PUT THESE ON YOUR TBR LIST FOR FALL 2014

First, some YA books by well loved authors . . .

The Infinite Sea

by Rick Yancey  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Sequel to The 5th Wave--a series that will appeal to a wide audience--not just fans of dystopian like Hunger Games. Think of handing this to readers who love scifi (aliens!) apocalypse fiction, and some romance readers. Although lets be clear, The Infinite Sea is not full of romance--there's lots of action, twists & turns, and lots of what I love in YA--dire dilemmas the characters have to face that force them to ask the tough questions. Not a disappointing sequel at all.

The Young Elites
by Marie Lu  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
From author Marie Lu of the Legend trilogy-- some survivors of a blood fever have talents that make them more then normal, which in turn makes them powerful enemies that have dark secrets of their own. Expect nothing less than great world building and characters from this author & new series!

Atlantia
by Ally Condie  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Betrayal by a twin sister, treachery surrounding her mother's death, and making a plan to cross the divide between land and Atlantia, the sea, where the main character Rio lives. Matched triliogy fans will be excited for Ally Condie's next book, and in skimming the reviews, reaction seems mostly positive and excited for this standalone book.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue
by Maggie Stiefvater  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I feel like I have to be rather vague in order to not give away spoilers . . . we'll just say that the story of the search continues--only there are more things to search for now, including Blue's missing mother. More Gansey & Blue moments, great character development, poetic writing, and the fascinating myth that this is all based on brings you closer to the moment of truth & death that was predicted in the first book.

Illusions of Fate
by Kiersten White | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Another standalone from a best selling author. The marketing blurb "Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare" seems like a tall order to fill, but reviews have been positive! After leaving her home, main character Jessamin feel like an outcast until Finn. He introduces her into circles of nobility--and all that comes with it, which means she must rely on her own strength to navigate the secrets, the power, and the danger.

The Contract
by Derek Jeter | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I love that Derek Jeter--the New York Yankee with five World Series appearances, thirteen All-Star nominations, membership in the 3,000 hit club, the legend-- now has his own publishing imprint. This is the debut book and first in a middle grade series based on Jeter's childhood. Hard work and goals are running themes throughout. I love this niche of sports and based-on-a-true-story fiction that this book fills! Jeter's nonfiction title was also a best-seller.

A taste of nonfiction . . .

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
by Randall Munroe | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
The subtitle gives you a good idea of what this is about. Former NASA, currently running the website xkcd.com, Randall Munroe takes on questions about pools & thunderstorms, Star Trek, energy producing capabilities of people exercising, and much more. I can think of such a diverse audience that would love this book! I'm excited to recommend it to people.

Some majorly anticipated fiction by big name writers . . .

Lila
by Marilynne Robinson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
So if you haven't read Marilynne Robinson's Gilead (won her a Pulitzer) or Home (Orange Prize & National Book Award Finalist, you probably should. If you have, and you found out that she wrote another book set in the same town and revisiting old characters, your heart is probably beating really fast.

The Bone Clocks
by David Mitchell | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Hearing that David Mitchell also wrote another book might cause some of your hearts to beat a little fast. Shifting between different points of view, several characters receive an in depth study through a smaller portion of their life story. Each of the characters in some way ties back to Holly Sykes, who throughout her life has been involved--willingly or not--with supernatural happenings and in a few dangerous circles.

And something to think about . . .

The Learning Habit: A Groundbreaking Approach to Homework and Parenting that Helps Our Children Succeed in School and Life
by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, Rebecca Jackson, & Robert Pressman
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
This book talks about the most essential learning habits in the face of the Common Core State Standards, large amounts of standardized testing, screen time, and more.

