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blue_ant76. The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
An amusing, decently written take on the vampire myth. The Reformed Vampire Support Group is the complete opposite of typical YA vampire books. Instead of focusing on a grand love story (vampires in love or humans in love with vampires) or the romance of becoming a vampire, Jinks takes a completely different view. Her story focuses on a small group of vampires living in Australia. The novel is told from 51 year old Nina's point of view (she was turned when she was 15, and still looks 15) and is quite an enjoyable read. Nina and the other vampires must find out who is trying to kill them. Instead of turning out as a dark, depressing novel, The Reformed Vampire Support Group is rather clever and occasionally quite funny. If you like vampire stories, but especially non-traditional ones, be sure to check this book out.
77. Saints of Augustine by PE Ryan
A small, though not short, novel about being gay in Florida. Unlike Freak Show, which also takes place in Florida, Saints of Augustine is much more realistic novel. P.E. Ryan gives us alternating chapters about two boys, Sam and Charlie, whose friendship has been inexplicably terminated by Sam. Ryan weaves the two independent plots together so that when they finally intersect, it's the only things that could possibly happen. And he does it all too well. There's just a slight bit of the novel that's not quite realistic, but what happened was exactly what I wanted to happen. I read this book all in one go because I just had to know what happened and I was rewarded. Highly recommended.
78. Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
A surprisingly cute, engrossing story about a high school quarterback who must come to terms with being gay. Bobby's the star quarterback, entering his senior year. He's one of the boys, hanging out with his football buddies, but he knows he's different. Konigsberg's book is an intriguing look at what it's like to be gay in the small, often close minded, world of high school sports. When a friend betrays Bobby, his life gets turned upside down. Out of the Pocket was, at it's heart, a truly adorable book. But at the same time, Konigsberg managed to explore the fears and worries of a 17 year old boy struggling with his sexuality and his friends. At times as heartbreaking as it is adorable, Out of the Pocket is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the struggles of being a gay athlete. My biggest criticism is how neatly certain aspect of the book worked out and how easily Konigsberg wrapped it up. But those are common to many coming of age novels and doesn't take away from the main point of the book. I enjoyed the story and wish there were more books like it.
78 / 100 books. 78% read!
An amusing, decently written take on the vampire myth. The Reformed Vampire Support Group is the complete opposite of typical YA vampire books. Instead of focusing on a grand love story (vampires in love or humans in love with vampires) or the romance of becoming a vampire, Jinks takes a completely different view. Her story focuses on a small group of vampires living in Australia. The novel is told from 51 year old Nina's point of view (she was turned when she was 15, and still looks 15) and is quite an enjoyable read. Nina and the other vampires must find out who is trying to kill them. Instead of turning out as a dark, depressing novel, The Reformed Vampire Support Group is rather clever and occasionally quite funny. If you like vampire stories, but especially non-traditional ones, be sure to check this book out.
77. Saints of Augustine by PE Ryan
A small, though not short, novel about being gay in Florida. Unlike Freak Show, which also takes place in Florida, Saints of Augustine is much more realistic novel. P.E. Ryan gives us alternating chapters about two boys, Sam and Charlie, whose friendship has been inexplicably terminated by Sam. Ryan weaves the two independent plots together so that when they finally intersect, it's the only things that could possibly happen. And he does it all too well. There's just a slight bit of the novel that's not quite realistic, but what happened was exactly what I wanted to happen. I read this book all in one go because I just had to know what happened and I was rewarded. Highly recommended.
78. Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
A surprisingly cute, engrossing story about a high school quarterback who must come to terms with being gay. Bobby's the star quarterback, entering his senior year. He's one of the boys, hanging out with his football buddies, but he knows he's different. Konigsberg's book is an intriguing look at what it's like to be gay in the small, often close minded, world of high school sports. When a friend betrays Bobby, his life gets turned upside down. Out of the Pocket was, at it's heart, a truly adorable book. But at the same time, Konigsberg managed to explore the fears and worries of a 17 year old boy struggling with his sexuality and his friends. At times as heartbreaking as it is adorable, Out of the Pocket is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the struggles of being a gay athlete. My biggest criticism is how neatly certain aspect of the book worked out and how easily Konigsberg wrapped it up. But those are common to many coming of age novels and doesn't take away from the main point of the book. I enjoyed the story and wish there were more books like it.
