One Come Home by Amy Timberlake

'So it comes to this,

I remember thinking on Wednesday, June 7, 1871. The date sticks in my mind because it was the day of my sister's first funeral, and I knew it wasn't her last-- which is why I left.'

A Newbery Honour Book by Amy Timberlake, One Came Home talks about a very special girl by the name of Georgie Burkhardt. Set in the town of Placid, Wisconsin, this book is a journey filled with adventure and mystery, as well as wild pigeons.

In her town, Georgie is known for two very distinguishing things. One, her uncanny aim with a rifle, and two, her habit of being extremely candid. One of these things sets her off on a wild journey, and the other saves her on her wild journey. It all starts with her sister. After Georgie says something that sends her sister running off from home, the sheriff comes back to town with an unidentifiable body wearing Agatha, her sister's, blue-green ball gown. Immediately, everyone assumes the worst. Everyone other than Georgie. Georgie refuses to believe that her sister is truly dead and goes off to find her and bring her back. However, even through her grim determination, Georgie is not well prepared to go out and face the Western frontier. In a journey to find her sister or closure, she will run into hostile people, make a friend by the name of Long-Ears, and learn secrets.

Amy Timberlake really wrote this book extremely well, especially with all the plot twists inside the story. It's an adventure story to the very last, and one that will keep you seeking to find the answers until the very end of the book. I did not expect what found me at the ending, but I was satisfied. It may not have been what I had been looking to find, but worked all the same. It's a very good book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys journeys, along with a little touch of drama and romance!

***I give this book a 8.99 out of 10!***

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

And another classic. Everyone known Jane Eyre! Well, if you don't, you should. Just saying! In a classic book about mystery, romance, and deception, Charlotte Bronte writes an amazing book that will suck you in and keep you in Jane Eyre's world.

Orphaned in childhood and despised by the cruel aunt who is her only known relative, Jane Eyre has no one but herself  to trust. Unaided by money, family, nor beauty, Jane must rely on her intelligence and integrity to survive. However, after Jane secures a position as governess in a mysterious, beautiful Thornfield mansion, she becomes deeply enmeshed with her moody employer, Mr. Rochester. But he guards a dark and terrible secret. And it will force Jane to choose between the principles that define her and the only love she has ever known. It's the orphan child that everyone has heard the story of, but with a deep and dark secret. If you dig romance and mystery, this is the book for you.

Admittedly, this book is slightly long, and quite thick, but I ensure you that it will keep you captivated and on the balls of your feet (or the edge of your chair), until you finish. It's a hauntingly good book that will make you fall completely in love with the characters. Charlotte Bronte is really an exceptional author that wrote a completely amazing book!

I recommend this book to everyone around the age of 12 and older, as it is a classic one must read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and daresay you will too!

***I give this book a 9.67 out of 10.***

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck. Extremely famous author, and rightfully so. I originally got introduced to this book by an English assignment, but it soon because more than just an assignment but a read. I. Love. This. Book. John Steinbeck is truly an amazing author. I'm not even kidding. It's a bloody good book.

 It's a classic. But don't shy from it just because it's a classic, it's good too. Telling of George and his simple friend Lennie, it's a story that you will not forget in a hurry. George and Lennie are the best of friends and at the same time completely different from one another. While George is small, witty, with sharp features, Lennie is much rounder, taller, and very very simple minded. Like all drifters, George and Lennie dream of a place to call their own. However, once they come to work on a ranch in California, their hopes begin to go awry... Will they be able to keep their goals on mind and not get into trouble?

There's no doubt about it being good. It's great. It's timeless. It's a classic. It's everything in one. And John Steinbeck is a downright amazing author. But it's also a short read. Consisting of only 107 pages, it's short, easy, and captivating. I really enjoyed it and I found it fascinating that John Steinbeck could make such short a story so good. Really, the book may be thin, but I assure you that the context is not.

I recommend this to all high school kids, and all adults as well. It's honestly an amazing book that everyone should make the effort to read. And if you didn't like it, it didn't even take much of your time anyways.

***I give this book a 9.78 out of 10.***

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Another John Green novel, another awesome book. Duh. Amazing, devastating, breath catching, inspiring, and compelling. It's all of that and more. I swear, I have no clue how John Green writes such amazing and empathetic books that stir you right down to your heart.

So, customary things first. John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, Will Grayson Will Grayson, and Looking For Alaska, is great. He's amazing. He's awesome. Alright, on with the book.

Miles Halter, the protagonist is fascinated with last words. Plus he's had enough with his safe life at home.So when he goes off to boarding school, lots of changes await him. Including clever, funny, screwed up and dead sexy Alaska Young. Alaska Young will pull Miles Halter into her labyrinth and shoot him into the Great Perhaps. Tragic, hilarious, and touching all at once, this book will make you laugh and cry at the same time, exactly like The Fault in Our Stars, except without cancer. 'Nuff said.

Once you pick this book up you will not be able to put it down until you finish the whole book. Be warned. I recommend this book to every single teen and older in the world. Yes, there are mentions about drugs and such, but get over it. Facts of life.

