Ann Brashares, author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, tackles YA science fiction with The Here and Now, the story of time-traveling Prenna and her struggles to do what’s right for the world. I was strongly reminded of Rogue Touch, last summer’s superhero novel tie-in, with the romance between Prenna, girl from the future, and modern-day Ethan as they try to save the future world. The book is on the short side, under 200 pages, and a bit sketchy […]

All it took was reading one of Rainbow Rowell’s books, and I became a devoted fan. Attachments is her first (so far) adult novel, and it’s a fun, satisfying read. Lincoln had his heart broken by his first, high school girlfriend. He’s now back living with his mother and working nights in IT security for a newspaper. The paper just put in internet connections, and since the higher-ups are nervous about employees wasting time surfing, everything is being monitored. (I […]

I knew I had to read this YA novel when I found out that it was set at a nerd camp, a summer program for gifted and talented students. I’m an alum of geek school myself, and I was eager to read another story of the experience. Sarah Combs surpassed my expectations in her portrayal of friendship among several creative and entertaining young people in Breakfast Served Anytime. When we meet Gloria, aspiring actress, she and best friend Carol are […]

This young adult novel was surprisingly engrossing for blending several stories — teen romance, a murder mystery, dealing with loss, and most importantly, a young woman learning to handle her pain and be honest with herself — with skill. Sophie’s story in Far From You is told in interwoven flashbacks, as she copes with first, recovering from a serious car accident that required rebuilding her leg and back. She, her best friend Mina, and Mina’s brother Trev were all affected, […]