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HAPPY SUMMER + REVIEW: RUIN & RISING

Happy summer! After the end of the school year (for most of you teachers, students, and parents!) and a much needed break, we are returning with some great books and summer literacy tips over the coming weeks. However, just because we took a break from the internet doesn't mean we took a break from reading--let's be honest, that will probably never happen! So we ran into a bit of a problem, considering the long list of books read in the last month and a half and choosing which ones to post reviews on. We've picked a few of the best to share, starting with Ruin and Rising (a much anticipated trilogy conclusion from author Leigh Bardugo), and as for the rest, we'll refer you to the following links to Goodreads if you want to browse the good and the bad of our summer reading so far!

Boy Snow Bird
A Snicker of Magic
Annihilation
The Winter Horses
The Glass Castle
On the Road
The Brothers Karamazov
She Is Not Invisible
An Untamed State
All Joy And No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood
It Starts With Food
We Were Liars

and now, you should really read this . . .

Ruin and Rising
by Leigh Bardugo
**** 4 of 5 stars

Henry Holt & Co.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Pages: 417
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne. Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. 

 Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives. Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. 

But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

I love to love the villain. That is where the power in this book--and the series--lies. He was complex and so easily evoked sympathy and interest--you can't help it. This also opened the door for the story to examine issues such as good and evil in individual people. Really, I was hoping that there would be even more scenes with the Darkling, but what there was ended up being pretty satisfying. And if he's not your flavor, there's plenty of other attractive guys to take your pick from.

Some significant details in the ending were surprising, but overall it followed a fairly predictable path. Still, because the characters were so well done--including a great cast of secondary characters--the ending to this series was on point. Because it was easy to read and imagine, I think I'll have a lot of success recommending this book/series.

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REVIEW: TEASE

Tease
by Amanda Maciel
**** 4 out of 5 stars

Balzer & Bray
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Genre: YA, Realistic Fiction
Pages: 336
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. 
At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media. 

 During the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over. 

In this powerful debut novel inspired by real-life events, Amanda Maciel weaves a narrative of high school life as complex and heartbreaking as it is familiar: a story of everyday jealousies and resentments, misunderstandings and desires. Tease is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt readers long after the last page.

This book was hard to rate because of what it's about, and the perspective that it uses to talk about bullying, but the added dialogue to the issue has some thoughtful and purposeful moments.

I liked the view that the author provided of Sara and how caught up she was in things, how being angry and mean sometimes felt wrong but sometimes made her feel better, and how she was unrepentant in a world where she was too blinded by her own desires, feelings, and self to see her impact on others. This perspective means that the author didn't really take sides, but allows the reader to react to the situation and Sara's character. You get to see the deeper side of Sara and Brielle, and with it the often complex and short-sided world view of high schoolers who worry about what they look like, what others think of them, and about sex.

Behind the book was the message about everyone having a deeper side or their own perspective and troubles (most blatantly seen in the character of Carmichael), but this is a message that Sara doesn't really get, even by the end. A lot of people might find this hard to read because of how unremorseful Sara is; honestly I'm not the biggest fan of her whining about how everyone else was ruining her life as if she had no control over what happened to her, and because of that throughout the whole book I didn't fully believe that she was sorry at the end or that her character developed much at all.

Some readers feel like they have to like the main character to like the book, and if that's you then you probably won't love this book. But regardless if you liked the main character or not the intent of the book--and the perspective-- makes you think about things that are hard to thing about--who is wrong, to blame, and how the situation should be handled.

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. 

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REVIEW: THE HERE AND NOW

The Here and Now
by Ann Brashares
** 2 of 5 stars

Delacorte Press
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Genre: YA, Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 288
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to. Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love. This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 

 Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 

 From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking—and a must-read novel of the year.

The premise was really great, but the plot execution didn't live up to it. I got hung up on some really critical plot points that were resolved seemingly out of nowhere (or were the result of characters not doing things any rational person would have done), and the whole relationship between the two main characters seemed like it sprang up out of nowhere--it would have been nice to see more of a build up to that.

I would have loved to seen more of the back story. It could have really been great: the idea of people time traveling back to the past because the future has become a climate-change pandemic-disease mess is really fascinating and plausible, but the book has very little of this--instead focusing on the romance part. Which, by the way, was able to do silly things like play cards at the beach or go out for mexican food with no real sense of urgency when the plot situation called for extreme urgency. The time traveling from a diseased future idea was interesting and realistic enough for a bit of a thrill--hopefully there'll be more of that in the next book.

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

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REVIEW: THE WINNER'S CURSE

The Winner's Curse
by Marie Rutkoski
**** 4 of 5 stars

Farrar Straus Giroux
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance
Pages: 355
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
Winning what you want may cost you everything you love. 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

The pensive tone drew me in, and the clever world-building kept me fascinated.  That familiar but foreign setting (I loved the Greco-Roman influences) as well as the political plot were well crafted--with interesting warfare dynamics--conquerer and conquered and all of that. Of course, along with the political plot is the strong romantic plot. In fact, it could have been a little better if it was a somewhat lighter on the romance and stronger on the fantasy-world-building aspect, although the slow building of the romance makes it seem more real than a lot of the other YA relationships.

I appreciated that it was thoughtful and direct in approaching certain issues--class equality, power, etc.... but at times maybe a little too obvious about it for a more sophisticated reader. I also have to mention how softly and brilliantly the music was woven into the book--it provided an extra layer of the characters that they needed. 

I have a feeling that this is going to be a great series! It has all the right components--a complex but not confusing fantasy world, political dynamics, and romance. Readers of Shadow & Bone (The Grisha trilogy), Legend by Marie Lu, and Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge would love this.

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SHORT REVIEWS: AVALON, THE SCAR BOYS, & DARK EDEN

Avalon
by Mindee Arnott
****4 of 5 stars

Balzer & Bray
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Genre: YA, Science fiction, Fantasy, Space
Pages: 432
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett. 

 Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light. 

 Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long. Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

Plenty of action scenes, space, and a gang of teenage mercenaries make this book entertaining and fun. The plot twists in the second half of the book, along with a bit of romance thrown in (sometimes a bit obviously) keeps things interesting. Because it's told in third person mainly from the perspective of Jeth, you can see that the other characters have secrets and hidden motives, which creates some great suspense throughout the story. 

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. 

The Scar Boys
by Len Vlahos
****4 of 5 stars

Edgmont USA
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Genre: YA, Music, Realistic fiction
Pages: 256
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. The chords of a rock 'n' roll road trip in a coming-of-age novel that is a must-read story about finding your place in the world...even if you carry scars inside and out. 

The first defining moment: the day the neighborhood goons tied him to a tree during a lightning storm when he was 8 years old, and the tree was struck and caught fire. Harry was badly burned and has had to live with the physical and emotional scars, reactions from strangers, bullying, and loneliness that instantly became his everyday reality. 

The second defining moment: the day in 8th grade when the handsome, charismatic Johnny rescued him from the bullies and then made the startling suggestion that they start a band together. Harry discovered that playing music transported him out of his nightmare of a world, and he finally had something that compelled people to look beyond his physical appearance. Harry's description of his life in his essay is both humorous and heart-wrenching. He had a steeper road to climb than the average kid, but he ends up learning something about personal power, friendship, first love, and how to fit in the world. While he's looking back at the moments that have shaped his life, most of this story takes place while Harry is in high school and the summer after he graduates.

Anyone who is into bands or music will really be able to connect with this book. Also well done is how the main character Harry becomes aware of himself and his self-pitying tendencies, and tries to work it out. He's got kind of a rough deal but the people in his life--the friends, the Obi-Wan Kenobi-like mentors, as well as the cathartic, empowering presence of music help him through those rough things and that is what makes this story work.

Sure, it's insightful as it examines feelings toward self and bullying, but really the best parts are how it gives you a taste of rock-band life, and how anyone who has ever felt like a song (or music in general) just spoke to them at a certain time in their life will get that from this book.



