Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts

Friday, August 16, 2013

Perfect Chemistry By Simone Elkeles

Simone Elkeles’ book, Perfect Chemistry, is a work of fiction. The book introduces us to two different types of society, the high class and the low class and this society prohibits the people to interact. This book tells about how this society affected two people’s lives, a girl named Brittany and a guy named Alex. They go to the same school and they are about to graduate. They hate each other mostly for their different social status because Brittany is rich and Alex is poor and this caused them to have a bad experience accepting each other when they first met. The incident that happened when they met was bad because Brittany was going to run over Alex’s motorcycle with him on it and his ex-girlfriend too. Their problems started when they had the same chemistry class and the teacher sat them next to each other and assigned them a project together. Because of the incident they had they did not have a good relationship and Brittany could not accept being friends with a guy like Alex. In spite of their differences, however, they made a really interesting relationship even though they had too many problems. In the end they proved their love was strong enough to overcome their differences and they put their future together and their lives together and lived happily.
Mayra G.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles is a book I recommend other people read because it is a romantic story about two senior high school students who fall in love. This story is amazing because it shows an example of how two people who are so different and who hate each other can fall in love. Brittany and Alex are the main characters of this book. Brittany is a rich girl who is the leader of the cheerleading team. Alex is a poor gang member. The story starts when their chemistry teacher assigns them as chemistry partners for all year and ends when they became a couple and they start college. I also recommend this book because when I read it, it made me connect to the story. Every time I finished a chapter I wanted to start reading the other chapter right away because it is so interesting you are going to want to read the whole book in one day. I also liked this book because it is different from other books I have read because the author of the book divides the book into two. For example, one chapter is about Brittany and the other is about Alex. I am sure if you read this book you would like it.
Buenaventura A.

Fifteen Love by Robert Corbet

Fifteen Love is a book to which many of us could probably relate. The main theme of the book to me would be romance. Two main characters in this book are Will and Mia. Throughout the book feelings change and other characters view things differently but I think that's the point of this story and to me it just got me wanting to read more and to figure out what would happen next. This novel is set up like a diary where each chapter in the book switches and pretty much just talks about how they like each other and the things they do to get each other’s attention. While reading this book it very much reminded me of the high school life and how throughout my four years at this high school in a way I’ve connected to this book. Seeing my friends get crushes or fall in love is a connection I made to this book. Girls gossiping about a cute boy is something I'm sure everyone has gone through and the same when boys gossip about their crush. I think students would like this book because it has a lot of topics and maybe some advice about how to handle situations like this.

Jimena P.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

2014 Abraham Lincoln Award Nominees

The new Abraham Lincoln Award nominees have been announced and we are trying to get enough copies in the LRC as quickly as possible. If you are not familiar with the whole Abe Lincoln Award thing, check out our web page on the yearly award. Trust me, it's awesome.



Here is the whole list:

Across the universe by Beth Revis
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Daughter of smoke and bone by Lani Taylor
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Every day by  David Levithan
Everybody sees the ants by A.S. King
The fault in our stars by John Green
Five flavors of Dumb by Antony John
Hate list by Jennifer Brown
How to save a life by Sara Zarr
I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
Legend by Marie Lu
Marcelo in the real world by Francisco Stork
The night circus: a novel by  Erin Morgenstern
The Pregnancy project: a memoir by  Gaby Rodriguez with Jenna Glatzer
Purple heart by Patricia McCormick
Ready player one by Ernest Cline
Room by Emma Donoghue
Shadow and bone by Leigh Bardugo
Stupid fast by Geoff Herbach
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

And here are some other ways of looking at the nominees:

If you liked The Hunger Games....
Across the universe by Beth Revis
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Legend by Marie Lu
Shadow and bone by Leigh Bardugo

If you like a little magic or little bit of the supernatural with your romance...
Daughter of smoke and bone by Lani Taylor
The night circus: a novel by  Erin Morgenstern

How about an element of mystery?
Across the universe by Beth Revis
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I hunt killers by Barry Lyga

It could happen to you (or someone you know)...
Everybody sees the ants by A.S. King
The fault in our stars by John Green
Five flavors of Dumb by Antony John
Hate list by Jennifer Brown
How to save a life by Sara Zarr
The pregnancy project: a memoir by  Gaby Rodriguez with Jenna Glatzer
Purple heart by Patricia McCormick
Stupid fast by Geoff Herbach
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Happening now in an alternate universe or in the future...
Across the universe by Beth Revis
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Daughter of smoke and bone by Lani Taylor
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Legend by Marie Lu
The night circus: a novel by  Erin Morgenstern
Ready player one by Ernest Cline
Shadow and bone by Leigh Bardugo

