Waiting on Wednesday - 31

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about new books.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mara wakes up from a coma with no memory of the accident that caused the deaths of her best friend, boyfriend, and boyfriend's sister. The doctors tell her parents that starting over in a new state, a new school will be good for her and to let the memories come back on their own. But Mara's new start is anything but when she sees the faces of her dead friends everywhere and her world is falling apart. And then she begins to see people's deaths before they happen - at least she thinks that is what is happenning. On top of that, the most beautiful boy she has ever seen can't seem to leave her alone, but is his agenda more than he leads on? (from GoodReads)

This sounds delightfully creepy and I hope it turns out to be a suspenseful read! And check out that cover! Plus, you gotta love those amnesia stories. Look for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer in stores on September 27, 2011 (so far away!).

Earth Hour!

So for those of you who don't know, tonight is Earth Hour! Earth Hour is a worldwide event where individuals and communities turn off their lights for one hour. It starts at 8:30 pm (local time) and all you have to do is turn off your lights and any other electrical appliances that you want. It's really cool because a ton of big landmarks also turn out their lights, such as the Empire State Building, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and many many other places. It's the biggest voluntary event ever in history, and in it's 4th year, I'm sure it will be huge.

Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel

Summary:

It's been a year since her older sister's murder, and Echo is still far from being completely okay. Since Zoe's untimely demise, Echo has been trying her hardest to be the strong one, while her mother takes too many antidepressents and her father works too much. But at the start of her freshmen year of high school, Echo receives an unlikely gift from Zoe's old boyfriend: her diary. Echo is hesitant to read it, but can't put it down after she gets caught up in Zoe's secret life. Will Echo be able to learn to separate her and Zoe's lives, all while saving Zoe's memory?

Review:
I thought that Saving Zoe was an extraordinary novel. It was sad and tragic, but remained full of hope until the very end.

My favorite parts were reading Zoe's diary along with Echo, because she was very enigmatic and mysterious. She also got into quite a bit of trouble, like partying, drinking, hooking up with guys, but it just made her a better character, in my eyes. Zoe did the things most people wish they could do and get away with it. Even from journal entries, you could tell that Zoe had a zest for life unlike anyone else, which makes her murder even worse. Unfortunately, Zoe's reckless behavior is also what led to her death, but I'll let you guys figure that one out. What's also sad is that Echo learns more about her sister from the diary than she did living with her for thirteen years. But Echo comes to understand Zoe better than ever, and I loved how Saving Zoe showed that the bonds of sisterhood could actually be strengthened after death. I do wish there was more about Zoe and Echo and their relationship before Zoe's death, because that's something I think was lacking.

It might seem that Zoe stole the show in this novel, but Echo was also a well-written and developed character on her own. From the beginning, you can tell that Echo looks up to her older sister, and when she starts to read her diary, Echo even begins to act like Zoe. But soon Echo realizes that she doesn't need to actually be her sister in order to remember her and love her and preserve her memory. I loved seeing Echo accept her sister's death and come to terms with the mistakes she made.

All in all, I though that Saving Zoe is very well-written and poignant, and will appeal to fans of books about sisters, life, death, and everything in between.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

FTC: reviewed for Flamingnet Student Review program.

2007/St. Martin's Griffin/240 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 30

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about upcoming books.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know? (from GoodReads)

I absolutely love Sarah Dessen and all her novels, so I know this will be great. I'm in need a good contemporary book. What Happened to Goodbye will be released on May 10, 2011.

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

Summary:

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett's also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.
In the midst of all this, her parents drop a bombshell that threatens to change her New York life forever... (from GoodReads)

Review:

When I read Suite Scarlett about a year and a half ago, I fell in love with Scarlett, her crazy brother, and their somewhat dilapidated but still homey hotel. The Scarlett trilogy features a whole cast of interesting characters that is not limited to all of Scarlett's family, her friends, and Mrs. Amberson, the highly sophisticated older woman that comes to live at Hopewell and whom Scarlett starts working for. Scarlett Fever begins right where Suite Scarlett leaves off, so the reader doesn't miss anything.

What I love about Scarlett Fever is the humor. Scarlett always seems to get herself into questionable situations, mostly brought on by her older brother Spencer, who is an actor/comedian who prides himself on his skill of physical humor. It also doesn't help that Scarlett lives and helps out around an old hotel called Hopewell, which her family runs. There is always something going on at a hotel, it seems. But even though Scarlett is adept at finding trouble, she is a really likable character. She seems like a genuinely nice person who isn't afraid to trade insults with the best of them. I love sarcasm and wit, which thankfully Scarlett Fever is full of.

