August Reading List!
I didn't get nearly enough read this month... I have at least three other (really good!) books started, so those should appear on next month's list.
But for now, here's August!
1) The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
First in a trilogy
YA, Ages 12+
Two brothers, Nick and Alan, are on the run with their crazy mother, trying to avoid the evil magicians who barter people to get power from demons. When a boy turns up at their house with a demon's mark, Nick wants nothing to do with him or his sister, but Alan has a crush on the sister, and agrees to try and help.
I loved this one. The point of view is third-close on Nick, and while it seems he should come across an unsympathetic character, he doesn't. I frequently found myself nodding along in agreement, even when I knew what Nick was saying or doing was a mistake. I can't wait to read the next one, The Demon's Covenant.
2) Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
First in a trilogy
YA, Ages 12+
Every year Sam's time as a human gets shorter. Every year Grace waits for winter to see her wolf. When a student at Grace's school is killed and a hunt chases the wolves down, a potential tragedy throws Sam and Grace together. But the days are getting colder again, and every shiver could be Sam's last as a human.
Beautiful story, and such a fascinating take on werewolves. It's got a lot of romance, so if you're not into that, this might not be the book for you, but I absolutely adored it, and it totally made me tear up.
3) Things Are Gonna Get Ugly by Hillary Homzie
Full Disclosure: Hillary was my thesis adviser at Hollins
Middle Grade/Tween, Ages 9-13
Taffeta Smith, Taf to her friends, is pretty, popular, and in control... of everything except the fact that she didn't study for her social studies test. When she gets caught cheating, she's given a choice- she can go through with the school's punishment, or get a fresh start. Taf chooses the fresh start, and suddenly she's back to being Ernestine, the dorky girl she was when she moved to California a few years ago, before she reinvented herself as Taffeta. Now she has to make things right, or she might be stuck way below the D-List forever.
Such a fun book! I loved how the characters all had interesting back-stories that evolved throughout, and how perfectly she evoked the emotions and drama of middle school without making it a heavy-handed cautionary tale like some other books for this age group do. The 'chapters' are more like titled scenes, short and sweet, making this a really fast read, and the twists on the transformation story were great. No spoilers here, but she really nailed the ending :)
4) Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
YA, 12+, but could possibly go a bit younger, too
Callie's best friend moved away a year ago, and she's really felt it. Wanting to make friends with a group of popular girls on her abroad trip to London, she buys a pair of Prada heels, hoping the leader of the group will be more willing to accept her. But just a few steps outside the store and clumsy Callie falls and hits her head. When she comes to, she's in 1815. A case of mistaken identity gets her a place to stay, and suddenly she's Rebecca, friend to Emily and guest of Alexander, the young Duke of Harksbury. But how is she ever going to get back home?
This was such a cute revisioning of Pride and Prejudice. I've always been a sucker for a good time-slip, and pairing that element with Regency England and a Jane Austen-inspired plot is like candy for me, I couldn't resist! I'll actually be interviewing Mandy for the blog soon, so if anyone has any questions, leave them in the comments and I'll try to fit them in!
Books read this month: 4
Books read this year: 50
Has anyone else read some of these? C'mon, you know you want to discuss Nick vs. Alan with me, or sigh over Sam & Grace...
ETA: I also read Tiffany Schmidt's fabulous manuscript! I'm looking forward to the day when I can walk into a store and pick up Mia's story! :)
*Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I have so many series' stats floating in my head, I get them mixed up occasionally.
But for now, here's August!
1) The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
First in a trilogy
YA, Ages 12+
Two brothers, Nick and Alan, are on the run with their crazy mother, trying to avoid the evil magicians who barter people to get power from demons. When a boy turns up at their house with a demon's mark, Nick wants nothing to do with him or his sister, but Alan has a crush on the sister, and agrees to try and help.
I loved this one. The point of view is third-close on Nick, and while it seems he should come across an unsympathetic character, he doesn't. I frequently found myself nodding along in agreement, even when I knew what Nick was saying or doing was a mistake. I can't wait to read the next one, The Demon's Covenant.
2) Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
First in a trilogy
YA, Ages 12+
Every year Sam's time as a human gets shorter. Every year Grace waits for winter to see her wolf. When a student at Grace's school is killed and a hunt chases the wolves down, a potential tragedy throws Sam and Grace together. But the days are getting colder again, and every shiver could be Sam's last as a human.
Beautiful story, and such a fascinating take on werewolves. It's got a lot of romance, so if you're not into that, this might not be the book for you, but I absolutely adored it, and it totally made me tear up.
3) Things Are Gonna Get Ugly by Hillary Homzie
Full Disclosure: Hillary was my thesis adviser at Hollins
Middle Grade/Tween, Ages 9-13
Taffeta Smith, Taf to her friends, is pretty, popular, and in control... of everything except the fact that she didn't study for her social studies test. When she gets caught cheating, she's given a choice- she can go through with the school's punishment, or get a fresh start. Taf chooses the fresh start, and suddenly she's back to being Ernestine, the dorky girl she was when she moved to California a few years ago, before she reinvented herself as Taffeta. Now she has to make things right, or she might be stuck way below the D-List forever.
Such a fun book! I loved how the characters all had interesting back-stories that evolved throughout, and how perfectly she evoked the emotions and drama of middle school without making it a heavy-handed cautionary tale like some other books for this age group do. The 'chapters' are more like titled scenes, short and sweet, making this a really fast read, and the twists on the transformation story were great. No spoilers here, but she really nailed the ending :)
4) Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
YA, 12+, but could possibly go a bit younger, too
Callie's best friend moved away a year ago, and she's really felt it. Wanting to make friends with a group of popular girls on her abroad trip to London, she buys a pair of Prada heels, hoping the leader of the group will be more willing to accept her. But just a few steps outside the store and clumsy Callie falls and hits her head. When she comes to, she's in 1815. A case of mistaken identity gets her a place to stay, and suddenly she's Rebecca, friend to Emily and guest of Alexander, the young Duke of Harksbury. But how is she ever going to get back home?
This was such a cute revisioning of Pride and Prejudice. I've always been a sucker for a good time-slip, and pairing that element with Regency England and a Jane Austen-inspired plot is like candy for me, I couldn't resist! I'll actually be interviewing Mandy for the blog soon, so if anyone has any questions, leave them in the comments and I'll try to fit them in!
Books read this month: 4
Books read this year: 50
Has anyone else read some of these? C'mon, you know you want to discuss Nick vs. Alan with me, or sigh over Sam & Grace...
ETA: I also read Tiffany Schmidt's fabulous manuscript! I'm looking forward to the day when I can walk into a store and pick up Mia's story! :)
*Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I have so many series' stats floating in my head, I get them mixed up occasionally.