Dark Eden
by Chris Beckett
***3 of 5 stars

Broadway Books
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Dystopia
Pages: 448
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
On the alien, sunless planet they call Eden, the 532 members of the Family shelter beneath the light and warmth of the Forest’s lantern trees. Beyond the Forest lie the mountains of the Snowy Dark and a cold so bitter and a night so profound that no man has ever crossed it. 

 The Oldest among the Family recount legends of a world where light came from the sky, where men and women made boats that could cross the stars. These ships brought us here, the Oldest say—and the Family must only wait for the travelers to return. But young John Redlantern will break the laws of Eden, shatter the Family and change history. He will abandon the old ways, venture into the Dark…and discover the truth about their world. 

 Already remarkably acclaimed in the UK, Dark Eden is science fiction as literature; part parable, part powerful coming-of-age story, set in a truly original alien world of dark, sinister beauty--rendered in prose that is at once strikingly simple and stunningly inventive.

On a sci-fi and kind of Avatar mixed with Lord of the Flies level it worked really well: how free &; critical thinking change things, and how stories shape and change society. Those were the most interesting parts, and the times when the plot had the most action and excitement. The big moment at the end is revelatory, but doesn't solve every little thing--which was surprisingly not disappointing at all but rather an organic conclusion of the story.

But, it felt like it was mis-marketed. It seemed to be a YA book, but after getting not that far into it I started feeling like all the content (relationship and some language), while showing an interesting picture of a somewhat primitive society, was taking away from the story and would not fit for younger YA audiences. The continual and heavy-handed emphasis that the author put on the primitive society's promiscuous approach made this book seem better put in a more mature category. I was left with too uncomfortable of a feeling at some parts to enjoy it much, but some readers might not care. Overall it was a fascinating story.

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review.


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Other new books with a male POV that sound interesting (that I haven't read):

Phoenix Island
by John Dixon
This one sounds like a mix of X-Men and Percy Jackson. Got you interested? Just the first part of the book blurb had me curious: A champion boxer with a sharp hook and a short temper, sixteen-year-old Carl Freeman has been shuffled from foster home to foster home. He can't seem to stay out of trouble, using his fists to defend weaker classmates from bullies. His latest incident sends his opponent to the emergency room, and now the court is sending Carl to the worst place on earth: Phoenix Island. 

Zom-B Gladiators
by Darren Shan
Part of the Zom-B series by Darren Shan, this thrilling and gory sounding book is supposed to be one of the best in the series . . . if action and zombies are your thing--I can see some readers loving this stuff.

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REVIEW: THE IMPOSSIBLE KNIFE OF MEMORY

The Impossible Knife of Memory
by Laurie Halse Anderson
****4 of 5 stars

Viking Juvenile
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: YA, Realistic fiction
Pages: 372
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

The Impossible Knife of Memory has some truly beautiful passages where we see inside her father's head, where the description of PTSD through his character was powerful and filled with an aching, sad kind of hope, with some really memorable and well-written scenes that stay in your mind. I realize that it's tough to write a realistic book about such a hard subject, and the pain and struggle that Laurie Halse Anderson tries to convey will reach readers in varying degrees. It touched me in particular to see a student so obviously struggling, yet none of the (more or less stereotypically ignorant/emotionally blind) teachers could manage to connect with her. As a teacher, you can recognize signs, and really, they didn't do much to help. But you get the feeling that in this situation things are often helpless, which makes the story feel more realistic.

I felt that the main character was hard to connect with, maybe because at times she felt a little too much like a stereotypically angry/rebellious teenager. While I had a hard time with those overinflated parts of her character, I thought how she tried to bury her bad memories and felt such sharp pain each time they resurfaced was well written--both giving her character a sharper edge and allowing me to sympathize more. Also, Finn's initial interest in her was never really explained, so it left me wondering why he was attracted to her. They're both kind of goofy characters, and do develop some good chemistry.

In the end, it turns out to be a story to evoke compassion and understanding, as well as send a subtle message that people have problems that you aren't aware of, and that it's not always a good idea to make assumptions about them without knowing . . . something that I think Hayley gradually comes to realize.

