Before I Fall blogged by Sidney B.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

8 hours

Samantha Kingston leads a charmed life until one day everything changes-she dies. However, that’s not even the strangest part, what’s even weirder is she keeps reliving the day she dies.

Before I Fall allows readers to explore different possibilities of the same day without being boring. Each day is so drastically different from the last it is interesting. Even though the reader knows Samantha dies at the end, her death is still heartbreaking because the character is so lovable. Throughout the novel Samantha is endeared to the reader as they follow her on a journey through her last few days in which she discovers more about herself than she ever thought possible.

If I Stay blogged by Sidney B.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

4 hours

Mia had two loving parents and an awesome little brother until they die in a car accident while Mia survives. Mia is in a coma watching everything around her unfold, including events that influence her choice, to stay on Earth without her family, or to let go and join them in heaven.

Mia’s story is gripping and suspenseful to the very end. There are many factors that determine whether Mia wants to live or die, and she must decide if they are worth fighting for. When something as important as your family is pulled away from you everything comes into question. The novel makes us question the relationships we have outside of the family, and if they are strong enough to withstand anything.

Paper Towns blogged by Sidney B.

Paper Towns by John Green

6 hours

Quentin has loved his neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman since they were kids. Now in their teens, Quentin and Margo are on very separate paths in life until one night when Margo mysteriously knocks on Quentin’s window. Driven by revenge, Margo drags Quentin with her for one wild, unforgettable night of pranks. The next morning Quentin looks for Margo only to find she has run away from home. However, Margo has left a trail of clues to lead Quentin on one final adventure to find her.

A major element of this book was mystery, the hunt to find Margo and also the enigma that is Margo. The unknown creates suspense and keeps the reader on their toes, never knowing what will happen next. Not only do the mysterious elements of the novel keep the reader interested, it makes the work more relatible. Most people know a person that to them is a secret. While most do not seek to solve those enigmas, that is exactly what the main character, Quentin, does. In his quest to find and discover who Margo is he not only finds her, but discovers some things about himself. In Paper Towns, John Green delicately tempers a suspenseful mystery with humor and coming of age elements.   

Crossed blogged by Sidney B.

Crossed by Allyson Braithwaite Condie

In this book the main characters are Ky and Cassia (this is the sequel to Matched) who have a forbidden love (in their society someone picks who you marry and they won't supposed to marry).  They were separated but find each other again. After they find each other they join The Resistance (a group that fights the very controlling society).

Dandelion Wine blogged by Sidney B.

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

This book takes place in summer 1928 and shows what is happening in the neighborhood of Green town, IL.  Throughout this book the main character, Doug experiences many things and learns quite a few lessons! One of the themes for this book is to not rely on machines and to rely on human relationships instead.

The Hobbit blogged by Sidney B.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

In this book there is a hobbit named Bilbo.  He helps 13 dwarves and a wizard fight an evil dragon named Smaug.  Smaug took over the mountain where the dwarves had lived and had stolen their treasure.  To sum it all up they are trapped by goblins, wander through a forest, are trapped by elves, someone else (Bard) kills the dragon, fight the Goblins, make peace and split the treasure, and Bilbo finally goes home!