The Target (Will Robie, #3) by David Baldacci

The Target by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These Will Robie books just keep getting better and better; there was alot going on in this book, Will and Jessica are asked by the President to carry off a secret mission all the while there is another plot involving Jessica's past and the final plot line is an assassin from North KOrea whose life was spent in a prison camp. I could not stop turning the pages; I feel like I know and love Will and Jessica and Julie and can't wait for more!

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Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Narrated by Ilyana Kadushin, I thought this book would be a mystery and police investigation and it was not! I did not like the way the author crafted the ending either, so I am very disappointed with all the time I put into listening to this book.

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Disappeared by Francisco X Stork

Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read & loved all of Stork's compelling book, Disappeared has me wanting more-I hope Stork continues with the story of Sara and Emiliano. Juarez, Mexico really scared me; it was good to see the home of Sara & Emiliano from their viewpoint, but you would never find me living there and loving it. Sara is an investigative reporter for the newspaper, El Sol, but she has been following, researching, and broadcasting the disappearance of girls from their community, especially once her best friend, Linda vanishes. The injustice in the system of law seems overwhelming but when Sara and her family are targeted to stop looking into Linda's disappearance, they do find a few people they can trust-it is the strength of Sara's convictions, her family & friend support network that keep her continually investigating. The parallel story of her brother, Emiliano, breaks my heart because he is a good kid (star soccer player, part of a youth group that helps others, falling for a girl that is rich and too far out of his reach. I hated when Emiliano began to be drawn into the world of lies (because he cherishes truth so much) and easy money, and that is when he begins to have an inner war with himself. Paco his friend keeps telling him his choices will not get him what he wants, but Emiliano does not tell his friend anything while continuing to reach for the impossible. I really think Stork should continue this story, I want to follow Sara and Emiliano as they run for safety, into an unknown world.

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Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved, loved, loved this book! Emmy and Oliver were best friends and next door neighbors, when at age 7 he was kidnapped by his dad. What this does to Oliver's family, Emily's family, the whole community is explored deftly and very well done by Robin Benway. I read this on my kindle and could not put it down! The day Oliver was taken away by his Dad, he was passed a note by one of his school buddies which asked, Do you like Emmy? Yes or No and Oliver circled Yes. That is the one piece of paper Emmy saves and continues to hold dear when Oliver, at 17 years of age, walks back into everyone's lives. While he was gone, Emmy's parents were so distraught about what happened to Oliver that they over-protected her - 9pm curfew, no sports, etc. This does not stop Emmy from surfing, partying, and lying - because what option does she really have?? But I really really liked the kind of girl Emmy was - a good, strong, honest friend, respectful daughter, focused student but often forced to live with situations Oliver's kidnapping caused. I loved Emmy's friends, Caro & Drew and I loved seeing her friendship with Oliver slowly build. Oliver really feels like an outsider even though he knows these students were once his friends...will he be able to deal with a new family (mother, stepfather and 2 little sisters) while still missing his dad (who everyone hates) ? Once again, I rooted for Emmy and Oliver - what will happen to their friendship because of their past, and is there a future---A MUST READ!!! And for another YA similar book, read Pointe by Brandy Colbert!!!

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Pointe by Brandy Colbert

Pointe by Brandy Colbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had this book on my TBR for quite awhile and I am so glad I pushed it to the top of my READS because I really had no idea what this book was about. I THOUGHT it was about an African American girl who wants to be a ballerina. And oh was that a very small part of this engrossing book! Theo was 13 years old when her best friend, Donovan, was kidnapped and she was heavily involved in a romantic relationship. Now 4 years later, her oldest friend has returned home but the life Theo has worked so hard to return to normal- is once again thrown into tumult. I rooted for Theo (she smokes cigarettes and doesn't eat and pinches herself to stop eating), she was totally committed to ballet; it is the most important thing that matters to her - being tapped for a prized summer internship is just the beginning. Donovan may be home but he is not talking to anyone and what's more- Theo has secrets and she needs to talk to mute Donovan to get some answers. What will truth do to her carefully constructed world and will she be able to live with the memories? Wow, a great read all around covering many, many essential topics in dealt with in YA literature. Highly recommended! BTW I also finished Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway and that also deals with kidnapping - also a great great read!!!

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Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sarcastic, negative Cullen Witter is a 17-year-old living with his family and friends in dead end Lily, Arkansas. It is during the summer before his senior year that his cousin overdoses and dies, an extinct woodpecker returns and his 15 year old brother, Gabriel disappears. As his life unravels, Cullen questions why his brother is missing, why his best friend sticks by him, falls in and out of love, and hopes for the return of his brother. Masterful storytelling, a great read, twists and turns with a wonderful resolution.



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