The Uglies
I worked at Border's Bookstore for YEARS and passed this book by everyday.  I don't know why.  I think it reminded me of the "trendy" books of the time, The It Girls, The Clique, etc.  Well, the joke was on me because this book ROCKED!  

 In a world where competition was the fatal flaw that led to the destruction of civilization as we know it, the government has stepped in to save us from ourselves.  They "leveled the playing field," so to speak, and have wiped away all those nasty feelings of jealousy, greed, and envy by mandating that every 16-year old must under go cosmetic surgery to wipe away all imperfections.  Now, no one is prettier (or "better") than anyone else in any way; at 16 you are essentially "born again" as the perfect person, in a perfect body.  Everyone is happy...or so they seem.

 The question soon arises -- What happens to those who don't want to be "perfect?"  And so the adventure begins...

 I should probably preface this with the fact that I am currently REALLY into dystopia books.  For that, I blame The Hunger Games.  I thought this book was interesting because unlike the Panem government, Westerfeld's futuristic Big Brothers put forth the illusion of bettering society and maintaining peace...I mean who wouldn't want to be perfect in every way?  Surely there wouldn't be any strings attached or anything.  Hmmmm...

 Anyway, I'll hopefully have a copy of the book sometime this week.  Here's to hoping it's as good as the first...

 ~s