The Secret Year

by Jennifer Hubbard
192 pages

From Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

It seems like there is an abundance of YA novels lately that deal with death. Especially the death of a significant other. Yet, The Secret Year managed to be both original and entertaining.

Originally the plot seemed like a wanna be 50's movie, with the rich kids on the mountain and the poor kids down in the valley ready to rumble at the drop of a hat. But it held my attention and as it progressed I found it to be more legitimate.

While a little far-fetched, I thought the struggle that Colt goes through (wanting to share his feeling about Julia, but then wondering if her feelings were ever really true) touching and honest. It was interesting to see how Colt reacted when other people found out about his and Julia's relationship.

The relationship itself somewhat baffled me. I didn't see too much of a connection (aside from physical) between the two. To me Julia was mostly attracted to Colt because in her world it was considered wrong, and not just because he was from the wrong side of the mountain. Julia had the "perfect life" with money, looks and a popular boyfriend. I think the thrill of knowing she could loose everything really made the relationship with Colt that much better. One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is because in all actuallity Julia was very far from perfect. She lied to almost everyone she cared about, including Colt. We are also told that she was not always a nice person, and some of her actions and remarks showed that she also acted as though she were entitled to certain things. Julia's faults are one of the things I like most about the story. She is a normal person who screws up and is not always nice, but we saw where she tried to better herself.

This is another really quick read (under 200 pages)and enjoyable.

The verdict is: This one will not stay secret for too long.

The Bride's Farewell

by Meg Rosoff

Adventure and love come in the most unlikely of places

From Goodreads:
A young woman in 1850s rural England runs away from home on horseback the day she’s to marry her childhood sweetheart. Pell is from a poor preacher’s family and she’s watched her mother suffer for years under the burden of caring for an ever-increasing number of children. Pell yearns to escape the inevitable repetition of such a life.

She understands horses better than people and sets off for Salisbury Fair, where horse trading takes place, in the hope of finding work and buying herself some time. But as she rides farther away from home, Pell’s feelings for her parents, her siblings, and her fiancé surprise her with their strength and alter the course of her travels. And her journey leads her to find love where she least expects it.


Meg Rosoff is such a lovely writer. Maybe it was because I listened to this and I loved the British narrator, but I think it is more of Rosoff's ability to turn the simplest of stories into something engrossing.

Pell's is a basic story, but it holds your attention from start to finish. Rosoff tells you just enough about the character, but there is always a sense of mystery. I love how she doesn't see the need to spell things out. Her characters remind me of something out of a story book, they are not over described, and while you sympathize with them they don't all together seem real. One last thing that I loved about this book was that it was not longer than it needed to be. Very different from How I Live Now, but just as intriguing.



The verdict is: Short and sweet!

The Hate List

by Jennifer Brown
416 pages

From Goodreads:

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

I have read several books about school shootings and the aftermath for the survivors, yet this was an original and moving voice. Even after the terrible act her boyfriend committed, Val still struggled with her feelings for him. Most of her was angry and sad for what he did and for leaving her, but another part of her missed and still loved the person she knew.

Valerie's story is different from many of the other books about school shootings, because she plays many different roles. She is a survivor, victim, hero, and to many a co-conspiritor. You see the tension of these roles play out throughout the book. Most students avoid her like the plague, while others cry out for her removal from school. The teachers aren't much better, even though the school formally recognized as a hero. Even her parents don't know how to treat her. While they are scared she is going to hurt herself, they also don't know how to treat her.

This is a story of survival and healing, like many of the other books in this genre, but it still managed to be fresh and original.

If you are interested in reading other books on this topic try, The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, and Give A Boy A Gun by Tod Strasser

The verdict is:A great discussion book for teens and adults.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

by Mary E. Pearson
6 sound discs (7 hrs and 30 mins)

Who really is Jenna Fox?

Part of the fun of this book is trying to figure out the mystery, so I don't want to give too much away. Here is what goodreads had to say:

In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence.

This is a book is about scientific advancements, the pros and the cons. We know how far science has come in just the last 50 years, but how much further can it go? There are moral questions that go along with this, how far should it go? Yet, there is more to The Adoration of Jenna Fox than science, this is also a story about love, forgiveness, family, and starting over.

The audio book had a great bonus interview with the author. This would make a wonderful pick for a book discussion and the commentary by the author really adds to that. She said the inspiration for the book came when her own teenage daughter was diagnosed with cancer. The idea of how far would a parent go to save their child became the jumping off point.

