It has been a long time since I have been able to put up a new post. Between a hurricane, an early dismissal, a snow day and a holiday, I have not had more than a few minutes to sit down in front of the computer. The boys have been home a lot! I have read 8 books since my last blog post. I am not going to do full reviews on all of these books but I am going to say now that I am going to do a full review on the book I am currently reading;
Reached by Ally Condie. Now that I've said it I have to make time to do it!
Book #1 since last post was
UnWholly by Neal Schusterman.
Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simultaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.
Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.
Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live. (Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
UnWholly is the sequel to Unwind which was published in 2007. 5 years is a long time for a sequel, but it was well worth the wait. It was so fast paced and kept you really involved the entire time. The one thing I was worried about was whether or not I would remember Unwind. The author added a quiz at the beginning of the story so you could re-familiarize yourself with the characters and plot. It was a thoughtful way of doing this and I did not have to go back and reread the first book! Can't wait for the third book in the series. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 5 years!
Book #2 was
Flightless Bird by Paulina Ulrich
The summer of her seventeenth birthday Livy Eckels was faced with something she wasn't ready for. In the midst of a crumbling family, devastated, she grabs her bicycle and heads out of town to escape the heavy atmosphere at home. Livy unexpectedly crashes into the lives of two mysterious people living on the outskirts of town. As she prepares to start her final exhaustive year of high school, she already has enough on her plate. Then with the entrance of Gregory Mason, her life becomes even more complicated. Tall, handsome, and ever so annoying, Livy can't stand being around him until she finds herself being pulled closer and closer to things she cannot explain. She was determined to understand why Gregory Mason was so interested in her until she discovered something that may put her curiosity to an end. Before she knows what is happening Livy becomes entangled in the mystifying plots of a secret society, a vengeful ex-lover, and a situation she never expected to find herself in: falling in love with a boy whose secret she should have never known.(Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
This book was recommended to me by my friend Rebecca. I bought it for my Kindle and dove right in. I really liked this book, although I would say that it might have used a bit more editing to make it a little shorter. The characters were very relate-able and I liked the mystery involving Gregory and his sister. It took me some time to figure it out. That usually never happens. Bravo to the author for that! I have the second book on my Kindle and I know that the third is out soon. I will continue with this series.
Book #3 was
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.
In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.
The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist.
Because of envelope 4, Ginny and a playwright/thief/ bloke–about–town called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous–though utterly romantic–results. But will she ever see him again?
Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes. (Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I love Maureen Johnson. Big fan of Suite Scarlett and The Name of the Star. I loved this book just as much as the others. It was a fun, entertaining kind of book. The descriptions of all of these faraway places made me want to hop on a plane and see them all. Going to reserve The Last Little Blue Envelope right now!
Book #4 was
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Distant Hours, The Forgotten Garden, and The House at Riverton, a spellbinding new novel filled with mystery, thievery, murder, and enduring love.
During a summer party at the family farm in the English countryside, sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson has escaped to her childhood tree house and is happily dreaming of the future. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and watches as her mother speaks to him. Before the afternoon is over, Laurel will witness a shocking crime. A crime that challenges everything she knows about her family and especially her mother, Dorothy—her vivacious, loving, nearly perfect mother.
Now, fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress living in London. The family is gathering at Greenacres farm for Dorothy’s ninetieth birthday. Realizing that this may be her last chance, Laurel searches for answers to the questions that still haunt her from that long-ago day, answers that can only be found in Dorothy’s past.
Dorothy’s story takes the reader from pre–WWII England through the blitz, to the ’60s and beyond. It is the secret history of three strangers from vastly different worlds—Dorothy, Vivien, and Jimmy—who meet by chance in wartime London and whose lives are forever entwined. The Secret Keeper explores longings and dreams and the unexpected consequences they sometimes bring. It is an unforgettable story of lovers and friends, deception and passion that is told—in Morton’s signature style—against a backdrop of events that changed the world. (Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I have loved all of Kate Morton's previous books, and this one was no exception. She is such a talented writer. I love a deep, thoughtful family story with a lot of secrets and lies. Her books always include some kind of mystery and I always look forward to the reveal. Highly recommended!
