Book #128 Read in 2015
A Step Toward Falling b y Cammie McGovern
Belinda is a special needs, high school student who is attacked at a football game. Emily and Lucas are two students who did nothing to help her. Their punishment is community service at a center which holds classes for special needs people. As they do their hours, they realize how much they hurt Belinda by doing nothing. They want to help her now. But first, they need to figure out how to help themselves so that they do not step up again if need be. This was a good read. The characters are interesting and real. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #127 Read in 2015
Every thing Every thing by Nicola Yoon
Madeline has a hugely compromised immune system. Her mother keeps her in the house, with the air filters and where she can be safe. In her teenage years, Madeline wants more, especially when Olly, a cute boy, moves in next door. The pair begin an email correspondence and friendship. Madeline begins to wonder if living and loving is more important than being healthy. This book was a good read. It was painful at times but that was because the author did such a good job of developing her characters. High school girls would love this book.
Book #126 Read in 2015
A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan
Alice's husband learns he won't make partner at the law firm so he leaves and sets up his own firm. This means that Alice needs to consider finding a full-time job and giving up her part-time book editor job at a magazine. Alice finds a full-time job and struggles to juggle being a working mom who also has a father dying of cancer. Alice deals with realistic struggles and readers will connect with her. There is a decent amount of book talk in this book which was an added bonus. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #125 Read in 2015
The Marvels by Brian Selznick (YA)
Selznick seamlessly weaves illustrations and prose together in his books, telling the story in two different manners. In this book, Joseph runs away from boarding school to go meet his uncle. The two eventually connect and bond, though that does not happen without its issues. The uncle's house is a place of great history and story and Joseph immediately feels a connection to it. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #124 Read in 2015
A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry
This is the first book in a cozy mystery series where Georgia is an adjunct college professor whose family has had Sid, a talking, moving skeleton, since she was a small child. Sid often pipes in with life advice, career counseling and humor. In this book Georgia and Sid try to figure out who murdered another college professor, who seemingly has a connection to Sid...in life and death. This book had a good mystery, humor, interesting characters and a strong plot. I have the next two books in my TBR pile.
Book #123 Read in 2015
We'll Never Be Apart by Emiko Jean (YA)
Alice is in a mental institution after a fire kills her boyfriend, Jason. She becomes drawn to fellow patient Chase and tries to get him to help her get to her sister Cellie....whom she plans to kill for setting that fire. Will Alice ever get her head back on straight? This book is a roller coaster of a read....powerfully emotional and well written. The pain in its pages is raw and real. I was sent a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #122 Read in 2015
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
At the start of this book, Eden is raped by her brother's best friend. He tells her no one will believe her if she tells them what happened...so she doesn't. This decision sends Eden down a path that no one would have ever predicted for her. Told in four sections (each section is a grade level in high school) readers will read about Eden spiraling out of control and desperately in need of help. This book is powerfully raw and heavily emotional...and oh so good....Smith writes well and has her characters complex enough to keep readers engaged for over 350 pages. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
September Reads:
1. Tombquest: Valley of Kings (YA) 5/5 3rd in series
2. Sophmores and Other Oxymorons (YA) 5/5 2nd in series library book
3. Dumplin' (YA) 5/5
4. Crenshaw (YA) 5/5
5. Need (YA) 5/5
6. Dead Boy (YA) 4/5
7. Browsings (3/5) library book
8. The Scorpion Rules (YA) 4.5/5
9. The Bubble Wrap Boy (YA) 4/5
10. The Edge (YA) 5/5 2nd in series
11. At Home with Books (5/5) library book
121 Books Read in 2015
