A Dance With Dragons

A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance — beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys's claim to Westeros forever.

Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone — a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.

                                                      Mary Joy- This book is an amazing read the entire way through and closes with a starting cliff hanger. It picks up where A Storm of Swards left off, but with the other half of the characters left out in A Feast for Crows. Typical of Martin's style, it is full of plot twists, schemes and no shortage of blood and death. It is an intense read that will leave readers waiting expectantly for the next installment of the series. 

Rating: 10 out of 10

A Feast for Crows

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

After centuries of bitter strife, the seven powers dividing the land have beaten one another into an uneasy truce. But it's not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters of the Seven Kingdoms gather. Now, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed while surprising faces—some familiar, others only just appearing—emerge from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges of the terrible times ahead. Nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages, are coming together to stake their fortunes...and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests—but only a few are the survivors. 

                               Mary Joy- This book definitely picks up the slack from the last one. It brings the stories of several of the main characters to starting closure, demonstrating Martin's ability to completely change a plot line and still engage even the most unwilling of readers. My only complaint about the book is that it focuses fully on only about half the main characters, leaving out the input of some of my favorite characters. However, this book is overall a very gripping story and is, in my opinion, the best book in the series.

Rating: 9 out of 10

2nd Chance

2nd Chance by James Patterson

2nd Chance reconvenes the Women's Murder Club, four friends (a detective, a reporter, an assistant district attorney, and a medical examiner) who used their networking skills, feminine intuition, and professional wiles to solve a baffling series of murders in 1st to Die. This time, the murders of two African Americans, a little girl and an old woman, bear all the signs of a serial killer for Lindsay Boxer, newly promoted to lieutenant of San Francisco's homicide squad. But there's an odd detail she finds even more disturbing: both victims were related to city cops. A symbol glimpsed at both murder scenes leads to a racist hate group, but the taunting killer strikes again and again, leaving deliberate clues and eluding the police ever more cleverly. In the meantime, each of the women has a personal stake at risk--and the killer knows who they are.

                                 Sheila Fennell- enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced, the plot had a lot of good twists and turns. The reader was led in different directions to find the murderer. But at the end a small clue, which I have overlooked pointed out the killer. My favorite character was Lindsay Boxer, but I didn't really like her friend they were bad at finding the murderer. Lindsay takes a lot of chances that almost cost her life. But the end is definitely a surprise!

Rating: 8 out of 10

The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. 

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. 

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

                         Smee Bucket- This is the first book of Riordan's "Kane Chronicles" series, which is about two siblings who are decedents of powerful Egyptian magicians. They learn how the Egyptian myths still play out in the modern world and must save the world from approaching chaos. This series is similar to the "Percy Jackson" series, but the gods and goddesses work in different ways. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the "Percy Jackson" series, partly from personal preference and partly because it was hard to get used to the way Egyptian magic works in the story. All in all, this is an enjoyable series that I recommend if you like mythology or adventure stories. 


Rating: 7 out of 10

Nation

Nation by Terry Pratchett 

Alone on a desert island — everything and everyone he knows and loves has been washed away in a storm — Mau is the last surviving member of his nation. He’s completely alone — or so he thinks until he finds the ghost girl. She has no toes, wears strange lacy trousers like the grandfather bird, and gives him a stick that can make fire.
Daphne, sole survivor of the wreck of the Sweet Judy, almost immediately regrets trying to shoot the native boy. Thank goodness the powder was wet and the gun only produced a spark. She’s certain her father, distant cousin of the Royal family, will come and rescue her but it seems, for now, that all she has for company is the boy and the foul-mouthed ship’s parrot, until other survivors arrive to take refuge on the island. Together, Mau and Daphne discover some remarkable things (including how to milk a pig, and why spitting in beer is a good thing), and start to forge a new nation.

                                 Smee Bucket- This book is historical fiction from an alternate universe (if that makes sense). It's partly about an island boy named Mau and partly about a wealthy European girl called Daphne. This book has humor, but also some very dark and depressing scenes. Mau explores his faith in the gods and humanity. Religious questioning is prevalent throughout the story, and the question "is there a god" is never answered (which is realistic when you think about it). I definitely recommend this book. The story is captivating and the conflicts will make you think. 