Absolutely amazing book. Tons of plot, enough romance, and adventure. It's a story to keep anyone up until 3am reading.

***I give this book a 101 out of 10!!!***

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

I picked this book up expecting it to be absolutely downright amazing! However, great expectations are bound to fall short. I mean, sure, I liked the book, but it wasn't breathtakingly amazing...

'Fire wants to burn.

Water wants to flow.

Air wants to rise.

Earth wants to bind.

Chaos wants to devour.'

Yep, it's another magic and elements book. Many of you are probably familiar with Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, but if not, they're both pretty good authors (although Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instrument series.... Yeah... No.) that you should check out if you have the time.

This book tells about one very interesting boy by the name of Callum Hunt. Now, in this world, most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Except for Callum Hunt. Nope, his very wish is to fail. So he tries his best to fail. And miserably fails at failing. Now the Magisterium waits for him, looming with its secrets in Callum's path. Little does Callum know that the Iron Trial is just the very beginning to his magical and unknown future.

This was an alright read, the action kept the story rolling and the plot kept things mysterious and on edge, but if I were to pick one thing, it would be that the story lost me at places, especially when big revelations happened one after another, which kept me spinning around in the dark. I had to reread a couple of paragraphs, but other than that, it was mostly on track.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy adventure or fantasy reads, and especially to any magic fans. It's not an overly thick read so you won't get too tired of it before you put it down, and it's good to carry around, in my opinion!

***I give this book a 8.2 out of 10***

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I cannot even begin to express how freaking AMAZING this book is!!! I'm not even kidding... Everyone should read this book. EVERYONE.

Alright, I'm going to spend this post 'fangirling' about this book, so no judging allowed! Rainbow Rowell really knows how to write a good book, I can tell you! Fangirl is about a girl named Cather, aka Cath. Cath writes fanfiction. Most importantly, boy boy fanfiction. Namely Simon Snow and Baz. Her whole life ever since she started reading Simon Snow, she's become a steadfast Simon Snow fan. Actually, fan doesn't even cut it. Simon Snow became her life. And boy was she good at it. So was her sister, Wren. Cath and Wren, as twins, got sucked into the Simon Snow universe together. However, now that Cath and Wren are going to college, things are going to change. And according to Cath? Not for the better.

It's one of the absolute best coming-of-age books I have ever read. Telling about family, fanfiction, and first love, this book will pull you in and never let go. Honestly. You will fall in love with it like Simon Snow is in love with Baz. It's filled with conflicts, dilemma, hurt, comfort, and love. After all, it's college! I don't want to spoil this book for you at all, so I'm just going to say....

READ, IT.

I recommend this book to everyone 14 and up. And I mean it. Everyone.

***I give this book a 101 out of 10. 'Nuff said.***

Four by Veronica Roth

Four is part of the Divergent Collection, slightly like an extra to the series. As someone who did enjoy the Divergent series, I decided that I would grace myself to buy this book.

As the cover may give away, this book is about Four also known as Tobias. Starting off from his own choosing ceremony, this book tells Tobias's own point of view of what happened during the Divergent series. Even in the books, Tobias is portrayed as a bit of a mysterious figure, especially in the first book. Meanwhile, this book tells all about it's namesake.

Veronica Roth is undoubtedly an excellent writer and has entertained multiple people, teens and adults alike, round the world. I actually love how she could turn her bestselling series and retell it in another character's point of view. In fact, I admire it. It's not easy to rewrite something you've already wrote. In some cases, it may even be harder than to write something completely new again. In order to rewrite it in another characters point of view requires a lot of in depth thinking about the character, as you switch main characters. It shows the connection and understanding Veronica Roth has of her characters, and how much character development and thought she put into them. In no way are either Tris nor Tobias flat characters. They are most definitely round, and come to life on the pages. As someone who highly enjoys character development, I really thoroughly enjoyed this book, seeing the Divergent series through Tobias's eyes again.

I recommend this book to anyone who has read the Divergent series. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you should track down the Divergent series and read it!

***I give this book a 9.5 out of 10***

Awake and Dreaming by Kit Pearson

Confession time! I only took this book because it was by Kenneth Oppel. Alright! On with the show!

Awake and Dreaming is yet another family oriented novel. Written by Kit Pearson, it deals with friends, loneliness, and the meaning of family. Theo, the main character, can't stop dreaming about belonging to a 'real' family. With an irresponsible, young, mother, Theo feels trapped within her poverty-stricken life. Therefore, when she is mysteriously adopted into the large, warm Kaldor family, her dream is suddenly brought to life. Yet such things cannot last forever. Too soon, she finds herself back with her mother, and her new life starts to fade away. Was it a dream? Will  Theo ever be able to find her perfect family?

I have to say that it was indeed a touching book, but it had moments where it left my slightly baffled. For example, how could Theo think that was a dream?? Also, the ending slightly left me in doubts as well. Overall, a good book with a few faulty details. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it didn't make sense, however.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about families and finding the meaning of having a true family. I also recommend it to people who enjoyed 'Waiting for Normal' as it is pretty similar. Just because it's a Puffin Classic doesn't mean you should be fazed by it! It's a good read, not overly emotional so it won't make you cry, but you'll definitely close the book with a smile.