The plot of Scarlett Fever is really fast-paced and honestly there is never a dull moment. It's one thing after another - either something for Mrs. Amberson, or Scarlett sees her old sort-of boyfriend, or she's helping Spencer with his auditions, or there's craziness with her family. Speaking of family, have I mentioned how much I love them all? Even Scarlett's annoying little sister Marlene has a special place in my heart. Scarlett is really close with her brother and it makes me kind of jealous that I'm not as close with my siblings. Oh well.

I really did love this book and its predecessor - and I truly believe Scarlett Fever is contemporary at its finest. If you're looking for something cute and funny, this is your book.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

FTC: borrowed from a friend.

2010/Scholastic Point/332 pages.

The Girl Who Became a Beatle by Greg Taylor

Summary:

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah!

When Regina Bloomsbury’s band, the Caverns, breaks up, she thinks it’s all over. And then she makes a wish—

“I wish I could be as famous as the Beatles.”

The Beatles are her music idols. The next day, she gets up to find that the Caverns are not just as famous as the Beatles, they have replaced them in history! Regina is living like a rock star, and loving it. There are talk shows, music videos, and live concerts with thousands of screaming fans. And Regina is the star of it all.

But fame is getting the better of Regina, and she has a decision to make. Does she want to replace the Beatles forever?

Here is a rocking novel about the good and the bad of Hollywood, fame, and rock ’n roll. (from GoodReads)

Review:

I was originally attracted to The Girl Who Became a Beatle because I love the Beatles and wanted to see how the author would go about this concept. A band replacing the Beatles in history? It seems almost blasphemous but I knew that it would still be a fun read.

While I enjoyed The Girl Who Became a Beatle, I also didn't love it. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed all the Beatles facts. I liked the theme of "be careful what you wish for" because even though it's overdone I think it's an important lesson that many people have to learn. I liked watching Regina grow and change because she was truly a dynamic character.

But I felt a little removed from the story because the reader is never allowed to completely connect with Regina. Also, some of the events and dialogue are a little cheesy, which I expected. While The Girl Who Became a Beatle is no literary masterpiece, it will be an enjoyable read for those who like the Beatles.

Rating: 7 out of 10.

FTC: received book from Henry Holt's InGroup.

2011/Feiwel and Friends/281 pages.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Summary:
What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left. (from GoodReads)

Review:

I literally just finished Wither about five minutes ago and it was AWESOME! I knew I had to review it right away because it was just so good I couldn't wait. If Wither is not already on your TBR list, I insist that you add it soon because you will not be disappointed.

I (obviously) love dsytopian literature and I was very intrigued by the bleak and harsh world of Wither. It was less dystopian based on government control and more on a genetic experiment gone bad. The scientists in the future have modified the human genome to eradicate all illnesses and diseases. Unfortunately, all children born after the first successful generation are perfectly healthy - until early adulthood. Without fail, women at the age of twenty and men at twenty-five suddenly get sick and die. No one knows why and no one can stop it.

In order to keep the human population intact, young girls are often kidnapped and sold to wealthy men who need wives to produce children. This is what happens to Rhine at the opening of Wither. She is chosen, along with her sister wives Cecily and Jenna, to marry twenty-one year old Linden Ashby and that's how the story begins.

What I really loved about Wither was the wide array of characters, both good and bad. Though our storyteller, Rhine, wasn't perfect, she was fully developed in that all her actions made sense. I could definitely sympathize with her plight - she truly missed her old life and would do anything to return to it. There are the leading men, Linden and Gabriel, who are both interesting and really care about Rhine, and it's almost an unexpected love triangle. I liked that the Linden, Rhine's husband, was actually a good guy. I think Lauren DeStefano could have easily made him be a real enemy and it wouldn't have had the same effect. As for an actual real enemy - that would be Vaughn, Linden's father. As a scientist of the first generation, he's old but healthy and is almost maniacal in his attempts to find a cure for the disease. I wish the reader could have seen more of him, but perhaps his viciousness is better in small doses.

I loved the plot and even though most of the novel takes place inside the huge mansion, there's never a dull moment. Wither really takes dytopias to a new level and is definitely one of my favorites in the genre. It was quick read and now I'm itching to read the sequel. I honestly cannot praise this book enough and you should really see for yourself the sheer awesomeness of this debut!

Release Date: March 22, 2011

Rating: 10 out of 10!

FTC: read on Pulse It.

