Lydia's Picks

Cleopatra's Moon (Hardcover)

By Vicky Alvear Shecter
$18.99
ISBN-13: 9780545221306
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Arthur A. Levine Books, 8/2011
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This is a really good historical fiction novel about Cleopatra’s daughter, Selene.  This novel follows a decade of Selene’s life from age 7 to 16 as she grows up during a significant time in history.  Selene narrates her life from when she is a little girl living in Alexandria with her family when her mother was in full power ruling Egypt to the changes and heartache Selene goes through as she tries to survive after the fall of the Egyptian empire and the deaths of her mother and father.  I don’t usually read historical fiction but I thought this was an intriguing, well-written novel and I enjoyed it very much.  At the end of the book the author provides a “Facts Within The Fiction” section, which was interesting and helpful after I finished the novel and I found myself curious about what was fact and what was fiction within the novel

Divergent (Hardcover)

By Veronica Roth
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780062024022
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Katherine Tegen Books, 5/2011
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Divergent is set in Chicago in a dystopian future where society is divided into five factions & each is dedicated to a certain virtue: honesty, selfless, bravery, peaceful, & the learned.  Every year, all 16-year-olds must choose a faction they will devote the rest of their lives to.  For Beatrice, aka Tris, it's not an easy choice & when it's her turn to choose Tris quickly realizes that maybe everything & everyone isn't what it seems.  Tris has to struggle through a lot on her own & she doesn't seem like a strong, powerful character - she's not magical or psychically strong or skilled in anything - but she figures out how to overcome her obstacles in her own, unique way.  This is a really good novel that I couldn’t put down. 

Before I Fall (Hardcover)

By Lauren Oliver
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780061726804
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 3/2010
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This novel focuses on Samantha's last day when she dies at 17-years-old.  Samantha has to relive her last day six more times and through it all she learns a lot about herself and her friends.  I got really caught up in Samantha's story as she goes on this journey and not only learns how to make things right but she ends up accepting her fate so beautifully that I was left in awe and amazement.  This novel never failed to surprise and amaze me with all kinds of twists and unexpected events that once I got really into it I couldn't put it down.  I loved this book.  This is a beautiful novel that is well worth looking at.  

 ****Note:  Before I Fall is coming out in paperback October 25th, 2011 which all of the stores have on order so we will have it in paperback when it comes out.  Paperback ISBN: 9780061726811

Vixen (Paperback)

By Jillian Larkin
$9.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740357
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Ember, 8/2011
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A great new novel set in Chicago during the Roaring ‘20s!  This book has it all: jazz, booze, boys (good and bad), Chicago mobs, danger and intrigue.  This novel takes turns telling the story through the point of view of three young women.  This is a good debut novel from author Jillian Larkin that is worth checking out. 

The Lonely Hearts Club (Paperback)

By Elizabeth Eulberg
$8.99
ISBN-13: 9780545140324
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Point, 1/2011
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This is a really good novel about 16-year-old, Penny Lane Bloom, who is tired of boys hurting and disappointing her.  Inspired by the only 4 men who have never broken her heart – John, Paul, George, and Ringo (The Beatles) – Penny starts the Lonely Hearts Club, as the only member, where she’s not going to date anymore and instead she’s going to focus on herself and enjoy the benefits of being single.  Soon, lots of girls want to join and the club quickly becomes a big deal.  Penny has to deal with all kinds of obstacles the Club faces but through it all Penny learns a lot about herself and becomes a stronger person.  I really enjoyed this novel!  It’s definitely worth a read! 
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