Review: We Should Hang Out Sometime

We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist
Publication date: December 23, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown

WE SHOULD HANG OUT SOMETIME is a hilarious and sarcastic memoir by Josh Sundquist, a Paralympic ski racer and cancer survivor. Sundquist goes on a "scientific" journey to discover why he has only ever had one girlfriend...for 23 hours...in eighth grade. The book is funny and has cute little graphs drawn throughout the book. I enjoyed the sarcasm and relatable writing style. It was hard to put down and very well organized in the format of a scientific experiment. I highly recommend this book. There is nothing overtly inappropriate about the book; there are a few mentions of sex, but nothing graphic. I would say that it is appropriate for ages 12 and up (the publisher's recommendation). However, I think slightly older readers, perhaps 15 and up, would be able to appreciate the story and humor more.

Review: Catch a Falling Star

Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson
Publication date: April 28. 2014
Publisher: Point

CATCH A FALLING STAR by Kim Culbertson is a nice new twist on young adult romance. The book is about Carter Moon, a small town girl whose life gets turned upside down when she is paid to become Hollywood actor Adam Jakes' girlfriend. Their "relationship" seems to be going well, but Carter's own feelings start getting in the way. I really enjoyed this book. I found it funny and relatable. Even though I have read many YA romance novels, I found this one different enough to be interesting, yet still close enough to the classic romance novel to be what I like. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of young adult romance, ages 13 and up.

Review: The Art of Lainey

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes
Publication date: May 20, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen

THE ART OF LAINEY by Paula Stokes is about a girl named Lainey during the summer before her senior year of high school. When Lainey's boyfriend breaks up with her, she uses the advice of Sun Tsu's The Art of War to try to get him back. But her fake dates with coworker Micha start feeling more and more real. I really enjoyed THE ART OF LAINEY. The writing was relatable and I feel as though I could have been in Lainey's place. I would recommend this book to fans of chick lit and other young adult romance novels.

Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication date: March 5, 2011

DIVERGENT is about Beatrice Prior, a sixteen-year-old girl living in dystopian Chicago, which is divided into factions based on virtues. When Beatrice picks the faction that she wants to belong to, and begins initiation, she discovers that there are dangerous secrets lying beneath the orderly surface of her world. As Beatrice becomes more entwined in her faction, she realizes that people and things are not always what they seem. I really enjoyed DIVERGENT. It was well-written and so compelling that I found it difficult to put down. The romance was not overdone and the ending is a semi-cliffhanger that makes me want to read the sequel. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to fans of other dystopian novels. However, I would encourage readers who did not necessarily enjoy other dystopian novels to try DIVERGENT. I would recommend this book for children ages 14 and up (which is what the book recommends) due to some graphic violence that may be disturbing.