VIRALS by Kathy Reichs

Virals by Kathy Reichs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teenager Tony Brennan is just getting used to living with the father she never knew on a secluded island of the coast of South Carolina. Luckily she has a loyal group of friends she spends her time with. When Tony discovers an undercover experiment involving a furry little wolf-dog pup, she convinces her friends to help her break the pup out of captivity. In doing so the group is exposed to an experimental version of the parvovirus which seems to heighten the friends' senses to that of a wild canine. If that isn't intriguing enough, the friends discover a skeleton and use their new "powers" to help solve a decades old murder case.

With murder and supernatural powers, Kathy Reichs has provided a high-paced adventure mystery that is sure to keep your interest.

BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Life isn't fair. Especially for 16yr. old Tessa Scott who has been living the last 4 years of her life fighting a losing battle against cancer. Now she has chosen to stop treatments to prolong her life. Before she dies she has a list of things she wants to accomplish that keeps growing and growing. Ranging from simple to illegal, Tess' list makes for a compelling story. I can't lie though, if you don't want to cry then don't read this book. She is a young girl with a terminal illness, enough said. In spite of my tears I did enjoy this book alot.

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hannah Baker is dead. She killed herself. She has recorded her story on tape for those who played a role to listen to the events, random and intentional that led to her decision to end her life. Clay has received those tapes in the mail. He liked Hannah, he's not sure how he could have caused her take such drastic measures. He listens to the tapes, the stories of thirteen people that have played a part in Hannah's escape from life. What did he do? Could he have stopped her? Could anyone have stopped the snowball that started with a small rumor and ended with Hannah committing suicide? This book was hard to put down. I was drawn to the plot and wanted to know the reasons why. I was also hoping the entire book that Hannah was not dead but that it was all a terrible joke. I think I'll try to read a happy book next.

MATCHED by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book has been flying off the shelves in libraries and bookstores. I had to read it and I enjoyed it but I think it had been hyped up too much to meet my expectations. Cassia, 17, lives in a futuristic society where the government controls the lives of its citizens. What a person eats, where he/she works, when he/she dies, and who he/she fall in love with are decided without a personal choice in the matter. On her seventeenth birthday Cassia is "Matched" with her best friend Xander. This is an uncommon match and even more Cassia is confused by a second "Match", Ky. Now Cassia must choose between the safety the government provides and her true feelings. It is a love story without a lot of action but it is set up for a action packed sequel.

CARBON DIARIES 2015 by Saci Lloyd

The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Set just 4 years in the future, Carbon Diaries 2015 presents the world facing dire circumstances due to global warming which has caused extreme climate changes. When England becomes the first nation to start rationing carbon dioxide in order to combat the damage that has already been done, 16 year old Laura records her life in short diary entries. Not only does Laura have to combat draughts, massive floods, and other disasters, she also has to survive her teenage years while her family and world crumble around her.

It took me some time to get into this story but by the end I was on the edge of my seat. The diary entries bring the all too believable disasters to life. While reading I thought of all the strange environmental happenings of the past few years and those still to come in the future. The only thing I wish is that there was more action at the beginning of the book like there was at the end. However, with the build up to the climax of the story, I'm more than ready to read the sequel, Carbon Diaries 2017 to find out what 2 more years has done to the world.

ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The year is 2083 and Prohibition has returned. But this time it is not alcohol that is banned, it's chocolate and coffee. Paper is rare and water is rationed. Sixteen year old Anya's life is defined by the prohibition of chocolate. As the daughter of a slain mob boss and the namesake of one of the most famous chocolate companies in the world, Anya lives a seemingly normal if not slightly dangerous life. She goes to school and takes care of her family, including her younger sister, older brother who is mentally challenged, and her dying grandmother, protecting them at all costs from the world of crime that threatens to swallow them whole. She even finds the time to date. But when her recently dumped boyfriend is poisoned by chocolate, Anya is the prime suspect and her family history is enough to send her sheltered world crashing down. After a brief stint in juvi, a new boyfriend who happens to be the D.A.'s son, and her mafia family falling apart, Anya is forced to make a choice, struggle to survive her way or follow in the footsteps of her father and join the family business.

This story was entertaining and I plan on reading the sequel that comes out this week. However, I agree with other readers that there wasn't much of a climax or point to this story which is why I'm curious for the next book. The story is not fully developed yet. Still, it's worth reading for anyone who likes crime, love, or mystery stories.

BETWEEN THE LINES by Jodi Picoult

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Did you ever wonder what happens to the characters of a book once you're finished reading? I never did until I read this book.

Jodi Picoult's latest novel in collaboration with her daughter is the story of Delilah, a fifteen year old self proclaimed social outcast. Her social network includes one friend, Jules. That is until Oliver enters the picture. Oliver is the handsome prince who has taken a keen interest in Delilah. If only he could just get her to notice him. See, the problem is, Oliver is just a character in a fairy tale, the fairy tale that Delilah has not been able to stop reading ever since she found it in the library. Oliver wants out of the story and Delilah is the only one who can help him. What ensues is a fantastical story that unites two worlds. Once Delilah gets past the whole "Am I a crazy person who is hearing fictional characters?' thing, she takes on the adventure of bringing Oliver to her world. Will Oliver and Delilah have their happy ending?

