The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars

What can I say? John Green seems to always hit a home run. The Fault in Our Stars is a wonderful story. Its main character has cancer. Her mom makes her go to a cancer group, where she meets others who have cancer. I know it sounds crazy that I thought this was  a great story, but Hazel's story is heartwarming. Most of us have someone in our lives who have been affected by cancer. This story will make you laugh and cry. I was moved by the lives of the characters and you will be too.

Ruby Red by KerstinGier

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier starts a time traveler series. Apparently, there are only a few families who inherit a special gene which is the time traveler gene. Okay, yes you have to suspend reality, but isn't that what reading is all about? There is some historical fiction, where the travelers go back in time to old time England. There is a little romance, and of course some manipulation and suspense.

The series continues with Sapphire Blue and finishes with Emerald Green. Gier has a nice writing style and does not overwhelm with the love story, but it adds a nice flare. The adventure of the travelers is engaging, while incorporating the historical nuances. I truly enjoyed this series and was very pleased when Emerald Green finally came out!

 

The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth

 

Veronica Roth does not dissapoint in her Divergent trilogy, Divergent, Insuregent, and Allegiant. I just finished the final book in the trilogy and the only thing I was disappointed in was that I had to wait for Allegiant to come out in October, before I could finish it. Usually with a series, the last book is just okay. Roth does a great job of keeping up the intensity an adventure in this one.

The series is another futuristic dystopic society, which I guess you could compare to Hunger Games.  But this has less of the glitz and glamour of Hunger Games and more of a grim reality. I am not saying I think our future is destined for a society of factions, which is how they break out different groups, as opposed to the Districts in Hunger Games. Divergent sets the scene in the future United States, where things have gone terribly wrong. Society is broken into factions. Each faction has a different trait, in which they are responsible for a job in society. At a certain age you are given the opportunity to test and select a different faction than the one you grew up in. Just because you select another faction does not mean you are qualified for that faction. You must prove yourself. The entire process is gruesome, but Roth keeps the reader engrossed.

Each book in the series has its own challenges. This is a must read if you are into futuristic society!

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

S.A. Bodeen's The Compound

 

I supposed I am stuck on reading more futuristic, dystopia, but this one is an intriguing story. It is about one dad, who builds a nuclear safe compound, underground to protect his family from a nuclear disaster. He stocks the compound so that they can survive for 15 years. Can you imagine being locked together with your family, full time, for 15 years? You have to read this, as there is a definite plot twist.

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.