#56-58

#56 The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray (Gemma Doyle series book Three)

The Gemma Doyle conclusion! Overall, I enjoyed this trilogy, but had a tough time getting through this last book. The storyline was fun and complex and perfectly followed the end of the second book, but I felt some parts of the story really dragged on. I found myself putting the book down and thinking, "Can we just finish this already?" But, I do hate to give the book a bad name. I am very glad I read it and certainly would have felt incomplete had I not finished this last book in the series.

#57 Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Must admit...did not actually read this one. I listened to it on CD during a trip across Texas. It was perfect for that! As Sophie Kinsella books are, it was light-hearted, fun, humorous and a sweet ending. Exactly what I was looking for.

Lara Lington's great-aunt Sadie has passed away and she must attend her funeral. She has never met her great-aunt and is wrapped up in her recent breakup to really care. But while at the funeral, Lara meets Sadie. No, Lara isn't going crazy, Sadie's ghost appeals to Lara asking about her necklace. Once Lara comes to terms with seeing and hearing a ghost, she learns of Sadie's incredible story of living through the 20s and even does some 20s living herself.

This was a great summer read! Fun, easy, breezy!

#58 Paper Towns by John Green

Quentin Jacobsen has loved Margo Roth Spiegelman his whole life...but she doesn't know it. Ever since they were kids, he has been fascinated by her adventurous spirit and wild ways. When she climbs in his window one night asking him to join her for a car ride, the real adventure begins. Q begins to see a bit more of the real Margo. When Margo goes missing, Q finds clues to try to piece together her location. The clues and the journey he embarks upon bring him more than he could've asked for.

This was my first John Green book. I have a friend who absolutely raves about his work, so I decided to try it out myself. He is an incredible writer...my friend was right on! He is witty, smart, so clever, funny, and so very creative. He weaved a tight storyline and it was fun to go along with Q while he found these crazy, obscure clues looking for Margo. I didn't care for Margo at times though. She seemed as if she believed the world revolved around her and didn't watch out for people's feelings. And the ending was so-so (but I like a nicely wrapped, happy ending which doesn't always fit a good book). I completely enjoyed the book though and will be looking for more John Green in the future. Highly recommended friends!

#52-55

#52 Heist Society by Ally Carter (Heist Society Book One)

Fun read!! My 6th grade girls will love this book. Katarina Bishop's father loves art. He loves it so much, that he has made a career of stealing it. Katarina, being her father's daughter, has a knack for the same lifestyle. But instead of following in her infamous father's footsteps, she's decided to stay in boarding school and follow the rules...until she's kicked out of school for a crime she didn't commit. She ends up back in her father's world of art dealers and stealers, but this time she has to make a difficult choice. Stay out of the thief life or jump back in to save her father. This story takes the reader on a fast-paced exciting adventure through different countries and landmarks. And a little romance along the way is always nice. Very fun!

#53 The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

Remember Allie and Noah from The Notebook? Remember crying while turning the pages and looking up at your husband with a newfound love while he looked back at you with a look of bewilderment? Oh! Was that just me? Well, in this story, Noah and Allie's children continue their story. Wilson is married to Jane, one of Allie and Noah's daughers. They've been married for 30 years and Wilson realizes that his wife has fallen out of love with them. The everyday tasks of life, a job, and four children has taken its toll on their relationship. Wilson decides it is up to him to save his marriage. With the help of his romantic father-in-law Noah, he sets out to win her back while his own daughter plans her wedding.

In typical Sparks' fashion, a quick read, a fun read, and a sappy read. But hey! This girl ain't complainin'! Sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

#54 A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (Gemma Doyle series Book One)

Thank you Libba Bray! A terrific trilogy you've got here! This first in the series introduces us to Gemma Doyle. Gemma grew up in India, but ends up in a London finishing school after foreseeing her mother's murder in a disturbing vision. The visions that plague Gemma leave her scared and unsure. Once at Spence, her knew home and school, she tries to make friends, but can't quite find her place...until she blackmails a group of girls to let her into their clique. An Indian boy named Kartik warns Gemma to resist the visions, but when Gemma is given a diary with detailed secrets of The Order, she can't ignore what she knows is real. Gemma is able to take herself, and anyone else she wishes, into a secret realm where she has powers beyond her wildest dreams. Gemma begins to understand her role in the realm is more than she realized and her mother may not be who she thought she was either.

I would absolutely share this with my girls! Very adventurous and beautifully crafted. Set in the late 19th century, it is thrilling to read about a time period so different from our own, but yet so similar.

