Titles nominated for the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list.

2009 Quick Picks Nominations

Updated Nov. 4, 2008

Fiction

Abel, Jessica, and Soria, Gabriel. Life Sucks. 2008. First Second, $19.95 (978-1-59643-107-2). Life sucks when you’re a vegetarian vampire.

Alexie, Sherman. Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.  Little, Brown, $16.99 (978-0316013680). Arnold breaks his teacher’s nose and gets booted off the rez and into a new school as the only Native-American.

Baskin, Nora Raleigh. All We Know of Love. Candlewick Press, $16.99 (978-0-7636-3623-4). Natalie is searching for answers after her mom’s disappearance.

Benway, Robin. Audrey, Wait!.  2008. Razorbill, $16.99 (978-15951419-0). Audrey’s ex-boyfriend writes a song and now she’s famous.

Black, Holly and Naifeh, Ted (Illus.). Good Neighbors: Kin. Scholastic, $16.99 (978-0439855624). Rue’s mother is gone, her father is arrested for murdering one of his students and Rue’s thinking she’s crazy because she sees faeries.

Bodeen, S.A. The Compound. 2008. Feiwel & Friends, $16.95 (978-0312370152). Life in an underground compound is drama filled with betrayal and mystery.

Booth, Coe. Kendra. 2008. Scholastic, $16.99 (978-0439925365). Kendra’s looking for love in all the wrong places.

Bradbury, Jennifer.  Shift. Simon & Schuster, $16.99 (978-1-4169-4732-5). Win disappears on a trip with his best friend and now the FBI wants to know what happened.

Busby, Cylin (Editor). First Kiss (Then Tell). 2008. Bloomsbury, $7.99 (978-1-49990-241-8). Everyone dreams of their first kiss, your favorite YA authors share first kiss confessions.

Chotjewitz, David. Crazy Diamond. 2008. A Richard Jackson Book, $17.99 (978-1-4169-1176-0). A teen musician is dead in a home aquarium- what went wrong?

de la Pena, Matt. Mexican White Boy. 2008. Random House, $15.99 (978-0-385-73310-6). Is he white or is he brown and does it matter in this town?

Divine, L. Drama High, Vol: 4. 2008. Dafina Books, $9.95 (978-0-7582-2532-0). L.A. girl drama.

Divine, L. Lady J: Drama High. 2008. Dafina Books, $9.95 (978-0-7582-2532-0). More L.A. girl drama.

Draper, Sharon. November Blues. 2007. Simon & Schuster, $16.99 (978-1-4169-0698). November has the blues after her boyfriend dies and she finds herself pregnant.                                                                                  

Fahy, Thomas. The Unspoken. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $15.99 (978-1-4169-4007-4). Your greatest fear will consume you in five year’s time. What can six teens do to stay alive?

Falher, Gene. Beanball. 2008. Houghton Mifflin, $16.00 (978-0-608-84348-0). Luke, “The Wizard,” is beaned by a wild pitch and his life changes.

Fields, Terri. My Father’s Son. 2008. Roaring Brook Press, $16.95 (978-1-59643-349-6). What happens when your dad is arrested and accused of being a serial killer?

Fukui, Isamu. Truancy. 2008. Tor, $17.95 (978-0-7653-1767-4). Tack is torn between bring down the system and avenging a death.

Gallardo, Adam and Demong, Todd (Illus.). 100 Girls. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $9.99 (978-1-4169-6109-3). Sylvia has always felt like a misfit because of her powers but it turns out she’s not the only one.

Giles, Gail. Right Behind You. 2007. Little Brown, $15.99 (978-0-3161-6636-2). A child murderer’s past is always right behind him.

Golden, Christopher. Poison Ink. 2008. Random House, $8.99 (978-0-385-73483-7). Group tattoos gone bad.

Griffin, Paul. Ten Mile River. 2008. Dial, $16.99 (978-0-8037-3284-1). Does BFF mean going to juvie or going it alone?

Hague, Michael. In the Small. 2008. Little Brown, $19.99 (978-0-316-01323-4). A blue flash has changed the world in this colorful manga tale of survivors.

Hegamin, Tonya. M+O 4EVR. 2008. Houghton Mifflin, $16.00 (978-0-618-49570-2). Love is tough when you’re headed in the opposite direction.

