March 2014 Book Roundup

It's been a crazy month, so my roundup is a little slim. I hope you'll give me some new ideas for books now that I have some time to read again!

Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery
This is a novel of old friends torn apart and forced to find their way back together. While there are definite romantic elements, the women's relationship takes center stage. I found my self rooting for both women, who are forced to reexamine their pasts and what they will take forward into the future. Both women are far from perfect, but they acknowledge their faults (eventually) and really strive to be better people.

Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey
This is the ninth installment in Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters series, based on the story of the Steadfast Tin Soldier. All of the books are fabulous and this one is no exception. I have really enjoyed that the later books in the series have moved away from the all powerful Masters toward the less powerful Magicians. It means less reliance on power and more on wits to win the day, which I find refreshing in a fantasy novel.

Found any great books recently? Let me know in the comments!

February Book Roundup

As I do at the end of each month, here's a list of some of the books I've been reading.

When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke

A wonderful take on a traditional Romance novel plot: dedicated bachelor finds he must marry, so he finds a matchmaker to find him a bride, he doesn’t expect to fall for the matchmaker! Still, I loved this book. The characters felt very real, with an incredible depth. Both characters have their flaws but you still want to root for them, especially as they start to understand themselves and fight to change for the better. A great afternoon read that will leave you sighing in contentment.

Paris in Love by Eloisa James

Continuing the Romance theme, Paris in Love is the memoir of romance author Eloisa James (one of my favorites). The memoir grew out of Facebook and Twitter posts, so the book is mainly written in short paragraphs, interspersed with longer essays. The posts are generally witty and made me laugh, a lot. I was reading every other one out loud to my roommate. A great read for anyone who needs to travel by armchair.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

A fantastic first book! The narrator seems very real to me and the thought processes that are so integral to making the main character important come through loud and clear, without it feeling as though the author is aiming to make her think differently. Yeah, that was a messy explanation, but I have to say that this is one book that lived up to the hype. 

I'm always looking for new books, so leave a recommendation! Just keep it spoiler free. ;)

January Book Roundup

The Book Roundup for January includes a couple of Science-Fiction/Fantasy thrillers great for a light read.

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

            Dean Koontz is known for his thrillers, but Odd Thomas is in a slightly lighter vein. The story of a fry cook with the ability to see the dead (they don’t talk, don’t ask him why), Odd Thomas was a very interesting read. The world building is well done, but left plenty to build on. The end is a little telegraphed, but made me very interested to read the next book in the series. Not a put-down-everything-you-are-doing-and-read-it-now sort of book, but I hope to continue enjoying the series.

Redshirts by John Scalzi

            In every episode of Star Trek, some nameless guy in a red shirt dies while the main characters miraculously survive, despite all odds to the contrary. Buy why do the redshirts continuously do stupid things that get them killed and why do the officers continuously put their ship in situations that make sure someone winds up dead? Redshirts does not take place in the Star Trek universe (they mention Star Trek as a TV show), but its inspiration is clear. The book felt a little off pace for me, since the main storyline finishes about two-thirds of the way through, leaving the wrap up to some oddly framed short stories. This is a book that will mildly mess with your head, as the characters become more and more self-aware. A good read for any sci-fi fan, but, in my opinion, not quite worth the enormous hype surrounding it.

 As always, I'd love to hear what you're reading and what you recommend.

December Book Roundup

Since yesterday was a Share Spotlight day, I decided to postpone my Book Roundup until today. Here's the list for December.

The Technologists by Matthew Pearl

            This piece of historical fiction reads like a great thriller novel. Set in 1868, Pearl brings the first class of MIT to life as they race to stop a mad genius whose technological attacks on Boston bring the fledgling college under intense scrutiny. I saw the first plot twist coming. I did not see the second, and had completely given up by the third. The characters are interesting and the science is fantastic. A thick book, but well worth the read.

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown

            This is a nonfiction work by the CalTech astronomer whose 2004 discovery would eventually lead to the creation of a new classification of astronomical body and Pluto’s demotion to a dwarf planet. It’s written in a largely autobiographical style, but the story is fascinating and really gives a peek into how scientists work.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

            I had a hard time putting this one down. My roommate startled me several times because I had forgotten she was in the room. It’s absolutely fabulous, with incredibly believable characters (which is impressive, given the subject matter). The end is pretty well telegraphed, but, what with the way the book is written, it would be hard for it to be otherwise. One of the few books I’ve read that was definitely worth the hype. 

November Book Roundup

Books, books, and more books! Okay, there are only three, but here are the recommendations for the month.

Since I just can't run a blog without talking about books, at the end of every month, I'll give you what books I've been reading and what I've thought about them. This month has been a little slow, with school kicking into high gear, so I only have three books for you.

Amaryllis by Jayne Castle

            An early book of Jayne Castle’s (who also writes as Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick), this is a quick sci-fi romance. I can tell that it’s a bit less polished than her more recent romance novels, but it still contains all the suspense and, well, romance, that I love from her other books. This is the first in a trilogy about strong psychic talents and the female prisms they need to focus those talents.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

            Man do I ever love YA, and Rick Riordan is one of the best. The first in the Heroes of Olympus Series, the sequel to the much loved Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Lost Hero exhibits all of Rick Riordan’s amazing wit. A whole new cast of characters joins the series in this book, along with some old favorites. This is my second time reading this book and it is just as great. Knowing what I do now, it’s amazing to see how things are set up for the following books.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

            I must admit that this book took me a while to get into. The premise is very interesting, but the action seems a bit disconnected. However, Wecker ties everything up nicely in the end, weaving in seemingly unimportant characters and events. The ending is a bit ambiguous, but just enough so that the reader can decide some of the details for herself without feeling like there was no proper resolution. All in all, a good read.

What have you been reading? Tell me in the comments! I'm always on the lookout for new books!