Dewey’s 24 Hour Reverse Readathon: #TBR and Updates | August 2021

Happy Readathon Day!

It’s here it’s here it’s here!!!!! I don’t know about you, but I look forward to Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathons as much as (or more than) I look forward to other holidays now. But! Since you’re here for the updates, I’ll stop writing my intro now and let you see what you came here for!

[Don't] Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health by Kelly Jensen
Published on October 2, 2018 by Algonquin Young Readers
Genres: Anthology, Non-Fiction, YA
Pages: 228
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Who’s Crazy?   What does it mean to be crazy? Is using the word crazy offensive? What happens when such a label gets attached to your everyday experiences?   In order to understand mental health, we need to talk openly about it. Because there’s no single definition of crazy, there’s no single experience that embodies it, and the word itself means different things—wild? extreme? disturbed? passionate?—to different people.  (Don’t) Call Me Crazy is a conversation starter and guide to better understanding how our mental health affects us every day. Thirty-three writers, athletes, and artists offer essays, lists, comics, and illustrations that explore their personal experiences with mental illness, how we do and do not talk about mental health, help for better understanding how every person’s brain is wired differently, and what, exactly, might make someone crazy.   If you’ve ever struggled with your mental health, or know someone who has, come on in, turn the pages, and let’s get talking.    

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks
Series: The Nameless City #1
Published on April 5, 2016 by First Second
Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade
Pages: 232
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The City has many names... and no name.
Built on an ancient mountain pass, the City is forever being invaded by one nation or another, and every new master gives it a new name. But for the natives, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders.
Dreamy, sheltered Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao born and bred — a son of the latest nation to occupy the Nameless City. Cynical, street-smart Rat is a native, and at first she hates Kai for everything he stands for. But Kai's love of his new home may be the one thing that can unite these two unlikely friends. And they will need to stand together at all costs...
...because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands.

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
Series: Shirley and Jamila #1
Published on July 14, 2020 by Dial Books
Genres: Contemporary, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback
Source: Rochester Public Library
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Jamila Waheed is staring down a lonely summer in a new neighborhood--until she meets Shirley Bones. Sure, Shirley's a little strange, but both girls need a new plan for the summer, and they might as well become friends.
Then this kid Oliver shows up begging for Shirley's help. His pet gecko has disappeared, and he's sure it was stolen! That's when Jamila discovers Shirley's secret: She's the neighborhood's best kid detective, and she's on the case. When Jamila discovers she's got some detective skills of her own, a crime-solving partnership is born.
The mystery of the missing gecko turns Shirley and Jamila's summer upside down. And when their partnership hits a rough patch, they have to work together to solve the greatest mystery of all: What it means to be a friend.

Shirley and Jamila's Big Fall by Gillian Goerz
Series: Shirley and Jamila #2
Published on November 9, 2021 by Dial Books
Genres: Contemporary, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade
Pages: 240
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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As Jamila settles into the rhythms of classes and after-school basketball practice, Shirley has a new mystery on her mind. Her old enemy Chuck is up to his usual tricks: He's been blackmailing kids all over school, and Shirley knows that she and Jamila can put a stop to it.
They hatch a plan: They'll break into his house late one night and recover all the notes Chuck's been using to blackmail innocent kids.
But while Shirley and Jamila are at the house, another intruder arrives--an intruder who can help them put a stop to Chuck's crimes once and for all.

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England
Published on March 1, 2022 by Wednesday Books
Genres: Contemporary, Queer, Romance, YA
Pages: 272
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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Author Links: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Tumblr, TikTok

One small fandom convention. One teen beauty pageant. One meet cute waiting to happen.
Up and coming fanfic author Kaylee Beaumont is internally screaming at the chance to finally meet her fandom friends in real life and spend a weekend at GreatCon. She also has a side quest for the weekend:
• Try out they/them pronouns to see how it feels
• Wear more masculine-presenting cosplay
• Kiss a girl for the first time
It’s… a lot, and Kay mostly wants to lie face down on the hotel floor. Especially when her hometown bully, Miss North Carolina, shows up in the very same hotel. But there’s this con-sponsored publishing contest, and the chance to meet her fandom idols… and then, there’s Teagan.
Pageant queen Teagan Miller (Miss Virginia) has her eye on the much-needed prize: the $25,000 scholarship awarded to the winner of the Miss Cosmic Teen USA pageant. She also has secrets:
• She loves the dresses but hates the tiaras
• She’s a giant nerd for everything GreatCon
• She’s gay af
If Teagan can just keep herself wrapped up tight for one more weekend, she can claim the scholarship and go off to college out and proud. If she’s caught, she could lose everything she’s worked for. If her rival, Miss North Carolina, has anything to do with it, that’s exactly how it’ll go down.
When Teagan and Kay bump into one another the first night, sparks fly. Their connection is intense—as is their shared enemy. If they’re spotted, the safe space of the con will be shattered, and all their secrets will follow them home. The risks are great… but could the reward of embracing their true selves be worth it?