Hernandez, David. Suckerpunch. 2008. Harper Collins, $16.99 (978-0-060117330-1). Avenging your father’s abuse is harder than it appears.

High, Linda Oatman. Planet Pregnancy. 2008. Boyds Mills Press, $16.95 (978-1-59078-584-3). Three options: adopting, keeping or leaping…

Hopkins, Ellen. Identical. 2008. McElderry, $17.99 (978-1-4169-5005-9). This novel in verse takes on a taboo topic, sexual abuse.

James, Brian. Thief. 2008. Push, $8.99 (978-0-545-03400-5). Foster kids forced to steal for by their modern day Fagin.

Jennings, Sharon. Dancing on the Edge. 2008. HIP Edge, $10.95 (978-1-897039-27-4). Change is her middle name.

Jocelyn, Marthe. Would You. 2008. Wendy Lamb, $15.99 (978-0-375-83703-6). The impossible choice game becomes deadly serious.

Jonsberg, Barry. Dreamrider. 2008. Knopf, $15.99 (978-0-375-84457-7). Fat and bullied, Michael seeks an out and finds a scarier reality in his dreams.

Jordon, Dream. Hot Girl. 2008. St Martin’s, $9.95 (978-0-312-38284-1). Sometimes getting what you want costs you more than you want to pay.

Kern, Peggy. No Way Out. 2008. Hip Edge, $4.95 (978-1-49194-176-7). Will Harold escape the violence or become the next victim of the streets?

Korman, Gordon. The Juvie Three. 2008. Hyperion, $15.99 (978-1-4231-0158-1). Will they flunk their chance at life on the outside?

Kropp, Paul. Behind the Door. 2008. HIP Edge, $10.95 (978-1-897039-26-7). Doors are closed for a reason sometimes- you never know what’s on the other side.

Kropp, Paul. Turf War. 2008. HIP Edge, $12.95 (978-1-897039-29-8). Teen turf wars.

Krovatin, Christopher and Yates, Kelly (Illus). Venomous. 2008. Ginee Seo Books, $16.99 (978-1-4169-2487-6). Locke’s vengeful venom is running through his veins and possibly ruining his future.

Langan, Paul. Schooled. 2008. Townsend Press, $4.95 (978-1-49194-177-4). Despite all the negativity around him, Lionel is making his move toward the NBA.

Mac, Carrie. Pain & Wastings. Orca Soundings, $9.95 (978-1-55143-904-4). Riding in the ambulance shows Ethan more about life, and death.

Martin, C.K. I Know It’s Over. 2008. Random House, $16.99 (978-0-375-94566-3). Sometimes you know the relationship is over…even when you don’t want it to be.

McClintock, Norah. Down. 2007. Orca, $8.95 (978-1551437668)

McDaniel, Lurlene. Prey. 2008. Random House, $10.99 (978-0-385-73453-0). What’s Ryan to do when he’s got the hots for his teacher and she feels the same?

McDonnell, Margot. Torn to Pieces. 2008. Random House, $15.99 (978-0-385-0-73559-9). Try to stay safe when your mother disappears and danger is everywhere.

McMann, Lisa. Wake. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $15.99 (978-1-4169-5357-9). Things get crazy when a dreamwalker gets sucked into everyone’s dreams.

Mead, Richelle. Frostbite: A Vampire Academy Novel. 2008. Penguin, $8.99 (978-1-59514175). Love and jealousy take root when vampires take a winter vacation.

Millner, Denene and Miller, Mitzi. Hotlanta. 2008. Point, $8.99 (0-545-00308-3). The Duke twins live big, with even bigger secrets.

Millner, Denene and Miller, Mitzi. If Only You Knew: A Hotlanta Novel. 2008. Point, $8.99 (978-0-545-00309-4). Hotlanta just got hotter.

Moses, Sheila. Joseph. 2008. McElderry, $16.99 (978-1-417-69-1752-2). Surviving Baby Mama Drama.

Myers, Walter Dean. Game. 2008. Harper Collins, $16.99, (978-0-06-058295-1). Drew’s got game.