A dude's point of view...
Everybody sees the ants by A.S. King
I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
Purple heart by Patricia McCormick
Ready player one by Ernest Cline
Stupid fast by Geoff Herbach

A different point of view...
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Every day by  David Levithan
Five flavors of Dumb by Antony John
Marcelo in the real world by Francisco Stork
Room by Emma Donoghue

Most likely to make you think of Dexter or Hannibal Lecter...
I hunt killers by Barry Lyga

Most likely to make you laugh....
Stupid fast by Geoff Herbach

If you liked Thirteen Reasons Why...
The fault in our stars by John Green
Hate list by Jennifer Brown
How to save a life by Sara Zarr
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Recommended Reading: We Shouldn't Feel This Way, Should We?

Tales of forbidden romance, love triangles, friendship enders and other bad ideas.

F Cohn,R
Cohn, Rachel and David Levithan. Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List.
Naomi and Ely are best friends who have been inseparable since childhood.. They decide to create a No Kiss List of people neither is allowed to kiss to make sure nothing will come between them. There are only two problems. Naomi is in love with Ely and Ely has just kissed Naomi's boyfriend, Bruce. Will their friendship survive?

F Elkeles,S 
Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry. 
Brittany Ellis is popular and wealthy with a seemingly perfect life. Alex Fuentes is a gang member from the other side of town. When they are forced to be lab partners, their contempt for each other is undeniable. When Alex makes a bet with his friends that he can win her over, both of their worlds are turned upside down.

F Korman,G 
Korman, Gordon. Son of the Mob.
Vince Luca has a normal teenage life. He worries about high school, acne and getting a girlfriend. And of course run-ins with the police and FBI! His dad is a mob boss, and even though he tries to keep the family business out of his own, Vince sometimes has to deal with dead bodies in trunks and listening devices in the house. So it figures that when he finally finds a girl he really likes, she turns out to be the daughter of the FBI agent who is after his dad.

F Nelson,J 
Nelson, Jandy. The Sky is Everywhere. 
Lennie Walker, poet and band geek, has happily spent most of her life in her sister Bailey's shadow. But when Bailey dies suddenly, Lennie, her family and Bailey's boyfriend Toby are left to deal with their grief. Even though they feel guilty, Lennie and Toby find themselves powerfully attracted to each other. When a gorgeous new guitar player in town, Joe, starts to pursue her, she has to decide between a boy who understands her grief and one who understands her passion for music.

 F Perkins,S 
Perkins, Stephanie. Anna and the French Kiss.
Anna is not happy about shipped off to boarding school in Paris for her senior year of high school. After all, her best friend and the cute guy she has been flirting with at her movie theater job are back in Atlanta. Then she meets Etienne St. Claire, a beautiful French speaking, English accented boy who is absolutely irresistible. They become fast friends, and potentially something more—if only he didn't have a girlfriend.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Recommended Reading: If you're done with the Twilight series...

Have you read all the Twilight books (twice) and seen all of the movies?   Or are you sick of vampire books? Either way, if you are looking for something new, you might like these series.

F Clare,C 
Clare, Cassandra. City of Bones. 
New Yorker Clary Fray just wanted to go have a good time at the Pandemonium club. She never expected to witness a murder committed by three other teenagers with strange tattoos and unusual weapons. Also, the three teenagers were invisible to everyone else and there was no body or even blood to report to the police. Clary later learns that the other teens were called Shadowhunters, a secret society dedicated to killing demons. In the next twenty-four hours, she is attacked by a demon herself and mother ends up missing. With the help of the gorgeous Shadowhunter Jace and his friends, she learns of a whole new world that has always co-existed with ours.

 F Marr,M 
Marr, Melissa. Wicked Lovely. 
Rules #1-3. Do not stare at invisible faeries, do not speak to them, and definitely don't draw their attention to you. Aislinn has always been able to see faeries, but these rules have always kept her safe, until now. Everything changes when Keenan, the Summer King, chooses her as his mate. She is now involved in the 900 year old struggle between Keenan and his mother, the Winter Queen. If Aislinn refuses him, summer will cease to exist and mortals and faeries will all die. If she accepts, she will lose her own humanity.

