Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning
This is really the second book in the series and I totally forgot to post about it. Oops. I like parts of this one - Mac is becoming less unbearable - she worries less about her nailpolish which is good. There is a changing/progressing relationship between Mac and Barrons that I like. Although I am not sure at this point if he is good or bad (or if it matters) he is my favorite male character in the series so far. And there are a lot of male characters (all the other females except Dani and Rowenna blend together for me - and maybe that is the point, who knows)
Anyway, I still liked the series when I read this second installment - I just forgot to post about it!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
No. 13: Shadowfever
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
I wasn't sure the series could recover after the last book which I didn't care for at all. But, to my surprise this book was an improvement. Not awesome, but in parts it approached the goodness of the first book. I thought it was really intersting the way Mac responded to the death of the beast and how she resolved to go on after it. I thought the whole White Mansion (or whatever it is called) part was totally boring, but I was glad to see Christian again, I thought the part about the Keltars bringing their families to Dublin was kind of funny. I liked the parts at Chesters. I thought the Dani parts were good. I thought the baby monster part was weird but also sad and very informative into his father's motivations and actions. It made me really like him a lot more. I liked the Rowena resolution.
It was a good end to the series - at least I hope it is the end. I am not overly intersted in reading it all again any time soon. If you like fantasy/fae books this series is a lot better than others I have read so I would recommend it there, but if you don't care for that genre it isn't maybe for you. It is different than her Highlander series (which I vastly prefer) and now I might read since I have been reminded about Adam and the Keltars again. Although I think I might need a KMM break for awhile.
I wasn't sure the series could recover after the last book which I didn't care for at all. But, to my surprise this book was an improvement. Not awesome, but in parts it approached the goodness of the first book. I thought it was really intersting the way Mac responded to the death of the beast and how she resolved to go on after it. I thought the whole White Mansion (or whatever it is called) part was totally boring, but I was glad to see Christian again, I thought the part about the Keltars bringing their families to Dublin was kind of funny. I liked the parts at Chesters. I thought the Dani parts were good. I thought the baby monster part was weird but also sad and very informative into his father's motivations and actions. It made me really like him a lot more. I liked the Rowena resolution.
It was a good end to the series - at least I hope it is the end. I am not overly intersted in reading it all again any time soon. If you like fantasy/fae books this series is a lot better than others I have read so I would recommend it there, but if you don't care for that genre it isn't maybe for you. It is different than her Highlander series (which I vastly prefer) and now I might read since I have been reminded about Adam and the Keltars again. Although I think I might need a KMM break for awhile.
No. 12: Dreamfever
Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
The fourth book in the series. This is really where I lose interest and just read to finish and read the new one to finish the series. I don't actually like weird overly fairy/fantasy weird stuff. I like the relationships Mac has - and figuring out who is good or bad or if it matters - and whether she is good or bad or if it matters. But this is really the book that makes me not like the series. Which is weird because this was my most highly anticipated book of the series, I could not wait until it came out! And then when it did I read it and compeletely forgot everything about it because it was too weird and sort of boring in the middle.
The fourth book in the series. This is really where I lose interest and just read to finish and read the new one to finish the series. I don't actually like weird overly fairy/fantasy weird stuff. I like the relationships Mac has - and figuring out who is good or bad or if it matters - and whether she is good or bad or if it matters. But this is really the book that makes me not like the series. Which is weird because this was my most highly anticipated book of the series, I could not wait until it came out! And then when it did I read it and compeletely forgot everything about it because it was too weird and sort of boring in the middle.
No. 11: Faefever
Faefever by Karen Marie Moning
This is the third book in the series, and I liked it. Maybe not as much as the first twos books but it is still pretty good. She starts to get a little crazier, the whole series starts to get a little more into the "fairy woo woo" stuff than I really like, things start to get a little more gross than I like, but things are still good at this point and I want to keep reading to find out what happens.
Confession time - yet again I read the whole series in a row without stopping to blog about each book. I know I resolved to stop doing that. But apparantly I can't stop. I have done it twice already this year. Sorry!!!
This is the third book in the series, and I liked it. Maybe not as much as the first twos books but it is still pretty good. She starts to get a little crazier, the whole series starts to get a little more into the "fairy woo woo" stuff than I really like, things start to get a little more gross than I like, but things are still good at this point and I want to keep reading to find out what happens.
Confession time - yet again I read the whole series in a row without stopping to blog about each book. I know I resolved to stop doing that. But apparantly I can't stop. I have done it twice already this year. Sorry!!!
