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September 27, 2010
Okay. Let’s take a minute and talk about Pretty Little Liars.
I honestly feel like this series is written very well, but the
shallowness and consumerism still drives me crazy. I think a little,
no make that a lot, less name dropping would only enhance the story.
Sadly, I don’t see that happening, so I’ll just move on to things
I do like about the series. I feel there are so many things that Sara
Shepard does well. I love her character development. Instead of
writing these girls off as shallow and vapid (which yes, at times they
can be), you get drawn into their lives by seeing both their good and
bad sides. I felt myself empathizing with Hanna, my heart broke a
little for Aria, and then there’s Spencer. Whoa. Spencer could have
a book devoted just to her and I would totally read it. I was
fascinated by the whole “memory block” plot device. If that’s
even a real term, or even what exactly happened. And Emily. I’m
hopeful. I think she’ll be able to stand up to her family, but
it’s so sad how they treat her. Sorry if I’m being vague, but
I’m trying not to give any major plot details away, in case
there’s anyone out there who hasn’t read these books yet.
Another thing I like about these books is the actual story. I love how
we get little clues and pieces, and details are revealed bit by bit.
It totally keeps the reader engaged. You know there’s a big picture,
but you have no idea what it is. It’s like doing a puzzle, but not
having the box to see what it will look like when it’s done.
So, on August 11, I posted about Flawless. I said that I
thought I knew who A was. Well, apparently, it doesn’t matter if I
have it all figured out, because you still don’t find out in the
third book! They dangle it in front of you, especially at the end, and
then leave you hanging! I know, of course they do, it’s a series,
and they want to keep you reading. Well congratulations Ms. Shepard,
it worked. I will be reading Unbelievable, the next book in the
series as soon as I can get a copy from the library.
So, my last post had some comments from Erin, and not to be outdone,
her sister Cindy has also read oodles of YA books and has some
thoughts to share. Did I mention that I love these girls?!
Hey Reba,
“Alex Flinn is trying to rewrite the classics. So far I have read Beastly,
aka Beauty and the Beast, and A Kiss in Time, aka Sleeping
Beauty. These books are okay fluff, if you’re looking for
something fun and light to read, but don't expect something magical
like the first time you saw the Disney classics. No surprises, it's
the same story just put into modern time.”
“Evernight was a really good book with a surprise that kept
me hooked. I immediately read Stargazer and found myself so
propelled into Claudia Gray's world that I didn't stop for more than a
minute before I picked up Hourglass. Unfortunately I did not
like the turn of events in Hourglass, I hope that the last book
in the series will make it up to me. I believe it comes out in March
2011.”
Cindy, I also love this series, but the ending in three killed me!
The next book is going to be called Afterlife and it is due to
be released in March 2011. Can’t wait!
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
was a nice mermaid book. It was not exceptional in anyway but was a
decent read. The next book in the series might be more interesting
though. It will be about the "jealous annoying" cousin of
Princess in this book.
Ash by Melinda Lo (I think) was actually great for the first
half of the book, but the second half felt like someone else had
written it. Ash is a remake of Cinderella, but set in a
world where fairies are a dying breed. She spends the first half
fighting to get into this world where she meets this beautiful male
fairy, who will give her wishes if she will be his. She is in love
with him and says yes. Then the rest of the book plateaus and suddenly
she’s in love with another person with no explanation for the
transition of her feelings. The side characters and the first half are
interesting, but overall it’s kind of a disappointing read.
Rash by Pete Hautman is excellent. It’s set in a world of
censure and control. The world the main character (Bo) lives in is the
USSA. It’s an America I would not want to live in. This is a more
realistic, terrible future compared to Hunger Games, which I
really enjoyed, but Collins world was unrealistic. I was not afraid
that the Hunger Games would ever exist, while in Pete Hautman's
Rash I could see America going in that direction.
I don't know if you have read any of those quirk classics like; Pride
and Prejudice and Zombies, or Sense, Sensibility and Sea
Monsters. They are remarkably good and seem to hold to the
intentions of the classics. I'm currently reading Abraham Lincoln:
Vampire Hunter. I'll let you know how it is but I recommend the
quirk classics for anyone who is or isn't interested in reading
historical pieces.
“I have read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and I loved
it! I think though it’s really enjoyable if you’ve read the
original and can compare them. I haven’t read Sense and
Sensibility, so I’ve held off on reading that one. But hey,
there’s one more to put on my list…”
“I also recently read The Ghost and the
Goth and I have to say it was really enjoyable. Anyone who liked
Meg Cabot’s Mediator series will enjoy this one just as
much.”
“I’m starting The Ghost and the Goth next!”
Cindy, you rock! Thanks for all your comments. Keep them coming!
September 23, 2010
Finished Betrayed, the second book in the House of Night
series. I have to say, I’m getting pretty addicted to this series. 
I’m a little ashamed to admit that because (and don’t hate me) the
series is just not written that well. I think the authors have a lot
of good ideas, and I like the overall concept, but there are a lot of
weaknesses. Someone said a lot of the rituals performed seem more
witch-like than vampire (not that I really know what any vampire
rituals are like), but I have to agree with that assessment. I’m
still not really sure if I see that as a weakness or as a creative
spin on Vampire mythology. Like I’ve said before, every author seems
to add their own ideas about vampire attributes, mythology, lore and
legends.
I guess my other main problem with the book is the language, both the
structure and the word usage. I like the “Twins” as characters,
but their banter back and forth is more annoying than amusing. Maybe
if they didn’t have to say the word “twin” in every sentence.
