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

Storm Front: A Novel of the Dresden Files By Jim Butcher

Harry Dresden- Wizard.

Lost Items Found, Paranormal Investigations.

Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. 

No Love Potions, Endless Purses,

 or other Entertainment

       Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange magical things.- and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a- well, whatever. 

       There's just one problem. Business  to put t mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name.And that's when things start to get... Interesting. 

     The Dresden Files are a creative twist on the classic loner detective novel.  Complete with gang leaders, magic drug deals, and dark magic, this first book sets the scene Jim Butcher's highly successful mystery series. Harry has all the trademarks of the loner detective; the intense and largely complicated love life, a wreck of a car, and the authorities breathing down his neck. Storm Front carries his strong, quirky voice all the way through. The story is compelling and fascinating as the Butcher takes us through the shady underbelly of the shady underbelly of Chicago. 

    This book may not be everyone's cut of tea.This truly is a loner detective novel with some magic thrown in. There is nothing else. It is simple and formulaic. As with many detective novels, the mood and tone is quite plodding and intense. It basically operates on one, very heavy, sarcastic level. 

    If you're looking for a fun mystery with some magic and quirkiness, this book is for you. If you're looking for a completely original , thought provoking read, this is not it. 

Dodger By: Terry Pratchett

       Meet Dodger, a young street urchin with a pure heart, a cunning whit and a talent for finding beautiful things in the muck of Early Victorian London. One dark and stormy night, he sees a girl leap desperately from a horse drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Dodger immediately helps the unknown girl, and unwittingly stumbles into a world where murdering barbers, news paper reporters and mysterious screeching carts can send the world spinning, and where a keen boy with good instinct and an uncanny ability to dodge, might just find a place for himself. Sir Terry mixes fact and fiction as Dodgers adventures lead him to meet Charles Dickens, Sweeney Todd, Henry Mayhew, and perhaps even Queen Victoria herself.

     The Disc World books, Pratchett's award winning series, have been my favorite books for years. So, naturally I had high hopes for this, one of Pratchett's few non-disk books. I was not disappointed. This clever romp through Victorian England was an absolute joy to read. Dodger is a fun, quirky main character, with a refreshing knack for accepting new circumstances, and an absolutely beautiful soul. Pratchett's portrayal of historical and well known fictional characters was phenomenal, and the plot was thrilling and fun. Readers used to the disk books may find it jarring for a bit, but will soon get used to the lack of wizards and may just find a commander of the watch quite similar to our dear own Vimes. For some, the complete immersion into Victorian underclass culture may be disconcerting, but I don't think it takes away from the narrative. Over all a wonderful adventure told by one of the best story tellers of the age. 

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. 

The Language of Flowers By Vanessa Diffenbaugh

        Victoria, who has spent life in and out of foster care, has developed a passion for flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what’s been missing in her life, and when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.  

       I loved everything about this book. This story of resilience had a beautiful message portrayed through poetic writing.  The vulnerable but strong female character was refreshing and wonderful. There is honestly nothing I didn't like about this book. 

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