Divergent by Veronica Roth

After finishing this book I predicted this to be the new "it" book of 2012. I read a lot of young adult novels and a lot of futuristic/dystopian society books, but this book stands out as one of the best. I loved the concept of dividing people into the four groups. As a Chicagoan, I loved all of the Chicago landmark references and locations. As a debut novel, this was an incredibly exciting, fast-paced novel. I can't wait for the next installment coming out in May.

Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I loved this book!

In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, the Soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother. They are being sent to Siberia. Lina's father has been separated from the family and sentenced to death in a prison camp. All is lost.

Lina fights for her life, fearless, vowing that if she survives she will honor her family, and the thousands like hers, by documenting their experience in her art and writing. She risks everything to use her art as messages, hoping they will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive.
It is a long and harrowing journey, and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?
Between Shades of Gray is a riveting novel that steals your breath, captures your heart, and reveals the miraculous nature of the human spirit.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

One of the students at LPHS recommended I read this book. She told me it was one of the few books that ever made her cry and it was a must read. I immediately brought it home to read.
This was definitely not one of my favorite books. The author Jonathon Safron Foer wrote dialog without chnaging sentences/paragraphs etc. At times I found it hard to follow who was speaking in a back and fourth discussion. The plot was definitely interesting and it was unlike anything I had read before. It is currently being made into a major motion picture. I believe the movie comes out this month starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me by Mindy Kaling

I really enjoy reading books by comedians. I loved all of Chelsea Handler's Books as well as Tina Fey's Bossypants. I was very excited to read this as I think Mindy Kaling is hilarious. The book made me chuckle several times. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading funny books or is a fan of the office. It was a quick read and I was able to finish it in a day.

Smile for the Camera by Kelle James

I bought this book based on the cover. I have recently begun to love Memoirs. This was a woonderful real. The story is a Memoir of a model named Kelle James. The author focuses on a short span in her life for the memoir.
We first meet Kelle James as she begins her journey at 16 to make a life for herself as a model in New York City. Kelle runs into a string on kind strangers as well as some horribel people who try to take advantage of a naive 16 year old. I loved learning about her relationships and the different dynamics. This book stayed with me after I put it down. I felt compelled to google Kelle and the people she talked about in the book. If you enjoy memoirs, I highly recommend. Smile for the Camera.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

If you like Twilight you will love this book. Eternal lovers who can't be together. Fallen Angels fighting among one another. Fallen is the first in a trillogy for the series.

Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer

I loved this book. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed it. I felt like this was realistic science fiction at it's best. \
The premise of the book is life after a meteor hits the moon. The meteor knocked the moon off it's orbit which caused worldwide tsunami's. After the tsunami's devasted all land touching water the earthquakes started along all fault lines. If that wasn't enough volcanoes from around the world started errupting causing poor air pollution. This is just the beginning of the worldwide catastrophes that continued. Loss of power, electricity, gas, heat!
I could not put this book down. It made me want to prepare for a disaster!