No 10. Darkfever
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
I have read parts of this series a few times - but the "last" book just came out so I thought I would read the whole series over from the begining. And I am kind of glad I did because I completely forgot everything that happened in the fourth book. And I mean completely, it is like I never read it. Weird.
Anyway, this is the first in the series and it is my favorite of the whole bunch. I wouldnt have even read this series if I had known where it was heading. But nevertheless - I liked this book quite a bit. The FMC MacKayla or Mac had an interesting journey and you could really see a change from the begning to the end that felt authentic (where later in the series her change felt overexagerated and forced)
I have read parts of this series a few times - but the "last" book just came out so I thought I would read the whole series over from the begining. And I am kind of glad I did because I completely forgot everything that happened in the fourth book. And I mean completely, it is like I never read it. Weird.
Anyway, this is the first in the series and it is my favorite of the whole bunch. I wouldnt have even read this series if I had known where it was heading. But nevertheless - I liked this book quite a bit. The FMC MacKayla or Mac had an interesting journey and you could really see a change from the begning to the end that felt authentic (where later in the series her change felt overexagerated and forced)
Monday, January 24, 2011
No. 9: Mercy
Mercy by Julie Garwood
I needed something to read so I turned to my favorite bookshelf, the one where I keep my favorite authors. And I grabbed the first Julie Garwood book I saw. Now admittedly, her contemporary crime/FBI stuff is not my favorite. Although I do love the FBI quite a bit. This one seemed more like a John Grisham type story - a mystery involving crime, a secretive group of white collar criminals expand their criminal enterprise into murder ... and mystery and drama and gun battles ensue.
While reading this book I came up with a hypothesis regarding Garwood's FMCs. They are all very similar whether they are a doctor in present day Lousiana, the daughter of a Baron in the Middle Ages in England or a choir singer in the wild west - they are all intelligent, independent and stubborn (which are good things) but they are also very easliy overcome around hot guys, they need constantly get them selves in dangerous situations and despite their many positive qualties seem kind of flightly. So, I am going to read more Julie Garwood books to test my hypothesis out - it will be a great hardship I am sure. I will keep you posted as I go along.
I needed something to read so I turned to my favorite bookshelf, the one where I keep my favorite authors. And I grabbed the first Julie Garwood book I saw. Now admittedly, her contemporary crime/FBI stuff is not my favorite. Although I do love the FBI quite a bit. This one seemed more like a John Grisham type story - a mystery involving crime, a secretive group of white collar criminals expand their criminal enterprise into murder ... and mystery and drama and gun battles ensue.
While reading this book I came up with a hypothesis regarding Garwood's FMCs. They are all very similar whether they are a doctor in present day Lousiana, the daughter of a Baron in the Middle Ages in England or a choir singer in the wild west - they are all intelligent, independent and stubborn (which are good things) but they are also very easliy overcome around hot guys, they need constantly get them selves in dangerous situations and despite their many positive qualties seem kind of flightly. So, I am going to read more Julie Garwood books to test my hypothesis out - it will be a great hardship I am sure. I will keep you posted as I go along.
No. 8: The Last Olympian
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
This is the last book in the Percy Jackson series, so clearly it has to be the most exciting - the whole fate of Olympus and the world as we know it rest on the outcome of the climactic battle between the half-bloods (and their allies) and Luke/Kronos and their evil associates. Or something like that.
This was a great book - totally action packed but it still had the friendship/relationship/family/personal stuff that is so interesting and makes the characters who are otherwise totally unrelatable at least somewhat relatable. I mean, obviously my Dad is not a God, but I still want him to be proud of me. Although I am shooting at more proud of me for being a nice person/good Mom/lawyer rather than proud of me for kicking butt and killing a dragon. But whatever - the underlying feeling is the same. Clarisse, I totally understand you now :)
Also, there is a little resolution in the Percy/Annabeth/Rachael love triangle. Also a little resolution in the whole Nico storyline which I for one am pleased about because I find him to be very interesting. I hope he shows up in the new series. Or maybe he needs his own spinoff. What does he do hanging out in the Underworld during the school year? I am curious!
Now there is nothing for me to do but to wait until the new book in the Heros of Olympus series comes out. I think in the fall. Wait and wait.
This is the last book in the Percy Jackson series, so clearly it has to be the most exciting - the whole fate of Olympus and the world as we know it rest on the outcome of the climactic battle between the half-bloods (and their allies) and Luke/Kronos and their evil associates. Or something like that.
