by ·0 Comments

Sneaking Out

Chuck Vance 

Luke Chase—yes, that Luke Chase, a modern hero ripped from the headlines—didn’t mean to get caught up in Mrs. Heckler’s murder. He just wanted to hook up with the hot new British girl at St. Benedict’s, and if that meant sneaking out to the woods after hours, then so be it. But little did he know someone would end up dead right next to their rendezvous spot, and his best friend and roommate Oscar Weymouth would go down for it. With suspects aplenty and a past that’s anything but innocent, Luke Chase reluctantly calls on his famous survival skills to find the true killer.

View in Library Catalogue: Print

by ·0 Comments

Insurgent

Veronica Roth

Insurgent is the second book the action-packed Divergent series by Veronica Roth. After the events of the Divergent, Tris is struggling to cope with all that she has lost. As the aftermath of the war is cooling down, Tris is on the run from Erudite extremists, and she must hide for her life while still trying to uncover the war’s purpose. A fight this grand doesn’t happen without purpose, and Tris and Tobias are determined to find out what is hidden from the eyes of the public. They both frantically search all they can to discover what lies behind the walls which cage their city. But that won’t be easy because whatever it is, Erudite is willing to kill to protect it. In this never-ending chase, Tris must resist the urge to join her parents, and truly learn the meaning of sacrifice and how much she means, which is not easy when you have the guilt of your past mistakes haunting over you. Will Tris be able to complete her mission or will the torment of the past envelop her soul?

Veronica Roth does a fantastic job presenting this story to the reader, and she has you engaged by page one. Tris’s story is captivating and still relatable at the same time. When we see Tris faced with guilt and loneliness, it is easy to relate and cheer her on. The Divergent series is a must read, especially if you enjoy dystopian novels and strong female protagonists. While hunting for answers, you’ll discover her messed up world may be more than what there were looking for and Roth will keep you on the edge of your seat while reading this extraordinary tale. – Ananya M.

View in Library Catalogue: Print l eBook

by ·0 Comments

Social Intercourse

Greg Howard

Beckett Gaines, a gay teen living in South Carolina, has his world turned upside-down by a jock in this laugh-out-loud novel that’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets The Parent Trap.

Beck:
The Golden Girls-loving, out-and-proud choir nerd growing up in the “ass-crack of the Bible belt.”

Jax:
The Golden Boy, star quarterback with a slick veneer facing uncomfortable truths about himself and his past.

When Beck’s emotionally fragile dad starts dating the recently single (and supposedly lesbian) mom of former bully, Jaxon Parker, Beck is not having it. Jax isn’t happy about the situation either, holding out hope that his moms will reunite and restore the only stable home he’s ever known. Putting aside past differences, the boys plot to derail the budding romance between their parents at their conservative hometown’s first-ever Rainbow Prom. Hearts will be broken, new romance will bloom, but nothing will go down the way Beck and Jax have planned.

In his hilarious and provocative debut, Greg Howard examines the challenges of growing up different in a small southern town through the lens of colorful and unforgettable characters who stay with you long after the last drop of sweet tea.

View in Library Catalogue: Print

by ·0 Comments

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini

If you’re interested in cultural novels, then this novel will definitely intrigue you. In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the reader will read about the experiences of a young boy named Amir, who lives in Kabul, Afghanistan during the 1970s. Amir narrates the experiences of his life as he witnesses tragic and life-altering events.

The novel highlights major aspects of guilt, redemption, and the dangers of a caste system. This cultural book by Hosseini is exceptionally written, as he portrays a character who is mostly flawed and shows the raw aspect of individuals living in a Middle Eastern country. Hosseini’s work will never disappoint, and this novel will open one’s mind to different experiences of people all around this world.

Amir often faces great challenges, his integrity and loyalty put to the test. His character development is ultimately an opinionated question as readers often view this central character in both a negative and positive light. As a reader, connecting to a novel often takes time, but the plot of this novel will intrigue the individual. This novel may contain some mature scenes and languages, so viewer discretion is advised. – Iffat A.

View in Library Catalogue: Print