See Sparks Read

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen My rating: 4 of 5 stars At the start of this this enjoyable first-person narrative, Macy aims to be perfect. She doesn't want to rock the boat; her father's recent unexpected death has shaken her family enough. Told over the time period of a summer break, Macy is a clear example of a character that shows growth. Macy begins her summer with a perfect boyfriend, a college-application-worthy job, and dedication to her SAT studies. Though following a prescribed course, Macy isn't happy, though she doesn't realize this at first. When Macy meets Delia and her catering staff at one of her mother's events, Macy begins to crave change and joy in her life. Through her newfound friendships, Macy explores what she really wants in her life and she finds it's not always the expected. I struggle to put limits on the intended audiences of books. Sarah Dessen is an author of books for anyone who wishes to read them, not...

October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Lesléa Newman My rating: 5 of 5 stars "October 12, 1998" Somebody entered the world with a cry, Somebody left without saying good-bye -Newman I read this short collection of poems while sitting in the public library. Any review I write is not going to adequately portray the emotion behind Newman's words. Author Leslea Newman was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for Gay Awareness Week October 1998 at University of Wyoming just days after Matthew Shepard was murdered. He was tied to a fence, beaten, and left to die in a heinous hate crime- because he was gay. He was lured by his murderers under the guise that they, too, were gay and just looking to have fun. He was instead murdered. Author Newman was given the option to not deliver her keynote- but she did as she felt it was the right thing to do. This book is a fictionalized collection of poems based on the real-life murder of Matthew Shepard. It is a 2017 Lincoln aw...