Fun reads, nothing too serious

In September, the library’s shipment of new books arrived, so of course, I had to pick up a few to read.  The books that I read were just for fun, nothing too serious.  I’m actually glad that I read them because at the time, I didn’t want to deal with anything too deep or involved.  I have been enjoying a nice break from the drama-ridden teen books that my students love.  I read these books:

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (This is like Gossip Girls in the late 1800’s.  I am looking forward to reading the next one.)

Airhead by Meg Cabot (This story is about a tomboy whose brain is transferred into the body of a top model)

Oh.My.Goth by Gena Showalter( A goth girl is transported to an alternate world)

Oh.My.God by Teraan Lynn Childs (This is basically a greek myth-teen drama story)

Nick and Norah’s Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Last weekend, I read Nick and Norah Playlist and I was not thrilled by it. The story starts when Nick who only recently broken up with his girlfriend asks Norah to be his “pretend” girlfriend for five minutes. They share a kiss in front of his ex-girlfriend and so begins their one night adventure in New York City. Because I heard so many good reviews, I was expecting more. The story was too contrived…too many chance meetings. Although I did not enjoy it, I am sure others will. 

Slam by Nick Hornsby

Publisher’s Summary: At the age of fifteen, Sam Jones’s girlfriend gets pregnant and Sam’s life of skateboarding and daydreaming about Tony Hawk changes drastically.  So far, this book is great.  Sam, the progantist is quite lovable…I’ll let you know more soon. Well, I finished it a while ago, it was okay but nothing to write home about. 

 

 

 

Head Case by Sarah Aronson

The story begins with seventeen-year-old Frank Marder lying in a bed, undergoing a physical exam at a rehabilitation center after a car accident. This accident has left him paralyzed from the neck down. He cannot do anything by himself and it is his fault. While drunk driving he killed two people, including his girlfriend. Now, he has to live with the repercussions of that tragic night. What is most impressive about Aronson’s writing is the way she shows Frank’s personality and frustrations as he learns how to cope with his disability and the people around him. Head case focuses on an important topic without being overly preachy. If you like this book then you will like Susan Vaught’s Trigger and Terry Trueman’s Stuck in Neutral.

Shooter by Walter Dean Myers

Shooter is a tragic and compelling story about a shooting at a suburban high school that occurs because of bullying. The perpetrator’s best friend, Cameron, an affluent African-American teen, tells the story. As the story begins, Cameron is center in the police investigation but as the story progresses, the shocking truth is revealed through a variety of documents: first-person accounts, police reports, doctor notes, and a handwritten diary. This story challenges its readers to think about how they handle and react to difficult situations. Because of its subject matter and structure, Shooter will definitely find an audience among reluctant readers and mental health professionals. Because this book contains some elements of violence, self-afflicted and towards animals, this book is most suitable for mature readers. If you like this book, then check out Todd Strasser’s Give a boy a gun and Frances Prose’s After.

 

Hail Caesar

 Today, I finally finished reading Hail Caesar by Thu Huong Ha.  Here’s the premise: Seventeen year old, Ceasar doesn’t ever have trouble getting women.  He’s a chick-magnet.  Then one day, he meets Eva (pronounced Ava).  She doesn’t want him.  They develop a  sort-of friendship and he falls hard for her.  She’s interested in someone else. The question is: Will she give him a chance?  Well, you will have to read this book because I am not offering you anything more.  Did I like this book? Did I not?  I don’t know even after ignoring all of the profanity and reference to sex.  Is this book a reflection of today’s generation?  I hope not.  I believe Ms. Ha was fifteen when she began writing this book so it might have been a reflection of her youth.  Although I was disgusted with the attitude of the protaganist, I still found myself rooting for him in the end.

Coping with the aftermath…

It has been a while but here’s my review of Trigger by Susan Vaught:

       Trigger is a powerful and emotional story about a brain-damaged teenager.  Seventeen-year-old Jersey Hatch sustained life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound.  He’s scarred all over, blind in one eye, and walks with a limp.  He cannot recover the nearly two years of lost memories.  At first, he cannot accept that he shot himself. You see, before the injuries, Jersey had it all: money, girls, a car, and popularity.  And then he shot himself.  Now, he wants to know why he did it. Jersey’s parents try to provide support, but they are worried about his mental stability and their marriage. When he returns to school, no one wants to befriend him, not even his ex-best friend.   His peers are verbally and physically abusing him.  Everyone seems to be angry with him because of the ‘incident’.  Life as he knows it is being torn apart and he doesn’t know what to do or who to turn to.  This story offers a new voice to the topic of teen suicide.  The author also provides a great resource page for readers seeking more information.  Appropriate for mature high school students.

Killer’s Tears

 

The Killer’s Tears by Anne-Laure Bondoux

Killer’s Tear took me by surprise.  I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. This is a truly remarkable and emotional story about a young boy who ends up being raised by his parent’s murderer. I really don’t want to provide too much detail because this book is definitely worth reading.  I am looking forward to reading Ms. Bondoux’s other books in the very near future.

YA in crisis: Cut by Patricia McCormick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior to reading, I heard so many good things about this book, so I unfortunately decided to give it a try.   It wasn’t exciting  or interesing at all; boring plot–couldn’t relate.  Perhaps, I expected too much.  However, SOLD was terrific.

Inside Out by Terry Trueman — Outside In

If you’ve never read anything by Terry Trueman, I suggest you pick up any one of his many books.  He is a terrific writer.  Having read, Stuck in Neutral and Cruise Control, I wanted to read more of his writings.  Well, Inside Out is the story of sixteen year old Zach who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The story takes place inside a coffee shop.  The coffee shop  is being held up by two teenagers.  You see, Zach’s perceptions and feelings are skewed. While all of the hostages are panicking,  Zach isn’t.  All he wants is his favorite snack which is a candy bar. This crisis situation leads to some astonishing post-traumatic events.  Definitely, a worthwhile read.