To Kill a Mockingbird

This book is probably the only one I was thankful for that my teachers forced me to read it. I thought it was going to be another horribly written/boring book, but I was surprised to find it interesting and inspiring.

Who knew having a kid named Scout as a narrator was actually cool? I'll be honest and say that I literally cringed when I heard my teacher summarize the book before we read it, but the book was actually more complex than he made it sound. The characters are great and they'll definitely stay with you for a long time. Atticus Finch & Boo Radley anyone? Ha.

The opening lines of the book already gets you hooked, because you're like how did Jem break his arm?! After that, Scout takes you to a journey you'll never forget. She'll hit places such as racism and family. She'll show you her views on the events unfolding before you, and how different a child's POV is from an adult's. 

She'll show you true strength when faced with hate and anger. She'll show you to never judge just because you heard stories from people in your town. She'll show you forgiveness and innocence. She'll show you how biased and arrogant people have become and that the color of your skin should not matter. It's who you are inside that matters. 

Can't believe that anyone could hate this book. It's simple. It's awesome. It's inspiring. Read it!

The only other book that I liked was The Outsiders. Other than that, school books are not so great or interesting. 

P.S. I will never forget the characters Atticus Finch & Boo Radley. They're the most awesome characters of all time. If you read this book, then you'll understand. 

Sherrilyn Kenyon

One of the best authors out there! Her looooong and still going series, Dark-Hunter series, has captured many readers and will continue to do so. She created a world that seems real and she just seems to have more and more ideas and surprises for us readers. People just love her heroes and loathe the villains. If you haven’t read any of her novels, then you’re definitely missing out. Her popular series are the Dark-Hunter(& Dream-Hunter) series, Chronicles of Nick series, and The League series. They’re all great!

The Dark-Hunter series

1. Fantasy Lover

2. Night Pleasures

3. Night Embrace

4. Dance With the Devil 

5. Kiss of the Night

6. Night Play

7. Seize the Night

8. Sins of the Night

9. Unleash the Night

10. Dark Side of the Moon

11. Devil May Cry

12. Acheron

13. One Silent Night

14. Bad Moon Rising

15. No Mercy

16. Retribution

17. Time Untime (August 7, 2012)

18. Styxx (Not yet released)

[Bolded titles are my favorites]

Great Romance Involving the Law

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist and professor in the University of Toronto. He barely tolerates his students, but his good looks make up for it, for his female students anyway. However, he wasn't the greatest child when he was younger, he has a troubled past that he'd rather forget. Then, Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student. He is attracted to the sweet and innocent Julia, and she also feels familiar to him... as if he was his Beatrice.

When I first saw this book on the shelves, I concluded that it was another version of Fifty Shades of Grey. They have many similar things. A hot, troubled male that instantly becomes attracted to a sweet, innocent female. However, after that, they pretty much went their own separate plots. Gabriel's Inferno does not revolve around the guy being controlling when it comes to sex, it revolves around Gabriel, a guy with a troubled past who believes he does not deserve redemption. He believes that he does not have a soul and that he will never find light. Julia is there to help him realize that he deserves to be loved and that he can find the light.

The book is also in third person POV. I liked the book and it was a quick read. Gabriel starts off as a jerk, but as the novel progresses, you'll definitely begin to like him. You'll also love Gabriel's family.

The verdict: For those who thought that this was another Fifty Shades of Grey series, stop thinking that! I thought that and when I finally read the book, I was totally surprised to find them so different. If you like Fifty Shades of Grey, then you'll love this book too. If you hated Fifty Shades of Grey, you might find this a good read.

The next book in the series is Gabriel’s Rapture and I believe it’s out now!

Caster Chronicles series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

I started reading this series when it was first released on Dec. 1, 2009. I admit that I only read the book because I was intrigued by its cover (Yeah, yeah never judge a book by its cover). Anyways, the series brings about new ideas and a whole new world. A world filled with Casters. 

Ethan Wate is the main protagonist in the story and the series is in his POV so far… (there might be a change soon). He has been counting the days until he can finally leave his town Gatlin. However, Ethan’s been dreaming about a girl he has never met…and no, it’s not that kind of dream… His mother died and his father has never been the same since. He’s locked himself in his office trying to write and pretty much dead to the world. Ethan’s best friend is Link and they’re always together.

Lena Duchannes is the new girl in town. She just moved in to the Ravenwood plantation… the scariest house in town. No one ever goes there, but they always talk about the owner, Macon. Lena is instantly hated by most of her classmates (the popular ones) and she’s struggling to control her powers. Then suddenly, Ethan is forced to choose: be a part of Lena’s world or stay in his world. 

Will Ethan and Lena be able to stay together?

There are currently 3 books in the series: Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, and Beautiful Chaos. 

