Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Keir, Keir, Keir...what are we going to do with you? Your mother died when you were a baby leaving you with two fantastic sisters and a father who just doesn't cope that well and so turns to alcohol, but you don't see it, do you? It's totally normal for you to get drunk with your dad even though you are only 18. You just see your great family who is always supportive of you even when the media is making you out to be some kind of monster. And that monster thing? It really wasn't your fault that you had an "unfortunately magnificent" moment on the football field and hit a reciever so hard that you crippled him, possibly for life. It was bad, sure...but acceptance letters from colleges started rolling in, and that's life. Right? But then there's Gigi. Beautiful Gigi. Your Gigi. What is she saying? You did what to her? You couldn't have done that to her. That would be inexcusable. And Keir Sarafian NEVER does anyting inexcusable.

This is a powerful and thought-provoking book. Try it out! -Till next time! Suzanne

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have? Your brother's girlfriend? Your best friend's significant other? Someone older? Younger? More popular? Someone's who's a vegetarian, while you are a meat and potatos kind of person? Meet Bella, who is irrevocably in love with Edward...a vampire. Not only are they quite literally two different species, but Edward likes drinking human blood...he doesn't do it much anymore, but still! What's a girl to do? You can't help who you love, right? You can't help how you feel, right? And how do you tell a vampire that you're in love with them? What do you do when they push you away to further hide the secrets of their race? What do you do when your love for the unallowable pushes you too far and puts you and the people you love in danger? What will Bella do? Will she keep secrets? Will she hurt the people she loves? Will she sacrifice her self, her life, and the very essence of what makes her human? The final question remains: What would you do for love? Would you lose it all for the rewards of love alone? What does Bella do?

Find out in Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. -Till next time! Suzanne

Martyn Pig by Kenin Brooks

Martyn Pig hates his name. Not only does his first name have a "unique" spelling that he is constantly having to explain, his last name is a farm animal that goes oink. But really, Martyn's name is the least of his troubles. Martyn's dad is a violent alcoholic who spends as much time as possible doing one of two things:

a. TV
b. beating up Martyn.

The week before Christmas Martyn accidentally kills his dad. Yup. You read right. And things get really compicated when Martyn finds out about $60,000 that his dad was hiding from him. Throw in a hot young actress with a scary biker boyfriend who helps Martyn get rid of the body and you've got one gripping story that will keep you hanging on till the very last page. Did I mention there's an Aunty Jean? There's an Aunty Jean. Till next time...Suzanne

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

How many of you out there have seen the new Pirates movie? Dead Man's Chest was rollicking good fun, eh me harty? If you've got the sea sickness (like my husband does...all he does nowadays is listen to pirate songs on internet radio and dream of sailing off in a full-sailed vessel) try this book about a boy who gets stranded on a small island or cay with only one old black man and a tattered cat to keep him company. This is a historical ficiton novel set during World War II with none of the fantasy that the Pirates movies have (no sea-creature people or crews inhabited by skeletons). But it is a story of survival and ingenuity as Phillip has to come to terms with the fact that he may never get off the little island that is his new home. Follow Phillip's journey as he learns about survival, the equality of races, perception, and the true meaning of home. Till next time! -Suzanne

Books like Cut by Patricia McCormick - A List

We had a book discussion the other day on Cut by Patricia McCormick. This book is about Callie and how she has to go to a hospital to get treated for cutting, which is a form of self-injury used as a coping mechanism by about 1% of the population. Self-injury is often misunderstood by people who think that the cutter does it to get attention. Actually, cutting is a sickness a lot like anorexia or bulimia. It is usually tied to deeper issues. We had a great discussion on the book. Here are some other books with similar themes you might enjoy if you liked Cut and are interested in reading something else:

OTHER BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH SELF-INJURY (cutting):
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Crosses (coming soon to the YA department)by Shelley Stoehr

OTHER BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM (not speaking):
The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher
Silent to the Bone by E. L. Konsgsburg
Blood Secret by Kathryn Lasky
I Can’t Tell You by Hillary Frank
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

OTHER BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH STAYING IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL:
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot

Mia is such a riot. If you're looking for some light summer reads full of pop culture references (Princess in Training talks about both the O.C. and Sailor Moon) then you will LOVE the Princess Diaries Series. I just finished listening to number VII on CD and was gripped by Mia's snail issue, the issue of her boyfriend wanting to DO IT, and the fact that her best friend constantly calls her a "baby-licker." Speaking from one baby-licker to another (you absolutely don't know how cute my niece is...I LOVE HER!), You Rock, Mia! Until next time - Suzanne