blue_ant: (cat [sing like you're yelling])
[personal profile] blue_ant
107. The Ask and the Answer: Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness
Almost better than The Knife of Letting Go, Ness' second book is an engaging read. Picking up right where the first left off, The Ask and the Answer is a much darker novel. Ness develops his characters further and does a good job of showing, rather than telling, us what Todd and Viola's world is like (or about to become). I can't wait to see where Ness decides to go next.

108. The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford
Not your typical boy book. It was the title that caught my attention and then it was the location, the writing, the characters, the plot ... that kept me reading. Ford's novel is fun, painful and above all, extremely interesting. Might be good for reluctant teens readers or those who like a good mystery.

109. Prism by Faye Kellerman
A short, interesting alternate universe fantasy novel. The Kellermans deliver a decent, if not great, story with moderately sympathetic characters. It was engaging enough that I had to finish because I needed to know what happened, but not deep enough that I thought long and hard about it. The premise is quite good and I'll be interested to see of the mother-daughter team writes more YA novels.

110. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Though I tagged this as horror, it's not exactly the right genre. Waters' book is a ghost story at heart, but even more it's a tale about love and loss. What makes it so good is Waters' writing and her characters. Even when you know characters are making iffy and possibly bad decisions, you want things to work out. And by the end of the book, you realize that there's no other way for it to end -- no matter what you think of her characters. I will definitely have to read some of her other books.


110 / 100 words. 110% done!
blue_ant: (alias [jack and sloane])
[personal profile] blue_ant
103. The ABC's of Kissing boys by Tina Ferraro
This book was like eating chocolate (or something sugary and yummy). I felt kind of bad reading it, because it's so silly, but I loved everything about it. From the ridiculous plot to the predictable romance to the surprisingly strong main character. This was recommended to me after I realized I'd forgotten to bring another book from home and it took me just about an hour to read it. It's super quick, hilarious (I was laughing out loud) and so cute and sweet that I must have gotten at least 12 cavities while reading it. This is light, fluffy, and truly adorable. A+

104. Post Singular by Rudy Rucker
I needed a break from YA and picked up this book because I'm a fan of some of Rucker's other books. This book fit right in with his others, and I completely loved it -- it's probably favorite. It comes cyberpunk with sort of a nostalgia for being unconnected and messes it seamlessly into the urge to be connected on every level possible. While many SF novels attempt to explore how awesome VR would be, Postsingular takes a completely different tact. Rucker creates a world that was temporarily thrown in VR all at once and then describes how this changed (for better or for worse) that world. It's a great, fun and fast read. I loved it.

105. The Walls of the Universe by Paul Melko
This was an extremely well written, upsetting and quite moving science fiction novel. At it's heart, it's about who we (as in people in general) are. But at the same time, it's also about who we aren't. The premise is that people can travel between universes, but it comes with a rather sinister price. Melko's writing is top notch, his characters are strong and the only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because it was at times realistically painful to read. Highly recommended, especially to be people who like to push the line between straight fiction and science fiction.

106. Crashed by Robin Wasserman
A good, strong follow up to Skinned. It's in many ways a true middle novel. It gets the plot and story going, but what Wasserman does well is remind us of why this series is so good in the first place. Instead of abandoning characters from the first novel, she brings them back with a vengeance. While Skinned focuses on Lia's attempts to get away and either embrace or forget who she is, Crashed does the opposite. Lia is trapped in a war she never wanted to fight and against people she used to love. I cannot wait for the third book in this series.



105 / 100 words. 105% done!

98-102

Jan. 5th, 2010 07:55 pm
blue_ant: (autumn [in art])
[personal profile] blue_ant
98. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Yet another classic book (both YA and SF) I've avoided reading. I don't know why, since I've read much of Card's other works. But I finally picked up and finished it in a relatively short period of time. Ender's Game is well written and engaging, but after finishing it, I never want to read another book in the series. I have it four and a half stars because it's very, very good. But, to be honest, I don't think I liked it. I don't regret for a second reading it, but I'm glad it's over.

99. Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
I picked this book up because of the cover. What I found was a well writing, moving historical fiction novel. Flygirl is a fast paced novel that takes place before and during World War II in the Southern US. It's about a girl whose only dream is to fly, except that the world's against her, not only because she's a woman, but because she's black. What makes Smith's novel so good is that she embraces all the controversy, struggles and inner turmoil that Ida Mae goes through to be able to fly. The story was strong, the characters were lovable and I was attached to them in no time. Highly, highly recommended.

100. Truancy by Isamu Fukui
Judging this book solely based on the fact that it was written by a 15 year old boy, it's quite good. Comparing it to other YA literature, it's mediocre at best. The plot is mediocre, the characters waiver between being flat and three dimensional, and Fukui relies far too heavily on violence. That being said, he's an engaging enough writing that I wanted to know what happened, even though I found the end disappointing. I can definitely see Fukui's potential and hope that he continues to write. Because if he allows his writing to grow up as well, I think we'd be in for a treat.

101. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
A coworker suggested I read this, and then when I saw it might get made into a movie, I decided I probably should read it and so I did. Much to my surprise, I really liked this book. The writing was average, the plot was decent, but the characters were fun and engaging. From what I've heard about the new two books, Clare's writing improves greatly -- and that the third book is the best of the three. I'm shocked to say this, but I'm actually quite excited about reading the rest of this series. City of Bones wasn't great, but it was fun and sometimes that's all you want from a book.

102. Silverfin by Charlie Higson
I picked this up on a whim and in many ways, James is a similar type of character to Alex Rider. He's brave, but cautious and sometimes does things without thinking about the consequences. One of the things that made Silverfin interesting was that we're reading about what James Bond, the man we're all familiar with as an adult, might have been like as a child. I thought it was fascinating, especially his experiences at Eton. But the more interesting parts of the book were when he was trying to suss out what Silverfin really was. The book was a quick read, a bit gross in places, but that's part of it's charm (both for me and reluctant male readers). If you like the Alex Rider series, give Silverfin a go. I'll definitely pick up the second book in the series.



