Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot

Another great chick-lit read from Cabot. Done in the style of compiled e-mails, journal entries, etc. it chronicles Jane Harris and Cal Langdon's trip to Italy to be the witnesses to their respective best friends elopement. Attraction and hilarity ensue. Made me want to visit Italy or at least eat at an authentic Italian restuarant.

My copy came with a bit at the end about how the story was based on the author's own elopement in Italy.

Highly Recommended

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

What if you could take a pill that would make you cool? What if it embedded a quantum super computer in your brain to give you instructions? Would you still want it? Well, Jeremy Heere does and this is his experience.

Very funny, realistic (with a sci-fi twist) story of what it means to be "cool".

Highly Recommended

Beyond The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Takes place at the end of the Spring semester, details the aftermath of the events in The Chocolate War.

Eh, I wasn't sucked in by it but I don't recall really liking the first one either. Just indifferent.

silent to the bone by E. L. Konigsburg

When Branwell's half-sister Nikki is rushed to the ER with head injuries, he stops speaking. It is up to his friend Connor, with the help of his half-sister Margaret Rose*, to find out what happened and clear Branwell's name. An engrossing mystery that you don't want to put down.

Highly Recommended

*from The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

the first part last by Angela Johnson

A beautiful, sad, very real story of a teenage father starting to raise his daughter as a single father.

Winner of the Printz Award

Highly recommended

Feed by M. T. Anderson

Imagine a future where part of your brain is a connection to tv, radio, and the internet. Then imagine that everything is controlled by corporations, including School tm.

This is the future that Titus lives in and he can't imagine anything else, until he meets Violet. Their relationship causes him to question everything.

Highly recommended

Hilarious line: "It has to be understood that when the President referred to the Prime Minister of the Global Alliance as a 'big shithead,' what he was trying to convey was, uh- this is an American idiom used to praise people, by referring to the sheer fertilizing power of their thoughts."

Fat Kid Rules The World by K. L. Going

When fat kid Troy is saved from committing suicide by homeless, punk-rock legend, Curt McCrae, their journey to form a band changes both their lives in surprising ways.

Wonderful characters, wonderful writing

Highly recommended

echo by Francesca Lia Block

Echo is jealous that her mother is perfect AND has the complete attention and adoration of her father. This is her story told in chapters that have different viewpoints, including herself and her parents.

I found the story very confusing and the loose ends unsatisfying.

Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block

A brother and sister's love for each other has tragic consequences. Set in LA in the 70s.

Recommended

The Rose and the Beast: fairy tales retold by Francesca Lia Block

Short retallings of classic fairy tales with a LA twist. Very dark.

Recommended

The Grand Tour, or the purloined coronation regalia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

The second installment in the story of cousins Kate and Cecelia. Now they are on their honeymoons , together, touring the Continent and getting into magical adventures.

Highly recommended