Target Practice by Mike Maihack, Cassandra Pelham
Series: Cleopatra in Space #1
Published on April 29, 2014 by Graphix
Genres: Futuristic, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Pages: 176
Format: Hardcover
Source: Rochester Public Library
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When a young Cleopatra (yes, THAT Cleopatra) finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo's style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, all while trying to figure out how she's going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Published on February 13, 2018 by First Second
Genres: Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Queer, YA
Pages: 283
Format: Paperback
Source: Rochester Public Library
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Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:
Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!
Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend?

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
Published on August 31, 2021 by Doubleday Books
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Horror, Queer, Science Fiction
Pages: 256
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Gerald, a mid-level employee of a New York-based public relations firm, has been uploaded into the company's internal Slack channels--at least his consciousness has. His colleagues assume it's just an elaborate ploy to exploit their lax work-from-home policy, but now that his productivity is through the roof, they are only too happy to indulge him. Disembodied and alarmed by the looming abyss of an eternity on-line, Gerald enlists his co-worker Pradeep to find out what happened to his body and help him escape. As Gerald plunges deeper into the surprisingly expansive Slack landscape, he finds an unlikely ally in Slackbot, Slack's AI assistant, who helps him navigate his new digital reality. Meanwhile, the team's real-world problems are in danger of snowballing out of control. Top client Bjärk dog food might be poisoning Pomeranians across the country; someone is sabotaging the boss's office furniture; Tripp and Beverly are breaking the unspoken rule against office romances; and the incessant howling of wild dogs is starting to drive Lydia insane. Also: Why is Slackbot so interested in Gerald? And what in the hell does the :dusty-stick: emoji mean?

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Lisa Sterle
Published on October 5, 2021 by Greenwillow Books
Genres: Contemporary, Graphic Novels, Paranormal, Queer, YA
Pages: 224
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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When Becca transfers to a high school in an elite San Francisco suburb, she’s worried she’s not going to fit in. To her surprise, she’s immediately adopted by the most popular girls in school. At first glance, Marley, Arianna, and Mandy are perfect. But at a party under a full moon, Becca learns that they also have a big secret.
Becca’s new friends are werewolves. Their prey? Slimy boys who take advantage of unsuspecting girls. Eager to be accepted, Becca allows her friends to turn her into a werewolf, and finally, for the first time in her life, she feels like she truly belongs.
But things get complicated when Arianna’s predatory boyfriend is killed, and the cops begin searching for a serial killer. As their pack begins to buckle under the pressure—and their moral high ground gets muddier and muddier—Becca realizes that she might have feelings for one of her new best friends.

Update One:

2:11 pm: Okay, first update! I finally got this post ready to go! honestly, that’s what’s taken the longest. I’ve already read FIVE books! Granted, one of them was halfway finished when I started and three of them were graphic novels, but still! Five! Books! In one day! And that’s with me not reading at all between 9pm last night and 9am this morning! So now that I finally have this post ready to go, I’m all set to get back to reading. See you soon!

Update two:

5:01 pm: And…. I think I’m done. I’ll probably read more before I go to sleep, but I think this is it for me and Readathon today. I read five books! I’m really happy with that! And now I’m going to just eat some dinner and watch Manifest for a couple hours.

Opening Survey

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

Maine, USA!

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

I’m really excited for Several People Are Typing! It’s something I’ve been looking forward to reading and the format makes it a perfect fit for today’s event!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

I may or may not have gotten a giant frozen coffee from Dunkin’ this morning.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I strongly dislike the color red!

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

No co-hosting this time! Plus it’s a reverse, so I read for an hour or so last night then I went to sleep and slept through the first half!

Are you participating in Dewey’s Reverse Readathon? Let me know in the comments and have a splendiferous day!