My Reading Year in Review - Top 14 of 2014 + Honorable Mentions

An abridged version of this post originally appeared on Examiner.com

 

I spent my year navigating other people’s heartbreak, falling in love for the first time, discovering new worlds, figuring out superpowers, but mostly I spent it with my face in a book, sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee and a cozy blanket.  Saying that 2014 was a great reading year for me would be an understatement; finishing the year with 127 books read it is my best reading year to date and included a varied mix of Adult Fiction, Children’s Literature, Comedy Memoirs, Graphic Novels and the staple in my reading list Young Adult Fiction.  Instead of going the traditional reading route this year for some books I decided that listening to an audiobook would be preferable, and for me it really worked.  It allowed me to enjoy “reading” while I worked, drove and on rare occasions, cleaned.   

The most important thing I took away from my grand reading adventure was this: Happiness for me is directly related to how much time I make for reading.  The more time I allow for reading, the more content I am, and the more I dedicate myself to everything else in my life.  So for 2015 I plan to read, read some more and then read until I can’t see straight.  Before we ring in the New Year I wanted to share my Top 14 Books of 2014 with superlatives and a few honorable mentions.  Let me know what your thoughts are on my choices and what your Top 14 reads of the year are.  

#14: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Martin Selznick

Superlative – Most Unique Read

A magical adventure told through stunningly simple drawings and minimal words, The Invention of Hugo Cabret takes you on a journey of discovery.  I was unsure what to expect from this one, and I was absolutely enchanted by the illustrations and simplicity of this “mystery” as it is unwound before your eyes.  It was made into a movie a while back and I have heard wonderful things about it. I am really curious to see how the movie will compare to this imaginative book.

#13: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Superlative – Most Likely to Give You Nightmares

Haunting, disturbing and downright creepy; the biggest compliment I can give to this stunning graphic novel is it reminded me of reading Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories.   I picked this one up on a whim at the bookstore and was immediately drawn in by the stark swaths of color and dramatic illustrations.   A slow build of scary with every turn of the page, it also makes a beautiful addition to your library.   

#12: Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves

Superlative – Most Memorable Plot

Having previously read Ms. Garvis Graves On the Island I knew that she was a master at delayed gratification.  Building up so much tension between her characters that you, as the reader, literally start sweating; she is that good at conveying chemistry through words.  Even so, I never expected what was waiting for me when I cracked open Covet.  She perfectly captures the need and want of a woman to feel appreciated and wanted by her partner.  The utter longing of the characters drip from the pages and the tension builds until the very end in this “will they – won’t they” story.  It left such an impact I read it twice.  

Find my mini video review of Covet here

#11: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Superlative – Most Likely to Revive a Genre

This is technically a cheat, as this was the last book I read in 2013, but I couldn’t leave it out when I was compiling my list.  This book breathed new life into a genre that I had completely abandoned: Vampire Fiction.  Holly Black turns the traditional story of vampires on its head by infusing it with a zombie apocalypse vibe and stripping it down to a gritty story of survival.  No glitter, no werewolves, just an old-fashioned vampire story.   This was the book I recommended and loaned out the most in 2014 and I received rave reviews from everyone who read it.  

#10: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Superlative – Best Retelling

Full disclosure:  I love retellings.  I especially love Beauty and the Beast retellings.  But, it’s rare that the author does something new with the story.  Rosamund Hodge managed to create the most unique version of the Beauty and the Beast story I have ever encountered.  Reminiscent of Greek Mythology but with a twist of Shakespearean Tragedy, Cruel Beauty was a stunning blend of the familiar and the new.

Find my mini video review for Cruel Beauty here

 #9: Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Superlative – Most Surprising Reading Experience

I had been hearing about this series for years.  How could I not? It was all over Goodreads and I recall seeing the cover image of Juliette in her white dress surrounded by shattered glass and thinking…”that just looks dumb.”  I am the poster child for judging a book by its cover, despite that; I managed to pick up Shatter Me in the spring.  At first, I thought all my preconceived ideas of the book were right.  I hated the main character Juliette, as a matter of fact; I have never hated a main character as much as I did Juliette.  But, the writing was so stunningly haunting, beautiful, and poetic that I could not stop reading.  Tahereh Mafi is a gifted author; an author who manages to create an utterly loathsome heroine, but who has such a way with words that the reader looks past it.  Once I did I couldn’t get enough.  The Shatter Me Series is completely stolen by Warner and Kenji and that’s perfectly fine by me (and I would guess most readers).  Through three novels and two novellas Taherah Mafi takes the reader on a fun dystopian journey of self-discovery for her heroine and heroes and someone manages to do the unthinkable by the end of book three, Ignite Me: she teaches the reader to appreciate and like Juliette and understand her choices.   

