It’s coming up on LitWorks time! Can you believe it has already been a year?

For the six weeks before LitWorks we’re going to spotlight one of the authors and artists you’ll have a chance to meet at this year’s LitWorks Teen Book Fest. This week, it’s Christa Desir, author of Fault Line, Other Broken Things, Love Blind, and Four Letter Word.

Fault Line

In a single night, Ani’s life was torn to shreds–and Ben struggles with the weight of trying to fix the unfixable in this heartbreaking and edgy debut novel. Ben could date anyone he wants, but he only has eyes for the new girl–sarcastic, free-spirited Ani. Luckily for Ben, Ani wants him, too. She’s everything Ben could ever imagine. Everything he could ever want. But that all changes after the party. The one Ben misses. The one Ani goes to alone. Now Ani isn’t the girl she used to be, and Ben can’t sort out the truth from the lies. What really happened, and who is to blame?

Other Broken Things

Natalie’s not an alcoholic. She doesn’t have a problem . Everybody parties, everybody does stupid things, like getting in their car when they can barely see. Still, with six months of court-ordered AA meetings required, her days of vodka-filled water bottles are over. Unfortunately, her old friends want the party girl or nothing. Even her up-for-anything ex seems more interested in rehashing the past than actually helping Nat. But then a recovering alcoholic named Joe inserts himself into Nat’s life, and things start looking up. Joe is funny, he’s smart, and he calls her out in a way no one ever has. He’s also older. A lot older.

Love Blind

Shy high schooler Kyle Jamieson and Hailey Bosler, a musician with degenerative blindness, team up to tackle a bucket list of greatest fears in this compelling novel that explores what it means to take risks. It starts with a list of fears. Stupid things really. Things that Hailey shouldn’t worry about, wouldn’t worry about if she didn’t wake up every morning with the world a little more blurry. Unable to see her two moms clearly. Unable to read the music for her guitar. One step closer to losing the things she cares about the most. For a while, the only thing that keeps Hailey moving forward is the feeling she gets when she crosses something off the list. Then she meets Kyle. He mumbles–when he talks at all–and listens to music to drown out his thoughts. He’s loaded down with fears, too. So Hailey talks him into making his own list.

Four Letter Word

Chloe Sanders is ready for a change. She’s tired of watching her best friend Eve turn away from her for the more interesting and popular Holly Reed, and tired of living with her grandparents while her parents volunteer overseas. Chloe spends her days crushing on a guy named Mateo, being mostly ignored by Eve and Holly, and wishing the cornfields of Iowa didn’t feel so incredibly lonely. Then a new girl transfers to her high school—Chloe Donnelly. This Chloe is bold and arty and instantly placed on a pedestal by Eve and Holly. Now suddenly everyone is referring to Chloe Sanders as “Other Chloe” and she figures the only thing to do is go with it.

In case you haven’t heard, LitWorks is an annual Teen Book Fest organized by Ridgewood High School and The Eisenhower Library. Each year, we bring six Young Adult authors to meet the teens of Norridge and Harwood Heights. There’s a big group meet and greet with all our guests and break out sessions where you’ll get a chance to hear more from each individual author. There are prizes and giveaways throughout the day and an autograph signing party too. Not to mention enough food to feed an army. The best part? LitWorks is free for teenagers (and only $5.00 for adults.)

This year, LitWorks is on Saturday, March 24th from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Find more info at litworksbookfest.weebly.com