Friday, December 30, 2016

Illuminae Files Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff


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Illuminae Files Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff


Kady just broke up with her boyfriend, Ezra.Now her biggest problem is trying to avoid him. That is until the illegal mining settlement she calls home is attack and she must escape on the closest space ship. Running for their lives, the survivors are pursued by their attackers. But that is not the only problem they face. A virus that turns people into violent zombies and a psychotic AI are added to growing list of obstacles in the way of survival. Told in a series of emails, classified reports, and amazing graphics, this story unfolds like no other. A new genre is born.

Below are book trailers from the point of view of the three main characters of the book.






Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassins Series by Robin Lafevers






Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassins Series by Robin Lafevers

Ismae is the daughter  of the God of Death. When she finds her way to the convent of St, Mortain, she becomes a handmaiden of Death. A carefully trained assassin. Her first assignment brings her into a world of political intrigue. This world makes her question everything she was taught at the convent, leading her to an impossible decision. His Fair Assassin's series follows three novitiates as they find their way among the powerful of medieval Brittany.





Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Gallery by Laura Marx Fitzgerald




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The Gallery by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

After Martha gets kicked out of school, her mother hires her to be a kitchen maid in the household of newspaper magnet J. Edward Sewell. HIs wife Rose is a notorious recluse known for her incredible art collection. As Martha gets to know her employers more, she begins to realize that there is more to the story of Rose Sewell. Mysterious groupings of paintings appear in the gallery. Is Rose trying to send a message to Martha? Martha is determined to find out. Join this mysterious adventure set in the Roaring 20’s New York City.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee





The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee


In the future, New York City rests in the shadow of a tower miles high that hosts a thousand floors. People live, work and play never having to leave the tower. The richer you are the higher your floor. But even in the future, life is complicated. Leda has a secret addiction. Avery has a forbidden love. Watt has a secret that could land him in jail. It seems everyone in the tower has something to hide. And one person will pay for those secrets with their life.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier



Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier

Liv has always had weird dreams, but lately the weirdness is getting out of control. In her dreams she is meeting people she has never met before and visiting places she has never seen before. how is that possible? It's hard enough moving and starting a new school, and now she is seeing the four most popular boys in school in her dreams. And they are seeing her in their dreams. How can people share dreams? And what do the boys want from her?  A dark fantasy from the author of the Ruby Red Trilogy.

Riders by Veronica Rossi





Riders by Veronica Rossi

In a new series by the author of Under the Never Sky, Veronica Rossi delves into the supernatural.
Gideon Blake has his life planned out. After joining the army, Gideon trains to be an elite Army Ranger. Unfortunately  a tragic accident almost takes his life. Or does it? Gideon wakes up with a strange cuff on his wrist with new incredible abilities. Soon a mysterious girl enters his life to tell him he is one of the four horseman of the apocalypse. Gideon must find his brother horseman and together they must battle a team of demons who want to wreak havoc upon the Earth. An action packed adventure.

A World Without You by Beth Revis


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A World Without You by Beth Revis

Bo has always known he was special with the ability to travel through time. His worried parents send him to a school for students with powers. There he meets Sofia who has the power of invisibility. The love they feel is not enough to keep Sofia from succumbing to her depression and committing suicide. But Bo does not believe she is dead. He took her back in time to keep her from her sorrow, but he can't seem to get back to her. No one believes him. His parents, his friends and his doctor all try to convince Bo that she is dead. When his world starts to unravel, Bo begins to question the reality around him. A heart wrenching novel about choosing between reality and what we want to be true.

Monday, October 3, 2016

The Inn Between by Marina Cohen

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The Inn Between by Marina Cohen

Quinn and Kara are best friends. But when Kara has to move across the country with her family, it is hard for Quinn to let go. So hard that they tie their friendship bracelets together even as they travel together to Kara's new home. A long night of driving leads Kara, Quinn and Kara's family to the Inn Between, whose strange slogan, "We've been expecting you," gives Quinn the creeps. As strange happenings begin and even stranger guests appear, Quinn and Kara begin to worry and question. What is this place? Why are they being followed? This suspense filled book will not allow you to put it down!

