Best books of 2012
Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
Finley lives to play basketball. He may not be the most talented player on the team, but he starts because has the most heart. He and his girlfriend practice together all the time, and he always give 150 percent. When coach calls him before the start of the school year to ask for a favor, Finley agrees. That night, his coach introduces to Russell, a basketball phenom who has stopped playing since his parents were murdered. Russ calls himself "Boy 21," the boy from space. Coach wants Fin to convince Russ to play again, but the only problem is that Russell plays the same position as Fin. If Russell starts playing again, Fin knows his basketball dreams will be over. Yet, Fin does not want to disappoint his coach, and he likes Russell. Death, love, friendship, secrets and basketball collide, and this story will transform you. This is my favorite basketball read.
Finley lives to play basketball. He may not be the most talented player on the team, but he starts because has the most heart. He and his girlfriend practice together all the time, and he always give 150 percent. When coach calls him before the start of the school year to ask for a favor, Finley agrees. That night, his coach introduces to Russell, a basketball phenom who has stopped playing since his parents were murdered. Russ calls himself "Boy 21," the boy from space. Coach wants Fin to convince Russ to play again, but the only problem is that Russell plays the same position as Fin. If Russell starts playing again, Fin knows his basketball dreams will be over. Yet, Fin does not want to disappoint his coach, and he likes Russell. Death, love, friendship, secrets and basketball collide, and this story will transform you. This is my favorite basketball read.
Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
The night of the Valentine's Dance, Allie and her boyfriend were in a horrific car accident that left her boyfriend dead and Allie hurt and without any memories of the accident or the events leading up to it. The only thing Allie knows is that she is so glad that Tripp is finally dead. For the past year, he had been abusing her, and the abuse had been getting progressively worse. Allie really did not believe she was going to get out of the relationship alive. With him gone, she has a chance to start over again, a chance to think to the future and maybe find a boy who won't hurt her. Choosing not to reveal the dark side of Tripp's nature, Allie is forced to endure the prodding of Tripp's family and friends who want her to stay the grieving widow. Both Tripp's parents and the police are eager for Allie to remember what happened that night. However, Allie is afraid of what she will remember about what really happened and who was involved. However, secrets like these can never stayed buried for long. I loved how this book was a bit of mystery, realism, and romance. You cheer Allie as she starts to live again, and like her, you are both afraid and desperate to remember what really happened that night. Filled with shocking twists and interesting characters, I could not put this book down. I loved this one!
The night of the Valentine's Dance, Allie and her boyfriend were in a horrific car accident that left her boyfriend dead and Allie hurt and without any memories of the accident or the events leading up to it. The only thing Allie knows is that she is so glad that Tripp is finally dead. For the past year, he had been abusing her, and the abuse had been getting progressively worse. Allie really did not believe she was going to get out of the relationship alive. With him gone, she has a chance to start over again, a chance to think to the future and maybe find a boy who won't hurt her. Choosing not to reveal the dark side of Tripp's nature, Allie is forced to endure the prodding of Tripp's family and friends who want her to stay the grieving widow. Both Tripp's parents and the police are eager for Allie to remember what happened that night. However, Allie is afraid of what she will remember about what really happened and who was involved. However, secrets like these can never stayed buried for long. I loved how this book was a bit of mystery, realism, and romance. You cheer Allie as she starts to live again, and like her, you are both afraid and desperate to remember what really happened that night. Filled with shocking twists and interesting characters, I could not put this book down. I loved this one!
Diviners by LIbba Bray
In 1920's America, Evie is a flapper, a modern girl who happens to have the ability to divine secrets from items that she touches. At the last party she attended, she shared some shocking secrets of a gentleman there, and as punishment, Evie has been sent to live with her uncle in NYC who runs a museum about the occult. Of course, Evie is over the moon about living in NYC; it is THE place to meet the most interesting people and attend the most shocking parties. When her uncle is brought in as a consultant on a series of horrifying murders, Evie decides to use her gift to help solve the case. What she discovers is that this murderer is going to be harder than most to catch: a dark spirit of an evil man who plans to keep killing until has gathered the objects needed to wake the beast. To stop him, other gifted teens throughout the city are going to be forced to learn to listen to and control their gifts. This book is horror-supernatural-historical fiction-romance. When I read this book, I felt like I was living in the 1920's NYC of speakeasies, Ziegfield girls, flappers, and segregation. I found the murder mystery gruesome and mesmerizing. I love learning the storylines of Bray's huge cast of characters. I can't wait for the series to continue!
