Stand Off by Andrew Smith
A couple of years ago, I read Winger by the same author. This picks up where that book leaves off. It's Ryan Dean's senior year at Pine Mountain, and he is forced to room with a twelve year old freshman. He hates it. He is still dating Annie, and still plays rugby, although this year he is not a winger, but a stand off, and the captain of the team.
Ryan Dean's biggest problem is that he never "got over" Joey's death. Not that anyone expects that really, but he never sought help coping with it, and now suffers from severe anxiety attacks in his sleep.
Over the course of this book, Ryan Dean comes to terms with his life, and finds a way to deal with things. This was every bit as enjoyable as its predecessor.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Creepy Third Part
Catacomb by Madeleine Roux
This is the third full installment of the trilogy that started with Asylum. In this one, Dan, Abby, and Jordan are headed to New Orleans because Jordan is moving there with his uncle. On the way, Abby is working on a photo essay that involves some nefarious characters, and the trio discovers that they are being followed.
Once they get to New Orleans, they find out more about Dan's bilogical parents, as well as how they died. Dan actually gets mixed up with the people responsible for their deaths, and harm comes to him.
While not as creepy as the first book in the trilogy, this one does have a lot to offer in the spooky department. It also ties things up nicely, so I doubt that there will be other books in the series, though I wouldn't be disappointed if there are.
This is the third full installment of the trilogy that started with Asylum. In this one, Dan, Abby, and Jordan are headed to New Orleans because Jordan is moving there with his uncle. On the way, Abby is working on a photo essay that involves some nefarious characters, and the trio discovers that they are being followed.
Once they get to New Orleans, they find out more about Dan's bilogical parents, as well as how they died. Dan actually gets mixed up with the people responsible for their deaths, and harm comes to him.
While not as creepy as the first book in the trilogy, this one does have a lot to offer in the spooky department. It also ties things up nicely, so I doubt that there will be other books in the series, though I wouldn't be disappointed if there are.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Family Secrets
Never Come Back by David Bell
Once again, this author has impressed me. In this one, Elizabeth, a grad student, is called to her mother's house because her mother has died. As it turns out, her mother has been murdered, and the police think her brother, Ronnie, who has Down Syndrome, committed the murder. Luckily, Elizabeth has her uncle, Paul, and sometimes boyfriend, Dan, to help her through her troubles.
Things start to get weird for Elizabeth too. Her apartment is broken into, and the police don't want to believe that it is related to her mother's murder. She finds out she has a sister from her mother's unknown previous marriage, and that woman's father has come to Elizabeth asking for money. Not to mention Ronnie confesses to the murder and tries to kill himself.
So much goes on, and you just want to find out who murdered Elizabeth's mother.
Once again, this author has impressed me. In this one, Elizabeth, a grad student, is called to her mother's house because her mother has died. As it turns out, her mother has been murdered, and the police think her brother, Ronnie, who has Down Syndrome, committed the murder. Luckily, Elizabeth has her uncle, Paul, and sometimes boyfriend, Dan, to help her through her troubles.
Things start to get weird for Elizabeth too. Her apartment is broken into, and the police don't want to believe that it is related to her mother's murder. She finds out she has a sister from her mother's unknown previous marriage, and that woman's father has come to Elizabeth asking for money. Not to mention Ronnie confesses to the murder and tries to kill himself.
So much goes on, and you just want to find out who murdered Elizabeth's mother.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Suspense is a Good Thing
Cemetery Girl by David Bell
What I like about David Bell is that his books start where most books just start to get good. He tells what happens after the climax, and I like that.
Four years ago, Tom and Abby's daughter, Caitlin, went missing while walking the family dog. Caitlin was twelve at the time. Over the course of those four years, Tom and Abby's marriage has fallen apart. Tom is still relentlessly searching for Caitlin, and Abby thinks it's time to move on.
After a new lead pops up, Caitlin is suddenly found. The problem is, she doesn't want to talk about what happened over those four years she was gone, and she doesn't want the kidnapper to be prosecuted. All of this is tough for Tom. He wants to know what happened to his daughter, and wants to see the perpetrator pay for his crimes. He knows it won't necessarily change things, but he wants the person to pay for the time he took Caitlin away.
Will Tom turn vigilante to get what he wants, or will he let Caitlin have things her way?
This was such a good read! I can't wait to see what else Mr. Bell has out there.
What I like about David Bell is that his books start where most books just start to get good. He tells what happens after the climax, and I like that.
Four years ago, Tom and Abby's daughter, Caitlin, went missing while walking the family dog. Caitlin was twelve at the time. Over the course of those four years, Tom and Abby's marriage has fallen apart. Tom is still relentlessly searching for Caitlin, and Abby thinks it's time to move on.
After a new lead pops up, Caitlin is suddenly found. The problem is, she doesn't want to talk about what happened over those four years she was gone, and she doesn't want the kidnapper to be prosecuted. All of this is tough for Tom. He wants to know what happened to his daughter, and wants to see the perpetrator pay for his crimes. He knows it won't necessarily change things, but he wants the person to pay for the time he took Caitlin away.