#55 Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (Gemma Doyle series Book Two)

After an exciting first book, this second in the trilogy does not disappoint. It is now Christmas at Spence and Gemma, Felicity, Ann and Pippa (kinda) are thrilled to spend the holidays in London. But even though they leave Spence, they don't leave their adventures in the realm behind. In fact, Gemma's visions become stronger and the mystery of The Order more intense. Kartik warns Gemma of danger and the magic found in the realm while the danger she faces may be too much for herself and her friends to handle.

I have a hard time reviewing series books for the obvious fact that some facts can spoil the first book for a new reader. I realize I've given very few details here, but trust me...if you enjoyed the first Gemma book, you'll enjoy this one as well.

#51

#51 A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

This book surprised me. After I was about 100 pages into it, I posted to Goodreads and Facebook "This is one twisted tale." I still believe that...this is dark and twisty folks, but I now see that it is more than just that. The characters have been marinating in my mind this week and are more than simply one-dimensional, freaky, heartless beings. (Although there's a lot of that going on too.)

The story follows three characters: Ralph, Catherine and Antonio during the early 1900s. Most of the story occurs in a bleak, isolated, often snow-covered Wisconsin town. Ralph is looking for a "reliable wife" and places an ad in the newspaper. Catherine responds and heads to Wisconsin. (So much easier than what most of us go through to find a mate huh?) Come to find out, Catherine is quite a bit more than she seems, and by quite a bit I mean she's a very bad girl with very bad intentions. However, it's not all her doing...enter Antonio. Antonio, tall, dark and handsome, has a direct connection to Ralph and a reason to wish him harm. (Ssshh...I not tell you how...) Much to her surprise, Catherine does grow to love Ralph and has to decide if her initial intentions for his demise should continue.

These are not good characters friends. They are horrible to one another and themselves. Destructive, hurtful, downright naughty. But, doesn't everyone deserve love and kindness and forgiveness?

I'd recommend this one friends, but be prepared for some surprises along the way. And if you're like me, the biggest surprise came at the end when I actually started to root for these guys.

A friend of mine suggested to I read Goolrick's memoir The End of the World As We Know It because much of his inspiration for this novel came from his real life. I think I may need to check into it. Let's be honest. What's a good story without some good drama and conflict?

#50

# 50 Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (Incarceron Book 1)

What comes to mind when you hear the word "incarceration?" Prison right? Bars on the doors, no windows, prisoners, isolation. Get rid of all you know, or think you know, about prison before reading this book. This is a prison you can't imagine. It is alive, it changes, it is unpredictable, it thinks, it's a nightmare. Finn is a prisoner in Incarceron. He can't remember ever not living in the prison, but has strange, fuzzy memories of life Outside. Has Finn ever been Outside? He has a strange tattoo and a desire to find a way out. He believes in Sapphique, an enigmatic character all prisoners believe escaped Incarceron in the past. But how can he escape when the prison is always watching and listening?

Claudia lives Outside in a world of imprisonment, doomed to an arranged marriage she dreads, raised by a father she fears. She knows her father is the warden of Incarceron, but what that truly means, she doesn't understand.

Finn and Claudia both find a special key and discover a connection to one another. Finn's desire to escape becomes Claudia's quest.

I don't typically enjoy science fiction titles, but this may be the exception. There was just enough action and believable character development, but not too much weirdness to turn me off to the book or confuse me. Whey are sci-fi books so hard for me to read? Maybe it's a character flaw, but this one I'd recommend to my young readers.

Oh, and the second in the series? Sapphique! I'll be looking for it in the library this summer!

#48-49

#48 Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster

I have been searching and searching for a pair of dystopian books to share with my kids next year in literature circles. With the surge of dystopian tales flooding the YA bookshelves, I've had my hands full picking titles and reading up. This one grabbed my eye, literally, by the cover and I'd seen it advertised on my fave sight goodreads.com. Doesn't it look creepy!?

Picture a normal town, normal citizens, normal annual festival. In this town, the annual talent show is the draw of the year. Kyle Straker and three other people volunteer to be hypnotized at the event. When they awaken from their hypnosis, everyone in the town seems to be in a hypnotic sleep themselves. No one is moving, no one is blinking, but everyone is exactly where they were before the hypnosis started. Kyle and his mobile friends walk through town and see the same thing everywhere: people they've always known stuck as if on pause in a movie. When everyone "awakens," they are zombies. They walk around and move, but they do not seem to notice Kyle and the three others. It's as if they have been reprogrammed. But what really happened? And what will happen to Kyle and his friends?

