Book #11 Read in 2017
My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
Aysel is a depressed teenager who feels as if she would be better off committing suicide. She surfs a suicide website and pairs up with FrozenRobot (a teenage boy named Roman) who is looking for someone to commit suicide with him. The two meet and plan when and how they will do it. But as that date gets closer Aysel feels as if she is not ready to give up living. Will she be able to get Roman to feel the same in time? This was a powerful read which both high school and adult readers would love. It is raw and realistic and has an important message.
Book #10 Read in 2017
Supergirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee
This is the second book in a cute series that would be perfect for middle school girls. In this book, Supergirl heads to Super Hero High to learn how to control her powers. She of course joins the others in saving their city and beating the bad guys. These are cute, good reads. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #9 Read in 2017
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
This is the sequel to Dash and Lily's Book of Dares and picks up roughly a year after that book ended. Lily is dealing with some family stuff and feeling distant from Dash; Dash is afraid of losing Lily so he's looking to bring some romance into Lily's world. These characters remain real and flawed and lovable and this book was a good read. If a reader liked the first book, he/she should definitely read this one. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #8 Read in 2017
Word of Mouse by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
This is a cute book, perfect for middle school readers. #97 (Isaiah) is a mouse who becomes separated from his mouse family when they escape from a research lab. He survives on his own and becomes part of another mouse family. Ultimately, he wants to reunited with his own family and plans a rescue to free them from the lab...but he needs a little help from his friends to do so. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #7 Read in 2017
The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri
This was a short, quick read. The author describes the role of cover art in the world of reading. Authors are not really involved in creating the cover art for their books but they have very powerful reactions to the cover art that is chosen. It was an interesting perspective. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #6 Read in 2017
Books for Living by Will Schwalbe
I enjoyed this author's previous book more but this one was still a good read. In this book, Schwalbe picks some of the books that have been most meaningful, in a variety of ways, to him as a reader and a person over the year. This book shows the roles that reading can play in people's lives and how a love of reading can bring people together. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #5 Read in 2017
Cloche and Dagger by Jenn McKinlay
This is the first book in a cozy mystery series. Scarlett's love life blows up and she heads to England to stay with her cousin Viv and help out in the hat shop they co-own. But Viv is out of town and Scarlett's warm welcome is quickly marred with a dead body of a customer. Is Viv connected to this murder? Scarlett is an interesting heroine and there is a great cast of secondary characters, along with a good mystery plot and some romance as well. I will continue this series.
Book #4 Read in 2017
Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino
This is the last book in the Disney villain trilogy. This book focuses on the backstory of Ursula, the sea monster from The Little Mermaid. It deals of her deal with Ariel and how she gets Ariel's voice and why Ursula is so angry. The weird sisters play a role in this book as they have in the other books. A good read, I borrowed this book from the town library.
Book #3 Read in 2017
The Beast Within by Serena Valentino
This is the second book in the villain origin trilogy. This book focuses on the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. It shows how he was, how he was cursed and how he connects with Belle. The weird sisters from book 1 reappear in this book and play an evil role in the cursing, of course. This is a recommended read for middle school and high school readers. I borrowed this book from the town library.
Book #2 Read in 2017
Fairest of All by Serena Valentino
This is the first book in a trilogy of books that detail the stories of Disney villains. This book focuses on the development of the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It deals with how she became evil and why she turned against Snow White. It was a good, quick read. Middle school and high school readers would enjoy this series. I borrowed this book from the town library.
Book #1 Read in 2017
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Rowan and Citra are selected to be apprentices to a Scythe, a man who "gleans" (kills) people. He will train them to become Scythes as well. This is the first book in a series and is full of action and twists and turns. High school, as well as adult, readers would love this book. It flows well, maintains interest and sets the stage for what should be an excellent series. I borrowed this book from the public library.
