What We’re Reading

Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book One: The Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan

Rating:

Percy Jackson hasn’t had the easiest time of it. No father, evil step-father, loving mother who he’s always parted from, new school every year… Then his math teacher turns into an evil monster, who he kills when his Latin teacher throws him a pen that morphs into a sword, and he really knows something’s different about him.

There’s not a lot more to say, without giving away most of the plot, but let’s just say that the peaceful trip to shore Percy and his mother plan turns anything but, and the ensuing adventure of trying to reach Half-Blood Hill is just the beginning.

Fantasy or adventure fan? You’re sure to fall in love with this series!

Find it in the Catalog

Born to Rock | Gordon Korman

Rating:

Leo Caraway considers himself to be at a slight disadvantage. You see, he has a genetic hijacker in his bloodstream–and how can he be held responsible? He knows nothing about the man who contributed half of his DNA, other than his name, which he really only stumbled onto by chance. Until he reads his best friend’s English Term Paper, that is.

After years of unanswered questions from his mother, Leo learns one simple internet search would have given him all he wanted to know. McMurphy, the genetic hijacker, just so happens to be the front man for one of Punk Rock’s all-time beloved bands–Purge. And as fate would have it, right on top of this discovery comes the news that Purge is reuniting for a tour. With his scholarship to Harvard lost to him (and unfairly at that), Leo concludes the only thing to do is find and confront this King Maggot and try to get the money from him.

In an unlikely turn of events, Leo goes from Young Republican (which was actually an unlikely event in itself) to Roadie, landing a summer job with Purge. With his mother in denial, his father having confronted the King to ensure his safety on the trip, and his best friend no longer speaking to him, off he goes.

Along the way, he learns quite a bit, though not all that much about being a Roadie. Nothing turns out at all how he’d imagined, but in the end, it’s actually all for the better.

Very quick and funny read, from the first sentence to the last.

Find it in the Catalog

No Right Turn | Terry Trueman

Rating:

At age 13, Jordan James is home alone with his father when he hears a gunshot. Right away, he knows what’s happened. And although his following actions are brave beyond belief, that’s not how they stick in his mind. His rendition of events leads him to slowly become invisible. He pushes away all his friends, discontinues dealings with anyone who wants to talk about, or knows about, his father, and by Junior year, is essentially anonymous.

That year, his mother begins dating again. Don, who lives down the street from Jordan and his mom, is the proud owner of a ‘76 Corvette Stingray. After one ride in the car, Jordan is hooked. He begins regularly stopping by to help Don work on the ‘Vette after school. And once he learns the keys are always in it, begins to sneak out at night to borrow it.

One such night, out for a joyride, he comes upon Becka Thorson on the side of the road, needing help. Becka is a “cheerleader goddess,” and Jordan can’t believe his luck. The minor details that he’s lied to her about who he is, and about owning the car, don’t seem to matter in contrast to the fact that she likes him. But the lies quickly pile up and things begin to spin out of Jordan’s control.

As has to happen, his luck eventually runs out, and he gets caught. But this doesn’t turn out to be the disaster he foresaw. And in the end, it’s this climax of events that leads Jordan to do what he never could before. Open up, let go, and begin to heal.

Find it in the Catalog

Life Expectancy | Dean Koontz

Rating:

Jimmy Tock came into the world on a night his family would never forget.

On his deathbed, his Grandfather awoke long enough to predict five terrible dates in the life of his grandson. Pacing between the ICU and Maternity, Rudy Tock had a stressful night, added to by the anger of his Maternity Ward mate, Konrad Beezo. Of course, a murderous clown would be a lot to handle any day of the week.

Despite the odds, the Tock family survives that fateful night at the hospital. What none of them realize is that the echoes of that ordeal will sound throughout their lifetimes, in ways they couldn’t imagine.

Find it in the Catalog