FROM MELANIE

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

LOVED this one! Part 1 of 4 tells the story of Ethan (a regular teenage bot) and Lena, a Caster (similar to a witch) who will become either a Light or Dark Caster on her 16th birthday. Aside from the fantasy aspects, I think the authors tell the story very realistically- about teenage outcasts, small southern towns and teen relationships. Highly recommend, I've already begun the 2nd in the series!





Dirty Little Secrets by Kerry Cohen

This one's a nonfiction follow-up to Cohen's memoir, Loose Girl (which I loved.) Dirty Little Secrets is part sociology, part self-help, part parenting. Centers on the sex culture in American teenagers, but also explores the issue with adult reflections. The tagline on the cover is "It's not about when girls are having sex- it's about why." That sums it up better than I could hope to. Highly recommend, Cohen is wonderful! An honest, smart and insightful book.

~ FROM MELANIE