Book picks similar to
Poison Ivy by Kathryn White


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young-adult

Lost in Tokyo


Jenny Lynne - 2014
    When Erin was just four years old, her mother mysteriously vanished. Erin's only clue to her mother's possible whereabouts is a hand-written itinerary for a dream trip to Japan, a trip that Erin doesn't know if her mother ever had the chance to take. Erin has decided to carry out this itinerary, believing that it might help her find her mother.But Erin's trip won't be going according to plan.Hours after they arrive in Tokyo, in a jet-lagged fog, Erin and Adam end up in bed together. While struggling with the tension that now dominates their once innocent friendship and the trauma stirred up from Erin's painful past, Erin and Adam visit the places on her mother's list. As they explore the wonders of Japan, Erin finds herself haunted by strange "memories" that seem to belong to her mother. Could these memories be real? If so, perhaps her mother can be found.Praise for LOST IN TOKYO:"Full of heartbreak, loss and finding yourself while falling in love with your best friend. I would absolutely recommend this book." -- Amy, Goodreads ★★★★★"Beautifully written emotional adventure. Quite a few scenes brought out the goosebumps." -- Denise, Goodreads ★★★★★"There were so many surprises I was on the edge of my seat." -- Kathryn, Goodreads ★★★★★"Japan as a backdrop was such a unique story setting. It was both peaceful and exciting at the same time." -- Amanda, Goodreads ★★★★★"I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down. The way the plot kept unfolding, I never knew what was going to happen next." -- Amanda, Goodreads ★★★★★LOST IN TOKYO will appeal to readers of IF I STAY (by Gayle Forman), 180 SECONDS (by Jessica Park), TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN (by John Green), THIRTEEN REASONS WHY (by Jay Asher), and ELEANOR & PARK (by Rainbow Rowell). The book provides a travel guide of wonderful things to see and do while on vacation in Japan (featuring attractions in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Nikko, and Kamakura) wrapped in a coming-of-age story of healing and hope, with an unexpected ending that you'll never see coming.If you love emotional young adult romantic contemporary novels, don't miss this powerful read!

The Book of Colors


Raymond Barfield - 2015
    Her spirit is surprising, given all the pain she has endured, and that's the counterpoint this story offers—while she sees pain and suffering all around her, Yslea overcomes in her own quiet way. What Yslea struggles with is expressing her thoughts. And she wonders if she will have something of substance to say to her baby. It's the baby growing inside her that begins to wake her up, that causes her to start thinking about things in a different way. Yslea drifts into the lives of four people who occupy three dilapidated row houses along the train tracks outside of Memphis: "The way their three little row houses sort of leaned in toward each other and the way the paint peeled and some of the windows were covered with cardboard, the row might as easily have been empty."

Watermelon Summer


Anna Hess - 2013
    So even though she was more familiar with subways than with milk cows, Forsythia knew she couldn't let the farm be sold sight unseen. She threw away her pre-college European adventure and resolved to be the catalyst bringing the ailing community back to life.Getting from the airport in no-bus-service West Virginia to the Kentucky commune where her mother once lived turned out to be the easy part of Forsythia's adventure. Harder was searching for an elusive father who felt cryptic notes and a library card were sufficient stand-ins for his presence. The piercing blue eyes of a perfect boy further complicated matters, making it difficult to hold onto her own ambitious plans for the future.Add in a rustic farmhouse, a flooded creek, and an unexpected betrayal, and the deck seemed to be stacked against Forsythia. But she couldn't give up because if the intentional community disintegrated, Forsythia would never really understand what she'd been missing.And she'd never meet her bio-dad.

Love & Lies: Marisol's Story


Ellen Wittlinger - 2008
    How hard could that be? She gets her very own apartment (with her high school best friend as roommate) and a waitressing job at a classic Harvard Square coffeehouse. When she enrolls in an adult education class -- "How to Write Your First Novel" -- there are two big surprises waiting for her: John Galardi, aka "Gio," a fellow zine writer who fell head over heels for her last spring (despite the fact that she's a lesbian) and her instructor, Olivia Frost, the most exquisitely beautiful woman she's ever seen.But as Marisol ventures into what seems to be her storybook romance with Olivia, things start to go off track. Between the ups and downs of her new relationship, her strained friendship with Lee (a newly out lesbian who is crushing big-time on Marisol), and her roommate's new boyfriend (who is equally afraid of Marisol and their cat) moving in, Marisol starts losing sight of her goals. Is she too blinded by love to see the lies?In this long-anticipated companion novel to the Printz Honor Book Hard Love, which critics called "A bittersweet tale of self-expression and the struggle to achieve self-love," Ellen Wittlinger offers a novel just as emotionally honest and deeply felt.

Iron House Station: A father's love runs deep...


Kelly Cameron - 2020
    

Dark Deception


Michael Robertson Jr. - 2018
    A slight delay in his journey. But it doesn't take long before the clues start to add up, and Lance realizes the situation isn't exactly as innocent as it seems. After meeting a grieving widow and the ghost of her beloved husband, Lance learns of a terrible crime being committed -- an awful deception. One which preys on those who are hurting, mourning, and simply having trouble letting go of those they've lost. He has no choice but to make things right. Even if it risks exposing himself for what he truly is. Dark Deception is a 50 page short story in Michael Robertson Jr's bestselling Lance Brody supernatural suspense series. With a troubled young hero, mysterious foes, and plenty of paranormal action, fans of Odd Thomas, Supernatural, and the dark unknown are sure to love Lance. Pick up DARK DECEPTION and join Lance Brody in his latest mystery today! Books in the LANCE BRODY SERIES: 0: Dark Beginnings (Prequel Novella) 1: Dark Game 2: Dark Son 2.5: Dark Deception (Short Story)

Sleepless in Manchester


Karen Woods - 2013
    After a trip to visit him, Fallon realises this and vows to move on with her life.In Karen Woods’ seventh novel, former lovers appear to be settled with new partners at different ends of the country but will fate take a hand?