This was a great book - totally action packed but it still had the friendship/relationship/family/personal stuff that is so interesting and makes the characters who are otherwise totally unrelatable at least somewhat relatable. I mean, obviously my Dad is not a God, but I still want him to be proud of me. Although I am shooting at more proud of me for being a nice person/good Mom/lawyer rather than proud of me for kicking butt and killing a dragon. But whatever - the underlying feeling is the same. Clarisse, I totally understand you now :)
Also, there is a little resolution in the Percy/Annabeth/Rachael love triangle. Also a little resolution in the whole Nico storyline which I for one am pleased about because I find him to be very interesting. I hope he shows up in the new series. Or maybe he needs his own spinoff. What does he do hanging out in the Underworld during the school year? I am curious!
Now there is nothing for me to do but to wait until the new book in the Heros of Olympus series comes out. I think in the fall. Wait and wait.
No. 7: Battle of the Labyrinth
Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Hah! Unlike the last book, I do remember some details about this book. Detail 1: It involved a labyrinth. Detail 2: It included battles. Detail 3: Percy Jackson made Mt. St. Helens erupt and it sent him to Calypso's island (at least I think it was Calypso - as an aside, after I read The Odyssey in 10th grade I thought Calypso was the coolest name ever and vowed to name my future daughter that. So, henceforth, I will be referring to Ella as Calypso. Sorry for any confusion.). Detail 4: It involved a labyrinth...wait, I already said that one.
Anyway, this very exciting book involving battles and a labyrinth is highly recommended.
Hah! Unlike the last book, I do remember some details about this book. Detail 1: It involved a labyrinth. Detail 2: It included battles. Detail 3: Percy Jackson made Mt. St. Helens erupt and it sent him to Calypso's island (at least I think it was Calypso - as an aside, after I read The Odyssey in 10th grade I thought Calypso was the coolest name ever and vowed to name my future daughter that. So, henceforth, I will be referring to Ella as Calypso. Sorry for any confusion.). Detail 4: It involved a labyrinth...wait, I already said that one.
Anyway, this very exciting book involving battles and a labyrinth is highly recommended.
No. 6: The Titans Curse
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
I am the worst book blogger ever - I get in a hurry and read a new book before I blog about the old book. And then the books get mixed up in my head and I can't remember what happend in which one. That is what happened here (obviously, I am not just saying all this for fun) and I don't know any details specific to this book. I apologize.
What I do know is that I loved this series and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. So, whoever is reading this. If you have not read this series, you should.
I am the worst book blogger ever - I get in a hurry and read a new book before I blog about the old book. And then the books get mixed up in my head and I can't remember what happend in which one. That is what happened here (obviously, I am not just saying all this for fun) and I don't know any details specific to this book. I apologize.
What I do know is that I loved this series and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. So, whoever is reading this. If you have not read this series, you should.
No. 5: The Sea of Monsters
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
I have a problem. I am addicted to series. If I start a series, I am compelled to finish it. If I have a choice between a book that is in a series and a single book I will always chose the series. I think it is because a series can seem like one really long book - and that appeals to me because a single book is never long enough.
So, I liked this one for the interaction between Percy and Tyson - the good and the bad because family is never all good and I hate it when books pretend it is. I also liked the quest in this one.
I have a confession - I have actually read the entire series already. I am the worst at posting before I read a new book. Another confession - I have already read 2 other books outside the series. Bad Holly!!!
I have a problem. I am addicted to series. If I start a series, I am compelled to finish it. If I have a choice between a book that is in a series and a single book I will always chose the series. I think it is because a series can seem like one really long book - and that appeals to me because a single book is never long enough.
So, I liked this one for the interaction between Percy and Tyson - the good and the bad because family is never all good and I hate it when books pretend it is. I also liked the quest in this one.
I have a confession - I have actually read the entire series already. I am the worst at posting before I read a new book. Another confession - I have already read 2 other books outside the series. Bad Holly!!!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
No. 4: The Lightning Theif
The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan
After reading The Lost Hero and watching the Percy Jackson movie on HBO, I decided I might as well just re-read the Percy Jackson series.
I still liked it, I liked it much more than the movie - they changed so many things for the movie, it was almost an entirely different story than the book. Seriously, in the book Percy is in 6th grade - in the movie he looks at least 16 or 17. I mean it is almost unrecognizable, and they left out really good parts too. Seems like a weird way to go. But whatever, clearly I am not in charge of movies. Although I should be.