Monday, September 26, 2016

Slacker by Gordon Korman


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Slacker by Gordon Korman

Cameron Boxer has worked hard for the last 13 years to cultivate his "lifestyle." A dark basement, a huge flat screen tv, and a couch molded to his body. He has been a shadow, a ghost. Teachers don't remember having him as a student. He is unknown to the principal and guidance counselor. His life is playing video games and being a slacker.  After his house almost burns down, Cameron's parents give him an ultimatum: join in an extracurricular activity or no more video games. In a panic, Cameron creates a fake club called the P.A.G. or Positive Action Group.   Suddenly, the P.A.G. gains the attention of other students and the guidance counselor, Mr. Fanshaw. Everyone sees the P.A.G. as a means to their own end. Unfortunately for Cameron, he can no longer hide away in his basement. He is forced to join the real world and leave his virtual world behind.

Friday, September 23, 2016

The joy of rereading a great book

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There is a joy to be had in rereading a well-loved book. Sometimes when I am not in the mood for a new book, I seek out the comfort of a old friend, one I  enjoyed spending time with and was sad to say goodbye.  Just like watching a favorite movie again and again, rereading a book allows me to revisit beloved characters, falling in love with them all over again or reliving an amazing adventure. One series I have reread multiple times is the Under the Never Sky series. The exciting adventure that awaits in this series is only matched by the romance between the main characters who are fighting for their lives in a future dystopian society plagued by never ending lightning storms. Aria and Peregrine come from two different worlds. One primitive and tribal an one virtual and futuristic. When they are thrown together, they instantly hate each other, but through their journey they come to see the other’s perspective and begin to fall in love. But their love for each other is not understood by their friends and family. They must use their love to bridge the two peoples in order to find a new and safe pace to live as their world begins to collapse. Check out this fast past, heart wrenching love story. The official trailer below is very well done and will pull you in. There are rumors of a movie in the future, which I am very excited about.



Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Copper Sun by Sharon Draper




Copper Sun
by Sharon Draper


Amari lives a wonderful, uncomplicated life in her village in Africa surrounded by her loving family, her father's stories, and the rhythmic drum beats of her tribe. She is betrothed to Besa and is excited for their future together. But one day, pale men enter their village with fire sticks. Many are killed and many are put in chains. So begins Amari's long journey through slavery. Sold as a birthday present to the master's son, Amari is thrown together with Polly, an indentured servant. The two form an unlikely bond, and when an unfathomable event happens they must make a choice that will lead to their freedom or possibly their deaths.


Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Crown's Game By Evelyn Skye


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The Crown's Game
By Evelyn Skye

Vika and Nikolai are enchanters in 19th century Russia, wielding powerful magic. The tsar needs an ally who can fight by his side. There can only be one enchanter, so Vika and Nikolai must battle each other in a game of magic. But as the only two in the world, they are drawn to each other by a mysterious and magical pull. One will win, and one must die. Who will win the Crown's Game?

 

The Weight of Feathers By Anna-Marie McLemore




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The Weight of Feathers
By Anna-Marie McLemore

Lace’s family glides through the water in their mermaid show. Cluck’s family glides through the trees in their show in the air. A long rivalry has kept hate alive between the families, but fate brings Lace and Cluck together. As they draw closer together they question the stories and superstitions they have been told their whole lives. Is their growing attraction and understanding of each other enough to end the feud?

The Crossover By Kwame Alexander




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The Crossover
By Kwame Alexander

Josh and Jordan are junior high basketball stars. Following in the footsteps of their famous father, a professional basketball player, the twins dominate the court. The Jordan gets a girlfriend and Josh feels left behind. Can the boys resolve their differences before it affects their game? A fun fast paced story told in verse.

Also by Kwame Alexander

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Highly Illogical Behavior By John Corey Whaley






Highly Illogical Behavior
By John Corey Whaley

Solomon Reed has not left his house in three years. Crippled by anxiety he lives his life with only his parents for company. Lisa is convinced she can help Solomon and secure a college scholarship in the process. Lisa and her boyfriend reach out to Solomon and soon friendships are formed. Will Lisa be able to help Solomon overcome his anxiety and rejoin the world? Is she truly reaching out to Solomon for his benefit or her own?

Wink Poppy Midnight By April Genevieve Tucholke






Wink Poppy Midnight
By April Genevieve Tucholke

Midnight has always loved Poppy. Poppy only loves herself. Then Midnight meets Wink. She is the opposite of Poppy in every way. Midnight is drawn to Wink, but Poppy stills has this hold over him. Can Wink help Midnight finally be free from Poppy? They devise a plan to trick Poppy. But something goes wrong and Poppy disappears. Is she alive, dead,  or a ghost haunting Midnight forever?

