Since my last post I have read three young adult books: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location, Wintergirls, and Last Dance at the Frosty Queen. Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location, written by Jen Calonita, is the second in a series about Kaitlyn Burke. Sixteen-year-old Kaitlyn is already a Hollywood "It Girl." She stars on a hit TV show and is breaking into the movie business. She is trying to balance being a star and being "normal." These books aren't literary masterpieces by any stretch of the imagination, but they're still good books. It's certainly fun to read about the inner workings of Hollywood-the not-so-glamorous aspects. Kaitlyn is a great character because she is still grounded, even in the midst of red carpets and movie premieres.

Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson, explores the emotional depths of 18-year-old Lia's decent into anorexia. Wintergirls is interesting and insightful. It was depressing to be inside Lia's head. Sometimes I wanted to scream at her to "snap out of it." Of course, I know that anorexia is a disease that you don't just "snap out of," but even so, I found myself frustrated beyond belief with Lia at times. I'm sure the emotions I felt as a reader don't even scratch the surface of how a parent must feel watching their child trying to fight back from the depths of hell and losing.

Last Dance at the Frosty Queen, by Richard Uhlig, was great! I didn't think I would like it after reading the synopsis and some customer reviews; however I thought is was a wonderful book full of characters who, while not completely likeable, were very real. Arty is three weeks away from graduating high school. He is so desperate to get out of his small Kansas town, but he's got some issues to take care of before he can leave; namely, his women. Arty is brooding yet likeable. He's pessimestic but hopeful. I found myself rooting for him with all of my being. I definitely recommend this book. Warning: there is quite a bit of sex, but it's not just randomly placed. It is actually part of the story.