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this story. The story told in the alternating voices of Delilah and Oliver wrapped around Oliver's fairy tale was an intriguing tale for young adults that kept my attention throughout. Great for readers looking for a love story wrapped in fantasy.

YA Picoult

CARBON DIARIES 2015 by Saci Lloyd

Set just 4 years in the future, Carbon Diaries 2015 presents the world facing dire circumstances due to global warming which has caused extreme climate changes.  When England becomes the first nation to start rationing carbon dioxide in order to combat the damage that has already been done, 16 year old Laura records  her life in short diary entries.  Not only does Laura have to combat draughts, massive floods, and other disasters, she also has to survive her teenage years while her family and world crumble around her.

It took me some time to get into this story but by the end I was on the edge of my seat.  The diary entries bring the all too believable disasters to life.  While reading I thought of all the strange environmental happenings of the past few years and those still to come in the future.   The only thing I wish is that there was more action at the beginning of the book like there was at the end.  However, with the build up to the climax of the story, I'm more than ready to read the sequel, Carbon Diaries 2017 to find out what 2 more years has done to the world.

TEARS OF A TIGER by Sharon Draper

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read this book for a long time. It is an older story but still relevant. The books starts out with a newspaper report of a drunk driving accident involving four high school students. Star basketball player Andy is drinking and driving. He and two others, B.J. and Tyrone escape as they watch their friend Robbie die in the fiery crash, unable to rescue him. Now Andy is trying to get over the guilt he feels having killed his best friend. This is a sad story that reads quickly. The story is told in alternating view points from many different characters. The end is unexpected but necessary to the story's impact.

TELL US WE'RE HOME by Marina Budhos

Tell Us We're Home by Marina Budhos
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of three normal 8th grade girls, Jaya, Maria, and Lola. They live in a wealthy suburb of Meadowbrook, NJ and just like everyone else they are trying to find their spot in the social world. However, unlike everyone else Jaya, Maria, and Lola are not wealthy. They are the daughters of immigrant workers who serve the wealthy families of the other students. I enjoyed this book because it gave an honest view of the Jr. High social structure. A great story about friendship of three girls on the outside looking in.

THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN by Susan Beth Pfeffer

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I did not like the end of this book but only because I will never know what happens next. This is the 3rd book in a series about the end of the world. An asteroid has hit the moon changing the tides causing volcanoes, tornados, and tsunamis and now people are dying of illness, starvation, and exposure. This World We Live In continues the story of Miranda, a teenager fighting for survival in rural Pennsylvania and Alex, a boy from New York City doing the same. In this third book the two stories come together as Miranda and Alex meet. Now there are more mouths to feed, people to shelter, and feelings to be felt as Alex and Miranda grow closer to each other. I have been wrapped up in this world while reading all three books and I am anxious to know what happens? Can they rebuild civilization?

THE FREAK OBSERVER by Blythe Woolston

The Freak Observer by Blythe Woolston
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Maybe it's because I never took Physics or I like books with a little more action, but this was not one of my favorite books. 16 year old Loa had a pretty normal life considering her baby sister Asta was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that would leave her a permanent infant. Then, Asta died. Asta was the sun that Loa's family revolved around. Not too long after Asta's death, one of Loa's friends dies. Loa is afraid of death. She is afraid to go to sleep because of her nightmares and the "bony guy". Each chapter begins with a physics word problem or concept that were all completely foreign to me. It was hard to reach the end but the point of the story is whether Loa can escape from her fear of death enough to live.

A TIME OF MIRACLES by Anne-Laure Bondoux

A Time of Miracles by Anne-Laure Bondoux
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never wanted to put this book down. In fact it almost made me late to work because I just had to finish it. This story follows seven year old Blaise and Gloria, the woman who cares for him, as they travel across the war-torn Cacaucus region and Europe as refugees in search of a peaceful existence. The story is a mystery. Blaise Fortune, known as Koumail, knows only what Gloria has told him about his past, which has been filled with tragedy and hardships. Now Blaise finds himself abandoned in a Spanish pig truck being questioned at the French border? He asks himself "Where is Gloria? Who am I? Reading a book like this makes me count my blessings. As a seven year old I never had to worry about soldiers attacking my home or being seperated from the person who cares for me.

THINGS A BROTHER KNOWS by Dana Reinhardt

The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brothers share a special bond. This bond may not always be so clear, especially when you haven't seen your brother in 3 years. Especially when your brother has served as a Marine in battle. Levi always hoped to grow up to be just like his older brother Boaz but now Boaz has changed and Levi barely knows this stranger who shares a bathroom with him. When Boaz leaves on a mysterious walking trip, Levi decides to follow to find out just what is happening in his brother's head. The result is a journey that shows the meaning of family, friendship, and what it means to be a hero. I loved this book. I felt like I was on the walk with the two brothers listening to their conversation or lack thereof. The story remains a mystery until the very end.