And yes, the cover of the book is explained. I sure don't want to spoil that for you friends!

Did I mention the story-telling method? Very cool. The story is told in first person from Kyle's point of view; however, his story is recorded on cassette tapes and the book is the transcript. This is all explained on the first page of the book. I thought it a very unique and fitting way to tell the story.

Will I use it in literature circles? No, probably not. Is this a great work of literature? No, it's really not. Was it cool story to read? Yeah. I did find the ending of the book a bit too fast. All the big events that occur in the book wrap up so quickly, I almost felt letdown in the end. Fear not friends, I have not lost hope. Though I will continue to enjoy my search. I'm still on the lookout for a dystopian book that also holds some literary worth, not simply a good story. Something that I can also use to show kids good writing techniques, plot depth, that sort of nerdy LA stuff. Do you know of one?? Please let me know!

#49 The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

Cool book cover huh? Strange...I have mentioned the book cover on both of these books. I try not to "judge a book by it's cover," but it is hard with cool covers like this.

In my quest to find good literature circle titles, I have been looking for dystopian books, but I've also tried to find books with a strong environmental theme. After reading Ship Breaker, I was determined to find it a suitable companion. The Water Wars stood out to me when I found it. The story is set in the future, but it does not overwhelm with strange technologies or crazy inventions like food pellets or hyperdrive cars. Even though it is a futuristic story, it deals with a primitive need: water. Water has become scarce. If you are not wildly wealthy, you have to rely on the government for water, and it's hardly real water. Vera and Will are siblings. They have to rely on the government-controlled water for survival. Vera meets a boy named Kai who comes from a very wealthy family. Kai has clean water to share and Vera is completely enamored, as anyone would be. Kai and Vera become friends and he shares a special gift with Vera. TEENY TINY SPOILER ALERT!! He can "smell" water. He has found a clean, undiscovered water source the government does not know about.

As you can imagine, the government and big corporations don't let this go on for long and when Kai and his father are kidnapped, Vera and Will take off to look for their friend. Along the way, pirates, harpoon guns, cross-country travel, dog fighting in a jet, attempts at big corporation take-down, torture, typical fast-paced YA lit adventure I like.

Will I use this for my lit circle? I'm not sure yet, maybe. Again, I'm trying to find just the right one. This was a fun read, one I'll highly recommend to my kids, but I'll keep looking.

#46-47

#46 Trapped by Michael Northrop

Where is the absolute worst place you can imagine to be stuck during the worst snowstorm on record? Yep...you got it. A high school. Scotty and a couple of his friends arrive at school just like every other day, but soon the snow begins and doesn't stop. They don't have a way home like nearly every other student in the school, so they stay along with a teacher and a few other students. The snow continues for days, trapping them inside. The pipes begin to freeze, the heat goes out, the roof begins to creak and moan with the weight of the snow, and the kids have to do anything they can to survive.

I mostly enjoyed this one. The idea of being stuck in a school with no way out is pretty horrible and the events between the kids struggling to survive are really pretty interesting. The ending bothered me. It was so abrupt and a bit of a letdown after so much buildup and drama. I wouldn't say, "Don't read this one," but if there are other books on your nightstand, read those first.

#47 Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

The name "Jodi Picoult" in my book is synonymous with "Must Read." Her latest title is no exception. Critics would argue that her books are not works of art and will not turn into classical literature, but if you want a compelling and gut-wrentching read, there is no one better. I do have to put forth a warning. If you have had experience with losing a child, especially due to miscarriage or stillbirth, this book may be too much to handle. (No, I'm not giving anything away, believe me). Having no children of my own, I think I can handle her books a little easier. I think it's why I always cry when reading a dog book, but can hold myself together with a Picoult book.

Zoe and Max have been desperately trying for nearly a decade to have a baby. After learning of their own fertility issues, they try alternative methods of conceiving, spending thousands and thousands of dollars on IVF and all different types of medical treatments. When Zoe delivers a stillborn baby at 28 weeks, their marriage crumbles and they divorce. Zoe meets a guidance counselor named Vanessa and they become instant best friends. Vanessa helps Zoe cope with the loss of yet another child and a marriage. Zoe and Vanessa fall in love and decide to marry, having to leave their home state to do so legally. The two decide they want to have a child together, but quickly face opposition from Max due to religious and financial reasons.

