Favorite Books (in no particular order)

Comments:
LOOKING FOR ALASKA- I love the way John Green created Pudge and his world. I like Pudge's perspective on Alaska.. Throughout the novel, I felt what Pudge felt, cried when Pudge cried, and smiled when he smiled. If I had to put a song to this book, it would definetly be "Stephanie Says" by The Velvet Underground. ("It's so cold in Alaska...")
THE CATHER IN THE RYE- J.D. Salinger is a classic! In this novel, you follow Holden Caulfield, a childish, naive, boy of 16. He struggles with wanting to be able to keep reality in check, and with growing up. It is one of the most quotable tales ever, and is always a joy to read. The song that matches this book (for me) is "Independence Day" by Elliott Smith.
THE HUNGER GAMES- Suzanne Collins does it again! She has dazzled me before with The Underland Chronicles, and yet again, she takes us through to a sy-fy world she created. This time, it's a post-modern United States called Panem. Katniss, the main character in THG, volunteers to go to the Hunger Games as a tribute, a fight to the death in a huge outdoor arena, and against all odds, wins. This definetly will stick with you forever, and you will (I promise) reread these books over and over again. I know I did. A song that I guess you could put to The Hunger Games would be "Killing in The Name of," by Rage Against The Machine, or for the non-political view on THG, "Break On Through (to the Other Side)" by The Doors.
IMPULSE- Ellen Hopkins shocks you with her meticulously written verse novel, and shows you the world of Vanessa, Connor, and Tony, three teens that have attempted suicide who meet each other in a rehabilitation hospital. Their stories all intertwine right in all the perfect places, and speaking of perfection, I can't wait for the sequel! It's called PERFECT and will be released Septembre 13th.
GREGOR THE OVERLANDER- Suzanne Collins was introduced to me through this book. I am oh so thankful for my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Fallica, who read this to our class, and made all the perfect voices, unlike every other teacher EVER. All of the characters in the book relate to you or someone you know one way or another in these books, The Underland Chronicles, and this sweet-and brutal- story of Gregor saving his father will make you want to fly a bat, too!
SKATE- Michael Harmon takes you through Ian McDermant's mind in this novel. Ian has had it rough, no money to spare, no food, and his brother, Sammy, is mentally challenged. After punching out a teacher in school, Ian and Sammy 'hitchhike' down to Walla Walla from their home in Spokane to hopefully get a home--- a real one. This is the book that you will read again and again, I promise. A song I'd put to this..... Would be "Strawberry Fields" by The Beatles, even though Ian obviously loved The Ramones.
NEVERMIND THE GOLDBERGS- Matthue Roth shows you a spunky, naive, and totally punk orthodox girl from brooklyn named Hava. Hava is an outcast in school. So, what about her? She gets cast in a new television show called "The Goldbergs." Follow her adventures in Hollywood with Moish, read this book! I am definetly going to put the song "Celebrity Skin" by Hole as this books theme song, and also, it's been something Hava and Moish listen to throughout the novel.
ARSON- Estevan Vega takes you through Arson's head in Arson. Arson has an ability to make fire, out of his body. he never asked for it, or even wanted it, but he has it, and ha can't turn it off. Arson soon meets Emery, the new girl on the block, who was badly burned when she was little, so she never takes her mask off. I am happy to say that the song that goes with this (for me) is Elliott Smith's "Say Yes."
GUITAR HIGHWAY ROSE- Brigid Lowery, with her original and new form of writing, creates Rosie and Asher, whom run away from home after Asher is falsely accused of stealing a wallet at school, and hitchhike up the Australian coast. You'll love the way she writes it; here's and excerpt:

WHAT ASHER WORE TO SCHOOL /WEDNESDAY :
Black woollen beanie with green marijuana leaf emblem on the front. Very, very old pair of greyish sneakers- which once upon a time were white- frayed canvas hole in big toes of both. Baggy dark-blue men's work trousers with ragged cuffs and two floral patches on bum. Long-sleeved Indian shirt, Paisley muslin, in groovy shades of purple and olive green.
WHAT THE HOMEROOM TEACHER SAID
Dear Reader, I invite you to write this bit yourself, invoke your imagination. Use the words disappointed, scruffy, and disgraceful.
WHAT THE HOMEROOM TEACHER DID
Gave Asher a dress pass.
WHAT ASHER FELT
Supreme satisfaction.
ROSIE AND ASHER /WEDNESDAY
There was no English class. At lunchtime, Rosie saw Asher, sitting under a tree by himself eating a brown roll stuffed with cheese and salad, with hot chips on the side. Naturally she pretended she didn't see him. At exactly the same moment, Asher looked up and saw Rosie and Pip walking past. Naturally, he pretended not to see them.
WHAT ROSIE FELT
Embarrassed.
WHAT ASHER FELT
Embarrassed.

See? You'll love it! The song I put to this book would have to be "Take a Walk on The Wild Side" by Lou Reed, even though Asher is utterly obsessed with Jim Morrison and The Doors.
THE RULES OF THE ROAD- Joan Bauer takes you on a trip with a young shoe sales girl with an alcoholic father and an old lady-- the owner of the company. Mrs. Gladstone's son is trying to take over the company and let another company merge with Gladstone's for more profit, and Mrs. Gladstone doesn't agree with his theory one bit. So, on this tale, a young sales girl, and an old founder, drive all around the country together to fight to save Gladstone's shoes-- and learn the rules of the road. I have no particular song in mind for this masterpiece, perhaps... "Crazy as a Loon," by John Prine?
STARGIRL- Jerry Spinelli made this a CLASSIC. Leo's high school was boring, the people didn't talk to you, and everyone fit in somewhere. Stargirl, a strange new girl, came and changed that. Leo had no idea what was in store for him when he first met her, and even in the sequel, well, you'll see! The song I am going to put to this is "Oh You are the Roots that Sleep Beneath My Feet and Hold the Earth in Place," by Bright Eyes.

As you can see, this list is forever expanding. I can't wait for new favorites!