 #8: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Superlative – Cutest Couple

Stephanie Perkins is the uncrowned queen of YA Contemporary Fiction.  She manages to infuse all her stories and characters with a sweetness and warmth that makes for the best kind of escapist literature.  I read all three of her books this year and while they all made me smile I couldn’t help but feel a special attachment to Lola and Cricket.  I know Anna and the French Kiss started it all, and while many swoon for St. Clair’s French charm it was Cricket’s nerdy idiosyncrasies that really hooked me.  Her ability to consistently provide her readers with an uncomplicated and enjoyable story every time is an incredibly special ability, and will keep this reader loyal. 

#7: Saga Volumes 1-3 by Fiona Staples and Matthew Vaughn Not for children under 17

Superlative – Best Graphic Novel
Saga is the graphic novel series that everyone was talking about this year.  A gorgeous take on the classic star-crossed lovers’ tale, except in this story our hero and heroine happen to come from different worlds and those worlds are enmeshed in a bitter war.  World building at a level that is uncommon in a graphic novel, Saga introduces its readers to new worlds, monarchies, hierarchy’s and species.  It does an excellent job of living up to its name.  Volume 4 was released on Christmas Eve and I immediately scooped it up (technically as a present for my husband, but not really) eager to see how the next chapter in this epic romance will unfold. 

Find my video review for the Saga Series here

#6: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Superlative – Most Likely to Make You Regret not Reading it in School

I don’t know why it took me so long to pick up The Giver. It is teeny tiny, generally considered a modern classic, and beloved the world over.  Somehow, none of that information persuaded me over the past 20+ years of reading to actually crack it open and see what all the fuss was about.  I can’t tell you what inspired me to do so this year, but I can tell you, I regret that I didn’t do it 20 years ago.  It is a brilliant little bit of Young Adult literature masquerading as a Utopian cautionary tale.  Jonas, the hero, is the narrator and the readers guide into this perfect world. Somehow, Lois Lowry does in 179 pages what many authors fail to do in 400. She makes you associate with Jonas in a way that makes you feel like he is your proxy living for you and struggling but surviving in this idyllic world.  By the time the story ends in its non-committal infuriating way you can’t believe how much story was told in so few words. 

#5: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Superlative – Heroine Most Likely to Remind You of You

This was the year I read everything of Rainbow Rowell’s I could get my hands on.  Attachments, Fangirl and Landline, each a great book with relatable characters and a great story, but Fangirl stood out.  With her heroine Cath, Rainbow Rowell introduces a fan girl to idolize to a generation of fangirls (myself included).  Her obsession with Simon Snow the Harry Potter like character and the slash fan fiction she spends hours writing reminded me of the year I spent plunged into the abyss of Twilight and Harry Potter fanfic and what sweet torture it was waiting for the next chapter to go live.  It may just be that the story brought back so many enjoyable memories for me, but I absolutely fell in love with Cath, Levi and their awkward stumbles into falling in love. 

#4: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Superlative – Most Likely to Give You Heart Palpitations and Make You Want to Vomit

Oh Outlander, the effect you have had on a generation of readers is something special.  At over 800 pages you are definitely not an easy book to commit to, but once you do the payoff is spectacular.  A singular reading experience and one that has since gone unmatched, Outlander is truly unlike anything I have ever read.  Incredibly detailed world building, historical accuracy, intricate plots, a heart stopping love story, adventure with every page turn and some truly traumatic moments await you as a reader of this epic tale of time travel.  To categorize Outlander as a romance would be a disservice to this masterwork of storytelling, but it has to be said that the Jaime, Claire and Frank love triangle is pitch perfect.  Outlander was such an immersive experience for me that I needed a break upon finishing book one. At times the story can be too graphic, and some scenes especially during the last third of the book made me feel physically ill, but I understand Diana Gabaldon’s reasons for including them.   Somewhere along the way I decided that I would do one Outlander book a year until I finish the series, it definitely helps that the Starz show is brilliantly made and here to fill the Jaime and Claire void. 

