Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

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Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

470 pages

Gateway Nominee 2012/13

Ummm. Wow. Nothing I can say would do this book justice. Well written, sorrowful, hopeful.

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

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Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

458 pages

Gateway Nominee 2012/13

This is quite honestly the best zombie book I have ever read. I wish that I had read even one more zombie book so that that would mean more...but if I had read 100 books, I am sure this would still be my favorite.

Benny Imura's first memory was his brother, Tom, carrying him away at 18 months old. His father was already a zom, and Tom did not stay to save their mother. Now, society has gone back to normal. Normal considering they live in Mountainside, completely surrounded by a fence that separates them from the Ruin, where the undead roam, searching for the flesh they crave of the living. The town practically worships Tom as a hero, for being the big bad zom hunter. But how can he be so tough if he did nothing to save their mom. At fifteen Benny must find a job, or risk his rations being cut. He ends up as Tom's apprentice, in the family business of zombie killing. But there is more to it than what he ever thought, and Benny is beginning to wonder if the monsters are the zoms, or the people he call neighbor.

This was such a well written book. In the midst of decaying flesh, bounty hunters, and crazies living on their own in the Ruin, Benny and Tom tells their story, pulling in characters so well developed you know the good, the bad, and the ugly alike. Will definitely be looking more into the zombie writing.

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

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Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

338 pages

Gateway Nominee

Couldn't put this book down...almost to the point of feeling ill in order to stay home sick from work to finish it.



Piper is the manager for her high school grunge band, Dumb (she wasn't around when the band named themselves, but she is pretty sure the title isn't too far off.) She has thirty days to get them a paying gig, and she will get a cut in all their future earnings, which will help with her college dreams since her parents just raided her college fund left her by her grandparents. Couple of things standing in her way....the band is horrible...the band members fight constantly...and Piper knows next to nothing about music in general, because she is moderately severe deaf. It is looking like turning Dumb into a real band might be a lost cause.



The Sky is Every Where by Jandy Nelson

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The Sky is Every Where by Jandy Nelson

276 pages

Gateway Nominee 2012/13

Such a very sad book. Lennie and her sister were very close...but after she dies, Lennie must find out who she is and where she fits in. Beautifully written.

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

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Gateway Nominee

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

355 pages

This was hard to get into for a bit. Amber talks a lot to herself, and is ALWAYS saying 'True? True.' and 'Word.' I found it grating on my nerves quite a bit. But then, surprisingly, I fell in love with Amber Appleton and her quirky sidekicks. Amber and her mother live in a school bus at night that her mother drives by day. Mom is always drinking heavily at night, 'fishing for men,' leaving Amber alone in a dark scary school bus to fend for herself in the night. But Amber has hope...that by helping others that Jesus will help her get into a good school on a scholarship, just like her hero, Donna. She visits the old folks home and creates the Korean Divas for Christ at the Korean Catholic Church. But when an unexpected death occurs, Amber's hope is seriously rocked. Can she burst back into life, or will she become like so many of the people she tries to help? My favorite quote from the book come from Friedrich Nietzshe: "We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh." Beautiful. Definitely a must read book.

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

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Gateway Nominee

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

326 pages

Carlose and Kiara are two teens falling for each other. But Carlos is on the run from his drug and gang ties, and Kiara is a ambitious girl headed to college. How can their love ever work out?

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Gateway Nominee

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

 472 pages

Andi has been swept off to Paris by her absentee father. Her mother, without the paints and canvasses that keep the sadness at bay, sits in an asylum. Everyone has been swept away by despair after the death of Truman two years ago. Andi, most of all, since she is the reason her brother died that day,

In Paris, Andi finds a diary from the 1700's tucked away in a secret panel in an old guitar case. The story sends her back to the French Revolution...but will she find her way back out? Out of old France, and out of her own suffering.

Matched by Ally Condie

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Gateway Nominee

Matched by Ally Condie

369 pages

 

 

Oh my...this was a fantastic book. Cassia is a healthy, normal teen. Except for the fact the 'the society,' or the governing body, decided every little thing for them. They decide where you live, how many children you have, what you eat, what you will do with every minute of your life, even the day that you will die. Everyone approves of this, it is based on mountains of statistics, and it just makes sense. Cassia dresses up for her Matching banquet, where she will learn who the society has chosen for her future marriage partner. She is matched with her best friend, which is unheard of. Everyone is matched with someone they barely know, someone from another borough. She doesn't need the microcard containing Xander's information, for she already knows everything about him. But she pops it in out of curiosity. Xander's photo fades to black, and another fills it spot for just a minute. So, has the society made a huge error, and who is her true match? Will Cassia learn to make decisions for herself, or will the society block her chosen path?

