rules of attraction by simone elkeles

recommended: this was the sequeal to perfect chemistry, and it was better. she is a great writer because the characters are enjoyable. don't get wrong, it is super cheesy, but also super entertaining. i will definitely hold on to this one like that kept the first one.

suck it up by brian meehl

not recommended: this is one of the books that is so close to being good. the author has previously written children's stories, and it is evident in this book because there are definite cheesy moments that i could do without. this is a story of a vampire who is the guinea pig of his kind to be the first to come out and reveal himself to the 'lifers.' the story is not without creativity, but the character development could use some work. i also thought the author was trying to hard to be 'relevant' among today's teens. he would use teen lingo a little too much, and it just felt forced. i did laugh out loud a couple of times, but it just wasn't good enough to keep on the shelf.

the hunger games by suzanne collins

recommended: absolutely amazing! this book was everything i expected it to be! this delivers everything you want in a science fiction book; action, creativity, unique creatures, exciting story, enjoyable characters. it is set in the future of america after worl war III. america (now called panem) only expands from the rocky mountains to the appalachians. there were 13 districts and a capitol, until the 13th district rose up against the capitol and lost. since then, every year, each district must choose a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death in the hunger games. the winner of the hunger games gets money and honor for their district. there are many poor districts, so the main character has learned hunting skills and uses those to help her in the games. a relationship begins to build between the main character and the boy from her district. the whole story is wonderful, and i can't wait to continue the series. i will definitely keep this and read it again.

linger by maggie stiefvater

recommended: this was the second book in this series, and it was just as good, if not better, than the first. the author does not disappoint and draws me in with her poetic language. everything she writes is beautiful. she paints this amazing picture of not just the setting but also the situations that the characters are in. there is a new character introduced, and the author writes this book from four people's perspectives instead of two, and it was done really well. i was captured by the new character's perspectives. i'm sure there will be a third book, and i am very excited to read that one as well.