The Fault in Our Stars by John Green *UPCOMING MMU BOOK CLUB CHOICE*

Sixteen year old Hazel Lancaster has been living with the tumors in her lungs for years. However, they never stopped her from living life. Now, when she meets Augustus Waters at her cancer support group she learns to live life to the fullest. As they grow closer, they share each other's fears (oblivion) and the things they love (books.) They bond over Hazel's favorite novel, An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. Despite Hazel's many letters addressed to Van Houten, he never replies to fan mail. Until one day, Augustus reaches the reclusive author and an invitation to Amsterdam comes in return. Hazel knows that if she goes to Amsterdam with Augustus she will have added another causality to be affected by her grenade-like terminal disease. However, she can't help but fall for Augustus and his plan when he uses his Genie Wish (a "cancer perk") not on a trip to Disney World, but one to Amsterdam, with her. What happens during and after Amsterdam will change Hazel and Augustus forever.

This is not just your typical book about cancer. I fully expected to go into this book and read about sappy stories and tragic deaths but, instead I was left with the sweetest memories and almost a happy kind of sadness. John Green has a way of stringing his words together so eloquently that you can't help but feel like you are Hazel. The relationship between Hazel and Augustus is a truly brilliant one, their dry humor and impeccable understanding of one another shows you what it's actually like to be a "cancer kid." Even with a love story, it feels much more than that. It's a story about true friendship and how short life can really be.

If you're interested in reading this fantastic book, check out the MMU Book Club! This is their first book of the year!

If You Liked This One Check Out: Paper Towns by John Green, It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, Looking for Alaska by John Green, 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban By J.K Rowling

Harry Potter grew up with his horrid aunt and uncle thinking he was a normal boy. This all changed when a letter came for him, informing him he had been admitted to Hogwarts School of Which craft and Wizardry. Suddenly Harry is thrust into a world of monsters, magic and danger, where he learns the truth of his parents death, and just how he got his mysterious lightning scar. 

In this, the third of the Harry Potter series, Sirius Black, servant of the dark lord and Harry's dads old childhood friend,  has escaped from Azkaban and is supposedly after Harry. Harry and his friends must deal with homework, drama, time travel, and possibly death, perhaps learning a bit more about Harry's parents on the way. 

This story has such twists and turns that, even if you've read it before, you're flipping through the pages late into the night. Harry and the others really start to develop as characters in this book, and some of the history behind Harry's parent's death if revealed   I guess for some it might be a little confusing because there is so much going on, but as long as you keep your head on your shoulders and your wand in your hand, you'll be fine. 

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Because of all of the unsuccessful marriages her mother has been (five to be exact) eighteen-year-old Remy doesn't exactly believe in a love that can last. Dexter, a quirky musician crashes into her life and changes everything. Not only did she say she would never fell in love, she also said she would never fall in love with a musician. Remy and Dexter go through the ups and downs of a complicated, "no commitment" relationship. Her past looms over her as well. She falls asleep to "This Lullaby" on most nights. It's the song her father had written for her before he passed away. Remy is dealing with her family issues, her father's death, and the possibility that she might be falling in love.

Not only do I absolutely love anything written by Sarah Dessen but I’d have to deem this one my absolute favorite. As soon as I started flipping through the first few pages I felt myself fall in love with the character, who, ironically, is reluctant to fall in love… if that even exists. As soon as you start reading about Remy, you have an automatic connection with her. When Dexter, the dorky band member comes into the picture you can’t help but to root for him, hoping he gets her in the end. After reading this, I still dream about a guy like Dexter. I only wish that I could reread this book more often.

Books Like This One: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by David Levithan, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy Curry is having a terrible year. Her mother decided that the family should move across the country and needs Amy to bring their car from California to Connecticut. However, Amy hasn't been able to get behind the wheel since The Accident. Her mother has given the duty of driving to her friend's son, Roger, a nineteen-year-old who turns out to be unexpectedly adorable and dealing with a recent breakup with the girl he thought he loved.

Amy hadn't planned on skipping out on her mother's plans and driving wherever they wanted, meeting new people and coming to terms with her tragic past. Amy and Roger find themselves traveling the Loneliest Road in America, trekking through the Colorado mountains, crossing the Kansas plains, and visiting diners, dingy motels, and Graceland.The more they drive and the more playlists Roger makes, Amy discovers the "new" her and a possibility of something she never opened herself up to; love.





Who hasn't wanted to drive coast to coast with their friends? Or maybe going a road trip across the country with friends, homemade CD’s  fast food, and an unlimited amount of time and money? At first, I was a little thrown off by the descriptive and slow beginning  but once I got into it… I got into it. And soon I was racing through the pages wanting to know where they were going to go next, who they were going to meet and if anything would happen between Amy and Roger. There were so many twists and turns that there’s no way you could truly tell what would happen. A fun road trip and a cute boy isn't all that this book is about though. Reading this book can help you realize something about yourself and help you let go of things in your past. So buckle up and get ready for the ride!

Books Like This One: The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen, North of Beautiful by Justine Chen Headley, Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

See the girl of the stage? Twirling and jumping like she's dancing on a layer of water. She goes onto releve, an arabesque en penche with a leap sequence and the audience holds their breath. She has everything that thousands of girls would die for. Everything yet nothing, a life dominated by dance. Hannah lives her life as one of these dancers, juggling rehearsals and shows without a moment to be young. But up until now, she's been content dedicating her life to ballet. Then she meets Jacob, and Hannah must decide if she wants to continue to compete to be the star of the company or to dive into a new adventure in the real world. She must make a choice, her life long dream or the assurance of living an every day life. And by the end she will surely reach her breaking pointe, a choice of her two loves.

Sophie Flack knows ballet better than anyone. A former ballet dancer herself, she knows how it feels to live the lifestyle so few ever obtain. The sacrifices, the dedication, the emotions are her own. Step behind the curtain, past the glamour and the glitter and experience first hand what this art form is really like. What it takes to reach the top, what it feels like to taste victory. And of course the strength it takes to make the toughest decisions that life throws your way.

Love dance? Then you'll adore this novel. Not a dancer, but still curious about the life of a ballerina? Then you'll be hooked by the book that puts everything out on the page. You will feel like you really know Hannah, that you can relate to her struggles in your own life. She's a friend, and someone that you can see a little bit of yourself in. So what are you waiting for, don't you want to know what's going on under than elastic-tight bun?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Meet Charlie. Charlie is a freshman, going through the motions of his life trying to please everyone else around him. Take the journey from ordinary kid along the roller coaster of life to a point of no return. Friendship. First Love. Jealous. Sexual tension. Confusion. Its all apart of life and we're all just along for the ride. From standing on the edge to feeling infinite, Charlie describes what it's really like to be a teenager through a series of letters to an anonymous receiver.You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be left wondering what the hell just happened. It's that mind blowing.

No book describes what it is like to be a teenager better than this one. You'll feel the heartache, the thirst for answers, and by the end you'll know Charlie as if he were a friend of your own. Beautifully written, yet painfully realistic this book straddles the line between a fictional memoir and pure artistry. We all know Charlie, he is all of us. One boy, symbolizing everything that being a teenager is about. His thoughts, his actions, his emotions are our own.

If you have a pulse, you'll love The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Heck even a brain hungry zombie would love this book because it's that good. Quick in length, you'll devour this book before you know it. But be warned, once you've had a taste there is no going back. This novel is far too delectable to put down, and the addiction will spread with every turn of the page.