Rating: 8 out of 10

Zoo Station

Zoo Station by David Downing

By 1939, Anglo-American journalist John Russell has spent fifteen years in Berlin, where his German-born son lives. He writes human-interest pieces for British and American papers, avoiding the investigative journalism that could get him deported. But as war approaches, he faces the prospect of having to leave his son and his longtime girlfriend.

Then, an acquaintance from his communist days approaches him to do some work for the Soviets. Russell is reluctant but ultimately unable to resist. He becomes involved in other dangerous activities, helping a Jewish family and an idealistic American reporter. When the British and the Nazis notice his involvement with the Soviets, Russell is dragged into the world of warring intelligence services.

                            Desarae- If your into reading about drugs and all of that stuff, this would be perfect. It gets into depth with drugs, abuse, and sex. I do not recommend this book to anyone that feels uncomfortable when they read about drugs. Reading this book as a freshman set my book standards pretty high. It was a very good book!

Rating: 9 out of 10

Up All Night

Up All Night by Peter Abrahams, Libba Bray, David Levithan, Patricia McCormick, Sarah Weeks, Gene Luen Yang, & Ariel Pollak

A brush with the supernatural? A rock concert? A reunion? A poolside revelation? The need to know what's up? The confessions of a friend? The dream of escape? A sick pet? An English assignment? The rear-window view of a murder next door? The search for the mother you never met? What keeps you up all night?

                                 Smee Bucket-  This is a compilation of six short stories written by said authors. The stories vary in quality and subject matter, but that all center around a teen who is up all night for whatever reason. Some stories are excellent and fun to read, while others are only so-so. A few deal with sexuality, and a few have very strong language. The last story, to me, is very off-putting. While the first five are more or less realistic fiction, the sixth story is a comic strip about a monkey and his search for something. Unlike the other stories, which were moving one way or another (even the ones I didn't like), the sixth story read like a fable. I don't know why the authors ended this anthology with the monkey comic, but hey, maybe you'll like it. 

Rating: 5 out of 10

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan 

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.

                                    Smee Bucket- This is the first book in the "Heroes of Olympus" series, which is the continuation of the Percy Jackson series. Despite this you don't need to read the "Percy Jackson" series before reading this one, (although I do recommend it) and this book isn't about him anyway. Riordan packs even more mythology and adventure into this series, making the books twice as long as those in the first series. This book introduces three new demigods, who Riordan fans will like as much as the originals. Anyone who likes adventure, mythology, and humor should read this book. You'll get hooked!

Rating: 9 out of 10

Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margret Stohl 

In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl. Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head . . . Green eyes, black hair. Lena Duchannes.

There is a curse. On the Sixteenth Moon, the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take what it's been promised. And no one can stop it.

In the end, there is a grave.

Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided.Ethan never even saw it coming.

                             Smee Bucket- this book could be compared to "Twilight" because it is a supernatural romance novel, but I never read "Twilight" so I won't do that. This book is exciting, sometimes dark, and sometimes funny. It is the first book of a series. I recommend ithis to girls who like supernatural romance, and even to girls who don't. After all, I hate kissy scenes, but I loved this book. 

Rating: 7 out of 10 

The Lightning Thief

The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordan 

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

                          Smee Bucket- This is the first book of my favorite series, which concerns Percy Jackson, a modern demigod who must train to be a hero and save the world. In this series Riordan combines Greek myths with humor and pop culture, creating a fast-paced, interesting, and funny story. This book is suitable for younger readers (10+), but later books and the continuing series (The Heroes of Olympus) have more adult situations, since the characters age. 

Rating: 9 out of 10

The Final Warning

The Final Warning by James Patterson

Maximum Ride is a perfectly normal teenager who just happens to be able to fly, the result of an out-of-control government experiment. 

Max and the other members of the Flock -- six kids who share her remarkable ability -- have been asked to aid a group of environmental scientists studying the causes of global warming. The expedition seems like a perfect combination of adventure, activism -- and escaping government forces who watch the Flock like a hawk.

But even in Antarctica, trapped in the harshest weather on our planet, Maximum Ride is an irresistible target in constant danger. For whoever controls her powers could also control the world. Maximum Ride is James Patterson's greatest character, a heroine who manages to be human and fearless at once.