In 1920's America, Evie is a flapper, a modern girl who happens to have the ability to divine secrets from items that she touches. At the last party she attended, she shared some shocking secrets of a gentleman there, and as punishment, Evie has been sent to live with her uncle in NYC who runs a museum about the occult. Of course, Evie is over the moon about living in NYC; it is THE place to meet the most interesting people and attend the most shocking parties. When her uncle is brought in as a consultant on a series of horrifying murders, Evie decides to use her gift to help solve the case. What she discovers is that this murderer is going to be harder than most to catch: a dark spirit of an evil man who plans to keep killing until has gathered the objects needed to wake the beast. To stop him, other gifted teens throughout the city are going to be forced to learn to listen to and control their gifts. This book is horror-supernatural-historical fiction-romance. When I read this book, I felt like I was living in the 1920's NYC of speakeasies, Ziegfield girls, flappers, and segregation. I found the murder mystery gruesome and mesmerizing. I love learning the storylines of Bray's huge cast of characters. I can't wait for the series to continue!
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Two teens with cancer fall in love. Hazel is terminal, so she does not want to fall in love because she know it will not have a happy ending. She does not know if she has a week, a month, or a year left, but she knows her time on earth will be much shorter than most. However, Hazel and Augustus can't stop themselves. This book will make you laugh out loud, scream at the world, and sob your eyes out. Definitely on my best book ever list!
Two teens with cancer fall in love. Hazel is terminal, so she does not want to fall in love because she know it will not have a happy ending. She does not know if she has a week, a month, or a year left, but she knows her time on earth will be much shorter than most. However, Hazel and Augustus can't stop themselves. This book will make you laugh out loud, scream at the world, and sob your eyes out. Definitely on my best book ever list!
Insignia by S. J. Kincaid
Tom is only good at one thing: video games. However, his teacher warns him he needs to get more serious about school because gaming will never get him anywhere. At the same time, World War III is being fought in space with talented, teen gamers. When the military detects Tom's skills, they recruit him for the fight. If Tom wants to be a part of the team, he will have to up a part of himself forever that will give him amazing gifts and make him vullnerable to dangerous attacks. Does Tom have what it takes to be a gamer on a whole different level? A cross of Ender's Game and The Matrix, this book takes you down the delights and dangerous of going down the rabbit hole.
Tom is only good at one thing: video games. However, his teacher warns him he needs to get more serious about school because gaming will never get him anywhere. At the same time, World War III is being fought in space with talented, teen gamers. When the military detects Tom's skills, they recruit him for the fight. If Tom wants to be a part of the team, he will have to up a part of himself forever that will give him amazing gifts and make him vullnerable to dangerous attacks. Does Tom have what it takes to be a gamer on a whole different level? A cross of Ender's Game and The Matrix, this book takes you down the delights and dangerous of going down the rabbit hole.
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Noah and Echo have both been scarred by life. Noah's scars come from living in foster care after his parents were killed in a fire and being separated from his two younger brother, whom he desperately loves. Echo's scars are more visible. A terrible encounter with her mother left her with scars up and down her arms and no memory of what happened to cause them. They meet in the school psychologist's office and although they come from different worlds, they agree to help free each other from their secrets. What they don't expect is to fall in love. This is my second favorite teen romance. I love everything Katie McGarry writes.