Seriously? Who talks like that?
And then there’s the whole Zoey-is-so-irresistible thing. Poor, poor
Zoey, caught between three guys. And did anyone else find the whole
Lorne thing creepy and predatory? It kind of bugs me how Zoey is
supposed to be this amazing, blessed-by-the-Goddess Nyx-like-none-before
heroine, but then the authors have her being unfaithful and deceitful,
and then turning around and judging Aphrodite and calling her a ho.
What’s that saying about people in glass houses not throwing stones?
Mm-hmm.
So, I know, with all this, why did I like it? Aarggh..I have no idea!
Maybe because there’s a little bit of mystery. Why is Zoey so
special? What’s going to happen to Neferet? And what will happen to
Stevie Ray? And, there are redeeming parts to the novel. I like the
undercurrent of friendship that runs throughout the book. It’s
vaguely reminiscent of Harry Potter. And of course, cats play a
pretty big role in the books, and we all know I love cats. I don’t
know what else to say except that after everything I’ve just
written, I’m still going to read the third book in the series….as
soon as possible!
Speaking of series that I should be slightly embarrassed by reading,
I’ve also just started Perfect, the third book in the Pretty
Little Liars series. I can’t help it; I’m a sucker for a
mystery!
September 20, 2010
I'm a little sad as I sit here and write this. The Hunger Games
trilogy is over for me. I finished Mockingjay this weekend, and
I have to say, it was a satisfying ending to a pretty incredible
series. Well done Suzanne Collins. I was discussing the book with our
circulation librarian Erin, and we both felt that the book moved a
little slowly in the beginning, but gained momentum towards the end.
We were once gain impressed with the skill Collins displays when
writing action scenes. It's a real strength of hers, and she never
shies away from the harsh realities of war. This being no less
candy-coated than the first two books, there were some pretty
gruesome, hard deaths to read about. I'll say one thing; Collins sure
does keep you on the edge of your seat. If you have not read this
series, you need to ASAP! Whatever hype you've heard, it's all true,
these books are totally worth your time and attention.
Speaking of Erin, she loves YA literature just as much, if not more
than me. I know, hard to believe! Anyway, she sent me a few comments,
and totally changed my plans about the next book I was going to read.
Here are some of her comments, and a little blurb about the book I may
be starting before Ape House (sorry Sara Gruen!).
“The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner-
doesn't really add anything to the series!”
 “The
Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade was really good and very funny.
I think there's totally going to be a sequel to look forward to as
well. You need to read it.”
Love, Erin :)
Thanks Erin! I just checked out The Ghost and the Goth and I
can’t wait to read it. It has a fantastic cover, and you know I’m
a sucker for a good cover!
Oh Yeah! With everything else going on, I almost forgot. I've started
the second book in The House of Night series, Betrayed.
So far, so good!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Finished Dewey. I'm having a tough time trying to figure
out exactly what I thought about the book. I liked it, but I didn't
love it. It's kind of strange to me that I didn't love it, I mean; it
was about libraries and cats, two of my most favorite things in the
world. Maybe it’s because it was different from my expectations. It
was a lot more of an autobiographical tale of the librarian, Vicki
Myron, who saved Dewey, than I had anticipated. Not that this was
necessarily a bad thing. She had a very interesting life, and it was
fascinating to read about how about life in a rural, small-town in
Iowa, but it was just not what I’d expected.
I also finished The short second life of Bree Tanner: an Eclipse
novella by Stephenie Meyer. It was interesting to see the story of
Eclipse unfold from a different perspective. I found myself
liking Bree, almost better than Bella, and I wished that she had lived
and joined the Cullen clan. I think it would have added a different
and possible fascinating dimension to the story.
And finally! I've started Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. For
anyone out there living under a rock, Mockingjay is the final
installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. Part of me wants to
read it super fast, and another part of me doesn’t want the story to
end. They’re definitely making Hunger Games into a movie
though, and I can’t wait to see who they cast for Katniss, Peeta and
Gale.
September 9, 2010
Again! It's happened again! I got sucked (ha!) into another Vampire
series. Curse you, House of Night! I don't know 
why I try and resist, I might as well admit that I love paranormal
books. Marked was super good. I’ve heard that the first two
books in this series are really good, and then the next few are not so
good, before the last few get better again. I hate when that happens,
but I guess not every book in a series is always going to be amazing.
Case in point; as much as I adore Harry Potter, and the series pretty
much epitomized perfection for me, the 2nd & 4th books are my
least favorite. And New Moon. Seriously, don’t even get me
started. Of course, I’ll read all the books in the House of Night
series and tell you what I think.
So, besides finding a new series, what has me so excited? I thought
you’d never ask. I just got Sara Gruen’s new book Ape House
from the library and I am beside myself. I loved Water for
Elephants so much. I know, it’s not a YA book, but it’s
incredibly written. And, it’s such an entertaining, fast read; I’d
definitely recommend it to anyone. Plus, the movie is coming out in
April, and stars Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. I love Reese
and I can’t wait to see how the movie compares to the book. So
here’s to hoping that Ape House is just as amazing.
And last but not least, can’t seem to escape Twilight. I will
be starting The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. I know, I
know, it’s been out for a long time, and I’m just now getting to
it, but even I need a break sometimes. Did anyone out there read it?
How do you think it compared to the rest of the series? Looking
forward to seeing what you have to say about it! E-mail me at rtierney@braintreema.gov
if you’ve read it and tell me your thoughts.
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