1 {A} Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

I love picking up a book with no idea what it will be like. I'd hear of this title, but hadn't read the synopsis. I was immediately swallow up. The writing is so good, I FELT like I grew up in Miri's world. It was so tangible, including the bits of magic. Truly a "good book". This is a book I could read my kindergartner and we would both enjoy it. Lovely, really lovely.

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0 {A-} Gathering Blue (The Giver, #2) - by Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

I love Lois' distinct language. The characters take on such depth in a just a few pages. Very though provoking. The ending is a bit chopped. (not a true sequel to 'The Giver')


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0 {A} The Giver (Giver #1) - by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I picked this up again after reading 'Matched' by Ally Condie. Some claim that Condie copied Lowry's premise and setting, but I don't think its plagiarism. Yes, there are many similarities, but I'm okay with them. I loved both books for different reasons. 'The Giver' is a true classic, full of depth. 'Matched' is more of a romance that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Have you read them both? how do you think they compare?


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0 {A-} Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1) - by Kami Garcia

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia


I guess I'm lame. Throw me a bit of romance and a bit of fantasy and I'm happy. I'm not sure what the title has to do with anything, but the cover is beautiful and the story kept me turning pages so I'll overlook it. Good book. Glad there are more. The end.


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0 {A} Matched (Matched #1) - by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie

I admit I read this book in one sitting (10pm-2am). I just couldn't find a good place to put it down at. Lots have criticized it for similarities with 'The Giver', but I don't mind too much. I'm in a book for an escape, and escape I did -love triangle and all. I'm most glad for the ending...there was one. Although I'm dying for the next installment, at least I can breath while I wait.

Hand decision:  I borrowed my sister's copy, but do I buy it?  I know I'll be buying the next installments and probably in hardback as they come out, so should I just buy this hardback now???



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0 {A} Captivate (Need, #2) - by Carrie Jones

Captivate by Carrie Jones


This is NOT a good way to end a middle book of a series. I REALLY need the next one now. My OCD prevents me from mixing book types in a series, but I may just have to buy the hardback of #3. I don't think I can wait a year for it to come out in paperback, like my copies of #1 &2.

I think that I liked the second installment even better than the first - rare!. In the first book the new world is revealed, but here Zara had to really deal with it and make some tough decisions. I like a brave author!!!


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0 {A-} Need (Need #1) - by Carrie Jones

Need by Carrie Jones


A great start to a series. I liked that the first book ends, a rarity for book #1's. I liked the balance of romance and fantasy. Looking forward to the rest of the books.


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1 {A}The Help - by Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett


I picked up this book merely because I heard its title a bunch. Um, there is a reason. It is great. Yeah, not a good adjective, but it really is. I laughed and cried, held my breath and let it out. I don't want to summarize the book because I hate reading summaries before I read a book. Let me just say, this should be required reading. For everyone. It made me look at myself differently; as a friend, as a neighbor, and a mother...mostly as a mother, but that is the 'season' I'm currently in. You should read this book. Now. (I have a copy to lend even)


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0 {A} Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2 of 3+) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick


Okay, just read the last page and COME ON! Another twisted cliff hanger? NO! The next installment isn't due out till Oct. 18, 2011. I really shouldn't read a series until all the books are out. I just can't take it. I hate waiting a year to see how things turn out.  UGH!


Some people rag that this series is a Twilight knockoff, but I disagree.  (I'm trying not to leave spoilers below)

• Nora creates drama.  The author seemed to be trying a bit too hard not have her NOT be a spineless clingy girlfriend, but I wanted to yell at her at times to not be so gullible or create so much drama.
• Patch is "the bad boy Edward wishes he was".  One one side he is tempting (hottie), but on the other hand why does Nora like him so much?  I think I need to reread the first book for that.
• I wanted to kick Marcie's bully bum (until the very end).  No spoilers here, but I am really looking forward to her story continuing in the next book. 
• Vee is major comic relief. I laughed at/with her so many times, but she did feel a bit hollow.  Like a side-kick, which I guess she is.  Still, I wanted to know more about her feelings, history, ect.
• Don't get me started on Nora's mom.  She has a lot of explaining to do in the next book. 

Yeah, the characters and plot aren't real life, but hey this is a fun fantasy story set in high school. In 'Hush, Hush' I groaned at the end; it was a bit much to take...somewhat overdone. However, this installment was much better that way. I read it in one day and didn't want to put it down.
(As of a month ago, Becca didn't know if book #3, "Tempest", will be the last book in the series)


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0 {A} MAGIC OR MADNESS SERIES, #1-3 of 3 – by Justine Larbalestier

 

by Justine Larbalestier

 

#1) Magic or Madness,   #2) Magic Lessons,    #3) Magic's Child     

I really enjoyed the Australian slang the author uses for the appropriate character's voice. It also tickled me that the main character is a math prodigy. Even though the magic is fantasy, the characters feel real. They are flawed in ways that real people are. I really liked that this trilogy has a start, middle, and end. So many series don't ever seem to end, they just drag our the middle. I'd definitely have all three books lined up before starting on the first.

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0 {A-} The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner Series , #2 of 3)- by James Dashner

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

WOW! This series is intense! Intense like 'Hunger Games.' I'm AGAIN waiting for a book #3. I do not like cliff hangers that last a year plus. If you liked Hunger Games, pick this up too. I'll lend you books #1 & 2


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0 {A-} The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1 of 3+) - by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

WOW! This is one intense book!!! I was impressed at how much I like a book about zombies. The characters are well depicted. The main character is so flawed, but that is life. Life is hard and sometimes we make the wrong choices. Book #2 is actually out now, but I'll probably wait to read it till February when it comes out in paperback. Darn that OCD thing about having a series either all in hard back or all in hardback.

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0 {A} Poison Study, Magic Study, & Fire Study (STUDY SERIES, #1-3 of 3) –by Maria V. Snyder

Now THIS was a great series!!!  Thank you Micki, my sister-in-law, for suggesting these.  I rolled through the 3 books in a couple days.  It was a full-out Sarah Book Binge.  I’d call these a cross between the Queen’s Thief series and the Gemma Doyle series.  There is a bit of magic in the books, but I wouldn’t call it true fantasy.  The books are a bit violent, but nothing like Hunger Games.  There is a little romance, but not much steam (hints, but blacked out). You should read them!!!

Oh, and now Hanne, my neighbor, tells me the author has another series that she loves.  Many of the characters in the ‘Study Series’ return in the ‘Glass Series’.   Guess I’d better read those too.  Man, my ‘to-be-read’ list is growing. 

*** click on any book cover above to link to the ‘Good Reads’ summary page for each.

0 {A} Mockingjay (HUNGER GAMES SERIES, #3 of 3) - by Suzanne Collins

I really enjoyed the Hunger Games Series.  But I haven't been able to sum up my feelings in a review.  Thanks to Stacey, at 'My Lucky Lemon' for posting this LINK to  a GoodReads review I too completely agree with.  Wish I could express myself so well.
First two books in the ‘Hunger Games Series’:

0 {A-} A Conspiracy of Kings (THE THIEF SERIES, #4 of 5+) - by Megan Turner

This is the 4th book in a series of potentially 6. I read the first 3 a few months ago after my sisters and mother suggested them. This one just came out this month, too. They are really good books, although they do start off slow. Give them a chance!

#1 – The Thief   #2 – The Queen of Attolia   #3 – The King of Attolia  

 

  #4 – A Conspiracy of Kings    #5 – Untitled