A great book for newbies to the Sci-fi genre!

Landscape with Invisible Hand

By: M.T. Anderson

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Pages: 149

Published: 2017

Read:  December

3 out of 5

Trying to read more out of my comfort zone and get a grasp on different YA novels, I picked up Anderson’s latest book. This book and writing style reminds me of The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, which the movie Home is loosely based. In Landscape with Invisible Hand, the world is taken over by the Vuvv and humans have no control or say on how the earth is run. To survive you must fight or concede to the Vuvv. This book is a starred review on Booklist and receiving a lot of hype. I definitely recommend to fans of science fiction and those who want to venture out of their own comfort zone. It’s short at only 149 pages. Therefore, a great book for new readers of the sci-fi genre. Give it a try!

A tragic story...

This is Where it Ends

By: Marieke Nijkamp

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pages: 285

Published: 2016

Read:  December

3 out of 5

A tragic school shooting told in minute-by-minute detail with four different personal accounts. However, the novel was much more plot-based than character-based and I wanted to “feel” more from of the characters. There were also a lot of characters, even though only four students told the story. This made it a little hard to keep the characters and their relationships straight. However, I loved the time stamped chapters and fast-paced motion of the story. It made the story more realistic and the reader feel that they are actually experiencing the horrific events of a school shooting. I believe this is the author’s intent of writing such a story. She tells a very important story.

a basketball lovers book

A Short History of the Girl Next Door

By: Jared Reck

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pages: 272

Published: 2017

Read:  November

3 out of 5

This book is a slow starter and therefore I think many may give up on it. First, it’s a love story written by a male (which I think is awesome), but it is very heavy on basketball; more so than the love story. I think teen boys with first loves or basketball players would enjoy the story, but will never pick it up because it IS a realistic love story.  I would have liked to feel more of the relationship between Matty and Tabby. I wanted to connect with them in a personal way, especially Tabby. With that being said, if you are into sports of any kind and enjoy a love story twist this book is definitely for you. 

First two novels were SOOO much better...

Crazy Messy Beautiful

By: Carrie Arcos

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pages: 312

Published: 2017

Read:  September

2.75 out of 5

2.75 stars

If I wasn't an adult and I was able to avoid comparing this story to Arcos’ other novels, I may have starred it higher. But I am an adult and I loved her other books. Although there is feeling in this one; it is also just a simple teenage love story that ends happily ever after. I missed the raw emotion and heart-wrenching sadness of There will Come a Time and Out of Reach. I tend to deviate from authors that get in a rut and therefore the books all start to sound alike. Arcos may be attempting to not have this happen and tried a different angle. However, I feel she went too sappy for her writing style and lost the raw feeling. Her characters came off as pathetic instead of sympathetic. 

The great debate begins....

Charlie, Presumed Dead

By: Anne Heltzel

Genre: YA mystery

Pages: 272

Published: 2015

Read:  August

3 out of 5

The premise was good and unique, and the book held my interest, but the ending was so bad and rushed it changed my entire perception of the book. This book was chosen as a teen book club choice because one member LOVED it and another HATED it. There is a constant debate between them, so we decided to open it up for group debates. I have very mixed feelings and can see both girls’ point of view, however in the end I feel the book is just an average YA book. There is a definite twist I didn’t anticipate, which I can understand influencing the teen readers, but the book also lacks luster. My favorite aspect was that it was told by three narrators – one being Charlie, who is presumed dead, and his voice was told in second person as though you were him. Interesting choice!

A great book for boys and other tech readers!

Genius: The Game

By: Leopoldo Gout

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Pages: 304

Published: 2016

Read:  August

3.5 out of 5

A book for boys. I love it! This book is similar to Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, without the 80’s references, and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. All about technology and computer games, this series is sure to grab male readers and any other techies. Three genius teens from around the world, known by each other only through the net, are invited to join the game. If they come out on top, they are able to join the team. It is well written, entertaining and included great graphics that enhance the story. I was glad to see this as a Teens’ Top Ten nominee.

This was a BIG waste of time...don't bother

The Grownup

By: Gillian Flynn

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Pages: 64

Audiobook: 73 minutes

Published: 2015

Read:  July

1 out of 5

This book was ridiculous! Listening to it, I didn't realize it was only 64 pages (73 minutes). It definitely drew you in and then just ended. In fact, it didn't even have an ending. I couldn't believe it was over - there was no ending.

