Rumors by Anna Godbersen

After the death of Elizabeth Holland, all of New York speculates about her unfortunate demise and wonder what role her mischievous sister, Diana, and notorious cad Henry Schoonmaker played in the events leading up to her death.


Yes, it's shallow and something like Gossip Girls set in the late-19th century; but what a fun read! There is just something about the setting that makes me more likely to read this trivial stuff....after all, it is historical fiction, right? Great light read!

Rating: 8 of 10

Dancing in a Distant Place by Isla Dewar

Iris Chisholm arrives in the Scottish Highland community of Green Cairns hoping to recover from the shock of her husband's death and the news he has left her penniless, and soon finds herself distracted by the students at her small school and the two men vying for her attention.

A very quiet, slow-moving story of a woman who discovers secrets after her husband dies. When she has to live with the consequences of his actions, it disrupts the fabric of family that is left. The book cover is lovely and made me pick up the book. Some adult book have teen appeal, even though this one has teenage characters, it probably won't have much teen appeal.

Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala

Agu, a young boy in an unnamed West African nation, is discovered by guerrilla fighters after his mother and sister escape and his father is brutally murdered, and is forced into becoming a soldier at the mercy of a treacherous terrorist leader.

Very seldom do I not finish a book...I quit this one after 39 pages. The subject matter was too horrible, I just couldn't make myself read anymore of it. I hope it had an uplifting ending...I just couldn't stand to read any more of it.

Rating: 2 of 10

Learning the Game by Kevin Waltman

When he and his high-school basketball teammates steal from a fraternity house in their small Indiana town, Nate contends with his guilt, his loyalty to his friends, and his desire to help his older brother who comes under suspicion for the crime.

What a great book! There are so many layers to try to unravel. On the surface it is a great book about boys basketball in Indiana; but, the more complex issue is dealing with the consequences of bad decisions. I'm going to really push this book...I think it is an important read.

Rating: 9 of 10

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Seventeen-year-old Aislinn, who has the rare ability to see fairies, is drawn against her will into a centuries-old battle by Keenan, the terrifying but alluring Summer King, who determines that she must become his queen and save summer from perishing.

OK, I've heard that fairies are the new vampires...but I don't think I like them as well. I believe that teenage girls will love this book. It has lots of sexual tension. As an adult, I had several problems with this book; but I believe that teen readers who graduate from the Twilight series will enjoy this.

Rating: 8 of 10