"New Moon"

I know, I know, I know. You are sick of the "Twilight" frenzy and you have probably already read the entire series. But in honor of the second movie in the series ("New Moon") coming out this weekend, I had to write this post.

In "New Moon" Bella and Edward are smitten...until Jasper makes a run at Bella when she gets a paper cut. Edward decides that he must leave to protect Bella, and breaks her heart in the process. In steps Jacob who wants to sweep poor Bella off her feet, much to her resistance. In the end Bella must save Edward in a race against the Volturri and fate...Vampires and Werewolves and Vampires, oh my!

This series does deal with teenage themes. If you haven't read "Twilight" start there...if you are a younger reader try a different (but just as wonderful) fantasy series, "Eragon".

"The Thirteenth Tale"

There are just some people who are fascinating...and we all want to know their life stories. Think about that celebrity or author or singer- wouldn't you give anything for an hour alone with them and a notebook full of questions?

Well, in "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield, a famous author named Vida Winter has given out twelve previous tales about her life- all different and all false. She is a mystery. But now Vida is on her death bed and she wants to give out the true tale of her life. This is an engrossing, slow, luscious tale with a twist at the end that you will never see coming. Perfect for a snowy weekend when you're stuck indoors. Make sure you have a cup of hot chocolate and plenty of time...

This book does deal with more mature themes so please make sure you are a mature reader. If you are a younger read try "The Wednesday Wars", if you are an older reader pick up "Speak".

"City of Bones," "City of Ashes," and "City of Glass"

I know, I know, I know. You are sick of hearing about "Twilight" and anything to do with vampires. Let me just say that you will be doing yourself a huge disservice if you don't read "The Mortal Instruments" series (book titles above) by Cassandra Clare. Yes, the books have vampires and werewolves- but there is so much more going on in these books that the story will sweep you away. Plus, the vampires and werewolves are in the background of the story for the most part.

Clary Fray is a strange girl who witnesses a murder and who's mother goes missing. Within twenty-four hours she sees demons and glamors, vampires and werewolves. Shadowhunters are in charge of keeping the regular world in order, and before she knows it, Clary becomes part of the Shadowhunter world. To save her mother, and the world, Clary needs to wake up to the realization that she's not just a normal mundane and that she holds incredible power, along with Jace's heart, in her hands...

I promise that within the first fifty pages of "City of Bones" you won't want to do anything but read until you reach the last sentence in "City of Glass". Perfect for a rainy day, or any day.

If you like "Twilight," you'll like these books. Jace might be even better than Edward...

"Uglies," "Pretties," "Specials," and "Extras"...

Do you often dream about what the future holds? Fun, money, peace, happiness...well, I guarantee that Scott Westerfeld's version of the future is something you've never imagined.

In "Uglies" we meet Tally, a fifteen-year-old-girl on the verge of her sixteenth birthday. She lives in Uglyville, where all children live until they turn sixteen and have the operation to turn them pretty. Tally can't wait to have the operation, be pretty, go to pretty parties and have pretty boyfriends. Unfortunately, Tally meets Shay and the two girls become friends. Shay doesn't want to be pretty and has a plan to run away. Tally refuses to go and when Shay turn up missing...well, I'll just say that the authorities aren't very pleased. Tally is put in a terrible position- betray her friends or be ugly forever. What will she choose...

I think the story that drives these four books is wonderful. Westerfeld paints such an enticing picture you can't wait to find out what's happened to Tally and her friends. The books are easy and fast reads, once you read the first one you'll want to read them all! The imaginative world of this series will thrill you and scare you at the same time...Enjoy!

"The Compound"

Do you ever look at your dad and think, "Wow. He is CRAZY." Well, I hate to tell you, but as you grow older that is going to be happening more and more often.

That's a subject for another day, what I really want to talk about is "The Compound" and how crazy the dad in this story is. He is...really, really crazy. Off the deep end. Completely loony.

This is a story about a family, told from the perspective of a male teenager, who have taken shelter from nuclear war. They are hiding underground, in an awesome shelter (the father of the family, the crazy dad, is a billionaire genius) which has rooms and games and tons of food. But as time ticks on, they are running out of food and they have to face some awful possibilities...like eating each other.

There are so many twists in this story you aren't going to be able to put it down. Your mouth will hurt from gasping "Ahhh" at every turn in the story, and you'll be tired from staying up all night to read but you'll never regret it.

If you're younger and not claustrophobic try "The Boy in the Blue Pajamas"...

"Life As We Knew It" and "The Dead and The Gone"

The second week of school and things are starting to become routine. If you find yourself starting to reflect on school and life in general with a pessimistic-glass-half-empty-look, do I have the books for you. What do you need to read to start to feel better about your poor little life? Well, a book about someone who is worse off than you, of course.

In "Life As We Knew It" and "The Dead and The Gone" a meteor has hit the moon forcing closer to the Earth. Because the moon is so much closer to the Earth disaster strikes. Floods. Famine. People killing themselves and each other. "Life" is from a female protagonist's perspective, "Dead" is from a male protagonist's perspective. They are companion books, meaning they happen simultaneously (not one after the other). Both are good and well written, although I prefer "Life" to "Dead". Read either and let me know what you think...

Other books to consider: If you're an older reader try "Anthem" by Ayn Rand, if you're a younger reader "Holes" would be right up your alley.

"Catching Fire"

Alright, I forgive you. I know it was a short summer and your reading list was as long as your arm, but you have no excuse that's good enough if you haven't read "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. The book blew me away. I read it all in a night, and was tossing and turning after I fell asleep, visions of Katniss and "The Handmaid's Tale" (by Margaret Atwood) dancing through my head.

Well, the sequel to "The Hunger Games" is out, and I bought it and finished it yesterday. For young adult literature, its good. I thought it was a bit rushed, but the story line continues to be amazing and the plot moves so fast you can't put the book down. You still love Katniss and hate the Capitol, and by the ending you find yourself hyperventilating in anxiousness for a resolution that never comes...I'll let you know when to expect the third book.

If you're an older reader and unsure as to whether you would like the book, I would say give it a try. Young adult literature is well written and has some of the best plots/story lines out there. Young adult writers aren't afraid to take chances like some adult fiction writers are. Plus, no one gets tired of teenage angst and rebellion against something clearly sinister...do they? If you are a young reader I warn you that this book contains some more mature themes, but there is no swearing or sex.

All in all, five out of five starts.

Like "The Hunger Games"? Try "The Handmaid's Tale" if you are 15 and older, or "Life As We Knew It" if you are part of the younger crowd.