Noah and Echo have both been scarred by life. Noah's scars come from living in foster care after his parents were killed in a fire and being separated from his two younger brother, whom he desperately loves. Echo's scars are more visible. A terrible encounter with her mother left her with scars up and down her arms and no memory of what happened to cause them. They meet in the school psychologist's office and although they come from different worlds, they agree to help free each other from their secrets. What they don't expect is to fall in love. This is my second favorite teen romance. I love everything Katie McGarry writes.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Growing up in a family of clairvoyants, Blue Sargent is used to having the supernatural apart of her every day life. Since she has been little, her family predicted that when she met her true love, he would die if she kissed him. Therefore, Blue has resolved not to fall in love, especially not with a Raven Boy, a boy from the snooty boarding school in their town. Then she meets Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah, and the course of their lives change forever. As Blue is beguiled into helping them on their quest, secrets are unearthed, irrevocable choices are made, people are broken and hearts soar. LIke Blue, I couldn't stop myself from getting pulled into Gansey's world of magic, protection and possibilities. The book has a dreamlike quality, and the prose is lovely. The second book in the series, The Dream Thieves, is now available.
Growing up in a family of clairvoyants, Blue Sargent is used to having the supernatural apart of her every day life. Since she has been little, her family predicted that when she met her true love, he would die if she kissed him. Therefore, Blue has resolved not to fall in love, especially not with a Raven Boy, a boy from the snooty boarding school in their town. Then she meets Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah, and the course of their lives change forever. As Blue is beguiled into helping them on their quest, secrets are unearthed, irrevocable choices are made, people are broken and hearts soar. LIke Blue, I couldn't stop myself from getting pulled into Gansey's world of magic, protection and possibilities. The book has a dreamlike quality, and the prose is lovely. The second book in the series, The Dream Thieves, is now available.
Ripper by Stefan Petrucha
- Jack the Ripper has come to NYC to recreate his famous London murders. Carter Young, who has recently been adopted by Detective Hawking of the world-famous Pinkerton Agency, is thrilled to be on the case. He has dreamed of becoming a detective his entire life. At the same time, Carver is trying to identify who his biological father is. As Carver and his friends get closer to solving both cases, he will be faced with shocking revelations. I could not put this book down! So many of my students have read and loved this book. I just want there to be a sequel!
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
It is not often that a person gets second chances in life. Therefore, if you get a second chance, you had better make the most of it. When Taylor's family spends the summer together at their vacation cottage, she gets a summer of second chances. She has a chance to rekindle her romance with her first love and friendship with her former- best friend. With her dad dying of cancer, their last summer together gives Taylor a chance to bond with her dad and the rest of her family before he has to leave them forever. The romance, friendships and family connection in this novel is rich and alive, and you may want to read the ending of this book in private because it may cause your to sob uncontrollably.
It is not often that a person gets second chances in life. Therefore, if you get a second chance, you had better make the most of it. When Taylor's family spends the summer together at their vacation cottage, she gets a summer of second chances. She has a chance to rekindle her romance with her first love and friendship with her former- best friend. With her dad dying of cancer, their last summer together gives Taylor a chance to bond with her dad and the rest of her family before he has to leave them forever. The romance, friendships and family connection in this novel is rich and alive, and you may want to read the ending of this book in private because it may cause your to sob uncontrollably.
Shelter by Harlan Coben
It seem's like everything Mickey touches falls apart. His dad was murdered. Mom is in a treatment center, and now his new girlfriend Ashley has disappeared. Mickey is tired of not being able to help, and he vows to do everything to find Ashley. When he founds out that Ashley lied about her address and has no school records, Mickey is sure that Ashley was on the run and in need of help. Using his new friends, Mickey will not give up until he can save Ashley. He just never expected Ashley's disappearance would be connected to his father's death. This is a top-notch mystery from adult mystery writer Harlan Coben. Again, the only bad thing is that everyone is waiting for book three of the series to arrive.
It seem's like everything Mickey touches falls apart. His dad was murdered. Mom is in a treatment center, and now his new girlfriend Ashley has disappeared. Mickey is tired of not being able to help, and he vows to do everything to find Ashley. When he founds out that Ashley lied about her address and has no school records, Mickey is sure that Ashley was on the run and in need of help. Using his new friends, Mickey will not give up until he can save Ashley. He just never expected Ashley's disappearance would be connected to his father's death. This is a top-notch mystery from adult mystery writer Harlan Coben. Again, the only bad thing is that everyone is waiting for book three of the series to arrive.