Neri, G. Chess Rumble. 2007. Lee and Low Books, $18.95, (978-1-58430-279-7). Battling real world problems on the chess board.

Olsen, Sylvia. Middle Row. 2008. Orca, $9.95 (978-155143-899-3). Can love survive bigotry and criminals protecting a secret?

Pagliarulo, Antonio. The Celebutantes: In the Club. 2008. Random House, $9.99 (978-0-385-73473-8). Death by pink stiletto.

Patterson, James. Maximum Ride: The Final Warning. 2008. Little Brown, $20.00 (978-0-316-00286-8). Maximum Ride and Flock take on their creator.

Pauley, Kimberly. Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (Maybe).  2008. Mirrorstone, $14.95, (978-0-7869-5028-7). It bites when your parents are vampires and you have just a month to decide if you will turn and join them.

Reisz, Kristopher. Unleashed. 2008. Simon Pulse, $7.99 (978-1-4169-4007-4). Why be a human teen when you can shift into a werewolf?

Ryan, Darlene. Responsible. 2008. Orca, $9.95, (978-1551436852). Who will you pick the bullies or your friend?

Schroeder, Lisa. I Heart You, You Haunt Me. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $7.99 (978-1-4169-5520-7). Imagine having your dead boyfriend “living” at your house.

Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl. 2008. Simon Pulse, $17.00 (978-4169-6059-1). Do the unthinkable, find a new girl for the monster who kidnapped you.

Shiraz, Yasmin. Retaliation. 2007. Rolling Hills Press, $14.95 (978-0971817432). Good girl Tashera is attacked and her people want to retaliate.

Showalter, Gena. Blacklisted. 2007. MTV Books, $9.95 (978-1-4165-3222-5-5). Sometimes there are good reasons to do bad things.

Simone, Jackie. Ciara: Hip Hop Series. 2008. Mason Crest, $22.95 (978-1-4222-0286-9). One of Hip Hop’s brightest is highlighted.

Sitomer, Alan Lawrence. The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez. 2008. Hyperion Books for Children, $17.99 (978-1-4231-1072-9). Sonia is everything to everyone except herself.

Stewart, Sean. Cathy’s Key: If Found, Please Call 650-266-8233. 2008. Roaring Brook Press, $17.95 (978-0762430857). Some secrets are better left deeply buried.

Stolarz, Laurie Faria. Project 17. 2007. Hyperion, $15.99 (978-0-7868-3856-1). Teens and an abandoned insane asylum takes on a Blair Witch twist.

Storrie, Paul D. Twisted Journey’s #5: Nightmare on Zombie Island. 2008. Graphic Universe, $18.25 (978-0-8225-6198-9). Zombies are wreaking havoc in this Choose Your Own Adventure.

Tamaki, Mariko. Skim. 2008. Groundwood Books, $18.25 (0-88899-7563-1). The tortured teen’s life in a graphic novel format. Teen life never looked so good.

Taylor, Brooke. Undone. 2008. Walker Books, $16.95 (978-802709763-6). Serena is left with Kori’s list of 5 things to do- will she leave them undone?

Trondheim, Lewis. Kaput and Zosky. 2008. Roaring Brook Press, $13.95 (978-1-59643-132-4). Two rotten, ruthless aliens look to take over planets, luckily nothing ever goes as they plan.

Tullson, Diane. Lockdown.  2008. Orca Soundings, $9.95 (978-1-55143-916-7). A horrifying hamster incident incites a shooting.

Varrato, Tony. Fakie. 2008. Lobster Press, $7.97 (978-1-897073-79-7). Can a new look, name, town, school, sport, and friends save him from ruthless assassins?

Varrato, Tony. Outrage. 2008. HIP Edge, $10.95 (978-1-897039-28-1). Sometimes bad days don’t get any better.

Volponi, Paul. The Hand You’re Dealt. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $16.99 (978-1-4169-3989-4). All’s fair in love and poker.

Volponi, Paul. Hurricane Song. 2008. Penguin Group, $15.99 (978-0670061600). The Superdome isn’t so super when you’re trapped following Hurricane Katrina.

Weaver, Will. Saturday Night Dirt. 2007. Farrar, Straus Giroux, $14.95 (978-0-374-35060-4). One summer night at the track.

