If you like: JAMES PATTERSON

James Patterson is a hugely prolific writer, with books from children's to YA to adult, and he's renowned for his skill in storytelling. As you can see, he's so prolific that it leads us to sometimes wonder whether he's actually writing some of these novels. But it doesn't matter all that much- he's very popular, and for good reason. But even with so many series, you many run out of books by him that you want to read. Like me- I'm only interested in his YA novels for the most part. So if you like his style, check out these lesser-known YA mystery writers. 

Unwind: Neal Shusterman- For fans of Maximum Ride, this science fiction/dystopian series is a great next step. Where troublemakers and delinquents can be 'unwound' for their healthy body parts, three teens go to the extreme to keep it from happening to them- and to others. Click here to place a hold on it. 

Dead Girls Don't Lie: Jennifer Shaw Wolfe- When a random crime turns out to be not-so-random, and the people you trust the most could be the ones who've done something terrible, the only person you can count on is yourself. For fans of any of James Patterson's mysteries, click here to check it out for yourself. 

The Naturals: Jennifer Lynn Barnes- In NYPD Red, James Patterson chronicles the adventures of a special crime task force that deal with all sorts of misbehavior. Barnes' series is also about a special task force- but these teens have superpowers. If you think you'd be interested, click here to place a hold.

Waiting On Wednesday: Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Burning Glass
By Kathryn Purdie

Publication Date: March 1, 2016

From Goodreads:

Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. One mistake, one small failure, will cost her own life and the lives of the few people left in the world who still trust her.

But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, her feelings easily usurped, and she sometimes can’t decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

BURNING GLASS is debut author Kathryn Purdie’s stunning tale of dangerous magic, heart-rending romance, and the hard-won courage it takes to let go.

Why I picked it:

I've not read many books with an Empath as the main character (though I'm sure there are a lot out there) and this seems like it's going to be pretty amazing. If you'd like to see how Sonya manages her Empath powers click here to put your name on the hold list for this book

Monday Meme: FRIENDSHIP

Obviously, that's not what real friendship is about. True friends have a serious bond, one that isn't easily shaken. Here are a few books with some great friendships that are just that- and don't try to become anything else. (Immediately you may think of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but that's too mainstream for me ;D)

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles): Marissa Meyer- 

      Friendship: Cinder and Iko

          I will be the first one to gush about Cinder and Iko, her android companion. I've been with TLC from the very beginning, and to see their friendship blossom and endure countless trials has been something really impressive. Cinder's grounded personality and Iko's constant positive outlook (and her blunt honesty) are two qualities that let them complement each other, and they don't let any differences change their BFF status. If you'd like to start their journey, click here to find book 1.

Code Name Verity: Elizabeth Wein-

      Friendship: "Verity" and Maddie

           Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of reading this one yet, but I've heard some great things about the strong friendship in Wein's novel. And it's a time when friendship is hard to keep going- World War II. Click here to see how their friendship works.  

An Abundance of Katherines: John Green-
      Friendship: Colin and Hassan
          Male friendships seem to be even rarer than female ones in YA fiction- often it too turns into 'something more.' But Colin and Hassan are best friends that are just that. They support each other's crazy ideas, annoy each other, and ultimately...remain friends. Most people by now have read John Green's Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, and The Fault in our Stars, but AAOK is my favorite of all of his novels. It's funny, smart, and presents a new way of thinking that ultimately changes the way you perceive others. Click here to find out how.

Teen Book Review: My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak was a book that you definitely have to be a teen to read. This story was very predictable, but still a nice read if you're looking for something light and fast. The main character, Jackie Howard, is a girl who any teenager would be jealous of. She lives in a house with eleven boys and two of them seem to fancy her. This character is unrealistic. She doesn't seem to mourn her parents loss; she is more focused on guys then her parents death. This detail mildly bugged me, but was not enough to make me put down the book. I would recommend to anyone under the age of 16.

 

(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 14, Western High School)

Waiting On Wednesday: Firstlife by Gena Showalter

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Firstlife

By Gena Showalter

Publication Date: February 23, 2016

From Goodreads:

ONE CHOICE.

TWO REALMS.

NO SECOND CHANCE.

Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies.

There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.

In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms who will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t home to the boy she’s falling for? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision…

Why I picked it:

I love Gena Showalter, and I absolutely ADORED the books in her White Rabbit Chronicles series. This one sounds like it will be just as amazing. If you'd like to see what Ten's decision is, click here to put your name on the hold list

Monday Meme: Need Something Easy and Breezy?

Sometimes you just need a quick, cheerful read. Instead of being bogged down in details, you get the storyline and the characters, and go from there. Here are a few of my favorite quick reads to get me out of a slump. 

Something, Maybe: Elizabeth Scott- Weighing in at only 217 pages, this sliver of a book is one I've read countless times. It's a story about crazy parents, crazy friends, and how the people around you shape your world, for better or for worse. It's funny and feels like home, and if you think you'd like to read it, click here to place a hold.

First & Then: Emma Mills- This is a new favorite of mine. As a small-town girl who went to a tiny high school that loved their football, this one definitely resonated with me. A lot of people thought it should have gone deeper into some of the issues glanced over in this book, but the book wasn't about those people. It didn't have 600 pages It was about a girl and a boy and football, and I loved it. Click here if you think you might love it too. 

Not if I See You First: Eric Lindstrom- This one is a little bit different, because our main character, a girl named Parker, is blind. She's been betrayed by someone she loves (and although that past love story is a little bit strange to me) the healing and the way she handles herself and her blindness is a really interesting take on a much-told tale. Click here to check it out.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Shadow Queen by C.J Redwine

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

The Shadow Queen

By C.J. Redwine

Publication Date: February 23, 2016

From Goodreads:

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose. 

Why I picked it:

I love fairy tales retold... I might have mentioned that a time or two (or a thousand) before. And I love the idea that in this version of the story Snow White fights back against the Evil Queen. If you'd like to put this book on hold, click here to be redirected to the KHCPL Website

Monday Meme: If you like COOKING

If you're like me, cooking soars over your head. If you're not and you enjoy cooking, then kudos to you! Either way, most everyone enjoys food. So here are a few delicious novels that'll make your mouth water! 

Bittersweet, Sarah Ockler: Hudson doesn't believe in second chances. Not when she's been burned one too many times. She bakes cupcakes and her mom's diner and stays under the radar. But when her cupcakes gain popularity and she gets a second chance at her own dreams, she has to decide how much she's willing to risk to make her dreams come true. Click here to see if she does.

What Happened to Goodbye, Sarah Dessen: McLean and her father bounce from place to place, and each town gives her the chance to reinvent herself. A new name, a new persona, a new group of friends. But one stop might just be her undoing, and might make her wish for something real instead of what she pretends to be. Click here to see how it happens.

Hope Was Here, Joan Bauer:  The Welcome Stairways Diner was the last place Hope expected to find family. But without a doubt, she makes it there. As a waitress with her mom, she takes on the town with the new friends she meets there, despite huge obstacles. Click here to find out how her story goes.