Find my video review for Outlander here 

 

#3: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Superlative – Most Beautiful Book You Will Ever Read

I never expected a coming of age story about to friends in their early teens to be so hauntingly beautiful.  Every sentence felt like a love letter from the author to the reader.  Simple, emotive and beautiful, reading Aristotle and Dante felt like reading a book length poem.  No superfluous words, every line counted and made its intended impact on the reader. It may be cliché to say it but, I laughed, I cried and felt completely satisfied with this gem of a book.

Find my video review for Aristotle and Dante here

#2: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Superlative – Most Nostalgic Read

There is something so special about books like Ready Player One.  Ernest Cline has lovingly crafted a completely unique story while making it entirely relatable to the reader by utilizing 80’s pop culture.  This book was an absolute joy to read from the first page.  The narrator, a teenage boy, is your guide through this marvelous world filled with pop culture and video game references.  From the first chapter you are completely transported and you don’t want to put down this cyber-punk adventure until you know how it will end.  For those of you so inclined, I recommend doing an audiobook – traditional book combo read.  The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton (of Stark Trek, Wesley Crusher fame) brilliantly, he infuses it with such nerdy glee you can’t help but get sucked in.  If you love video games, 80’s nostalgia, pop culture, or just an amazingly fun and well told story Ready Player One is a must read.  

Find my video review for Ready Player One here

#1: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Superlative – Best Love Letter to Book Lovers

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a book to be savored.  I knew going in that this was going to be a story that I would treasure.  It is not a particularly long book, so before I even cracked the spine I decided that I would take it slow, read only a chapter or two a day. Author Gabrielle Zevin, known for writing insightful and touching Young Adult Fiction has taken what on the surface appears to be the mundane life of an older set in his way bookstore owner and turned it into a fairy tale.  She manages to turn A.J.’s solitude and loneliness into something thoughtful rather than sad.  And when A.J.’s life is completely turned upside down by an unexpected surprise you go right along this new, exciting and slightly scary journey with him.  Gabrielle Zevin carefully chooses the characters for her story, their importance in A.J.’s life and really makes them part of it.  You never feel as they are there as filler, but rather important parts of the story that you as the reader grow to love.  At times funny, sad, bittersweet and wistful, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a gorgeously written love letter to a life filled with love and books and it was the absolute highlight of my 2014 reading journey. 

 Find my video review for The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry here

Honorable Mention

Georgia Nicholson Series by Louise Rennison

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Alienated by Melissa Landers

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 

Invisibility by David Levithan and Andrea Cremer

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman  

Throne of Glass  by Sarah J. Maas.

A pictorial guide to my year in books

March Wrap-Up

March was nothing short of a fantastic reading month.  I had been in an epic slump since 2014 began.  I don't know if something in the Spring air(or forever summer, I live in Miami afterall) made me devour books at the rate I did.  But I can honestly say, I am never happier than when I read a great book and this month was FULL of great books.  In total I read 17 books: 3 Children's Books, 2 Novella's, 1 Adult Contemporary re-read, 8 YA books, 1 Lady Porn,  and 1 Middle Grade.

 

All ratings can be found on my Goodreads profile.

 



 

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

 

Dream Animals: A Bedtime Story by Emily Winfield Martin

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The Dark by Lemony Snickett

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery and a Very Strange Adventure by Lissa Evans

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

The Trouble With Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberh

Adorkable by Sara Manning

Better of Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

The Fault in our Stars...an incredibly late review.

via redbubble

This review originally appeared on Examiner.com 

As an avid reader, I have often been told to read John Green. As a Young Adult reader, I have been shamed multiple times for not being a fan. I tried once, in my eyes reading 70 pages of An Abundance of Katherines, was more than enough time to decide wether or not I liked his work. I'm sure it's quite obvious that I did not, in fact, enjoy An Abundance of Katherines (AAoK). For the next few years, anytime someone would mention John Green to me I would rage at them that I really didn't get what the fuss was all about. I would explain how I not only found AAoK uninteresting but just plain boring. I would always end the conversation the way I do when I discuss authors that don't interest me, "They aren't for me."

I have never been happier to be wrong. After dragging my feet for almost a year, I sat down late this summer to read The Fault in our Stars (TFioS). I knew the premise of the book going into it, honestly, a story about a teenager fighting cancer did not seem like something I wanted to subject myself to. But for some strange reason, I decided to read it on my birthday of all days. Aside from it being a hugely busy day for me, and one that would not allow for a ton of free time, I thought that being so overwhelmed with plans would prevent me from getting overwhelmed by the emotion of the book. And I was right. Thank the lord. 

