Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Thank you Annie! While discussing books with my niece she said she had just finished Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. When I read the back cover I downloaded it immediately onto my iPad and read it all the way home.

Wild is a true story of a young woman worn down by life: in particular, the death of her mom and the end of a relationship. Cheryl is anxious to do something different, but was she does is truly hilarious, shocking, and pretty stupid. Without any training, any experience, and really without any support, Cheryl takes off on a journey to travel the Pacific Crest Trail on foot.

Unprepared and alone, Cheryl treks through the better part of California. It amazes me continually that she survives the journey. At times she has me laughing out loud, but more often she had me reading with my mouth wide open, aghast that anyone would dare to try this alone!

Yes, now the book has been made into a movie, and everyone will be saying wonderful things about the book - but I just want to be clear in saying that I loved it before I heard about the movie or saw it on a best seller list! If you haven't found it yet, get moving!

Positive: A Memoir by Paige Rawls

Positive...is absolutely how you will feel when you finish this book.

Paige Rawls takes her true horrific middle school experience filled with bullying and pain and turns it into an uplifting lesson of overcoming the pain and becoming a leader.

Paige has been HIV positive from birth. After many normal and happy elementary school years, Paige tries to help a friend by telling her that everyone has disabilities to overcome. She then confides in her that she is HIV positive - and suddenly her friends are not what she thinks they are. In the first half of the book I am so saddened by the way that typical, seemingly nice middle school kids can treat others so terribly. I've worked in schools all of my life. As I read I began to think back on all of the situations where I've watched middle school students struggle. It truly amazes me that anyone can get through those years unscathed! But to face the kind of bullying that Paige faces is just heartbreaking.

The amazing thing about her true story, however, is the way that she overcomes! Where many would become overwhelmed with depression and pain, Paige is able to emerge as a confident young woman. It is a rare person who can take the suffering she faced and turn it into a way to help others. I am so impressed with her, and with all she has gone on to do.

Hear Paige tell a little bit of her own story below:

Paper Towns by John Green

As a huge John Green fan I knew Paper Towns was a "must read" (but you know, "so many books, so little time!) Well, I finally took the time to read it, and I am so glad I did!

Paper Towns grabbed me from the first page. I especially loved the beginning of the book - the wild scavenger hunt around town that Q and Margo go on as she seeks revenge on those who have hurt her.

I can't wait until the movie is released, and I've been seeing more students drawn to this book (and others by Green) because of the movie production. Some of my book club students felt that the rest of the book (where all Q can think about, worry about, talk about - is Margo and her disappearance) slowed down too much, but I was drawn into it. It is so true that people (and I think, especially young people) act according to how others believe they should act - and that much of our lives are spent taking on a fakey personality in order to be liked and accepted. Many of the teen books deal with this very issue - the way we have of hiding who we really are and what we really think - in order to find a place in the world.

Add Paper Towns to your list of "must reads". You will be glad you took the time! Enjoy this quick video clip with John Green below:

Ruined by Paula Morris

Ruined, by Paula Morris, was one of our high school book club selections this winter. Overall the book was well-received by the students and most thoroughly enjoyed reading an discussing it.

Throughout the book, readers are introduced to the many customs and traditions of the people living in New Orleans. It was intriguing to read about the celebrations that make New Orleans special - and it lead us to a great discussion about our community customs and traditions, and what makes our area special.

Another large theme of Ruined is the understanding of  the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Since the hurricane took place almost ten years ago, when most of our book club members were in elementary school, the students really didn't remember much of the history of this huge catastrophe, and didn't realize the devastation and lasting damage it caused.

Our additional conversations revolved around the "class system" that was so clearly talked about in the book. The girls agreed that we have a similar class system in our high school - and they commented on how easy it is for people to judge others on their looks, their actions, their friends, and their activities rather than to get to know them individually. They had some great ideas for breaking down stereotypes, beginning at a very young age, but all felt that it's hard to overcome it if you live in a home that is very negative toward anyone perceived as being different.

Enjoy this trailer for Paula Morris' book, Ruined:

Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner

Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner is our high school book club selection. Torrey Grey is a teenage fashion vlogger when her younger sister is killed by a drunk driver. Torrey and her parents move and try to bring some normalcy back to their lives. Torrey's vlog followers are very critical of her - and it gets even tougher when her former best friend releases a video of Torrey yelling at her sister just minutes before the accident.

The whole issue of social networking and digital etiquette is a huge part of the storyline. Torrey has lived her life in front of the camera, but when her followers learn of the tragic accident rather than support her, many of them attack her. There are many lessons for young adults as they consider their own online behavior.

Torrey also struggles with wanting to be popular. However, as the book progresses she begins to recognize what a true friend is, and how important it is to be honest and respectful.

Can't Look Away is an enjoyable book to read, but also one that has some great lessons for young people. I look forward to our book club conversations!

Hereafter (Shadowlands Book #2) by Kate Brian

Hereafter is the second book in the Shadowlands trilogy by Kate Brian. I had to stop in to the library on a Saturday afternoon to return book 1 and pick up Hereafter - because the last line of the first book was such a cliffhanger!  

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well, and am anxious to purchase the final book. The story continues to intrigue me, and I enjoy reading Kate Brian's works.

I find the concept of the island and the people visiting it to be very thought-provoking. It certainly is a different take on death, and provides some great discussion about what happens after a person dies.

I cruised through the book and can't wait to get my hands on the 3rd and final book in the trilogy!                                                                                                                                                          

In Hereafter we begin to learn more about the mysterious island and the strange behavior of the teens who live in Juniper Landing.  Rory is learning more about the fog that rolls in. She's also becoming closer to Tristan, but questioning her feelings for him. And now that I've finished Hereafter, it's time to wait in line for the final book in Kate Brian's series: Endless. 

Shadowlands by Kate Brian

With Shadowlands I did what I try so hard not to do: I began a trilogy before all of the books had been released. Shadowlands is a fast-paced book that has plenty of action, emotion, and mystery.

Rory Miller, her older sister Darcy and their father, are moved to Juniper Landing to build a new life in a witness protection program while teacher Steven Nell, the man who had attacked and stalked Rory (and many other young girls), was caught. Juniper Landing seems like the most idyllic island, filled with sunny days, warm ocean breezes, and friendly inhabitants, but the strange thick fog that moves in every once in a while can be quite unsettling.

It takes most of the novel for us to realize that some things just aren't right around Juniper Landing...and Rory would like to get to the bottom of it. There are many hints throughout the book, but the real truth comes out in the very last sentence! And who could help but run right to the library to check out Hereafter!