July Reading List!
My reading has been a little scattered this past month. I finished up my last packet of reviews for CLCD and have temporarily resigned from reviewing. Or maybe not so temporarily. Either way, I needed to concentrate on my writing and querying so no more official reviewing for now, though I'll continue to do my monthly updates on what I've been reading.
And so... Here's what I read in July!
1)World's End by Mark Chadbourn
Age of Misrule, Book 1
Adult, Ages 14+
I'm apparently in a minority about this book. A number of reviewers on various sites found it thrilling and interesting. I... didn't. The plot is a fantastic premise, with all the old Celtic myths returning to the world, and most of the major plot points are exciting. But it just... took... forever... Every time things began to happen everyone had to *stop* and talk about their beliefs. I'm fairly interested in knowing how the series resolves, but I don't know that I care to read more. Again, a lot of people really seem to like this book; maybe I'm just used to a different kind of story arc now.
2) My Name is Jason. Mine too. by Jason Reynolds; Jason Griffin
YA, Ages 12+
A book of art and poetry isn't exactly what I first reach for when I'm looking for reading material, but this book was fantastic. Two college roommates move to NYC together, one to be a poet, one to be an artist. Sounds like a lot of books/stories/movies, right? Well, this one's real and fabulous. It doesn't sugar-coat their experiences, but it isn't depressing. It's realistic and hopeful and lovely. I highly recommend this book, especially for older teens.
3) Maya Angelou: A Creative and Courageous Voice by Jill Egan
Middle Grade, Ages 8-12
A great introduction to Maya Angelou's life and a perfect book for the late Elementary school or early Middle school student who needs to do a report on a famous person. :)
4) Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (aka lisamantchev)
Theatre Illuminata, Act I
YA, Ages 12+
Excuse me while I *squee* :) This is such a fantastic, fun book. I came to it cold, trying not to read any spoilers, descriptions, etc. beforehand, and so was momentarily puzzled when I started reading: "Wait, they're *really*... Oh, her room *is*.... OMG, WOW!" was my first reaction. Followed by gleeful page-turning for the rest of the book. This is such a fun, fresh, irresistible confection. I'm already contemplating a re-read. :-) If you haven't gotten yourself a copy yet, why not??? Go, buy, read. It's the most fun you'll have without diving into the cupcake yourself. ;-)
5) Fire by Kristin Cashore
Prequel to 'Graceling'
YA, Ages 14+
First of all, a great, big, giant Thank You!!! to Tiffany Schmidt for lending me her ARC, since this book technically isn't out until October 5. I owe her big time, because I've found one of my new favorite books. I was a little hesitant, since sometimes I don't like companion books as much as the original- and I was very fond of Katsa & Po- so I wasn't sure I wanted to know about this Fire person. Oh, but I was so very wrong. I loved Fire's story on such a different level than Katsa's. And Kristin Cashore is now on my auto-buy list- the day I finished Fire, I pre-ordered my own copy. *love* It's hard to describe the plot aside from "a country on the brink of civil war, with monsters" which, honestly, doesn't much appeal to me when stated that way, but she's fantastic. I think Graceling fans will love this, and that even those who weren't enamored with the Katsa will fall in love with Fire (and not just because she's a monster).
Books read this month: 5
Books read this year: 46
Anyone else read any of these? Thoughts? Opinions?
And so... Here's what I read in July!
1)World's End by Mark Chadbourn
Age of Misrule, Book 1
Adult, Ages 14+
I'm apparently in a minority about this book. A number of reviewers on various sites found it thrilling and interesting. I... didn't. The plot is a fantastic premise, with all the old Celtic myths returning to the world, and most of the major plot points are exciting. But it just... took... forever... Every time things began to happen everyone had to *stop* and talk about their beliefs. I'm fairly interested in knowing how the series resolves, but I don't know that I care to read more. Again, a lot of people really seem to like this book; maybe I'm just used to a different kind of story arc now.
2) My Name is Jason. Mine too. by Jason Reynolds; Jason Griffin
YA, Ages 12+
A book of art and poetry isn't exactly what I first reach for when I'm looking for reading material, but this book was fantastic. Two college roommates move to NYC together, one to be a poet, one to be an artist. Sounds like a lot of books/stories/movies, right? Well, this one's real and fabulous. It doesn't sugar-coat their experiences, but it isn't depressing. It's realistic and hopeful and lovely. I highly recommend this book, especially for older teens.
3) Maya Angelou: A Creative and Courageous Voice by Jill Egan
Middle Grade, Ages 8-12
A great introduction to Maya Angelou's life and a perfect book for the late Elementary school or early Middle school student who needs to do a report on a famous person. :)
4) Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (aka lisamantchev)
Theatre Illuminata, Act I
YA, Ages 12+
Excuse me while I *squee* :) This is such a fantastic, fun book. I came to it cold, trying not to read any spoilers, descriptions, etc. beforehand, and so was momentarily puzzled when I started reading: "Wait, they're *really*... Oh, her room *is*.... OMG, WOW!" was my first reaction. Followed by gleeful page-turning for the rest of the book. This is such a fun, fresh, irresistible confection. I'm already contemplating a re-read. :-) If you haven't gotten yourself a copy yet, why not??? Go, buy, read. It's the most fun you'll have without diving into the cupcake yourself. ;-)
5) Fire by Kristin Cashore
Prequel to 'Graceling'
YA, Ages 14+
First of all, a great, big, giant Thank You!!! to Tiffany Schmidt for lending me her ARC, since this book technically isn't out until October 5. I owe her big time, because I've found one of my new favorite books. I was a little hesitant, since sometimes I don't like companion books as much as the original- and I was very fond of Katsa & Po- so I wasn't sure I wanted to know about this Fire person. Oh, but I was so very wrong. I loved Fire's story on such a different level than Katsa's. And Kristin Cashore is now on my auto-buy list- the day I finished Fire, I pre-ordered my own copy. *love* It's hard to describe the plot aside from "a country on the brink of civil war, with monsters" which, honestly, doesn't much appeal to me when stated that way, but she's fantastic. I think Graceling fans will love this, and that even those who weren't enamored with the Katsa will fall in love with Fire (and not just because she's a monster).
Books read this month: 5
Books read this year: 46
Anyone else read any of these? Thoughts? Opinions?