Putting Makeup On Dead People

by Jen Violi, 336 pages.

After Donna's dad died 4 years ago, she's had a hard time letting go.  It has definitely shaped her world view in more ways than one.  So when the idea to attend mortuary school comes up, she can't not do it.  Her family has huge reservations, her friends (except for the amazing Liz and Charlie) think she's nuts.  But this is more than a fascination with death - it's all about shedding the past and finding herself.

I loved this book more than I thought I would.  I think it really highlights the idea that there is SO MUCH growing up that happens in that year between leaving home and growing up that I feel like I talk about so much.  But I say it because it's true.  Donna totally changes in the book.  As does her family.  What I loved more than anything was this whole idea throughout the book that people grow and change and it is HARD to recognize that in most instances, and that you just have to try to stick to your guns without burning too many bridges as you go.

If I Stay

by Gayle Forman, 197 pages

Mia is a 17 year old talented cellist with the prospect of Julliard in her future. The biggest choice facing her is whether to move to New York City to pursue the career of her dreams or stay in Oregon and follow her boyfriend Adam as he pursues his. Then in an instant, everything changes. In a coma after a horrific car crash kills her entire family, Mia is left with the only choice that really matters - stay and live her life with grief or join her family in death?

This novel packs quite a punch into it's 197 pages. It chronicles Mia's out-of-body experience as she relives the people and experiences that brought her to this point in her life. The characters are well-written and even though the book is ultimately about death, they breathe plenty of life into the pages. The narrative is funny and heartwarming and leaves the reader feeling just as confused as Mia about the decision she has to make.

This book is powerful, life-affirming type of material written in a very graceful, flowing way. It tackles some sophisticated issues that probably aren't on the immediate minds of most young adults. However, I think after having read this book, many young adults might shed their cloak of invincibility. Impermanence is a hard life lesson to learn but this novel helps ease the realization.

Blackest Night

by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, and Joe Prado

unpaged

After the events of the Sinestro Corps War, the Green Lanterns learn that there are more colors to the emotional spectrum than just green and yellow. There are seven: green, yellow, red, blue, orange, purple, and indigo. But now there is another faction that seeks to devour all the colors of the Spectrum. They are the Black Lanterns. Their leader, Black Hand, begins his assault by bringing to life all of the current superheroes' dead friends, family and enemies in an attempt to bring the entire universe into a black nothingness. Can the Flash, Hal Jordan, and other heroes stop the black Lanterns, or will they be numbered among the undead?