Raw
Gripping
On the edge of my seat
Read this book
Then tell me what you think

After his brother is murdered, Will has a sixty second elevator ride to decide if he's going to use the gun tucked into his waistband. After all, he knows the rules--no crying, no snitching, and always get revenge. But can Will follow the rules? As the elevator descends and more people linked to his brother board, Will's decision hinges on one last person...

Tuna sushi and sashimi - it's wrapped up like the rules, neat and orderly, but then as the story unfolds, the answer is raw and rough around the edges.
Smoked herring - It's the proverbial smoking gun - the representation of what happens at the end... 

This is a juicy teen romance! 

Everyone thinks they know LIbby Strout. After all, she made the news! But Libby is much, much more than the overweight girl who couldn't leave her house. If only people would see her for who she really is.

Jack Masselin has always been adept at fitting in even though he can't recognize any of his peers. But when a twisted high school game pairs him with Libby, he learns that seeing someone for who they truly are, means going beyond skin-deep.  

Now the two will have 
When Jack finally builds up the courage to take Libby on an actual date, he takes her to his favorite pizzeria so the Coke and pizza  represents a meal from their first date. The Coke also represents how, like the actual meal, Jack and Libby compliment each other. 

www.amazon.com/Holding-Up-Universe-Jennifer-Niven/dp/0385755929/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524020201&sr=8-2&keywords=holding+up+the+universe

One of my favorite scenes from the book is represented in this snack. To prove to her high school that she' truly not afraid to be herself, even after she's been humiliated, and shunned by her classmates, Libby wears a purple bikini so I chose purple popcorn. Like the exploded kernels, Libby transforms herself into the person she's always known existed inside. 

This book serves up a heaping helping of mystique!

When Roza goes missing, most everyone in Bone Gap isn't surprised. That is, everyone except Finn. He's certain that a dangerous man kidnapped her, but every time he's asked to describe this man, he can't seem to recall one single detail. As Finn gains a new perspective, he'll uncover hidden truths but will anyone believe his discoveries?  

Plum cornbread - This spin on a classic cornbread recipe is made by digging a well in the dry ingredients and pouring in the wet ones. This symbolizes the two worlds of Bone Gap. There is also a literal reference to corn from the book.

​www.amazon.com/Bone-Gap-Laura-Ruby/dp/0062317628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522715493&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bone+gap

If you like sweet and sour, then this is a great read for you!

In the wake of his dad's death, Jonah Daniels struggles to maintain the family restaurant and take care his five siblings, but it's more than any seventeen-year-old should handle so when Vivi Alexander, a new girl in town, sweeps not only Jonah off his feet but also the entire family, things seem more fun than they have in a long time. Vivi shows Jonah how to be young and carefree while Jonah encourages her to be more responsible. For awhile they balance each other out...until they don't. 

Italian stuffed peppers - The red one symbolizes Vivi and her adding the right amount of spiciness to Jonah's life. But the yellow one also represent Vivi because of her bringing a degree of happiness back into Jonah's life. The yellow also shows Jonah's mellow side. Two peppers obviously represent Vivi and Jonah in finding they're made of the same stuff but deal with life in their own separate ways.   

​www.amazon.com/When-We-Collided-Emery-Lord/dp/1681192039/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522714006&sr=8-1&keywords=when+we+collided