Whittenberg, Allison. Life is Fine. 2008. Random House, $15.99 (978-0-385-73480-6). Life is so not fine when an orangutan from the zoo is the only one who cares about you.

Wolf, Allan. Zane’s Trace.  2007. Candlewick Press, $16.99 (978-0763628581). A stolen car, a loaded gun, and family secrets.

Woodson, Jacqueline. After Tupac and D Foster. 2008. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $15.99 (978-0-399-24654-8). Three girls find their “Big Purpose” through Tupac’s songs and life.

Nonfiction

Aronson, Marc and H.P. Newquist. For Boys Only: The Biggest Baddest Book Ever. 2007. Feiwel & Friends, $14.95 (978-0-312-37706-9). Everything from sports cars to satellites, and spies

Aranzi, Aronzo. Let’s Make Cute Stuff: Cute Stuff. 2008. Vertical, $14.95 (978-1934287095). So cute!

Badillo, Steve and Werner, Doug. Skateboarding: Legendary Tricks. 2008. Tracks Publishing, $12.95 (978-1884654305). Skateboarding, trick by trick.

Bove, Tony and Rhodes, Cheryl. iPod & iTunes for Dummies. 2007. Wiley, John & Sons, Inc., $21.99 (978-0470174746). All about iPod and iTunes.

Bower, Crai S. and Millard, Travis (illus). Farts: A Spotter’s Guide. 2008. Chronicle, $12.95 (978-0811866095). Farters beware, you’ll be discovered now.

Bowman, Robin (photographer). It’s Complicated: The American Teenager. 2007. Umbrage Editions, $40.00 (978-1884167690). Teen lives magnified by 414 amazing photos.

Bryson, Jodi and Winterberg, Jenna (Editor). Gothic and Lolita Bible, Vol. 1. 2008. TokyoPop, $19.99 (978-1-4278-0347-4). Goth-Loli fans finally have their own English version of Japan’s popular fashion bible.

Bucher, Stefan. 100 Days of Monsters. 2008. How, $19.99 (1600610919). Monsters never looked so good.

Bush, Jenna and Baxter, Mia (Illus.). Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope. 2007. Harper Collins, $18.99 (978-0-06-137908-6). Ana’s living with HIV, pregnancy and abuse; yet she has hope.

Canfield, Jack (Ed.). Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. 2007. Health Communications, $24.00 (978-0-7573-0734-8). Stories behind today’s idol performers.

Carey, Percy and Wimberly, Ronald (Illus.). Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm. 2007. Vertigo, $19.99 (978-1-4-12-1046-5). Follow the rise and fall of rapper MF Grimm from Sesame Street to drug dealing on the streets.

Claybourne, Anna. 100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet: What to Do If it Happens to You.  2008. Scholastic, $7.99 (978-0545069274). How to survive avalanches, mosquitoes and more.

Cliver, Sean. Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art. 2007. Gingko Press, $29.95 (978-1584232643). The art and history of skate decks.

Cocks, Heather and Morgan, Jessica. Go Fug Yourself: the Fug Awards.  2008. Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $19.95 (978-1416938040). Straight from the blog that picks apart the celebs better than anyone.

Comickers Magazine. Comickers Art 2: Creat Amazing Manga Characters. 2008. HarperCollins, $24.95 (978-0061452543). Essential guide for all aspiring manga artists.

Conley, Erin Elisabeth. Uncool: A Girl’s Guide to Misfitting In. 2008. Orange Avenue Publishing, $9.95 (978-0-977-2660-9-8). When fitting in isn’t what you want.

Editors of Cosmogirl. All the Questions About Hair, Makeup, Skin & More. 2008. Hearst Books, $5.95 (978-1-58816-644-9). Answers to all your beauty questions.

Fardon, John. Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World's Best-Kept Secrets. 2007. DK, $24.99 (0-7566-33205-6). The world’s secrets revealed.

Franco, Betsy (Ed.) Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers. 2008. Candlewick Press, $15.99 (978-0-7636-3437-7). Teenagers use poetry to talk about love.

Franzini, Michael. One Hundred Young Americans. 2007. Harper Collins, $29.95 (978-0-06119200-5). Photos and stories of real teens.