I cannot imagine how incredibly sad I would have been had I sat down to read TFioS in one sitting. The story itself is not, in my opinion, meant to be sad. The tone of the story is more hopeful than doom and gloom. Hazel and Gus are full of life and love despite the harshness of the reality they live with. And somehow, despite how sad the story actually is, it leaves you feeling optimistic and in my case raring to take on the world. I think that with TFioS, John Green did the impossible, he wrote a cancer book that isn't actually about cancer, but about the joys of living your life despite it. A book, that I thoroughly recommend to all readers, not just the YA fans. And even though I am sure it goes without saying, I'm going to anyway: I am a John Green fan. DFTBA.

Clockwork Princess: An Epic Finale to a Masterful Series

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Review Excerpt for full review visit Examiner.com

In what is probably one of the most highly anticipated books of the year in the Young Adult genre, Cassandra Clare finally brought her spin-off series The Infernal Devices (TID) to a close. Clockwork Princess is an ending so wholly satisfying that I couldn't find one loose end that needed tying. But let's start where we should, at the beginning.

Years ago, when I began reading The Mortal Instruments (TMI), I never expected that I would still be reading a series that I considered mediocre at best. Not to mention a completely new story, spun off from the Shadownhunter/Downworlder mythos and based on the ancestors of the original heroes. As I've previously written, in the years since I read my first TMI book, I have fallen in love with the characters and the world and consider myself a true fan of Ms. Clare's work. Despite that, I picked up the first book in TID out of pure curiosity not loyalty to the author. As a fan of period books, I was curious to see how Cassandra Clare would tell a story in Victorian times.  I have long found her writing to be extremely mature and an author who doesn't cater her writing to her readers but tells the story she intended to tell without sacrificing her voice. She doesn't dumb-it down because her audience is predominantly teenagers, she writes an elegantly crafted story and is an author who expects and (I imagine) hopes, that her readers will pick up on all the nuances she intricately weaves into the characters and their long story arcs.

Iron Fey Series a fresh take on fairies

My latest Examiner.com review on an excellent highly recommended YA book series.  The Iron Fey Series, by Julie Kagawa delves deep into tolerance and the fear of change than one would expect.  A must read.

Iron Fey Series a fresh take on fairies

Gift ideas for the teen who loves to series read

As the holiday's approach, I get prodded more and more by eager parents and family members for suggestions on the perfect book to give the young adult in ones life. The answer that is usually given is there is no perfect book.

Tastes differ and for every taste there is a flavor to indulge it with. With that being said, I thought the best suggestion of "perfect" books would be a list of several, I am including the major themes in the book to help you make the right selection based on the interests of the young adult or young adult lit aficionado that you are shopping for.

View slideshow: Gift Ideas for YA Book Series Lovers

I think most who follow my posts know that I am a huge fan of book series, especially in the YA genre. It's hard not to love a story that continues past the initial 300 plus pages and fleshes out the characters. It is this writers opinions that some of the best YA lit today fits into this category. The best of the bunch are:

The Goddess Test Series - A modern twist on beloved mythology, takes a fresh look at Hades and his epic love story with Persephone. Definitely a love story, but not one that I would recommend for readers under 13 due to some minor sexual situations. This series includes a couple of books and novellas with the final book due this coming year.

If you are looking for another mythology series try: The Abandon Trilogy

The Mortal Instruments/The Infernal Devices Series - I have personally written quite a bit about my love/hate relationship with these beloved characters by Cassandra Clare. A dark fantasy set in a world much like our own but with a darker and more dangerous underbelly this is a series for older readers. Getting involved in these stories is a heavy commitment as TMI currently stands at five (5) book with a sixth and (supposed) final book coming out within the next two years and TID currently at two (2) books with the third and final book coming out next year. The author has also planned a spin off to TMI featuring all new characters which will be another three (3) part series. The long anticipated movie is due out this summer, so make sure that they get through at least the first book in time for the August release. I believe this rich story appeals to both boys and girls, but as most YA books do can skew a bit girly at times.

If you are looking for another dark fantasy series try: The Spellbound Series

The Iron Fey Series - This is my most recent series read and what started as a difficult first book to get through became my absolute favorite Fey series. Based on a world ruled by some of Shakespeare's better known characters and filled with the most fantastical supporting players this is a series that your YA will not want to put down. The series finished off with four (4) books and three (3) e-novellas and has now been spun off into a new series The Iron Prince. As you can imagine by the title of the series the stories kind of played at The Matrix meets A Midsummer Nights Dream, but what an interesting and full series it is.

