Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

I loved the dialogue between the two main characters. This story is well crafted.  It's the retelling of Beauty and the Beast.  I like that Nyx is not a goody saintly gal but one with anger and craftiness.  The characters are well developed.  This book was recommended to me by Heather who has great taste in books.  She works at Petunia's Place, an independent book store.  Gotta love the indies!  Thanks Heather for recommending this book.  I bought it the same time as I bought Defy.  Great reads.  My students are loving the two books.

Defy by Sara B Larson

If you like Graceling, you'll love this story as well.  Strong characters and great plot.  Really enjoyed reading and look forward to the next book.  The students who borrowed my copy of the book also enjoyed and read in a few days.  My friend Heather for Petunia's Place got me to borrow this book.  I love when Heather works at Petunia's because she has a great connection for Young Adult books!
Thanks Heather, looking forward to your next suggested title.

Seizure by Kathy Reichs

You have to suspend your belief system on this one because the main character comes off a little to smart.  It's a fun adventure but once in a while, I find myself rolling my eyes.  Good for middle school grades.

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Book trailer on Liesl & Po  Another amazing story by Lauren Oliver.

It's about death.  But it's about life. A child loses her mother long ago and after her father re-marries, he too passes away.  Liesl almost loses hope, trapped and alone in the attic.  Until Po comes along.

This story is masterfully crafted.  After finishing the book and reading the afterword by the author, you learn about the deep influence that resulted in this touching story.  A must read!

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver

When I first started the book, I didn't like Samantha. I thought she was shallow and why was I reading this book.  And the as we went through the same day over and over again, you start to understand her and why she is the way she is.

Also Lauren Oliver has a great talent for cobbling words together to make an amazing story. I'm a fan!

The Diviners by Libba Bray

I heard this book on audio and was well worth it.  Great story looking forward to the next in the series.
This is the web site to watch a book trailerhttp://thedivinersseries.com/#!/page=Book/Videos

Pawn by Aimee Carter

OMG! great story with lots of twists and turns.  If I had a dinner party, I'd invite Aimee Carter and have her talk about her writing and story ideas. Brilliant.  I know I keep reading dystopian stories and this one is a page turner.  Worth the read.

Starters by Lissa Price

The story line of this book is a page turner.  There are some weak moments in the story but it's entertaining.  Lots of surprises.

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTM2B14ntCE is the youtube video for this book.  It's kind of cute.  If you like steam punk.  Okay if you love steam punk then this is the book for you.  It's entertaining if you are a reader.  It won't be for everyone.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I read this because my teen neighbor talked about how she loved this book and that she's not a reader but this book made her want to read.  I listened to the audio version.  It's set in the "80's when I was a teen.  It's a very realistic story and sometimes because of the desperation in Eleanor's life it can get painful to read.  I would say this would be a great story for mature students.  Very mature students.  It's a great story.  If you like John Green books, then this would be a story you would enjoy as well.

The Lucky Ones by Anna Godbersen

This is the last book in the series.  It takes you into the 1920's with Jazz, guns and trouble.
It's a fun read if you like the time frame.

A Time of Miracles

This is a story that would fit in with high school social studies readings.  It's an amazing journey that takes us into the world of refugees.  It is told simply and elegantly.  A must read.