The Selection

By Kiera Cass

I'm not going to lie: I picked this book up based solely on the gorgeous cover. Turns out, I became so hooked on the story that I'm now a tiny bit obsessed with this series by Kiera Cass.

In a newly formed nation called Illea, citizens are born into a strict caste system that rarely allows for upward mobility. So understandably, when it is announced that a Selection will be held to find a wife for the handsome Prince Maxon, and that teen girls of all castes are eligible to enter, the nation is buzzing with excitement.

When America Singer is Selected, it should be cause for celebration. But leaving behind her family and her secret love with a boy of a lower caste, America is brought into a fierce competition she has no intention of winning. Gradually, as she gets to know Prince Maxon, America begins to question all the plans she has made for her future.

Yes, this will remind you of the reality TV show The Bachelor. Yes, it's fluffy and silly but also ridiculously romantic and I'm a sucker for princes and forbidden love, so there you have it. Perfect summer beach read.

The series continues with The Elite, The One, and The Heir, as well as the companion novel The Selection Stories: The Prince and the Guard.

Trash

By Andy Mulligan

Trash was just hiding on the shelf and I'm so glad that I picked it up. It takes place in an unnamed third world country. Readers follow three friends; Raphael, Gardo and Jun Jun a.k.a Rat. These friends live and work in a dump site and make their living digging through trash. They spend their days sorting trash looking for paper, tin and pretty much anything that they can possibly sell. Most of the time they find "stupp," I am going to let you read about what stupp is. Let's just say it is not pleasant. One day while digging they come across a wallet in a bag. This is a rare find. There is money, identification and a note. The boys know that there is more to this than meets the eye. The three friends pull together and take drastic measures to not only free themselves from life in the dump but also help many others along the way. At times they even risk their own lives while they are trying to solve this mysteries. The book is written from many points of view so that readers have an opportunity to gain understanding and knowledge from all sides. This was a fast read and I feel would be great for reluctant readers. This book was also made into a movie. I give this one two thumbs up!

Other books like Trash; Shooting Kabul, Golden Boy, As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth.

The 100

By Kass Morgan

I have been watching the T.V series connected to this novel from the first episode. I was excited when the library received the novel hoping to compare. I was very surprised to read and discover that while there are similarities there are even more differences. Character's names and occupations are different and the plot line has changed. Even with all of the differences I really enjoyed The 100 the novel. With this novel readers will get a better picture of the Arc and it's workings. I feel that readers will also enjoy getting to know some of their favourite characters, with chapters written from different points of view and flash backs galore. Kass Morgan takes us to a place three centuries into the future. The only known survivors of the human race are now living as a colony in space. Resources and supplies are low so any crimes are punishable by death unless the criminal is under 18 wherein they are put into jail, until recently. The Chancellor of this space colony has decided that it is time to see if Earth is safe and inhabitable; he has chosen 100 young criminals and sent them down. Will the space station survive? Is Earth safe? Is there other life, human life, on Earth? Pick up this book today to find out for yourself.