102 / 100 words. 102% done!

92-97

Dec. 14th, 2009 12:46 pm
blue_ant: (mickey [not a tin dog])
[personal profile] blue_ant
92. Little Brother Cory Doctorow
I own this book, but had put off reading it for reasons I can't remember now. Eventually I picked it up and I just couldn't stop. Doctorow weaves a brilliant story that takes place in a world that's somewhat like our own, while at the same time, being completely different. I want him to write more YA, because I enjoyed his style.

93. Tithe by Holly Black
Though this wasn't the first Holly Black book I read, it was the first of her YA novels (I'd previous read one of her graphic novels). The story was slightly intriguing, the characters interesting and the writing decent. Sometimes it reminded me of Marr's Wicked Lovely series, but it kept me reading enough that I picked up the next two books in the series.

94. Valiant by Holly Black
Black's writing improved dramatically between Tithe and this book. I liked the character of Val much better than Kaye. The story most takes place in the tunnels of New York and I thought Black did a very good job with her descriptions. After finishing this book, I grabbed Ironside almost immediately.

95. Ironside by Holly Black
This is by far and away the best of the series. Not only is Black's writing good, but we get to know Kaye and her best friend Corny much better than in the first book. What I also liked was that Black incorporated characters from Valiant into this book. Again I was reminded of Marr's series, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

96. Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
A beautiful, moving story set before, during and after the attacks on September 11, 2009. Levithan brings the the story of three strangers and how their lives are changed by the attacks. Though short, Love Is the Higher Law is packed full of emotion -- from teenage angst to the weight of the world so many people (New Yorkers and non) felt. Though we read this 8 years later, the Levithan's writing reminds us that life is fragile, but always precious.

97. Torchwood: Lost Souls by Joseph Lidster
First off, let me say this was really, really bad. Second, I completely and utterly loved it because it was bad. I started listening to this while folding laundry and I couldn't stop laughing. The acting was bad, the plot was bad, the sound effects were bad. Well, okay, Gareth David-Lloyd was by far and away the best actor of the cast (which included the cast of the TV show). I know that Lidster tried to use the story to sort out the events at the end of season two, but he failed. I couldn't take it seriously. But, in the end, I didn't mind at all because it was really, really fun. Just also, you know, terrible.


97 / 100 books. 97% read!

87-91

Dec. 14th, 2009 12:37 pm
blue_ant: (fever of a hundred and werewolf)
[personal profile] blue_ant
87. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
I was looking forward to this book from the moment I finished reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And, just like Larsson's previous book, it did not disappoint. In fact, I actually liked this one much better. This is probably in part to the fact that we got to know Lisbeth and Mikael much better, but also because the plot was significantly more sinister. Larsson's characters are magnificent, from the police to the bad guys to the innocents who happen to get involved. I simply adore the book, not only because it's both well thought out and written, but because it is my type of mystery. In many ways, The Girl Who Played with Fire is everything I love about Scandinavian mysteries. My only complaint is that we only have three (maybe four) of Larsson's books in total. I would love to have been able to read the completed series.

88. The Pinhoe Egg by Diana Wynne Jones
I don't know exactly how to say this, but I completely and utterly adored this book. It was funny, clever and seriously a lot of fun. It ended exactly the way I'd hoped. I've been a fan of Jones since I was young, but hadn't read any of the Chrestomanci books in ages. This was the perfect book to pick up and read. It's quick, clever and fun -- even if you have no idea what the series is about. I do hope that Jones continues with Eric and Marianne's story. I definitely want to find out what happens to them.

89. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
I've been a fan of Mieville's work since I discovered Perdido Street Station, but I somehow missed this YA book of his. I ended up just randomly grabbing it, completely on a whim and fell in love. It's a very clever mix of Mieville's steampunk-ish style mixed with young adult themes and real London. I completely loved the book and i hope he writes more YA.

90. The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia
I read this book because my sister lent it to me and I picked it up because I needed something to read. I had no idea what I was getting into, but that was fine because The Alchemy of Stone was one of the most beautiful and heart breaking books I have ever read. Sedia's character of Mattie was fantastic and instantly likable. I desperately wanted more to this story, but in the end, what happened was the only possible outcome. My only regret was that this novel wasn't published when I was doing my senior thesis in college, it would have perfectly into my theme of what it means to be human. The Alchemy of Stone is an extraordinary novel of what it means to be human, but even more, it's a story of love. Highly, highly recommended.

91. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
My sister sent me a copy of this book, and with the moving coming out, I was curious to see what all the hype was about. I don't usually read regular fiction and it was clear, aside from the title, this wasn't going to be science fiction. In the end, it was a mix of the two genres, that was completely gripping. The story, told from two different points of view, was unlike anything I'd ever read. I completely enjoyed it, though I doubt I'll see the film.


91 / 100 books. 91% read!

84-86

Dec. 14th, 2009 12:32 pm
blue_ant: (devon [autograph])
[personal profile] blue_ant
84. Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz
I read the first several books of the Alex Rider series long enough ago that it took a bit for me to remember the previous novels. And by the time I'd caught up, I was completely absorbed in the plot of Scorpia. A friend had warned me about the very end and even though I was happy she did, I did not expect what happened. That being said, the book did a very nice job building up to the point. I am disappointed that Alex Pettyfer is too old for more movies in this series, he is a perfect Alex Rider and I would have liked to see this one on screen.

85. Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz
While not the best of the series, Ark Angel introduced us to another side of Alex. In previous novels, he'd spent time around boys his own age (even in Scorpia), but it was interesting to see how he interacted with a spoiled rich kid who clearly only wanted to love, not unlike Alex himself. I found this book a little slow going, but the build up to the end was fascinating. And of course, what happened at the end was so ridiculous that it could only happen to Alex.

86. Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz
I was really excited about this book and, aside from the romance thrown in at the very end, I completely loved it. I found it fascinating how much emotional trauma Horowitz put Alex through, just in order to learn about his father. As if the events in Scorpia weren't enough to break the poor boy, surely Snakehead would have. But, because it's Alex Rider, he pulls through. Also, I am surprisingly impressed with Horowitz's grasp on continuity. I'm looking forward to the next (final?) novel in the series.


86 / 100 books. 86% read!

79-83

Dec. 14th, 2009 12:28 pm
blue_ant: (darth [omg as if dad])
[personal profile] blue_ant
79. What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson
It's always a treat for me when I find a book like this one. What They Always Tell Us is a strong, moving story about growing up. James and Alex are brothers living in Alabama, James just wants to get out of the state, while Alex just wants his life to be normal again. The book begins in James' senior year and Alex's junior and we follow them throughout the school year. Martin Wilson splits his story between the two bothers by using alternating chapters with each brother's point of view. In many ways, Wilson's book reminded me of several other extremely well written and thought provoking gay YA books, especially Peter Cameron's Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You. Wilson doesn't try to sugar coat his story, which follows James as he struggles with his high school friendships, girlfriends and fears about college; and Alex, who must come to terms with his own budding sexuality, a deep depression he tries to overcome and the fears that accompany him when he goes to school. Wilson draws his characters as vivid, real people and I found both James and Alex to be sympathetic people that I identified with. I think that all parents, and teenagers, should read books like Wilson’s because it’s easy to forget that everyone gets depressed, especially in high school. What They Always Tell Us embraces this fact in an uncompromising manner and is better for it. I look forward to reading more of Wilson’s works.

80. Let The Right One In by John Lindqvist
Lindqvist's striking novel takes the familiar vampire myth and twists it into something both romantic and horrific. Let The Right One In is the story of 12-year-old Oskar, social outcast with few friends and a seemingly 12-year-old girl, Eli. But, as Lindqvist proves time and again, things are not always what they seem and Eli's more than just a girl, she is, in fact, a vampire. The novel follows the stories of several different people, Oskar and Eli, but also students from Oskar's school, his friend Tommy, as well as strangers whose significance we only discover as the novel progresses. A friend of mine and I were reading this together and she found the different points of view to make the novel disjointed and would rather have just read about Eli and Oskar. I, on the other hand, liked the change of pace from each chapter to the next -- and as a reader of Scandinavian mysteries, I thought it fit quite well within that

While the main characters quite young, this book is not really middle school and high school readers, though young adult readers of horror (Stephen King, for example) might like this book. It's an excellent story, well written and equally as engaging.

81. The Center of the World by Andreas Steinhofel
In many ways, The Center of the World reads more like and adult book than a young adult one. The maturity level of the writing, the insight Steinhöfel brings to Phil's character, drives the novel more than the plot. Through slightly confusing flashbacks, we follow Phil as he struggles with his sexuality, his family relationships and his outcast status in the small German town where he lives. If you only read the back of the book (as I did) without learning anything else about the novel, you'd imagine you were going to read a grand love story, The Center of the World is much more than that. It is, at it's core, about love, but not just between two boys, it's about love between friends, between family and what it means to feel loved. Steinhöfel's novel is moving, emotional draining and well written (though the English translation could have been a bit better).

82. The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
The reviews for The Vast Fields of Ordinary compared it to several of my favorite books in the same genre, and it turned out to be just as good as they predicted. Burd does an excellent job of writing on a much more mature level (not unlike Peter Cameron's Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You), as if he knows that the audience he's writing for is much more mature than people give them credit for. I wish more YA authors would take this chance. I felt that it took on all the issues associated with being gay in the midwest and embraced them in such a way that we felt what Dade was going through as much as he did.

83. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
A friend recommended this series to me and I quite enjoyed this first book. The style is a little odd and took some getting used to, but I immediately fell in love with Rennison's quirky characters. Georgia is hilarious and the book is a light, very cute and fun read.



83 / 100 books. 83% read!

76-78

Dec. 14th, 2009 12:24 pm
blue_ant: (eric [i ♥ eric idle])
[personal profile] blue_ant
76. The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
An amusing, decently written take on the vampire myth. The Reformed Vampire Support Group is the complete opposite of typical YA vampire books. Instead of focusing on a grand love story (vampires in love or humans in love with vampires) or the romance of becoming a vampire, Jinks takes a completely different view. Her story focuses on a small group of vampires living in Australia. The novel is told from 51 year old Nina's point of view (she was turned when she was 15, and still looks 15) and is quite an enjoyable read. Nina and the other vampires must find out who is trying to kill them. Instead of turning out as a dark, depressing novel, The Reformed Vampire Support Group is rather clever and occasionally quite funny. If you like vampire stories, but especially non-traditional ones, be sure to check this book out.

77. Saints of Augustine by PE Ryan
A small, though not short, novel about being gay in Florida. Unlike Freak Show, which also takes place in Florida, Saints of Augustine is much more realistic novel. P.E. Ryan gives us alternating chapters about two boys, Sam and Charlie, whose friendship has been inexplicably terminated by Sam. Ryan weaves the two independent plots together so that when they finally intersect, it's the only things that could possibly happen. And he does it all too well. There's just a slight bit of the novel that's not quite realistic, but what happened was exactly what I wanted to happen. I read this book all in one go because I just had to know what happened and I was rewarded. Highly recommended.

78. Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg
A surprisingly cute, engrossing story about a high school quarterback who must come to terms with being gay. Bobby's the star quarterback, entering his senior year. He's one of the boys, hanging out with his football buddies, but he knows he's different. Konigsberg's book is an intriguing look at what it's like to be gay in the small, often close minded, world of high school sports. When a friend betrays Bobby, his life gets turned upside down. Out of the Pocket was, at it's heart, a truly adorable book. But at the same time, Konigsberg managed to explore the fears and worries of a 17 year old boy struggling with his sexuality and his friends. At times as heartbreaking as it is adorable, Out of the Pocket is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the struggles of being a gay athlete. My biggest criticism is how neatly certain aspect of the book worked out and how easily Konigsberg wrapped it up. But those are common to many coming of age novels and doesn't take away from the main point of the book. I enjoyed the story and wish there were more books like it.



78 / 100 books. 78% read!

71-75

Dec. 14th, 2009 12:20 pm
blue_ant: (cat [sing like you're yelling])
[personal profile] blue_ant
71. Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson
A modern retelling of Romeo & Juliet. Pearson's book was a quick read, though lack the real heartbreak found in the play that inspired her novel. It was all right, but nothing that I'd go out of my way to read again.

72. Freak Show by James St. James
Yet another quick YA read, but this one was excellent. James' writing style is quite unique and takes some getting used to, and I'm not sure I ever did get used to it. But don't let that put you off the book. Freak Show is a brilliant near stream-of-consciousness book about, simply put, what it means to be different. Obviously, it's more than just that. It's a brilliant examination of the horrors of high school, specifically one a young, cross dressing gay boy. He's truly adorable, someone I'd probably like to be friends with. While much of the book seems to be quite unrealistic, focusing on that aspect would completely miss the point. What matters is the interactions, the way Billy feels, beneath all the glamor he embraces. Freak Show is more than just a coming of age story, it's a story to all of us who were picked on in high school and what it means when we fight back (even if we never had the courage to).

73. Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters
A nice sequel to Generation Dead. One of the things Waters gives us is insight, quite literally, into what goes on inside a one of his zombie's brains. In this case it's Adam and it's always fascinating. Something else I liked about this book was the little tiny twists Waters introduced, from Tommy and Phoebe's relationship, to the changes in Adam and Phoebe's friendship, to all the new characters we meet. There's a rather harsh subplot that underlines several things going on between the zombies and the living. I think it makes a good set up for what will hopefully be a third book, while at the same time not really giving us a real cliff hanger, which I appreciate. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

74. My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger
I've read a lot of books in 2009, and a lot of them have been pretty awesome. But Steve Kluger's book has been among the best. My Most Excellent Year is, like the subtitle says, a novel of love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park. Don't let that stop you because the baseball (and it's definitely not so much about the Red Sox as it is baseball as a method of connecting) is incidental. It could be any sport, but because the book's sent in Boston, baseball makes sense. Really, the novel is about four high school students, four parents, one bookstore clerk, one adviser, and one six year old kid and those characters, highly developed, make the book quite a brilliant read. Not only is the style (essays, letters, instant messages and emails) compelling, the plot is, too. My Most Excellent Year is, above all else, a book about love and Kluger holds nothing back. I cannot recommend this book enough. It doesn't matter who you are or what your feelings on sports might be, My Most Excellent Year has everything you could ever want in a book. As they say, A+++ would read again. In fact, I'll probably end up buying it. For me, it really was just that good and I'll be honest, I never wanted it to end. While some people seem to have a problem with the fact that it's unbelievable, I think that's the point. Like several of the characters say, sometimes you need a little magic in your life and Kluger more than provides it.

75. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Asher's book was a very quick read, but extremely intense. Thirteen Reasons Why is an extremely well written, fascinating book. The characters, the story and the format is very strong. It's an excellent book, but I don't know if liked it. Just like the two Gail Giles books I've read, it's more realistic than I'd like and deals with issues that no one wants to address. I do know that I'll never read this book again, but I don't think I'd have any problems recommending it. It's intense, emotionally draining and quite interesting. I'm not sure I understood what I was going to read before I picked it up, but I'm glad a read it. Suicide is a serious and heartbreaking topic and Asher treats it with respect and without glossing over the tragedy.



75 / 100 books. 75% read!

66-70

Dec. 14th, 2009 11:52 am
blue_ant: (alias [spying is serious business])
[personal profile] blue_ant
66. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell
This is the first book in Mankell's Wallander series. I thought, since I'm such a big fan of Scandinavian mysteries, I ought to give it a try (especially if I'm eventually going to watch the BBC/PBS show based on the books). I guess I liked the book. The mystery was engrossing, but I'm not sure I liked Wallander. I definitely see why the books are popular, Wallander is a very flawed detective who is good as his job. But in this book, there were certain things that he did that I just didn't like and I don't think I'm going to read any of the other books. I might still watch the series, but one Mankell is enough for me.

67. Roar by Emma Clayton
I was looking at new YA books and came across Roar, read the synopsis and was curious. It turns out that Clayton's book is yet another dystopian take on our future. Set in a world without plants or animals, Mika lives in a world behind a wall. After the animal plague, it was too dangerous for people to survive and so everyone moved behind the wall. One day, Mika's twin sister Ellie disappears. Everyone expect Mika believe that Ellie's dead and he's right. The story is told through Mika's eyes as he tries to find a way to his sister and Ellie's as she fights her kidnappers to get back home. In story that's both science fiction and fantasy, Clayton creates a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. I really hope she writes a sequel!

68. The Man in the Window by K.O. Dahl
I was a big fan of Dahl's first book, The Fourth Man and was excited to finally get a copy of this next book. The Man in the Window is a good book, but as it was written before The Fourth Man, it's quite different. I completely enjoyed the book, though Frank Frølich was slightly irritating while Inspector Gunnarstranda was not. There's been some criticism of this book as compared to The Fourth Man, but it's important to remember that The Man in the Window is an earlier book.

