Pumpkinheads

A cute, albeit mildly underwhelming, story about high school crushes taking their chances before it's to late. Josiah and Deja have worked at the "world's best" pumpkin patch for the past three falls. They're super tight seasonal friends but that's all about to end. They're both seniors and they know that this is their last night working at their favorite place. Deja is nostalgic about the food that she'll miss and she's also convinced that Josiah has to talk to his crush, fudge girl or he'll regret it for the rest of his life. Deja convinces Josiah that they need to make their last night count and they are going to run all over this pumpkin patch seeking out the best food, sights, sounds, and of course, the infamous fudge girl. This book is very atmospheric and it makes you want fall, pumpkins, scarecrows, kettle corn, and  corn mazes RIGHT NOW. Also, maybe a pumpkin spice coffee or two as well. Cute, and amazingly well drawn, this little romantic graphic novel is sure to be a hit with teens.

Carry On

A cute and engrossing read for fans of Fangirl, fantasy, Harry Potter and teen LGBT books. The fantasy world is well built and the spells and culture is awesome. I was also a huge fan of the characters. Told through multiple perspectives, Carry On tells the story of Simon Snow's final year at Watford (magic school) and his quest to defeat the Insidious Humdrum, find out what his conniving vampire roommate Baz is up to, and figure out what his place in the magical community is. Sometimes it's tough being the chosen one. Laugh out loud funny in parts, this story of magic, friendship, and love is well worth a read and not just for teens :)

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

I LOVED this short story collection! I just want to wrap up this book and give it to all my friends for Christmas. It's freaking adorable! The collection of authors who have stories in here is impressive, they're all kings and queens of the YA market. There is Holly Black, Rainbow Rowell, David Levithan, Gayle Forman, Laini Taylor and several more. Each short story is holiday themed romance, but beyond that, they vary wildly! There is Hannakuh, New Years, Krampus Day; Kelly Link throws some fantasy in her London Christmas story, David Levithan throws ho ho homosexuals in (adorable and sad story, as always), Holly Black gets wild in "Krampuslauf," and there is much much more. I read this book in a span of one day, and I was not disappointed in a single story! I think my two favorites were by Holly Black and Stephanie Perkins. This is a must read for teens and adults this holiday season. You seriously won't be disappointed. Best holiday book I've read in a long time, perhaps... ever?!

Fangirl

I could not put this book down! I loved every painful, hysterical, endearing second of it and it made me love Rainbow Rowell even more! I thought Eleanor and Park was good but this is EVEN better. It rang soo true and I love how real it felt. The characters in this story are so believable that it's sad when you realize that they are fictional. This story follows identical twins, Cath and Wren, has they embark on their first year of college. Wren is outgoing and quickly turns into a party girl but quiet, reserved Cath has a hard time even leaving the room. It's safer when she's working on the latest installment of her fanfiction. Cath is an amazing writer and she loves to lose herself to the world of Simon Snow. It's hard for her to adjust to a big state college with lots of people, hard assignments, and a new social order. When Cath's roommate Reagan and her friend, Levi, take her under their wings she starts to wonder if there is maybe more to life than her fanfiction. It's a story of friendship, first love, growing up, and obviously fanfiction. It's funny, believable, and oh so good. What are you waiting for?!? Read this book!

Landline

You've got to give Rainbow Rowell credit, she can write the shit out of realistic female characters. She makes you relate to her characters by giving them real people flaws, unlike so many authors that make the female leads to pretty, perfect, self absorbed, etc. Rainbow is honest, and her writing shows that. She can also easily transition between writing adult and young adult novels which takes some serious talent. I can't wait to read more of her work. I haven't read Fangirl or Attachments yet, but I did read and love Eleanor and Park. Basically, if you like Rainbow Rowell as an author, then read this. And if you haven't? Read it anyway.

Eleanor and Park

There has been soo much good hype surrounding this story that I was more than eager to pick this bad boy up. What really drew me into this book was the realness of it. It didn't feel fake like many other of the young adult romances I've read. This book was seeped with emotion, heartfelt, sad, funny, and painful emotion.

This story is set in the eighties but it's not your typical John Highes romance. Eleanor and Park have nothing in common (or so they think) and they start off feeling nothing but embarrassment and resentment towards each other. Eleanor is a plump red headed, eccentric girl who's new in town. She has a hidden secret though. Her family life is AWFUL. Her stepfather is an abusive drunk and she has to protect her four younger siblings from his frequent outbursts. She views school as another obstacle that she has to tackle, that is until she gets to know Park.

Park is the shy yet mildly popular half Korean kid. When he first sets eyes on Eleanor he is just embarrassed for her. He only shares his bus seat with her out of pity. Soon though he starts sharing his comics, then his mix tapes, and then FINALLY they start talking and realize how perfect they are for each other... except that they're not. This is high school and nothing is perfect.

Everyone will be able to relate with some aspects of this book. It's raw, heartfelt, and gets right to the heart of what it feels like to young, confused, and in love.