If you are looking for another fey series try: The Wicked Lovely Series

Princess Series - Reading this series is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket only to find out that the wool that you had come to expect has turned into silk. Jessica Day George takes the most beloved fairytales from childhood and updates them in an exciting page turning way. The series consist of three (3) books and tell the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. A series that any young girl in love with princesses and all that entails will enjoy.

If you are looking for another princess series try: The Princess Diaries

The Vampire Academy/Bloodlines Series - By far and away my favorite vampire series of recent years and my absolute favorite YA vampire series. This six (6) book TVA series and currently two (2) book soon to be three (3) book Bloodlines series tells an intricate story that starts off in an out of the way high school and ends up mired in the intrigue and politics of a royal court. Recommended for older YA readers due to sexual situations, violence and overall scary themes these series will become a hard to put down favorite for your YA reader.

If you are looking for another vampire series try: The Tantalize Series

Matched Series - Set in a dystopian society where one is matched by a computer to their perfect mate this story is a great follow up series to someone who loved The Hunger Games. The third (3) and final book was released a few weeks ago and hopes to put a tight red bow and an story of a young girl who chooses to the fight the system that she was born into.

If you are looking for another dystopian tale try: The Divergent Series.

Tempest Series - A young girl finds out she is the daughter of a mermaid and that she may be the key to winning a long and hard fought war raging under the ocean. For any reader who loves mermaid stories this gives you an excellent look into a gorgeous underwater world and all the turmoil that resides within.

If you are looking for another mermaid series try: Of Poseidon Series

In case you have a voracious reader on your hands here are a few more excellent YA series:

• Midnighters Series by Scott Westerfeld
• The Mysterious Benedict Society Series by Trenton Lee Stewart
• A Beautiful Dark Series by Jocelyn Davies
• Firelight Series by Sophie Jordan
• Everneath Series by Brodie Ashton
• Gemma Doyle Series by Libba Bray

This article originally published on:  Examiner.com 

All Dystopian Society's are not created equal

I have given myself some off time from my blogs to adjust to everything going on in my life...but it doesn't mean I stopped reading.  My spring started with the Hunger Games trilogy and ended with the first two books in the Matched trilogy.  It has been interesting, I have to say I probably would have enjoyed the stories more had I not read so many dystopian teen fics back to back but I couldn't resist.  I was on some sort of crazy binge.  I am finally taking a break from it all and have moved on to adult erotica...oh yeah!

Lauren Oliver, Delirium

 For the life of me I cannot get through this book.  I keep starting and stopping.  Most reviews that I read speak so highly of the story and the characters...but I stalled about 150 pages in.  I am not connecting with the characters, I feel like I can predict  the entire plot.  This is fairly normal for me but I still enjoy experiencing how the author chooses to unfold the story.  Not in this case.  I think I am going to give it a tentative rating for now in hopes that I will pick it up again and finish it. 

Veronica Roth, Divergent

I loved this story, and completely connected with Beatrice.  The decision she is forced to make and the repercussions of the choice that will determine the rest of your life was a theme that for me, was so easy to relate to.  I would recommend this book to YA fans of all ages.  I am anxiously awaiting the follow up Insurgent coming out in a couple of weeks.



Ally Condie, Matched

Ally Condie, Crossed

The first book in this trilogy, Matched, sucked me in from page one...how to describe a book that you couldn't put down but still had a sense of dissapointment when you were finished reading.  The first book was a quick read, a constant battle within your head of who you should be pulling for...by the second book you feel like maybe just maybe Cassia made the wrong decision. At least I did.  The ending of the second book left something to be desired and I felt like this book may have had a bit too much build up for what it actually was but overall they were both enjoyable reads.  Not the best dystopian YA fic out there but good enough and entertaining enough that I would recommend them.  I will pick up the third and final (?) book in the series when it is released later this year.

 

Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games Trilogy

Hmmm, what to say that hasn't already been written.  That I enjoyed these books would be an understatement. I fought tooth and nail not to read them, when my friends and family were ravenously devouring the books I said I was too busy and wasn't interested and ignored their plea's that I should read them.  All three books were consumed over a 2.5 day period, a form of insanity that I haven't engaged in since the Harry Potter or Twilight series.  I just couldn't stop.  Gale, Peeta, Katniss even Haymitch had me thoroughly hooked.  The horrors of the first book, entering the arena for the first time, Rue's tragic scene, that tenderness of the cave scene are moments that stand out for me.  The second books who wouldv'e seen it coming twist, the frenzy of the last 70 pages.  The final books complete about face, from a world you felt you were familiar with to a world you no longer recognized.  The horrors of their new reality. 

