Cupcake

CC has come a long way since her days as "the little hellion" (so nicknamed by her stepfather). She's graduated high school with passing grades, made peace with her mother, managed to find balance between her east coast and west coast families, and cultivated some awesome and lasting friendships. She's even agreed to take some classes at the local culinary school. Plus, she's found a job doing exactly what she loves. Life seems perfect.

But there's a little matter that refuses to resolve itself: CC's ex-boyfriend and maybe (maybe not) true love, Shrimp, who left her without so much as a backward glance so he could go surfing in Australia, suddenly re-appears in her life without warning. Shrimp (if that's even his real name) claims to be a changed man who can't live without CC. In short, he wants her back. And, at first, CC is thrilled! But CC is not the same girl she was three years ago when she and Shrimp first became a hot item. Sure, she's still a romantic at heart, but she's wiser too. She's been burnt by Shrimp more than once, and she's not sure she can trust his claims of maturity. Has he really gotten all that wanderlust out of his system? And is he really ready to settle down with her? CC isn't sure. Besides, all that time as a single girl has given CC the chance to think about what she really wants out of life. And maybe what she wants isn't a life following Shrimp around. CC has a lot of soul searching to do and not much time to do it.

Cupcake, the third and final book in Rachel Cohn's Gingerbread trilogy, is fantastic! CC shows tremendous growth throughout the trilogy, transforming from a spoiled, self-absorbed brat who is dangerously obsessed with the wrong sort of boy into a well-adjusted and likable young woman who knows where she's going in life (and where she's going is not following some slacker guy to the ends of the earth). 

True, the Gingerbread books may be older, but they're definitely worth a read. If you like realistic, sort of edgy romances populated by unique and quirky characters, these books are for you. --AJB

Wallflower Read-Alikes

Ever since word got out that Stephen Chbosky's edgy teen novel Perks of Being A Wallflower was being adapted into a film, it's been impossible to keep the book on the shelf (much less the movie). Now, by popular demand, are some read-alikes to check out while you patiently wait for your turn to read this classic novel:

Looking for Alaska, by John Green: Miles (a.k.a. "Pudge") leaves his predictably boring life for Culver Creek Boarding School. Here he makes friends with a quirky bunch of troublemakers and misfits. But none stick in his mind more than the doomed Alaska Young.

13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher: Clay comes home to find a box on his front porch. A box from classmate Hannah, who committed suicide a few days earlier. Could the box hold a clue about why Hanna did it? And did Clay play a role in her demise?

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, by Rachel Cohn: Two teens, both recovering from bad relationships, meet by chance and discover they have much in common. But first this potential couple must survive an unforgettable night.

The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton: If you haven't read this classic coming-of-age novel, you need to! Ponyboy and his greaser friends are at constant odds with the town rich kids. But when his best friend kills a rival in self-defence, the two must flee or face the consequences.

Going Bovine, by Libba Bray: Cameron is content to coast through life--until he is given only a few weeks to live. But with this diagnosis comes an otherworldly ultimatum: Save the world, and you'll be cured. Can Cameron ditch his slacker ways for this? Funniest! Book! Ever!

Hold Still, by Nina LaCour: Caitlin's best friend, Ingrid, commits suicide, leaving Caitlin aftaid to make new friends or even experience anything fun. Then Caitlin discovers Ingrid's journal and learns what was going on with her friend. Eventually Caitlin opens herself back up to the world--and learns to heal.

Still not finding what you want? Stop by the Teen Desk and ask the librarian on duty for more recommendations--AJB