Anyway, I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series again. Too bad I have all this work stuff taking up my time!
After reading The Lost Hero and watching the Percy Jackson movie on HBO, I decided I might as well just re-read the Percy Jackson series.
I still liked it, I liked it much more than the movie - they changed so many things for the movie, it was almost an entirely different story than the book. Seriously, in the book Percy is in 6th grade - in the movie he looks at least 16 or 17. I mean it is almost unrecognizable, and they left out really good parts too. Seems like a weird way to go. But whatever, clearly I am not in charge of movies. Although I should be.
Anyway, I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series again. Too bad I have all this work stuff taking up my time!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Recommendations - Mystery
I really only read two mystery series - so this is the easiest section yet!
1. Janet Evanovich: The Stephanie Plum series. It is awesomely funny, the first couple are not as good as the middle and end ones. And the best part is, there are SIXTEEN books in this series! Plus some "between the numbers" novellas. And, they are numbered so it is easy to know which one to get next. Start with One for the Money - and read it quick before the movie comes out and possibly ruins it with horrible casting decisions. Do it!
2. J.D. Robb: The In Death series. J.D. Robb is also Nora Roberts - so the 32ish books in this series plus the one million Nora Roberts books means this lady is writing non stop. This series is good, although since I have read all 32 it is getting kind of old. But I didn't start to feel that way until around 27 or so - lucky you, if you have not read any yet!!! You should read them in order - start with Naked in Death. But get them from the library if you can. Because while they are good, I never read them more than once.
1. Janet Evanovich: The Stephanie Plum series. It is awesomely funny, the first couple are not as good as the middle and end ones. And the best part is, there are SIXTEEN books in this series! Plus some "between the numbers" novellas. And, they are numbered so it is easy to know which one to get next. Start with One for the Money - and read it quick before the movie comes out and possibly ruins it with horrible casting decisions. Do it!
2. J.D. Robb: The In Death series. J.D. Robb is also Nora Roberts - so the 32ish books in this series plus the one million Nora Roberts books means this lady is writing non stop. This series is good, although since I have read all 32 it is getting kind of old. But I didn't start to feel that way until around 27 or so - lucky you, if you have not read any yet!!! You should read them in order - start with Naked in Death. But get them from the library if you can. Because while they are good, I never read them more than once.
Recommendations - Romance
Oh romance, my favorite genre of books by far. There are SO many good ones and yet, SO MANY terrible ones. I wonder why that is? Anyway, it can be dangerous to start reading romance without recommendations because of the risk of getting one of the truly awful books. Although people's tastes differ so it might always be chancy. I prefer historical (especially Regency-era, Scottish highlands, and the post-civil war American west) but I also really love Navy SEAL and spy books, also time travel. So I am not consistent I suppose, but here are my favorites - probably by author but I will list my favorite book or series:
Romance
1. Suzanne Brockmann - she writes lots of books generally contemporary action-ey, but the best by far are her Navy SEAL books in the Troubleshooter and Tall Dark and Dangerous series. They are all awesome, I have read them all many times. Particularly my FAVORITE, which might be my favorite romance novel of all time Out of Control. Read it!!! Unless you hate great books. Then don't.
2. Julia Quinn - she writes historical, Regency era books. Her best is the Bridgerton series, about all of the brothers and sisters in one family. So very good. But all her books are great - What Happens in London and Ten Things I Love About You are her most recent books (I think) and both are a good mix of funny and serious and awesome. They are generally all connected, at least set in the same world with the same characters so favorites from previous books pop up now and again and I love that!
3. Mary Balogh - she has a bunch of books that are not good, and then, she has the Slightly series - which is so good, that no matter how many times I read it I love it and read it over again. It is about a family - the oldest brother (Wulf) is a DUKE! And they all have unusual names and it is awesome. All the books have the word slightly in the name - Slightly Married, Slightly Wicked, Slightly Scandelous, Slightly Tempted, Slightly Sinful and Slightly Dangerous. Slightly Dangerous is the BEST, but it is only the best if you read the other ones first so you get the full effect. There are also two prequels that are good (but not quite as good) which are One Night for Love and A Summer to Remember. There is also a connected series, the Simply series, which is almost as good - Simply Unforgettable, Simply Love, Simply Magic and Simply Perfect. Again, if memory serves, the last one in the series is the best - but you have to read the entirety of the Slightly and Simply series first to get the full effect.
