The Red Blazer Girls

The book was refreshing—it had a unique plot and a host of engaging, interesting characters for whom the reader immediately is empathetic to. The characters were diverse, and the book showed many of the wonders of the city. Overall, it's perfect for a bit of light reading. I can't wait to get the next one in the series, and look forward to seeing how things develop for this team of intelligent, vivacious students.The Red Blazer Girls, by Michael Beil, is the kick-off to a series that has so far pleasantly surprised. It features a group of scarlet-clad thirteen year olds (Sophie, Margaret, Becca, and Leigh Ann), who stumble upon their first case while in the vast, drafty old church directly next to their school—St. Veronica's. they meet and elderly lady living alone in an apartment next to the church. She recently found, tucked inside a dusty, leather-book, a note. From her late father to her estranged daughter, Caroline, the note contained the first clue to a treasure hunt meant for Caroline when she turned thirteen. The woman enlists the girls' help in following the clues. Their chase will lead them to a prize grander than they ever imagined—the only problem is, they're not the only ones searching for it.

The Lucky Ones

I initially picked out The Lucky Ones because it is by the same author who wrote The Luxe series (which I read earlier this year), Anna Godbersen. This book is similar to her other series, in the way that it focuses on the rich, beautiful, and important people and their numerous scandals, and is set in an earlier time period. In her first series it was the 1890s—in this book, it is the 1920s. They seemed to me renditions of Gossip Girl, the difference being the time period. They are well written, fast-paced, dramatic, and full of detail, so I was very much entertained. Upon finishing the book, I realized that it was not, as I believed, the first in Godbersen's second series, but the the third. Which in retrospect explained why they talked of huge plot developments that had happened before the beginning of the book. Though this disappointed me, I still enjoyed the book, and have a feeling that the first two should be at least as good as the first.

The books are told in third person, buts the events alternately relate to three best friends—Astrid, Cordelia, and Letty. The book is set in the time period of prohibition—and  alcohol being banned hasn't stopped people from drinking it. Cordelia Grey is the daughter of a deceased bootlegger (an illegal alcohol salesman and owner of various contraband clubs and bars). She and her brother Charlie have been left in charge of the illicit business. Charlie has recently married Astrid, who is quickly realizing that her husband is not who she thought he was, and is spending more and more time with her bodyguard, an employee of Charlie's, than her husband. Letty has recently moved to New York City to become an actress, and is being generously taken under the wing of Valentine and Sophia, two famous movie stars. But Letty finds herself developing feelings for Valenine, she moves into the dangerous field of pursuing a married man.

The Heist Society

I just read The Heist Society, by Ally Carter. The protagonist, Katarina Bishop (Kat),  is the fifteen year old daughter of Robert Bishop, a world-renowned thief. The Bishops and their extended family have all worked together to pull off some of the biggest heists in history. Their life is crime. In Kat's family, children knew how to pickpocket someone before they learned to tie their shoes. She was no exception. But she realized it wasn't the life she wanted. Three months previously, she managed to con her way into the best boarding school in the world. Once admitted, she left the world of thievery behind. But when Hale, a rich (and gorgeous) sixteen-year-old friend of the family, pulls Kat out of boarding school to tell her that her father is being blamed for stealing five priceless paintings residing in the private collocation of Arturo Taccone, a very wealthy, very dangerous man, she has to leave to save her father. The deadline to return Taccone's paintings to him is in two weeks. If Kat  doesn't succeed, not only does her father die, but so does Hale, as well as other members of her family. The problem is, she doesn't have the paintings. Neither does her father. She knows, however, that the reside on the opposite side of five paintings in the Henley—possibly the greatest and best protected museum in the world.

I expected this too be an okay book at best. By the time I finished it, it had pretty much risen to my Top Ten list, which most books don't even get close too. The writing was dramatic and descriptive, and kept me entertained the whole time. I also loved the wide variety of locations—the book was organized so that after each section was a page that stated the number of days until the deadline and the particular place they were in. It made the book more exciting, and allowed for a glimpse into the world of an elite class of thieves. Despite this, the story was still relatable. Kat is struggling between loyalty to her family, and doing what she wants. And all while the main plot is developing, characters and their relationships are developing, common issues are arising. The relationships are also very realistic; in other words, complicated. The author also shows the desirability of this glamorous, high-risk, high reward, and frankly unimaginable world. It is a world where normal rules and expectations don't apply, where you visit four countries in a day, unaccompanied by anyone over eighteen She also shows a world where you must be completely dependent on yourself, where you spend about ten days a year with parents bust blinds potting cameras and forging masterpieces. I loved this book; it was amazing, and unlike any I've ever seen. I highly recommend it.

Looking For Alaska

When I first started reading the Looking For Alaska, by John Green, I was immediately sucked in. The writing is fluid and vivid, and the characters so charismatic that the book is almost physically impossible to put down. The book is about Miles, nicknamed 'Pudge' an ironic comment on his thin figure. The book follows him as he, friendless and alone, moves to Culver Creek Boarding School. Here he meets his roommate, Chip (the Colonel), and Alaska Young, among others. They immediately pull him into a tidal wave of pranks, contraband, and fun. Nothing is ever the same again.

This has become one of my favorite books I've read this year—emotionally riveting and intense as well as clever and philosophical, it is both endearing and heart-wrenching. Through the changes in Pudge's life he retains his voice and personality, which enhances the reading experience greatly. I also love the way the characters and their lives are portrayed honestly, without being made unrealistically dramatic or glamorous. The story is well written while also being probable, which helps you to see yourself in the protagonist's shoes. It's wide cast allows for diversity in personalities, which keeps the book interesting. The books is amazing—it's a great book for everyone, and I strongly recommend it.

The Name of This Book is a Secret

I just finished reading The Name of This Book is a Secret, by Psuedonymous Bosch. The book tells  story of Cass and Max-Ernest, two lonely students with very distinctive personalities who find each other by chance. They hear about a mysterious fire that supposedly killed a retired magician, leaving behind an odor of rotten eggs and a mysterious box labeled The Symphony of Smells. It contains 99 vials, each filled with a powder, liquid, or object containing a specific smell. Upon breaking and entering into the house of the dead magician, they meet the evil Ms. Mauvis and Dr. L, leaders of the Midnight Sun, people who have kept themselves young for as long as hundreds of years, striving for complete immortality. After  this encounter, they find themselves caught up in a deadly struggle between two secret societies for the Secret—the key to eternal life.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons, one being that the characters had really rich personalities that enhanced the readers experience. The plot was interesting and unique, but what really fascinated me was the style of the writing. I love how the author himself is an actual character separate from the plot but involved in it as well. While the story follows Cass and Max-Ernest and their growing involvement with the secret, some chapters are devoted to the author. He is often being chased by the Midnight Sun, or is involved with characters from the book. I liked the parts were the author portrayed himself as involved in the plot—it makes it seem as if the book has been brought to life. The book bears many similarities to Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Both authors publish their work under pseudonyms—Bosch goes as far as tho include the word Pseudonym in his first name. They both include sections separate from the text with the authors perspective, and use layout creatively. They also both include hidden patterns or messages in their writing, such as Pseudonymous Bosch and Max-Ernest being altered versions of Heronomous Bosch and Max Ernst, two famous artists. I really enjoyed this book, and thought it was written very cleverly.