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.

The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald

Jump into the luxuriously life of the elite during the roaring twenties as Nick, a Midwesterner who is looking to begin his career in the East. You're introduced to Daisy and Tom Buchanan, who are wealthy in both their riches and good looks. Life at the East Egg, life of those with old money, may appear to be perfect but secrets lie in wait. Deception, lies, manipulation, all to remain in power. And then of course their is Gatsby. Relentlessly pining for Daisy, he too hides a secret of his get-rich-quick success. You'll be shocked by the twists and turns of the characters, left wondering if life really is greener on the other side.

This novel is a classic, you'll probably end up reading it in an English. But this isn't some white bread story about star crossed lovers or the memoir of a young black boy, this story will have you gripping the handlebars of life and leaving you craving for more. The time period of the 1920s, oozes wealth while at the same time includes the dangers and excitement of a rising elitist youth. Think Gossip Girl from one hundred years ago. Still not convinced? Do you see yourself as an observer of life around you? Do you love to criticize those who have power and fame, see their lives for anything but glamorous?  Well then you'll love the perspective of Nick because he is able to remove the mask of superficial glitz and stare the corruption of wealth in the eyes.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves classic literature, or those who loved the book Of Mice and Men. Do you cringe at the idea of reading a school book for fun? Well if you love romance, scandal, tragedy and corruption you'll love this novel. Did you know that there is a new movie adaptation of the book starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan? Well you better snatch this book of the shelf, because it is sure to make a major splash on the big screen.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Historical fiction mixes with scandalous romance in the novel Lolita. Awe and exhilaration--along with heartbreak and mordant wit--abound in Lolita, Nabokov's most famous and controversial novel, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hyper civilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America. Most of all, it is a meditation on love--love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation. It follows Humbert, the unreliable protagonist who falls in love with twelve year old Dolores after becoming her stepfather. And of course, his private name for the innocent Dolores is Lolita. 


What sets this book apart is the incredible sentence variation and poetry of the language. The book is also notable for its writing style. The narrative is highly subjective as Humbert draws on his fragmented memories, employing a sophisticated prose style, while attempting to gain the reader's sympathy through his sincerity and melancholy, although near the end of the story Humbert refers to himself as a "maniac" who "deprived" Dolores "of her childhood", and he shortly thereafter states "the most miserable of family lives was better than the parody of incest" in which they were involved. All and all this book uses the power of language to entice its reader and to intoxicate you with this tongue-and-check, rule bending approach to romance.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a technically and conceptually complex novel, whether you enjoy reading historical fiction or not. This book is like french chocolate, deliciously rich and will leave you feeling utterly satisfied. Read the book Naked Lunch? Then you'll love Lolita.

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

Love the first book in the Shadow Falls Series, Born at Midnight? Well you're in luck then because the second book in this series is just as addicting. From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside. Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Love romance and supernatural creatures? Tired of the same old story told time and time again? Well then you better get your hands on the second novel in this delectable series. Why settle for a book about common mortals? This book combines very real emotions with exciting elements of fantasy to create a show stopping novel that will leave you more than satisfied. Not only does this book expose the true journey towards human identity, it creates a magical new world that will leave any one's imagination hooked. 


Those who enjoyed the first novel in this series will fall head over heels with the sequel. Enjoy reading Twilight, Shiver or pretty much any other fantasy romance novel? Then you'll love Awake at Dawn. It will give you an amazing escape from the pedestrian world, making you believe that you really are in Shadow Falls.

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

To the world, twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne appear to live a picture perfect life. But of course nothing is as it seems. Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family -- on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own dark secret, and that's where their differences begin. For Kaeleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All that Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites -- and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she chooses drugs, alcohol, and sex. Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept -- from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is -- who?

 The fifth book by Hopkins, following the similar trend of non-rhyming free verse. Yet again, Hopkins has exploded the private lives of teens, leaving no gritty detail to the imagination. This book will leave you raw and craving for answers. Maybe you'll even find yourself describing your own thoughts through poetry. You won't be able to put the book down and the twists of the plot will lead you to a very surprising resolution. So hold on tight, because this book will jerk you right out of your reality and into one of a darker caliber. 


I would recommend this book to anyone who has read any of Ellen Hopkins' other novels (Crank, Glass, Impulse to name a few). Like poetry? Then you'll love Hopkins' take on words. And don't be scared off by the length of these novels. You'll have reach the last page before you know it. So grab Identical now and find out the truth behind this mysterious set of twins. 

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Ever wondered about the things that go bump in the night? Ever wondered of you are one of them? One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.”  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason.  As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

 This book is all about Kylie pulling through the hard things in life and figuring out who she really is. As teenagers we all have to deal with some pretty difficult stuff, parental divorces, being rejected and of course the temptations of partying. Born at Midnight takes what occurs throughout the adolescent years and puts a fantasy twist on it. Kylie may be different from teens in some pretty significant ways, but deep down she's just like every other teenager.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy novel. Are you a true twi-heart? Then you'll love the first book in the Shadow Falls Series. So don't wait another minute. Get your hands on this novel and find out the truth about Kylie.