4. Lisa Kleypas - she also has books that are not good - all of her contemporary books for example - but then she has two series that are wonderful. And they are interconnected (surprise surprise) something that I completely love. The first one to read is the Wallflower series - Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened one Autumn, The Devil in Winter, Scandal in Spring and A Wallflower Christmas. They are all good, really good. Then comes the Hathaway series - Mine Till Midnight, Seduce Me At Sunrise, Tempt Me At Twilight, Married By Morning, and Love In The Afternoon. Also all good. It is best to read them in order. But I sometimes read them in order of which is my favorite.
5. Julie Garwood - one of the first romance writers I ever read - and still one of my favorites! She has two different sub-genres: historical and contemporary mystery/action/suspense. Both are good, but I definitely favor the historical ones, especially any set in the Scottish highlands (Ransom, The Bride, The Wedding) or the westerns (For The Roses, Clayborne Brides, Come the Spring - a series) - they are the best! Frequently the books interconnect, but they can stand alone too. You can be pretty safe picking any book she has written.
6. Janet Evanovich - she writes/has written a number of stand alone (meaning not in a series - shockingly) that are excellent and uniformly hysterically funny. Seriously, laugh out loud funny. There are quite a few - Hero At Large, Thanksgiving, The Grand Finale, Foul Play, Manhunt, Love Overboard, Back to the Bedroom, Smitten, Wife For Hire, Rocky Road to Romance, The Naughty Neighbor. She has also written a couple of other series, both alone and with a partner that are pretty good - The Full series (Full House, Full Tilt, etc) and the Alex Barnaby series (Metro Girl, Motormouth, Troublemaker) that are worth a read too. Not to mention the Stephanie Plum series - which I will not mention. Until later that is.
Other Romance Favorites:
- Lynn Kurland: She writes about time travel which is surprisngly fantastic! They generally interconnect
by family, so good ones to start with are Another Chance to Dream and A Dance Through Time.
- Nora Roberts: Perhaps the most prolific romance author of ALL TIME - seriously, she has written a
million books! But her most recent stuff has been totally disappointing. The best best Nora Roberts
books are not too old, but not too new. The middle is where it is at. The best series are: Ardmore -
Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon and Heart of the Sea, Chesapeake Bay: Sea Swept,
Rising Tides, Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Blue, but there are lots of other good ones.
Romance
1. Suzanne Brockmann - she writes lots of books generally contemporary action-ey, but the best by far are her Navy SEAL books in the Troubleshooter and Tall Dark and Dangerous series. They are all awesome, I have read them all many times. Particularly my FAVORITE, which might be my favorite romance novel of all time Out of Control. Read it!!! Unless you hate great books. Then don't.
2. Julia Quinn - she writes historical, Regency era books. Her best is the Bridgerton series, about all of the brothers and sisters in one family. So very good. But all her books are great - What Happens in London and Ten Things I Love About You are her most recent books (I think) and both are a good mix of funny and serious and awesome. They are generally all connected, at least set in the same world with the same characters so favorites from previous books pop up now and again and I love that!
3. Mary Balogh - she has a bunch of books that are not good, and then, she has the Slightly series - which is so good, that no matter how many times I read it I love it and read it over again. It is about a family - the oldest brother (Wulf) is a DUKE! And they all have unusual names and it is awesome. All the books have the word slightly in the name - Slightly Married, Slightly Wicked, Slightly Scandelous, Slightly Tempted, Slightly Sinful and Slightly Dangerous. Slightly Dangerous is the BEST, but it is only the best if you read the other ones first so you get the full effect. There are also two prequels that are good (but not quite as good) which are One Night for Love and A Summer to Remember. There is also a connected series, the Simply series, which is almost as good - Simply Unforgettable, Simply Love, Simply Magic and Simply Perfect. Again, if memory serves, the last one in the series is the best - but you have to read the entirety of the Slightly and Simply series first to get the full effect.
4. Lisa Kleypas - she also has books that are not good - all of her contemporary books for example - but then she has two series that are wonderful. And they are interconnected (surprise surprise) something that I completely love. The first one to read is the Wallflower series - Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened one Autumn, The Devil in Winter, Scandal in Spring and A Wallflower Christmas. They are all good, really good. Then comes the Hathaway series - Mine Till Midnight, Seduce Me At Sunrise, Tempt Me At Twilight, Married By Morning, and Love In The Afternoon. Also all good. It is best to read them in order. But I sometimes read them in order of which is my favorite.