2011/Simon & Schuster/356 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 29

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about upcoming novels.

What We Keep is Not Always What Will Stay by Amanda Cockrell

Fifteen-year-old Angie never used to think much about God—until things started getting weird. Like the statue of St. Felix, her secret confidante, suddenly coming off his pedestal and talking to her. And Angie's mother, who's busting up her third marriage for no apparent reason. Then there's Jesse Francis, sent home from Afghanistan at age nineteen with his leg blown off. Now he's expected to finish high school and fit right back in. Is God even paying attention to any of this?

Against the advice of an increasingly vocal St. Felix (who knows a thing or two about war), Angie falls for Jesse—who's a lot deeper than most high school guys. But Jesse is battling some major demons. As his rages start to become more frequent and unpredictable, Angie finds herself losing control of the situation. And she's starting to wonder: can one person ever make things right for someone else? (From GoodReads)

I was first attracted to this book by its amazing title but after reading the synopsis I think it sounds very interesting. What We Keep is Not Always What Will Stay will be released on June 8, 2011.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Summary:

A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned - a razor-edged fairy tale against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible. When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell's masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh. (from back cover)

Review:

I loved George Orwell's other famous novel, 1984, as it is one of the most revered dystopias. Animal Farm is a little different in that it is a satire of Communist Russia, so any history buff will enjoy all the parallels.

The story starts out on Manor Farm, where the animals are mistreated by their owner Mr. Jones. When an elderly pig named Old Major suggests that the animals overthrow Mr. Jones and rule the farm in harmony, the animals agree and succeed in running Mr. Jones from the farm. Immediately, two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, become leaders and establish Seven Commandments and the rules for the farm. As a mirror to the Soviet Union, Snowball is supposed to be Leon Trotsky and Napolean is Joseph Stalin. What is cool is that everything that happens in Animal Farm can be attributed to a real event in history. Even the characters of Snowball and Napoleon share personality traits with their likenesses.

Even though the animals call for equality, it is obvious, as in any society, that classes will emerge. Since the pigs are smarter than all the other animals, they take it upon themselves to be the leaders. And in leading, the pigs get a lot of perks like more food, no labor, and residency in the farm house. I liked watching the plot develop and to see the similarities between this regime and the one in Communist Russia. George Orwell has definitely mastered the art of satire.

Even if you know nothing about Russia and the Soviet Union, Animal Farm is vague enough that the events and characters can be likened to any totalitarian regime in history. Even without reading the novella, the line "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" is sure to strike a chord with anyone, like it did with me when I first read it.

A short, simple book, Animal Farm is perfect for book clubs or literature classes as it provides plenty of discussion and symbolism. And even if you read it for fun, like I did, I'm sure you will enjoy its message.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

FTC: borrowed from a friend.

1945/Signet Classics/138 pages.

Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan

Summary:

Julia, Cousin Julia. From the moment she arrived that summer, she seemed to seep into Rachel Bryant's life like a poison. Rachel knew she should feel sorry for her seventeen-year-old cousin. But why didn't Julia seem more grieved over her parents' recent deaths? Everyone else was enchanted by Julia - Rachel's parents, her brothers, her friends, and even her steady boyfriend. No one but Rachel seemed to notice Julia's frigid stare, her womanly body, the strange possessions she took pains to hide. Rachel's normally gentle little dog feared and loathed Julia from the start. What was it about her? What did she want with the Bryants? Soon all Rachel's questions were replaced by terror, as she desperately tried to bridge the gap that had sprung up between herself and those she cared about most.

For suddenly she realized who Julia really was, and the summer turned bone-cold. (from book jacket)

Review:

Lois Duncan is one of my favorite authors because she writes the best thrillers. Her books are always simply written, not a lot of detail or complex plots, but the mysteries are always spooky and really nicely done. Summer of Fear definitely isn't my favorite of hers, but it was a decent book all the same.

As from the summary, Summer of Fear starts out with Rachel learning that her aunt and uncle have perished in a car accident, and her cousin will coming to live with her family. Rachel hasn't seen Julia in awhile, so she knows it will be weird to have another girl around and to share her room. What Rachel isn't prepared for her family's sudden attraction to Julia; they even seem to like her more than Rachel! It's not until Rachel starts seeing some of Julia's idiosynchracies that she suspects something is going on.

I don't want to say too much about Julia because Rachel figures out what is going on with her pretty quickly and most of the book is spent having Rachel trying to convince her family that Julia is not who she seems. Some of Lois Duncan's books are downright creepy, but Summer of Fear wasn't too bad. It was pretty tame and I was never that scared during it, which was a little disappointing.

