Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman

From Amazon: You’re waiting for the postman--he’s bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist--a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it’s your old girlfriend; and she’s carrying a baby. You’re fine to look after it, for an hour or two, while she does some shopping. Then she doesn’t come back and your future suddenly looks very different.

From Me: I think this is the first title I’ve read that tackles the issue of teenage pregnancy from the father’s POV and it does it very well. I know it’s the first Blackman I’ve read (whenever I’ve thought about Noughts & Crosses it just hasn’t been on the shelf) but it won’t be my last.

Told alternately from the POV of Dante, 17 and with his life planned out and younger brother Adam, casual and seemingly carefree, it’s clever, insightful and oh so real – teenage pregnancy, abortion, homosexuality, death of a parent, suicide – there are a lot of topics in this book but they are covered very well, and very competently. There is also a lot of joy – I am assuming Blackman is a mother herself as the way she describes the overwhelming feelings of happiness and completeness that you can feel from just a simple thing – your child’s smile – is spot on, as are the descriptions of the despair that being so bloody tired from caring for a baby can bring on.

Five stars easily. Read it.

Matched by Ally Condie

From the publisher: ON HER SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY, CASSIA MEETS HER MATCH.  SOCIETY DICTATES HE IS HER PERFECT PARTNER FOR LIFE. EXCEPT HE'S NOT.
In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love. How many children they have. Where they work. When they die. But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, she is determined to make some choices of her own. And that's when her whole world begins to unravel . . .

This book is really clever. Really, really clever. With simple, not flowery prose, and inclusion of some classic poems it’ll drag you in. I absolutely devoured this book (despite it being a teen read) and I’m looking forward to where it might head in the next book of the series. By turns chilling and uplifting, with (again) clever use of classic poetry, it’s an easy recommend for any teen girl (especially as it doesn't contain any sex) and best of all, it’s a series!!!

Ally , you probably won't get to read this but it would be really interesting written from Xander’s POV too. No pressure!

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas

Suzanne Collins - Hunger Games #3 - Mockingjay

I’ve been waiting what seems like ages to read this one, the conclusion to the pretty awesome Hunger Games trilogy (Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay). While it’s ostensibly a teen read, I’ve converted a few “adults” to reading them.

Way back when I read the first title, I was so excited. I’d compare reading it to the same level of excitement I got when reading CS Lewis’ Narnia books – adventure, good vs evil, a whole new world and every other good thing. If you haven’t read any of the series, it’s a must to read in order – and avert your eyes from the next bit.

The Hunger Games are set in a post-apocalyptic world of what was the US. There are 13 districts that support the Capitol by paying tributes – and once every few years, those tributes are two children from each district who compete against each other in the Hunger Games arena until death claims all but one. When Katniss Everdeen competes, taking the place of her younger sister Prim, she causes the game to change. President Snow and the Games are under pressure and the Rebels choose Katniss, the human Mockingjay, as their emblem of the Rising. But Snow has a weapon to use against Katniss – her district and her family, and most of all, Peeta.

Book three wraps away nearly everything in a good, clean package. Action and suspense vie with a little romance (only right as Katniss is getting older, but nothing graphic or un-needed) in a fast paced, smooth conclusion. I put down Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for this – and I definitely don’t regret it!

PS - the NZ cover isn't as pictured; I am still waiting on the supplier to send it :)