Book #24 Read in 2016
When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
Very few books rip my heart out over and over again but this one did....and yet, it was a wonderful read. Ben was a kid in the system when he met Tess, who eventually adopts him. As if his start wasn't tough enough, Ben is tested over and over again with bullying, loss and feelings of low self-worth. He comes across a little stray dog he names Flip and that gives him a true purpose in life for the first time. This book has it all going on....great characters, humor, emotion and a cute dog. I highly recommend it for middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #23 Read in 2016
The Demon Thief by Darren Shan
This is the second book in a young adult paranormal/horror series. While graphic, these books will engage reluctant readers, especially middle school and high school boys. In this book, Kernel goes into the demon world after his brother is kidnapped by a demon. Will he be able to rescue his brother and get the pair back to their parents? I will continue this series. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #22 Read in 2016
Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff
Waverly is one of the popular, intelligent kids in high school; Marshall is a rough kid with some drug issues. The two connect....but is it real? Waverly, at night, ends up as a sort of ghostly presence where Marshall is...but both remember what happened in the light of day. This connection draw the two together but will they ever put their relationship out there to the social system in high school? This book was a decent mix of paranormal and romance and interesting characters. I enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #21 Read in 2016
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger
I am not a big fan of graphic novels but I liked this one. Alexandra, walking at night, comes across this big bookmobile. But it is not an ordinary bookmobile because this one houses all of the books that Alexandra has ever read. It is her bookmobile. The librarian will not let her take any of the books from the bookmobile, even though she wants to. Years pass before she comes across the bookmobile again and she wants to work there...no matter what that takes. There is a twist to this book that I did not see coming. That being said, I enjoyed it and I think book lovers will too. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #20 Read in 2016
little white lies by Brianna Baker and F. Bowman Hastie III
Coretta begins a blog called little white lies that goes viral. She then hires a ghost writer, Karl, to help her keep up with the demands. Eventually, Coretta is offered a tv show. But the premise of the show is the truth. Will her not 100% honest approach to her newfound fame come back to haunt her? This book was a good, quick read and had a lot of humor to it. It also dealt with issues about honesty head on. I enjoyed it. I was sent a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #19 Read in 2016
Mortal Hearty by Robin LaFevers
This is the final book in a great YA fantasy trilogy. In this book, Annith finally takes control of her destiny and leaves the convent. She is not happy with the way that the Reverend Mother is running the convent and treating her young assassins-in-training. On her journey, Annith finds much about her birth, her life and who she is as an adult. This series has great, strong female main characters, romance, action and fantasy in a historical setting. I highly recommend these books to high schoolers and adults.
Book #18 Read in 2016
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This is the first in a ya series. The Reds are the poor servants and laborers, who are sent to fight a war at eighteen. The Silvers are the royalty and rich people. Mare is a red. She is surprised to find that she has power like a Silver...so is she Red, Silver or both? Will she survive long enough to find out? This book had non-stop action, romance and wonderfully written characters. The second book is in my TBR pile. High schoolers and adults alike would love this series.
Book #17 Read in 2016
Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick (YA)
Nanette is a soccer star but it doesn't make her happy. Talking to her English Teacher about books and reading make her happy. Her English Teacher shares his favorite novel from his teenage years with Nanette and then gets her in contact with the author, who is local. Nanette meets the author and they bond. Then she meets Alex, another teenage fan of the book and they become a couple. But the happiness is short lived and both Nanette and Alex have serious issues to deal with, with varying degrees of success. A raw and real read, I enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #16 Read in 2016
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
This book was just an ok read for me. I almost gave up on it but it was a short read so I stuck with it. Lucy is reflecting back on her life, namely when she was in the hospital while ill. Through short chapters and reflections, Lucy details her complicated relationship with her mother, how her financial status has improved as well as the love she has for her children. I wish that there was more of a linear plot to it. I borrowed this book from the public library.
February Reads:
1. Firstlife (YA) 4/5 1st in series
2. The Wicked Will Rise (YA) 3.5/5 2nd in series
3. The Story of Diva and Flea (4/5) children's library book
4. Reign of Shadows (YA) 4.5/5 1st in series
5. Go Home: The True Story of James the Cat (5/5) children's library book
6. Real Talk for Real Teachers (4/5)
7. The Glittering Court (YA) 4/5 1st in series
8. Cruel Crown (YA) 3/5 prequel
9. Tell Me Three Things (YA) 5/5
15 books read in 2016
