Library Goddesses Teens

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

2015-08-19T16:59:00.002-04:00

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

"Willa is freaking out. Is seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone--or something--is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles--a killed who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind...or her life."

If you liked this book, try these:

The Witch Collector Part I by Loretta Nyhan

The Third Twin by C.J. Omololu

Love is the Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Alive by Scott Sigler

2015-08-13T15:29:00.001-04:00

Alive by Scott Sigler

"A young woman awakes trapped in an enclosed space. She has no idea who she is or how she got there. With only her instincts to guide her, she escapes her own confinement--and finds she's not alone. She frees the others in the room and leads them into a corridor filled with the remains of a war long past. The farther these survivors travel, the worse are the horrors they confront. And as they slowly come to understand what this prison is, they realize that the worst and strangest possibilities they could have imagined don't even come close to the truth."

If you liked this book, try these:

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman

Pretending to be Erica by Michelle Painchaud

The Edge of Forever by Melissa E. Hurst

Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

2015-08-10T17:40:00.000-04:00

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

"Every dawn brings new horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride every night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch...she's falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all."

If you liked this book, try these:

A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

2015-07-17T13:22:00.000-04:00

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

"Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There's only one problem: she's not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel's convinced she's found her solution--Roman, a teenage boy who's haunted by a family tragedy, is looking for a partner. Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other's broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together."

If you liked this book, try these:

The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes

When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez

None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio
Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay
Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

2015-07-17T13:16:00.000-04:00

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

"In the kingdom of Goredd, dragons and humans live and work side by side--while below the surface, tensions and hostility simmer. The newest member of the royal court, a uniquely gifted musician named Seraphina, holds a deep secret of her own. On that she guards with all of her being.

When a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, Seraphina is drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive--and dashing--Prince Lucien. But as the two uncover a sinister plot to destroy the wavering peace of the kingdom, Seraphina's struggle to protect her secret becomes increasingly difficult...while its discovery could mean her very life."

If you liked this book, try these:

A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty

Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95 by Phillip M. Hoose
Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard | Book Trailer

2015-03-07T11:21:00.001-05:00

Get a sneak peek of one of our exciting new books this month, "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard, with this Book Trailer from Epic Reads!

Life As We Knew It

2013-09-09T15:26:00.001-04:00

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is one of many, many apocalyptic teen novels. What makes this one stand out, aside from the excellent writing, is that it starts just before the crisis that causes profound change to the planet. Many books of the genre begin well after the event, whatever that may be, and they usually offer scanty information about what actually happened, which I find frustrating. In this novel you can see what exactly happens and how it affects one particular family. The protagonist is Miranda, a 16 year old girl. She writes all the events down in her diary and her descriptions of life in Pennsylvania after the crisis are so realistic it is chilling. It was hard to put this book down because it felt so real, it was a bit terrifying to think that it could happen. I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading the 3 books that follow in the series.

Also Try:

Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Legend by Marie Lu

every day

2013-01-30T10:36:00.000-05:00

David Levithan's every day is a very unique novel that would appeal to Teens and Adults. A (that is his only name) wakes up in a different body every day, and has done so his whole life. It is heart breaking to think that as a small child he never had the security of a family or home, and some days he would wake up to absolutely terrible situations. I wish the book had explored this aspect a bit more. But essentially it is a love story. A wakes up one day in the body of a very unpleasant guy, but A falls in love with his girlfriend. The machinations A goes through to try to keep in touch with this girl are really quite amazing to read about. This was a very good book, if a bit shallow.

