pickOn the surface, this book is such a simple story, but it is so beautifully written, and that‘s what makes it truly stand out. While the fact that Rumi is ace takes a back seat to her grief, it is still a vital part of the story. Overall, this book will certainly tug at your heartstrings. It is a quick read, but certainly not a light read. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially if you‘re looking for a book with ace representation!
pickAfter Lea died in a car crash, Rumi lost not only her sister but her songwriting partner and best friend. Spending the summer in Hawaii with her aunt, apart from her mother, is the last thing Rumi wants to do. But very gradually she makes new friends who accept her grief, her anger, her mixed race identity, and her undefined sexuality (questioning the asexual/aromantic spectrum). I love Rumi so much. Her story is raw, painful, and utterly human.
Today‘s meeting of Litsy ATX reader‘s Society 😊.
Our June topic was LGBTQIA+. Many really great books were discussed, we laughed a lot, and we got to meet Megan‘s bearded dragon Darby (I hope I‘m remembering that right!)
@alysonwrites read and discussed the tagged book, which of course I added to my TBR.
Thanks Casey for grabbing the screenshots!
pickAkemi Dawn Bowman has penned a gorgeous novel that tackles the messiness of grief. I instantly connected with the main character, her arc and processing of her loss were poignant.
Breeze doesn't understand why I'm crying so hard right now.
pickHeart breaking and lovely 💕💔
Had a lump in my throat a couple of times and tears running down my face. Explores a lot of different themes really well. It‘s YA just in case....
pickThoroughly adored.
Firstly, I‘d never read a book set in Hawaii before! Loved the cultural exploration in this.
Key themes of grief (teenage and elderly, recent and distant, both painful), family, friendship, sexuality, music.
Definitely taught me that regret isn‘t something you want to hold on to. As soon as you feel it, find a way to fix what‘s gone wrong.
The sisterly bond in this reminded me of me and my sister. Hit close to home!
9/10
‘We shake hands and laugh like the children we are, making promises we don‘t realise we can‘t keep, but making them anyway because we mean every word.‘
‘But this has been a summer of goodbyes - it was never about anything but goodbyes. Maybe there‘s something special in that. Something bittersweet and beautiful, all of these moments coming to an end.‘
‘She tells me that sometimes being angry is easier than letting the sadness in. She says anger attacks like a dagger; sadness is more like a wave.‘
‘You can‘t rush creativity. It‘s like the rain. You wait and wait and wait, and when it finally comes, it soaks the earth and revives all the plants.‘
‘Grief is only a visitor, but it‘s going to stay longer when it sees you hiding from it.‘
‘Don‘t let your anger drive you into solitude. Because one day you‘re going to wake up and find your anger has been replaced with loneliness, and it‘s easier to stop being mad than it is to stop being lonely.‘
‘Grief is a monster - not everyone gets out alive, and those who do might only survive in pieces. But it‘s a monster that can be conquered, with time. And your mum just needed some time.‘
‘There‘s no shame in saying, ‘I can‘t do this alone.‘ There‘s no shame in saying, ‘I‘m not okay.‘‘
I love stretching but I also love reading.. so why not do both simultaneously?
What a struggle this photo was... nearly snapped my back holding a super heavy book above my head (Beneath A Scarlet Sky) so had to swap out for a lighter one!
This book could have used some editing, but overall I really enjoyed it! I‘m a sucker for a Hawaiian setting 🌊💙
pickRumi and her sister are best friends and dream of a career writing music together. When Lea dies in an accident, Rumi is shattered. Her mother, floored by her own grief, sends Rumi to stay with her aunt in Hawaii.
She gradually forms bonds with people around her, but her grief is raw and messy and she lashes out a lot before coming to terms with it. She‘s also wrestling with her sexual identity.
Heartbreaking and lovely.
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Maybe I just want to stay on the couch all day and drink coffee and listen to audiobooks.
Morning read with smoked butterscotch latte.
I haven't been around much lately, because this time of year is crazy for me. It's pretty much eight weeks working long (or weird) hours without a real day off. So, I haven't really read a physical book in over a month. I miss having the energy to check litsy- I miss you guys! But today I had a few back-and-forth comments with @rachelsbrittain and I felt the NEED to read! And I don't even care that I'm exhausted, because this moment is perfect!
I found a small package waiting for me when I got home from the show today... book goodies for Akemi Dawn Bowman's new book! Her debut novel blew me away and I preordered this book the moment it was announced. I can't wait to read it!
HOORAY, NEW BOOK DAY! Here are some of today‘s new books! Which ones are you excited to read? 📚❤️📚
Aching, powerful, and unflinchingly honest, Summer Bird Blue explores big truths about insurmountable grief, unconditional love, and how to forgive even when it feels impossible...
pickHeartbreaking. Lovely. Once I started this book I could barely put it down. A complex exploration of sisterhood, grief, friendship, and family. The writing was lovely and the emotion felt so incredibly real. You'll definitely want to have some tissues at the ready with this book. Read it, read it, read it when it comes out next month.
Having some trouble putting this one down at the moment
STARFISH was my favorite read from 2017 and I‘m so happy there‘s more of Akemi‘s work out in the world 🙏🏽
People of Litsy! Is anyone planning to go to #BookExpo and/or #BookCon this summer? I just got approved as a member of the media for BOOK RIOT and I‘m sooooo excited! Basically, I‘m saying we should be friends. 😃
Summer Bird Blue | 
