Books I've Read in 2012 (Part 2)

A conversation I had with my super smart 8 year old nephew.....
Me: (Trying to think of an age-appropriate book I could recommend to him since I know he loves to read) Hey Grant....have you read "Because of Winn-Dixie?" I read that one a few months ago.
Grant: Oh yeah.  I read that when I was in like, first grade.
Me: Oh.  Well I read it when I was 25 years old.  
Grant: So I guess you're that old right now?
Me: Yep.  

Thanks to that little guy, I've added several more Kate DiCamillo books to my "Books to Read" list, but for now, here's what I've read lately:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver -- I thoroughly enjoyed this! It's definitely a young adult novel, and it reminded me a lot of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and Groundhog Day with a Mean Girls twist.  Without giving away too much, the main character, Samantha Kingston {who happens to be super popular and has a seemingly perfect life}, relives the last day of her life over and over.  She ends up altering her actions, realizing the impact she has on others, and learning more about herself each time.  I didn't want it to end!

Matched, Crossed, & Reached by Ally Condie -- Sigh.  Yet another dystopian trilogy that I absolutely loved.  It has a lot of similarities with Delirium and you know I loved that one.  Cassia lives in a very orderly, controlled, technological society where teens are assigned to a future spouse in a "matching ceremony."  She struggles between doing what society tells her to do and taking her own path.  Crossed is actually really cool because each chapter alternates between Cassia's point of view and the view of another main character, Ky.  You get to keep track of both of them as Cassia journeys to find him.  Can't wait for the conclusion! {Update: I read "Reached" way after I read the first two because it didn't come out until November 2012.  The conclusion was perfect.}

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan -- Strange and enjoyable.  A group of my classmates read this for one of our grad school classes and it sounded intriguing, so I added it to my list.  It's basically a modern-day/futuristic version of the Scarlet Letter.  In Hannah's society, those who break the law are "chromed," which means they are allowed to live freely in the world with everyone else, but their skin is genetically altered to a bright color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue).  Everyone who sees you knows you are a "criminal" and when you swipe your ID card (which is used everywhere), everyone can see exactly what you did.  People can also track your exact location via satellite.  Hannah's skin is red and she is guilty of having an abortion with a man who she refuses to identify.  The book follows her as she tries to survive in her new, very difficult life.

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen -- This is a memoir/biography and it definitely had some hilarious parts, but it wasn't my favorite book ever.  I could've lived without some of the chapters.  It was a quick/easy read, though.  I don't even know how to describe this one so you'll just have to read it yourself and find out!

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore -- I read this one because I heard it was being made into a movie and I love books that also have a movie version.  It's a young adult science fiction book about a teenage alien and his guardian.  Sounds weirdo -- I know, but it sucks you in and isn't as strange as it seems.  The main character looks like a normal guy but he has some secret powers and such.  I really enjoyed it.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave -- Good stuff, right here! It's about a teenage orphan/refugee from Nigeria and a British couple who crossed paths and became connected because of a terrible event.  Little Bee (that's the Nigerian girl's name) is hilarious in her observations about British culture, but there are also very moving/sad/thought-provoking parts.  Laughter and sadness all in one book? Sold!

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline -- A few bloggers recommended Lisa Scottoline and I had never heard of her, but I always love a good book recommendation.  I was certainly not disappointed! This one is about a woman who spots a picture that looks very much like her adopted son on a "missing child" flyer.  She tries to figure out the truth and faces a tough dilemma.  VERY good read and I loved her writing style!

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline -- Also excellent. This one is about a mom who was volunteering in the cafeteria at her daughter's school when an explosion occured.  She had to decide whether to escort a few girls to the nearest door or to try to help her own daughter who was farther away.  Some people in the community think she made the wrong choice.  Lots of drama!

House Rules by Jodi Picoult -- Oh man.  I really liked this one.  A teen with Asperger's syndrome (who happens to be obsessed with forensics) becomes a suspect in a murder case.  So very interesting and I couldn't put it down! I loved how each chapter showed a different character's point of view.  I'm really intrigued by Asperger's/autism because it seems like more and more students have these issues.

Ida B...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan -- I read so many good books in a row this summer.  This one was awesome.  It's actually for older children or young adults (3rd graders could probably read it) but it really touched me.  Ida B's mom gets sick and it turns her world upside down.  The main character is so smart and spunky and it just killed me to see how much her mom's sickness affected her. I think I cried at some point during this one.  (**Lulu if you're reading this, get your students to read this one!)

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy -- The tale of one woman's experience during WWII in Guernsey.  You know I love a good WWII/Holocaust-ish book and this one didn't disappoint!

If I Stay & Where She Went by Gayle Forman -- Oh my goshhhhhhh.  Awesome awesome awesome!!! I had never heard of these books, but a mom that I babysat for this summer recommended them to me and let me borrow them.  SO SO GOOD.  A teenage girl named Mia is in a car accident with her family and struggles to survive it.  I don't want to give much more away, but there's an incredible love story and I just couldn't put the book down.  I was SO glad to be able to read "Where She Went" immediately after finishing the first book because I just had to know what happened next.  The first book is from Mia's point of view and the second is from her boyfriend, Adam's (and happens 3 years later).  I desperately searched the internet to find out whether there would be a third book, but sadly, the author actually didn't even intend the write the second! It looks like there won't be a third.

Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman -- This was a random Target find that the same gal also let me borrow.  Definitely different from the books I normally read, but I enjoyed it.  Emma, a ballerina who recently injured her knee and ended her career, travels from London to Australia.  She learns about her grandmother's past, makes friends, finds love, etc etc.  The book goes back & forth between Emma's life and her grandmother's life (in the past).

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult -- I love Jodi Picoult.  What an awesome author.  I feel like I can't tell you much about this book without ruining it for you, but just know that I was sucked in!

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult -- The O'Keefe's daughter, Willow, is born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease which causes her bones to break easily.  I liked this one for the same reason that I liked House Rules.  I enjoyed learning about OI and it helped me understand what life is like for families who have children who are "different." You get the see the point of view of Willow, her parents, and her older sister, Amelia.  The ending of the book literally made my jaw drop open.  I cannot believe Picoult ended it like that! Wowzers!

This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson -- Not my favorite.  I borrowed it and read it because it was sitting in my living room and I needed something to read, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin -- Really good! It's about a woman and the daughter that she gave up for adoption years ago.

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore -- This is the sequel to "I Am Number Four."  Again, it's about teenage aliens so that might not be your kind of thing, but I was into it!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns) by Mindy Kaling -- Oh my word....this girl is hilarious! She had me laughing out loud!! So blunt and she just tells it like it is! It's the memoir/biography of Mindy Kaling (who plays "Kelly Kapoor" on The Office).  This would be a great Christmas/birthday gift for one of your friends!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen -- This one takes place in North Carolina....extra points! The Waverley family has a garden with a reputation for having special powers.  Dishes made with certain plants from their garden can make you more thoughtful or truthful or peaceful, etc.  The story is about two Waverley sisters who reconnect after being apart for many years.  I really enjoyed all of the quirky characters and the little bit of *magic* here and there.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo -- Tear! What an awesome children's/young adult book.  It reminded me a lot of Ida B because the main characters are a lot alike.  It's about one awesome summer when the relationship with 10-year-old Opal and stray dog Winn-Dixie began.

Looking for Alaska by John Green -- This is a young adult novel about friendship and "seeking the great perhaps."  Miles Halter attends a boarding school and meets a quirky group of friends (including Alaska Young - a girl he loves but can't quite figure out).  I definitely enjoyed it & it made me think.  It's a good read if you're looking for something quick & easy.  I'm interested in reading "The Fault in Our Stars" by the same author because it's on many of the "Best Books of 2012" lists.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom -- What an incredible way to end the year.  This book blew me away.  It's a true story about a dutch family who owned a watch shop and secretly helped/hid Jews and others during WWII.  The things they went through and their faith in God through their suffering just amazed me.  A must read if you like holocaust/WWII stories!