How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes

This is a good book to listen to or read for those who are looking to be better speakers.  I really liked the good tips.  Very easy to use. 

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

This is a teen dream fairy tale book.  Very dark and mysterious.  It's a good read.  So is the audio book.  Enjoy.

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough

Artemisia actually existed.  Her works are famous.  I never knew her story until this book.  It is a book I will get for my high school.  The audio book also very good.

Honey by Sarah Weeks

This is a sweet story about a family dealing with the loss of a mother/wife/friend and moving on.  Perfect for any hig

I Funny I funny TV by James Patterson

I liked this book.  I listened to the audio book and I actually liked it more then the Wimpy Kids Diary.
I think it's a great book for middle school libraries.  Good messages and entertaining.  A good guy's read.  Enjoy.

The Best Man by Richard Peck

I love Richard Peck's work.  He's also an excellent reader.  I have met him a few times and love his work.  This book is perfect for this time and worth being in any middle school libraries.  It's a good read.  Enjoy.

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina

I chose to listen to this audio book because John Medina will be speaking in Fresno.  I'm pumped because if he is as good, entertaining and informative as he is in this book then my students will be hearing a very good speaker.  This book is fine for high school.  And for adults.  It's a good read.

Vengeance Road Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

A refreshing teen young adult western.  It's a good tale.  Enjoy.  Fine for any high school library.

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

I liked this book.  Growing up on westerns, it's nice that there are teens westerns out there.  Think True Grit with only the girl going after the baddies.  It's a good read.  Enjoy.

Dumplin’ Puddin’ by Julie Murphy

If you enjoyed Dumplin'  then you'll want to read this story.  Fine for high school libraries.  Enjoy.

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan

This is a very special book.  I will for sure get for my high school library.  Dealing with grief from the loss of a parent due to suicide.  The story is told in a very special way.  A good read.

Rewind by Carolyn O’Doherty

I liked this book and am looking forward to the next book.  It's a bit predictable but I think high school students will enjoy it.  It's fine for high school level.  Enjoy.

Dress Code for Small Towns by Courtney Stevens

I would recommend reading this story before you put it in your high school library.  It's a very special book about students figuring out themselves sexually as well as having friendships.  It's also about relationship with parents who may or may not understand.  Billie is a girl with a masculine look.  She's a square peg in a round hole.  Everyone expects something of her.  Her father, her peers, the adults.  Even herself.  It's a good read.  Maybe for mature audiences.  I liked it.  It reminds me of people I know.

Insignia by S. J. Kincaid

You will enjoy this story if you like cyberspace stories.  It has all sorts of elements to make this a page turning story.  I'm getting this series for my high school library.

Insignia Allies by S. J. Kincaid

I like this series and will get for my high school library.  The relationships of the teens and the science fiction computer aspect makes this an entertaining read.  Enjoy.

The Mortality Doctrine The Games of Lives by James Dashner

The conclusion to this story is fine for any high school library.  Adventure, danger and a good guys read.  Enjoy.

The Mortality Doctrine The Rule of Thoughts by James Dashner

I can see this being a popular book in the library.  I will buy this book for my high school library.  Enjoy.

DC Icons Batman Nightwalker by Maire Lu

I already have this at my high school and it is very popular.  The audio book also very good.  Great for readers to enjoy.  Super hero before he becomes a super hero.  It's a good read.

One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

I loved this book.  First I thought the man was a jerk.  But as you read, the layers unwrap to explain both stories.  It's about redemption.  It's about forgiveness, It's about finding out who you really are.  It's about connecting back into the world.  Bouncing from foster families and becoming a self-made man lost in the world of corporate status and then tumbling back down to the streets, meeting a dog and people along the way that helps a lost man grow.  It's a good read.

Between the Lines Off the Page by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

Mother and daughter writing team have struck gold with this series.  The audio book also very good.  Love, life and then death and then life again.  It's a great story.  Enjoy.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Septys

Loved this book Ruta Septys is hot hot hot in writing a good story.  Will get for my high school library.  History, gangsters, sex, prostitutes, murder, money boil into one good epic story.  They should make this into a movie.  Oh wait,  I don't like it when they make good books into the movie.  Will get for my high school library.  Audio Book also excellent.  Nice author note at the end.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

This book still haunts me.  It is a must read.  It is a difficult read.  When a parent is trusted to take care of young children and let them down it's a terrible thing.  This mother has Carey prostitute herself so her little sister won't be in that situation.  There is rape and death but also redemption and healing.  It is not an easy read but the story is well written and a page turner.  The audio book also very good.  I'm getting for the library.

The Illuminae Files Illuminae by Kaufman and Kristoff

Told in multiple ways, this book works.  It helps to be a fan of Sci-Fi.  Think Hal of Space 2001 meets Aliens.  And a bit of a love triangle to boot.  Fine for high school libraries. 

Abandon Abandon by Meg Cabot

I liked this book.  Will get for my high school library.  It's the modern retelling of the Greek Myth Persephone and the Underworld.  Romance, mystery and paranormal.  There you go.  Enjoy.

