Contact by Carl Sagan

This book was really good, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a lot of character development (half the book) but the climax was really cool and entertaining. The plot follows the main character Ellie through her life, she becomes a radio astronomer thingy and thats when all of the cool stuff goes down. There was a lot of scientific terms that my brain could not handle, so I warn any who are thinking of reading it. Some parts can kind of get a little boring, but in the end it is really amazing. I would recommend the book to anyone who likes science fiction, although the stuff in the book is very believable especially with todays technology.

Forgive Me Leonard Peacock by Mathew Quick

This book is set in the day before Leonard Peacock decides to kill himself and his old best friend. However he first must deliver three presents, because it is his birthday. The first present goes to his elderly neighbor Walt whom he watches old bogart movies with after and before school. The second is for his crush, Lauren, which is a very religious girl he met handing out tracts at a subway stop. And the last present is for his teacher on the Holocaust who's name is Herr Silverman. As you see him go through his last day, he reveals the motives behind is murder/suicide and all of the other things that have gone askew in his life.

I really loved the book, I read it in two days and not just because it was due in two days. The descriptions were incredible and Quick was able to put the faces of just about every character clearly in my mind. It was a very fast paced book, and it also had a large amount of swearing in it. There was also a great deal of adult related topics in it so that is another thing to look out for in the book. Other than those, I thought this book would be suitable for any kid in our class and would encourage any to read this book.

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

This book is about a Netherlands police investigator, Carl Mørck who is just recovering from a partners death and another paralyzation. Due to his not so good office reputation, he gets moved to a new department where he can dig up and solve the cold cases. He finds one about an missing and presumed dead politician, Merete Lynggaard, from five years ago, who might or might not still be alive. He and his new partner Assad piece together the parts to this mystery that has some hidden motives.

I loved this book, it was the first mystery book that I have read. I really liked all of the thinking and they thoughtfulness of the vocabulary. Also it was interesting how you could tell in the way he talks he is still fighting a battle with himself. It was also cool how the story switched off perspectives between Carl and Merete Lynggaard.