Chernobyl: Svetlana Alexievich

Story of the aftermath of Chernobyl. Can't put the book into words, one you have to read for yourself. How the explosion was handled is unbelievable.

Live to Tell: Wendy Corsi

Fantastic mystery, I was pegging the wrong person as the "bad guy" and never saw the twist coming, though the author hinted at the character being suspicious. I was also wondering how all the characters would come together. There were a lot of open ties that weren't revealed until the end. Very interesting and gripping read.

Promise Not to Tell: Jennifer McMahon

I have now read all of McMahon's books and am surprise on how they all have the same elements, but are very different books. This story is centered around secrets and people who are not at their best, but so believably human, selfish, and flawed. As in her other books the twists and turns have the reader thinking the wrong person is the villain.

Star Island:Carl Hiaasen

Star Island is hilarious, just as good if not better than Nature Girl. I hadn't realized Hiaasen had written Hoot, actually I didn't even know he wrote for children. The story is centered around a famous singer and various people that need her to survive, interesting twist on what happens in the lives of the rich and famous. Cherry Pye is habitually wasted so her family hires a body double whom the actress does not know existed, until she was kidnapped. Clever and witty read.

The Agency: Ally O'Brien

Very cute lighthearted read. I enjoyed the protagonist's wit and likability. The book was very realistic in when things start falling apart, everything seems to go at once. Well thought out and pieced together. I enjoyed the book ending with hope, if not exactly a happy ending, very believable.

Triskellion: Will Peterson

It was hard to figure out where the author was taking you with mysterious powers and unexplainable events. It was a cleverly constructed book appealing to both female and male young readers by having characters of both genders, but was lacking in an exciting read for an adult- hence being a teen book. The whole time I kept thinking "why do we need...in the book" but it was to add mystery for young readers.

Summer Shift: Lynn Kiele Bonasia

I would have assumed this was the author's first book since she pushed her opinions but not effectively through the characters voices. I thought maybe it would take a while to get into the book, but I never really did, though the recipes in the back were a cute addition. The occurrences in the story were too convenient and not very clever, unfortunately I felt like the book was about nothing and a waste of time to read.

Kings of The Earth: Jon Clinch

Very much like a Falconer book, the writing style and the characters are developed so much like The Sound and the Fury. The book is not very exciting or fast paced, but the realness makes it a great read. Something uneventful happens in a small town and is turned into a crime. The story uncovers the lives of the key players uncovering the past and providing insight into current day. I wouldn't recommend this book when there are so many other good ones available.

My Tiki Girl: Jennifer McMahon

A story for teens and different than her other stories. She confronts the issues of teenage love and peer pressure in a realistic way. So far I have only REALLY liked one of the three books by this author that I have read.

Island of Lost Girls: Jennifer McMahon

Disturbing book, this Author really likes to write reaccurring themes about young girls and death. I do enjoy how she twists and turns things so you can never figure out who "done it". A very fast read, though it starts out slow, and interesting.

What is Left the Daughter: Howard Norman

This was truly a sad story about not living life, written as though it were a letter to his daughter. The protagonist bounced through life doing what he thought would make peace with others, but never really DID anything. Later in life he does not seem to realize how he was responsible and tried to place blame on everyone else. He still never comes to terms with fatherhood and does not meet his daughter, who had moved to his town.

Purge: Sofi Oksanen

The first few chapters are mysterious, you have no idea where the book is going. Gradually the characters are exposed for who they are, giving life to the saying "walk a mile in anothers shoes". It is difficult to judge the characters and not feel sad for their lost lives. Though Aliide is motivated by greed throughout the book. It is difficult to decide if she snapped when brought in for questioning, or was always so selfish. Very interesting book.