I love love love that Picoult doesn't shy away from hot button issues. I love that she tells stories from different perspectives, as she does again in this book, and I love that when I read one of her books, I want to talk about it with someone. This would make a fabulous book club read. This book had a unique feature, a CD. Picoult co-wrote the lyrics with the singer and the music adds another layer to the already complex story.

Highly recommended reading from me to you. But as stated, her books require a total investment from the reader. You have to begin knowing you'll be giving your time and emotion to the plot. If you're up for it, have at it! And please let me know what you think.

#43-45

#43 Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

2011 Newbery Award winner!

Abilene Tucker's father has sent her to live with the "preacher" in his hometown of Manifest, Kansas, while he finds work elsewhere. Abilene arrives in the town (after jumping from the train) to find...well, not a whole lot. The year is 1936 and Abilene is 12 years old. Most everyone in the town is suffering from the Depression and is doing their best to get by. Abilene discovers a cigar box of mementos in her new home and spends her summer trying to learn what each means. Along the way, she meets a fortune teller named Miss Sadie and the local newspaper columnist Hattie Mae Harper and discovers there is more to Manifest, and her father, then she could ever imagine.

I was initially drawn to the story because it is the latest Newbery winner but also because it's set in Kansas. Being from the sunflower state myself, I was curious about the story. It toggles back and forth from present day 1936 to 1917 with such ease, I enjoyed the change in setting quite a bit. I can see how this may be difficult for young readers to deal with and was a little surprised it was chosen for the prestigious award this year. I'm sure a lot has to do with the fact that this is such a clever story. All the little details that Abilene uncovers fit so nicely together. It is almost like a story you should read twice just to go back and really understand how the writer pieced it all together.

This would be a fun historical fiction novel to read with a class. Many of the important details from the story come through old newspaper columns. It may be fun to use with a class and then work to create some kind of newspaper or time capsule. And the story itself has great historical references including the Depression, KKK and Prohibition. And above all, it follows a young girl growing up and learning about who she is and how she fits into a new town. Highly recommended from this reader!

#44 The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

I'm on the lookout for new novels for my sixth graders next year. With the surge of dystopian tales, I wanted to find a couple to offer to my young students, hopefully through a literature circle format. I had high hopes for this novel...and was a bit disappointed. The premise of the story is incredible. I was very excited to read it. But I found myself feeling bored and bit underwhelmed with the random events. However, it may be just me. I like to read reviews others have written and on barnesandnoble.com, this book received high marks. This almost makes me feel like I need to give the book another chance, but no, I'm moving on. But don't take my word for it. 58 online reviewers would disagree with me.

In this story, Kayla is a high schooler living in a futuristic society where people are being barcoded. The barcode on their arm is to make life easier. Everything you need can be contained in your barcode. It is how you pay for things, it's how you are identified. Kayla is finally old enough to get her own tattoo, but decides she doesn't want one. She refuses to get the mark nearly everyone else in her community wears, and she suffers for it. Kayla begins to question her society when her best friend's family loses their home, certain people can't pay for necessities with their tattoo, and she discovers the real reason her father suddenly died. Much of the book was interesting, but I found the ending to be a bit of a letdown. Kayla suddenly discovers she has a sort of sixth sense and can communicate with others in a unique way.

See, sounds pretty cool right? I can see how young readers would enjoy this book and it does lend itself to some great discussion of government control and individual freedoms. I certainly encourage you to try it out, just didn't work for me.

#45 Truesight by David Stahler, Jr. (Book One Truesight Trilogy)

As I mentioned in the book review above, I'm trying to find quality dystopian books for my kiddos. This was another attempt and sadly, another fail. As in the last book, the premise is pretty cool, but the outcome isn't so great. What is wrong with me this week? I'm usually very happy with all the books I read. Maybe I'm getting pickier in my old age?

Jacob lives on a planet far from Earth in a community called Harmony. Due to genetic engineering, everyone in Harmony is blind. It is believed that "vision corrupts the mind with distractions." Jacob has spent his whole life in Harmony and believes all he's learned. Until, he begins experiencing headaches and begins to see. Jacob regains his sight and begins to see another side of Harmony he never expected. What he sees and learns about his community and the people who live in it causes him to question all he's ever known about his life.

Another very interesting storyline. I liked this story more than The Bar Code Tattoo, but I'm still not sure it's good enough to share with my students in an academic way. I will encourage them to read it on their own and many of them will love it, but I'm still on the lookout for better dystopian-style titles. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a post!