1. BORDER CROSSING by Jessica Lee Anderson




I really enjoyed this tale of a young Latino who not only is facing racism in his small Texan town but mental illness. I posted my review at YA Books Central:

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20330

2. ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS by Heather Brewer




I'm a big Vlad fan! Now Vlad is in eleventh grade and dealing with more serious problems like how to avoid a confrontation with a slayer who once was his friend.

3. THE PHOTOGRAPHER



This is a very intense and often gritty tale of some photographers who followed doctors without borders in 1986 war torn Afghanistan. The images are raw and sometimes very disturbing. I couldn't help but wonder if the country is any better now in the 21st century.

4. THE ROAD TO GOD KNOWS




Just got this graphic novel in the mail today and can't wait to read it! It's about a girl and her relationship with her mentally ill mother.

5. JUST BREEZE




Just got this book too! It looks like a fun read and the cover art is adorable!


Guilty pleasure:

I've been watching VAMPIRE DIARIES all week plus season three of Showtime's THE TUDORS:




At first I thought, bleh, but then I started to get into the whole palace intrigue and the betrayal of a group of people who only wanted an end of their churches being desecrated. Very intense and at times gruesome, including details of how the King Henry took care of those who didn't obey him. He tells Jane Seymour which in bed, "Remember what happened to the last queen?" (Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded) "I love you more than her. Don't spoil it."

Chilling.