Book #46 Read in 2016
With Malice by Eileen Cook
Eighteen year olds Jill and Simone have been friends for ever and in the spring semester of their senior year, the pair heads to Italy for an academic tour. Only one makes it home....there is a horrible car accident which kills Simone and badly injures Jill. But was it really an accident? Italian authorities are looking at it as murder and at Jill as the murderer. Jill does not remember anything about the accident so it is a mystery as to what really happened. This book is full of twists and turns and is an engaging read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #45 Read in 2016
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
This is the first book in the young adult science fiction/fantasy series of fairy tale retellings. In this book, Cinder is a cyborg Cinderella. The prince falls in love with Cinder the mechanic without knowing who and what she really is. This was a good entertaining read. I will continue this series.
Book #44 Read in 2016
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
Solomon has not left his house in three years, since a panic attack caused him to jump into the middle school fountain naked. He would now be a junior in high school. Lisa, also a junior, decides that Solomon would make a good person to use for her college scholarship essay about her experience with mental illness. She is hoping to "cure" Solomon. The two become friends and Solomon begins to open up to outsiders again. But will Lisa cure Solomon or make him worse? This is an emotional, riveting read. I recommend it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #43 Read in 2016
A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin
This is the series starter of a young adult historical fiction series that has a gothic feel. Georgie is sent to Ms. Stranje's school for unusual girls, after one of her science experiments nearly burns down her home. Georgie is not sure what type of school she has been sent to and things are not what they seem to be. Georgie turns out to have scientific knowledge that could be usueful in the war that is going on and she is in the middle of intrigue and danger. This book had a bit of a Gothic feel to it and was a bit slow for me at first but the second half hooked me enough to buy #2 of the series.
Book #42 Read in 2016
City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong
Much different than Armstrong's paranormal fare, City of the Lost is the first in a planned series centered around Casey Duncan, a hardened detective. Casey and her friend Diana head to Rockton, a town where people go to escape from their past or skeletons in the closet. Casey is going to be the town's new detective and with a few immediate murders, she will stay busy. This book has a police procedural gore to it but the mystery is well written and will keep readers guessing to the end. It was a good read. I will continue the series. I received this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #41 Read in 2016
The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone
Maddie's grandmother is hip and sometimes embarrassing but Maddie is very close to her. She is devastated when her grandmother tells the family that they will be going with her on a cruise which will allow her to die with dignity at a time she picks. This book is emotionally difficult but amazingly, filled with humor and hope and even romance. The people and families on this cruise will tear at the heartstrings of readers. High school girls and adults would love this book. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #40 Read in 2016
Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz
This is the first book in a young adult series based on the offspring of the evil villains from the Disney movies. They have been exiled to an island where there is no magic as punishment. Their kids strive to be as evil as their parents, with varying degrees of success. This book had humor, action and interesting characters, as well as references to childhood favorites. The second book comes out later this month.
Book #39 Read in 2016
The Map in the Attic by Jolyn Sharp
Somehow I read book 1 and jumped to this book, which seems to be book #4 in the Annie Attic's Mystery Series. That being said, there is enough backstory given that I did not feel as if I missed anything. This is a good cozy mystery series. In this book, Annie finds a map of some sort in her grandmother's attic. A local historical society puts it on display but apparently it is leading to something important as someone continues to try to steal it. Will Annie figure out who in time to stop them from taking her map? I borrowed this book from the town library.
Book #38 Read in 2016
Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan
This is the first book in a planned trilogy. Julia, daughter of a drowned witch, has the power to be unseen by most people. She is in a merry group of con artists and thieves and is working as a house maid to spy on the owner of the house. Julia's job takes a difficult turn and she needs to enlilst the help of her "family" of thieves in order to make things right.
This book took a little while for me to get into it but then I really enjoyed it. It is geared toward YA readers but to me, it reads more like an adult book. I will continue the series...it has enough action, mystery, interesting characters to keep me hooked.
I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #37 Read in 2016
The Memory Book by Lara Avery
Samiey is a senior in high school, valedictorian of her class. She is planning to head to New York City to college and then law school. But Sammy's health has other ideas and she is struck with a disease where dementia is setting in. Will this disease put an end to all of Sammie's plans? Sammie finds out a lot about herself, her family and her friends when her health begins to decline. Told in a journal-like format, this book is a great read for both high school students and adults alike. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #36 Read in 2016
And I Darken by Kiersten White
This book focuses on Vlad the Impaler's daughter Lada and son Radu. The children are used as chess pieces by their father in his relations with other countries. Lada is a kick ass, intelligent girl who would rather train to fight than worry about who to marry. Radu is a shy boy who can be underestimated by his friends and his sister. This book has lush writing and is a great historical fiction read. A big book, I would recommend this book more for adults (due to its writing style) than high school readers. That being said, the author is an author that has a YA reader following. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #35 Read in 2016
Dirk Daring, Secret Agent by Helaine Becker
This is a start of a series that middle school boys would like. Darren has an alter ego...Dirk Daring, Secret Agent. But when his journal detailing his imaginary escapades becomes public information in middle school, Darren is embarrassed. How will he get his journal back? How will he get people to stop laughing at him? I borrowed this book from the town library.
Book #34 Read in 2016
The Little Free Library Book by Margaret Aldrich
I am contemplating putting one of these little free libraries up at my house. The premise is you put out some books and people "take a book, leave a book". This book told the stories of some of the people who take care of these little free libraries, which can be found all over the world. It was a cute read. I borrowed the book from my public library.
April Reads:
1. Lady Midnight (YA) 5/5
2. Be Frank with Me (4/5)
3. Roses and Rot (4/5)
4. Slawter (YA) 4/5 library book 3rd in series
5. The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim (YA) 4/5 1st in series
6. The Iron Trial (YA) 4/5 1st in series
7. Poop Fountain (YA) 3/5 1st in series
8. Teeny Little Grief Machines (YA) 5/5
9. Glass Sword (YA) 4/5 2nd in series Kindle book
33 books read in 2016
