Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lia and Cassie were best friends who shared secrets about how to “stay in control.” Then Cassie died. . .alone, in a hotel room. She had tried to call Lia 35 times that night, but Lia didn’t answer. Now the reason for Cassie’s calls and Cassie’s death haunt Lia and her emotional balance is about to tip too far. How far will Lia go? And at what point will she realize she has gone too far and will it be too late to turn around?     Â
Wow, what a great story! The writing is so good. Anderson creates a poetic reading experience with interesting descriptions and unique word choices. I kept reading wondering at what point the main character, Lia, was going to realize that her thinking was only leading her down a path of self-destruction. If she kept going, she was going to die. Why couldn’t she see it? Having never experienced an eating disorder myself, the thoughts and voices inside Lia’s head were quite revealing. A very powerful, moving story of one girl’s desperate thoughts and actions.
If you like Twilight, you better put this book on your list of read alikes. It has much the same romantic tension combined with mythological creatures that makes Twilight hard to put down.
After living on the run for two years, Rose and Lissa are captured and returned to Vampire Academy where they are suppposed to be students. Lissa is a Moroi, or a mortal vampire, and Rose is a dhampir, a mix of human and vampire. Rose’s role as a guardian means her life is dedicated to protecting the Moroi from the very dangerous Strigoi. The Strigoi are ruthless, immortal vampires who love Moroi blood. 
If you read the Hunger Games, you will definitely want to read this sequel. In the last book, Katniss defied the Capitol by saving not only herself from the Hunger Games but her fellow tribute, Peeta. There is only supposed to be one survivor of the Hunger Games, but Katniss and Peeta beat the odds. The act that saved them has had unintended consequences however, and now there are rumblings of rebellion in the other districts in Panem. Back in District 12, Katniss should be happy because as a winner everything is provided for her and her family, but she isn’t. Her best friend Gale keeps her at a distance and Peeta doesn’t talk to her much either. When President Snow comes to visit before Katniss’ and Peeta’s victory tour, he makes it clear that it is up to Katniss and Peeta to diffuse the idea that they were trying to spark a rebellion. But Katniss has never had fond feelings toward President Snow or the Capitol and begins to think that maybe an uprising wouldn’t be such a bad thing. If you liked the action in the Hunger Games, you won’t be disappointed as Catching Fire has the significant 75th Hunger Games. And if you’re like me, when you finish you will be hungering for the next installment.
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Isabel is devastated when she and her sister Ruth are not freed upon the death of their mistress, despite what was written in the mistress’ will. Sold into slavery to a cruel husband and wife who are not sympathetic to the American Revolution, Isabel finds herself in New York City during a tumultuous time. Isabel has no particular loyalties to either side, other than wondering which side would more likely offer her freedom. When she becomes friends with Curzon, a slave with patriot ties, he encourages her to spy on her Loyalist owners. It is a dangerous venture, but Isabel sees it as an opportunity for freedom. After all if a whole country can seek its freedom, why not one girl.
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