If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

Summary: Sahar has been in love with her best friend Nasrin since they both were little girls. Unfourtatley, in Iran, being gay is illegal but being transgender is not. When it's announced Nasrin is betrothed Sahar thinks a surgery may be the only way to keep them together. 

3/5

I had a few problems with If You Could Be Mine. The plot was lackluster, average, predicable, slow and strung out, and didn't really keep my attention. I think the trans storyline was more focused on and forced than it should've been. I don't think it should really be the marketing point. The writing, like the last book I read of hers, Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel, was average but my main problem with that one wasn't as big of a problem in this one. 

However, I did enjoy the characters and the culture and I must admit, I did cry a little at the end. 

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Summary: The second novel in the Winner's trilogy. Will Give spoilers to the first novel, The Winner's Curse. Kestrel is now betrothed to the Prince of Valorian and in between party after party she wraps herself in a blanket of spying and treason. Arin keeps himself busy with trying to enlist allies for Herran and battling with his mind over his thoughts of Kestrel's true feelings.

3/5

This was a typical young adult YA second in a trilogy book. A filler book where the couple is fighting and not much happens. The only thing different, and the only thing that kept my attention was the ending. Me, getting angry at the main characters for not just telling each other that love each other and getting over with it. It was slow and angsty as well.

Although I wasn't very fond of this book I am still for some reason really invested in this couple and want the next book. like, now. The ending killed me. Very Brutally.

Hold Me Closer by David Levithan

Summary: A companion musical (with a lot of stage direction that was more narration than directions) to the novel Will Grayson, Will Grayson. A one man play with other characters staring Tiny Cooper, Will's best friend and will's friend in the novel. A musical about love, acceptance, and life.

Rating: 3 Stars

I think this is the first script I've read that wasn't for school, but it didn't really feel like a play at time because of the long bits of narration. I read Will Grayson, Will Grayson a while ago so I don't really remember it and felt like I was left out of a inside joke or some ting at times. It was really funny, laugh out loud funny.

I had a few problems with the play though. The sometimes disrespectful names and even slurs Tiny would say not directed at himself would occasionally make me uncomfortable. The music wasn't very good and repetitive, even for theatre. It was really long and a lot of things seemed unnecessary. I know this is more like a novel than anything and I shouldn't judge it like a play but it's hard not too. Also, although it doesn't matter, the budget for this play would be huge. 

Overall, it was a fun, quick, different read that was really funny but lacked depth and felt a little drawn out.