5. Julie Garwood - one of the first romance writers I ever read - and still one of my favorites! She has two different sub-genres: historical and contemporary mystery/action/suspense. Both are good, but I definitely favor the historical ones, especially any set in the Scottish highlands (Ransom, The Bride, The Wedding) or the westerns (For The Roses, Clayborne Brides, Come the Spring - a series) - they are the best! Frequently the books interconnect, but they can stand alone too. You can be pretty safe picking any book she has written.
6. Janet Evanovich - she writes/has written a number of stand alone (meaning not in a series - shockingly) that are excellent and uniformly hysterically funny. Seriously, laugh out loud funny. There are quite a few - Hero At Large, Thanksgiving, The Grand Finale, Foul Play, Manhunt, Love Overboard, Back to the Bedroom, Smitten, Wife For Hire, Rocky Road to Romance, The Naughty Neighbor. She has also written a couple of other series, both alone and with a partner that are pretty good - The Full series (Full House, Full Tilt, etc) and the Alex Barnaby series (Metro Girl, Motormouth, Troublemaker) that are worth a read too. Not to mention the Stephanie Plum series - which I will not mention. Until later that is.
Other Romance Favorites:
- Lynn Kurland: She writes about time travel which is surprisngly fantastic! They generally interconnect
by family, so good ones to start with are Another Chance to Dream and A Dance Through Time.
- Nora Roberts: Perhaps the most prolific romance author of ALL TIME - seriously, she has written a
million books! But her most recent stuff has been totally disappointing. The best best Nora Roberts
books are not too old, but not too new. The middle is where it is at. The best series are: Ardmore -
Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon and Heart of the Sea, Chesapeake Bay: Sea Swept,
Rising Tides, Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Blue, but there are lots of other good ones.
Recommendations - Young Adult
There was a request for me to list a few of my favorite books - since I have like 100 favorite books, I will do my best to narrow it down by category.
Young Adult:
1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - the best, can't beat it, I would read all 7 books in a row without stopping if I were given the opportunity to do so. I have read them all many times and they never disappoint and I never get sick of them.
2. Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers - yes I am a nerd, but these books are awesome. I have read them all several times and they are still great, but they don't quite approach the amazingness of the first time I read the series (basically in a row) while on maternity leave.
3. The Hunger Games series (Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mocking Jay) by Suzanne Collins. The first time I read the Hunger Games I could not stop thinking about it for days. It is crazy but totally compelling and when the third book in the series came out this summer I read all three as fast as I could so I could find out the ending. Totally amazing.
4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and The Lost Hero series by Rick Riordan - these books are all great, especially when read in a row as fast as possible. The Percy Jackson books are pretty quick reads, but the first book in the Lost Hero series was satisfyingly longer. I can't wait until the rest in the series are released!
Other YA favorites:
- Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson - this is a very funny book, it is a series as well, but the first is
the best. This author has several other books that are all good.
- All American Girl by Meg Cabot - this is also a really funny book. I think this is the author of Princess
Diaries which I have not read but heard was good.
Young Adult:
1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - the best, can't beat it, I would read all 7 books in a row without stopping if I were given the opportunity to do so. I have read them all many times and they never disappoint and I never get sick of them.
2. Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers - yes I am a nerd, but these books are awesome. I have read them all several times and they are still great, but they don't quite approach the amazingness of the first time I read the series (basically in a row) while on maternity leave.
3. The Hunger Games series (Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mocking Jay) by Suzanne Collins. The first time I read the Hunger Games I could not stop thinking about it for days. It is crazy but totally compelling and when the third book in the series came out this summer I read all three as fast as I could so I could find out the ending. Totally amazing.
4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and The Lost Hero series by Rick Riordan - these books are all great, especially when read in a row as fast as possible. The Percy Jackson books are pretty quick reads, but the first book in the Lost Hero series was satisfyingly longer. I can't wait until the rest in the series are released!
Other YA favorites:
- Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson - this is a very funny book, it is a series as well, but the first is
the best. This author has several other books that are all good.
- All American Girl by Meg Cabot - this is also a really funny book. I think this is the author of Princess
Diaries which I have not read but heard was good.
No. 3: The Lost Hero
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
Now, this is what I am talking about - a good book, a can't put it down had to read until midnight to finish it kind of book. It has been awhile since I have read one of those! I think since September 3, 2010! That is a long time.Also, interestingly, both books are YA series. I guess I have the book tastes of a 14 year old. Whatever.
