My Reading Nook

   What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera is a great book that tested people’s belief in destiny and that the universe can bring people together. Arthur was visiting New York with his parents for an internship at his mom’s firm. One day while making a coffee run, he sees this boy with a box walk into the post office and he follows him in. When a flash mob breaks them apart, it seems hopeless that they will ever see each other again.    After a lot of internet searching, he finds out the boy’s name is Ben. Ben is a New York native and isn’t fascinated by the magnificennce that is the city he lives in. His summer plans were ruined when he failed some classes in junior year and had to attend summer school. His ex boyfriend was also attending summer school which made for some really awkward moments.    When they finally find each other, they find that the other person was just what they were looking for. They find that maybe the universe isn’t as mean as they thought. But

   Parker Santé hasn’t spoken in five years, not since the accident. He doesn’t see a point in going to college or planning for a future like the rest of his class. He skips school and hangs out at hotels because he finds that they are a good place to steal without sticking out and they all feel the same. His life is turned upside down when a mysterious girl with silver hair, Zelda, shows up at the same hotel with a big wad of cash.    Parker’s father was killed in a car accident five years ago. His mother has resorted to alcoholism and bottling up her grief as a way to cope with the pain. Parker hasn’t spoken since. With the lack of use of his vocal chords, they have become stiff so he can’t talk even if he wanted to. Parker sees a therapist to try and cope with his father’s death, and eventually, his mom attends too which helps them both overcome and understand each other better.    Zelda comes into the book when Parker notices “the girl with platinum hair” sitting across the r