Confessions of a City Eater: Books

Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

Thursday, September 6, 2012

2012 Reading List

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins; 2. Graceling by Kristen Cashore; 3. Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins; 4. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron; 5. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach; 6. All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown; 7. I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern; 8. The Fellowship of the Ring by JR Tolkien; 9. Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James; 10. Bunheads by Sophie Flack; 11. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen; 12. Love at First Bark by Julie Klam; 13. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; 14. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore; 15. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern; 16. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore; 17. Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stagner; 18. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness; 19. Gregor and the Prophecy of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins; 20. Room by Emma Donoghue; 21. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater; 22. A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin; 23. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness; 24. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green; 25. A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin; 26. Gregor and The Prophecy of the Bane by Suzanne Collins; 27. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris; 28. For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn.

Last year I challenged myself to read 52 Books in 52 Weeks. I didn't read 52 books but I am proud of the 36 that I did read. I knew it would be impossible to read that many books this year with school, a toddler, and an infant but I still wanted to try to read as many books as I could. Reading for me has always been a great way to get my brain to wind down and I love diving into other people's stories. Looking back on all the books I've read this year, I've concluded that I'm particularly drawn to books that are part of series and young adult books. Of the 28 I've read so far, here are my favorites:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is probably my all-time favorite book (or second favorite-Catching Fire is my favorite book of the series). It's such a great story and so empowering. If you've seen the movie but haven't read the book I will tell you right now you absolutely must read the book.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Beautifully written. The story of the circus and the two magicians is told in such a way that the feels eerily magical. The jumps through time were a little confusing, but the story overall was compelling.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. When I finished the book all I could say was, "Wow, that was epic." The first season of the show is true to the book but, even with that, I enjoyed the book so much more than the show. I think what I liked the most about the book is how Martin doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable or gruesome things and everything that's in the book is there for a purpose.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. This isn't the vampire-witch story that has dominated our pop culture in recent years. You have a reluctant witch and a reclusive vampire who are people before they are supernaturals. The story feels real and tangible, like something that could have actually happened.

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness. This is the sequel to A Discovery of Witches and it's just as good. This book picks up where the first one ends and you find yourself wondering about the nature of time. I can't wait for the third book to see how Harkness wraps everything up.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. This story reaches the soul and it makes me wish I was better able at being thankful for the simplicity of living every day. The main characters are teens but their cancer diagnosis makes them older and wiser than their age would have you think. Great, great story.

Of all the books I read Room by Emma Donoghue, Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James, Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stagner, and Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris didn't impress me and it took quite a bit of effort to make it through them.

Next up on my reading list are The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann, Bloom by Kelle Hampton, Matched by Allyson Condie, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

What books have you read this year? Any you recommend?

Friday, October 21, 2011

52 {Books} in 52: The Lover's Dictionary

I don't even remember how I came across this book. Did I read about it somewhere? Did it pop up in an Amazon search? A library search? Who knows. All I do know is that I read the synopsis of the book and thought it would be an interesting read. The book literally follows the style of a dictionary with different words from A to Z at the top of a each page and an entry about love that describes the meaning of the word. It's like reading the intimate journal of a person who has fallen desperately in love with someone whom he didn't think could love him back but does and the pain that is caused by her revelation of a love affair.

In a book that takes you an hour to read, you are drawn into this love story gone wrong and into the vulnerability of someone who loves too much and too hard to end things. It's poignant and meaningful reminds you how complicated love is and how impossible it is to package all your feelings into that four-letter word.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8. Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20. Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner
26. Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
27. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
28. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
29. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
30. Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
31. Frogs and French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski
32. If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster
33. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

52 {Books} in 52: If You Were Here

If you have never heard of Jen Lancaster you need to look her up now and pick up one of her books. Most of her books are memoirs but I promise you all of her books will make you laugh until it hurts. If You Were Here is Lancaster's first attempt at fiction writing and what impressed me the most was how she managed to make something like renovating a dilapidated house into an interesting topic for a book. Maybe it's that the protagonist, Mia, was a writing for a Twilight-like zombie teenage romance series, or maybe it's the obsession with all things John Hughes, or maybe it really was all the crazy things that happened to Mia while renovating her house (getting stuck in a panic room? check! finding your husband soldered himself in under your bathroom? check!) but the book was so entertaining that I found myself laughing out loud so often. Lancaster managed to turn something that is normally reserved for an HGTV show into something you could actually read and enjoy.