                                           Smee Bucket- This is the 4th book in the Maximum Ride series, and if you ask me, the series should have ended with book 3. In fact, book 3 seemed like a conclusion. This book reads a lot as if Patterson was pressured into continuing the series by fans and by parents who didn't like hos portrayal of scientists in earlier books. Basically, Max and her flock must save the world from Global Warming, and along the way they learn that not all scientists are bad guys. I thought I was reading an action-novel. Whether or not you believe/support global warming, this book's content, plot, and mood is very different from the earlier books, which is annoying. 

Rating: 2 out of 10

Gone

Gone by Michael Grant 

In the blink of an eye, everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young.

There are teens, but not one single adult. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

                             When I first read this book, I was amazed! I read the book with a day and was completely obsessed! I love the way the book is laid out. It shows the point of views of many characters. There is a lot of plot twists and surprises the way throughout the book. The characters come alive with their detailed personalities and emotions. I highly recommend this book and the others in this series. 

Rating: 10 out of 10

A Storm of Swords

A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin

Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, victim of the sorceress who holds him in her thrall. Young Robb still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. And as opposing forces manoeuver for the final showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost limits of civilization, accompanied by a horde of mythical Others—a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords...

                                       Mary Joy- This novel suffers from some middle-chapter dryness. A relatively slow, plodding plot is punctuated with shockers like the Red Wedding, which, while good on their own, do little to rescue the story. While this book is certainly interesting, it's nowhere near the level of the first two. While I personally did not enjoy the book that much, I encourage readers to push through it, because the story definitely picks up in the novels that follow.


Rating: 6.5 out of 10

A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

Time is out of joint. The summer of peace and plenty, ten years long, is drawing to a close, and the harsh, chill winter approaches like an angry beast. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon;who held sway over an age of enforced peace are dead...victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns, as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. 

As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky;a comet the color of blood and flame;six factions struggle for control of a divided land. Eddard;s son Robb has declared himself King in the North. In the south, Joffrey, the heir apparent, rules in name only, victim of the scheming courtiers who teem over King's Landing. Robert's two brothers each seek their own dominion, while a disfavored house turns once more to conquest. And a continent away, an exiled queen, the Mother of Dragons, risks everything to lead her precious brood across a hard hot desert to win back the crown that is rightfully hers. 

                                           Mary Joy-This book has a lot to live up to after "A Game of Thrones", and it certainly does. The struggles its characters face in the first novel become more pronounced in this book, and the series' plot begins to thicken over again. "A Clash of Kings" is an impressive book, just as or at least very nearly as good as "A Game of Thrones".

 

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 

                               

The Color Purple

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Taking place mostly in rural Georgia, the story focuses on the life of women of color in the southern United States in the 1930s, addressing numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture. The novel has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2009 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content, particularly in terms of violence.

                                   Madi McDade- The book over all was a good description of the life after slavery ended in the deep south. The book portrayed the abuse and inequality felt by black people, but also repression of women by men. I gave the book a 7 because it is hard to read because the writer, writes as if she is the main character speaking. She uses improper, southern style English which is hard to understand. Finally it is a very graphic novel, hard to get through at times, but overall a good read, 

Rating: 7 out of 10

Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell

As ferociously fresh as it was more than a half century ago, this remarkable allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality is one of the most scathing satires ever published. As readers witness the rise and bloody fall of the revolutionary animals, they begin to recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most idealistic organization and in the most charismatic leaders, the souls of the cruelest oppressors.

                                       iv-why?- After reading this novel in my English 12 class, I can honestly say that I won't be reading this book again... The story line was very predictable and the plot seemed over all a little dry, Yes this book compares to Russian history, but that doesn't really add to the value of the novel. Also, the ending wasn't a big shocker, more a disappointment. Since this book is a literary 'classic', I do recommend that everyone should read it once, but I wouldn't expect anyone to fall in love with this book. 

Rating: 6 out of 10

A Lesseon Before Dying

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

A Lesson Before Dying is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot out in which three men are killed; the only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation school to teach. As he struggles with his decision whether to stay or escape to another state, his aunt and Jefferson's godmother persuade him to visit Jefferson in his cell and impart his learning and his pride to Jefferson before his death. In the end, the two men forge a bond as they both come to understand the simple heroism of resisting and defying the expected.