69. American Studies by Mark Merlis
I picked this up on a general recommendation from a friend of mine. Merlis' book is a powerful story of growing up and growing old. Told through the eyes of a gay man in his 60s, we're treated to a fascinating look at what being gay was like in the 30s onward. Merlis' writing is brilliant, the story is fascinating and less depressing than I expected. Our narrator is Reeve, who remembers his past while laid up in the hospital after being beaten up. The story is at times depressing, but also uplifting, especially near the end. Merlis' words are beautiful, breathtaking and quite brilliant. Highly recommended.

70. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
While it was the first book of Nesbø's to be translated, it's actually the fifth book in the series. I was lucky because I figured this out before I read it, since there are major events in the previous two books (and probably the first two as well, but those aren't available in English) that lead up to and explain what happens in The Devil's Star. It is a brilliant, engrossing and thrilling novel. I simply adore Detective Harry Hole, even with all his flaws, because he is such a great character. I long for the day all the books in Nesbø's Harry Hole series are translated into English. The Devil's Star has three subplots, the obvious one of murder(s) and two continued from previous books: the first, involving Harry and a woman who is in and out of his life (the first set of spoilers that would ruin earlier novels) and a long-standing battle with his nemesis that eventually comes to a head (which would make no sense without having read the previous books). I can definitely see why they translated The Devil's Star first, but if you can, read them in the correct order (translated titles available: The Redbreast, Nemesis and then The Devil's Star). I think that Nesbø's series is one the best.


70 / 100 books. 70% read!

63-65

Sep. 3rd, 2009 06:10 pm
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[personal profile] blue_ant
63. Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White
My sister recommended this book to me because we'd been discussing Hunger Games and other similarly themed books. In 2083, adults are picked to be part of reality tv shows relating to history and asked to reenact different moments in time. Usually very few survive. The newest show picks several kids and has them reenact Robert F. Scott's unsuccessful trip to Antarctica. The book is not only a thrilling read, it's also a fascinating study in teamwork and how adults underestimate the resilience of children. Plus, reading this is way better than actually watching reality tv.

64. Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
A friend of mine asked me to read this so she'd have someone to talk to about it and so I did. My second Maureen Johnson book was far from disappointing, unlike much of the story for Clio, our main character. Clio's parents are divorced and her mom goes to Kansas with her boyfriend, leaving Clio in the care of her father -- the last place she wants to be. Having just purchased a new yacht, Clio's father takes her on a journey she, as the cliche goes, won't soon forget. The story is cute, tense and focuses on, among other things, a mystery Clio's father won't discuss. Johnson's characters are fun, interesting and at times frustrating. But, all in all, I enjoyed the book.

65. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
I first checked out the graphic novel version of this book, but returned it without reading when I realized that there was an actual novel. The copy I read is over 600 pages and was so engrossing that it took me just over a day to read the whole thing. Koushun Takami's book is completely brilliant. While the violence is unprecedented and quite explicit, Takami's characters are sympathetic, especially when you don't expect them to be. Battle Royale is set in a world unlike our own, where teenagers can be taken to remote places and forced to kill their own classmates to survive. All of this done in the name of keeping peace. What Takami's characters do is try to find a way to survive, to work together, and what they discover is much more interesting. I completely loved the book and was pleased with the way it ended. I will eventually watch the movie as well. Highly recommended, though not for the weak of heart.


65 / 100 words. 65% done!

60-62

Sep. 3rd, 2009 06:04 pm
blue_ant: (sid [reading])
[personal profile] blue_ant
60. My Soul to Take by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Another strong and surprisingly funny Icelandic mystery by Sigurðardóttir and, just like Last Rituals, it stars lawyer Thóra Gudmundsdóttir. One of the things I adore about Sigurðardóttir is her ability to include lots of humor during her mysteries. Plenty of Scandinavian mystery writers have a hint of humor here and tere, but Sigurðardóttir's is much more obvious. I think it adds a lot to her story. What could be a depressing story of the murder of an architect ends up being a fascinating case study on murder mixed with people's lives and how Gudmundsdóttir must balance her job as a lawyer with that of a mother, soon-to-be grandmother and lover (she and her husband are divorced). I eagerly await more of Sigurðardóttir's books.

61. Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin
Johan Theorin's Swedish mystery about a missing boy and his mother is an extremely addicting novel. The story starts in the 70s, with the disappearance of Julia's young son. Skip to the present and Julia's father wants to see her, 20 years after her son went missing. What starts as Julia trying to make peace with the fact that her son is probably dead ends up turning into a mystery no one expects. The story is strong, and at the end, quite brutal. I enjoyed reading it, but my low rating is because what happened at the end was shockingly disappointing. I don't mean to say that it didn't work, because it was quite effective, I just didn't like it.

62. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
This was my first Maureen Johnson book and I must say, I think I picked the right one to read. It's quite a cute book about a girl named Scarlett and her summer working in her parents' hotel. It sounds rather silly and simplistic, but it turns out to be nothing of the sort. It's cute novel about love, families and drama -- the theater kind. While Scarlett's life isn't anything like most of ours, she does go through what so many of us have dealt with -- first loves and a summer doing things for other people. I enjoyed Suite Scarlett and hope the remaining books in the series are just as fun.



62 / 100 books. 62% done!

56-59

Sep. 3rd, 2009 06:00 pm
blue_ant: (autumn [reading])
[personal profile] blue_ant
56. David Inside Out by Lee Bantle
I read this book in just about three hours. It's a sweet, though sometimes sad, coming of age and coming out story. It's a very quick read, but it's by no means an easy read. David's a strong, if very conflicted, conflicted character. But at the same time, he's also very sympathetic. I was reminded of several other gay YA books I'd read, and in a good way. One of the best things about Bantle's book is how realistic David seems, with his conflicting feelings about being gay and not wanting to. The struggle is quite real and it's hard not to care about what happens to him.