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REVIEW: CRESS

Cress
Third book in The Lunar Chronicles
by Marissa Meyer
**** 4 of 5 stars

Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science fiction
Pages: 550
Amazon | Indiebound | Goodreads

Synopsis: 
Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

This is the third book in the series, and I have to say that I still love the strong female characters who do things like fly ships and hack computers, but also how cleverly Meyer weaves together the fairy tales into her plot, staying true to the important details.

And there are a lot of characters, kind of a cumulative build-up of everyone along the way. They're very interesting, but when they're all separated the individual plot threads in alternating points of view make it seem like there's a lot going on.

My excitement and enthusiasm for this series has not dulled, despite how large the story and character pool has grown. The characters don't blend together--they all have their own individual voice. These individual stories (& love interests) as well as their combined story has that have-to-read-more quality. This is a great series--great for YA readers who are more into sci-fi and fantasy, or those readers who rarely venture outside the manga realm--they'll like this one! While this one isn't my favorite of the series, I'm definitely interested in the last book Winter, to see how things turn out!

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REVIEW: CRUEL BEAUTY

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So unexpected! I really was surprised how much I liked this. While the main character was a little predictable at times, I really couldn't stop reading until I found out what happens. It's suspenseful even though you know how the story of Beauty & the Beast ends; the integration with other fairy tales and mythology, which at times can make the reader feel lost, are interestingly layered to create that suspense. Despite her predictability, Nyx is strong and witty and the dynamic with her sister makes things much more interesting. Of course the Beast character (ummm, how to pronounce his name??) is handsomely captivating and dark, and Shade completes the love triangle to make things even more interesting--especially at the end!

Cleverness, style, and a lovely use of language are not missing. Sure, there's lots of talk of being a maiden and that sort of thing, but it doesn't describe anything beyond kissing.  And although I think the plot and all the fairytale story lines are slightly too complex for really wide acceptance,  I think this one might become a popular underground favorite.

An advance copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. 

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REVIEW: CHAMPION

Champion by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The conclusion of Champion convinced me of one thing: that this series is one of the stand-out dystopian trilogies out there. And the end is so wonderfully satisfying.

Part of what makes it stand out is that Champion gives a slightly different timeline than other dystopian books--rather than simply the overthrow of an oppressive government, triumphant young characters fighting for what they know is right--it focuses more on what happens when those idealistic young characters have taken over that oppressive government, turning into leaders that have to defend their beliefs and humanity against other crushing superpowers--fighting to keep a grip on things so they can continue to change and make a difference. Those characters that just seemed like hormonal teenagers have developed naturally into impressive and powerful people capable of pulling off what they did.

I was worried that I wouldn't remember the plot lines or characters very well, having read Prodigy a year or so ago, but a few pages in, I realized that wouldn't be a problem because the plot is easy to get a grip on. The world of the Republic is one caught in war, power struggles, and societal inequality and so full of action . . . just how you would imagine a country at war--one thing after another, and the stakes are high. The pace is quick and it finishes at such a breakneck speed that you'll have to finish the last chapters in one sitting.

I did feel like a plot thread was left hanging when June stepped in at the end to solve a certain hopeless situation with little consequence or thought to why she had the ability to do so, and I also think I would have enjoyed the epilogue better from a third person perspective. Even considering those two things, this series ending was excellent. I'm recommending it like crazy to everyone, especially fans of Hunger Games series, Divergent series, and other similar books.

Before the year is over Enjoy A Book will be presenting our top-rated books of 2013! We used a combination of reader feedback + our own ratings . . . check back in a few days to see which ones made the list! 

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REVIEW: ALLEGIANT

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected this to end like most other dystopian series books end--with a resolution of the love story by a promise of the characters being together forever, and having a bright new hope for the future. I was pleasantly surprised by what Roth did with the ending, and can't help but applaud her for treating her characters in a way that reflects their development throughout the books, and for making her ending different than many others. It made it memorable, whether or not you liked it. Which I did, simply because it is memorable and different. (You'll either vehemently hate me or really agree with me on this . . . polarization is unavoidable here.)

The pace and thoughtfulness of this last book gave the series more roundness, although you could consider it slower in action than the others. There are definitely scenes of intense action (and some romantic Tris-Four moments) to keep the plot moving forward, but the overall tone still leaves me considering the first book in the series as the best one. Coming back to the ending though--it's worth finishing the series for!

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REVIEW: HOSTAGE THREE

Hostage Three by Nick Lake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've met Amy in a host of other rebellious, depressed, financially well-off teenagers in other books. However, her realization of what happened with her mother and what it will mean to her is natural and nicely done: gradually as she becomes more aware of the limits and flaws of her own view. But what Nick Lake really did successfully here was create a beautiful backstory of the Somali pirates--their homeland, history, and business-like approach to hostage-taking. This kind of story building based on historical occurrences is a strength of Nick Lake's that I also saw and loved in his Printz-award winner, In Darkness.

Lake also writes in Hostage Three with a clarity that conveys a lot of emotion in it's simplicity.  I particularly loved In Darkness, I enjoyed the writing and story of this one too, despite the fact that it didn't have quite the deep characters and layered story that In Darkness has.  Plus, the book delivers on the action it promises; the situation calls for a swift pace, and the up and down, back and forth emotions and physical standing between the hostages and the pirates brings some breathless suspense and action.

Good for fans of Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, or if you liked books like Code Name Verity.

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REVIEW: UNSOULED

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unsouled, the third book in the Unwind dystology, takes things a step further by really emphasizing the commercial and cultural acceptance/promotion of unwinding. While this book didn't have significant plot resolution or action (although there are plenty of breathtaking action scenes), the significance of this book was in the exploration of the cultural consequences of unwinding. Consequences that seemed so real and natural make this book, like the others, unsettling at times. It seems that society could so easily slip into such a cultural acceptance of such a horrible thing; it's almost a wake-up call, an eye opening experience, making you wonder what horrifying things our culture and society today have accepted?

Shusterman's writing continues to have satisfyingly depth and description without sacrificing action or surprise. His characters are fabulous, including the introduction of secondary characters that include Grace, a much needed balance to the chaos and turmoil that many of the other characters are experiencing. Plus she's really funny--good for a well-timed comment that will have you laughing.

There's quite the cliffhanger as well, leaving you with enough that you can't help but make up situations or scenes that you think will happen next. And I am looking forward to what happens next. I've followed this series from the beginning, and was fortunate enough to teach Unwind in school--solidifying my belief that this dystology is one of those with a prominent place in the can't miss category.

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REVIEW: HOW TO LOVE

How to Love by Katie Cotugno
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The exploration of such a real, raw issue was interesting. The characters act fairly typically of how real people act in similar situations--teenage girls with lifelong crushes, boys who are too cool for school. They struggle, their situation is not easy, and the resulting emotional aspect reflects the hopeful and hopelessness of reality.
I couldn't find it in me to like the main characters. But maybe that doesn't really affect things much-- it's about going back to something that you can't resist--even though it might not be good for you. It's because the author really crafted that part of the story, and kept things realistic, that I couldn't completely dislike it.

There is a great secondary cast of characters that add a lot of depth to the story, especially Soledad and Serena's dad. I just had a hard time with the two main characters being so self-centered, and not really growing out of it . . . that made me not like them more than anything else. I finished it quickly; the writing, particularly the dialogue, flows nicely and is easy to read--that, and I got tired of that Lil Wayne song popping in my head every time I looked at the cover.

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SHORT REVIEWS: THE DREAM THIEVES & MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH EATING

 Two books--two very different genres! A little something for everyone, right?

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sequel that really picks up steam about halfway through. Even though it doesn't feel like a whole lot of progress is made toward the conclusion of the quest, it's still incredibly fascinating to read. The depth of imagination and storytelling is well layered and the writing is so wonderfully descriptive.












Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris by Ann Mah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love reading about food, and this book has some tantalizing passages about food. Exploring the inseparably connected region and landscape in France, the origin, and the ingredients of each dish was fascinating and conveyed expertly. This book felt like a good meal and a bit of wanderlust wrapped up together. I skimmed over some of the more historical parts--I was more interested in the food.

I also really appreciated the way that she perfectly conveyed what it feels like to be a spouse in a foreign place, following after their husband/wife's dreams/career, and the lonely but incredibly valuable, adventurous, and self-defining experience that it is. Having had a somewhat similar experience, I was able to relate to the spot-on way she conveyed the feelings of those times. While this was well done, at times her exploration of these feelings was too repetitious, and in comparing herself to Julia Child and Abigail Adams, the tone became a little flat and complaining. With that exception, the blend of food and memoir was a success.

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SHORT LIST 04: BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS

The Boy on the Wooden Box
by Leon Leyson
This memoir is from one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust. His incredible story involves being on Schindler's List and some unimaginable amounts of courage and strength. I have a feeling that fans of The Boy in The Striped Pajamas might like this one too.











The Bone Season

by Samantha Shannon
A futuristic dystopian society exploits those with supernatural powers--the "voyants" are used, hunted, imprisoned, and killed. The main character works for a secret crime organization, until she is captured and must try to find a way to escape. Some great plot twists and great writing are promised in this big release of the season, and this new author has been compared to Suzanne Collins and even J.K. Rowling. This first book in a series of seven also has the honor of being the first pick for the new Today Show Book Club. A series, and author, to watch??

 The Smartest Kids in the World: and How They Got That Way
by Amanda Ripley
Three American teenagers spend a year attending school in some of the world's best public school systems, and investigative journalist Amanda Ripley reveals the insights into failure, persistence, hard work, and resilience that these top-performing students and schools have achieved. Let this review in the NYT get you interested.

Night Film
Marisha Pessl
The beautiful writing and gripping plot promises to have the perfect touch of noir and suspense. The main character in this thriller is an investigative journalist who looks into the death of a young woman, and in the process has to deal with a cursed family dynasty, a reclusive cult-horror filmmaker father, and a lot more to lose than he thought. This is the second book from this bestselling author. 

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REVIEW: SOMEBODY UP THERE HATES YOU

Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Somebody Up There Hates You is a fresh, deeply-felt take on the story of two teens with cancer who are in the hospice unit where people go to spend their final days. A range of emotion--from humor to desperation and sadness--make this a well-woven story of humanity.

I did think that there was too much emphasis put on the adolescent-hormone driven aspect of the novel. Sure, it's told from a teenage boy's point of view, but that agenda at times overshadows the plot and characters. Note that some content is not appropriate for all readers.

While the book was firmly grounded in a hospice situation, with the experiences of the author giving real weight to the cancer-stricken teens, there was also a somewhat fantastical element to the book. Richard, with his king persona, a few improbable escapes and adventures away from the hospice, and a few well-placed characters such as the harpist and a few of the other dying members of the hospice unit come together to give the story an almost mythical feel. This added dimension to the story makes a huge difference, and while adding to the original voices of the characters, also makes this seemingly familiar story about teens and cancer different from others that it might be compared to: such as, The Fault in Our Stars.

One of the best moments in the book that also conveys a mythical sense is the last scene in the book. It's full of significance and otherworldliness, and does an incredible job of carrying those elements, and the characters, to the end. That scene was definitely a stand-out part of the book.

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher. 

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REVIEW: THE TESTING (& HUNGER GAMES WANNABES)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A lot of books claim to be great for fans of The Hunger Games . . .  and lots of these books even claim to be the next Hunger Games right on the front cover. And not all of them live up to the hype and success.

