by Laurie Halse Anderson
Tyler used to be a nobody, then he decided to spray paint graffiti at school. Now he is the guy who got arrested and whose probation job make him go from scrawny to fit. Even better his secret crush Bethany is noticing him, so what if she is the daughter of his dad’s boss and twin sister of his arch enemy. Life is looking good for Tyler till one event after another starts causing him trouble and makes him question where he stands at home, school, and in the world.
Like Anderson’s Speak, this story deals with some tough stuff .The character of Tyler can be relatable to anybody who has ever felt out of place and has dealt with tough times similar to what he goes through.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Tempest
by Julie Cross
Nineteen year old Jackson has the ability to jump through time. It’s not that exciting though, he can’t change the past or see the future as he can’t actually go more than hours into the past. When strangers burst into his girlfriend’s dorm room one day, in his present year 2009, Jackson suddenly finds himself jumping back further than he ever has before, to the year 2007. Despite multiple tries he can‘t seem to jump back to 2009. After learning that the Jackson in 2007 has disappeared, 2009 Jackson takes over his 2007 identity to figure out what exactly is going on and how he can get home.
While the cover makes it seem like a girly paranormal romance, it isn’t. There is the romance between Jackson and Holly (his 2009 girlfriend) but there are also elements of science fiction, action, adventure and family drama/relationships. The time jumping is easy to follow as the date and time are posted on top of the page whenever it changes. Jackson and Holly are also both great characters that any reader may love.
While the story can be read as a stand alone, it is followed by Vortex, and Timestorm.
Nineteen year old Jackson has the ability to jump through time. It’s not that exciting though, he can’t change the past or see the future as he can’t actually go more than hours into the past. When strangers burst into his girlfriend’s dorm room one day, in his present year 2009, Jackson suddenly finds himself jumping back further than he ever has before, to the year 2007. Despite multiple tries he can‘t seem to jump back to 2009. After learning that the Jackson in 2007 has disappeared, 2009 Jackson takes over his 2007 identity to figure out what exactly is going on and how he can get home.
While the cover makes it seem like a girly paranormal romance, it isn’t. There is the romance between Jackson and Holly (his 2009 girlfriend) but there are also elements of science fiction, action, adventure and family drama/relationships. The time jumping is easy to follow as the date and time are posted on top of the page whenever it changes. Jackson and Holly are also both great characters that any reader may love.
While the story can be read as a stand alone, it is followed by Vortex, and Timestorm.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Hush, Hush
by Becca Fitzpatrick
There is something about her new and mysterious lab partner, Patch, that Nora does not like. As she gets to know him, she finds herself drawn to him despite warnings from others to stay away. Will learning his secrets make her stay away or only draw her closer to him?
For fans of Paranormal Romance, if looking for one that isn’t about Vampires and/or Werewolves. I had never heard of this book until I found it in my textbook for my YA Lit class and read it because it seemed interesting and my library had it. This book turned out to be so much more than a something I had to read for school that was actually good. I found the whole story interesting. While some aspects were predictable, there was enough to keep me guessing. I was worried Nora would be annoying but I was wrong. As for Patch, well, let’s just say, I found a new paranormal boyfriend.
There are three books that follow this title, Crescendo, Silence and Finale, but you could also read this on its own.
There is something about her new and mysterious lab partner, Patch, that Nora does not like. As she gets to know him, she finds herself drawn to him despite warnings from others to stay away. Will learning his secrets make her stay away or only draw her closer to him?
For fans of Paranormal Romance, if looking for one that isn’t about Vampires and/or Werewolves. I had never heard of this book until I found it in my textbook for my YA Lit class and read it because it seemed interesting and my library had it. This book turned out to be so much more than a something I had to read for school that was actually good. I found the whole story interesting. While some aspects were predictable, there was enough to keep me guessing. I was worried Nora would be annoying but I was wrong. As for Patch, well, let’s just say, I found a new paranormal boyfriend.
