It's All Alphabetical - H

We are lucky enough to have some pretty awesome book lovers in our lives, and nothing makes us happier than getting good recommendations from them. In the spirit of that, we asked our friends to play the alphabet game with us and tell us exactly why you needed to be reading these books. So, here we go! Here are the H books that come recommended from highly trusted sources.



(A, B, C, D, E, F & G Lists)
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The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin

Holly says: This is the first book of the Inheritance Trilogy, and it is AMAZING. The main protagonist Yeine Darr was raised to rule a small and barbaric area of land and she isn't prepared when she is suddenly thrust into a world of politics, Unless she finds allies in a deadly game of who becomes ruler, she will mostly likely be killed in a matter of days. But as a stranger in this opulent and vice riddled court, the only ones she can rely on are the enslaved gods who must obey their corrupt rulers, the same ones who plot to end Yeine's life. 

Beyond this exciting and magical plot, I was struck by Jemisin's blend of first person narrative with postmodern sequencing.  I could reread this time and time again.

Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle.


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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Betsy says: Because let's face it. Who doesn't want to be a wizard? 

Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He's never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in ten years.



But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter. _____________________________________________________________________

Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armetrout

Danielle says: Because it has mythology and Alexandria is one of my favorite heroines. Plus, you can't forget Seth or Aiden - so HOT!!! 

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.  _____________________________________________________________________

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

Nina says: Because the story is great and the mood is really intense. The setting in an Amish community is pretty unique as well. 

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community? The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning. _____________________________________________________________________

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Barbara says: Because I fell in love with it before Jennifer Lawrence made everyone fall in love with the movies. Ohh, and Team Peeta forever! 

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.


When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.  _____________________________________________________________________

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Danielle says: Because it's got murder, mystery, ghosts, and a boy. What more can you want? 

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.



Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?_____________________________________________________________________

Hero by Alethea Kontis

Danielle says: Because it has an awesome fairy tale land, magic, and a girl with a sword who can take care of herself. 

Rough and tumble Saturday Woodcutter thinks she's the only one of her sisters without any magic—until the day she accidentally conjures an ocean in the backyard. With her sword in tow, Saturday sets sail on a pirate ship, only to find herself kidnapped and whisked off to the top of the world. Is Saturday powerful enough to kill the mountain witch who holds her captive and save the world from sure destruction? And, as she wonders grumpily, "Did romance have to be part of the adventure?" As in Enchanted, readers will revel in the fragments of fairy tales that embellish this action-packed story of adventure and, yes, romance. _____________________________________________________________________

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

Mariela says: Because it is a very emotional book about a bulimic teenage girl based on the author's real life and it will make you cry a lot. Also, because it has the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Death looks just like Kurt Cobain and is so awesome! 

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?



Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?_____________________________________________________________________

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Bernadette says: Because it is the best book I ever read and I have huge crush on Patch!! 

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.



For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life. _____________________________________________________________________

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Dawn says: Because this was the first alien love story I liked! I loved the romance and Ian O'Shea is still one of my favorite fictional characters.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.


As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love. _____________________________________________________________________