There’s a short story between books 2 & 3 called Dream Dark (Link’s POV). 

The next and possibly last book in the series is Beautiful Redemption and it’s not releasing until October 23, 2012. 

Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

Great series, great author, great story, and great characters! Nalini Singh introduces us to Psy, perfect humans who don’t feel any emotion, and to Changelings, shifters who live beyond the Psy and human world. 

At first I didn’t read the series because of the book covers, but then I was like eh what the heck I’ll just read it. I was not disappointed! If you want to start a new series, read this series. 

The 12th book in the series is probably releasing soon… but so far no news yet as to when her book is releasing and who the next hero will be. Can’t wait!

Shelly Laurenston

Shelly Laurenston has written many good books! She’s known for her Pride series, Magnus Pack series, The Gathering series, and her Dragon Kin series under the name G.A. Aiken.

Here is the Magnus Pack series: 

Here is the Pride series:

Here is The Gathering season so far:

Here is the Dragon Kin series:

One of the best authors out there! Her books are also very funny and filled with romance.

Fifty Shades series by E.L. James

When I first saw this series on the bestsellers section, I was shocked. I read the summaries and thought that the book would revolve sex and that’s it, but the book actually has a real and interesting story within it.

Christian Grey is this rich guy who had a horrible childhood. His birth mother is the reason why he does what he does (in bed). He became an orphan when his mother died, and luckily he was adopted by the Grey family. Christian later had an affair with Mrs. Grey’s friend who is mostly referred to as “Mrs. Robinson”. She used similar methods in bed that Christian later uses. Christian did not condem their relationship because in some ways, Mrs. Robinson helped him become successful and stopped him from destroying himself.

Anastasia Steele is a college student who decides to help her friend Kate out by interviewing Christian Greybecause Kate was sick. She never expected Christian Grey to be young and attractive, and she was surprised that Christian was attracted to her because she never thought herself to be that attractive and interesting. Then, Ana decides to accept the contract that Christian shows her, and this is where their story begins.

Fifty Shades of Grey: Ana is about to graduate college when she meets Christian Grey. She accepts the contract that will change her life forever. However, Ana wants a man who loves her and there is this one part in the book which I really love. Ana was given a blackberry and laptop by Christian and they both constantly email one another. One night, Ana emails Christian that he was never there and she doesn’t reply back to his emails and calls, and suddenly Christian comes to her and Kate’s place and stays the night just holding Ana. 

Fifty Shades Darker: The book starts off where the first one left off. Ana left Christian and she has now started her job, which she made sure had nothing to do with Christian. However, (and this part I found pathetic) Ana can’t seem to function without Christian, she can’t sleep and she has lost weight. Christian volunteers to take Ana to her friend’s art show and then they’re back together. This book shows more about Christian and his past. He needs unconditional love, but he can’t seem to accept that Ana does love him and that he deserves to be loved. 

Fifty Shades Freed: Ana and Christian adjust to married life, but they also get more surprises in this book. Someone is stalking Ana… and he wants revenge. Christian is trying to adjust to life not as Dom as before. Will Ana and Christian last? Ana has changed Christian.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

If you still haven’t read the series….

You better start now! You still have time to catch up, because the second film is not coming out til November! :)

It’s got action, romance, you name it. A YA book that even adults read…I mean even LeBron James read the series.

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

Simply put: This series is amazing! At first I thought this series would get even more boring as it goes on, but it actually gets better, more intense, and more mature. 

There are currently 5 books out, and the 6th one coming soon. The first book City of Bones might not interest some people as much as the other books. It introduces the readers to the Clary’s world and the Shadowhunters. Clary is finding out about who she really is and who her parents were. Her mother hid their real identities because her real father wants her dead. She also meets Jace, a boy she definitely should not be hanging out with nor should she even like him. She can’t explain why she can see Jace and the Shadowhunters when they don’t want to be seen, and this moment changed Clary’s life forever…

City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, and City of Lost Souls are the other books in the series (they’re in order). I personally think that as the series goes on, the story gets even better and crazier (in a good way). I’m currently still reading City of Lost Souls because I have been reading a lot of books as I read this. So far, so good. Jace and Clary get closer as the series goes on. In the beginning, Jace and Clary’s relationship was forbidden because they were forced to believe that they were related by their “dad” Valentine. However, (spoiler alert!) Clary is actually Valentine’s daughter while Jace was taken out of another woman’s womb because the woman was dead. Clary’s real brother is Sebastian (Jonathan) and that he was the one given demon blood, not Jace. The story of the series might sound confusing and annoying, but when you actually read it, it will all make sense. So far my favorite is City of Fallen Angels but City of Lost Souls might actually change my mind… 

The verdict: Good series, definitely for the older YA, and 4/5 stars.