***I give this book a 8.4 out of 10***

Taking the Reins by Dayle Campbell Gaetz

Yep, I'm back. With a horse book. It was bound to happen sometime, so I guess the time is now. I got this book for free, out of my book camp, but at first, I had my doubts-- on whether or not I would actually come to enjoy this book,

Set in the 1860s, I didn't expect myself to be reading a book set on the past, due to my seeming unwillingness to go back into the tales of history. However, I didn't mind it so much in this book, since it didn't have to do with the history, but rather the adventure. I was especially interested in this story due to the setting of British Columbia. It's set in the very place I am living in right now, which I thought was interesting. Therefore, I picked it up, and decided that I would give it a shot. Telling the tale of two girls and a horse, Taking the Reins is a wonderful story about ingenuity, courage, friendship, and the love of a horse.

Our two characters, Katherine and Emma are very different from one another. Katherine was lead to British Columbia by a father who wished to obtain free farm land, yet knew nothing of farming, while Emma's father left Emma and her mother to chase the fantasy of gold. Living in poverty, Emma's story is not a warm one, while Katherine has lived comparatively comfortably, give or take a few unfortunate events. Although they are much different from one another, they must help each other as their situations are getting more and more desperate. Could Nugget, the beautiful bay mare that brought them together in the first place be able to help them solve their differences?

Dayle Campbell Gaetz is an author like no other. Although her story doesn't have the complexity of a sci-fi novel or the shrouding air of mystery from mystery novels, her book contains the magic of friendship, love, and horses. She has sealed what matters most into the writing. Heart.

I recommend this book to horse lovers and adventure lovers alike. Perhaps even to the people who just want to disappear into a really good story one day.

***I give this book a 9.1 out of 10***

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

"If you ain't scared, you ain't human.'

As many people probably know already, The Maze Runner by James Dashner is coming out into theaters soon. Therefore, sales of this books have rocketed, as everyone is trying to read the book before the movie comes out. I am, in fact, one of those people. I saw the trailer, even though I did know of this series beforehand, I hadn't gone out of my way to read it. After watching the trailer, I inquired towards a friend whether or not it was a worthwhile read, and she responded that the first book was great, but the same couldn't be said for the next books. After a bit of contemplation, I decided to read it.

I am now going to make the blandest of the bland statements. I liked it. It wasn't like 'OMG IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND A WORK OF ART' amazing like The Fault in Our Stars or Harry Potter or Artemis Fowl, but none the less, it was a good read. It entertained, and sucked you into the Labyrinth. In my opinion, it's a bit like the Hunger Games, especially the end. There are parts where it gets slightly boring, but for the most part, it's pleasantly action packed, whether they be fighting Grievers or trying to puzzle a way out. 

Meet our main character, Thomas. When he wakes up in a lift, his memory is gone. The one thing he can remember is his name. And he's surrounded by other boys. Their memories, also gone. Yet somehow, Thomas is not like the rest of the boys. When he comes, everything starts to change. He brings something no one in the Glade has thought to have before. Curiosity. All the boys stay in the Glade, a small area in the middle of the Maze. Around the Glade are towering walls. Over them? An ever shifting maze. There's no way out but the maze. Yet no one's ever made it. Then, one day a girl arrives. The very first girl ever. And with her she bring a mysterious and haunting message.

'Remember. Run. Survive.'

James Dashner wrote a bewitching tale of a group of boys, a girl, and a maze. Will they be able to make it out alive? Read on and watch the movie.

***I give this book a 8.4 out of 10!***

The Secret Language of Horses by Heather Dunphy

Your horse obsessed girl back to help you with your riding! ...Jokes. I couldn't help myself with my own riding, never mind you at this point in time... I'm going to be completely honest with you. I got this book only because I really really wanted that free shipping from Chapters. So I bought the cheapest book I thought I would enjoy, which was this. So now you know-- it's a good price at under $5.

That's not to say it's a bad book. Actually, it's extremely informative from the horse breeds to communication with your horse. I love this book, honestly. It can be useful for the most beginner riders to the riders with their own horse. There is a vast amount of knowledge in the 190 pages within this book, and I suggest that all horse lovers read this. I found that this book actually was pretty similar to the material covered in the English Rider 1 and 2 books, complete with descriptions of horses and stable vices.

Heather Dunphy wrote a book that would benefit most equine lovers, and most people will walk away from this book with at least one thing new. I think it was well-put together and it was an entertaining and informative read. I recommend this book to all people who love horses, and all the horse owners. You might find that within the pages of this small encyclopedia, you might find the key to finally getting to know what your horse is saying.With lots of tips and equine facts, I particularly liked this book due to its size.

Most encyclopedias are grossly huge. Take WorldBook, for instance. How many volumes makes the whole encyclopedia?? Don't even want to know... On the other hand, this book is light to read, but none the less packed with cool facts and the key to a confident rider and a happy horse.

***I give this book a 9.1 out of 10.***