I read lots of books. I mean, a whole passel of books. More books than you can shake a stick at. Ok, you get the idea. Some are books for teens, and here are the ones I really enjoyed this year, in no particular order:
Shiver- by Maggie Steifvater — A werewolf love story, perfect for members of Team Jacob. You know who you are. I loved the writing in this book—so lyrical and real feeling. The audio is sublime.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz – Mature readers will appreciate this heart wrenching tale of a boy who is in rehab, fighting off his demons. Alcohol is the addiction that almost took his life, but there is something else he just can’t remember….
Liar by Justine Larbalestier—After her boyfriend is murdered, Micah promises to tell the truth. But can you really believe her? A real page-turner.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – The sequel to The Hunger Games. I was so excited to read this one—and though I though Hunger Games was much better, this was still a good read.
Fire by Kristin Cashore – A companion novel to Graceling, this one was truly worth waiting for. Every bit as good as Graceling, this is the story of Fire, a human monster who helps with the war that is brewing in her land.
Raven Summer by David Almond—This guy always writes a good creepy book, and this one delivers. Two boys find a baby in the woods, and then their lives change. If you like a little bit of mystery mixed with some really interesting characters, try this book.
Ruined by Paul Morris – New Orleans, ghosts, and voodoo curses: what more can you ask for? How about a school full of snobby girls, a family secret, and a little humor here and there?
Pretty Dead by Francisca Lia Block –A different sort of vampire story, written by the master of absurd.
Ash by Malinda Lo—Cinderella updated. What happens when the fairy is not a godmother, but a fairy man who wants her for his own, but all she wants is to be with the King’s Huntress?
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork – As an audio, this will knock your socks off. Meet Marcelo, who is on the autism spectrum. He thinks his life is just fine the way it is—but his father thinks he needs to spend the summer in the “Real World”, working at his law firm. You decide who was right—Marcelo, or his father.
