#jaycoles

[cuddlywumps]

JAYCOLE IS BACK??????????

[girlsinthestacks]

Five Great Listens: A Few Favorite Audiobooks

by Stackgirl Sarah

Tyler Johnson Was Here

by Jay Coles, read by JaQwan J. Kelly

This book is heavy, powerful and enlightening.  I met the author, Jay Coles, this summer at ALA and found him to be lovely and thoughtful and can’t wait to bring him to our school for students to meet (as a former middle school teacher, I think he’ll be a great speaker).  We talked about how he actually weighed in on the narrator of the audiobook; he ultimately picked JaQwan Kelly, an actor and rapper, and how well he felt the audiobook had turned out.

I too was incredibly impressed at JaQwan’s narration as he convincingly conveyed the narrator’s emotions from often tearful to full of rage and everything from hurt to anger in between.  

The subject matter is heavy, the poignant questions we are all struggling with these days are included and indeed this is an important book to put in the literature circles that include Dear Martin, The Hate U Give, and All American Boys.  The difference for Tyler is both the range of emotions and the many scenarios he endures from multiple incident of racism and police brutality to attending protests, working through grief, and more.  I was impressed by the amount in this slim book and the audio will really hook students and adults alike. Thanks Hachette Audio for delivering when I begged for this audiobook!

The Thief

by Megan Whalen Turner, read by Steve West

I am a huge fan of The False Prince (published 2012) series and also enjoyed the first Ranger’s Apprentice (published 2006).  I feel like this is quite similar, and although I saw the twist coming (perhaps because of having read False Prince) it was less of a reveal to me than to many.  However, still a good adventure, faraway lands type book, and, as it was published in 1996, I feel that both other series probably draw inspiration from Ms. Turner.  I hear the rest of the series get even better so I’m anxious to read them.

Thanks to HarperAudio for providing me with the 2017 audio with narrator Steve West; his reading was lovely in regards to bot his polished British accent and emphasized emotions from indignation to outrage.

They Both Die in the End

by Adam Silvera, read by Michael Crouch, Robbie Daymon and Bahni Turpin

My first Adam Silvera book, and  I worried it was going to be rather depressing; yet, while it was obviously sad at the end based on the title, the overall message was about the importance of living your best life every day. I truly love the premise which focuses on one bisexual boy and one gay boy who find each other- the story is lovely and genuine. This book reminded me at times of Denton Little’s Death Date by Lance Rubin  as the premise in both is that characters know when they will die, but this one isn’t truly a comedy. The three voices -Michael Crouch, Robbie Daymond and Bahni Turpin (surprise, she everywhere!) -were all fabulous and I loved the emotional range of each and how Bahni played multiple supporting characters, rather than having multiple extra narrators.  Bahni deliver such nuance to supporting characters; I continue to be in awe of her ability to make many different characters all unique. Finally, a fun fact-the lovely girl doing karaoke in the story was named Becky, and I think that is a nod to Adam’s writer BFF Becky Albertelli; they have a new book out with another HarperAudio entitled What If It’s Us, read by Noah Galvin and Froy Guttierez.  Thanks again to HarperAudio for letting me listen!

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

by Hank Green, read by Kristen Sieh and Hank Green

This book- excellent, weird, thought-provoking- I just can’t   sum it up in a good blurb. I appreciate the points made about social media, the nature of politics/celebrity, and branding. I appreciated Kristen Sieh’s reading of the book because, as the narrator admits in the story, she’s flawed and knows her actions had negative consequences, but also knows there wasn’t much she could do differently.  Kristen communicated that without being obnoxious, which is hard to do as she walking a narrow line of being both genuine and still likable.  I also appreciated that the main character is bisexual and that is normalized.  Ultimately, for anyone who is a fan of quirky thoughts, including those who like John Green, will like this book and the special bonus of the audio-Hank Green himself reads the last chapter as it’s told from a different perspective! Thanks to Listening Library Volumes App for including this audiobook-such a fun one!

