Category Archives: Fiction

“Daughter of Smoke and Bone”

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor     Karou has been filling her sketch book with strange creatures for so long that her few friends have treated those creatures as a part of her life. The strange wishmonger … Continue reading

Posted in Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Family Problems, Fiction, Over 375 pages, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Orca Soundings: “Tell,” “Lockdown,” and “Jacked”

I’m excited to have the READ 180 class back in for a book talk today. Since our last visit, I’ve read three Orca Soundings books that I want to share: Jacked by Carrie Mac Zane Is bored with his shift … Continue reading

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

Throwback Thursday: “Interview with the Vampire”

  In an interview, the vampire Louis discusses his life from its beginning in New Orleans during the late 1700’s. he became a vampire at age twenty-five in 1791. Louis has a brother who was very pious and came to … Continue reading

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Supernatural | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Vast Fields of Ordinary”

The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd   “’We’re all sick,’ Alex said. ‘I was thinking that the other night. . . . I remember in high school seeing people who seemed like they had it all together. . . … Continue reading

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“Since You Asked”

        I had a great time at Maurene Goo’s presentation a few weeks ago at the Ontario City Library, Ovitt Branch. She’s the author of Since You Asked, a YA novel in journal form about Holly Kim. “Fifteen-year-old Holly Kim, … Continue reading

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Adult Books for Teens: “The Circle”

The Circle by Dave Eggers  With job prospects slim, Mae Holland, a 24-year-old college grad, has been working at a local utility company for a few years. She sees her job as a dead end, but what can she do? … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Literary Read Alike, Mature Readers, Over 375 pages, Sci-Fi/Futuristic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Adult Books for Teens: “A Tale for the Time Being”

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki     Nao, a Japanese American girl, was born in California’s Silicon Valley, her father a successful ‘dot-com’ programmer. But as time passes, her dad and his projects become superfluous. In dire straits, … Continue reading

Posted in Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Over 375 pages, Supernatural | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sticks and Stones”

Sticks and Stones by Beth Goobie   “Jujube” got her nickname because she has one green eye and one blue. She’s a moderately popular girl at school—fifteen, sweet and friendly. She lives with her mom and has her friend Sophie and … Continue reading

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“Masked”

  Masked by Norah McClintock Daniel has a secret and not altogether ethical task to complete when he enters a convenience store. While he is snapping pictures of documents from a cabinet in a dirty old storeroom, a masked man … Continue reading

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

Throwback Thursday: “Breathing Underwater”

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn   Nick is in court, facing a restraining order. He tells the judge that he never hit his girlfriend, Caitlin. The judge isn’t buying it. And it’s a good thing, too, because in the journal that … Continue reading

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