There are three books that follow this title, Crescendo, Silence and Finale, but you could also read this on its own.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
The Color of Silence
By Liane Shaw
Two girls, one who won’t talk and one who can’t. After an accident claimed the life of her best friend, Alex only talks when she absolutely has to, but if it was up to her she would never talk at all. She refuses to go to school, has given up on singing, and just wants to hide in her room all day. Joanie has always just watched the world go on around her. There is so much that goes on in her mind that she would love to share with others, but she has no way of doing so. When these two girls worlds collide, they may find they are just what the other needs.
Told in alternating first person narratives with each girl’s narrative having a different text font to help make it easier to follow.
The character of Alex though similar to characters in other books (such as Melinda of Speak refusing to talk after a traumatic incident), her story of loss, and grieving is still an interesting one. Joanie is different as her narrative is all in her head but what she has to say is still interesting.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Anthem for Jackson Dawes
By Celia Bryce
Thirteen year old Megan is annoyed at having to be treated for cancer in the pediatric unit. The only other teen there is sixteen year old Jackson, who has been there for ages. As Megan’s friends from school distance themselves from her as they fear her illness, Megan be-comes closer to those at the hospital, especially Jackson, whose comfort may be just what she needs.
If you loved The Fault in Our Stars by John Green then you should give this a try. I’m not saying it’s better than TFIOS but it’s a good similar read. The book takes place in England so some of the language is a bit different.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Be More Chill
By Ned Vizzini
School nerd Jeremy in a need of a confidence boost. Being a loser, he has zero hope in getting Christine, the girl of his dreams. In order to help him he purchases a squib, a pill sized super computer that tells you how to act. What happens when Jeremy gets his squib? You’ll have to read to find out.
In addition to being a great read for anybody who enjoys Science Fiction, it’s even great for those who don’t. The story is about a boy in modern times wanting to be popular, that a squib helps him is what makes the story science fiction. Readers may relate to Jeremy and wonder if they would want a squib of their very own.
The Duff
by Kody Keplinger
Bianca doesn’t think she is as pretty as her two best friends but it still hurts when Wesley agrees by calling her the duff (designated ugly fat friend). She also hates that he won’t leave her alone, as he hopes if he is nice to the duff, one of her hot friends will sleep with him. However, hoping he will distract her from her troubles at home, Bianca kisses Wesley, and discovers kissing him isn‘t so bad. When she finds herself paired with Wesley for a school assignment, the two become enemies-with-benefits as a way for Bianca to distract herself from her troubles. However, things don’t go exactly as planned as she gets to know him.
The first time I read this, the plan was to read for about a half hour then go to bed but that didn’t happen. I kept reading till the book was over and was so disappointed when it was. The second time I read it, I was able to put it down and go to sleep but I was still disappointed when it was over. I also still loved it.
If you love fan fiction you would probably enjoy this, as well as Keplinger’s second and third novels Shut Out and A Midsummer’s Nightmare, as I noticed some similarities between these novels and some of the Harry Style’s fan fiction I’ve read, though the writing it much better.
Bianca doesn’t think she is as pretty as her two best friends but it still hurts when Wesley agrees by calling her the duff (designated ugly fat friend). She also hates that he won’t leave her alone, as he hopes if he is nice to the duff, one of her hot friends will sleep with him. However, hoping he will distract her from her troubles at home, Bianca kisses Wesley, and discovers kissing him isn‘t so bad. When she finds herself paired with Wesley for a school assignment, the two become enemies-with-benefits as a way for Bianca to distract herself from her troubles. However, things don’t go exactly as planned as she gets to know him.
The first time I read this, the plan was to read for about a half hour then go to bed but that didn’t happen. I kept reading till the book was over and was so disappointed when it was. The second time I read it, I was able to put it down and go to sleep but I was still disappointed when it was over. I also still loved it.
If you love fan fiction you would probably enjoy this, as well as Keplinger’s second and third novels Shut Out and A Midsummer’s Nightmare, as I noticed some similarities between these novels and some of the Harry Style’s fan fiction I’ve read, though the writing it much better.
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