F Noel,A 
Noël, Alyson. Evermore.
 Since the car accident that killed her family but spared her, sixteen year old Ever can see other people's auras, hear their thoughts and know their life story by touching them. She goes out of her way to avoid contact with other people until she meets the mysterious. Damen Auguste. She feels an instant connection with him. When she is with him, the noise and chaos in her head subsides. He doesn't have an aura and he always seems to know what she is thinking. But she doesn't really know who, or what, he really is.

F Stiefvater,M 
Stiefvater, Maggie. Shiver.
Grace has watched the wolves outside of her window every winter for years, but she had always been drawn to the mysterious yellow eyed one who seemed to take an interest in here too. What she doesn't know is that these wolves turn into their human form during the summer months. When she meets a boy with the same yellow eyes, she knows somehow that it is him, her wolf. As they start fall for each other, she learns when winter comes again, and with it the change, this could be last year as a human. He will lose Grace and himself forever.

F Taylor,L 
Taylor, Laini. Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
 Karou is a beautiful young art student in a Prague boarding school. Her natural bright blue hair and her sketchbook is filled with pictures of horrible monsters, drawings of the only family she has ever known, the Chimaera, She speaks many languages, not all of them human. She occasionally runs errands for the devil Brimstone, a wishmonger and father figure who has her collect teeth from around the world, especially human ones. You can understand why she doesn't know who she really is or where she came from. One fateful day she meets the seraphim Akiva with whom she feels an instant connection, she finally starts to get the answers she seeks, even if it means the end of her life as she knows it.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Abraham Lincoln Nominees: 5 Book Trailers

The nominees for the Abraham Lincoln Award for 2013 have been announced. So it's time to get down to business and start reading them. There are some great titles on the list--22 of them in fact. Information about the award and the title list can be found on our Abe Lincoln Award page. Here are book trailers for five of the nominees.


1. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld 



2.Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson



3. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey



4. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta



5. Matched by Ally Condie

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Love Stories

February, the heart of Valentine's Day and what better time of year to talk about romance and tainted love. The four books featured this week are full of romance, love, and sometimes hate. 

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Shiver is on the 2011-2012 Abraham Lincoln Nominees list and is a New York Best Seller. It's also the first book in the series called Wolves of Mercy Falls. This Short Video captures some of this fascinating and unique romance.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Dreamland deals with a very tough but real problem for some teenagers. Sarah Dessen delves into teenage love and abuse with compassion and insight. On Caitlin’s 16th birthday her older sister Cass ran away from home with her boyfriend to see the world.

Cass’ behavior allows Caitlin to feel she could reinvent herself now that she has a runaway teen for a sister and in walks Rogerson. Caitlin meets Rogerson at a nursing home where she volunteers. Rogerson is serving community time where Caitlin watches as he sells drugs to one of the nursing home staff members. Rogerson is handsome, rich and no doubt about it the man about town. He sweeps Caitlin off her feet but it doesn’t last long. One day Caitlin witnesses the abuse Rogerson deals with from his father. Rogerson’s confides in Caitlin and once she is in his inner circle of trust he begins to abuse her. This is a story about tainted love and how dreamland is Caitlin's safe place.

Beastly by Alex Flinn
Another great hit this year on the Abraham Lincoln Nominee Award list. This story is based on the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast". How many of you have seen Beastly the movie? If you liked the movie you will love the book. Beastly won WEGO's heart and was selected as the Abraham Lincoln Award Winner for 2011-2012.

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
This is a riveting story that will make you think about your life and your relationships.  Tessa is just 16 and dying of cancer but in a typical teen fashion she decides to make a bucket list on all the things she wants to do before she dies. She wants to have sex, try drugs, fall in love, and say yes to everyone for a day. After completing the first two things on her bucket list she feels empty and unfulfilled until she meets Adam, the boy next door. Their love unfolds at the same time her life is coming to an end. Jenna Downham writes Tessa’s death in a way that you will remember. This book is sad no doubt but it is also filled with hope for the living. Read this with a box of tissues near!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Bad Romance: Stories about Guys Trying to Find Love and Failing Hilariously

Here are five stories about high school guys trying to find trying to get a girlfriend and avoid totally embarassing themselves at the same time--but failing miserably at both. Each one endures awkward momeents and  hilarious humiliations while trying to keep their cool.

F Crawford,B 
Crawford, Brent. Carter Finally Gets It
Will Carter is obsessed with only two things during his freshman year—looking cool and getting a girlfriend. Unfortunately, neither comes easy as he hilariously screws up one chance after another to have either one.