Two for Joy: The Uplifting True Story of One Courageous Family’s Life of Happiness With Severely Disabled Twins


James Melville-Ross - 2016
    James Melville-Ross, their father, tells of how the twins not only survived—despite being given the last rites as babies—but also thrived. From the dramatic first few months of the twins’ lives—when Alice suffered a heart attack when only a day old, and Thomas’s lungs filled with blood, leaving him only 20 minutes away from death—Two for Joy reveals the path that James and his wife Georgie have followed as parents to two severely disabled children. After the initial anger came the sheer hard work: the sleepless nights; the hospital dashes; the curious stares and unwelcome comment from strangers. But slowly came acceptance and, eventually, celebration of the joy that the medical marvels Thomas and Alice—now happy and energetic ten year olds—have brought to their lives. Finally they understood that disability might have turned their world upside down, but that it has also provided rewards beyond anything they could have imagined. This story is for any parent experiencing the shock of having extremely premature babies or coming to terms with having a child diagnosed with a disability. More than that, this story will change people’s attitudes to disability, and show that love and true happiness can be found in even the most challenging of circumstances.

Chasing Demons


John Hansen - 2016
    Cheap whiskey has been his only escape from the demons that haunt his nights. But that escape has come with a heavy price. He’s lost his sergeant’s stripes and his good name, due mostly to a hard-nosed Lieutenant named Welch. How much should a man be expected to take? It’s tempting to desert and leave it all behind, but would life be any better? He’s about to find out.

Measure of a Life: Memoirs, Insights and Philosophies


Leroy E. Hoffberger - 2014
    "Measure of a Life: Memoirs, Insights and Philosophies of LeRoy E. Hoffberger" is not only one man's personal story; it's a deeply compelling American story, steeped in Baltimore history. From father to businessman, lawyer, Broadway investor and champion of the arts to found of innovative organizations - Hoffberger has proven that a rich life is one that is lived in service to others.

A Dog Like Ralph


Clare Cogbill - 2012
    He is a rescue dog with a difficult past who loves other dogs, is frightened of people and cars and mesmerised by cats and rabbits. It is partly told through his eyes and describes how what he has experienced before has affected how he interacts with those around him. Entwined with his story, Clare, his new owner and the author of this book, who has a total of over 30 years experience of working with animals and teaching veterinary nursing and animal care and welfare, tells of the joys of having him as a companion and how, through gentle nurturing, his whole outlook on life has changed. She also writes with a great deal of passion about the pitfalls of a society that has resulted in Ralph being the way he is, and of some of the other issues that are contributing to the problems faced by dogs today. By the author of 'Lilac Haze' - a true story about organ donation, love, loss and hope...

Emily's Dress and Other Missing Things


Kathryn Burak - 2012
    But when Emily Dickinson's dress goes missing from the Amherst museum, she knows exactly where it is: in her closet.As Claire and her student teacher, Tate, attempt to figure out what do to about the dress, they begin to uncover the truth behind Richy's disappearing act. Following a trail of clues across state lines, Claire and Tate attempt to find the person that Claire knows in her gut is responsible for his disappearance.

Assassination: Classroom - Vol 2 Great Comic Manga Graphic Novels For Young & Teens , Adults


Julia B Beckiea Publisher - 2020
    

Love, Love Me Do


Mark Haysom - 2014
    The year the Beatles first top the charts. The year Martin Luther King has a dream. The year Truman Bird moves his family from their home in Brighton to a dilapidated caravan in the Ashdown Forest - then disappears. Truman's a charmer, a chancer. He is, inevitably, a liar. He's always got away with it, too. But now he's gone a dangerous step too far and only has one day to put things right - before he loses everything. For Truman's wife, Christie, life has not turned out the way she'd imagined. How has she, that young girl of not that many years ago, ended up like this? In a caravan. With three children. And an absent husband. In this most unique, wise and addictive of British debuts, we discover that life has a habit of getting in the way of dreams - but that people find their own extraordinary ways of bouncing back.

The Click: How I Lost 90 Pounds & Finally Found Fitness ... After 60


Sharon Odom - 2018
    The last time I'd weighed that much was 1997, when I was pregnant with triplets! The previous year had been a tough one. My beloved Mother died on January 15, 2015. Still reeling from my recent divorce and raising 3 teenagers, I sank into a deep depression. Already over 200 pounds, I gained even more weight that year. On the one year anniversary of Mom's death, as we gathered around her grave, something clicked. I knew it was time. I had to lose the weight for good. After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, I knew better than to follow any diet or deprive myself. I had to find a way of eating that I could sustain ... for life. This is my story, how I was able to lose 90 pounds and achieve a normal weight … at age 61. I did it by following a few simple rules, while enjoying all my favorite foods and walking daily at my treadmill desk. I wrote this memoir for several reasons. To provide inspiration, motivation and hope for people in their 50s, 60s and beyond who struggle with obesity. To encourage others to create their own customized eating and exercise plan – a sustainable lifestyle. And finally, to hold myself accountable for keeping the weight off. You CAN lose weight and keep it off, at any age. If I can do it, anyone can. - Sharon Odom