Also Try:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Diviners by Libba Bray
It's Kind Of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

2013-01-16T12:24:00.001-05:00

I'm going to make a big statement about this book...It was one of the best books I have ever read. It's been on many end of the year lists as one of the best books of the year so clearly I'm not the only one! There are many books set during WWII, even many Young Adult books with that setting. And while this is a book about that war, it is about so much more, mainly the friendship between 2 young women and how the war affected them. Wein does an absolutely wonderful job with character development, her dialogue is believable and there is no doubt that she did her research on the era. Taken all together, it's hard to believe that this is a novel, it all seems so real. There are some twists in this book, some small and some that are so jaw dropping that you may, like me, have the immediate desire to start from the beginning all over again. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a historical novel, an adventure story, or a novel with strong female characters. There is a fair amount of violence in some parts, but nothing gratuitous.
The performances on the audio version are excellent as well.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

2012-12-12T13:34:00.002-05:00

The Selection by Kiera Cass is one of any number of post-apocalyptic teen novels. In Many ways it is like a lighter version of The Hunger Games. America Singer comes from a lower caste in this new world, which came into existence after some wars that apparently destroyed civilization. In this caste system she, like Katniss Everdeen, is oppressed, hungry and powerless to escape her situation. That is until she is selected to be one of 35 girls competing to win the hand of the Prince. This competition is cut throat, not to the death, but we can all guess how brutal it could be with 35 girls competing for one prince. Much of the competition is televised and again, like the Hunger Games, thee is a colorful host of the competition, a love triangle, and lots of rebel activity. There is no doubt that the world created by Cass is heavily influenced by the much meatier Hunger Games trilogy, but if you like your Dystopian fiction with a little fluff, then you will enjoy this book. It is part of a planned trilogy, so perhaps the following books will have a little more heft to them.

Try Also:
Legend by Marie Lu
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) by Patrick Ness

2012-08-21T12:53:00.000-04:00

Patrick Ness's The Knife of Never Letting Go has an odd title, and the premise is odd too, but it is an excellent fast-paced read. In Todd's world, a virus has caused everyone to be able to hear everyone else's thoughts, including animals. As a result the people in Todd's world (an earth-like planet sparsely populated from settlers from a dying Earth)live in a cloud of Noise. As Todd approaches adult-hood a series of events causes him to question everything he thought was true about his family, the planet he lives on, and his life. With his talking dog Manchee Todd sets out on a frightening journey to try to find safety, and quiet. As strange as all of this sounds, I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.

Also Try:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

I Am Number Four

2012-03-24T14:04:00.000-04:00

I am not usually a fan of science fiction or aliens, but I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore proved to be the exception to the rule. John Smith a.k.a. Daniel Jones a.k.a Number Four is an alien hiding out on planet earth while the remaining of his kind are hunted by an enemy alien race. A charm protects the nine young Garde, a group with special powers who are scattered around the earth, but only to an extent. They can indeed be killed, but it must be in numerical order. With number Three dead, Number Four must yet again change locations, identities, and give up what was beginning to resemble a normal teenage life. In his new home in Ohio, he is determined to live his life, despite the constant threat of being hunted. The back-and-forth between realistic fiction plot devices such as romantic relationships and bullying, and the fantastical elements of magical powers, alien beings, and violent battles, keeps the reader always on their toes.

If you liked this book, try:
How I stole Johnny Depp's alien girlfriend by Gary Ghislain
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
The comet's curse: a Galahad book by Dom Testa
The Knife of never letting go by Patrick Ness

If you absolutely loved this book, don't worry- there are more books in the Lorien Legacies series, as well as a movie version of the first book.

The Fault in our Stars

2012-03-24T12:34:00.000-04:00

John Green's latest is well worth the wait (current stats in the Minuteman Library Network as of today- 208 holds on 67 copies and counting...). While it would be a good idea to carry some tissues with you wherever you take this book, it is anything but sappy. The Fault in our Stars is sharp and witty, and is made that way by brilliant protagonists Augustus and Hazel. Although the book focuses on young people with cancer, it manages to not be a "cancer book." At the same time, it deals in a very real way with the lives of Hazel and Augustus, not hiding their realities or the complexity of being a teen with cancer navigating a relationship.

Try also:

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Stoner & Spaz by Ronald Koertge
Before I die by Jenny Downham
A love story starring my best friend by Emily Horner
The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

'Awkward Family Photos' and 'Awkward Family Pet Photos'

2012-03-07T13:10:00.005-05:00

Awkward Family Photos and Awkward Family Pet Photos by Mike Bender and Doug Chernack is a supremely funny collection of photos from the simply strange to the completely bizarre. The people in these pictures are just having fun but in the end you just have to ask yourself "What were they thinking?"

