1984 by George Orwell

1984 by George Orwell, 328 pages

From the MARC: "The year 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell's nightmare vision from 1949 of the world we are becoming is timelier that ever. 1984 is the great modern classic of a 'negative utopia' - a startlingly original and haunting novel that creates an imaginary world that is completely convincing."

1984 is a classic that slipped through the cracks in my education. I was aware of the novel and its importance to literature, but until now I had never actually read it. Haunting is a good word for the vision provided in this story. The events feel eeriely relevant and sharply prescient. I hate to say that I enjoyed the novel because it was terrifying

 

One Hot Summer Wedding by Falon Ballard

One Hot Summer Wedding by Falon Ballard -- 53 pages

It’s been ten years since Lucy last saw her childhood friend, but when she’s invited to Sara’s Costa Rica wedding, she can’t say no. She starts wishing she had, though, after running into Beckett, Sara’s still-hot older brother. He and Lucy are stuck sharing a hotel room. It doesn’t take long for old feelings—and old wounds—to resurface. But maybe this time, something new will blossom too.

Summer Thaw by Rebecca Jenshak

Summer Thaw by Rebecca Jenshak -- 49 pages

Hattie Cannon’s sure Colin Jettson hates her. Colin is happy to let her believe it. It’s easier that way. That is until a summer hockey camp puts them in the same hotel. Keeping their college teams focused is one thing; keeping things civil is another. Good sportsmanship is a start, but what Hattie and Colin really need is to throw out the rulebook and play their own game.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera -- 336 pages

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it. The truth is out there, if we just listen.

Monster Blood IV (Goosebumps #62) by R.L. Stine

 Monster Blood IV (Goosebumps #62) by R.L. Stine-118 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evan Ross can't forget about Monster Blood—the evil green slime that never stops growing. It can turn ordinary pets into ferocious animals and twelve-year-old kids into freakish giants.

But now there's a new kind of Monster Blood in town. It comes in a can just like the others. Only difference is this slime is blue instead of green. And instead of just growing, it's multiplying—into terrifying blue creatures with razor-sharp teeth...

Thoughts: I have now read all of the original Goosebumps series! This one is pretty good. This is a new, different kind of Monster Blood that grows and multiplies. Evan, Kermit, and Andy are in for a big surprise. This one has a fun ending like many of the others in the series.

The Case of the U.S. Space Camp Mission (The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen #4) by Carol Thompson and Bonnie Bader

The Case of the U.S. Space Camp Mission (The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen #4) by Carol Thompson and Bonnie Bader-80 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Mary-Kate and Ashley can solve any crime by dinner time. When NASA's space shuttle is held up because of mysterious holes in the fuel tank, the twins track down the clues and make a surprising discovery--this mission has gone to the birds!

Thoughts: This was a fun, short read. I thought I had the mystery solved, but it actually went in a different direction. 

Classic Star Wars: Luke's Fate (A Step Into Reading Level 3 book) by Jim K. Thomas , Isidre Monés

Classic Star Wars: Luke's Fate (A Step Into Reading Level 3 book) by Jim K. Thomas, Isidre Monés-48 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Illustrated in full color. Readers are introduced to young Luke Skywalker, who dreams of being a star pilot but has to stay planetbound, helping his uncle run the farm. Then the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO show up...and Luke's destiny beckons irresistibly. Based on the beginning sequences of the original Star Wars movie and radio plays.  

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this children's novelization of the beginning of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. It starts a bit before the movie and covers up until Obi-Wan and Luke agree to travel together to Alderaan after seeing Princess Leia's message. It was a fun little read.