We Were Liars by E. Lockhart:

A thrilling and beautifully written book with a wicked twist! I did not see it coming until the page before and by then it was too late and I just needed to know if I was wrong. But I wasn’t, and the gasp that escaped me was a warning to all to not interrupt me until I finished reading the last page.

Summer after summer, the Sinclair family spend their days holidaying on their very own private island. Four friends – four liars – and one secret that begs you to ask, what happened that summer? One thing’s for sure, they might be lying, but we’re here to find out the truth! – Carla (Store 2IC)

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven:

This is a story of a girl who learns to live from a boy that wants to die.
Theodore Finch is a boy constantly obsessed with death, especially different ways to kill himself. Violet Markey is a girl aching with grief from her sister’s recent demise.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, their story and struggle really begins.
This book made me feel such raw and intense emotions that my tears stained the pages throughout. Every forty seconds, someone in the world dies by suicide. This is a fictional story of a not so fictional problem that affects society. You will want to hug your friends and family after reading this book. Just remember when times are dark that “You are all the colours in one, at full brightness”. – Adriana

Doctor Who Engines of War by George Mann:

A great Doctor Who novel featuring the “war doctor” during the great time war between the time lords and the Daleks. Doctor Who crashes on the planet Moldox. There he meets Cinder a young woman who is trying her best to fight the Daleks pretty much on her own. The Doctor discovers that the Daleks are taking human prisoners – which is unusual for them.
The Doctor and Cinder sneak onto a Dalek ship to find out why the Daleks are doing this. The Doctor discovers their plan and has to warn the time lords before it’s too late. Have the Daleks found a way to finally win the war ? An enjoyable novel, but best suited for Doctor Who fans . – Peter

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes:

As a child Charlie experienced physical abuse from his mother and was constantly made fun of by his ‘friends’. Charlie was chosen to participate in an experiment that would help increase his IQ and treat his disability. As Charlie becomes smarter he realises just how much his childhood affects him as an adult and what people really thought of him.
Would recommend for ages 16+ – Sarah

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult:

‘If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way‘ – Martin Luther King Jr.

Ruth is a labour and delivery nurse with over twenty years experience – she is one of the best. Ruth can sooth a mother to be in an instant; make a father accept his responsibilities; and bring new joy into this world. Ruth loves her job, and even though she works harder than anyone else, still hasn’t been promoted. But Ruth loves her job and her life.
That is, until she meets Turk – a father who doesn’t want someone like Ruth touching his baby. Ruth is the only black nurse in her hospital, and Turk is a white supremacist. Ruth is instructed that she is not allowed to touch his baby, and although she is hurt, she agrees. But when she is the only nurse left on the floor and the baby goes into cardiac arrest, she has to step in…right?
But then the baby dies, and Turk is convinced that Ruth killed him on purpose. Ruth is charged with negligent homicide, and Picoult’s usual courtroom drama unfolds.
This books makes you reconsider exactly how you live your life; how you interact with people of all colours and races. It makes you stand back and think about your actions before you make them. It makes you discuss these issues with your friends and family, and realise that you may, unintentionally, be a part of the problem.
This book will get you talking and it’s time to talk about this tough topic. – Jacquie