The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas

As I giggled my way through this romantic romp via the eyes of a protected Catholic teenager, there were times I wondered whether the attendees of our book club would connect.  My 8th grade public school ladies often clamor for a "book about love," but would they make it through all the parochial schoolness and saints to see the gem of this story!?  I hope they try.  I'm sure they would like Antonia, the hard-working Catholic school girl who's pining after the handsome Andy Rotellini--and overlooking her friend, Michael McGinnis, because of his "player" reputation.   Yes, she's a busy gal what with applying to the Vatican for sainthood, working in the family restaurant, and dealing with the drama of high school, friends, and family....but none of that was boring in the least.

Flip by Martyn Bedford

One morning high schooler Alex Gray is shocked to find himself in a strange home across country with a new set of parents.  Even more shocking, the person he sees in the mirror is not himself.  Somehow Alex is now occupying the body of a handsome, athletic, popular teen named Philip Garamond--"Flip" for short.  Totally confused, Alex fakes his way in Flip's body until he can figure things out.  Although he is fascinated by the advantages of occupying a nonasthmatic, good-looking body--he yearns to have his old life and family back.   The plot is just a bit unbelievable at times, but I could not put the book down until I finished!   It's a very satisfying story--complete with humor, mystery, spiritual questions, and romance.

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

Grabbed this on my way out of the library for summer break.  I kept hearing about Libba Bray from some high school students, and I noticed that the author wasn't checked out very much on the middle school side.  The reviews mostly say 8th-grade and up, but I'm sorry I had forgotten the author when my readers who look for "fat books" came inquiring last year.  This was pretty much a page-turner for me, and I hadn't even read the first book, A Great and Terrible Beauty.  In that book Gemma Doyle broke the runes that kept magic in check in the wonderful and frightening world of the "Realms."  Although it appears she's just another student at a Victorian finishing school--she learns in the second book that she must return to the Realms to undo the harm she unleashed there.  There are ghastly creatures, betrayals, horrifying visions, plot twists, and plenty of romance.

A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

This book opens as Rosalinda Fitzroy wakes up from over 60 years in suspended animation.  What wakes her?  A kiss, of course.  But this sleeping beauty is not in a fairy tale; the setting is futuristic--complete with her inheriting a galactic empire and an assassin robot programmed to kill her.  A lot has happened while she was sleeping.  Who would want to kill her?  It makes for a page-turning read.  There's also romance, betrayal, and suspense as Rosalinda makes her way in a new world.  Even if science fiction is not a favorite, you might like this one.

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick

Alex Gregory, upset with his parent’s impending divorce, makes a bad decision.  He gets into his father’s left-behind liquor, steals his mom’s car, and drives off to confront his dad.  What results is a wrecked car, garden gnome decapitation, a drunk driving charge, and 100 hours of community service.  Alex is ordered by the tough judge to spend his hours at Egbert P. Johnson Memorial Home for the Aged working with a cranky old man named Solomon Lewis.  The story that develops is a mix of mystery, sad regret, new love, old love, and grand humor.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

I read every Sarah Dessen book we get in.  I love her characters and often feel sorta sad when the book is over.  This effort is no exception.  In it, a studiously mature Auden spends the summer before college with her father's new family at the ocean, and it changes her life.  She connects with fellow insomniac, Eli, and they begin a quest to experience all the things she missed growing up--like food fights, learning how to ride a bike, delivering papers, etc.  Gradually Auden's opinions of people and situations change--and relationships with her divorced parents, new stepmother, new girlfriends, and Eli all reach a new level.

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

In a new twist on Cinderella, orphaned Lucinda deals with a horrible guardian, a handsome prince, a devious street thief, a goat named "Dog," good and evil from another world, and a chance to find happiness. Chosen by one of last year's book club members as a favorite, I took it home and was instantly enchanted. Great story and a surprising ending!