"Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

 

💬: The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant get on a plane thinking that this trip was going to be one of the best of their lives. This beach trip would be perfect. They could tan, swim, party, and get all dolled up for the pageant. For most of the girls, this is the dream. Unfortunately, the plane they were on had a different plan in mind. Instead of landing on a beautiful beach getaway, they would crash onto a deserted island filled with monstrous animals and few necessities- not even lipstick! So what's a beauty queen to do? Should they listen to Taylor, Miss Texas, and practice for the big show she swears they're going to have? Or should they listen to Adina, Miss New Hampshire, and learn how to survive in this 'totally bogus' wilderness? Decisions, decisions. 

And hey! What's up with these sexy pirates? 

❤: What I loved most about this book was definitely the characters. Each character, though similar in their need to get off the island, is thoroughly unique and beautifully hilarious. They are incredibly diverse and not one girl is similar to another. Though you make think these characters are entirely fantastical, you might find yourself relating to them. I specifically relate to Petra, Jennifer, and Adina who are all on a journey of self-discovery. All of the girls have their own stories and Bray specifically tells the reader who each chapter is about (it changes almost every chapter). The comedy in this book is unlike any other book I've ever read. The jokes are thought out and intellectual, while also being offbeat and (sometimes) dark. Overall, I highly recommend this book to teens who want a hilarious read while also getting an emotional adventure.  

The Black Flamingo...Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo & Jason Reynolds!

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta is a powerful debut novel that explores the layers of identity that make us who we are—and allow us to shine.

Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican—but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough.

As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs—and the Black Flamingo is born.

Accompany Michael on a powerful journey of personal discovery and self love. Told with raw honesty and lyricism, this debut novel by Dean Atta will make you happy, infuriated, sad, and every emotion in between.

           Reserve a copy for curbside pickup or in-person checkout!

Pumpkin....don't be a drag, just be a queen!

   Calling all drag superstars....as well as lovers of rom coms,  LGBTQ+ fiction & high school dramas, boy have we got a book for you. The talented Julie Murphy returns for her final book in her Dumplin' trilogy with Pumpkin! Discover how a gay teen turns a bully's prank into an adventure full of laughs, tears, drama....and of course....drag. 

Reserve a copy for curbside pickup or in-person checkout or borrow a digital copy on Overdrive!

The Gravity of Us... escape to an alternate 2020 with a Mars mission and young love

We just read The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper.

Seventeen-year-old Cal Lewis Jr. is a Brooklyn hipster and social media guru who wants to be a reporter after he graduates college. But then he moves with his family to Texas so his father become part of the 2020 NASA Mars mission. Cal is forced to rethink his plans as he adjusts to the Texas climate, gets thrown into the spotlight, and finds love. This is a story about finding your voice and finding yourself, and it offers a nice, alternative 2020 - a great read for fans of romance, realistic fiction, social media, and character-driven books.⁠
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Check it out on your Overdrive account today! Don't have a card? Register for an e-card while the physical library remains closed.