"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin

Imagine not being able to buy chocolate or coffee! It's the year 2083 and the government has outlawed both. But Anya is able to get as much chocolate as she wants, since her family is involved in selling it on the black market. But when her ex-boyfriend is hospitalized by a bad batch of chocolate, Anya is wrongly charged with trying to poison him. When all of your relatives are criminals, people get suspicious! There is a new boy at school, Win, and Anya finds herself falling for him. The only (big) problem is that he's the District Attorney's son. And he doesn't want him family involved in anything criminal. This is the first installment in a new series called "Birthright."

"And Then I Found Out the Truth" by Jennifer Sturman

Delia's mom has been busy trying to save the environment down in Antarctica. But the big oil companies aren't fond of her attempts, and will stop at nothing to shut her up, including murder! Delia gets word that her mom is living underground in Argentina, where she's protected by a bodyguard, and safe...at least for the time being. Delia's been sent to New York City to live with her aunts, and is attending a very prestigious, private school. And there is a new boy around, Quinn, who turns out to be a romantic interest. Delia is ready to do some undercover work of her own to help her mom out, and put the criminals away. But things get complex, when she discovers Quinn's own step dad may be in on the plot to kill her mom. Going to Argentina seems like the only viable option to save her from danger...but will they be able to get there in time? This is the sequel to "And Then Everything Unraveled."

"Color of Heaven" by Kim Dong Hwa

This is the final installment in the Color trilogy by Hwa, illustrating his mother's adolescence in rural Korea. This story resumes when Duksam, Elwa's true love, leaves the village to work on a fishing boat. Elwa patiently waits for his return, as he's promised to build her a house and marry her. Elwa and her mother are pining for their men, and taking in the simple pleasures in their daily routine. Korean symbolism, folklore and superstition are interspersed in this calm and tender story about a mother and daughter's relationship, and the men in their lives. Some sexual situations, best for older teens.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han

As long as she can remember, Isabel (aka Belly) has spent every summer at the beach. It's always the same people - her mom, her brother Stephen, her mom's best friend Susannah, and Susannah's two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Gorgeous beach house, private pool where Belly loves to swim, and the leisurely pace of summer vacation. Belly's grown up with Conrad and Jeremiah, but the summer she turns 16, things get complicated. Jeremiah obviously has a crush on Belly, but Belly is into Conrad, who doesn't have the same feelings. Belly meets Cam at a beach bonfire and a relationship blossoms. What happens when summer is over and everyone goes home? Belly is surrounded by boys, but struggles with her emotions, why does love have to be so hard?

"If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Music is everywhere in Mia's life. Her parents were rockers. She's an accomplished cellist. Her boyfriend Adam has his own punk band. She's applied to Julliard and life after high school is finally showing more potential.

But one snowy morning everything changes. Mia and her family are driving along the highway when a semi-truck collides with their car, instantly killing Mia's parents and her younger brother. Mia finds herself outside her own body, not dead, not alive, and not knowing what to do. As a ghost-like spirit, Mia spends time at the hospital, observing her own coma state. Limbo is confusing....should she join her family in the afterlife, or return to her human body? Is this even Mia's decision to make?

Life without her parents and brother would be devastating. But, at 17 years old, is she ready to give up on what the future may hold?

This is a beautifully written book, full of grace and possibilities. It's a quick read, wonderful for fans of "The Lovely Bones" or "Elsewhere."

"Flipped" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Juli's got a big time crush on Bryce. Bryce is totally not interested.

Juli tends to live in her own universe, growing chickens, saving the planet, and speaking her mind.

Bryce falls in with the popular kids, follows their advice and tries to avoid Juli at all times.

It doesn't help things that Bryce and Juli have lived across the street from each other since the 2nd grade.

This book is one of my favorites, told in alternating chapters from both Juli and Bryce's perspective on the situation.

Someone is about to change their mind, and *flip* their thinking. Who's it going to be, and will they end up dating? Curious minds want to find out!