While I enjoyed Summer of Fear and its simple mystery, some of Lois Duncan's other books are way better in that they are actually creepy. But this was still a good read.

Rating: 7 out of 10.

FTC: borrowed from library.

1976/Little, Brown/217 pages.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

Summary:

From Jodi Picoult, one of the most powerful writers in contemporary fiction, comes a riveting, timely, heartbreaking, and terrifying novel of families in anguish - and friendships ripped apart by inconceivable violence. Until the phone calls come at 3:00 am on a November morning, the Golds and their neighbors, the Hartes, had been inseparable. It was no surprise to anyone when their teenage children, Chris and Emily, began showing signs that their relationship was moving beyond that of lifelong friends. But now seventeen-year-old Emily has been shot to death by her beloved and devoted Chris as part of an apparent suicide pact - leaving two devastated families stranded in the dark and dense pre-dawn, desperate for answers about an unthinkable act and the children they never really knew. (from back cover)

Review:

I think my love for Jodi Picoult and her novels should be apparent by now. I've read six of her books and absolutely adored every one of them. They are all adult novels, which even comes to a surprise to me, but often her characters are teenagers so it reads like YA. The Pact is no different.

What intrigues me the most about The Pact is the relationship between Chris and Emily. When I say that these two teens have known each other since birth, I am not exaggerating. Their families are next-door neighbors and Chris's mom even helped to deliver Emily. They grew up together in every sense of the word and all their parents were secretly rooting for them to get married one day. Everyone has read books of undying love between high school sweethearts, but this love was different. I can't imagine being in a relationship with someone who was like family and that you've known your entire life - I think it would be pretty cool but at the same time it could be a little stifling. Jodi Picoult wrote the relationship between Chris and Emily very well. They were like soulmates, but it wasn't cheesy or corny at all. The couple had their issues but their love and trust in one another just seemed so real.

That's why I love Jodi Picoult's novels. The characters, the situations, the dialogue, it all seems real to me. The characters are complex, they have their secrets, their insecurities, their own thoughts and feelings. Every character is totally different and reacts to each situation differently (and even if it's not how I would act, everything makes sense in context). The Pact was no exception, as Chris goes on trial to see whether he was the victim of botched double suicide or the prepretrator of the crime. Jodi Picoult is wonderful at going back in time and revealing little bits and pieces of information, first about the Hartes and the Golds and Chris and Emily's burgeoning relationship, and later about that fated night. You learn everything in increments and you can't put the book down because you have to see what happens next.

There is so much I would like to say about this novel, but I don't really want to give away any of the plot. It's another crime/court case drama, which I love, but a lot of it isn't even about the trial, but about Chris and Emily. I kind of guessed the ending, but it didn't take anything away from story, which is a sad one. Thinking about Chris living without Emily, his complete and utter soulmate, makes me kind of upset. With their relationship, I can't even imagine what I do. Luckily for me, Jodi Picoult has written a riveting novel about this kind of situation.

The Pact has everything that I would want in a book: love, mystery, secrets, complexity, tears, heartbreak, family. If you've never read a book by Jodi Picoult, I suggest that you read one immediately. They are extraordinary and will leave you thinking long after you've read the last page.

Rating: 10 out of 10!

FTC: borrowed from library.

1998/Harper Perennial/389 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 28

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about upcoming books.

The Time-Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

When Louise Lambert receives a mysterious invitation to a traveling vintage fashion sale in the mail, her normal life in suburban Connecticut is magically transformed into a time traveling adventure.

After a brief encounter with two witchy salesladies and donning an evening gown that once belonged to a beautiful silent film star, Louise suddenly finds herself onboard a luxurious cruise ship in 1912. As Alice Baxter, the silent film star, Louise enjoys her access to an extensive closet of gorgeous vintage gowns and begins to get a feel for the challenges and the glamour of life during this decadent era. Until she realizes that she's not just on any ship-- she's on the Titanic!

Will Louise be able to save herself and change the course of history, or are she and her film star alter ego, destined to go down with a sinking ship in the most infamous sea disaster of the 20th century? (from Goodreads)

This sounds like it will be a really cute historical fiction novel AND it takes place on the Titanic which is totally awesome. Look for The Time-Traveling Fashionista in stores on April 5, 2011.

