27 July 2010

What I've Read so Far... Not in order...

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (I'd give it 3 stars). It was a decent read, and I'll probably buy the sequel just to see how it ends. Interesting premise on several levels.
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (which I would give 4 stars). It's a much better (tighter) story of The Nicholas Flamel series currently out which I have spent (wasted) time reading.
The Sorcerer by Michael Scott (which I would give only 2 stars) is meh. I'm half-way through the series. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the Red Pyramid (and I read the Red Pyramid after). Rick Riordan's book is better.
The Necromancer by Michael Scott (2 stars) See above.
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (3 stars) Amazon recommended this one, and it was an interesting, if a bit gothic/emo romance. Some of my girls will really like this "freaky" romance.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (1 star) I got this book as a "bargain" drama, and it intrigued me because of the "Jellicoe cat" reference, and who doesn't love a bit of TS Elliot in the AM? But, skip, skip, skip, all the way home. DID NOT LIKE, DO NOT recommend. Convoluted plot, totally unrealistic ending. I hated slogging through it, and had to really, really twist myself to figure out how on God's green earth she'd figured out a plot so odd.
Ranger's Apprentice Kings of Clonmel #8 by John Flanagan (4 stars) For a book written for a kid age 10, I really enjoy these books. Although this isn't my favorite in the series, it was a good read. Nice solid plotting. Not too predictable. No magic. Love that about this series.
The Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood Series)
Dead Until Dark (3 stars) I liked this--not for girls under 17! This is NOT Twilight!
Living Dead In Dallas (3 stars)
Club Dead (4 stars) This was a really, really good one. I liked Alcide and the other characters!
Dead to the World (5 stars) This is my FAVORITE of the whole series!!
Dead as a Doornail (2 stars) as a follow up to the one before, this was a HUGE downer.
Definitely Dead (1 star) HATED this book. It was my LEAST favorite books of the series, but we did get the cute new character of Amelia from New Orleans and cousin Hadley.
Altogether Dead (3 stars) this was a MUCH better book than the last, and at least SOMETHING happened at the end.
From Dead to Worse (2 stars) I skimmed this one... Figuring out what was going on with the characters... No real mystery in this one
Dead and Gone (2 stars) Meh
Dead in the Family (2 stars) Meh
I happened to HAVE all the Sookie Stackhouse books, and thus read them all at one time
The Eyre Affaire by Jasper Fforde (5 stars)
Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde (5 stars)
The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde (5 stars)
Thursday Next, First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde (3 stars)
The Big Over Easy: a Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde (4 stars)
The Fourth Bear: a Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde (4 stars)
Mort by Terry Pratchett (5 stars) Death takes an apprentice. LOVELY book set on Discworld. If you've never visited Terry Pratchett's Discworld, you should visit.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (3 stars) Death stands in for Santa. Why and how come?
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett (2 stars) Buddy Holly, Death, and Death's granddaughter "Susan" because it's Terry Pratchett on Disworld.
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett (4 stars) Death takes a holiday---ok, he gets FIRED. Funny stuff.
Fablehaven (4 stars) This was a good solid read
Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven) (3 stars) liked this book, read it quickly.
Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven) (3 stars) I had all
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven) (5 stars) I think I've got it figured out... And my favorite of the series.
Fablehaven, Book 5:Keys to the Demon Prison (2 stars) I didn't like the ending of the series. It was 2 books smashed into one book, and it was long. It should have been written as 2 books. It wasn't that the series didn't end properly or as I expected, just that the ending seemed hurried.
Pillage  (3 stars) This was a lovely book about dragons. Recommend for grades 4-6.
The Iron King (Harlequin Teen) (4 star) Retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I really liked it. Clever.
Tempted (House of Night, Book 6) (2 star) Meh. Seriously? Where is this series headed??
Burned (House of Night Novels) (2 stars? perhaps?)
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (4 stars) I started this book last year and got to Indonesia with her and never really understood why she continued on to Bali. I finished out the book, but the second time around, I really connected with her. The first time around, I thought it was a 2 or 3 star, but the second time around, I liked it better. Of course, I'm coming at it from the same place, so I'm empathizing, too. That makes a difference.