This book is Book One in The Heroes of Olympus series - which I discovered is connected to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. So hooray! Two things I love, a new series, and discovering that a great new series is connected to a great existing series.
This book was similar to the Percy Jackson books in many ways - same world, Gods, monsters, Camp Half-Blood, a quest, young love - but also better in some ways because it is longer! and more mysterious! and there are mysteries yet to be revealed! So that is good news! The three main characters in this book - Piper, Jason and Leo were good, likable and interesting. I am not sure how many books will be in this series, but I hope several.
The bad news is that the next book in the series doesn't come out until fall. However, given my extreme book related short term memory issues I should be able to re-read this book in the fall and not remember a thing.
Now, this is what I am talking about - a good book, a can't put it down had to read until midnight to finish it kind of book. It has been awhile since I have read one of those! I think since September 3, 2010! That is a long time.Also, interestingly, both books are YA series. I guess I have the book tastes of a 14 year old. Whatever.
This book is Book One in The Heroes of Olympus series - which I discovered is connected to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. So hooray! Two things I love, a new series, and discovering that a great new series is connected to a great existing series.
This book was similar to the Percy Jackson books in many ways - same world, Gods, monsters, Camp Half-Blood, a quest, young love - but also better in some ways because it is longer! and more mysterious! and there are mysteries yet to be revealed! So that is good news! The three main characters in this book - Piper, Jason and Leo were good, likable and interesting. I am not sure how many books will be in this series, but I hope several.
The bad news is that the next book in the series doesn't come out until fall. However, given my extreme book related short term memory issues I should be able to re-read this book in the fall and not remember a thing.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
No. 2: The Year of Living Scandaously
The Year of Living Scandalously by Julia London
Book number two this year was a big fat disappointment. I like Julia London's books usually, and when I read the back cover I thought it sounded pretty stinking good. It had an Earl, an assumed identity, missing jewels, all things that can lead to an awesome and exciting book. And yet, this book really turned out to be both annoying and depressing.
First the annoying - the FMC is overly impetuous (to the point of stupidity) and cannot see the consequences to her actions (again to the point of stupidity) which I find super annoying. If you are going to assume someone's identity, for the love of God have a plan for getting out of it. Do it intentionally. Additionally, the way she acts around the MMC is ridiculously annoying. Not that the MMC is any prize, he has a bad attitude, thinks the FMC is stupid but for some unknown reason still "loves" her. Which I don't totally buy. I also find the FMC's name to be annoying - Keira. I don't know why, it just doesn't seem to fit and it irritates me.
Now the depressing - a two of the major plot points include: the hanging of a potentially innocent man and the suspicious death of his potential lover, AND the rape and subsequent suicide of a young girl. Does that sound like a fun basis of a book to you. The answer is NO! I only like depressing things when there is a happy ending later - there is no possible happy ending that can resolve the unnecessary and tragic death of three characters. Sorry, can't happen.
So, Julia London, while I am typically an admirer of your work, I cannot get behind this overly (and some might say unnecessary) depressing stuff.
2011 is not having a good start - I'd better select books more carefully from now on.
Book number two this year was a big fat disappointment. I like Julia London's books usually, and when I read the back cover I thought it sounded pretty stinking good. It had an Earl, an assumed identity, missing jewels, all things that can lead to an awesome and exciting book. And yet, this book really turned out to be both annoying and depressing.
First the annoying - the FMC is overly impetuous (to the point of stupidity) and cannot see the consequences to her actions (again to the point of stupidity) which I find super annoying. If you are going to assume someone's identity, for the love of God have a plan for getting out of it. Do it intentionally. Additionally, the way she acts around the MMC is ridiculously annoying. Not that the MMC is any prize, he has a bad attitude, thinks the FMC is stupid but for some unknown reason still "loves" her. Which I don't totally buy. I also find the FMC's name to be annoying - Keira. I don't know why, it just doesn't seem to fit and it irritates me.
Now the depressing - a two of the major plot points include: the hanging of a potentially innocent man and the suspicious death of his potential lover, AND the rape and subsequent suicide of a young girl. Does that sound like a fun basis of a book to you. The answer is NO! I only like depressing things when there is a happy ending later - there is no possible happy ending that can resolve the unnecessary and tragic death of three characters. Sorry, can't happen.
So, Julia London, while I am typically an admirer of your work, I cannot get behind this overly (and some might say unnecessary) depressing stuff.
