Here’s my top reads for half of the year, since I’ve been posting monthly lists. Your mileage may vary considerably.
Best Teen Reads:
Invisible, Hautman
He’s just an ordinary dweeb with a popular guy pal. Only not so much.
Good Brother, Bad Brother, Giblin
Riveting true story of the parallel lives of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth.
Diary of Pelly D, Adlington
A novel of a diary found after the “disappearance” of a whole class of people. Based (very well) on the author’s research on war diaries.
World’s Worst, Frauenfelder
The best worst book I’ve read.
I Am the Messenger, Zusak (actually, I would put this in the adult list, but I originally read it due to recommendations by people who work with teens)
What does it take to be a hero?
Best Grown-Up Reads:
Van Helsing’s Night Off, Mahler
Mostly wordless comics, entirely funny. I hope more of his work gets published in the US.
Poo Bomb, Vogel
Based on the blog, but in a good way.
Working Fire, Unger
This book not just good because firefighters are cool.
Men Who Stare at Goats, Ronson
It’s another nice combination of funny and educational, in a creepy way.
Fray, Whedon
I only just this year got around to reading it, and again I know that Joss is God.
Two Wheels North, Gibb
A small press book that deserves wide acclaim. Excellent true adventure.
Late entry: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Foer