57. School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer
I'd read a good review of this book and was curious, as I'd seen the title on the shelf in passing. While having an interesting story and plot, the events of the book seem almost too convenient. Girl gets sent to a 'school for dangerous girls' and discovers all is not what it seems. Girl meets the only boy her age (the son of one of the teachers at the school), they fall in love and boy helps girl escape and bring down the school. It's an interesting plot, but ended up being far too predictable. That's not to say I didn't enjoy most of the book, I just wish that everything hadn't been tied up so neatly.

58. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
I was a big fan of Armstrong's first book in the 'Darkest Powers' series and the second one didn't disappoint. While it had more of a feel of a middle-of-a-series book, it was strong, probably stronger than The Summoning. We learned a lot more about the characters, their back stories, which then help explain who Chloe can trust. I like the characters Armstrong has created, they seem more aware and willing to do what it takes to be free. I have high hopes for the third book in the series.

59. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
Marr's third book in her Wicked Lovely series and, I think, the best of the three. Fragile Eternity brings us back to the story of Aislinn and Seth, but unlike the first book, we get to spend a lot more time with Seth. I found that I didn't agree with some of the choices Aislinn and Seth made, regarding their futures and each other, but in the context of their world and the book itself, they made sense. One of the things I found fascinating is that Marr's writing is strong enough to convince me that I agree with whoever's point of view we're taking on, whether it be Aislinn or Seth. I really hope the next book in the series is just as good as Fragile Eternity.


59 / 100 books. 59% done!

52-55

Sep. 3rd, 2009 05:58 pm
blue_ant: (devon [fandom + work])
[personal profile] blue_ant
52. Woman with Birthmark by Håkan Nesser
I adore Håkan Nesser's books and Woman with Birthmark was no exception. Though Van Veeteren is a cranky main character, I love reading about him and this newly translated book is no exception. While Van Veeteren fights off both a cold and the desire to do nothing but sleep in, he manages to find himself wrapped up in a potential serial murder case. The story, and not just the characters, are engrossing and while we get to follow the murder as well as Van Veeteren, the motives remain a mystery. The book has a satisfying ending and I cannot wait to read whatever book of Nesser's is translated next.

53. The Calder Game by Blue Balliett
A fun, well written and engagingly read young adult/juvenile mystery set in both Chicago and a small town in England. The story revolves are three friends: Calder, Tommy and Petra. After visiting an Alexander Calder exhibit in Chicago, the three friends find themselves enamored with mobiles, but little do they know how important Alexander Calder will be. Calder, named after the artist, and his father take a trip to England and while there, Calder ends up disappearing. Fearing a kidnapping, or something even more sinister, Calder's father calls the two people who know him best, Tommy and Petra. The two friends must, with the help (and hindrances) of the adults in their lives, try to find Calder before it's too late. Balliett's novel is entertaining and Deirdre Lovejoy does a magnificent job bringing each of the characters to life. The audio book makes any long car trip go by in a flash.

54. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø
I completely adore Jo Nesbø's books. Luckily for me, I picked up The Redbreast first, which is the earliest (book time line wise) of the Harry Hole books translated into English (it's not the first of the series to be translated, but of the three books, it's the earliest one in the series). So I was extremely excited to see that my library had a copy of the next book, which is Nemesis. In some respects, it picks up where the previous book left off and we're treated to another thrilling ride with Harry Hole. Many of the same characters are back, but Nesbø gives us another, Beate Lønn. Hole, along with Lønn, must work to solve a bank robbery and murder. Mixed in with all the mystery is Hole's experiences with an ex-girlfriend and his live with his current lover. Nesbø's skill with both plot and characters is clear throughout all his books and Nemesis does not disappoint.

55. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
As a fan of Scandinavian mysteries, I should have been excited about reading this book. But for some reason, maybe it was the fact that it seemed to be so popular, I didn't get to it until it was no longer a 'new' book at my library. Turns out that I should definitely have been excited to read it, because Larsson's book is brilliant. It's engrossing and captivating, from the murder-mystery that must be solved, to the characters. The only drawback is the fact that Larsson himself is dead and there are only three books (possibly four if his partner decides to finish it for him). I cannot wait until The Girl Who Played With Fire is finally published in the US.


55 / 100 books. 55% done!

49-51

Sep. 3rd, 2009 05:49 pm
blue_ant: (tea [red kettle])
[personal profile] blue_ant
49. Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
I loved Tantalize and was excited to see that Smith had a new novel. But when I read the description, I wasn't so sure I was going to like it. Turns out I was wrong. Really, really wrong. Set in the same world as Tantalize, Eternal is the story of a girl (Miranda), her guardian angel (Zachary) and the underworld of vampires, werewolves and other creatures. Miranda is kidnapped in a graveyard one night, much to the chagrin of Zachary, who is supposed to look out for her, though not necessarily interfere. It's at this point that Smith could have done things different and created a mediocre novel about angels and vampires, but she doesn't. Instead, she draws us into the strange world she's created and takes us on a ride as now-fallen angel Zachary must try to find Miranda, who has changed in ways he'd never imagined. Highly, highly recommended.

50. Doctor Who: Revenge of the Judoon by Terrance Dicks
A short, cute Doctor Who book I got through LibraryThing's member giveaway. The Judoon, who we met in the series when Martha and the Doctor first go together, are back! Martha, the Doctor and a young man they meet along the way must find a way to stop the Judoon. For such a short book, the plot is decent and the story is quite fun. I read it in about an hour, and then passed the book on to another Doctor Who fan and friend of mine.

51. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø
It didn't take me long to fall in love with detective Harry Hole. Even though Nesbø paints a less than flattering picture of our main character, Hole is no less than fantastic. Fighting against a drinking problem and enemies he doesn't even know exist, Hole must try to solve a mystery that's deeply connected to Norway's involvement in World War II and Norwegian Nazis. Nesbø's writing style, translated by Don Bartlett, is strong and intriguing. And though Hole is the main character, Nesbø doesn't shy away from creating strong secondary characters. I thoroughly enjoyed and loved this book. The only reason I gave it 4.5 stars is because there's a bit of character death that is vital to the plot, but upset me greatly.


