June Books
I can't believe June is already over. The month went by so fast, but I really feel like I haven't gotten much done. Did do some reading which is always good. So here are the books for June rated out of 5 stars and divided by my own crazy mind into some way to distinguish the books.
The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
The Dark is Rising (****)
Greenwitch (*****) My favorite book in the whole sequence. It is the shortest and the least action packed, but I really enjoyed it. I can't quite put my finger on why and I'm not sure that I want to explain it.
The Grey King (****)
Silver on the Tree (****)
Romance/Chick Lit (In my defense, I realize that these types of book have little redeeming value beyond entertainment. I'm going to say right out that they rarely ever get anything above 3 stars and if you see one that does get more than that, it must be amazing.)
The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn (***)
Sorcery and the Single Girl by Mindy Klasky (***) This book was very close to getting 2 stars. Honestly, it was extremely predictable and the main character's stupidity bothered me, but I do like the supporting cast. I felt compelled to read and finish it because it is the second in a series and well I just want to see what happens.
The Cinderella Rules by Donna Kauffman (***)
Manga (I'm just going to post links to wikipedia articles about these series because I really don't feel like linking every volume)
Kitchen Princess (****) I just got and read Vol. 5 and 6. This is over the top kawaii-ness that involves the culinary arts so of course I have to read it.
Absolute Boyfriend (***) Borrowed from Kristina. A cute, weird love story. I also just watched the last episode of the j-drama today. Unlike Kristina, i think I may have liked the drama better than the manga (Shh... don't tell on me).
Hot Gimmick (***) I am enjoying this series, but I also have a few reservations so I'm waiting until I finish it (Sometime this week probably) before I pass complete judgment. They actually extend to the same problems I had reading through Hana Yori Dango (which is probably my ichiban manga choice) about emotional abuse in relationships, only this is 10 times worse. I'm hoping it will end well.
Everything Else
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown (****) I've been wanting to read something else by Brown (of Davinci Code fame) for a while. I enjoyed this. Not as much as Angels and Demons but it was definitely a good read to pass some time.
Bee Season by Myla Goldberg (**) I'm still really on the fence about this book. I really liked the writer's style and way with words, but I just really didn't enjoy the book. I will admit that i couldn't put it down because I really wanted to find out what happens to the characters, but I didn't feel good by the end of the book. Maybe it just wasn't a good time for me to be reading the book, or maybe it just isn't my thing. I will suggest that you at least give it a try though because it is stylistically stunning.
Plans for reading in the month of July go something like this: I'm half way through The Professor by Charlotte Bronte and really hope to finish it and then read a biography of Bronte that I bought at the book fair. I also want to read The Prestige at some point this month. In the world of children/young adult books I'm trying to decide between the Abhorsen trilogy or a bunch of different novels. I'm kind of going to let my mood take me and see what I end up doing. Happy July to everyone.
The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
The Dark is Rising (****)
Greenwitch (*****) My favorite book in the whole sequence. It is the shortest and the least action packed, but I really enjoyed it. I can't quite put my finger on why and I'm not sure that I want to explain it.
The Grey King (****)
Silver on the Tree (****)
Romance/Chick Lit (In my defense, I realize that these types of book have little redeeming value beyond entertainment. I'm going to say right out that they rarely ever get anything above 3 stars and if you see one that does get more than that, it must be amazing.)
The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn (***)
Sorcery and the Single Girl by Mindy Klasky (***) This book was very close to getting 2 stars. Honestly, it was extremely predictable and the main character's stupidity bothered me, but I do like the supporting cast. I felt compelled to read and finish it because it is the second in a series and well I just want to see what happens.
The Cinderella Rules by Donna Kauffman (***)
Manga (I'm just going to post links to wikipedia articles about these series because I really don't feel like linking every volume)
Kitchen Princess (****) I just got and read Vol. 5 and 6. This is over the top kawaii-ness that involves the culinary arts so of course I have to read it.
Absolute Boyfriend (***) Borrowed from Kristina. A cute, weird love story. I also just watched the last episode of the j-drama today. Unlike Kristina, i think I may have liked the drama better than the manga (Shh... don't tell on me).
Hot Gimmick (***) I am enjoying this series, but I also have a few reservations so I'm waiting until I finish it (Sometime this week probably) before I pass complete judgment. They actually extend to the same problems I had reading through Hana Yori Dango (which is probably my ichiban manga choice) about emotional abuse in relationships, only this is 10 times worse. I'm hoping it will end well.
Everything Else
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown (****) I've been wanting to read something else by Brown (of Davinci Code fame) for a while. I enjoyed this. Not as much as Angels and Demons but it was definitely a good read to pass some time.
Bee Season by Myla Goldberg (**) I'm still really on the fence about this book. I really liked the writer's style and way with words, but I just really didn't enjoy the book. I will admit that i couldn't put it down because I really wanted to find out what happens to the characters, but I didn't feel good by the end of the book. Maybe it just wasn't a good time for me to be reading the book, or maybe it just isn't my thing. I will suggest that you at least give it a try though because it is stylistically stunning.
Plans for reading in the month of July go something like this: I'm half way through The Professor by Charlotte Bronte and really hope to finish it and then read a biography of Bronte that I bought at the book fair. I also want to read The Prestige at some point this month. In the world of children/young adult books I'm trying to decide between the Abhorsen trilogy or a bunch of different novels. I'm kind of going to let my mood take me and see what I end up doing. Happy July to everyone.