Spring Break Reads

Spring break has finally begun!  If you're facing all that time ahead with not much to do, maybe it's time to try to find a good book to read.  Let me recommend a few recent favorites that I've enjoyed.

My very favorite book that I've read recently is Ruta Sepetys' Salt to the Sea. You'll hear this author's name from me again in the near future when we do our upcoming book club.  Sepetys' Between Shades of Gray is another favorite of mine.  Salt to the Sea takes place in 1945 Germany as German citizens are trying to evacuate their country as the Soviets move in from the East and the Americans/British move in from the west.  The story is told from the perspectives of 4 teenagers, each from a different homeland and each have experienced tragedies over the course of the war.  Their stories converge when they all gain passage on the Wilhelm Gustloff, which is about to experience a tragedy all its own.  This fictional story is based on the real-life single greatest maritime disaster in history, and it won't leave you dry-eyed.  I can't even tell you how strongly I recommend this one!  You can find copies at MCPL or through MCPL's Overdrive.

Another great story that you might enjoy is Rebecca Stead's Goodbye Stranger.  The story is told from 3 perspectives.  First, from that of Bridge Barsamian, survivor of a near-death accident who is trying to figure out who she is as she begins 7th grade and her friendships get way more complicated.  The second perspective is Sherm Russo's, another 7th grader who befriends Bridge, but is struggling with his own personal difficulties.  The last perspective is an unknown high school student - who tells her story in 2nd person point of view, and who's story will overlap with Bridge and Sherm's in the end.  This was another really touching story about what it means to grow up and being okay with who you are no matter what.  You can find a copy of this in our CMS library, as well as at MCPL or on MCPL's Overdrive.

Another book that is a bit of an emotional roller coaster that I really liked is Apple and Rain, by Sarah Crossan.  Apple's mom left her with her grandmother 11 years ago, and Apple has never stopped hoping that she might one day come back home.  Apple's nan (what she calls her grandma) is really strict and is making Apple's 8th grade year harder than it has to be.  When Apple's mom actually does show up, it seems like it is more than Apple could have hoped for, and she soon decides to move in with her mother.  What she didn't know was that she had a sister, Rain, who is even more lost and broken than Apple herself.  And when her mom doesn't live up to Apple's expectations and things start to fall apart even more, Apple has to figure out who she can trust and rely on.  It's not a light-hearted read, but it is worth it!  You can find this at MCPL or on Overdrive.

If you're more in the mood for an historical-paranormal-mystery, you might enjoy These Vicious Masks, by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas.  In 1800's England, Evelyn is struggling to fit into society.  Her parents just want her to make the perfect match, but she could care less about that.  When her sister Rose is kidnapped, Evelyn decides to leave home and do everything she can to find her.  With the help of the dashing Mr. Kent and mysterious Sebastian Braddock, Evelyn sets out to find out who took Rose and to get her back.  In searching for Rose, she discovers that she has an unusual ability to heal people and that Rose has this ability as well, which is why she was kidnapped in the first place.  Can Evelyn find Rose before disaster strikes?  You'll have to read These Vicious Masks, the first of a series, to find out!  You can find copies at MCPL or on Overdrive.

Finally, let me recommend two books that are the second books in a couple of different series.  First up, is Glass Sword, by Victoria Aveyard.  This is the second book in the Red Queen series and it will leave you shocked as Mare Barrow and Cal join the rebels and set out to try to get Maven removed from his throne.  I don't want to give too much away if you haven't read Red Queen yet.  If you haven't, you need to check out this riveting dystopian series!  You can find copies at MCPL and on Overdrive.

Last, if you haven't start Ally Carter's Embassy Row series, it's a great one to get into.  The second book, See How They Run continues Grace's story, as she continues to deal with the truth about her mother's death.  Now Grace herself is a target, and she doesn't know who she can trust.  When a family friend ends up dead, Grace knows she has to get to the bottom of what is going on...and hopefully not cause a diplomatic disaster.  This is another page-turner, and Grace continues to be a dark main character...  You can find copies of both Embassy Row books in our CMS Media Center, as well as at MCPL and on Overdrive.

There you have it.  Maybe I'll have a few more recommendations before spring break is over.  I plan to do  A LOT of reading over the next week!  Enjoy your time off!