One of my favorite young adult authors is Suzanne Collins. She is creating waves with her Hunger Games trilogy. The series is a blend of adventure, fantasy, and drama. Set in a post apocalyptic time where the United States ceases to exist and is replaced with the country of Panem. Panem consists of the Capitol and 12 districts. Each of those districts is required to send two participants to the televised Hunger Games, a fight to the death with only a single winner.

Enter Katniss Everdeen. A young girl who volunteers to take the place of her younger sister in this deadly game. Her skill and attitude endear her to the viewers of this game. 

In Catching Fire, book two of the trilogy, Catniss has become the symbol for rebellion in the districts. At the same time, this has raised the ire of  President Snow who now focuses on controlling her.

Mockingjay, the final book, has been shrouded in mystery. The publishers have requested total secrecy. Advance copies haven’t been allowed to circulate for reviews, and no one knows what its pages hold. The book will release on August 24, 2010. While we do have two copies ordered, the hold list may be long. This can be a blessing, as it will allow readers new to the series to read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire before diving into Mockingjay.

 We hope you take to opportunity to read these books, and if you like them, we will be happy to offer additional titles that we’re sure you will enjoy. Also, be sure to ask your favorite teen to guide you to their favorites and let them impress you with their brilliant taste.

    When a rebellious teenager, Ronnie, and her little brother, Jonah, are forced to visit her dad for the summer it creates a story of love, forgiveness, and heart-breaking sadness that will have you crying over the pages. Ronnie has felt a strong hatred for her dad since her parent’s divorce, as well as hating the fact of being  with her dad for the summer. But soon Ronnie realizes what’s important in life. She grows and learns from her experiences of the summer. This is what makes this book by Nicholas Sparks worth reading.    

    I very much recommend this book to all teenagers and adults. This book is indeed a good read, a book you could sit down and read for hours. I love this book, though it is sad, at the same time it is very romantic and loving. This book is full  of good humor and fun-loving romantic situations. I feel this book will be enjoyable to all who read it.

    Nicholas Sparks has created a book full of truly real characters in real life situations. Within the pages of this book, Ronnie learns to love and to be loved, and to cherish life. Her summer with her dad and brother, changes her forever and for the better.
    I very much recommend this book. I don’t expect that this loving book would disappoint anyone. The Last Song is definitely a book worth reading.

James Kier has a similar experience. He reads his own obituary upon waking one morning and, before he can respond, finds the comments under his online obituary less than complimentary. His girlfriend, upon hearing of his untimely death, goes on a huge shopping spree using his credit card.  His company’s chief operating officer, and weekly squash partner, calls him the Grinch, Scrooge and Bergermeister all rolled into one.  His history with his soon-to-be ex-wife and his son is less than ideal.

Richard Paul Evans manages to bring us this story of a man who gets a reality check without being overly emotional. It is a quick read with short chapters for those of us with little time. 

If you have read Nicholas Sparks, you will find his style similar to Evans. A lot of depth and very real characters. Both authors have several titles that make us feel our humanity just a bit more that usual. 

If you don’t find The Christmas List on the new shelf, we will be happy to place a hold on it for you. We would also be happy to share other titles by these authors with you, as well.

Timothy Blake, used car salesman, is your ordinary, everyday guy. His teenage daughter, Sidney, comes from her mother’s for the summer and normal parent-child frustrations ensue. Then Sidney doesn’t come home. Tim begins a search for her, starting at the Just in Time Hotel, her place of employment. They tell him they have never heard of her as she is not an employee.

He questions how well he knew his daughter as he searches. His ex-wife initially plays the blame game but then cooperates with him in the search for their daughter.

Fear the Worst avoids many of the normal crime fiction cliches. Tim doesn’t turn into a super hero when confronted with gun-toting bad guys.  He doesn’t develop uncanny spy skills. He doesn’t have contacts in high places. He just struggles to cope under extraordinary circumstances.

Linwood Barclay, although a bestselling crime fiction author in Britain, is still a much undiscovered talent in the U.S. This book had me thinking of flipping to the last pages in anticipation of discovering the outcome. I soldiered through and Barclay found a new fan. Too Close to Home and No Time for Goodbye will be my next reads by this author.

 This book, one of Delinsky’s best, delivers a great reading experience. Written for adults, it won’t dissapoint. Young adults might also take a few lessons from its pages.

Fanboy feels he is the high school loser. He has only one good friend and could be labeled a victim in his high school. Goth Girl is the newcomer with an all black wardrobe and issues of her own. They form a bond that enables Fanboy to challenge the bullies and face his challenges, but Goth Girl has troubles of her own.

I did not want this book to end.