Two Very Different Teen Books

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

Written in verse, this book tells the story of Ruby a high school student who is forced to more to Los Angelas after the death of her mother. She will now be living with her absentee and seriously famous movie star father, Whip Logan.

I loved this one. It was funny, witty, and moving.

I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle

I wanted to like this one more than I did. It was funny, but also a bit annoying. But I think I just wasn't in the mood for it. I thought something funny would be good while I was under so much work stress, but maybe I should have stuck to music instead of this on audio book. I have yet to see the movie, so I am not sure how it compares.

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts

Tory Bodeen returns to her small town South Carolina home as a successful business woman looking to open her own shop and prove she had made something of her life. As a young girl, Tory's best friend, Hope Levelle, was raped and murdered. Tory was from a poor home with a very abusive father, while Hope's wealthy family owned much of the town. Tory returns to lingering suspicions and continues to struggle in the shadow of the powerful Levelle family.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a good story and I often enjoy stories that take place in the south for some unknown reason.


Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osbourne
Magic Tree House Series #17

Sofia and I loved reading about the Titanic on the 99th anniversary of it's sinking. Sofia of course had never heard of the Titanic. She found the story interesting and as she said "a little sad."

Creepy and Gruesome Thriller

The Bone Thief by Thomas O'Callaghan
John Driscoll #1

New York homicide Lieutenant John Driscoll is on the hunt for a madman. A serial killer preying on women, deboning them, taking the head, hands, and feet, and then leaving the skins behind to be found and identified. It is a race against time as the number of victims increases. This is a debut novel introducing John Driscoll's character. I really liked the character and thought it was a great, if gruesome, story. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Three More to Top off March

Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr
#7 in the Virgin River Series

Rick Sudder has seen a lot of hardship in his young life. At only 20 years of age, he had already lost his parents, gotten a 14 year old Liz pregnant, lost the baby in a still birth, and served in the war. When Jack, a surrogate father to Rick, receives the call that Rick had been series injured in a bomb explosion, he and Liz rush to Germany to be by his side. Meanwhile, Walt is having a difficult time coming to terms with Murial, his new love, being back on the movie set with the rich, handsome, and famous co-stars. And Cameron is desperately trying to win the love of Abby, who is pregnant with his twins.

Another good installment in the Virgin River series. Not my favorite so far. I felt the ending was quite abrupt. However, it is always good to catch up with some of my favorite characters in one of my favorite fictional towns!

Night of the Ninjas by Mary Pope Osbourne
Magic Treehouse Book #5

In this installment, Sofia and I traveled with Jack and Annie to Ancient Japan where we met a Ninja Master who helped Jack and Annie learn to Be Nature and escape a nasty Samurai. This wasn't our favorite so far, but still enjoyable! Actually, any book read with Sofia is enjoyable!

Meet Einstein by Mariela Kleiner
Illustrated by Viviana Garofoli

I received a free copy of this lovely book through Shelf Awarness. I love the illustrations and Sofia and I loved reading about Einstein in this fun and colorful book. I can't wait to share it with my special education students when they do their unit on famous inventors and scientists!