51 / 100 books. 51% done!

46-48

Apr. 23rd, 2009 08:20 pm
blue_ant: (dragons [pretending not to like fantasy])
[personal profile] blue_ant
46. The Boy Book by E. Lockhart
Second book in the Ruby Oliver series and I loved just as much as the first one, if not more. I cannot wait for the next book(s) in the series. The Boy Book delves a bit deeper into Ruby's troubles, and the problems that she has (both her fault and the fault of others). I really like everything about this series. I'm not sure if it's because my high school was pretty painful (to me, apparently other people don't feel this way) or just because Lockhart's story telling is brilliant. But I found myself just devouring these books.

47. Everlost by Neal Shusterman
I seem to pick up Shusterman's books without reading about them. I did that with Unwind and now with Everlost. Both books are excellent. Everlost is the story of a car crash and the adventures of two teenagers, Nick and Allie. Instead of going where people go after they die, the teens end up in a place called Everlost. In what is in some ways a quest novel, Nick and Allie have to solve a series of problems in order to get to their goal. Along the way they make and lose friends and fight monsters. While the book might sound slightly juvenile, it is not. There is violence, love, and loss. Shusterman's writing is strong, as is the story.

48. Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Another Lockhart book that I read on recommendation from a friend. Unfortunately, I didn't like this book nearly as much as her others. It was a good book. The plot was strong, but the characters were slightly disappointing. Not in that they were poorly drawn up, but that both Sarah and Demi were such big let downs. While the ending attempted to gather up the loose threads, I didn't think it worked at all. Perhaps it was the abrupt way drama camp ended for Sarah, paired with the fact that Lockhart's Sarah was far, far too much like myself, but whatever it was, the ending didn't really do anything for me. What I was left with was what could be a good book, but was instead mediocre at best.




48 / 100 words. 48% done!

43-45

Apr. 23rd, 2009 08:14 pm
blue_ant: (eric [i ♥ eric idle])
[personal profile] blue_ant
43. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Read this book on a recommendation of a friend of mine. I hadn't read any of Lockhart's other books before reading this one, which turns out to be a mistake. Why? Because this book is excellent and everything else pales in comparison. That's not to say I didn't like her other books, but I loved Frankie best. The character, writing and plot are strong. I'm not a big fan of prep school books, but the more YA ones I read, the more I like them. Frankie is no exception. Highly recommended and lots of fun.

44. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
I've read some criticism of this book, in that it focuses far too much on boy + girl = the goal. I do agree that that's probably the biggest fault and problem with this book. Unlike her previous novel, Elsewhere, there weren't as much holes in the plot. Naomi falls, hits her head and has (what her doctors, friends and family hopes) temporary amnesia. She remembers her past -- up to a point. She loses something like four years of her life, including her boyfriend, best friend and high school. She falls in something akin to love along the way, only to realize that things aren't quite what they seem. I found this book to be both moving and quite good, even while the focus of the book is centered far too much around girl + boy. Although, when you're in high school, often that's the only thing that really matters.

45. The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
I fell in love with Lockhart with Frankie, but knew I'd keep reading her books after The Boyfriend List. I loved this book way more than I thought. I'd passed over it numerous times in the past, but when I finally picked it up, I scolded myself for not reading it before. Basically it's a high school story where everything goes wrong, but in a way that the reader can identify with. There's no drama car crash or alien abduction or whatever (not that I don't like those, I do), it's just normal teenage stuff. And I love Lockhart for both the frank way she deals with therapy and how really, absolutely hard it is for some of us in high school, even when we're just trying to do the right thing.



45 / 100 words. 45% done!

40-42

Apr. 23rd, 2009 08:09 pm
blue_ant: (art [rainy day])
[personal profile] blue_ant
40. Kafka Comes to America by Steven T. Wax
I'm not sure that I have the right words to express how good this book was. Kafka Comes to America is part memoir, part criticism of the US government and it's practices and part exploration of freedom. It's a brilliant and exceptional book. While many non-fiction books can't get that page-turner aspect down, Wax has no problems. It helps that his topic is so intense. Wax, a public defender, gives us a first hand look at what it's like, not just about being a public defender, but what it really means to defend the people who have no one looking out for them. He gives us a chance to truly understand what the war on terror really means as he fights for justice. Wax, his coworkers and employees worked to defend an American, 'the citizen,' who was arrested in connection with the Madrid train bombings (he was innocent) and a Sudanese aide worker, 'the alien,' who was grabbed from his apartment and eventually ended up in Guantanamo (he was also innocent). While Wax's firm defended more than just those two men, they are the focus of this book. Kafka Comes to America is a study in the importance of justice, but also what it means to live in this country. I highly recommend this book to anyway (American and non) to truly understand the other side of the war on terror, the side no one talks about. Wax's voice is strong, just as strong as his desire to do what's right for his clients.

41. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The YA librarian at the rural library I work at ordered this book, which I'd never heard of until I started looking through the new YA books. I picked this one up, the cover is quite striking and started reading it. I got sucked into it almost right away, and was saddened when I put it back (it hadn't even been cataloged yet!). Eventually I got to check it out and I devoured the rest of it in about 5 hours. It was utterly brilliant. Forman's characters are beautifully written, her plot is strong and the story is gripping. Told through flashbacks, we go through Mia's life as she remembers it on what might be her last day alive. The story, while fast paced, never seems to speed along or get out of control. What it does is slip inside you and you want to will Mia along. It's a strong, lovely book and I highly recommend it.