These books became a gateway drug for me the first dystopian YA books that I picked up.  After the reading frenzy that ensued I wanted nothing more than to continue exploring this dark kind of messed up world that Ms. Collins introduced me to.  But, there was no more.  So I moved on to other stories, other worlds.  And to be honest nothing has lived up to the standards set by The Hunger Games.  

What's on my Reader

I am an avid reader, what does that mean? Well, I am usually in the middle of  two or twelve books at one time...this is a problem.  Because not only am I a reader I am also a collector of books.  So my shelves buckle from the load.  And then to add insult to injury, last year I got a Nook for Christmas.  It's like someone was purposely trying to drain my bank account.  I already give hundreds of dollars to Barnes and Nobles and Amazon on a regular but c'est la vie. 

Sometimes I start a book a don't finish (this, I must clarify, is VERY rare) unless I absolutely hate a story, or do not connect with the characters I must know how it ends.  But that being said, I wanted to share what I am reading and fill you guys in on a semi-regular basis.  (semi being one of my favorite words if you haven't noticed). So here goes nothing:

On the Nook

As much as I love and I mean LOVE vampire lit, I have never read the original in its entirety.  I know shameful, go ahead, slap my hand.  I am still at the beginning of the book and its the part that I read before which makes me wonder why I ever stopped reading it the first time around.  I absolutely love it.

I had been wanting to pick up this book for as long as I could remember. All I heard was positive reviews, how amazing it was, etc.  I have to say the book is exceptional but for me, I can only handle it in small doses.  Maybe 40 pages at one time.  And for a quick reader like me who loves devouring books I don't know how to feel about that.  I am going to table my critique until I have finished reading it.

 I read the first in the series about a Fallen Angel and was entertained enough to pick up the second.  Not necessarily enough to recommend it to all my friends but I know the ones who will appreciate it,  Unfortunately, its on my Nook.  Both books are and none of my friends have Nooks.

 This was a spur of the moment I want a laugh buy.  Very unlike me.  With the possible exception of George Carlin, I don't do comedy reading.  But I find this surprisingly endearing and funny when I'm in that kind of mood.

This will be the last in the series that I read.  I feel like I have been a loyal reader of the series but honestly it has dragged out too far for me.  I am not their target audience and the teenage angst finally got me in this one.  I am struggling with every page.  I am really not sure if I will even be able to finish it. 

Actual Books

 So confession, I'm an Austenite.  A huge one.  I not only love and collect different copies of her original work but I also read remakes and continuations of the stories.  It's kind of the only alternative left to a true addict when the main source of their addiction has been taken away.  This is probably my third "so and so's Diary" written by Amanda Grange and I really do enjoy them.  They give a surprisingly new perspective on the story without changing the root of it.  Very refreshing.

 Followers of my personal blog, Ramblings of a Semi-Literate Mind will know that I don't drive.  I am also super phobic of basically, well, the universe.  That being said I am happily in therapy and conquering my fears daily.  The driving still eludes me.  But this book, well this book sucked me in when I found out that the author also had a fear of driving and part of her Happiness Project was conquering that fear.  Its my most recent pick-up.

 I have mixed feelings about Mr. Coelho on one end of the spectrum he writes one of my all time favorite books, Eleven Minutes, and on the other, he writes one of the arguably most well respected and most inspirational books of our time.  Which I hate.  Yup, I said it, I hate The Alchemist.  Sorry folks.  I know its changed lives, but I was underwhelmed.  I got the message behind it I did.  It just didn't do it for me.  I wanted something different of his to read, something that would reignite that  fire that I had for him with Eleven Minutes.  I love Inspirations. 

 I read Graphic Novels all the time.  Everyone needs their bubble gum amidst their daily routine and serious reads...although, lets be real, most of my reads aren't all that serious. 

Okay, so I've been tackling this monster for what seems like ages.  But I refuse, refuse to give up.  I am obsessed with learning about Henry VIII and I know more than one should probably know but find this book to be ridiculously good despite the fact that all know so much.  The page count is DAUNTING and I read it once in a blue moon.  But I will never give up.  Goonies never say die!!

How many books are you reading?  Please tell me I am not the only crazy who reads ten at a time.