The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan

Pages: [Paperback] 375

Available in Hardcover and Paperback

Percy Jackson has never fit in. He's been enrolled in more schools than he can count and has been kicked out of every single one of them. This time, he's actually managed to stay in the same school almost the entire year. But Percy's about to come face to face with mythological creatures, Greek gods, and monsters worse than any nightmare.

Zeus's master bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect. Percy has only ten days to prove his innocence or a war will begin between the gods-with Earth as their battlefield. Percy must band together with a few unlikely allies in order to find the bolt, clear his name, and save the Earth.
When I first picked up this book, I wasn't expecting much. It said that it was mainly for kids younger than I am. But when I actually started reading, I was pleasantly surprised. Percy and his friends are so funny, and I love how all of the Greek mythology ties into the story line. I've actually already started reading the second book, this one was so good!
If you've seen the movie, the book is nothing like it. I liked the movie, but the book is so much better because it had more detail.
I give this book five out of five stars. It's a quick read, but it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

"Before I Fall" by Lauren Oliver

"Before I Fall"

Author: Lauren Oliver

Pages: 448

Release Date: March 2, 2010

What would you do if you only had one day left to live?

Samantha Kingston is one of the popular girls at school. She has all the right clothes, the perfect boyfriend, and three best friends who are just as popular as her. She is invited to all the best parties and is worshiped by the underclassmen. But all of this changes one Friday, February 12th, when Sam dies.

Sam thinks it's all over for her. Then she wakes up the next morning in her bedroom, reliving the day she died. As Sam relives this day seven times, she sees things she's never thought to look for before. She examines her friendships, her love life, and her family life. But how can Sam make her last day her best day?

I thought that this was a very good book. It was captivating and took my interest immediately. I like how it shows that the days we take for granted-the simplest, most meaningless days-can be our last, and we'll never realize this until it's too late. This book shows how people can change, they just need the chance to make this change. It tells us that we need to appreciate every day and every moment and the people that make our lives worth living.

I would recommend this book to young adult readers. Sam is in high school, yet you don't have to be in high school to enjoy this book. Fans of the movie "Groundhog's Day" would also like "Before I Fall".

I give this book five out of five stars. At no point did it drag on-I was addicted to it from the start.

I got an Advanced Reading Copy [ARC] of this book from Barnes and Noble First Reads. If you go on their website, you can find First Reads under their book clubs. There you can apply to recieve advanced copies of books.