Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Everyone has a secret. But Lucy’s is bigger and dirtier than most. It’s one she’s been hiding for years—that her mom’s out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame.

She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.

With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy’s desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen’s life will have readers completely hooked.

-Amazon product description

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

There is not much I can say about the final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy without giving away key plot points. This novel was incredibly fast paced and exciting, even more-so than the first two installments. Suzanne Collins crafted a stunning world in which a war is raging. It's the Capitol vs. the Rebels, with young Katniss Everdeen at the forefront as their Mockingjay (a symbol for the rebellion).

Just when Katniss, Peeta, and all their allies and friends thought the Hunger Games were over, they find that they have become pawns in an even bigger Game. Only this time, the Game not only means the death of innocent people... but the future of Panem itself.

I cannot stress enough how much I adore this trilogy. Some of the best writing I've encountered in YA literature are within these pages. My only problem is I wish there were more than just three books, because I'd love to hear more stories about Panem (perhaps from the perspective of someone in another District?). If anyone has not read these books, I think I'd recommend them over everything I've reviewed on this blog thus far, and then some.

-Sam

Such A Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

With her father imprisoned, 15-year-old Meredith thinks she could live out her high-school days safely, but when he is released early for good behavior, her security is shattered.

A popular youth baseball coach, her father has abused Mer as well as other boys and girls. With strict orders that he not be left alone with his daughter, he is returned to the condo complex where she and her mother live. In contrast to Mer's terror, her mother is giddy with delight at his return, and together the reunited couple plans to conceive another child. Yet in the shadows and stillness, Mer's nightmare begins anew.

This is a gritty, terrifying novel about a father's abuse of power and trust, and the way two different teens, Meredith and her paraplegic friend, Andy, deal with that reality. Although not explicit, the novel is honest in its telling. Admittedly sensational, Wiess' story is a page-turner that ultimately sends a startling message of empowerment that, while improbable, is extremely satisfying.

-Booklist review

Just like the book Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott, some discretion is advised with this pick. While, like the review above stated, the book never gets too graphic, it still explores a very serious subject matter. It's quite a short read, and I was able to finish it in just a couple days.

-Sam

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

All who have read Eclipse know about the character Bree. A blood-craving newborn created by Victoria, Bree enters the fight at the conclusion to Eclipse and immediately surrenders. The Cullens, mainly Carlisle and Esme, see this as a sign that Bree could potentially change her ways and become adopted into their clan. The Volturi, however, have a different plan for the young vamp.

In this novella you're introduced to Bree and her clan of newborns when she is only a few months old into her vampire life. This book shows a different side to the vampire culture of the Twilight Saga. Ravenous and blood-thirsty, the newborns go about terrorizing Seattle.

If you like this series, but were disappointed with the lack of "vampires acting like vampires", I definitely recommend this book!

-Sam

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

Karen DeSonne is used to pretending to be something she’s not. All her life, she’s passed as a normal all-American teenager; with her friends, with her family, and at school. Passing cost her the love of her life. And now that Karen’s dead, she’s still passing – this time, as alive.

Meanwhile, Karen’s dead friends have been fingered in a high-profile murder, causing a new round of anti-zombie regulations that have forced nearly all of Oakvale’s undead into hiding. Karen soon learns that the “murder” was a hoax, staged by Pete Martinsburg and his bioist zealots. Obtaining enough evidence to expose the fraud and prove her friends’ innocence means doing the unthinkable: betraying her love by becoming Pete’s girlfriend. Karen’s only hope is that the enemy never realizes who she really is – because the consequences would be even worse than death.

-Amazon product description

This third installment of the Generation Dead series is probably my favorite thus far. It brought forth a whole different scenario in the zombie world, and showed many different sides of characters I never thought could change their ways. While this series doesn't have to be read in order, I definitely recommend all of them.

-Sam