F Doyle,L
Doyle, Larry. I love you, Beth Cooper.
Denis Cooverman, graduating senior and captain of the debate team, declares his love for gorgeous head cheerleader Beth Cooper (who doesn't even know he exists) right in the middle of giving a graduation speech in front of the whole school. The craziest night of his life soon follows.

F Koertge,R
Koertge, Ronald. Where the Kissing Never Stops
Life is already hard for 16 year old Walker. His dad has died and his girlfriend has moved away. To make matters worse, his mother decides to take a job as a stripper to support the family. There goes his social life—especially if the cute new girl in school who he has a crush on finds out..

F Korman,G
Korman, Gordon. Son of the Mob
Viice Luca has the hardest time finding and keeping a girlfriend. What's the deal? He is a nice, good looking 17 year old guy, but he also the son of a powerful Mafia boss. After finally finding a girl with potential, it turns out she is the daughter of  an FBI agent investigating his family.

F Wizner,J
Wizner, Jake. Spanking Shakespeare.
Shakespeare Shapiro's parents cursed him with a name that has caused him humiliation all through school. At least he's a good writer like his namesake. It is senior year and all students at his school have to write a memoir of their life so far as a final project. He hopes that his will win the prize for best memoir, and possibly get him a girlfriend (or at least a prom date).

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

See Laini Taylor Speak on Wednesday September 28th

National Book Award Finalist Laini Taylor will be at WEGO on September 28th during periods 7 and 8 to talk about her newest book Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Check with your English teacher to see if your class will be attending or feel free to sign up here. A field trip form will be required for attendance. Copies are available in the LRC.

Student Sign Up Form: Sign Up






A description from the publisher:


"Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?" -Hachette Book Group
More Resources
Laini Taylor's Blog
Daughter of Smoke and Bone: Official Website

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

I liked the book more than the movie. It was interesting and exciting to read because it was a story that the Prince of Genovia had a baby daughter with a poor girl. I wanted to keep reading it until I finished it. Also, the book had interesting scenes to read because they were really funny. One of the reasons I liked this story a lot is because it is a fiction book. Other people will enjoy this book because it is just like a fairy tale book if one day you wanted to be a princess but you could never imagine you are actually a princess. If you like fiction books I would recommend this one.

 
Claudia P.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I, like a lot of other girls, am a big fan of the Twilight movies. A lot of people told me the book is so much better than the movie. So, I figured it would be great for me to read the book since I loved the movie so much. The movie was great, but after reading the book, I realized a lot was left out in the movie. Things in the movie were changed where as in the book it was better. The movie left out a lot of key moments in the book and had some confusing parts. The book explained more things in detail. I think other students would like this book because it is 20 times better than the movie. It keeps you wanting to read more and more even though most likely you get the jist of what is going to happen because of the movie. Even after watching the movie more than once I still got stuck to the book, staying up all night reading it and not wanting to put it down. I think this book would get the same reaction from other students as the reaction I had. I love the book and I think others would too. Like me, others would want to keep reading the series and still watch all the movies.

Arely R.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The author, Stephenie Meyer, wrote the Twilight series including Twilight New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. I read the last book, Breaking Dawn. This book is about Bella and Edward finally getting married. It’s the gossip of the town, Forks. Some people say they are getting married because Bella is probably pregnant or they say they are getting married because they truly love each other. After the wedding Bella and Edward go on their honeymoon to Isle Esme, an island in the Atlantic Ocean near the equator. Edward finally overcomes his fear of hurting Bella while making love to her. Bella and Edward finally make love to each other. Then, suddenly something unexpected happens; Bella starts getting sick. What could it be? Edward finally finds out what’s wrong with Bella. She’s pregnant. Edward wants to kill what’s growing inside of Bella because whatever it is it’s killing Bella. Bella doesn’t want to kill it, whatever happens to her happens; she wants the baby to live at all cost. When they finally fly back to Forks Bella tells her dad, Charlie, she caught a disease on their honeymoon and she won’t be able to see him for awhile. Jacob gets desperate because he thinks Bella has become a vampire. When he goes to visit Bella he gets a huge surprise when he sees Bella with her big crooked, unshaped stomach. Finally, Bella has her baby girl, Renesmee, a name combined together after Bella’s mom and Edward’s mom. When the Volturi, the leaders of the vampire world, find out they come to destroy the baby. Since they want to destroy the baby a war is about to begin. The Volturi then decide not to kill Renesmee. How will their lives be now? How does it end? Find out by reading the entire book.

