Summer book club!
As y'all should know by now, given the chance, I read nonstop. I've been a bit lazy in my reading since moving back to the States, but I have spent a fair amount of time blogging, replying to emails, and watching Glee. Those are my excuses. Oh. And writing fanfiction. That took ages.
These are not proper reviews, and I apologize. Just short blurbs and recommendations.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. This was McPhee's book that he brought with him to read during our trip together. I borrowed it for the flight back to the States. I know I'm a fast reader, so finishing it on a nine-hour flight was pretty easy, but it's actually a quick read for anyone. Told from the point-of-view of nine-year-old Oscar, it weaves together different characters' stories and how they deal with traumatic events in their lives. Very good and made me tear up just a little.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I'm pretty sure I've reviewed this before, but since it's one of the best books I've ever read, period, I'm reviewing it again. I also reread it this weekend. Katsa lives in a world where some people are Graced with certain skills. She has the unfortunate Grace of killing. In a quest to save a princess, she learns more about herself and about her Grace.
Fire by Kristin Cashore. This is the companion novel to Graceling, with only one character overlapping. Although technically you should read the other one first, it's okay to read them out of order. As brilliant as her first novel. Vivid scenery, complicated characters, plot twists, everything. Fire is a human monster, a more beautiful and stronger version of humans with the power to read and to influence minds.
Blue Bloods: Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz. This is a companion novel to her Blue Bloods series. It gives information and short snippets of stories. Only interesting if you're really into the series. Otherwise a bit dry at times.
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Jule Halpern. I love young adult novels. This follows Jessie through the first few weeks of her sophomore year of high school. Her best friends have become punks, her older brother has quit his band, and she's confused about where she fits in. So... she finds new friends... who play Dungeons & Dragons. Such a cute book. Love Jessie's relationship with her brother. Love her character development. Love the author's treatment of the antagonists, making them real people and not just stock characters.
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. Sometimes you just need chick lit, and Kinsella always delivers. I spent the entire time laughing hysterically, to the bemusement of my father and annoyance of my brother. Lara is haunted by the ghost of her great-aunt Sadie, from when Sadie was in her 20s. And apparently Sadie was a wild little thing.
I guess six books in seven days isn't too shabby.
These are not proper reviews, and I apologize. Just short blurbs and recommendations.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. This was McPhee's book that he brought with him to read during our trip together. I borrowed it for the flight back to the States. I know I'm a fast reader, so finishing it on a nine-hour flight was pretty easy, but it's actually a quick read for anyone. Told from the point-of-view of nine-year-old Oscar, it weaves together different characters' stories and how they deal with traumatic events in their lives. Very good and made me tear up just a little.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I'm pretty sure I've reviewed this before, but since it's one of the best books I've ever read, period, I'm reviewing it again. I also reread it this weekend. Katsa lives in a world where some people are Graced with certain skills. She has the unfortunate Grace of killing. In a quest to save a princess, she learns more about herself and about her Grace.
Fire by Kristin Cashore. This is the companion novel to Graceling, with only one character overlapping. Although technically you should read the other one first, it's okay to read them out of order. As brilliant as her first novel. Vivid scenery, complicated characters, plot twists, everything. Fire is a human monster, a more beautiful and stronger version of humans with the power to read and to influence minds.
Blue Bloods: Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz. This is a companion novel to her Blue Bloods series. It gives information and short snippets of stories. Only interesting if you're really into the series. Otherwise a bit dry at times.
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Jule Halpern. I love young adult novels. This follows Jessie through the first few weeks of her sophomore year of high school. Her best friends have become punks, her older brother has quit his band, and she's confused about where she fits in. So... she finds new friends... who play Dungeons & Dragons. Such a cute book. Love Jessie's relationship with her brother. Love her character development. Love the author's treatment of the antagonists, making them real people and not just stock characters.
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. Sometimes you just need chick lit, and Kinsella always delivers. I spent the entire time laughing hysterically, to the bemusement of my father and annoyance of my brother. Lara is haunted by the ghost of her great-aunt Sadie, from when Sadie was in her 20s. And apparently Sadie was a wild little thing.
I guess six books in seven days isn't too shabby.