Meet Cute: Some People Are Just Destined to Meet

by various authors including a personal favorite, Emery Lord, as well as amazing authors Nicola Yoon and Donielle Clayton and so many more, read by a who’s-who of impressive narrators

I cannot find a list of all the amazing narrators, but I will just say that everyone has an impressive narrator that fully conveys the beauty of each story.  I love short stories, and especially love them on audio because it is easy to concentrate on them for small snippets of time.  I love that this list is pretty darn diverse both in authors as well as in love story pairings from heterosexual to homosexual and including a bit of bisexuality as well.

The stories are clean enough for middle school and definitely validating that all love stories are worth telling and that all people are worth their own love stories.

Student Katie recommended that I read it, and I���m so glad I listened! A great way to get students who don’t want to commit to a long book involved. Thanks to Listening Library who added it to my Volumes app when I begged.

[dearbookshelves]

📚Black Enough📚 . Black Enough is a collection of short stories edited by Ibi Zoboi. It contains stories that explore a span of Black experiences in America ranging from straight, LBGTQ+, wealthy, and poor. There are stories that tackle serious topics such as racism and homophobia but there are also stories that are truly about joy and just being a teenager. My goal going into this collection was to find some new authors to check out and that was definitely accomplished. Some stories that stand out to me are “The Trouble with Drowning” by Dhonielle Clayton, “Black. Nerd. Problems.” by Lamar Giles, and “Kissing Sarah Smart” by Justina Ireland. It’s rare that I come across a collection where I enjoy every story but I did have a good time reading every piece in this collection. . QOTD: Are there any short story collections you enjoy? . #blackenough #ibizoboi #justinaireland #varianjohnson #ritawilliamsgarcia #dhonielleclayton #keklamagoon #leahhenderson #tochionyebuchi #jasonreynolds #nicstone #liaratamani #reneewatson #traceybaptiste #coebooth #brandycolbert #jaycoles #lamargiles #shortstories #ya #bookblogger #bookishcommunity #bookishlovegroup #bookishlove #bookrecommendations #bookstagram (at Wilmington, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyuRUJgjBv/?igshid=1r4mooshkd4s4

[jlmakathejsliving]

What books make you cry when you read them? . . The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene and Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles both bring me to tears. Their descriptions of loss and love are realistic and give the reader a glimpse into what it's like to deal with what seem to be impossible situations. . . Book 3 of The Blood Series: The Bloodlands also has a theme of love and loss. And, although set in a more fantastically dark world than The Fault in Our Stars and Tyler Johnson was here, I hope that both the characters and my emotions reach my audience. . . #bookchallenge #readers #thefaultinourstars #tylerjohnsonwashere #johngreene #authors #jaycoles #blackauthors #indieauthors #TheBloodBook3 #thebloodseries #characters #emotions #themesof #love #loss #death https://www.instagram.com/p/B-b_vcZAPj7/?igshid=ys1tyo520so8

[chocororos]

every day i wake up and i’m sad about the fact that skybound isn’t fully canon again

[jaycoleswritesbooks]

Pitchwars Wishlist 2017

How am I as a mentor? Hmm..

 I like to say that I’m quite editorial and I enjoy giving feedback to writers in any way they see comfortable. I tend to keep note of things as I read and write things down in the margins or on sticky notes or electronically depending on how/what I’m reading and then provide a edit letter to the writer, followed by either an e-mail exchange, phone call, or Skype call. Of course, everything is subjective and am open to hearing the writer’s feedback and criticism of my criticism as well.

 I typically prefer that other eyes have been on the manuscript or that you have gone through your own rounds of edits before I look at it, but this isn’t a requirement. It just makes me a little happier and also helps me focus on a lot of big picture things and not so much the little things that can be fixed with a simple read-through.

  What am I looking for?

  (BY THE WAY:  I am only looking for YA, no MG, NA, or Adult).