I thought this was an amazingly written book. There is very little of life as we know it in here, everything is controlled and mandated. But I really felt liked Condie valued the intelligence of the readers. There was no long explanation of how the world ended up this way, that was just the way it was. What explanation was needed she worked in seamlessly, like why everyone must die on their 80th birthday. There is a short dialog about a person only living long enough to have lived a full life, but not long enough to become useless. I was completely drawn into Cassia's struggle, to the point I found myself wondering what choices I would make in same situation. I see a lot of love triangles in YA literature lately, like in Hunger Games and Twilight, and Matched has the same scenario. But for once, I have no clear thoughts if Cassia should end up with Ky or Xander. Both are that great. I could probably talk another 30 minutes about this book...but it is Christmas morning so I think I will wake the kiddos so I can open presents. But I am definitely looking forward to the sequel.

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

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Gateway Nominee

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

I like cats. I do not like dogs. I do not like books told from the view point of a dog. Umm...yeah. That's about it.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

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Gateway Nominee

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

326 pages

Nailer is a scavenger. His ability to pull copper wiring out of wrecked ships is the only thing keeping him alive. Without his ability to work in tight places he would never be able to keep up in the rough neighborhood of Bright Sands Beach. And even that may not work if he drugged out father decides to kill him during one of his benders. But when a clipper ship, filled with riches and a beautiful swank girl may be his ticket to a brighter life...if he can keep her, and himself, alive long enough to get his reward.

I truly enjoyed this book...filled with adventure and mystery, I was reading later in the night than I had planned. In the middle of betrayal and heartbreak, there is a strong message of loyalty and backing up the people who try to do the right thing. Good read for teens.

shiver by maggie stiefvater

shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

390 pages

Gateway Nominee

(from jacket cover)

the cold.

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf-her wolf-watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. and then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human-and Grace must fight to keep him-even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

I know that I am definitely in the minority that didn't care for this book. I don't know if it was the short choppy chapters, which would be a plus for reluctant readers, or simply the fact the Sam isn't Jacob, but whatever...

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick

199 pages

Gateway Nominee

(from jacket cover)

When Private Matt Duffy wakes up in an army hospital in Iraq, he's honored with a Purple Heart. But he doesn't feel like a hero.

There's a memory that haunts him: an image of a young Iraqi boy as a bullet hits his chest. Matt can't shake the feeling that he was somehow involved in his death. But because of a head injury he sustained just moments after the boy was shot, Matt can't quite put all the pieces together.

Eventually Matt is sent back into combat with his squad-Justin, Wolf, and Charlene-the soldiers who have become his family during his time in Iraq. He just wants to go back to being the soldier he once was. But he sees potential threats everywhere and lives in fear of not being able to pull the trigger when the time comes. In combat there is no black-and-white, and Matt soon discovers that the notion of who is guilty if very complicated indeed.

This is a very good book. But reading through it was weird...like deja vu for books. This is a similar storyline to a book I've read or a movie I've seen. Couldn't figure it out.

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff

311 pages

Gateway Nominee

I almost groaned out load when I cracked this one open...'oh great. another book about a fat kid' (their words). I didn't much like Fat Cat, so I wasn't enthused about this one. But, it turned out to be very good.

(from the back of the book)

Life used to be so simple for Andrew Zansky-hang with the Model UN guys, avoid gym class, and eat and eat and eat. He's used to not fitting in; into his family, his sports-crazed school, or his size 48 pants.

But not anymore. Andrew just met April, the new girl at school and the instant love of his life! He wants to find a way to win her over, but how? Discover a hidden talent for football, of course. When O. Douglass, the quarterback and high-school legend saves his from getting beaten  p by the school bully, Andrew see his chance to get in the football crowd.
Is it possible to reinvent yourself in the middle of high school? Can a fat funny kid be friends with a football superstar? Can he win over the girl of his dreams?
Andrew is about to find out.

