Reviews and Blog Posts: contemporary fiction

What Would You Do??

Submitted by Leslie Y on May 14, 2012 - 9:17am
in
Cover of Defending Jacob by William Landay

I read Defending Jacob about two months ago and the story and its ethical issues have stayed with me.  Given the circumstances in this well-written novel, I find myself still puzzled about what I would do.  The ending was a complete surprise to me.  What would you do?   

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

YA? Why Not?

Submitted by Becker on June 27, 2011 - 3:02pm
in
Huntress

It's no secret to fans of Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games that teen books aren't just for teens any more. There are many reasons that adults are turning to YA literature, but mostly, it's because there are some great stories out there that have been marketed to young adults.

Whether you're wanting a great coming of age novel, a more succinct story, or want to be able to connect with a teen in your life through books, here are some authors to check out. Just like with adult books, not everything will appeal to you, but don't limit your reading just because something is in the teen section!

Scott Westerfeld: both a steampunk series and the dystopian Uglies series

Syndicate content