 IF YOU HAVE THE NEXT PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, SEND TO ME ASAP!!!! Instantly top of the pile for me. I’ve been looking for this forever.

 Diverse road trip novels are high on my list as well.

 Contemporary issues, like police violence, Islamophobia, xenophobia, sexism, feminism, religion, etc.!

 If you have any stories with a religious premise, themes, or motifs, send to me! (I.e – The Temptation of Adam by Dave Connis!)

 Any and all LGBTQ+ stories are welcome, especially LGBTQ+ stories features POC as the heroes, and especially #OwnVoices!

 I want a manuscript that brings me to tears—whether by laughing too hard or for any other reason, like my heart breaking.

Teens with jobs – I haven’t come across many of these, but would love to!

 Funny – bring me all your funny!

 Stories about friendships and how messy they can sometimes be.

Send me your geeky, nerdy stories!

I have a huge crush on stories that feature music as a heavy part of it! (All music!)

I am not looking for: Paranormal, anything with vampires. 

 If your writing/manuscript matches the style(s) of any of these authors, please send to me!

 Adi Alsaid

Angie Thomas

Brandy Colbert

Nicola Yoon

Adam Silvera

Becky Albertalli

Jason Reynolds

Alex Gino

Nic Stone

Elizabeth Acevedo

Ally Condie

Meredith Russo

Lilliam Rivera

[tayzerthaamazer]

I Wanna Be Wit Chu💡💡💡‼️ Shout out to @kendricklamar . . . . . #andre3000 #topdawgentertainment #jaycole #topimpabutterfly #hiphopmusic #hiphophead #kanyewest #bigsean #topdawg #kingkendrick #cardib #selfcare #childishgambino #champagnepapi #eminem #blackhippy #migos #xxxtentacion #hiphopculture #asapmob #rap #joeybadass #asaprocky #kendricklamar #liluzivert #travisscott #music #dyffrent #greatvibes #greatvibesonly (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-2SCe4Dx57/?igshid=140eyf0yptnuh

[awallvisuslart]

#BirthdayShoes #Puma #SkyDreamer #HappyBirthday2Me #JayCole #Cambo #Actus #ViewCamera #NikonZ6 #Actar60mm (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-F5cvEFzmK/?igshid=1rasdr6gv48v3

[onedrapp]

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A post shared by Jdon (@ezibizware)

Have a safe Flight #safeflight #plane #rasta #wordpower #popcaan #koffee #tekashi69 #megantheestallion #dancehall #bobmarley #chronics #nikkiminaj #safaree #jayz #jaycole #cardib #offset https://www.instagram.com/p/B2n9LAKj_Af/?igshid=1osamx201pfyv

[cabozers]

*Ahem*

[constellaj]

local theater completely devoid of heterosexuality

[beastmojomag-blog]

Who would've known that baby jaguars can bring such a big smile to someone's face who brings smiles and laughter to others! Jay made her way to Little French Key, a private Island Resort in Roatan, Honduras to swim with the baby jaguars and her face says it all. Definitely a "must do" to add to your bucketlist. Images from @thatgirljaycole #jaguar #Animals #resort #wildanimals #roatan #swim #roatanhonduras #honduras #jaycole #comedian #funny #smile #littlefrenchkey #fun #babyjaguar #bucketlist #funtimes #swimming #island #resort #traveling #privateresort #privateisland #BeastMojo #BeastMojoMag https://www.instagram.com/p/BtoHtd3HvAr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8vpvrj3i35ve

[wmdirt]

any potential relationships stand out to you?

there’s hidden potential everywhere,     darling reader.    you just have to know where to look!    luckily for you,    we know exactly how to read between the right lines.    