Note: Judging by some of the reviews on Amazon.com, this book might not be the best introduction to Lancaster so if you do choose to look into her I recommend reading her first memoir, Bitter is the New Black.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: Frogs and French Kisses

Frogs and French Kisses by Sarah Mlynowski is the follow up to Bras and Broomsticks. This book picks up right where Bras and Broomsticks ended but in this book the antics are even greater. Mom, who was once a non-practicing witch has turned into a witch with a huge problem, Miri is still dabbling in magic that's above her skill level, and Rachel is still egging Miri on while trying to fit into high school now that she's back on the Z-list.

In this book, another easy read, the theme about spells having consequences are carried over and you finally get a good idea of the full scope of those consequences. The personal disasters of the first book are magnified to the point where you see how magical misfires affect strangers and society as a whole. Again though, even though you know the spells will end badly, you still wait to see the hilarious outcome of the spells. Two things I really liked about this book were how Rachel actually matured making her less of an annoying heroine and how perfectly the author captured the cruelty of people, especially high school kids. Overall though, this is another fun and light read that makes you want to grow it up a little by drinking a pina colada while you read.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: Bras and Broomsticks

After a string of serious books, I wanted something fun to read. I came across Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski during an Amazon search and I am so happy I did because this book was the epitome of easy, light, and fun to read. The book follows 14-year old Rachel as she discovers her sister is a witch and as she tries to navigate the world of high school. Every time Rachel's sister, Miri, does magic it's a disaster but the consequences are so entertaining so want them to continue their magical attempts.

You will literally breeze through this book. It does get annoying at times because of how much Rachel cares about the A-list and how selfish her motives are for everything but not only is the world made right by the end of the book but you also forgive her when you remember what it was like to be 14 and want to fit in. Rachel is funny and shallow but her experience as a freshman in high school and her desire to fit in makes her endearing. She's not the herione you'd root for but Mlynowski captures the essence of those teenage years and you really can't help but root for her. This book made me thankful to have those dreadful teenage years behind me!

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: Ship Breaker

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi is the story of Nailer, a teenage boy of the future who scavenges ships for copper, and his journey to helping a rich, shipwrecked girl get back to her family before the wrong people get their hands on her. But before this happens, Nailer makes the decision to spare the girl's life instead of letting his friend, Pima, kill her off so that they could claim her wreck of a clipper ship as their own. In a time when there isn't much to live for, Nailer shows the ultimate form of humanity and this one choice spirals into the adventure of his life.

Ship Breaker was a book I had a little trouble getting into, but once the shipwrecked girl appeared I couldn't put the book down. Like most of the other young adult books I have read, this book buzzed with tension and a darkness that seemed to reach into your heart. My only problem with the book was wanting to know more about how the world came to be the way it was and if the author thought something more could have been done to prevent it from it's downward dive. Regardless, the book ends with what I felt was a fair ending, which I guess you can say was a happy ending.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: The Help

I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett over the summer before the movie came out. This just goes to show you how behind I am in updating my book list on here. I won't go into the plot details because I'm sure most people have either read the book or seen the movie by now. And if not, I'm sure everyone knows what the book is about. Instead, I will just share my thoughts.

I first heard about this book through my friend Lauren. She said it was a good and thought-provoking read. She was right. The story transports you to 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, a time when blacks and whites were separated and any talk of equality was ignored or shut down. Through the story you get to walk in the shoes of a privileged white woman and of the black women who work as maids. You learn about love, entitlements, classism, racism, loyalty, and fear. You see the world as gray, boundaries as rigid, and connections that today you wouldn't bat at eye at. The story is compelling and eye opening. The characters are richly developed and the transformation they go through is both small and monumental. In the end, the book leaves you in awe of the women who fought for something they felt was right despite all the signs that said it was wrong and despite all they could lose. The biggest lesson of the book is that sometimes you need to speak up to bring awareness, even if that voice remains anonymous. Change won't happen unless someone takes a leap of faith.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: The Magicians

The Magicians by Lev Grossman is another book I came across because of a review I had read on it. I was intrigued by what Amazon.com described as "Mixing the magic of beloved children's fantasy classics with the sex, excess, angst, and anticlimax of life in college and beyond." Was the book about real magicians living amongst normal people? Magicians who aren't awed by their powers?

