Folded Notes From Highschool: Matt Boren

This story was like a train wreck, you didn't want to watch, but can't look away. The author expertly captured the narcissism of teenagers to the point where you are equal parts "I can't read this anymore, they are so annoying" to "well maybe someone dies?" you are actually rooting on the main character Tara to turn into a character from Scream. It's told in notes passed back and forth and not only is the dialogue pointless and mean, but the vocabulary is like nails on chalk board. The characters were captured perfectly...lets see if you can make it to the end?

Mr Floods Last Resort: Jess Kidd

This is a murder mystery which is cleverly crafted where you initially don't know it's a murder mystery. Thumbs up to that! Maude is a rather cantankerous if not perfectly human caregiver who has a range of thoughts bouncing around at any minute. She see saints after the disappearance of her sister and starts working for an old man, Cathal in whom she finds a kindred spirit. Both have suffered tragedy and have secrets to keep and share similar dispositions. Cathal's wife died of suspicious circumstances and his daughter mysteriously disappeared, Maude wants to uncover the truth, more for her own curiosity than Cathal, who believes the past should remain in the past. After nearly being murdered twice, Maude discovers Cathal's son has been at the heart of the murders and his sister is buried in the well.

The Little Mermaid and Other Fairy Tales: Hans Christian Anderson

This was a collection of stories by Hans Christian Anderson. It included the ones you would expect; The Little Mermaid, Matchstick Girl, The Emperors New Clothes, and The Tin Soldier. It also included some others I'd never heard, so it was a good assortment. I had forgotten The Little Mermaid did not end happily and the mermaid dies...I really enjoyed the forward that spoke of Hans truly believing he was the bastard son of royalty and his "parents" were paid to raise him. It explained his education, which was mysteriously paid for, but I can't imagine what pain that would have caused the parents.

A Christmas Carol: Charles Dickens

This was a good refresher on The Christmas Carol I was hoping to finish before Christmas. A man, who is only concerned about wealth, gets a wake-up call when he is met by three ghosts. They show him that he can't take the money with him when he dies and that he is missing out on living in trying to accumulate wealth.

Before the Devil Breaks You: Libba Bray

This was a young adult story where the characters have special powers. The government had created a section of children with special powers hoping to use them as a weapon, but the program was shut down due to some mishaps and the children were released back into society. They are being collected again in order to be used to open the door between hell and earth and unleash " a power never seen before". The kids figure out what is happening after everyone seems to lose their parents/guardians and are able to keep from being used as weapons. Weird but oddly satisfying.

When I Was The Greatest: Jason Reynolds

This was a story about friendship and bravado. It explores an example of a boy who talks a lot of game about being tough, but once in an actual situation where he needs to rise up, he fails. Ali stays out of trouble and helps his single mom with his little sister. Then 2 new neighbor boys move in, who his little sister names Noodles and Needles. Noodles thinks he is a tough guy and is always picking on his brother Needles, who has turrets. The boys decide to go to a party and a fight breaks out. Needles comes to Noodles aid and Noodles disappears letting Needles get nearly beaten to death. This story explores the relationship between teenage boys and the power shift.

Inspector Hobbs and The Curse: Wilkie Martin

This was a cute detective story told by the point of view of the detective's...roommate? Andy Caplet, who mooches off him. Andy is like a child, but well into his 30's and seems incapable of living on his own. Clearly detective Hobbs is a werewolf or mythical creature of some kind, but Andy is clueless. It seems as though a majority of the townspeople may be part creature. A Brother and sister move into town and even though they are werecats, they are trying to get rid of the other creatures. The sister and Andy go on a couple of dates and like one another (the book make it out as though they are in love, but Andy is the narrator and a bit unreliable and naïve) In the end the brother and sister are run out of town when they nearly kill Andy and a werewolf family. Cute read.