PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky

Charlie is a freshman. And while's he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age, and gender, a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. Charlie encounters the same struggles that many kids face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, exploring sexuality, experimenting with drugs--but he must also deal with his best friend's recent suicide.

With the help of a teacher who recognizes his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie barely manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like kudzu. 

It is being made into a movie to be released September 2012.  Click here to watch the trailer for the movie.

WHEN SHE WOKE by Hillary Jordan

Set in the near future of Texas, Hannah's life centers on her family and her church.  But she loses everything when she has an affair with her minister, becomes pregnant, and has an abortion even though all abortions are illegal at this time.  When her abortion is discovered, she becomes a "chrome", sentenced to undergo a medical procedure that gentically turns her skin red.  That way, when she is returned to society, everyone who sees her will know her crime.  After she escapes a "rehabilitation" center, she finds herself depending on a revolutionary group trying to help all chromes.

The many parallels to THE SCARLET LETTER are obvious, making this book an intriguing pairing with that classic novel.  Contemporary issues abound, including abortion, religion, politics, homosexuality, crime & punishment, etc. 

ASHFALL by Mike Mullin

Set in Cedar Falls!  Teenaged Alex is at home alone while his mother, father, and sister go visit an uncle in Illinois for the weekend.   Part of Alex's house suddenly explodes as he hears booms and the sky becomes threateningly dark.  He assumes it is some kind of storm, but he soon learns that ash is pouring down on Iowa because a supervolcano in Yellowstone erupted.  Alex stays with a neighbor for a while, then spends a day or two at the high school which has become a shelter.  But he decides he needs to find his parents.  He begins a trek along Highway 20 toward Illinois, skiing over the ash.   Along the way he meets people who help him and people who want to kill him.

An episodic read full of suspense and action.  The ending leaves no doubt that a sequel will follow.

ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoy

Set in the late 1800's Russia, Tolstoy's classic novel is about the love affair between the beautiful, aristocratic Anna, a married woman, and the handsome and dashing Count Vronsky.  Anna lives with her 9-year-old son and her husband, who is older than she and has some political power.  When her husband finds out about the affair, he tells her that they can go on as they have been as long as Anna and Vronsky are discreet.  However, Anna and Vronsky cannot go on as they have been and decide to live together, but Anna's son must remain with his father.  Society continues to accept Vronsky, but Anna is no longer welcome at dinners, concerts, parties, etc.

This relationship is the center of the book, but circling Anna and Vronsky are other multi-dimensional characters and relationships caught up in the sweep of place and time.  It is one of those books that reminds us why some books are "classics"--they're good.