stories of those who were forgotten.

Behold the Monster by Jillian Lauren, (List Price: $27.99, Sourcebooks, 9781728267753, July 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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Wolfsong by TJ Klune

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Wolfsong by TJ Klune
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This is my first foray into TJ Klune (I know, I know, I’m behind the times) and I have to say, I loved Wolfsong! I had only read YA gay love stories and it was such an interesting change up reading a book written for gay men opposed to women attempting to write gay men. I loved Ox and how he developed his pack. I also loved that he was just a "What you see is what you get" kind of guy. Not everyone in the world is a deep thinker or an overthinker. And we need a balance. The only thing I didn’t care for was Ox being attracted to Joe when he was still a few months underage. I know that there wasn’t a power imbalance in their relationship, but I’ve seen a lot of hate groups accusing LGBT people of intentionally targeting young people, so I would be afraid for someone who has not read the story in its entirety to judge wrongly from that fact alone.

Wolfsong by TJ Klune, (List Price: $29.99, Tor Books, 9781250890313, July 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story On the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

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The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
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This is the story of Johannes, a wild dog who lives in the park. He runs his round because he is the Eyes for the keeper of the Equilibrium. He decides one day to gain a greater purpose and free his friends the bison. Though for children, I think this story would be enjoyed by anyone who has ever run and felt faster than the sun. Johannes is absolutely endearing, arrogant, feral, and free. Above all else, he’s free and wonderful. I found myself elated with every triumph and breathless with every close call. I loved it and was in tears by the beauty of the writing at the end. I absolutely cannot wait to recommend this to everyone I know. "To be alive is to go forth. So we go forth." Don’t let Johannes slip by you! He’s faster than light, so it might be hard.

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9781524764203, May 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story On the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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