Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

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Publication date: 2011
Publisher: Crown Archetype
Pages: 219
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 16+

Comedienne, writer, and actor, Kaling presents a memoir full of humor, and almost surprisingly profound advice. In this book you'll discover everything about why Kaling no longer eats cupcakes to how she made it to show business. For those only familiar with Kaling's character "Kelly Kapoor" from The Office,   you'll be delighted to learn that Kaling was a bookish little girl and has an Ivy League education.

There is something about comedians . . . they always seem so down to earth, as well as unashamed to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Kaling is no different. Her writing actually caused me to laugh out loud at times, as well as nod my head in agreement with her thoughts on marriage and one night stands.

If anyone should be a role model to teen girls, it should be Kaling. She is a woman who is respectful of her parents, took her education seriously, and followed her dreams. But she also shares her failings (like when she was kicked out of work by her boss), and unique ideas on how to leave a party you don't want to be at. This is a great book for older teens who are looking toward the future after high school, as well as those adults who are still trying to figure out what they are doing in their life. Or, maybe you just need a laugh.

*I do not receive any compensation from Amazon

Me Since You by Laura Wiess

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 342
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 16+

Rowan's life changes forever the day she skips school. One man's action ripples outward, changing her, her cop father, her librarian mother, and a boy she's never seen before, in ways they could never have imagined. Everyone in town knows, and everyone in town has their own opinion, so how can Rowan find the peace she needs to keep on going?

This is a deeply moving book about family, grief, depression, and suicide. It's the kind of book that stays with you for a little while after you finish reading it, leaving you feeling a little morose.

The book is kind of split into two different sections, with the second half of the book being almost completely about Rowan dealing with her and her mother's grief. Truthfully, the second half is hard to read. It felt long, not because of the writing, but because it felt real. Grief is long. It takes time. And sometimes--a lot of the time--you fall apart. And things affect you in ways you didn't realize, even when you think you're getting better.

Because of this, as well as language, teen partying/drinking/smoking, I would recommend parents read it and discuss it with their teenagers.

*I am not compensated by Amazon.

Unraveled: A Tale of True Love by Julie Daines

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Pages: 185
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 14+

Bronwyn has been crippled for years; her legs made weak by the same sickness that took her father and siblings. She knows she won't ever marry, and will instead live with her mother the rest of her life. Then a witch, the Gwyllion, comes to their home and leaves a pair of shoes that magically straighten and strengthen Bronwyn's legs. The future is finally open to her and she longs for love. But the lies she tells soon capture her in their web and she's not sure if she'll ever be free.

This book is a short, fast read. Which is good, because 50 pages in I already knew all of the major plot points and continued to read it just to make sure I was right. It's a new kind of fairytale, which is why I was so ready to read it, but I was disappointed with how predictable it was, without any sort of twist to make me doubt my predictions.

The writing is good, and the setting of a Wales-like country was intriguing. But I was glad it was so short. I was tired of Bronwyn's lies and her attempts to cover things up. I had to remind myself that she was only sixteen and therefore was prone to make some bad decisions. I think this will be good for younger teens, and those who want a quick, light read.

*I am not compensated by Amazon.

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Vintage Books
Pages: 324
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 18+

In a continuation of the hit TV series and movie comes the beginning of a new book series. Picking up where the movie ended, Veronica is taking on Neptune's corrupt sheriff's department as she tries to find two missing spring break co-eds. With her dad recovering from his injuries, and no money coming in, Veronica must deal with the surprises thrown at her as she goes against Sheriff Lamb, a drug cartel, and her own insecurities.

I'm a big fan of "Veronica Mars" and was pretty excited about this book, hoping to be able to give in to my Mars need with a new story. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed--perhaps my expectations were too high?

Call me a cynic, but whenever I see two names on the cover of a novel, and one of those names is a well known one and quite a bit bigger than the other name, I tend to think that it was really the second person who did most of the work, as an acknowledged sort of ghost writer. While Thomas created the characters, and probably had a supervisory role on the storyline, I just didn't feel that the writing was up to the standards set forth in the series and movie. The one liners weren't as good and it was missing the "noir" feel that really made Veronica Mars unique. Instead, it could have been any mystery novel. There was also a lot of language that I wasn't used to, having the show come from network TV and a PG-13 movie.

I did feel that the plot, mystery, and resolution lived up to what I had come to expect. It kept you guessing, and gave some gasp-worthy twists. For the casual Mars fan, these books would be great. And, you know, despite everything I've said, I may read the other ones. But I don't think I'll buy them.

*I am not compensated by Amazon.

3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares

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Publication date: 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 318
My rating: 3 stars
Ages: 12+

Ama, Jo, and Polly have been friends since the first day of third grade, but by the last day of middle school they had drifted apart. Jo wants to be popular and thinks Polly needs to grow up. Ama spends all of her time either doing homework or in the library--doing homework. But during the summer before high school all three learn what friendship is and grow closer together.

This book takes place at the same time as the fourth Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book. There are a few appearances of the original sisterhood, but they are not the focus.

While the individual stories were interesting, I just didn't feel that 3 Willows held the same kind of emotional impact as the original series did. There wasn't the same heart, nor did I care as much about Ama, Jo, and Polly as I did about the previous sisterhood. But, as a standalone, this is a fun read, especially good for younger teens.

There was one thing at the beginning that threw me off. There is a time when the three girls all share how they became friends, but at first I thought that they were letters written to the other girls, then I realized that it was a first person perspective. But it only happened at the beginning and not more than two or three times. Other than that, the writing was well executed and the pacing of the three plots was good.

*I do not receive compensation from Amazon.

My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding

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Publication date: 2012
Publisher: Penquin
Pages: 318
My rating: 3.5 stars
Ages: 16+

In this memoir of an "English Treasure," Balding discusses what it was like growing up the daughter of a champion race horse trainer. As the daughter she was seen as less than her brother, but during her time in the amateur racing circuit, she proves to everyone just what a woman can achieve. Balding's storytelling is quintessentially British, showcasing the stereotype that Brits only show affection to dogs and horses.

I was first drawn to My Animals when I saw an interview with Balding in which she discussed this book. Being American, I had never heard of Balding, nor did I know much of anything about racing (other than what I had picked up from movies such as National Velvet and Seabiscuit). But I wanted to read her book because it seemed so odd to me that the Queen Mum would eat breakfast with the family of the man who trains her horses.

For the most part, Balding explains the racing terms in such a way that even someone like me can understand. But it's really more than racing--I would say that the racing is actually a secondary part of My Animals. I think it's more about growing up thinking that you need to be a certain way to get recognition from your family, and that you need to meet certain expectations. I like the uniqueness of having the chronology given through which dogs where in her life or which horse she was riding, though I felt a little thrown about in some of her chapters as she would go forward or backward in time and then return to whatever event she was initially talking about. They were all related, it just seemed abrupt.

This is a good read for older teens and up, especially those who like horses.

*I am not compensated by Amazon.

Cress by Marissa Meyer

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 550
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 14+
Series: The Lunar Chronicles, book 3

In this continuing story, Cinder, Scarlet, and the rest go to rescue Cress--a lunar "shell" being kept on a satellite orbiting earth. In the process of the rescue, the group is split up and must find each other again while coming up with a plan on how to stop the wedding between Emperor Kaito and Queen Levana.

There are few series that I'll read all of, and even fewer that I look forward to the next installment every year. The Lunar Chronicles is one of those. Each book is fresh, without feeling as if the story is being dragged on past its expiration point. I think this is because of the introduction of new characters and a new subplot in each book.

The Lunar Chronicles will be loved by sci-fi fans, as well as fans of fantasy, fairytales, and dystopia. Each new section has a sentence or two from the classic fairytale that book is focusing on, but Meyer presents the familiar stories in a unique and unexpected way--leaving you guessing what's going to happen next, and excited when you recognize a part of the fairytale we all know. The books may be long, but the pace is good, and for teens (even younger teens with a higher reading level) who have read Harry Potter, it will be easy for them to make it through. Book 4, Winter, will come out probably next January.

*I am not compensated by Amazon.