The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Translated by Lucia Graves

On the day Daniel awakes and cannot remember his deceased mother's face, his father shows him something marvelous, the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. There he finds The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. He is so taken by the novel that he embarks on a mission to discover all he can about Julian and why a mysterious stranger wants to destroy all his books.

Set in post-Civil War Barcelona, this story is part gothic romance, part mystery and never gives away the ending.

Highly Recommended

Uglies
Pretties
Specials by Scott Westerfeld

What if you lived in a world where everyone got plastic surgery when they turned 16? Would you go along and become a Pretty or would you run away?

This is an intriguing trilogy about life in the not so distant future.

Highly Recommended

Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love by Maryrose Wood

Despite the racy title, this is a very chaste story. Felicia, the poet, has a crush on Matthew, the science prodigy, and decides to enlist his help for a science experiment of their own: discovering the Secret of Love. As their friends get involved it becomes more complicated than they ever imagined, and more fun.


Highly Recommended

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel Greene appears to have it all (teen modeling gig, perfect family) but underneath the surface things are not so perfect. After being ostracized by her best friend, she hooks up with Owen, another outsider. Through music and Owen's unrelenting honesty, she is able to finally reveal her true nature.

Highly Recommended