2011 is not having a good start - I'd better select books more carefully from now on.
No. 1: The Perfect Poison
The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
So, why did I choose this book to be my first of the year? Well, basically because I needed a break from the Outlander series and I picked this up at a thrift store for .10 cents. I am cheap and I have reading ADD.
I am not even sure why I bought this book - I have read many books by this author in the somewhat distant past, but I never really LOVE any of them which is why it has been awhile since I picked one up. They are all kind of weird. With weird people and their weird "special" powers. Like in this book for example, the FMC can detect botanically based poison. That seems pretty weird and random for a power. I would pick something cooler, like another character who can temporarily make things disappear. Or the other one who can literally scare people to death. Detecting poison seems pretty lame in comparison. But let me not forget her other power - sensing auras. Mainly plant auras, but people too. Again, lame power Lucinda - you got gypped. Also, like essentially every other Amanda Quick heroine ever written, Lucinda has an olde timey name and is an educated spinster who wears glasses.
The MMC's power is somewhat better but also harder to define. He can decipher clues, and uncover evidence trails and stuff. Which is useful since he is a private detective of sorts, but really, killing people with your mind is so much cooler. His name is Caleb which I have never really liked, and I didn't get a clear picture of him in my mind which makes liking him much more difficult.
Anyway, this book was weird, the characters (aside from their lame powers) were weird and somewhat unlikable. Especially the MMC who I thought had a bad attitude. So, the first book of the year was not a wild success, but I have read many a worse book. How is that for an endorsement?
So, why did I choose this book to be my first of the year? Well, basically because I needed a break from the Outlander series and I picked this up at a thrift store for .10 cents. I am cheap and I have reading ADD.
I am not even sure why I bought this book - I have read many books by this author in the somewhat distant past, but I never really LOVE any of them which is why it has been awhile since I picked one up. They are all kind of weird. With weird people and their weird "special" powers. Like in this book for example, the FMC can detect botanically based poison. That seems pretty weird and random for a power. I would pick something cooler, like another character who can temporarily make things disappear. Or the other one who can literally scare people to death. Detecting poison seems pretty lame in comparison. But let me not forget her other power - sensing auras. Mainly plant auras, but people too. Again, lame power Lucinda - you got gypped. Also, like essentially every other Amanda Quick heroine ever written, Lucinda has an olde timey name and is an educated spinster who wears glasses.
The MMC's power is somewhat better but also harder to define. He can decipher clues, and uncover evidence trails and stuff. Which is useful since he is a private detective of sorts, but really, killing people with your mind is so much cooler. His name is Caleb which I have never really liked, and I didn't get a clear picture of him in my mind which makes liking him much more difficult.
Anyway, this book was weird, the characters (aside from their lame powers) were weird and somewhat unlikable. Especially the MMC who I thought had a bad attitude. So, the first book of the year was not a wild success, but I have read many a worse book. How is that for an endorsement?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Year in Review - 2010
Well, I did not meet my resolution to read more books in 2010 than I did in 2009. Unfortunately, I read only 121 books this year, 1 less than 2009 and a staggering 20 less than in 2008. I hope I can improve for 2011 - although I foresee that it will be a busier year than ever before!
This years stats:
Total: 121
Best Month: January (20), March (20) and November (21 - although some of these were read in Oct.)
Worst Month: May (3), June (3) and December (3)
Most Read Author: Janet Evanovich - 19. For a second year running my most-read author. I re-read the entire Stephanie Plum series every year apparently!
Fiction: 117
Non-Fiction:1 - Band of Brothers
Unfinished Books: 0
I clearly need to renew my resolution - this time to emphasize timely posting because when I wait too long to post I forget what the book is about and that does me no good at all. I would also like to try to post immediately after finishing the book and before starting a new one - that way each book has its own post for easier searching. So we will see if that actually happens.
This years stats:
Total: 121
Best Month: January (20), March (20) and November (21 - although some of these were read in Oct.)
Worst Month: May (3), June (3) and December (3)
Most Read Author: Janet Evanovich - 19. For a second year running my most-read author. I re-read the entire Stephanie Plum series every year apparently!
Fiction: 117
Non-Fiction:1 - Band of Brothers
Unfinished Books: 0
I clearly need to renew my resolution - this time to emphasize timely posting because when I wait too long to post I forget what the book is about and that does me no good at all. I would also like to try to post immediately after finishing the book and before starting a new one - that way each book has its own post for easier searching. So we will see if that actually happens.
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