Recent Reads

Recently finished:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver – This book was pretty much exactly what I was expecting it to be: intense, beautiful and heartbreaking. I read the second half of it certain that any minute I would turn a page and something disastrous would happen. There wasn't any surprise to it for me, but it was a good book. If you aren't sick of dystopian stories yet and you're willing to read something heavy, you might appreciate this book.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre – Generally zombie books aren't really my thing, but the Freaks as they're called in this book didn't bother me... probably because the story wasn't really about them so much as about the main characters. (Actually, I think my problem with zombies is that often zombie stories are depressing and the few human survivors are rapidly dwindling and have no hope.) Enclave turned out to be a brighter-than-expected adventure.

Currently reading:

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard – I'm not all that far into it yet, so I don't quite know what I think of it. Mandarin herself is interesting. The verdict is still out on the other characters.

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin – I got this without realizing it was supposed to be a follow-up to another book, but so far it has read as a stand-alone. I'm finding myself drawn into it more than I thought I would be.

Vikings, the North Atlantic Saga by William W. Fitzhugh and Elizabeth I. Ward – My current nonfiction research book. Viking research is altogether too much fun. But I'll probably talk about that more in the next couple weeks, so for now let's just say I'm entertained.

What have you been reading lately?

Recent Reads

Two of the books I have finished lately:

SHIP BREAKER (Paolo Bacigalupi) – I really resisted reading this book. From the description it sounded like the kind of book that wouldn't be particularly interesting to me—one full of metal and oil and engines and rust. And to a large extent it was that. But it was also exciting and very well written. I enjoyed it despite myself.

THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN (Susan Beth Pfeffer) – I've mentioned before how much I love this series. I believe it has truly ruined me for all other post-apocalyptic books. For those who are unfamiliar with it, the series is about what happens after an asteroid knocks the moon closer to earth. I don't think this final book in the series hit me quite as hard as the other two did, but the ending was still quite a blow.

I'm also currently reading:

IF I STAY (Gayle Forman) – I'm not all that far into it yet, but it's a good story so far. I'm curious to see what direction it will go.

THE CITY & THE CITY (China Mieville) – I'm reading this one on my kindle, and my one comment on that is the absence of those helpful little dots marking each chapter—meaning I have no sense of how long the chapters are, or even the book. Anyway, the whole concept of the book is just fascinating. I'm totally caught up in the premise (which I never really understood, no matter how many times people described it to me, until I started reading it).

THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS (N.K. Jemisin) – The first few pages were hard for me to get through, but by the end of the chapter I was willing to keep reading, and after chapter two I was totally hooked. I love the fantasy world in this book, particularly the gods. The whole setup really works.

What are you reading?

Recent Reads

A few of the books I've read in the past month:

1. Matched by Ally Condie – This was a definite win. The story pulled me in and didn't let go. I really enjoyed the romance of it. The one downside? Now I'm in the middle of yet another series I can't wait to read more of.

2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis – This book had a lot of well-deserved buzz. I don't always see many popular YA sci fi novels, so I was really glad to read this one. Excellent concept and great execution. The themes were intriguing and kept me turning pages, and the characters' situations, though so unfamiliar, were easy to dive into.

3. Being Nikki & Runaway by Meg Cabot – The second and third of the Airhead books, probably my favorite Meg Cabot series. There's something irresistible about the “What if I suddenly became a supermodel?” idea.

4. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder – Last year I recommended Poison Study, the first book in this series. Now I've finally read the second, and I'm still totally in love with the characters. If you like fantasy, this one doesn't disappoint.

And what have you been reading?

Recent Reads

I don't have an in-depth book recommendation for today, but instead I want to make a few quick mentions of the books I've been reading lately.

1. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare. I've been drawn into this series since the first page of the first book. The plot is beautifully intricate, the character relationships are compelling, and the writing never gets in the way. I was totally satisfied with the conclusion of this book, and I'm looking forward to reading some of her others.

2. Sunshine by Robin McKinley. Sunshine was originally published (in 2003) as an adult novel, and that was the printing I read. Recently it has been reprinted as YA, but I don't know if the more graphic scenes have been changed in that version or not, so be aware that it might not be appropriate for all teens. Personally I loved the book. The storytelling is fantastic. Every paged soaked me in the fantasy world McKinley created. This book will be going on my re-read shelf.

3. White Cat by Holly Black. Following last week's cat post, I thought this would be a fitting book to read. I have it on my Kindle, and I'm currently about halfway through. The plot idea is very unique; I haven't seen anything quite like it before. I love how Holly Black took events in history and twisted them just a little to fit her alternate universe. Great world-building.

4. Firelight by Sophie Jordan. I'm about halfway through this book too. I'm really getting into the story. I keep picking it up to read a chapter here and there—when cooking, while at the gym working out on the bikes, every spare moment I get. I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends!

Anyone else read anything fun lately?