Waiting on Wednesday (51)

Waiting on Wednesday is a bookish feature/meme created and hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

Each week, bloggers and readers shine the spotlight on upcoming book titles that they are waiting on.

You might be able to tell that this is one of my favorite bookish memes. I usually post a Waiting on Wednesday every week because I just think it's really fun to explore upcoming titles and authors.


 It's pretty simple to participate in Waiting on Wednesday:

• Create your own Waiting on Wednesday post that features an upcoming title (or titles) - I usually only go with one book a week because seeing all the titles can be a bit overwhelming for me.
• Be sure to credit Jill somewhere in your post (see how I credited her above?)
• Link up to the Linky on Jill's blog so that others can see your post

Waiting On...

Title: All We Have Left

Author: Wendy Mills

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: August 9, 2016 

Add it to Goodreads

A story of past and present, heartbreak and hope, as two girls find the courage to be the people they want to be, and learn that both hate and love reverberate into the future and beyond.

Sixteen-year-old Jesse McLaurin never wondered what her brother John was doing inside the World Trade Center on the day he died. Her father made it very clear he did not want to talk about 9/11, and really, what did it have to do with her? But as the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11 nears, Jesse’s father becomes more vocal against the Muslims he blames for killing his son, and Jesse feels increasingly adrift. She falls for dangerous, edgy Nick, but when he eggs her into painting “Towel Heads Go Home” on the wall of an Islam Peace Center, and then leaves her to take the blame, Jesse begins to understand that the rage and secrets from that terrible day are tearing her family apart.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Aalia Susanto dons the Muslim head scarf for the first time, hoping it will give her the strength to be the better person she so desperately wants to be. At the World Trade Center, she meets handsome, broken John McLaurin, and as the planes collide into the towers, the two teenagers fight for their lives in a world gone mad. Inside the crowded, smoky stairwells, Aalia witnesses bravery and basic human kindness that transcends the horrifying acts of the nineteen terrorists. As the flames rage, Aalia finds a deep well of strength and learns that she is stronger than she ever could have imagined.

Jesse starts her community service at the Islam Peace Center she defaced and meets Adam Ayoub, a Muslim boy struggling with his own questions about identity in a country that seems determined to hate him. The two teenagers find common ground in their shared love of climbing and their feelings grow despite the many obstacles against them. As Jesse learns more about what her brother was doing in the Twin Towers on the day he died, she uncovers secrets that her father would prefer remain buried with her brother. When her father learns that Jesse is seeing Adam, Jesse must face questions about what kind of person she wants to be, and what she will stand up for.

Reflecting Absence is the parallel story of Jesse and Aalia, in a story of past and present, heartbreak and hope, as the two girls find the courage to be the people they want to be, and learn that both hate and love reverberate into the future and beyond. 

Why I'm Waiting...

A while ago, I read Wendy's YA debut, Positively Beautiful, and I was moved to tears. I fell in love with her writing style, and I quickly realized that Ms. Mills has the potential to be a YA powerhouse. Without even knowing anything about her sophomore novel, I added it to my TBR list.

Now that I know about All We Have Left, I need it so much more. 

First of all, it's a book about September 11. I was just twelve years old on September 11, and the events of that day were just too close to home. Not only did we have family in New York City, who drove by the Twin Towers five minutes before the first plane crashed, but Flight 93 crashed about two hours away from my house. 

Secondly, this is just a book that we need. Have you looked at the synopsis? It's already making me want to scream, cry, and devour this book. There are so many things in it that I already love - a before and after tale and a message about healing. I need this book now.

What Are You Waiting On...

So now that I've gushed about a book I haven't read yet, I want to know what books are on your lists! Feel free to leave a link to your Waiting on Wednesday post in the comments or just leave a comment to tell me what books you're waiting on.