Pearson is a really wonderful author and hope to read more by her soon. She has such an eloquent way of describing Jenna's thoughts and feelings. It gave the reader a real sense of what it would be like to be in Jenna's place. I never expected a biotechnology book to be so well written, but Pearson really proved me wrong.

The verdict is: Original and thought provoking.

Here is the best book trailer I could find, its not bad and it will give you more of a feel for the book

Along for the Ride

Changing your life is as easy as riding a bike

Auden is your typical overachiever. She gets the best grades, she is going to a great college, she is super responsible and has always acted like an adult. There is nothing wrong with this, except that while she has been busy working her butt off she hasn't made time to do the typical adolescent things, like play kick ball, go to prom, or even learn how to ride a bike. As her parents were going through a divorce, Auden attempted to be perfect as a way of keeping them together. In the end her attempts did not make a difference and only caused Auden to become an insomniac.

All this changes when Auden decides to spend her last summer before college in the small beach side town where her father, stepmother and new baby sister live. Here Auden is forced to experience new things, like what it is like to have real girlfriends. With the help of another insomniac named Eli(who is also working through some problems of his own), Auden will go on a quest to accomplish all the things she missed out on growing up. Soon she will discover that people can change including herself.

I have always been a huge Sarah Dessen fan, but it has been several years since I have read one of her books, that is going to change. Many of her stories share similar themes, but it is her characters and style of writing that really make her books special. With Along for the Ride, she has crafted a wonderful story about realizing you can change. She doesn't try to underplay or overdo the teenage experience. The characters aren't out of control, but they also aren't straight-laced. This is what makes them feel so real to the reader. Teens will be able to relate to the little details Dessen includes, like a girl dance parties but also to the bigger themes such as loneliness.

This was such a simple story, but it will really stick with you. If you can wait read it in the summer, preferably on the beach.

The verdict is: One darn good book!

Liar

by Justine Larbalestier
348 pages

Telling the truth has never been so hard

***Spoiler Alert***

From Goodreads:

Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly.

I was really hooked on this book for the first part, and then things got a little strange. I purposely gave you the goodreads synopsis so that you can see nowhere in there dose it indicate that there is also a little fantasy in this book, well the truth is Micah is actually a werewolf. Yep, that is her big secret and the author expects you to guess that? The only clue was that she was born with a condition that gave her thick hair all over her body.

I hate when books exclude huge aspects of the plot from the book jacket. No little hints or secret meanings, the cover art didn't give any clues, and no subject headings saying "werewolf fiction". The least a book could do is be upfront. I went into this expecting something totally different than what it was. And the worst part is I enjoyed the part without all the silly werewolf stuff. Now I did like the book overall, but I just really didn't think there needed to be werewolves. The story was so well developed without that. Now I am a huge fantasy fan and normally I wouldn't mind this, but I was just a little peeved that I was reading this book under false pretenses.

Don't get me wrong, even if I didn't enjoy the second half of the book as much I did still like it. I thought it was well written, original and well developed. The way the book was written with "before" "after" and "family history" sections make it a unique read and added to the overall effect. I loved the realistic look at the problems facing a mixed race teen in New York City. Even though Micah is a compulsive liar (as the narrator she is constantly lying to the reader) she is likable and most importantly relatable. It is easy to understand some times why she lies. Micah is a different kind of free spirit.

The ending was another part of the book I haven't made up my mind about. In one way we do see Micah accomplishing the things she always wanted and the chance to be honest about who she really is, but other than that the story is completely unresolved. There are many questions left unanswered, but for me that was OK, because who knows if we are even supposed to believe any of the end is true or not.

The verdict is: Don't miss this one, really interesting and different although you will most likely love or hate it.

ALA 2010 Amazing Audiobooks

The Titles

Nonfiction

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson, read by Dion Graham, Brilliance Audio, 2009, 1 hour, 55 minutes, 3 discs (includes bonus disc), ISBN: 978-1-4233-7537-1, $42.97.

Bluesy harmonica music introduces Dion Graham’s smooth baritone voice, eloquently returning listeners to the era of Negro League baseball in Kadir Nelson’s award-winning book.
Fiction

After Tupac and D Foster, by Jacqueline Woodson, read by Susan Spain. Brilliance Audio, 2009, 3 hours 13 minutes, 3 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-9805-9, $39.97

D Foster walks into the neighborhood where the narrator and her best friend Neeka live and opens up a whole new world to them, with Tupac’s musical influence as a background. Susan Spain's narration brings the girls' intertwined stories to life as she conveys the emotional turmoil that is part of growing up.

Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen, read by Rachel Botchan. Recorded Books, 2009, 12 hours 45 minutes, 11 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4407-3027-6, $108.75

On a whim, Auden decides to spend the summer with her father and his family. Despite her desire to remain emotionally distant from the drama that is in the house, Auden finds herself lending her stepmother a reluctant hand. Rachel Botchan brings Auden to life. It is as if Auden herself is sharing the story of her summer over a cup of coffee in a late night diner.

Boys are Dogs, by Leslie Margolis, read by Ellen Grafton. Brilliance Audio, 2008, 5 hours, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-7729-0, $48.97

Annabelle doesn't like surprises OR change, but as she starts her first year of middle school she must cope with both. Ellen Grafton creates an authentic voice for Annabelle moving from childhood into adolescence, with all the dilemmas, wit, moodiness and confusion of that age.

Carter Finally Gets It, by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl. Brilliance Audio, 2009, 8 hours 27 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-9181-4, $87.97

A year in the life of Carter begins with a party, and ends with him realizing where his true interests and talents lie in this hilarious picture of a 14-year-old boy's life. Nick Podehl reads Carter with the perfect blend of humor, irony, and innocence, while narrating a true-to-life glimpse into the mind of a teenage boy.

The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams, read by Jenna Lamia. Macmillan Audio, 2009, 5 hours 30 minutes, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4272-0706-7, $24.99

Kyra is being forced to marry her sixty-year-old uncle who is an elder in their religious group "The Chosen Ones." As Kyra grapples with her emerging independence, she encounters dangerous and life-threatening situations. Jenna Lamia brings the perfect tone and emotions to thirteen-year-old Kyra and enables the listeners to hear her sadness, anger, and love for her family.

Identical, by Ellen Hopkins, read by Laura Flanagan. High Bridge Audiobooks, 2008, 8 hours 45 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-59887-735-9, $29.95

Identical twins with seemingly perfect parents are living an illusion. Laura Flanagan does a fabulous job at giving the twins unique voices, differentiating the intonation and attitude in the written word for both.

If I Stay, by Gayle Forman, read by Kirsten Potter. Listening Library, 2009, 4 hours 48 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-8084-0, $45.00

Mia is a talented musician, with a great boyfriend and family. It all gets taken away when the rest of her family is killed in a car crash that leaves her clinging to life. This highly emotional story is captured wonderfully by Kirsten Potters' genuine tone for Mia's struggle between life and death.

The Indigo Notebook, by Laura Resau, read by Justine Eyre. Listening Library, 2009, 8 hours 25 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-0-3075-7981-2, $55.00

Zeeta and her mother Layla's nomadic life has brought them to Otavalo in Ecuador where they help a friend to find his birth father, uncover a smuggling ring, and learn to appreciate the life they have. Justine Eyre brings excellent Spanish accents and the right voice for each character, while enhancing a fascinating story.

In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber, by L.A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren, Listen and Live Audio, 2009, 15 hours,13 discs, ISBN 978-1-59316-142-2, $29.95.

Jacky Faber returns to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls to hide out after learning she is wanted for piracy. While on a school outing, the entire class is kidnapped, taken aboard the slave ship Bloodhound, and held for ransom. Katherine Kellgren keeps the listeners on the edge of their seats as Jacky uses her wits, the crew, the prisoners and every opportunity available to save herself and the girls.

The Killer's Cousin, by Nancy Werlin, read by Nick Podehl. Brilliance Audio, 2008, 6 hours, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-8078-8, $54.97

The jury found David innocent when tried for the murder of his girlfriend, but his name will always be associated with her death. Nick Podehl convincingly voices the self-doubt, fear and suspicion that build in this tautly-crafted mystery.

Living Dead Girl, by Elizabeth Scott, read by Kate Reinders, Brilliance Audio, 2009, 2 hours 54 minutes, 3 discs, ISBN 978-1-4233-9751-9, $49.97

Kidnapped five years ago while on a school field trip, fifteen-year-old “Alice” has grown too old to hold the interest of her abductor. When Ray orders her to find him a new little girl, Alice sees her chance for freedom. Kate Reinder's portrayal is disturbing and riveting.