we’d be remiss if we didn’t start with everyone’s favorite love square    --    that ultimately branches out into something far more massive that’d require a devoted detective to completely unravel.    we are,    of course,    talking about the tangled web of desire between seth rollins,    scarlett bordeaux,    adam cole,    and anna jay.    how does this one shake out?    best we can tell    . . .    seth and scarlett have always had a bit of a thing,    morally questionable and sexually deviant wrestlers have to stick together after all,    but so have scarlett and adam    ( and somewhere in this we ought to stick his ex,    britt baker ) though supposedly they claim to be friends with just a little extra.    the most recent addition to this is anna jay,    who we reported as seeing leaving seth rollins behind looking a little disheveled,    and who’s been seen making obnoxious puppy dog eyes at adam.    a far shake from her normal scowl,    but we’ll take it.    so,    dear readers,    are you team rolldeaux  /  jaycole   or  team scadam  /  senna?     (  @embracingvision,    @angeldoomed,    @kingcxle,    @gretzkyd .  )

do you know what we love?    two exes with unlimited potential finding their way back to each other after some time apart.    we just so happen to think alexa and buddy might be the pairing to keep your eyes on if you’re in the mood for a little romcom drama.    after all,    they have how many fur children together?    it’s only a matter of time before this fur family finds its way back together    . . .    and maybe add some human children to the mix.    although,    whether or not they’d make decent parental units is yet to be seen    --   and we’d love to hear your takes on this,    readers!    (  @playfulwrath,    @budmurphy  )

there’s also carmella and randy    --    though we’ve heard some interesting details on little miss mella and her preferences for    . . .    well,    really,    there’s no classy way to say this:    buttholes.    someone better warn randy before they get a little too cozy and he finds himself in a very compromising position.    then again,    maybe he’s into that.    we look forward to the impending implosion or discovery of a new kink.    (  @mcney,    @voicesheard  )

we’ve also been keeping our eyes particularly peeled when it comes to everyone’s favorite hair and makeup girl.    it’s not hard to notice when her demeanor changes,    and all of the sudden a smiley girl becomes a visibly nervous and awkward one.    we won’t out her crushes just yet    --    that’s right,   multiple!    we’re very proud of her for not putting all of her eggs in one basket,    some of you should take lessons and learn from her!    best wishes,    aisling,   we hope one of the hunks you’ve got your eyes on makes you more than a one night stand.    and if not,    seems like daddy aj is ready,    willing,   and gable to step in and sweep you off of your feet.    (  @syrvni,    @princesthrone,    @endsaches,    @calfcrushed  )

as always,    readers,    if you think we’ve missed out on a potential blooming and budding relationship    --    don’t hesitate to let us know!    while we’d love to be all seeing,    we are,    unfortunately,    not.    

[librarynoire]

#TylerJohnsonWasHere #JayColes #yasunday #yabooks #teenbooks #librarybooks #book #books #bookblogger #bibliophile #juvenilebooks #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #read #readingbooks #teenreads #bookshelf #bookworm #librarylife #newadultbooks #fictionbooks #goodreads #ireadbooks #booksbooksbooks #ebooks #kindle #booksarelife #thelibraryisopen https://www.instagram.com/p/BsB4dsSHegp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ui5784r17weq

[jaycoleyoga]

In this weeks episode of Killing The Void I Talk with Jason Cole. He talks about being a yoga instructor and writing his self help book (How to Calm The F--- Down) on yoga and mediation. www.killingthevoid.com http://bit.ly/2x2LlLw Twitter - killingthevoidp #killingthevoid #podcast #yoga #meditation #class #instructor #relax #calm #jaycole Links To Jay Cole & Book: www.JayColeYoga.ca http://bit.ly/2J9VOdR http://bit.ly/2xfMJdX http://bit.ly/2IXigGU http://bit.ly/2I7DfJM (podcast) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2J2hNTE http://bit.ly/2x7MMsa

[drgregshaw]

Shout-out to @realcoleworld ✊ #jaycole #jcolemiddlechild #saxking #saxophonist (at Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt9TCVIl3SN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=x3if4gx8x6pi