Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

This is a great book for high schoolers. Eleanor is a big-chested, red-headed girl who's new to town and her new high school. She lives with her family and new stepdad, and they are practically homeless. She barely has enough food to eat, wears Goodwill clothes, and doesn't own a toothbrush. This is the story of how she meets the cute boy named Park on the school bus. The final plus is the abundance of great late 80s music featured in the book. Read to see what happens to Eleanor and Park. Surely something happens since he's in the title. ;)

A God in the Ruins by Kate Atkinson

I am currently reading this book. It's adult fiction centered around a British man, Teddy Todd, who was an RAF pilot during World War II. The story begins in his childhood and flashes forward to him at age 90 and back to him during the war. The whole book is flashes forward and back and forward and back. It's very well-written and interesting. His wife is odd, and his daughter is uber-weird. His grandchildren are the nicest people in his family.

This book is a spin-off from the author's previous book, Life After Life, about A God in the Ruins' protagonist's sister Ursula.

Why reading is so good for your brain

Reading is one of the best things anyone can do for his brain. Reading builds vocabulary knowledge easily. Reading creates good comprehension skills. Reading gives people insight about how to deal with other people simply based on good and bad characters. Blood flow to the brain increases while reading. More calories are burned reading a book than watching TV. Reading a book develops analytical skills. It boosts memory and helps focus.

So pick up a book today and improve your brain EASILY!