The Name of the Star

By Maureen Johnson

Summary:  
The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

My Thoughts: 
I loved this book, and I absolutely did not want to put it down. 
The premise was intriguing from the start, and it lived up to my pre-reading hopes. 
Now to give you all fair warning, when you tell someone that the book you are reading has 'Jack the Ripper' in it, you are going to get more than a few funny looks. 
Now would be an appropriate(or not... depending how easily fiction can sway you) time of year to read this book, what with going back to school paralleling Rory's transition to London boarding school.

Beastly

By Alex Flinn

Summary:
I am a beast.

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.


My Thoughts: 
 Beastly is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, that has rather recently been made into a movie.
The story is told from the perspective of the Beast, which is interesting. It's cute book, but it doesn't hold any surprises(at least not to anyone who has seen the Disney animated version). It is a quick read with a good message. 

 

Book Music

This is a beautiful song that was inspired by John Green's, The Fault In Our Stars.

This songs doesn't contain plot spoilers, but there are quotes from the book that are used.

I love the use of the books in making the music!

Everwild

by Neal Shusterman

Summary:
Everlost, the limbo land of dead children, is at war. Nick the “Chocolate Ogre” wants to help the children of Everlost reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Mary Hightower, self-proclaimed queen of lost children and dangerous fanatic, is determined to keep Everlost’s children trapped within its limbo for all eternity. Traveling in the memory of the Hindenburg, Mary is spreading her propaganda and attracting Afterlights to her cause at a frightening speed.

Meanwhile, Allie the Outcast travels home to seek out her parents, along with Mikey, who was once the terrifying monster the McGill. Allie is tempted by the seductive thrill of skinjacking the living, until she discovers the shocking truth about skinjackers.


My Thoughts:
I love this series so far.
The parallel world that Shusterman has created is detailed and fantastical.
I love how the reader gets to discover the world of Everlost at the same time the kids living in there do too. The characters are intriguing, entertaining, and understandable.

The Fault In Our Stars

By John Green


 Summary:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.


My Thoughts:
 
This book was, everything. All at once. It was funny, smart, heartbreaking, quirky and relatable. It made me see so many emotions that I didn't think a piece of fiction ever would be able to do.
I laughed, I cried, and I loved every moment of it.
I think this might actually be my favourite John Green book yet.
There are just so many wonderful thing about this beautiful piece of liturature.
Augustus and Hazel are amazing. They are intelligent, funny, and real.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone.