Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teens will see a bit of themselves in Dave, Julia, Gretchen and Brett. In this book, Adi Alsaid really gets teens (their highs and lows, their quirks, their isms) and for the teens that pine for others and do not do anything about it, Dave and Julia's friendship throughout high school with their Nevers list is reading they will love. Dave is such a nice guy, nice, genuine, caring. I wanted to love Julia but Adi Alsaid did such a great job showing how much Julia said and did was predicated on her very absent mom. It was so sad (Dave sees this) every time Julia's mom disappoints her and yet Julia yearns for a mom but gets a lukewarm long distance relationship from a selfish mom. So this broken connection made Julia self-centered, snarky, out there and unrealistic about many things. I couldn't put this book down; the romance, the wanting, the ache, the yearning make for a novel teens with be reading and sharing with each other. Make sure you read this book and join our twitter discussion with #yabookchat 10/4 at 9pm EST!

View all my reviews

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The dark magic was so scary in the many Englands (Red, Gray, Black and White) and the characters of Kell and Lilah were so complex and likable while Holland and Astrid and Athos made me cringe with their cruelty. I loved the narrator Steven Crossley; he did a masterful job in his delivery and because of his voice---I kept finding many more ways to listen to this murderous world of magic and travelers.

View all my reviews

Hold Tight Don't Let Go by Laura Rose Wagner

Hold Tight, Don't Let Go: A Novel of Haiti by Laura Rose Wagner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel of Haiti was oh so good- from a simple life, to total destruction with the 1/12/2010 earthquake. Laura Rose Wagner does a masterful job with characters, plot, and words (sweet, harsh, the whole gamut of expression) describing the close relationship between Magdalie and Nadine before and as their world ends. I learned so much about Haitian customs, beliefs and language as I was immersed in Magdalie's life (with and after Nadine goes to Miami)in the Port au Prince camp. Life becomes very hard for Magdalie but through hope, honesty, new friends, she shows the resilience of the Haitian people to rise above destruction and survive. Highly recommended! Please feel free to join the twitter chat Thursday 10/1 at 8pm EST with #2jennsbookclub.

View all my reviews

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave by Ann Aguirre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I know it took me long enough to get to this awesome read!!! Deuce has always lived underneath and been raised by the enclaves rules. As a Huntress she was very successful and it is when she is paired with Fade and banished to Above that she sees a whole new world and life. I loved the characters, the world of the enclave, and hated the freaks (zombies), Silk, and Stalker. I can't wait for the 2nd book, Outpost! A great dystopian read, I still love these dystopian series.

View all my reviews

Endangered by Lamar Giles

Endangered by Lamar Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Endangered was a real cat and mouse game between the main character, Lauren Daniels, who is also known as Panda (in a not nice way) and an unknown admirer who is going all out to show Panda how much she likes her style of exposing the secrets of her classmates in a blog, Gray Scales. As the stakes rise, the mystery and scariness reach torturous levels. Once Lauren thought she was a Robin Hood helping others, now she is not so sure. I bit off all my nails as I plunged headlong into this drama filled, exciting read. If you like thrillers, Endangered will not disappoint!

View all my reviews

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to narrators Brandon Espinoza and Phoebe Strole as they alternated Cassie and Zombie's struggles to stay alive in a world that has gone through many waves and they are barely standing but still surviving the 5th Wave. I loved Cassie's strength and devotion to getting her brother Sammy back and I ached for Zombie's trials as he survives Vosh and Resnick's harsh tactics and battles back to save Nugget. If you want a story that is hair raising, desperate, but has strong characters; you will love this audiobook and I have just ordered his 2nd book in the series, The Infinite Wave, can't wait to begin listening!!!


View all my reviews

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Hunt's first book, One for the Murphys, and this book was just as awesome. Ally Nickerson can't read and has many excuses and jokes to get out of assignments for reading and writing. My heart broke for her as her teacher and principal judge her. There are some really nasty bullies in her class and Ally feels lonely and alone as she tries really hard to do her best. It is when she gets Mr. Daniels that Ally finds a teacher who invests time and effort into getting to know her and why she can't read. Keisha and Albert(misfits) help Ally find confidence and friends (which she has never had) who have lunch with her and hang out with her. I especially found it poignant that Ally's brother, Travis begins with dreams and high hopes but begins to slide into hopelessness as he struggles with the same problems in school as his sister. Strong writing, believable characters, and a realistic plot make this a book everyone should read- middle school, YA, and adults (guidance counselors, teachers)because there are so many students who lose hope in school as they struggle with disabilities and bullying. I loved the hope and resolution of this book and can't wait for another L M Hunt book!!!

View all my reviews