Book #5 was
Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single by Heather McElhatten
Quirky, clever, cubicle-bound Jennifer Johnson is desperate. Everyone around her is getting married, while she's still single and stuck writing ad copy about men's dress socks.
Her life hits crisis level, launching her into a humiliating and painfully hilarious quest to find Prince Charming at any cost. This includes agonizing online dates, diet-clinic cults, drag-queen fights, and a debilitating addiction to Cinnabon icing. When she meets handsome, wealthy Brad Keller, she wonders if he's the answer to all her dreams, or is he just too good to be true?
Darkly funny and outrageously honest, McElhatton's wit shines in this no-holds-barred cautionary tale about getting what you want—and how it can be the worst thing for you. (Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I read about this book while reading Booklist at the reference desk at work. They were actually reviewing the sequel. Sequel sounded intriguing so I ordered the original from another library. It was funny and witty. Made me laugh out loud. Maybe a black comedy? Moral of the story is be careful what you wish for. Can't wait to hear what happens to Jennifer next.
Book #6 was
Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews
Sometimes, when you need a change in your life, the tide just happens to pull you in the right direction….
Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves, in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from a job she gave everything to, is rudderless and now beginning to question the choices she's made over the past decade of her life. Julia—whose caustic wit covers up her wounds--has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can't hide from how deeply insecure she feels about her looks, her brains, her life. And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most in the world…though this is just the tip of the iceberg of her problems and secrets. A month in North Carolina's Outer Banks is just what they each of them needs.
Ty Bazemore is their landlord, though he's hanging on to the rambling old beach house by a thin thread. After an inauspicious first meeting with Ellis, the two find themselves disturbingly attracted to one another, even as Ty is about to lose everything he's ever cared about.
Maryn Shackleford is a stranger, and a woman on the run. Maryn needs just a few things in life: no questions, a good hiding place, and a new identity. Ellis, Julia, and Dorie can provide what Maryn wants; can they also provide what she needs?
Five people questioning everything they ever thought they knew about life. Five people on a journey that will uncover their secrets and point them on the path to forgiveness. Five people who each need a sea change, and one month in a summer rental that might just give it to them.
(Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
This is the second book by Mary Kay Andrews that I have read this year. A fun summer type read. Her books are good to have around when you need something fun and light that is not going to tax your brain. A good story about friends supporting one another.
Book #7 was
Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell
Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away.
Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own-husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?
The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places... (Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I have given my praise for Jill Mansell's British chick lit in previous reviews. This my third Jill Mansell book of the year. Good to have on hand while I am waiting for a bestseller. Never fails to make me happy. Good characters, different plot lines. Always recommended!
Finally book #8 was
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
The instant New York Times bestseller from the author of the Newbery Medal book When You Reach Me: a story about spies, games, and friendship. Seventh grader Georges moves into a Brooklyn apartment building and meets Safer, a twelve-year-old self-appointed spy. Georges becomes Safer's first spy recruit. His assignment? Tracking the mysterious Mr. X, who lives in the apartment upstairs. But as Safer becomes more demanding, Georges starts to wonder: what is a lie, and what is a game? How far is too far to go for your only friend? Like the dazzling When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy will keep readers guessing until the end. (Description from
www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I have read Rebecca Stead's previous books, First Light and When You Reach Me (which happened to win a Newbery!) Both were superb. Again, this one was no exception. It is full of interesting quirky characters and deals with a bunch of contemporary subjects (bullying, the recession, friendship) that middle grade kids will love. There are a lot of secrets in this book and most of them are revealed in the last few chapters of the book. The writing is so good that it will keep kids interested to the end. I won't be surprised if this book winds up a multiple "Best of 2012" lists. I put it in my boys library book bag and will encourage them to pick it up. Hopefully one of them will.