                       Ian Shroyer- It took me a while to get in to this novel, but before I knew it I was anxious to find out what happened next. The story was good, but I loved the theme the most, it had meaning and provoked though. It wasn't someone complaining rather someone giving a lesson. It is a MUST read. Don't listen to the people challenging it, they know nothing of expression and art.


Rating:10 out of 10


                          This book was one of the best books I have ever read. Not only was it a pleasant read, but it was also an amazing lesson that was taught. My teacher said "This book is about scraping away your outer layers and finding who you are" and it couldn't have directed my mind in a better way while reading this book. It truly is an amazing lesson and the characters can have such an impact on the reader that they will for sure shed a tear. HIGHLY recommended!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Lolita

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Humbert Humbert - scholar, aesthete and romantic - has fallen completely and utterly in love with Lolita Haze, his landlady's gum-snapping, silky skinned twelve-year-old daughter. Reluctantly agreeing to marry Mrs Haze just to be close to Lolita, Humbert suffers greatly in the pursuit of romance; but when Lo herself starts looking for attention elsewhere, he will carry her off on a desperate cross-country misadventure, all in the name of Love. Hilarious, flamboyant, heart-breaking and full of ingenious word play, Lolita is an immaculate, unforgettable masterpiece of obsession, delusion and lust.


                                         Alyssa DeCarlucci- This book is written in a strange, but beautiful way. The entire premise of the book is weird and a bit inappropriate which is why it is a banned book. Although strange, I like how poetically written it is and it makes me want to continue reading. This book overall was good, but is more for older readers because it's content. It could be difficult to understand for younger readers as well.

Rating:7 out of 10

Broken China

Broken China by Lori Aurelia Williams

China Cup Cameron might miss school or fall asleep in class sometimes, but she's trying hard to be a good mother to Amina, her two-year-old daughter. When tragedy befalls the small family, China must quit school and work full-time to make ends meet. But the only place in town that's willing to hire a fourteen-year-old high-school dropout is Obsidian Queens, a strip club, and China is forced to make some difficult and potentially self-destructive decisions.



                        Sheila Fennell: The plot of the story is what really attracted me to it. To be honest I read the first three pages and couldn't put the book down. It starts off so good that you just want to keep reading! The book its self was so good, there were a lot of things I wasn't expecting to happen It made me open my eyes and be grateful for everything I have, unlike the protagonist who has been through so much at the age of 14. I could feel her emotions when she was at  her lowest point. So YES this book is great. If you are looking for a story about real-life things that you can relate to, then "Broken China" is the book for you!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Paper Towns

Paper Towns by John Green

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew...  


                              Erick Faulk: When I first started "Paper Towns", I was unsure if I'd like it, so I wasn't expecting much. Boy was I wrong! The book starts off with a crazy ride between neighbors Margo and Quentin, driving around and getting revenge on all their enemies. It was so funny that it seemed to be the funniest book I've ever read. Then, it completely turned into a mystery when Margo runs away and is missing the next day. I typically don't like mysteries, but this book was amazing! I won't ruin the ending, but I will say it ends as perfectly as a comedy/mystery/romance can.

Rating: 9 out of 10

If I Stay

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

On a day that started like any other, Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.
                                Miranda Petrosky- Beautiful! Inspiring! I can picture so much that happens in this novel. I have had a personal experience with a significant other that made this story so emotional for me yet so REAL. I bought the second book so I could know what happens next. I would HIGHLY recommend this novel, it's so amazing!

Rating 10 out of 10

American Sniper

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan (“the devil”) and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow SEALs, Marines, and U.S. Army soldiers, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle’s masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs of all time.

A native Texan who learned to shoot on childhood hunting trips with his father, Kyle was a champion saddle-bronc rider prior to joining the Navy. After 9/11, he was thrust onto the front lines of the War on Terror, and soon found his calling as a world-class sniper who performed best under fire. He recorded a personal-record 2,100-yard kill shot outside Baghdad; in Fallujah, Kyle braved heavy fire to rescue a group of Marines trapped on a street; in Ramadi, he stared down insurgents with his pistol in close combat. Kyle talks honestly about the pain of war—of twice being shot and experiencing the tragic deaths of two close friends.                                     Miranda Pemosky- This book was sad, I had watched the movie before I had read the book and it was an extraordinary movie! I love that the novel was written by Chris Kyle and then continued after his death. This is an amazing story that would be great for anybody!