42. On the Edge by Richard Hammond
As a fan of Top Gear (though a new fan), I'd read articles about Richard Hammond's accident, but I had no idea of the details or his recovery. I picked up his biography on a whim, I haven't read a lot of bios, but I do tend to enjoy them. Hammon's biography was no exception. It was a fantastic, easy to read book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Written after the crash, the book is in three parts, though not really divided as such). The first takes place as Richard is a child, then growing up and working odd jobs and eventually Top Gear. The middle section is about the accident. It starts with the idea of driving a jet-powered car, the execution of said experiment, and then the accident itself. In the middle, we get a new point of view, that of Hammond's love and articulate wife, Mindy. The third part details the recovery and some life after the crash. It's a highly enjoyable and strong biography and you don't really need to be a fan of Top Gear to enjoy it.



42 / 100 words. 42% done!

36-39

Apr. 20th, 2009 11:55 am
blue_ant: (ianto [reading])
[personal profile] blue_ant
36. Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Werlin's book is another one of those engrossing page-turning YA fantasy novels that I cannot get enough of. I practically devoured this book over the weekend, falling completely for both of her main characters. Lucy, living with her caring foster parents, just wants to grow up and live a normal life. But her homeless (and crazy) mother, just won't leave her alone. When her best friend Zach comes home from college, Lucy thinks everything will be sorted our, but then prom happens. Werlin's story is strong, but even stronger is the character of Lucy. She's bright, clever and a tough main character. Impossible is a nice mix of teen pregnancy, romance and fantasy. While Werlin does tie up the story almost too neatly, by the time we get to that point, that's exactly what we (and the characters) want.

37. Forbidden Cargo by Rebecca K. Rowe
A friend recommended this book to me because he thought it was something I'd like, he was right. Rebecca Rowe's book is a fascinating trip into an alternate future where nothing is quite as it seems. Fear takes over and causes something akin to chaos when two Imagofas (advanced humans created via genetic engineering -- and against the law) are kidnapped from Mars and smuggled onto Earth. In some ways, the story is a simple detective story, but it's much more complex. Rowe's tale revolves around three different story lines, all intimately connected to the plight of the Imagofas. The three stories focus on the two Imagofas, the humans who help them and the scientist and his wife (the scientist who helped create them in the first place). Rowe ties these stories seamlessly together, while at the same time gently infusing the book with the importance of sacrifice, freedom and love. The book started off slowly, but I found it finished quite strong and gave me the ended I'd hoped for, instead of the one I feared.

38. The Black Sheep by Yvonne Collins
When it comes to watching reality tv, I tend to avoid it at all costs, so I was a bit suspicious when my sister recommended this book to me. But it turns out I had no reason to worry. Yvonne Collins' book is brilliant. It tells the story of Kendra, only child and daughter of two rule-obsessed bankers. When something changes in her life, she gets fed up and writes a letter to a reality tv show called The Black Sheep. Eventually things get better and she forgets about the letter, so when The Black Sheep producers show up at her door, it's a shock. Kendra, per the rules of the game, is sent to live with another family, while their daughter is sent to live with Kendra's parents. What happens is a fascinating look at both the reality tv world and the life of a 15 year old girl, coming of age. Collins' mixes things up with a bit of drama, a bit of love, some angst, and of course, drama. The Black Sheep is a wonderful book about growth, love and what really matters.

39. Envy by Anna Godbersen
I keep telling people that I don't really like these books, but that's a lie. I love the Luxe novels. Not for any exciting or deep reasons, but because, no matter how frustrating they are, they're really fun. And I cannot not read them -- I need to know what happens. Evny is the third of four (or more) Luxe novels by Anna Godbersen and to me, it was the best of the three. While nothing was quite resolved, and things got seriously out of hand, the character development of Elizabeth, Diana, Penelope, Henry and Teddy has expanded exponentially. Without going into too many spoilers, the end of Envy is probably one of the most surprising aspects of all three novels, and probably the most interesting. I'm pleased with the path Godbersen chose for Henry and Diana, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.


39 / 100 words. 39% done!

33-35

Apr. 20th, 2009 11:52 am
blue_ant: (sid [reading])
[personal profile] blue_ant
33. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Recommended to me by multiple friends and coworkers, I read this book in just about a day. This is the third memoir/biography written as a graphic novel that I've read, and it was truly fantastic. Not only was the writing and drawling superb, but Marjane Satrapi's life makes for an excellent story. The Complete Persepolis describes Satrapi's life, from her early years living in Iran, to four years in Austria and then back in Iran. In many ways, I feel this book should be required reading for everyone over the age of 16. There's so much to learn -- about Iran, about growing up, about what love means. I thoroughly enjoyed Satrapi's graphic novel and cannot wait to see the film version.

34. Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
A moderately cute J fantasy story about fairy tales. Julie must venture into the wild, the 'monster' that's been hiding under her bed, to save her mother, grandmother and friends when someone lets the wild loose on her town, and potentially the world. She must battle fairy tales (including ones we're all familiar with as well as new ones) in order to survive. Sarah Beth Durst's story is a clever and quick read. But while there is at least one more book in the series, I don't feel compelled to read it. Into the Wild can more than stand on it's own.

35. Rumors by Anna Godbersen
I don't actually like the Luxe series all that much, the problem is that I just have to know what happens. This is the second of Anna Godbersen's Luxe series. The story centers (mostly) around Elizabeth's sister, Diana and the young man she's in love with, Henry. The problem, of course, is Elziabeth's best friend, Penelope Hayes. While that appears to be the main issue, Godbersen does do some things right. Diana Holland and her mother must battle their increasing lack of wealth, the loss of several of their servants, and their grief for Elizabeth. Rumors is full of double crossing, heart break (and heartache), and a surprising wedding at the end. As much as I don't want to keep reading, I will because I need to know what happens to the Hollands.


35 / 100 words. 35% done!

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