Fiction

Clean Your Act Up: Books About Characters Trying to Get a Fresh Start

Rebecca Joines Schinsky Oct 1, 2012

Rebecca Joines Schinsky

Chief of Staff

Rebecca Joines Schinsky is the executive director of product and ecommerce at Riot New Media Group. She co-hosts All the Books! and the Book Riot Podcast. Follow her on Twitter: @rebeccaschinsky.

View All posts by Rebecca Joines Schinsky

This installment of Riot Recommendation is sponsored by Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin.

Since her release from Liberty Children’s Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship. But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It’s a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve–and her heart–will be tested as never before.

_________________________

Last week we asked you to share your favorite stories about characters trying to overcome bad reputations and get a fresh start. The responses were all over the spectrum, including many memoirs. Here’s what you suggested in the comments and on Facebook and Twitter.

Bad Marie by Marcy Dermansky