Fulbeck, Kip. Permanence. 2008. Chronicle Books, $19.95 (978-0-8118-6131-1). The why’s are answered—why that tattoo and why get it.

Garza, Mario. More Stuff on My Cat: 2x the Stuff +2x the Cats =4x the Awesome.  2008. Chronicle, $12.95 (978-0811862257). More stuff on cats really does equal twice the funny.

Garza, Mario. Stuff on My Cat Presents:Wet Cats.  2008. Chronicle, $9.95 (978-0811862271). What’s funnier than stuff on your cat? Wet cat!

Green, Dan and Basher, Simon (Illus.). Physics: Why Matter Matters! 2008. Kingfisher, $8.95 (978-0-7534-6214-0). Science brought to life by art.

Greenberg, Steve. Gadget Nation: A Journey Through the Eccentric World of Invention. 2008. Sterling, $19.95 (140273686X). Quirky innovations and inventions of the U.S.

Hantman, Clea. 30 Days to Getting Over the Dork You used to Call Your Boyfriend: A Heartbreak Handbook. 208. Delacorte Press, $7.99 (978-0-385-73549-0). Getting Dumped bites, but this handbook will help you recover faster.

Harrison, Ian. Take Me to Your Leader: Weird, Strange, and Totally Useless Information. 2007. DK, $25.00 (0-7566-3202-1). Cool, crazy, kooky facts.

Ho, Oliver. Mutants & Monsters. 2008. Sterling Publishing, $5.95 (978-1-4027-3642-1). Hairy monsters, mysterious sea creatures and big things with wings, is it real or a legend?

Horowitz, Anthony and Johnston, Antony. Point Blank: The Graphic Novel. 2008. Philomel, $14.99 (978-0-399-25026-2). Alex Rider, teen James Bond, courts danger at a mysterious prep school.

Hudson, Noel. The Band Name Book. 2008. Boston Mills Press, $29.95 (978-1-55046-487-0). The good, the bad, and the weird band names are explained. 

Jenkins, Steven and Stalder, Erika with Houshyar, Azadeh (Illus.). 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School. 2007. Orange Avenue Publishing, $14.95 (978-097901730-8).  Making a difference and having fun.

Johnson, Arne and Macklin, Karen, Wertz, Michael (illus). Indie Girl: From Starting a Band to Launching a Fashion Company, Nine Ways to Turn Your Creative Talent into Reality. 2008. Orange Avenue Publishing, $16.95 (978-0979017339). How to do anything for girls.

Khidekel, Marina. The Quiz Life. 2008. Delacorte Press, $6.99 (978-0-375-84263-4). Dozens of quizzes reveal the real you.

Kibuishi, Kazu. Flight: Vol. 4. 2007. Villard, $24.95 (978-0-345-49040-7). Collection of short stories in graphic novel format by multiple artists/authors.

King, Dennis. Art of Modern Rock: Mini #1: A-Z. 2007. Chronicle, $18.95 (978-08118-634-2). Mini book of rock posters.

King, Dennis. Art of Modern Rock: Mini #2: Poster Girls. 2007. Chronicle, $18.95 (978-0-8118-6119-9). Poster girls of modern rock.

Kuklin, Susan. No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenagers on Death Row. 2008. Henry Holt, $17.95 (978-0805079500). Death row inmates, sentenced as teens speak- raw and uncensored.

Landowne, Youme and Horton, Anthony. Pitch Black.  2007. Cinco Puntos Press, $17.95 (978-1933693-06-4). Graphic novel tackles lives of two artists who meet on a subway.

Li, Yishan. 500 Manga Creatures. 2008. HarperCollins, $19.95 (978-4921205072). Manga-mania!

MacDonald, James. Dale Ernhardt Jr.: Racing’s Living Legend. 2008. Enslow, $31.93 (978-0-7660-2996-5). Junior’s life as a race car driver is exposed.

MacHale, D.J. and McNeil, Carla Speed (illus). Pendragon: Merchant of Death (A Graphic Novel). 2008. Simon & Schuster, $9.99 (978-1-4169-5080-6). Typical teen is on a quest to save the world.

The Manga University Culinary Institute and Hattori, Chihiro. The Manga Cookbook. 2007. Japanime Co. Ltd., $14.95 (978-4921205072). Japanese cooking, manga-style.