Marcelo in the Real World, by Francisco X. Stork, read by Lincoln Hoppe. Listening Library, 2009, 10 hours 8 minutes, 8 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7991-2, $40.00

To finish his senior year at the high school of his choice, Marcelo accepts his father's condition that he spend the summer working at his law firm. Lincoln Hoppe becomes Marcelo in this remarkable performance that takes the listener right into the heart of his struggles to make sense of the world.

The Monstrumologist, by Rick Yancey, read by Stephen Boyer. Recorded Books, 2009, 11 hours 45 minutes, 10 discs, ISBN 978-1-4407-3564-6, $108.75

Will Henry is the assistant to the Monstrumologist, Dr. Warthrop. Together they encounter the Anthropophagi, horrible human eating creatures. Set in the 1800's, this richly descriptive horror tale is vivid and imaginative. Stephen Boyer paints a frightening yet intriguing picture of Will Henry’s world.

My Bonny Light Horseman: Being the Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, in Love and War, by L.A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren. Listen and Live Audio, 2009, 12 hours, 10 discs, ISBN: 978-1-59316-446-1, $29.95

Jacky Faber is being forced by the British to spy against the French and although she hates it, she performs splendidly and even meets Napoleon. There is no one who could “be” Jacky Faber any better than Katherine Kellgren as she switches from British to French to American accents in the same sentence, as well as singing beautifully.

Newes from the Dead, by Mary Hooper, read by Rosalyn Landor and Michael Page. Brilliance Audio, 2009, 7 hours 27 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-9230-9, $87.97

Anne Green regains consciousness at the beginning of her autopsy after being hanged for infanticide. Rosalyn Landor and Michael Page’s expert narrations capture this unusual and historically based story.
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson, read by Dion Graham, Brilliance Audio, 2009, 2 hours, 7 minutes, 2 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-9799-1, $39.97.

Through Dion Graham's heartfelt performance, Lonnie Collins shares hopes for peace in letters to his beloved sister, heightening the lyrical narrative of Jacqueline Woodson's story.

Slumdog Millionaire, by Vikas Swarup, read by Christopher Simpson. BBC Audiobooks America, 2009, 10 hours 47 minutes, 9 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7927-6162-4, $89.95

Ram Mohammad Thomas has his own reasons for wanting to win a billion rupees on an Indian quiz show. For each question he was asked listeners learn how he came to know the answer through the events of his life. Christopher Simpson embodies each character through his splendid accents while showing emotion unique to each person and situation.

Solace of the Road, by Siobhan Dowd, read by Sile Bermingham. Listening Library, 2009, 7 hours 5 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-8591-3, $50.00

Fourteen-year-old Holly Hogan ‘s life is not going the way she wants until she finds “the wig”. When Holly puts on the blonde wig, she transforms into Solace. Sile Bermingham’s lightly accented soft voice is dead on for this multifaceted teen.

The Spectacular Now, by Tim Tharp, read by MacLeod Andrews. Brilliance Audio, 2009, 8 hours 19 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-9963-6, $87.97

Perpetually drunk and high on life, Sutter Keely struggles to maintain his “live in the now” mantra despite the changes that threaten his relaxed existence. Macleod Andrews’s drawl injects the reading with the happy go lucky, laid back charm that makes Sutter the guy everyone wants to hang with.

Tree Girl: A Novel, by Ben Mikaelsen, read by Amber Sealey. Listening Library, 2009, 4 hours 37 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7265-4, $30.00

Gabi has survived the brutal massacre of her Guatemalan village by hiding in trees. Her harrowing journey to Mexico to build a new life is compellingly portrayed by Amber Sealey’s distant but emotionally charged narration. Based on a true story, the novel depicts the atrocities of genocide.

Wildwood Dancing, by Juliet Marillier, read by Kim Mai Guest. Listening Library, 2008, 12 hours 54 minutes, 11 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7940-0, $50.00

Five sisters enter an enchanted forest each full moon to dance the night away with their magical friends. When the mysterious Night People arrive, their way of life is threatened. Kim Mai Guest's light and lilting voice brings the fantasy and enchantment to life.

Zen and the Art of Faking It, by Jordan Sonnenblick, read by Mike Chamberlain. Listening Library, 2008, 5 hours 35 minutes, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7155-8, $29.00

San has spent most of his life moving from school to school. He's ready to blend in with the background, but then Zen kicks in. Mike Chamberlain’s appropriately wry tone delivers San from clueless to self-aware.