If you like this, try:

Five Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth by Matthew Inman

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong by Jen Yates

Tempest by Julie Cross

2012-02-23T13:51:00.004-05:00

Jackson is a typical teen except of course that he can time travel. At first this is treated as a fun trick to please his geeky friends but as he learns more about this skill, it becomes the key to saving his girlfriend and possibly the world. This high adrenaline, romantic novel will have teen readers hungry for the sequel.

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

2012-02-23T13:22:00.003-05:00

Sweet Venom follows three girls who find out that they are triplets, separated at birth for their safety. The girls are decedents of Medusa (of Greek mythology) and are tasked with protecting humankind from creatures that are invisible to everyone else. The girls have as much trouble getting along as they do accepting their legacy. Fast paced and filled with snarky dialogue and action, this book will appeal to fans of mythology.

Where Things Come Back

2012-02-11T12:59:00.000-05:00

This book had a lot to live up to when I began reading it earlier this week. The 2011 winner of not only the William C. Morris YA Debut Award but also the the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, Where Things Come Back, by John Corey Whaley promised to be an impressive book with exemplary writing. Whaley's writing did impress, and the book was thoughtful, engaging, and attention-getting. While the style and plot (and unfortunate hardback cover art: see left) may not immediately grab all teen readers, those who take the plunge will be happy they did so.

Where Things Come Back tells the story of Cullen Witter in the summer before his senior year in small-town Arkansas. The book opens with the death of his cousin by overdose, and the falling apart of his mother's twin sister. Shortly thereafter, Cullen's brother Gabriel disappears, just around the time that a thought-to-be-extinct Woodpecker is supposedly spotted in their town. The book revolves around the family and town's response to the missing teen, as well as the long-lost woodpecker. Every other chapter or so slowly weaves in the story of a teen missionary who loses faith while in Africa.

While not a hit-you-in-the-face mystery, the question of what happened to Gabriel keeps enough suspense in the book to make it a page turner. Along with the honesty of the writing about small-town life, grief, and loss, and a surprising amount of humor, this makes Where Things Come Back a hit.

Try also:

Shine by Lauren Myracle
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury
The Last Exit to Normal by Michael B. Harmon

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

2012-02-08T14:42:00.003-05:00

This is the story of two teens both named Will Grayson who live in different suburbs of Chicago. After a chance meeting in a seedier Chicago neighborhood the two become unlikely friends. Will #1 is a bit emo. Living in a household that isn't ideal and having very few friends, Will #1 always seems to expect the worst. Will #2 is more average, trying to get by without drawing too much attention to himself which is difficult because his best friend, Tiny Cooper, is either the "world's largest person who is really, really gay" or the "world's gayest person who is really, really large". Tiny is the real star of this book. Most of the action and a good portion of the plot revolve around him and he is fabulous. The chapters alternate point of views between the two Will's with David Levithan writing Will #1 and John Green writing Will #2. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to high schoolers and adults alike.

The Future of Us

2012-01-28T12:37:00.000-05:00

Jay Asher (author of Thirteen Reasons Why) and Carolyn Mackler (author of The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, amongst others) team up for a dual-narrator novel which may cause you to re-think the time you spend on Facebook. High school students Emma and Josh stumble upon their 30-something year old selves, when, upon getting a first computer in 1996, a glitch in the AOL cd-rom shows them the Facebook of the future. The concept is certainly unique, and the back and forth between Emma and Josh shows different perspectives on this interesting find. As if having to figure out whether and how to influence their future lives isn't hard enough, Emma and Josh are also trying to repair their broken friendship. Definitely a interesting read by a pair of popular authors- this is sure to be a hit among teen readers.

Try also:

The statistical probability of love at first sight by Jennifer E. Smith
M or F? by Lisa Papademetriou
Before I fall by Lauren Oliver
Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski
The making of Dr. TrueLove by Derrick Barnes

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

2012-01-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

A plane full of beauty pageant contestants crashes on an island...