Mary R.

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

The Last Song is a very good book for people who like romantic stories with a bit of drama. This story was about a 17-year old girl, Ronnie, who is devastated when she finds out her parents are getting a divorce. Her mom thinks it would be in her best interest to go spend the summer with her father in Wilmington, South Carolina. Ronnie gets to South Carolina and falls in love with a boy she met at the beach. This boy made a big impact on Ronnie. Ronnie’s dad, being the awesome pianist he is, entertains Ronnie by playing several different songs for her on the piano. A few weeks into Ronnie’s visit, her dad gets very ill. I really enjoyed this book because I didn’t ever want to put it down and it constantly kept me wondering what was going to happen next.



Stefanie T.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Personally, I did not care for this book because I felt it was slow and dragged on somewhat. I thought I would like this book because I usually like to read love stories but this one had a depressing feeling to it. I would recommend this book to someone who likes very detailed stories that have a sad side as well as a love story involved. This book was about a girl who recently lost her sister and she finds herself stuck in a love triangle between Joe and Toby.

Molly C.

A Promise for Ellie by Lauraine Snelling

A Promise for Ellie

Based on reality in the 1900s, A Promise for Ellie is an inspiration for any young couple ready for marriage who are going through hardships with either bills, wedding plans or other marital problems.


Ellie Wold, the main character, along with Andrew Bjorklund, have been planning ever since grade school to get married after harvest season. When the time finally comes, they announce their engagement. Andrew promises Ellie the life she’s always wanted but with his stubbornness, he always ends up angry with another character named Toby, who has always been on Andrew’s tail.

This story takes you to another level. Throughout the story, both of them are tested for their love for one another, for their faith and for their hardships. To keep their love alive and strong, they write letters to each other. While Andrew is building their new home in Blessing, North Dakota, Ellie is at home preparing for her new life as being the new Mrs. Bjorklund. When tragedy strikes, it’s up to the two of them to work together to keep their love strong and alive.

Alina K.

Perfect Chemistry- Simone Elkeles

This book is another Romeo and Juliet story. Alex is more of a poor boy from the South side of Chicago. He’s a very smart young man and good at school. His mother is hard working and he helps take care of his little brothers while his mom works. He’s a poor Latino Blood who goes to school with a girl named Brittany he doesn’t like at all.

Brittany is a rich girl from the north side of Chicago who goes to school with Alex; her family is kind of neglectful. Well, Alex and Brittany end up having Chemistry class together and have to be partners. They didn’t know they would actually start liking each other. This book is a page turner. Do you think Brittany and Alex will end up in a relationship together or not? This book is full of surprises and twists, so read it to find out.

Cearia P.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Dear John is the best book I've ever read. I really think it has a good story line and if you've seen the movie, the book is just like it. It still is a tear jerker. But, it gives the story a completely different outlook even when you know what is going to happen next. If you haven't seen the movie, the book is still extremely interesting and one to sit down and enjoy.

I saw the movie when I was half way through reading the book and that ruined the ending for me. However, it also helped me understand the beginning of the story a little better. I would recommend reading the book first since reading gives you a different view of the story because you're using your imagination and not as much of the movie director’s imagination. It's much different seeing the story happen within your head.

The book has an astonishing story line and it knows how to keep your attention all throughout the story. There is always something happening so you never want to put down the book. The end of every chapter is a cliff hanger until you read the next one. Reading this book opened my eyes to realize books don't always have to have a happy ending.



Koressa F.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Useful Fools by C.A. Schmidt

"Useful Fools" is a cute story about one young couple. You will enjoy this book if romantic type stories are your thing because this young couple is inseparable. Alonso and Rosa helped out at their parent’s health clinic but are forced to be on the run. Alonso's mother was killed by a terrorist group and he was forced to leave the area. Yet he was able to keep his relationship with Rosa, who left her wealthy family to be with Alonso. He ended up joining the terrorist group which killed his mom.



Uriel F.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

A great book I will suggest you read is “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks. If you enjoy reading about true and long lasting love and real life experiences, you will definitely love this book. Allie is a woman who has lost her memory but with the help of her husband, she starts to remember certain things. When they were young their love lives faced many complications. They both liked each other very much but couldn't be with each other because Allie’s family would never allow it. In the end they reunited and lived happily ever after.

Teresa B.