Rating: 10 out of 10

Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.                       
                             I didn't love this book as much as everyone else seemed to. I thought it was funny especially the first half. The plot was interesting, but it got boring to read after a while and I didn't really want to finish it.


Rating: 7 out of 10

Warriors Don't Cry

Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals

Beals chronicles her harrowing junior year at Central High where she underwent the segregationists' brutal organized campaign of terrorism which included telephone threats, vigilante stalkers, economic blackmailers, rogue police, and much more.

                                 This is a very good, well written book that plays with your emotions. The characters are easily relatable and you fall in love with them instantly. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds segregation and integration of African Americans interesting or is looking for a good book to read. The reason I rated this book with an 8 is due to the fact that it was slow getting into the book, but once I did I could not put it down. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone!

Rating: 8 out of 10

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight.

           The real deal! a coming of age novel that truly depicts a slice of high school. Andrews cleverly blends the worlds of two socially awkward boys with a dying girl. As it turns out they end up liking each other and becoming friends. It's witty, it's clever, it's real.

Rating: 8 out of 10

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.



                                Nikki Tomci- The book was an amazing story and unlike the typical cancer story, it wasn't all sad. Randy explained how he gained his optimistic point of view throughout his life, which provided me with motivation to be kind and make a change in my life. It's a lot like "Tuesday's With Morris" which was also a very good book. I'd recommend this to any reader.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

                    This is probably my favorite book ever. The characters are so relatable and amazing. The love story is so real. Also the fact that it is set in the 1980's is super cool. I couldn't put this book down!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Zac and Mia

Zac and Mia by A. J. Betts

"When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics."

So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can’t forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.                         Austin Shaw- Mia is 100% to the point and doesn't hold back and I love it! The story was cool, but it wasn't "The Fault in our Stars", but I expected that. The ending was okay... Really the best thing was Mia and her being so raw and uncut. I'd say it's worth a read if there is nothing else on your current list.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Food Rules

Food Rules: An Eaters Manual by Michael Pollan

Eating doesn't have to be so complicated. In this age of ever-more elaborate diets and conflicting health advice, Food Rules brings a welcome simplicity to our daily decisions about food.


               Really great quick read for getting into healthy eating. All the rules are pretty simple and easy to understand.  It's kind of like someone took everything you know about healthy eating mixed with some things you didn't know, made it easy to understand and stuck it in a book.


Rating: 7 out of 10

The Program

The Program by Suzanne Young

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

                       "The Program" was by far the best book I have ever read. The characters were so detailed and interesting that it made the book so much better. Any books that deal with topics similar to this one, are books that I would DEFINITELY read. 

Rating: 10 out of 10

A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes of the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

                          Mary Joy- This book will appeal to anyone with even the slightest taste for fantasy. It is full of interesting and very realistic characters who's conflicts keep the suspense high, and of course the author's penchant for killing off the main characters and tossing in entirely unexpected plot twists will keep the pages turning. Over all "A Game Of Thrones" is a great book for anyone who wants a good read and is not daunted by the sheer length.

Rating: 9 out of 10

The Paris Wife

The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain

Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.

Though deeply in love, the Hemingways are ill-prepared for the hard-drinking and fast-living life of Jazz Age Paris, which hardly values traditional notions of family and monogamy. Surrounded by beautiful women and competing egos, Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history, pouring all the richness and intensity of his life with Hadley and their circle of friends into the novel that will become The Sun Also Rises. Hadley, meanwhile, strives to hold on to her sense of self as the demands of life with Ernest grow costly and her roles as wife, friend, and muse become more challenging. Despite their extraordinary bond, they eventually find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage—a deception that will lead to the unraveling of everything they’ve fought so hard for.

                    I recently finished "The Paris Wife' and I absolutely couldn't put it down. Paula McLain does an amazing job at making Hadley's love story fell like your own. I grew attached to her romance with Hemmingway because she was so descriptive. She painted a vivid image of their spontaneous life. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to be swept off their feet by indulging in the magic that was Hadley's and Ernest's relationship, but can deal with the heart break of a tragedy.

Rating: 7 out of 10