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!