Books update

I decided it was time to catch up here with my readings. Airborn by Kenneth Opel is a book that would appeal to boys. I met the author at one of the ALA events which is why I wanted to read the book, a good story about Matt who lives and works on an airship and has an adventure looking for a mysterious winged creature. Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock continues the story of D.J. her changing relationship with Brian and what she goes through after her brother suffers a major football injury, another good sequel.

Rachel Cohn wrote Gingerbread and Shrimp and now continues the story with Cupcake. The third part of the story continues with Cyd moving in with her brother in New York after graduation and her breakup with Shrimp. Richard Peck writes the quaintest story that I love, Here Lies the Librarian is one of those stories. Set in a small town where the librarian has died under the reference desk clutching cards from the card catalog of course, it is decided that a new librarian must be found. PeeWee, a tomboy meets the four new young librarians arrive they have an impact on her life and the town. Theodora Twist by Melissa Senate is the story of pop princess and emerging bad girl Theodora Twist. When the idea for a reality tv show comes up that will send Theodora back to her small home town to live like a “normal” girl things get a little crazy. The book alternates between Theodora and the girl she is living with Emily. It turns out they have a lot in common and can both learn something from one another.

Enna Burning and Austenland are both by Shannon Hale. Enna Burning is a story that takes place in the same region as several other Hale books. Enna develops the ability to control fire and works to help her friend Princess Isi protect their Country from foreign invaders. Austenland is an adult novel which is about a woman obsessed with Pride and Prejudice, this is affecting her ability to form real relationships. Her deceased relative sends her to Austinland to live out her fantasy and find her Mr Darcy, if she can.

Laurie Halse Anderson has made quite a name for herself as a YA author. Twisted is LHA’s most recent book and tells the story of a young man who does the right thing but is accused and punished anyway. Speak is a fairly well known story of a young girls who has something happen to her and for the most part stops talking. The endings of both these books make it worth going through what can sometimes be hard subject matter.

I will stop here for now on my journey to finally catch up here. I think there are some really great books out there though. The YA genera is really picking up and getting quality writers and stories.