Category Archives: Family Problems

Adult Books for Teens: “The Meursault Investigation”

  The Meursault Investigation by Kamel Daoud Many teens read Albert Camus’s The Stranger in high school. From what they tell me, it’s a book they like.  Algerian journalist Kamel Daoud  has given us Albert Camus’s The Stranger from the … Continue reading

Posted in Classic Fiction, Family Problems, Fiction, Multicultural | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“The Alex Crow”

The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith   Andrew Smith has another novel that will easily become a hit with teens and YA librarians. The publisher describes it as the interweaving of four stories–that of “of Ariel, a Middle Eastern refugee … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Humor, Mature Readers, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“The Girl on the Train”

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins   Rachel Watsons might be able to stop obsessing over her ex-husband,–who is now remarried and has a child–if she could stop drinking, stop envying the new wife, and most of all, … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nonfiction: “The Warmth of Other Suns”

Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson   While I found The Warmth of Other Suns enlightening in many ways, I was truly astonished by the revelation that African Americans leaving the South during the early years of the Great … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Scars”

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield   It’s clear from the cover of Scars that the novel is about a girl who cus herself. It isn’t the first book I’ve read about cutting, but what pulled me into this one was the … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Loved “Au Revoir Crazy European Chick”

We have the sequel–Perry’s Killer Playlist. And if you’ve read that, we have a new book by the same author–Con Academy. Enjoy!

Posted in Adventure Stories, Family Problems, Fiction, Mature Readers, Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Bully” and “The Gun”

The Bully by Paul Langan Darrell Mercer moves from Philadelphia, PA to California in the middle of his freshman year of high school. Although his neighborhood in Philly is not the best–even dangerous sometimes–he has a lot of good neighbors … Continue reading

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Go Set a Watchman”

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee    With the flap over Harper Lee’s new book still simmering among readers I know, I have to admit that I’m surprised at how virulently both professional reviewers and ordinary lovers of To … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews    There really is a dying girl in this novel, so to say that most of it is a lot of fun seems weird. But it is fun. You should … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Humor, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sci-Fi/Future Dystopias: “Oryx and Crake”

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood   Snowman (as in Abominable), who was once known as Jimmy, appears to be the last human being on earth. His existence doesn’t seem much worth living–the environment is in ruins and he cannot … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, Controversial Issue/Debate, Environmental Issues, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Over 375 pages, Sci-Fi/Futuristic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment