So, it's been ages since I blogged about what I've been reading,and I've read many, many books since then. I will list a few of them and give you short reviews. No in-depth plot synopses here. I just want you all to be impressed with how many books I'm reading these days.
- The Dark Mirror, Blade of Fortriu, and The Well of Shades by Juliet Marillier. These books are a historical fantasy series about King Bridei, a king of the Picts in Scotland around 500AD. Very intriguing. I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author.
- Matched by Ally Condie. I was steered toward this book by the Whitney Awards, and I was very glad that I was. This is a book for teens in the vein of The Hunger Games. A future dystopian society creates, through it's manipulative tendencies, the very tool that may bring about it's downfall. I really liked this book. A lot.
- The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel. The final (I think) in the Earth's Children Series. I felt had to read this just because I had read all the other books in the series. The first book in the series, Clan of the Cave Bear, was truly exceptional. I loved it and have read it several times. The next two, The Valley of Horses, and The Mammoth Hunters, were also very good, if a little on the explicit side. Following were The Plains of Passage and The Shelters of Stone. At that point, I think the writing began to slide, although the research seemed exceptional. This last book seemed forced and stilted, just a contrived vehicle for the author's meticulous research into the ancient artwork decorated caves of France. I can't really recommend it very highly.
- Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. It's rare that I find a book so un-engaging that I don't even care to finish it. This was one of those rare times. It's the first in a series about werewolves in Wisconsin (or maybe it was Minnesota. Whatever.) I didn't like it. I didn't even finish it.
- Dragon Keeper by Carole Wilkinson. This book is from the juvenile section of the library. I've really found some books I enjoy in this section (Harry Potter is in the juvenile section), and I'm always on the lookout for more. This book, first in a series about a slave girl who saves the last Imperial dragon and finds her inner power along the way, was a good read, and I think my kids will really enjoy it.
- Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. I really enjoy reading Shannon Hale. She has a very fresh perspective and a unique voice. Fabulous.
- The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I had heard so much about Nicholas Sparks I wanted to read something by him. This was a sweet book, but very sentimental and depressing. I did finish it, and passed it on to my mother, but I doubt I'll try this author again.
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This series got a lot of attention as well, and I wanted to find out if it was because of the quality of the work or the premature death of the author who had burst so unexpectedly and successfully on the literary scene. Turns out it was the work. Although the subject matter is somewhat disturbing and grisly, the book is a lovely tapestry of stories and characters that comes together in a fabulous finale of justice. I liked it. I'm starting the second in the series, The Girl Who Played with Fire now.