The story follows Quentin as he becomes a trained magician, deals with the reality of being a magician, and as he confronts the notion of fairytale and the world of the fantastical Fillory books. The book does not necessarily explore the ugly side of magic, but it's more like the book explores the realistic side of magic. Magic is not this amazing gift that enhances your life; magic is this thing that makes you realize how boring and uninteresting life can be. This is definitely not a book for children as sex and drugs are rampant. The book gets you thinking about multiple dimensions, time, and the lives you are willing to risk in the name of the perceived good. Overall, The Magicians was a good read but I was left feeling like Quentin does at the end: kind of empty and like I had lost a sense of awe in wonder in the thought of magic.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: Now You See Me

Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton was a book I became interested in reading after reading reviews of it in the newspaper. The story centers around a London-based cop, Lacey Flint, and her connection to a string of murders that mimic the famous Jack the Ripper murders. With her knowledge about the murders and her secret past, Lacey must struggle to not only find the murderer but also to protect herself from having her secrets known.

Now You See Me is an incredibly intense book with graphic scenes and is hard to put down. Bolton weaves twists with ease and fluidity. You never know what to think about the Lacey and even when everything is explained, you still don't know. Is she a hero? A pawn? Is she to blame? Solving the mystery of the book is an intriguing as trying to solve the mystery of who Jack the Ripper was. Just when you think you have a handle on things and a good theory to go on with, something else is revealed and you are left trying to reconfigure the puzzle pieces. Truly a captivating and suspenseful read.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

52 {Books} in 52: Maze Runner

After reading The Hunger Games books I got really into the young adult genre. I like to read all kinds of books, but the young adult ones seem to be the most enjoyable. I picked up Maze Runner by James Dashner because I got an email saying it was similar to The Hunger Games. The book is all about the a maze full of teenage boys and the main character is a teenage named Thomas. All the boys in the maze have no recollection of their life before the maze and, despite the mystery of their surroundings, they have managed to survive and make a living in the maze. Things begin to change after a girl unexpectedly arrives in the maze a day after Thomas arrives. Everything is turned upside down and what was once a semi-safe and predictable surrounding, turns into something that desperately needs to be solved so that lives can be spared.

The book was good but it I felt it had the potential to be so much better. It took me a while to get into the book so I felt like I had trouble even connecting with the characters and the story. This book is a part of a trilogy and the book ends with an opening for the next book but I don't think I'll be reading the next books. I just wasn't captured by the story or intrigued enough to want to follow along in the journey.

Here's what I've read for my 52 {Books} in 52 challenge:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
5. Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
8. Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder
9. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
10. Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
11. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
13. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
14. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
15. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
16. The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
17. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
18. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
19. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
20. Bossypants by Tina Fey
21. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
22. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
23. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré
24. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
25. Maze Runner by James Dashner

52 {Books} in 52: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson is a book about Jenna Fox, a teenage girl who wakes up from a year-long coma and has trouble remembering her past. She has no trouble quoting things she would have learned in school, but she draws a complete blank when it comes to her personal life. Jenna begins the search of uncovering the truth and revealing the secret to what happened to her and what she finds out along the way is a remarkably troubling question: how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

The story occurs in the future and you get a glimpse of the medical possibilities and of all the ethical issues we may face. For me, the book was a bit unsettling and it palpitated with underlying tension. I felt a discomfort that increased the more I read and didn't go away once I was done with the book. This book didn't leave me with a happy ending; instead, it left me with an ending that had me thinking about life, what is living, and what you are willing to do to keep life going.

Friday, September 23, 2011

52 {Books} in 52: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

First of all, it's been a long time since I've even posted. Secondly, it's been even longer since I've posted about a book I've read. Including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré I've read seven books since writing about Tuck Everlasting a month ago so to say I'm behind is an understatement. Life happens and time gets lost.

Anyway, I have been wanting to read a John Le Carré book for the longest time. After breezing through all of Ian Fleming's Bond books, I wanted a new spy novel to latch onto and I read that Le Carré was supposed to be an exquisite writer of the genre. I even own Perfect Spy but have not been able to make it through a third of the book because I couldn't keep up with everything that was going on. The same thing almost happened with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I think it took me until halfway through the book to get really into it, but once I was hooked I could not put the book down. It's not that the book is slow, it's that the book is very cerebral and not flashy with action sequences like Fleming's books. The pace is steady and centers around the discovery of a Russian mole within Britain's intelligence.

Brought in to investigate is former British intelligence George Smiley. As is stated on the jacket of the book, he is in a "chess match of wills and wits" with his Soviet counterpart, the illusive Karla. First shunned from the service because they thought he was involved in a botched mission, he is brought back to piece together the puzzle so you see his progression from disgraced to redeemed and maybe even revered. Smiley is a man, who both professionally and personally, has a history with Karla and it's brilliant to see how that relationship is played out and how Karla set things into motion.

