Read this week (7)

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Read about it here.

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
This book was #4 on the Top 10 Unsung YA Heroes list, so I thought I'd give it a shot. And the cover blurb by Stephenie Meyer says she recommends this book to just about anyone she meets. I don't know that I'd go that far. I didn't love it as much as others seemed to, but I thought it was fun and a little silly. The story centers on two best friends - one is completely wacky (marches to the beat of her own drummer kinda gal) and the other is shy but loyal, following her friend in all her schemes and obsessions. The latest is a Pride and Prejudice phase, wherein the girls infiltrate the all-boys' private school dance in search of a Mr. Darcy. It's a quick, lightly romantic, clean teen read.

Once was Lost by Sara Zarr
People have had nothing but good things to say about this book, and it made it on YALSA's 2010 Best Books for Young Adults list, but I didn't really love it. I liked it. And I can see how the main character could be relatable to teens, especially those going through similar struggles - issues with God and faith, a mom in rehab and a potentially adulterous father, friends who keep secrets and act differently towards the "pastor's kid." And this all comes about because a girl goes missing, and that's all anyone can think or talk about. Small town. I don't really understand small towns. And the tragedy never really sinks in or seems to be all that important even though it's written into so many of the pages. I just wasn't feeling it.

High Five by Janet Evanovich
What's not to love about a Stephanie Plum novel? Fast-paced, hilarious, with several mysteries all in one. I'm slowly going through the series because they're not really the kind of books you read one right after the other. In this one, Uncle Fred goes missing, and it takes Stephanie two weeks to figure out what in the world happened. Morelli is still an irresistible love interest, but Stephanie chooses chocolate instead. And Ranger is turning on his charm - but he's a bit more man than she can handle at the moment. Though she will work for his morally sound, legally ambiguous company in order to make the rent. It was a refreshing read.