Every Day by David Levithan

David Levithan's every day

This book is checked out so often, that I figured I better read it too! Levithan has created a storyline where the main character, A, wakes up each day as someone different. Always the same age, but sometimes a girl, sometimes a boy. This is the story of A's life. A has no real family, as he/she changes bodies each day. There are no real attachments either. But A meets someone that changes everything. It is a little hard to wrap your head around the concept of changing bodies daily, but Levithan does an excellent job of drawing the reader in.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddox

Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden.

This story is set in the future where the government has set limits on the numbers of children a family can have. They are limited to only two children, but Luke is a third child, who has stayed hidden for the twelve years of his life. He meets another 'third' and finds out about the world outside his home. The government sets rules against many things and Luke starts to question what is right.

This was a story that captured my attention early into it. Luke could be any third child in the future. What if the world were to run out of space or food? Although these problems are not current, this was food for thought. Sometimes it seems scary what the government can get away with and this book makes you question things. With all the dystopian novels that are so popular now, I think this one will definitely capture your attention.

Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

Killing Lincoln was a great story. This book made me really wish I had known Abe Lincoln. He seemed like such a great man and someone who really cared about others. I think I know history, but the details that were part of this story helped to give me a better picture of what life was like during this time period. The assassination of anyone, never mind a President is a tragedy. You may think you know all about Lincoln's assassination, but this gives great detail into Booth's life and those who may have also been involved in the entire conspiracy.

The Racketeer by John Grisham

The Racketeer by John Grisham

This is another great Grisham story. The Racketeer has a few twists and turns to it and of course deceit.

Malcolm Bannister is an innocent lawyer that gets involved in a real estate deal that involves laundered money. Bannister does not know about all the background of the anonymous client and winds up in prison. But the plot continues to twist and turn, when Bannister turns on a former inmate. This is a must read!

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Anthem by Ayn Rand

I had not read Anthem until this week and was so surprised that it is another dystopic society. It seems that many of the books I have read lately are about societies in the future that are dysfunctional. Rand wrote this book back in 1937, but I am intrigued how it incorporates socialist ideas and was not originally allowed to be published in the United States.

Anthem is a novella about a guy, who does not have a regular name, but goes by the name Equality 7-2521. Family life does not exist in this futuristic society. People are raised and put to work and supposedly everyone does things for the benefits of the entire society and not for oneself. Well, Equality 7-2521 does not seem to fit in. He decides to try and challenge this, but quietly. You have to read this novella to find out what he does.

Unbroken A Love Story by Carolynn Amara

This story is about a man, Alex Rodriguez, who returns to his wife, Anna, after fighting in Afghanistan. He is fighting the demons that haunt him. He loves his wife and she loves him, but he is definitely a changed man. This is not the man that Anna married and sent off to war. Alex is struggling with post traumatic stress disorder. Anna is struggling with trying to find her husband inside this troubled being that has returned home.

This story is a hard one, but moves you as you read it. Amara does a great job of allowing you to understand the struggles of returning veterans. We should all read this book, so we can understand what is going on in the heads and hearts of our fighting men and women. In addition to the reality of war, Amara tells a wonderful story of love and healing.

Wanted Series by Kelly Elliott

 Wanted by Kelly Elliott
The first book in a 3 book series.

If you like romance, this book will get your attention! This is the first book for author Kelly Elliott. She is from the Austin area and has written this story using all the local places, so if you are from Austin or know the cool places to go, you will recognize them in this story.

Ellie comes from a dysfunctional home. Her mom verbally abuses her and she does not feel wanted. She is a senior in high school and has worked hard to get into The University of Texas at Austin, where her older brother Jeff plays football. Her best friend Ari has always been there for her and also has a crush on Ellie's brother. Ellie falls for Jeff's best friend Gunner. You must read this! A great love story, full of hardship, and the trials of coming from a messed up home life.

Saved by Kelly Elliott
The second book in this 3 book series.

Kelly Elliott continues with the same characters, but the focus is now on Ari and Jeff. Just because they love one another does not always mean that love can conquer all.

Ari comes from a privileged background. She has had everything she wanted or needed. Jeff was raised by his drunken mother. They are very different, but fell for each other. But a previous encounter with a manipulating Rebecca interferes with their romance.

You have to read this one to find out what happens!

Faithful by Kelly Elliott
The third in this 3 book series.

This one just came out, and I have not had time to read it. Stay tuned...