While flipping through websites like goodreads and yalit.com, I've found a few books that I'm looking forward to this year. I decided to pick the top three books that I'm looking forward to reading in 2014.
Book #1- The Truth About Alice- By: Jennifer Mathieu- Release Date: June 2014
I can't remember where I first heard about this book, but I instantly knew that I had to get my hands on it. Since I started writing my Realistic Fiction book, Summer Letters, I've been really into reading books that explore the darker side of teenage life. Here is the goodreads blurb for the book:
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.
See what I mean? I can't wait to get my hands on this one!! You find out the "truth" about Alice from other people...not her!! I love a good book with multiple points of view. I also like books that push the limits with YA because this is what's really going on in their lives people!! I should know...I teach middle school.
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.
See what I mean? I can't wait to get my hands on this one!! You find out the "truth" about Alice from other people...not her!! I love a good book with multiple points of view. I also like books that push the limits with YA because this is what's really going on in their lives people!! I should know...I teach middle school.
Book #2- Two Girls Staring at the Ceiling- By: Lucy Frank- Release Date: August 2014
I know this book cover looks weird and this isn't normally the type of books you would see me walking around with, but maybe that's why I was drawn to it. Sometimes I need to push out of my regular and try new things. Here is the goodreads blurb:
This novel-in-verse—at once literary and emotionally gripping—follows the unfolding friendship between two very different teenage girls who share a hospital room and an illness.
Chess, the narrator, is sick, but with what exactly, she isn’t sure. And to make matters worse, she must share a hospital room with Shannon, her polar opposite. Where Chess is polite, Shannon is rude. Where Chess tolerates pain silently, Shannon screams bloody murder. Where Chess seems to be getting slowly better, Shannon seems to be getting worse. How these teenagers become friends, helping each other come to terms with their illness, makes for a dramatic and deeply moving read.
The first thing that caught my attention was that it was a novel-in-verse. Ever since I read Crank By Ellen Hopkins, I love reading these types of books. They are a quick read and because it's not written in the normal fiction format, every word is important and counts. The author really has to dive in deep for the reader to really understand and care about the characters. Another reason is that I love books from differing points of view (that's what Summer Letters is), especially when they are opposites of each other.
This novel-in-verse—at once literary and emotionally gripping—follows the unfolding friendship between two very different teenage girls who share a hospital room and an illness.
Chess, the narrator, is sick, but with what exactly, she isn’t sure. And to make matters worse, she must share a hospital room with Shannon, her polar opposite. Where Chess is polite, Shannon is rude. Where Chess tolerates pain silently, Shannon screams bloody murder. Where Chess seems to be getting slowly better, Shannon seems to be getting worse. How these teenagers become friends, helping each other come to terms with their illness, makes for a dramatic and deeply moving read.
The first thing that caught my attention was that it was a novel-in-verse. Ever since I read Crank By Ellen Hopkins, I love reading these types of books. They are a quick read and because it's not written in the normal fiction format, every word is important and counts. The author really has to dive in deep for the reader to really understand and care about the characters. Another reason is that I love books from differing points of view (that's what Summer Letters is), especially when they are opposites of each other.
Book #3- Damsel Distressed- By: Kelsey Macke- Release Date: October 2014
Okay, so I may be a little biased with this one because I know the author...but isn't this book cover super cute? She actually held a cover contest and posted it on youtube. You can see her vlog post here. I also met the author at the DFWCON conference I went to at the beginning of May. She is super sweet and also a middle school teacher like me! Here is the blurb from goodreads:
Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing
Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.
When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.
While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.
And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.
The best part of the book? You also get a playlist that goes with the book that is actually performed by the author and her hubby! They are so talented!! You can check out their performances on youtube here. Anyways, I'm really looking forward to reading this book because Imogen sounds like a really complex character and I've seen a sneak peak on how the book is formatted, and it looks really interesting.
What books are you looking forward to in 2014?
Don't worry, I will post more books in the next few posts and make sure you check out my book reviews!!
Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing
Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.
When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.
While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.
And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.
The best part of the book? You also get a playlist that goes with the book that is actually performed by the author and her hubby! They are so talented!! You can check out their performances on youtube here. Anyways, I'm really looking forward to reading this book because Imogen sounds like a really complex character and I've seen a sneak peak on how the book is formatted, and it looks really interesting.
What books are you looking forward to in 2014?
Don't worry, I will post more books in the next few posts and make sure you check out my book reviews!!