Will Tom turn vigilante to get what he wants, or will he let Caitlin have things her way?
This was such a good read! I can't wait to see what else Mr. Bell has out there.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Another Advanced Copy
Anywhere But Here by Tanya Lloyd Kyl
Cole's life is a mess. His mother recently passed away. His dad is drinking too much and dating a stripper. He breaks up with his girlfriend of two years, only to end up sorta dating the school "slut." His life consists of school and parties in a small town where everybody knows everybody.
After a visit to the guidance counselor, Cole thinks he has found a way out: film school in Vancouver. He has to submit a short film, so he creates a documentary about how his town is like a spider's web that keeps everyone in. Along the way, he finds the one thing that could keep his dreams from coming to fruition.
As Cole deals with the frustration caused by possibly having to stay in the town that stifles him, he learns some important lessons about life.
Cole's life is a mess. His mother recently passed away. His dad is drinking too much and dating a stripper. He breaks up with his girlfriend of two years, only to end up sorta dating the school "slut." His life consists of school and parties in a small town where everybody knows everybody.
After a visit to the guidance counselor, Cole thinks he has found a way out: film school in Vancouver. He has to submit a short film, so he creates a documentary about how his town is like a spider's web that keeps everyone in. Along the way, he finds the one thing that could keep his dreams from coming to fruition.
As Cole deals with the frustration caused by possibly having to stay in the town that stifles him, he learns some important lessons about life.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Advanced Reader Copy? Yes, Please!
Dear Blue Sky by Mary Sullivan
If there is one benefit to being a wannabe school librarian, it is being on good terms with your school librarians. Why? Because then they think of you when they go to librarian professional development, and bring you things back. In this case, seven advanced reader copies of books. Free books are always welcome.
Cass is in middle school. She has an older brother named Sef, who is a Marine being sent to Iraq in 2006. She has an older sister named Van, who is dating the singer in a rock band. She has a younger brother named Jack, who has Down's syndrome, and wants to be just like Sef.
Apparently, the whole family revolves around Sef. The reason I say this is because he is the only person their mother seems to care about, to the point of ignoring her other children who need her just as much. Also, all the siblings seem to have some hero worship of Sef, like he could do no wrong. Even when he did things that would be considered bad, their mother just swept them under the rug, like it never happened.
Cass dwells a lot on Sef being away, and she wants to learn all she can about where he is at. So, when her history teacher told them they had to read a blog about someone from somewhere else, she chose one by Blue Sky, and Iraqi girl. From Blue Sky, she learns about the Iraq not being shown on the news. It is eye opening for her.
Over the course of the book, Cass finds herself, and learns to deal with her brother being gone. It was an ok read.
If there is one benefit to being a wannabe school librarian, it is being on good terms with your school librarians. Why? Because then they think of you when they go to librarian professional development, and bring you things back. In this case, seven advanced reader copies of books. Free books are always welcome.
Cass is in middle school. She has an older brother named Sef, who is a Marine being sent to Iraq in 2006. She has an older sister named Van, who is dating the singer in a rock band. She has a younger brother named Jack, who has Down's syndrome, and wants to be just like Sef.
Apparently, the whole family revolves around Sef. The reason I say this is because he is the only person their mother seems to care about, to the point of ignoring her other children who need her just as much. Also, all the siblings seem to have some hero worship of Sef, like he could do no wrong. Even when he did things that would be considered bad, their mother just swept them under the rug, like it never happened.
Cass dwells a lot on Sef being away, and she wants to learn all she can about where he is at. So, when her history teacher told them they had to read a blog about someone from somewhere else, she chose one by Blue Sky, and Iraqi girl. From Blue Sky, she learns about the Iraq not being shown on the news. It is eye opening for her.
Over the course of the book, Cass finds herself, and learns to deal with her brother being gone. It was an ok read.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Companion to Every Day
Another Day by David Levithan
Two years ago, I read the book Every Day by the same author. It tells the story of A, who is neither male nor female, and inhabits a different body everyday. It told of him falling in love with Rhiannon after having spent the day in her boyfriend's body. Another Day is Rhiannon's side of the story.
From Rhiannon, we learn that her relationship with her boyfriend, Justin, is not ideal. Then she starts meeting random people. It's A. He explains his life and that he is in love with her. Rhiannon is blown away, but intrigued as well. They try to make their relation ship work, but Rhiannon finds that it is harder than she ever expected.
In a nutshell, this is the same story, just told by Rhiannon. It was every bit as good as the first book, and definitely worth the read.
Two years ago, I read the book Every Day by the same author. It tells the story of A, who is neither male nor female, and inhabits a different body everyday. It told of him falling in love with Rhiannon after having spent the day in her boyfriend's body. Another Day is Rhiannon's side of the story.
From Rhiannon, we learn that her relationship with her boyfriend, Justin, is not ideal. Then she starts meeting random people. It's A. He explains his life and that he is in love with her. Rhiannon is blown away, but intrigued as well. They try to make their relation ship work, but Rhiannon finds that it is harder than she ever expected.
In a nutshell, this is the same story, just told by Rhiannon. It was every bit as good as the first book, and definitely worth the read.
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