One imperfect letter, one missing page

56. David Inside Out by Lee Bantle
I read this book in just about three hours. It's a sweet, though sometimes sad, coming of age and coming out story. It's a very quick read, but it's by no means an easy read. David's a strong, if very conflicted, conflicted character. But at the same time, he's also very sympathetic. I was reminded of several other gay YA books I'd read, and in a good way. One of the best things about Bantle's book is how realistic David seems, with his conflicting feelings about being gay and not wanting to. The struggle is quite real and it's hard not to care about what happens to him.

57. School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer
I'd read a good review of this book and was curious, as I'd seen the title on the shelf in passing. While having an interesting story and plot, the events of the book seem almost too convenient. Girl gets sent to a 'school for dangerous girls' and discovers all is not what it seems. Girl meets the only boy her age (the son of one of the teachers at the school), they fall in love and boy helps girl escape and bring down the school. It's an interesting plot, but ended up being far too predictable. That's not to say I didn't enjoy most of the book, I just wish that everything hadn't been tied up so neatly.

58. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
I was a big fan of Armstrong's first book in the 'Darkest Powers' series and the second one didn't disappoint. While it had more of a feel of a middle-of-a-series book, it was strong, probably stronger than The Summoning. We learned a lot more about the characters, their back stories, which then help explain who Chloe can trust. I like the characters Armstrong has created, they seem more aware and willing to do what it takes to be free. I have high hopes for the third book in the series.

59. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
Marr's third book in her Wicked Lovely series and, I think, the best of the three. Fragile Eternity brings us back to the story of Aislinn and Seth, but unlike the first book, we get to spend a lot more time with Seth. I found that I didn't agree with some of the choices Aislinn and Seth made, regarding their futures and each other, but in the context of their world and the book itself, they made sense. One of the things I found fascinating is that Marr's writing is strong enough to convince me that I agree with whoever's point of view we're taking on, whether it be Aislinn or Seth. I really hope the next book in the series is just as good as Fragile Eternity.

59 / 100 books. 59% done!

30. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. The premise seemed kind of normal as YA fantasy goes -- a young girl can see ghosts, perhaps always has. But the interesting twist, what made me keep reading, was the fact that she ends up in a group home for crazy kids. Except, as the back cover proudly proclaims, all is not what it seems. Armstrong's writing and characterizations are strong, and my only complaint is the fact that Chloe goes from not believing into immediate acceptance of what she didn't believe without protesting. It's so unlike her character that it brought me out of the story, but only for that moment. Otherwise, Armstrong makes us care not only for Chloe, but for the rest of the characters in the story and the mess then find themselves ensnared in.

31. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
A patron recommended this book to me. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but what I found was surprisingly good. Let me first say that there are lots of inconsistencies within the plot, there are holes that are never quite filled properly, but as with all fantasy novels (and that's what I consider this to be), these can be ignored for the good of the story. The plot is simple: Liz, aged 15 (almost 16) is hit by a car, dies, and ends up in Elsewhere. But what makes Elsewhere so good is what Gabrielle Zavin does next. Instead of the traditional heaven/hell concept, she gives his Elsewhere, the place where people who die go to well, live. But instead of getting older, they get younger. Elsewhere is a moving story about growing up, without growing up at all. Zavin's writing is beautiful and moving, and it's those two features that make up for all the other (minor) problems. Highly recommended, especially for teens coping with the death of a friend.

32. Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi
A cute, predictable story about a girl whose parents divorce and her mom and sister move in with her grandmother. What makes this story different than many similar ones, is the importance a computer game plays to our female main character. Anime loving Maddy finds she can't quite fit in at her new school and ends up finding solace in a computer game given to her by her father. While originally playing the game as a way to contact her increasingly irresponsible father, Maddy meets the kind and caring Sir Leo. They strike up a friendship, but Maddy (smartly) refuses to give out any private information about herself. The story shifts between Maddy and Sir Leo's adventures and conversations in the game and Maddy's life at school and at home. Though the story is predictable, it doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Gamer Girl is a cute, feel good story about friendship, family, and fitting in.

32 / 100 words. 32% done!