We Were Liars By E. Lockhart




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We Were Liars
By E. Lockhart

The Sinclair family spends summers on their private island of the coast of Cape Cod. It is a birth rite that Cadence will inherit as the oldest of the cousins who call themselves the Liars. After Cadence suffers an accident on the island, she misses her cousins and her potential first love Gat. This summer she has finally convinced her mother to let her return to the island. Will the Liars be able to pick up where they left off? Does Gat still feel the same way about her? Cadence must find out. If only she could remember what happened the night of the accident. And why won't anyone tell her what happened?

We are the Ants By Shaun David Hutchinson

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We are the Ants
By Shaun David Hutchinson

Henry has been kidnapped by aliens. A lot. The Sluggers as he calls them, because they look like slugs, want him to save the world. All Henry has to do is press a button and poof the world is saved. There is only one problem, Henry is not sure the world is worth saving. The one person he loved in the whole world is dead and his life is a series of torments by classmates and his sadistic older brother. Can Henry find something worth living for in his life and save the world?

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

The Rest of Us Just Live Here By Patrick Ness





The Rest of Us Just Live Here
By Patrick Ness

Some people are heroes destined save the entire world from soul eating ghosts, vampires, or immortal gods. Other people just live their lives and witness the strange happenings hoping not to become collateral damage in the battle to save the world. This is the story of those other people, trying to graduate high school, figure out who they are, and deal with their problems. All the while trying to ignore the supernatural happenings around them.

Noggin By John Corey Whaley




Noggin
By John Corey Whaley


Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy gets cancer. Boy agrees to have his head removed and cryogenically  frozen.  Five years later, boy’s head is put on another boy's body. Boy wakes up . Girl is engaged to another boy. Boy still loves her and wants her back. What is a boy to do?

Calamity By Brandon Sanderson





Calamity
By Brandon Sanderson


The final chapter  in The Reckoners series has our brave heroes David, Megan and crew searching for Limelight aka Prof, their previous leader who let the power overtake him. The group heads to Knighthawk’s lair to gain reinforcements. The battle takes them to the city of Atlanta, now turned to salt, moving across the country melting and regrowing as it goes. David must find a way to defeat Limelight or bring Prof back. The journey will lead them to the origin of the Epics and possibly Calamity himself.

Check out the book trailer for Steelheart, the first in the Reckoners series.


The Program By Suzanne Young





The Program
By Suzanne Young


Teenagers are dying. Suffering from the disease known as suicide. Because it has reached epidemic proportions, anyone thought to be affected is put through The Program. They make you forget what was troubling and hurting. They make you forget everyone you knew so you can start fresh and be happy. Sloane and James are in love. They don’t want to forget. The want to escape the epidemic and The Program, but when James falls victim, Sloane follows. The Program will help them get better, but Sloane begins to wonder if The Program really is a cure. She must fight to hold on to her memories of James and herself so that she doesn’t fall victim to The Program.

Orbiting Jupiter By Gary Schmidt






Orbiting Jupiter
By Gary Schmidt

Joseph has a history of being in trouble. Now he is going to live with Jack and his family. Joseph is quiet; he doesn’t like to be touched, or small rooms. People are scared of Joseph. He is not your typical 8th grader. Joseph has a kid. Can Joseph  overcome the prejudices that surround him to rebuild his life?

The Raft By S.A. Bodeen






The Raft
By S.A. Bodeen


Robie lives in paradise. Midway Atoll, a wildlife refuge off the coast of Hawaii. Robie is on the mainland visiting her aunt when her aunt has to leave on business. Robie begs her aunt to let her stay by herself. It seems like such a  great idea. All alone in her aunt’s glamorous apartment. But soon Robie gets homesick and scared. AT the last minute she hops a cargo flight home to Midway with a pilot and a co pilot named Max. Suddenly a storm hits and Robie and Max are the only survivors of the plane crash. How will they survive being stranded in the ocean? They only have each other and the raft.

The Haters By Jesse Andrews


The Haters
By Jesse Andrews

How did you spend your summer vacation? Wes and Corey planned to spend two weeks  at jazz camp. There they meet Ash, the coolest, way-out-of their-league-girl, either had ever met. They all love to play music, listen to music, and hate on everything. Find out what happens when these three take their act on the road for an impromptu summer tour.

But don't take my word for it. Listen to the author tell you all about it.