The Here and Now by Ann Brashares is another great YA read, continuing the tradition of me being entertained by books written for teens :)

Although I’ve never read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series– Brashares’ best-known work– another of her books, The Last Summer (of You and Me) was a favorite of mine a few years back, and one I think everyone should read at least once a summer. It takes place at the beach, it’s about sisters…what’s not to love? (Consider that a bonus recommendation :) )

The Here and Now is the story of 17 year old Prenna, who immigrated to New York state – but not from a different country. Prenna comes from the future, a time where a mosquito-borne pandemic has killed millions, including her two younger brothers.  After traveling to the past, Prenna and the others like her live with a strict set of rules that call to mind Captain Kirk and Star Trek – don’t interfere, don’t call attention to yourself, and do not become intimate with anyone from the past.

Prenna meets Ethan, and wrestles with all of these rules, but not in a predictable way. I was pleasantly surprised that the story had more to it than the cover description indicated. It wasn’t just the story of teen love thwarted by destiny – these kids had a mission, and the plot kept me turning pages as they unravelled different parts of this mystery and decided how to respond.  Definitely worth a place in your beach bag this summer.