Miller, Ron. Digital Art: Painting with Pixels. 2008. Twenty-first Century Books, $31.93 (978-0822575160). Digital art explained.

O’Meara, Donna. Volcano: A Visual Guide. Firefly, $29.95, (978-1-55-407353-5). Amazing photos of volcanoes all over the world.

Ovenden, Mark and Ashworth, Mike (Ed.) . Transit Maps of the World. Penguin, $25.00 (0143112651). Travel the world with maps galore!

Paglen, Trevor. I Could Tell You But Then You Would Have to Be Destroyed By Me. Melville House, $22.95 (3933633328). Secrets of the Pentagon’s emblems and work revealed.

Peckham, Aaron. Mo’Urban Dictionary: Ridonkulous Street Slang Defined.  2007. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $12.99 (978-0-7407-6875-0). Holla! A funky, fresh fularious book.

Powell, Ben. Skateboarding Skills: The Reader’s Guide. Firefly, $16.95 (978-1-55407-360-3). All the moves, tricks and tips to get you skating.

Rask, Kristen. Plush You! Loveable Misfit Toys to Sew and Stuff. 2007. F & W Publications, $19.99 (1-58180-996-4). Irresistibly hip plush toys you can create.

Reber, Deborah. Chill: Stress-Reducing Techniques for a More Balanced, Peaceful You. 2008. Simon & Schuster, $9.99 (978-1-4169-5526-7). Stressed out? Relax, take a deep breath…and chill.

Redd, Nancy Amanda. Body Drama. 2008. Penguin Group, $20.00 (978-1-592-40326-4). Real girls, real bodies, real issues and real answers.

Roland, Paul. Guitar Chords. 2007. Arcturus Publishing, $9.99 BP (978-1-84193-638-3). All the chords you’ll need and more!

Saffal, Steve. Spider Man, The Icon. 2007. Titan Books, $49.95 (978-1-845-76685-6). The webbed one uncovered.

Shapiro, Bill. Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See. 2007. Crown Publishing Group, $22.50 (978-0-307-38264-1). An unflinching look at vulnerable, love letters, text messages, emails, and drawings.

Sixx, Nikki with Gitting, Ian. The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star. 2007. Pocket Books, $32.50 (978-0-7434-8628-6). Life through hazy eyes on heroin.

Smith, Keri. The Guerilla Art Kit: Everything You Need to Put Your Message Out Into the World. 2007. Princeton Architectural Press, $17.95 (1-56898-688-2). Release your inner artist or activist with this ultra cool book.

Smith, Larry and Fershleiser, Rachel. Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. 2008. Harper Perennial, $12.00 (978-0061374050). Life summed up in six words.

Smits, Kim and Maat, Matthijs. Custom Kicks. 2008. Laurence King Publisher, $19.95 (978-1-85669-542-8). 140 footwear creations-truly wearable art.

Spears, Rick and BB, Chuck (Illus.). Black Metal, Vol. 1. 2007. Oni Press, $11.95 (978-1932664720). Young Death Metal misfits invade suburbia.

Stalder, Erika and Krietzman, Ariel (Illus.). Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing. 2008. Orange Avenue Publishing, $17.95 (978-0979017346). All about fashion!

Steinberger, Major Aimee.  Japan Ai: A Tall Girls’ Adventures in Japan. 2007. Go! Media, $16.99 (978-1-933617-83-1). The ultimate J-pop fan’s travel book for Japan.

Willin, Melvyn. Ghosts: Caught on Film. 2007. David & Charles, $16.99 (0715327283). Eerie look at ghostly photographs.

Wilson, Daniel H. How to Build a Robot Army: Tips on Defending the Earth Against Alien Invaders. 2007. Bloomsbury Publishing, $13.95 (1-59691-281-2). Robot allies are in your future.

Yaek, Aviva and Chen, P.M. No Regrets: The Best, Worst & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tatoos Ever. 2008. Grand Central Publishing, $16.99 (978-0446582070). Sometimes it’s okay to laugh at other people’s mistakes.

Zinczeko, David. Eat This, Not That!. 2008. Rodale, $19.95 (978-1-59486-854-2). Healthy fast food choices, really?