"Blankets" by Craig Thompson

There is something satisfying about finishing a 582 page book in 2 days. I love graphic novels! This is Craig Thompson's autobiography about growing up in a strict, Christian home in rural Wisconsin. He meets Raina, and immediately falls in love. He's feeling conflicted about his new feelings and the teachings of his church. Craig's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and the scenes in the Wisconsin snow are magical and surreal. Craig and Raina's love story is beautifully told, but not sappy, and I only wish I had read this book years ago.

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

I think I'm the last librarian on the planet to read this book, and it was remarkably better than I was expecting! Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington and is immediately smitten with Edward Cullen, her gorgeous lab partner, who leads a mysterious life outside of high school. Friends and family warn her that he's bad news and Bella soon discovers for herself that Edward is more dangerous than he seems, and less human. This vampire has stolen Bella's heart and their love story will make you shiver with terror and excitement! "New Moon," "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" continue the story of Bella and Edward, and the movie version of Twilight will be released this November -- can't wait!

"Stuck in the Middle: Seventeen Comics from an Unpleasant Age" edited by Ariel Schrag

17 professional comics confess their painful memories from their time in middle school. From the inside cover - "Have you ever been called one of the following - Freak, Loser, Weirdo, Alien, Sucker, Slut, Skank, New Girl, Goth Boy, Crater Face? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have experienced the joys of middle school." These stories can help you feel that you're not alone, and most everyone has awkward moments and tries to fit in. Some stories made me crack up, others made me sad...but everyone has to go through it, whether you like it or not! Some "mature" situations and language, be warned.

"Son of the Mob" by Gordon Korman

Vince Luca's finally gotten Angela to go out with him. They're at the beach, things are going well, and Vince heads for the trunk of his car for a blanket. Something's not right. Inside the trunk is Jimmy the Rat, bound and gagged and barely alive. This is what happens when your dad's the powerful head of organized crime.

Vince Luca just wants to be normal at his high school. Good luck. People are scared of his dad, and should be if they want to keep all their limbs!

Vince falls for a new girl, Kendra. She's got it all, looks, brains, personality. Only problem is her dad. He's an FBI agent out to get Vince's father.

"The Opposite of Invisible" by Liz Gallagher

Alice has been best friends with Jewel (guy) for a long time. They do everything together - drink lattes, art projects and hang out all the time. Alice ends up ditching Jewel to go to the big Halloween party with Simon, one of the popular jocks at school. Their dating totally ruins their friendship and puts Alice in a new social status at school. Alice has to figure out which guy is best for her to date. Alice lives over in Fremont, so it's fun to follow the characters around Seattle.

"Companions of the Night" by Vivian Vande Velde

Kerry sneaks out of her house to rescue her younger brother's stuffed bear, which he'd left at the local laundromat. She stumbles across a hostage situation and helps the imprisoned man escape, only to discover he's a vampire. Now Kerry finds herself hostage and her family has gone missing. Every choice Kerry makes either leads her one step closer to finding her missing family, or being turned into a vampire herself.

"The Au Pairs: Crazy Hot" by Melissa de la Cruz

This is the 4th installment in the Au Pairs series. After summer plans go awry, three college girlfriends meet up in the Hamptons for a summer of romance, fashion and nanny duties. Eliza is busy opening her posh boutique and deciding if her boyfriend, Jeremy, is “the one.” Jacqui is swept off her feet by a charming photographer who promises her a lucrative modeling contract. Sensible Mara keeps occupied by watching the kids, and working on her debut blog. The plot is easy to follow and there is decent character description. While their luxurious lives may not be realistic or totally convincing, this makes for an easy beach read. Similar to the Gossip Girls series with high-roller lifestyle, but there's no violence, hint of sex, but nothing graphic. Recommended for 9th and up.

"Before I Die" by Jenny Downham

16 year old Tessa gets the news that she's terminally ill and only has 6 months left to live. She creates a mental list of everything she wants to do before she dies. Number one is having sex. Tessa's friend Zoey is her accomplice, and Tessa's supportive family tries to understand her persistance for finishing the list. This is a beautifully written book about what it means to be alive, and ultimately facing the reality of death. Recommended for high school.