The Light of the World

I gave this book the old college try. It was terribly boring. Basically, it's her story of what places and things she and her husband liked to do together. Quit after 62 pages. 

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, and The Retribution of Mara Dyer

This is a YA series I picked up based on a Pinterest pin recommendation. I knew nothing about it, which was a mistake. Halfway through, I realized that it's supernatural genre. Once I found that out, I was able to shift my mindset and the books became more enjoyable.

Overall, it's a great series, if a little forced in book 2. If you like supernatural books, this is a good series. They are easy and quick reads and no thinking involved. These will make great movies, albeit very scary. It reminds me of the old tv show series, Heros.

Not at all appropriate for the very young adults though. Tons of language and sexual content.

My Heart and Other Black Holes

This book was on a "must read before it becomes a film" list I saw on Pinterest. I am a sucker for YA, so I've been working my way down the list.

For anyone reading this, that means you are friends with me and probably know that I am also a sucker for debut novels. I just think there is something about them. A spark. The fame and fortune hasn't touched them yet and their writing shows.

Aysel is a depressed teenager who want to commit suicide, but lacks the guts to do it on her own. She finds a website where you can find "suicide partners" and she decides to contact "FrozenRobot", the kid on the other end of the computer who also wants to kill himself.

The book is about how their relationship unfolds, why they both want to end their own lives, and the power of education, depression, and human connection.

I enjoyed the story, the writing, the characters, and the content. I love any book that spotlights a problem, this one being the depression and suicide in teenagers.

I highly recommend this book, but only for older teens and adults.

Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey

My daughter and I love Margaret Peterson Haddix. So this was another one of hers that I read in order to see if it's appropriate. It's borderline, but I did let her read it because of the redeeming qualities. There are some sexual innuendos, but they went over her head.

Tish has to keep a journal for one of her high school classes. The teacher has promised not to read any entries with "do not read" on the top. So, Tish starts writing about her extremely dysfunctional life. That's all I should say since it's a delight to find out as she writes what happens.

Very redeeming book, very difficult book to read though. While nothing earth shattering, it is a better than average YA.

Can't Look Away

I'm on my continua quest for YA books appropriate for my 6th grader. This, thankfully, is one of them. However, it's shallow. Torrey is a high school fashion vlogger who moves states in the wake of her sisters death. And of course, there is a love interest who starts out as a perceived villain.

It's a fine YA book and one appropriate for a 6th grade girl, even though it teaches nothing of substance.

I Was Here

This book is on one of my "Must Read YA books of 2015" lists I found on Pinterest. I now trust that list. This book was fantastic. It's about a college student, Meg, who commits suicide and the aftermath of who is left. Her best friend, Cody, is devastated and spends the book trying to cope and figure out why she didn't know Meg was struggling.

The characters are complex and multi-dimensional (although it is a YA, so they are a little archetypal). I like that the book raises mental heath and suicide as an issue for young people and I highly recommend this book. It is, however, not for kids.

The Last Time I Saw You

I put this book down almost as quickly as I picked it up. I didn't even give it my 50 pages test. 

The characters were unbelievable, immature, and dumb. Fifty-five year olds still acting like they are in high school is not a good book.