Throughout the book you have an inkling of who the mole might be and in the end you are left wondering whether the mole got what he deserved. The book is so intelligently written; it's intricate and layered and a complete mind game. You feel your nerves vibrating with tension and excitement. In the end, I was left thinking about the bliss that is found in ignorance. I can't imagine being a spy and being aware of every single detail and having the mentality that coincidences don't exist.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

52 {Books} in 52: Tuck Everlasting

Oh yikes. I am behind on my book goal. I'm halfway to my 52-books-in-2011 goal, I'm behind on writing about the books I've read on here, and I don't know if it's possible to read 26 more books in four months with me starting the student thing this week. What do you think?

Anyway, in between reading books I check out from the library I'm trying to read the books I currently own. There are close to 40 books that I have bought at one point or another or inherited with the intention to read. The first book on that list was Tuck Everlasting by Nadine Babbitt. I didn't really know what the book was about prior to reading it but I was curious as to it being considered a children's story. Is this a book Cati will have to read one day?

The book is meant for older kids (9-12 according to Amazon) and it's the story of ten-year-old Winnie and her introduction to the fountain-of-youth-drinking Tuck family. Winnie's meeting of the family is happenstance but that chance encounter leads to very serious events: a kidnapping, a murder, and a prison break. In between it all you see Winnie mature from a sheltered little girl afraid to leave the confines of her home to a girl willing to risk her life for strangers because she understands the pros and cons to immortality. The book ends with the revelation of Winnie's choice: does she choose to live a regular life or an immortal one?

Some of the issues did seem a little too adult for a children's book, but then again that may just be a reflection of my discomfort in the prospect of talking about death with children and my inability to conceive what 12 year-old Cati understands and thinks about the world. Regardless, the book is good and sweet and the thought of having deep conversations about life with Cati excites me.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

52 {Books} in 52: Mini Shopaholic

I've read most of Sophie Kinsella's books because her books are silly and fun to read. The latest entry in the Shopaholic series is Mini Shopaholic. The story follows Rebecca Brandon (nee Bloomwood) as she tackles motherhood, vows not to buy anymore clothes until she wears everything she owns three times, and attempts to throw her husband, Luke, a surprise birthday party. The economy has taken a hit and Luke is afraid their daughter, Minnie, is out of control. In the end, and like all the other books, there is a third party that comes in to save the financial day. Becky is always on the brink of catastrophe and it often gets annoying that she gets saved all the time, but you can't help but love the character.

For a book called Mini Shopaholic I don't think it focused enough on Minnie's character. Sure, she is a toddler versed in Visa-talk and part of the reason Luke's mother, Elinor, is in the book, but still. I thought the book would focus more on their mother-daughter relationship and how Minnie became a "mini shopaholic" but instead most of the book is spent with the drama of planning and hiding the party from Luke. To be completely honest, I can't relate to Becky's character but I have enjoyed the books because they are so silly and the situations Becky finds herself in are shocking and so full of irony that you can't help but giggle. I was really hoping the addition of a mother role would help her be more relate-able to me but it didn't because there was always someone available to watch Minnie or, in a way, you kind of forgot they had a kid because they didn't act like they did.

So what a mixed review, huh? The book was fun to read but didn't have that spark the previous books because this one felt farther from reality than the last books.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

52 {Books} in 52: Dead Reckoning

I actually started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris before I even saw the show True Blood. In general, the books have a more light-hearted feel to them than the show. Light-hearted isn't exactly the right word, but the books just don't seem to take themselves as seriously as the show does. With the books, you enjoy reading about all the supernatural things and it grips you in a way that only books can. The show, on the other hand, makes you all kinds of jittery. Or at least it does for me. The show kind of follows along with the books, but since it's something adapted for TV, the show takes a few detours to create something that is more drama-filled and suspenseful.

The latest entry in the Sookie Stackhouse series is Dead Reckoning. I read this book before True Blood even started so it goes to show you how behind I am on these book posts. The book was exactly what I expected from Charlaine Harris; something light and easy to read. The story picks up where Dead in the Family left off and continues to explore the world of vampire hierarchy and faery relations. For all the critique Charlaine Harris has gotten over this book, you have to give the woman credit for coming up with all the things she does and for keeping the story going and giving you enough twists to stop you from being complacent. And honestly, maybe I'm not as thorough as a reader as others, but I didn't even pick up on some of the things others have complained about. I find the books entertaining and I don't expect my brain to be sent into a tailspin after reading the books.