Summer Reading Books

Although it is June 30, I am just now posting my Summer Reading list. My excuse? School got out really late and then I had other professional obligations. But now...time to enjoy some sweet independent reading time. Check out my selected titles--I'll be sure to post reviews as I finish each one. Enjoy & happy reading!

Best Books of 2014

The image shows all of the books I read this school year (43 in total)--YA and adult. While it's difficult to pick favorites, I will do my best...although some of my favorites were books I read before starting this blog and I don't want to "blog backward," so to speak. Enjoy!

5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

4. Trafficked by Kim Purcell

3. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

2. Split by Swati Avasthi

1. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Written in verse, this beautiful, award-winning book tells the story of Lakshmi, a girl from the Himalayan mountains who is sold into sex slavery by her step-father. She is forced to work in a brothel or else face starvation and eventual death on the streets. The book is very well researched since the author traveled to India and Nepal to interview women working in Calcutta's red light district. I could not put this book down--once I started, I was hooked! McCormick is also the author of Cut, a book about self harm; the author thoroughly researched the topic, which is something I really appreciate about this talented writer. 

I recommend this book to readers who like survival stories, realistic fiction, and real world issues. It does have some explicit and inferred violent abuse, so I recommend it for mature readers. 5 out of 5 stars!