The Honors Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre

This is a very successful collaboration between the two authors.  It reminds me of a Dr. Who episode and Scot Westerfield series.  The conversations between the two entities work well.  And of course the action keeps the story moving.  Enjoy.  Audio book also good.

The Folk of the Air The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

It's a dangerous world for mortals to live among the Fae.  Holly Black can create a fantasy world that bleeds into the human world.  It's a good read.

The Mortality Doctrine The Rule of Thoughts by James Dashner

This is one intense book.  I like this series better then the Maze Runner series.  Think Hal and Tron merging together to create a dangerous cyberworld that bleeds out into the real world.  Perfect for any high school library.

The Star-Touched Queen Death and Night by Roshani Chokshi

This is a designed legend that ties in with Death and Night.  It's a good read.  Enjoy.

Dash by Kirby Larson

This is based on a true story and lots of research by author Kirby Larson.  I've liked her other books and this book is perfect for any library.  The audio book also very good.  Enjoy.

The Arc of the Scythe Scythe by Neal Shusterman

This is the book of the year.  Any book by Neal Shusterman will be an intense story.  I would love to have him at a dinner party of authors and just sit back an listen to them talk.  His stories are dark and powerful and deadly.  It's a page turner.  Enjoy.

The Elementae Reign the Earth by A. C. Gaughen

I liked this book.  The audio book also very good.  I think this could be popular with high school libraries.  I would like to get for my high school library.  It's a good read.  Enjoy. Think a teen desert Game of Thrones.

Not Quite a Narwhal by Jessie Sima

It's a picture book.  I love narwhals so I read it.  I wasn't impressed.  But there are a lot of people who did love the book.  I was just not one of them.  It felt muddled and confused. 

Like Water by Rebecca Podos

I read this book under the recommendation of Michael Cart.  Would I get it for my high school library.  Probably not.  Would I recommend it to students, definitely yes.  It's not for everyone.  There  is some sex going on in case you need to know that.  But the layers of this young woman who has gone through the ritual of a high school graduation and now has the rest of her life to figure out and the relationships that she will have is a good story.

Austin Family Chronicles Meet the Austins by Madeleine L’Engel

I like this family and I wished they lived next to me.  They are sweet and kind and the story is set in a different time.  Is there diversity?  No, but there is a heart warming family that in this world sometimes can be rare for a child.  Enjoy.

The Raven Cycle Opal by Maggie Stiefvater

If you are a Raven Cycle Fan or a Maggie Stiefvater fan, you'll enjoy this novella about opal.  It's different in the sense that the boys are not the stars but Opal is.  Her relationship is a complicated one.  It's not romantic but maybe in a family way of the love that she has for them.  Enjoy.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

It's fine.  Some rough language but a bit cheesy and predictable.  I would say entertaining and you do want to root for the two star-crossed kids.  Enjoy.

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

Yep there is some mature content but for an adult book, it's funny, sweet and revealing of family secrets.  The audio book is entertaining with an enchanting British accent.  It's a good read.  Enjoy. 

Suitors And Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

If you like teen regency novels, then you'll enjoy this.  I don't think this will have broad appeal.  I liked it but I adore Jane Austin so I'll read this time frame.  I wouldn't get for high school libraries but I can recommend it to those who like romance from another time.

Nightwoods by Charles Frazier

I loved this story.  The way Charles Frazier turns a phrase makes it seem simple but really it's just elegant.  I listened to the audiobook.  There is family dysfunction going on. There is a lot of intensity as well going on.  A must listen to.  Go back to another time and another place and have your heart touched.

The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Milkweed Hargrave

I really liked this one.  Written beautifully with mystery and adventure, and of course danger.  It's a good read.  Enjoy.

Given Duet Given to the Earth by Mindy McGinnis

I think this book would be better for public libraries and private libraries.  There are a lot of layers.  I think it will interest some students but not all.  It's a fine story but I think it will entertain fantasy readers. 

Halo Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

I would skip this one for the library.  I'm going to say there's some sexy mature parts.  It's not bad for high school students but I think this book would better fit personal or public libraries. 

The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton

I was surprised that I liked the book.  It's okay.  Mommy dearest is very evil.  Nor must fight back for survival.  I think it's okay for high schools.  I would say read first before you buy.  It's a bit on the violent side. 

Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

This is a story that sadly reflects the times that are happening now.  There is some language and content that is worth being aware of.  It's a good story and am glad that the public library carries the book.

Blood Rose Rebellion Lost Crow Conspiracy by Rosalyn Eves

I like this series.  It's a good series.  Strange but good. 

Project 1065 by Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz is now one of my favorite authors.  This book is also a page turner.  Pretty intense.  It's a good read.  Trust me.

Code of Honor by Alan Gratz

This is a page turner.  It is very good and I'm getting for my high school library.  Excellent.  Lots of action and fighting.  It's a good read.

Creekwood Leah on the Off Beat by Becky Albertalli

It's like the day of the life of a senior girl and her friends.  She has a crush on a girl who is her friend but it hurts so much that she can't hang out with her too much. 

Roald Dahl’s Autobiography Going Solo by Roald Dahl

I listened to the audiobook and this book is very good.  Hearing the author of Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory write about his life of being a young man in Africa and Greece.  Life before WWII and during.  It' a good read.