The Testing felt like it followed the dystopian formula that Hunger Games (and a few others) created--the controlling big brother government that puts on violent displays for classified and illogical reasons. Don't forget the dystopian world that is a bunch of separate states dwelling in post-apocalyptic poverty controlled by that government, and of course the heroine with some crazy skills and something to prove . . . add a slight thrill of romance with the home town boy and there you have it. I didn't even make it all the way through the testing because I felt like I already knew what was going to happen, and I was just bored with the plot. The main characters weren't particularly inspiring or interesting, and the writing was very choppy and non-descriptive. 

Other people might feel differently, and that's fine. I just didn't find anything in the book that compelled me to keep reading to the end. But you know what? That's ok! I have to remind reluctant readers sometimes that it's ok to not finish a book. Don't waste your time with something you're not enjoying, and find something that you do actually want to read. 

For those of you who enjoyed Hunger Games and do want to read something like that, I can make a few recommendations of books that are worth your time: The 5th Wave, Proxy, Legend, Unwind, Insignia, Ender's Game, Divergent trilogy, & the Matched trilogy. Any other ones you feel could be in this list? I'd love to know!

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REVIEW: PROXY

Proxy by Alex London
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Proxy, the best kind of entertainment doesn't sacrifice action or thrills to world building or a YA-typical romance plot. It jumps right into the action from the beginning, and keeps it coming.

Characters were real and diverse. Refreshingly free from stereotypes. Friendships between the characters, and even the characters themselves, develop so naturally that it redefines what I've always thought of the genre. YA that reaches beyond--with writing quality and layering that shouldn't be thought of as being among the torrent of other recycled YA stories out there. Amazing character development will have you thinking one thing about the character at the beginning, and something completely different at the end. This happened with such finesse in Proxy, that you can't help but admire how smoothly the author changed the game.

While this book is excellently multi-layered, at times the social commentary and overtones overshadow the plot. Amid all the action and twists, there is a lot of questioning and issues being addressed. The characters are constantly grappling with these huge social constructs, and sometimes it feels a little overwhelming. However, this book has an introspective quality that is rare in Young Adult literature. Self examination and character development usually gets lost in the fast paced action or the romance aspects, but in Proxy it shines gloriously through. Here's some gems that really showcase that quality:

"Sarcasm was the easy expression of an empty mind. It carried no information, nothing he could learn except that Knox was an a--, which he knew already. The knowledge wasn't useful."

"This girl contained that girl. Whoever she was was also whoever she had been. The same was true for him, he guessed. He wondered if anyone really ever changed, or if stuff just piled on and on, covering up, but never erasing all the different parts. How deep would you have to dig to find who you started out as?"

This series-starter has both the entertainment and thought-provoking factors . . . I'm excited to see if the author can keep it up for the rest of the series.

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READ, WHITE, & BLUE

A few patriotic picks for your 4th of July holiday:

Bunker Hill

by Nathaniel Philbrick

Like the blurb says, this book is about the " . . . Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution." Really, though, I can't wait to get this one because Philbrick is one amazing storyteller. I first became a fan after In the Heart of the Sea, and Bunker Hill is really being talked about. The detail and suspense that Philbrick endows these moments of history with are not to be missed. (Nonfiction)

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10. 
by Marcus Luttrell

I listened to this on audio book and it was such an incredible, intense experience. Intense. He talks about how SEAL team members are selected and trained, and takes you through the play-by-play experience of Operation Redwing--the goal of which was to take out an al Qaeda leader in Taliban territory. This made me feel pride in our troops like never before. Plus, this book has really been a hit with reluctant readers of all ages--lots of teen readers, mostly boys, really find this book to be thrilling. Which, really, it is for any level of reader. (Nonfiction)

Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell

This one might not be as directly patriotic as the others, but I thought of it because it really provides a fun, interesting snapshot of America in a certain special decade (the 80s). It's just fun to read books that give you nostalgia for a decade, or if you weren't alive in that decade (I barely was)--you can laugh and learn about all the crazy things that American teenagers loved (Walkmans! Mix tapes! etc.) The story is about an unlikely couple--quirky Eleanor and quiet but strong Park. See my review here. (YA)

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