Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Clara and her family move to Wyoming so she can fulfill her Purpose as an angel.

I will admit I was a little reluctant to pick up this book. The cover made it look a little silly and like just another paranormal romance. However, I was quickly proved wrong by Cynthia Hand's addictive, engrossing story.

I will say a couple things about the story, but I'm going to keep it to a minimum because I don't want to give too much away:

I love Tucker. I don't think I've had a crush on a fictional guy since Holden Caulfield during my freshman year of high school. He is completely perfect and I am super happy that Clara chose to save him, even if it might mean trouble later on.

I also have a prediction for the anxiously-awaited sequel: I think Angela is a Blackwing. It specifically says in the book that Blackwings can make their wings look however they want. Angela can make her wings look all scaley, and although her wings are white like Clara's, I wonder if she can make them change color as well.

This book is an excellent, must-read addition to the emerging angel trend in young adult literature.

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Tragedy strikes Bridget, Tibby, Carmen, and Lena ten years after the loss of the Pants.

This was a terrible book. I didn't even finish it because I was concerned if I read further I would burn it and have to replace a library book I didn't even like.

DROWNING?!?!?! That is the most un-Tibby like death she could possibly think of. If I had written this book, I would have at least had her be killed by wild animals while filming her own walkabout in Australia. I mean, come on, Ann.

The writing was okay, I guess, but the plot was unnecessarily slow. They spend almost the entire book being sad, which is understandable, but doesn't make a riveting story.

This book made me dislike Carmen, who had been my second favorite after Lena, because all she seemed to care about was calories and maintaining her size zero. Bridget bugged me because of the whole leaving Eric thing. It also didn't seem believable that she would sleep on a bench, but maybe that's just me.

All in all, I would say this book was not worth either writing or reading.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

*RELEASE DATE: 1/12

After the death of her father, Jill's mother decides to adopt a baby.

1. The cover is not incredibly relevant to the book and looks kind of corny, in my opinion.

2. "How to Save a Life" is a cheesy title that many people will associate with the song by the Fray. To be honest, every time I looked at or picked up the book, all I could hear was that song.

3. The only book of Sara Zarr's that's really worth reading is Story of a Girl. I've read all of her other books in the hope that one might be as good as that one, but to no avail.

4. What kind of names are Jill and Mandy? Have you ever met a teenager in 2000s with the name Jill? I guess Mandy is appropriate because the character is kind of odd and ditzy, but really? Or maybe I have a subconscious personal vendetta against the name Mandy...

Also try:

Other books by Sara Zarr

Someone Like You by Sara Dessen (also a book about teenage pregnancy, but much better/more interesting.)

Soundtrack:

How to Save a Life - The Fray (haha)

The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okafor-Mbachu

A fascinating futuristic fantasy set in Africa...

I am actually going to keep my thoughts to myself on this one, because it is so unique and different and special that I don't want to spoil anything. This book will be unlike any young adult dystopian/futuristic novel you have ever read.

Also try:

Not sure what to write for this one, because there are no other books like it.

Soundtrack:

Shadowy whispers and the earth's heartbea

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

The sequel to the acclaimed If I Stay, written from Adam's point of view.

I absolutely loved this book. I actually thought it was better than the first book, which rarely happens. I liked Adam's narration better than Mia's, maybe because the first book was her just watching everybody after her accident. I felt that Adam's feelings about Mia and his withdrawal from the band was very realistic, and I really liked getting to see how much things had changed between the first books. I was also glad to learn what happened to Mia after she woke up. I was also thrilled when the author talked about a (real!) conductor from Venezuela who started a program that would take kids off the streets and into orchestra, because I learned about him earlier this year. Where She Went is a perfect book for musicians of all kinds.

Soundtrack:

Our Hearts Are Wrong - Jessica Lea Mayfield

Reason Why - Rachael Yamagata

Oh No - KaiserCartel

World Spins Madly On - The Weepies

Chemistry - Kimya Dawson

When I'm Alone - Lissie

The Man Who Can't Be Moved - The Script

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Princess Azalea and her eleven sisters discover a magic passage in their bedroom.

I'd say this book was cute, but not too much else. Though it is marketed as a young adult novel, it seems more appropriate for preteens or little girls who have the kind of wonderful parents who read aloud to them.

Also try:

Wildwood Dancing (a more grown-up version of Entwined) and its sequel, Cybele's Secret by Juliette Marillier

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

When Mikey's sister is sexually assaulted by Ellie's brother, he vows to get revenge. But as he gets to know Ellie, everything changes...

Truth be told, I was not such a big fan of Before I Die, Downham's debut that got so much attention. However, this book sounded really good so I gave it a chance anyway, and I am quite glad I did. For this book, I recommend setting a block of time aside for yourself to read it, as there are really no good stopping points because the mixture of romance and revenge always has you on the edge of your seat. Good going, Jenny Downham!

Soundtrack:

Be Be Your Love - Rachael Yamagata