The concept alone is enough to make you want to read more, and when you do, you won't be able to stop. This is the first book I've read by popular YA author Libba Bray, and I must say I think she lives up to her hype. Beauty Queens is bizarre, hilarious, heart-felt, empowering, action-packed, and just a really fun read. Switching between characters, the chapters begin with the girls' pageant applications, and slowly reveal the depth behind these initial glimpses of their personalities. Advertisements and other messages from "The Corporation," who rule the world, are interspersed, adding to the picture of the larger story taking place outside of the island. Did I mention there are (reality show) pirates involved? Definitely a recommended read!

Try also:
The disreputable history of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Miss Smithers by Susan Juby
Derby Girl by Shauna Cross
Are you going to kiss me now? by Sloane Tanen

The Revenant

2012-01-28T11:07:00.001-05:00

The Revenant is one part historical fiction, one part mystery, and one part ghost story. Readers of any of the three genres will appreciate this first book by Sonia Gensler for its suspense, unique historical setting, sympathetic characters, and plot-line full of twists and turns. In 1896, Willie has escaped a life of drudgery, doing farmwork and caring for her bratty twin brothers, by impersonating a teacher and accepting a position at a Cherokee girls seminary in Indian country. Willie learns that she is in for more than she bargained for when she is challenged by a group of students, she falls for a Cherokee boy from the male seminary, and she is given a room haunted by a ghost (or is it?...).

Try also:

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
The Poisoned House by Michael Ford
The Unresolved by T.K. Welsh

Legend by Marie Lu

2012-01-24T18:45:00.004-05:00

Fast-paced and full of thrilling action and suspense, Legend by Marie Lu was hard to put down. The story takes place in Los Angeles many years in the future where the lives of notorious criminal Day and teen prodigy turned government agent June cross when Junes brother is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Marie Lu's first novel certainly shines and I can't wait for the next one.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2012-01-12T15:02:00.005-05:00

Angels, portals to other worlds, teeth collecting, black hand prints on doors...What could all of these things have to do with lonely art student Karou? As strange as it all seems, Taylor does an excellent job of tying all of these odd elements together and explaining how they fit into Karou's life. This book was engaging and fast paced. I couldn't put it down! There are so many teen fantasy books available now, and I think this is one of the best I've read in awhile.

Also Try: Girl of Fire and Thorns
Graceling
Wicked Lovely

The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey

2012-01-11T12:46:00.002-05:00

I just finished the third book in the Monstrumologist series, The Isle of Blood, and was quite pleased with it. Written by Rick Yancey, the series takes place in the late-1800's and follows the early life of William James Henry, a boy who is orphaned when his parents are killed by a fire. Rather than going to an orphanage he is taken in by his fathers former employer, Dr. Warthrop. "The doctor" turns out to be a monster hunter and he wants young Will Henry to be his assistant thus transporting him into the horrifying world of Monstumology. The series is fairly well written and generally moves at a quick pace. It can definitely be categorized as young adult-horror as some of the scenes in all three books are very graphic and aren't for the faint of heart. I love the juxtaposition of Dr. Warthrop's utter brilliance and complete lack of understanding of Will Henry. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!

Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block

2008-01-29T12:44:00.000-05:00

This is a short haunting book full of sensual imagery and exquisite diction. The first book I have ever read by Francesca Lia Block, Psyche in a Dress is perfect for mature teens who may also be dreamers, poets, artists, mystics, etc. This book is not for those in search of plot; although, the plots of several classic myths lie buried beneath Block’s prose. As I read, shifting perspectives caused confusion; but, then I’d get caught by a distinctive image or phrase. Some chapters are enticing, others should have been edited. I would have liked more specific details about the modern lives of Psyche, Echo, Persephone – just a few of the goddesses/gods described in the book. Overall, Psyche in a Dress is a quick and dreamlike read – perfect for those who enjoy fantasy, magic, love, and poetry.