Family by Micol Ostow

From the flap:

I have always been broken.

I could have.

Died.

And maybe it would have been better if I had.

It is a day like any other when seventeen-year-old Melinda Jensen hits the road for San Francisco, leaving behind her fractured home life and a constant assault on her self-esteem.  Henry is the handsome, charismatic man who comes upon her, collapsed on a park bench, and offers love, a bright new consciousness, and – best of all – a family.  One that will embrace her and give her love.  Because family is what Mel has never really had.  And this new family, Henry’s family, shares everything.  They share the chores, their bodies, and their beliefs.  And if Mel truly wants to belong, she will share in everything they do.  No matter what the family does, or how far they go.

From me:

Ok, so I can't say that I was in love with this book.  It was not an easy read for me.  So, because I'm not in the habit of giving bad reviews I have come up with a few reasons for feelings about Family. 

Reason Number One: I think because it's written in poetry (which I normally love), which is not in chronological order.  This can make it confusing.  Creative and fitting for the story, but confusing.

Reason Number Two: The subject matter is crazy.  Literally - crazy.  Mel, the MC, becomes involved in 1960s cult life in order to escape an awful home life.  And that's not the crazy part.  This cult seems to be very similar to Manson's cult.  'Nuff said?

Those are the only reasons I could come up with.  It's an interesting read; it really is.  I can appreciate the originality in both the format and in content. However, it definitely does not make it into any of my "top" lists. 

Has anyone read this and enjoyed it?  If so, why am I wrong?

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

From the flap:
I've seen him on the news.  Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio.  John Smith, out there, on the run.  To the world, he's a mystery.  But to me... he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us -- if we all still believe in our mission.  How can I know?  There are six of us left.  We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another...but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight.  Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for?  And what about Number Five and Six?  Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams?  The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine?  The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?


They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio -- and failed.

I am Number Seven.  One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

From me:
I was very pleasantly surprised with this follow-up to I Am Number Four.  I liked the first book, but wasn't really into it.  Like, "can't wait to read after work" into it. 
This book was fantastic!  It had tons of action and was much less confusing than the first.  It also flips between Number Seven's story and John, Six, and Sam's story.  This was a lot of fun and made the story move so quickly.
Number Seven has a very interesting story, and has found herself in a convent with her Cepan, searching for knowledge about any of the other members of the Garde.  John, Six and Sam are still running from the Mogadorians and through their conversations we are able to see deeper into their heads -- John, especially. 
I don't want to say too much more because there are a bunch of twists along Seven and John's journeys --  including a HUGE one that I didn't see coming at all. 
Great read, can't wait for the next one!