So many books come out each week that it makes it hard to decide what to read. We want to make that a little bit easier on you by sharing our favorite releases from the week and telling you our top 3 reasons why we think you’ll love them too!
This week our selection is Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen. Are you ready to hear more about this book and its author? Here we go…
Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on July 31st 2018
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 352
Goodreads Buy the Book
What would you do if the sun became your enemy?
That's exactly what happens to Viola Li after she returns from a trip abroad and develops a sudden and extreme case of photosensitivity -- an inexplicable allergy to sunlight. Thanks to her crisis-manager parents, she doesn't just have to wear layers of clothes and a hat the size of a spaceship. She has to stay away from all hint of light. Say goodbye to windows and running outdoors. Even her phone becomes a threat when its screen burns her.
Viola is determined to maintain a normal life, particularly after she meets Josh. He's a funny, talented Thor look-alike who carries his own mysterious grief. But the intensity of their romance makes her take more and more risks, and when a rebellion against her parents backfires dangerously, she must find her way to a life -- and love -- as deep and lovely as her dreams.
3 Reasons You Should Read…
Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen
- This wasn’t our first Justina Chen read, and it won’t be our last. You already know how much we love a good contemporary book and that’s what she delivers.
- The characters in Lovely, Dark and Deep are well-rounded and will give everyone someone to cheer for. Viola goes through something major and it allows us to see a wide range of raw emotions. You won’t want to put down her story until you reach the end.
- We recommend this one for anyone looking for a good summer read. Something with fun character banter. Something with real family relationships. Go ahead and grab a copy. You won’t be sorry.
About Justina Chen
Storytelling runs in Justina Chen’s blood. After all, her middle name means illuminate, which is what story does: it throws light on a message.
Justina is an award-winning author of six books for young adults. Her forthcoming novel, Lovely, Dark, and Deep, will be available in Spring, 2018. Her most recent book, A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS, is on a Booklist Top 10 list. NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist of 9 state book awards. And her debut novel, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES), won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
In addition to being a writer, Justina is a story strategist to leaders and co-founder of Chen & Cragen, a boutique communications agency that transforms good executives into extraordinary leaders. Seen as a thought leader in communications, the Rockefeller Foundation invited Justina to be part of their twelve-person convening on storytelling for social good, along with CNN, BBC, NPR, and Google. Translation: she got to spend some quality time with amazing storytellers on the shores of Lake Bellagio.
A passionate advocate of literacy, Justina also co-founded readergirlz, a cutting-edge social media project for teens, which was awarded the National Book Foundation’s Prize for Innovations in Reading. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University where she won the Dean’s Award for Service.
Justina has lived in Sydney and Shanghai, but calls Seattle her home.
