This was the best book I’ve read (listened to) in a long time. I once again found myself speeding up in traffic at the intense parts, and staying in my car after I arrived home, just to listen to another few minutes. Unwind by Neal Shusterman is a science fiction novel set after the second Civil War. Basically the second war was about pro lifers vs. prochoicers and ultimately it was decided that you couldn’t touch a pregnancy or a child until they were 12, and at that point you could have them “unwound” in which case all of their parts are harvested and used in organ donation. In this way, they stayed “alive” just in a divided state. How’s that for gruesome? So as children, you live in fear that if you don’t act right your parents will unwind you! Basically killing you but technically keeping you alive.

It’s a dark and twisty plot by far, but so riveting. Once again I had to watch myself in traffic because I would get so into the story I would accelerate during the suspenseful moments. I loved this book and I highly recommend reading or listening to the audio version. I won’t say more because that’s the beauty of this book. I knew absolutely nothing about it when I checked it out. I’m just glad we live in a world right now where Unwinding doesn’t occur. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!

The Killer’s Cousin by Nancy Werlin, is a MUST READ. I loved that I listened the audio books version because the reader had an excellent voice, and I felt more into the story than I may have just curled up on my couch. The audio version had the creepy music, the suspenseful pauses. It was downright chilling. The only problem I had was getting too excited and accidentally speeding when the climatic parts of the story were read.

First let me just say that I’m a complete chicken when it comes to anything remotely related to dying, death, murder, or anything of the sort. I didn’t think I’d be able to handle this book without throwing the CDs into the freezer (remember Joey on Friends?). But this book did a beautiful job of being suspenseful and creepy without being scary.

The Killer’s Cousin is about a 17 year old, David, who was acquitted for the murder of his girlfriend the year before. All through the story, David tells bits and pieces of what happened the day that his girlfriend died, but we never get the full picture. All we know is that it was an accident, but it was still done by his hand.
Because of all the bad press and publicity of his trial, David’s parents decide to have him move in with his Aunt, Uncle, and 11 year old cousin in Massechusetts. His Uncle sets him up in his own mini apartment that is a converted attic. When he comes to this house, it is revealed that this attic apartment once belonged to his older cousin, Kathy, who died under strange circumstances four years before. David starts seeing a mysterious shadow that he realizes is Kathy’s ghost.

Meanwhile, he is dealing with hostility from his aunt, and even more hostility from his young cousin Lily. Lily is a strange child, with obvious psychological problems, and an even more obvious hatred for David.

I could go into more detail, but I would just ruin the story for you. While I will say some of the plot was predictable, it wasn’t in a boring way. Even though I predicted some of the events, I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next. This was an edge of my seat, can’t wait to jump in my car and listen thriller. What are you waiting for? Go read it!!

What is it with Librarians and their inability to have personalities? I go to the library at least once every two weeks to get a new pile of books and books on cd. You would think by now the librarians would recognize my face, and know that I’m the kind of person who returns a book on time. But nope, all the do is run my books through the barcode scanner and then scowl at me as I leave. Why is this? I’ve decided it’s in the job description to be old and crotchety, and most importantly, have a permanent pursed lips expression.

Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen is a kid’s book, but it has a lot of substance to it. I guess I’m a kid at heart, because I love these kind of books.
This story is about a boy and girl who live across the street from each other. What’s different about this book is that every other chapter the narrator flips from the boy Bryce, to the girl Julie. It shows the story from two different perspectives, which adds a lot of depth. It’s funny how things look from two opposing views isn’t it?
In this story, Julie is head over heels for Bryce. As they grow up, Bryce starts to realize there is more to Julie than he originally thought. It’s a heartwarming book, and I think it’s one I could read again.

I’ve been guilty of browsing the young adults section of the Library, better known as the teen section. I know I’m no longer a teen, but I think a lot of the young adult books are great reads. They’re usually fun, and quick, and a lot of them actually deal with deep emotions. I mean, weren’t our teen years probably the most angst ridden of our lives?

I found the book, Millicent’s Gift, by Ann Rinaldi and I thought it might be fun. The book starts out slow, like having to read through term life insurance quotes,  but then it really picks up in the final chapters. It’s written as a 14 year old girl would narrate, so you have to get used to that style, but it also helps you fall into the story a bit more.

It’s the story of a young girl who has grown up in a family of magic. They’re sort of modern day Wicken, and what’s cool about the story is it doesn’t make the magic far fetched, it’s almost believable. Everyone in the family has “the power” to some degree, but the women more than the men. Millicent is a twin, and her brother really wants the power, but he doesn’t have it the way Millicent does. Her aunts teach her how to do small spells, and they’re only to be used for good, never to get far ahead in life, or to harm anyone.
When Millicent turns 14, she is to receive “the gift” which is that she can make one wish, again used only for good.
The problem is, this is a huge burden on a 14 year old girl. Instead of the kids in school thinking she’s a freak, they each come to her with heavy problems of their own, asking that she make a wish to help them. One of the kids has a sister who is autistic, and so on. Everyone needs a little help, and it’s all resting on Millicent’s shoulders. I won’t give away any more of the story, because that was the excitement of reading it. I almost wish the story had been longer, but overall it was a great read, and really makes you think about your own small “powers” and what you can do to help those around you.

I have been going through books like crazy this past month, especially books on CD. It really helps make my commute bearable.

The most recent book I listened to was What Matters Most, by Luanne Rice. It’s a romantic story about two different couples. One couple, Bernie and Tom, have been in each other’s lives since they were kids. Tom is in love with Bernie, and Bernie…well Bernie is a nun, and Tom is the groundskeeper at the Catholic school where she is the Mother Superior. Before she became a nun, they were a couple, and they had a son, which they gave up for adoption. (more…)

I love it when friends recommend great books I should read. Coast Sister went above and beyond that and actually sent me a book she wanted me to read-Twilight. We both ended up loving the series so much that we both purchased the set in hardback. So I’ve been left with a copy of the first book in paperback, and she suggested I pay it forward to another reader. I did, and I hope my friend Personality Twin likes it. I think that’s such a cool idea, and I plan on giving books more for gifts to friends. I love nothing more than a good book, especially one I can read over and over again.