The Agency: The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee

Summary:
Now nearly a full-fledged member of the Agency, the all-female detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls, Mary Quinn is back for another action-packed adventure. Disguised as a poor apprentice builder and a boy, she must brave the grimy underbelly of Victorian London - as well as childhood memories of fear, hunger, and constant want - to unmask the identity of a murderer. Assigned to monitor a building site on the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, Mary earns the confidence of the work crew, inching ever nearer her suspect. But if an irresistible desire to help the city's needy doesn't distract her and jeopardize her cover, unexpectedly meeting up with an old friend - or flame - just might.

A suspenseful and evocative window into a fascinating moment of history, The Body at the Tower is the must anticipated second outing with a daring young detective. (from book jacket)

Review:
I was really excited to read The Body at the Tower, which is the sequel to A Spy in the House. In the first novel of the trilogy, the reader is introduced to Mary Quinn, who escapes execution and comes to reside at Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. However, Miss Scrimshaw's is merely a cover for a corp of women detectives known as the Agency. When Mary is recruited, she must go undercover as a spy on several dangerous missions, and The Body at the Tower begins on Mary's second mission. As the summary stated, Mary must pretend to be a boy in order to discover a murderer.

I really like it when I start a series where a few books have already been published because that means less waiting time for me. I was glad to jump right into Mary's world again, which is an interesting one at that. First, the novel takes place in Victorian London, a wonderful setting for all sorts of mischief. Second, I love the fact that Mary is a spy and detective, and even though this is unrealistic in some aspects, Y.S. Lee makes a convincing case that there may have just been a few of these brave women running around. Mary is very smart and cunning, which makes her a joy to follow around. She slips up a few times, but she plays a boy well.

Everything is going great, until she runs into the handsome and devilish James Easton again. I was especially glad to see this gentleman, because despite being arrogant at times, he and Mary make a great pair. There is always a lot of chemistry and witty banter between them, and my favorite scenes were always the ones that featured these two characters.

Though The Body at the Tower lagged at times, specifically the funeral of John Wick, who was the victim in this story, most the time there were a lot of twists and turns and clues to be solved. The ending is satisfying, the villain's means and motives made sense and once again Mary Quinn saved the day.

I really enjoyed The Body at the Tower and look forward to more of Mary's escapades, but unfortunately The Traitor and the Tunnel, the last book in the trilogy, will not be published in the US until Spring 2012. Hopefully I will be able to find some other suitable reading material to tide me over until then.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library.

2010/Candlewick Press/337 pages.

Her and Me and You by Lauren Strasnick

Summary:
I met Fred first.

Fred: Hot. Enigmatic. Alex's first friend in her lonely new town. Maybe her first ... everything.

I met Adina the following Monday.

Adina: Fred's twin sister. Cold. Troubled. Trouble.

I kissed him. She pressed her mouth to my mouth.

People warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, but Alex is drawn to them. She wants to be part of their crazy world ... no matter the consequences. (from book jacket)

Review:
I liked Lauren Strasnick's debut Nothing Like You well enough, and I am always interested in the relationship between twins so I thought Her and Me and You would be a good choice. I enjoyed the read, however the sparse writing style is hard for me to get into.

The novel starts out with Alex moving to Meadow Marsh with her mother after her father cheats with a much younger woman. Alex's mother takes to drinking, and when her best friend gets a new boyfriend, Alex starts to feel lonely. She turns to her new friends that she has made at school, Fred and Adina. Fred is nice to Alex but Adina is a mystery. Sometime she's nice to Adina and other times she spreads rumors about Alex behind her back. And it all seems to stem from one thing: she's jealous that Alex is taking her brother away from her.

So we have a really weird situation with the twins that's actually really interesting to watch. You can tell Adina has some problems but she acts pretty crazy most of the time. Fortunately, things get somewhat resolved, but I must say that the ending was very confusing for me and just kind of leaves off without saying too much.

I liked Her and Me and You, but I was never really engrossed in the story. The sparse and succinct writing works for this book, but for me I just don't like it that much. However, if you enjoyed Nothing Like You, you should definitely give Her and Me and You a try because the writing is very similar.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from my library.

2010/Simon Pulse/171 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 27

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to get excited about upcoming books.

Possession by Elana Johnson

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don’t walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi’s future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they’re set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can’t leave Zenn in the Thinkers’ hands, but she’s wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn’s not. Vi can’t quite trust Jag and can’t quite resist him, but she also can’t give up on Zenn. This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play. (from GoodReads)

This sounds really good! It's dystopian and I can tell there's going to be a convincing love triangle of some sort. You only have to wait until June 7, 2011 to read Possession!