King of the Screwups by K.L. Going

King of the Screwups by K.L. Going

310 pages

Gateway Nominee

At first I did not like this book at all. It is about a super spoiled rich kid who screws up one too many times with his dad, and gets booted out of the house his Senior year of high school. He decided that the best way to win his dad over is to stop being popular, buckle down and study hard. But, he screws that up, and lands smack in the middle of the most popular crowd in school, has the head cheerleader chasing after him, and lands a modeling job. So...I was kinda irked at the whole thing. I got my mind stuck on the fact that he has everything, and is trying to throw it all away. But...you warm up to Liam very quickly. It is a heartwarming story that reminds you that even though a person seems to have everything, they have their own issues too.
Interesting part of the book? Liam goes to live with his homosexual uncle in a trailer park. Aunt Pete performs in a glam rock band. Made for a very fun read! Would definitely recommend for any teen reader!

After by Amy Efaw

After by Amy Efaw

350 pages

Gateway Nominee

This is a story about a 15 year old girl, in complete denial that she ever had sexual intercourse, or became pregnant, or gave birth in her apartment, or gathered that baby up with the trash, tied the trash bag shut, and threw it in a dumpster out back. It was a very sad book, but written with very mild details of the crime, which of course was appreciated. I cannot describe this book any further, it is definitely one you would have to read yourself to truly comprehend it.

(from jacket cover)

Who would leave her own baby in the trash to die?

Certainly not someone like Devon-straight-A student, soccer player with Olympic dreams, more mature than her own mother. But desperation and panic drover her to do what most people can't even imagine. Now Devon's in a juvenile detention center, charged with attempted murder. If she's tried as an adult, she faces life in prison.

Does Devon deserve that punishment? Your answer depends on whether you believe her story-that she didn't even know she was pregnant. Was she buried in a denial so deep that she was unable to register the seemingly obvious signs of pregnancy? Or were her actions the result of a more devious, premeditated plan?

if i stay by gayle forman

If I Stay by Gale Forman

196 pages

Gateway Nominee

It took me quite a while to get through this book, but that is no reflection on the story, or the writing. I go in spurts. I had read so many deep books at the beginning of the year (seems this year's theme for award books is definitely dark issues) I guess my brain needed some down time to not think about anything. (Good thing Jersey Shore started back up!)

(from jacket cover)

"Just listen," Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen.

"Stay," he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Stay true to her first love-music-even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?
Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.



Mia and her family are driving to their Grandparent's to visit on a snow day from school, when they get into a vicious car wreck. Mia is alive, but barely.

The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford

The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford

313 pages

Gateway Nominee

Loved this book! It is nominate for a teen book award, but you will find it in the adult section of the library.

Christopher starts out telling you how much his life changed after killing someone at 2am in a public place. The story follows him at his job at the morgue, which he took to further his pursuit into being a private eye. Good quick read, some surprise twists.

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

327 pages
Gateway Nominee

This book was really hard to get started. Cat is a heavy set girl who is determined to not look for love, or relationships, or anything that does not revolve around her love of science. For a science experiment for a major class, she decides to take on the life of ancient human lives. She will not eat any manufactured food, she swears off all technology, in the pursuit of finding if life was better.
There is a lot of negative self talk that is hard to wade through, but has a nice, neat little ending.

We Were Here by Matt de la Pena

We Were Here by Matt de la Pena

Gateway Nominee

356 pages

Very good book. Very sad and deep though. About three boys who are sentenced to time in a residential group home. Rondell, Mong, and Miguel escape one night, and decide to make their way to Mexico. This story is told in Miguel's diary.

Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

329 pages

Gateway Nominee

I really enjoyed this book. Blake, a young photography student is torn between Shannon, the girlfriend he feels he is in love with and Marissa, the best friend who needs him. His voice throughout the book is sarcastic and hilarious, even when his jokes fall short of his mark. Marissa has family troubles, with a meth addicted mother, and he chooses to help her out despite what his girlfriend might think. Adding to the story is Blake's father, who is a medical examiner (Blake chooses to eat breakfast at the counter when he finds a head saw on the table) and his mother, who is a hospital chaplain, and his brother who is too cool for his little brother, but of course steps up when he is needed. The story is up beat and light until the very end, but what would you expect when reading about a love triangle and methamphetamine? I would definitely recommend this one...especially to anyone interested in photography. There is a lot of impressive lingo that sounds true, if I had any idea what any of it meant.