If you have this on you TBR list - Seriously take it off. It a waste of your time.

A slightly disappointing Teens' Top Ten nominee

The Great American Whatever

By: Tim Federle

Genre: YA LGBTQ

Pages: 278

Published: 2016

Read:  July

3 out of 5

I expected more from this book, mostly because it is on the nomination list for the Teens’ Top Ten this year. I don’t feel it is a horrible book or poorly written, just slow paced. The most interesting and entertaining story line was the relationship between Quinn and his sister, Annabeth. There was a big twist I didn’t see coming with their relationship. I felt the fact that Quinn is gay was more of a side story, which isn’t a bad thing – personally I am tired of reading so many books that involve gay characters. However, this book’s summary and market was portrayed as LBGQT, so it may disappoint some readers in that aspect.

"It's not THAT bad"

Pushing the Limits

By: Katie McGarry

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Pages: 392

Published: 2012

Read:  June

5 out of 5

I continually pushed this book to the back of my reading list. I was intrigued by it, but as a Young Adult Librarian I was nervous about the graphic romance I would find in a book meant for teens.  This was not a book I envisioned myself discussing with teens because of my own recommendation and/or just by being on the teen library shelf. However, there came a point when I couldn’t ignore it and eventually the book was handed to me by a teen who, with a sly smile told me, “It wasn’t THAT bad”.  Well, I must say – McGarry wrote a romantic teen story that was intense, but showed that it isn’t all about sex. In fact, sex doesn’t happen in the book!! It wasn’t the most impressively written novel, but the characters and their stories will definitely draw the reader in. (I almost cried at one point). I would recommend this book to any high schooler that enjoys romantic reads. As a parent and a Young Adult Librarian, I wish the cover wasn’t quite so erotic – It would be a lot easier to hand to teens! As an adult reader, I would probably rate it 4 stars because of the writing quality, but if I read it when I was a teen myself I would have LOVED it! 

Yoon does it again!!

The Sun is Also a Star

By: Nicola Yoon

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Pages: 348

Published: 2016

Audiobook: 7 cd’s (8 hours)

Read:  June

3 out of 5

Nicola Yoon is definitely a teen favorite. Not only have both of her books earned a spot in the Teens’ Top Ten nominees, her debut novel, Everything, Everything made the Top Ten list last year. While I have enjoyed both books, they are extremely predictable and way too convenient for my tastes. I did enjoy Everything, Everything a little more because Yoon’s voice was new and different. The Sun is Also a Star is told both in the perspective of Nastasha and Daniel, but also a narrator. I loved this additional voice. He provided character backgrounds, personal thoughts and little snippets of history. Did you know that Koreans own the market for black hair care products? Not me! I listened to the audio of this book (and Everything, Everything) and because of the three “voices” I highly recommend it. 

Love Shusterman's books!

Scythe

By: Neal Shusterman

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 435

Published: 2016

Read:  December

4 out of 5

I love Shusterman’s Unwind Dystology. In fact, Unwind was the first book in the dystopian genre that I enjoyed let alone LOVED!! I still recommend the series to readers. Nonetheless, I was thrilled to read Scythe and I was not disappointed. There is constant action throughout and his novels are so thought-provoking. Even though his ideas are so far-fetched (a community that conquered death so scythes are required to “randomly” kill off people in order to control the population), you are still constantly thinking, What If? I believe this is because he makes the stories believable with the characters – they become your friends or foes, depending on circumstance. Scythe is well deserving of the Teens’ Top Ten nominee and has my vote!

First review for the 2017 Teens' Top Ten nominees

Heartless

By: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA Fantasy Retellings

Pages: 453

Published: 2016

Read: February

4 out of 5

I am not a huge fantasy novel fan, however if I had to choose my favorite subgenre it would definitely be the fairy tale retelling stories. I love comparing the original story with the modern version I am reading at the time. And within that grouping, Meyer is my favorite author. This is the second novel of hers I have read. Teens do still love them more than me, but I highly recommend Meyer to anyone wanting to try a fantasy retelling story.  I am surprised that Heartless wasn’t made a part of the Lunar Chronicles series – Catherine could have fit right in with those characters and their adventures. Meyer is a great author and knows how to keep a teen’s interest. She is a great storyteller and well deserving of this nomination.