Goliath

Finally the conclusion to Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan trilogy has arrived! Much awaited and happily received in my household, this book lived up to all of my expectations. I really do enjoy a good reworking of history, especially when there are steam punk elements thrown in. If you have not already done so I highly recommend that you go and read Leviathan and Behemoth, the first two books of this trilogy, because you honestly do not know what you are missing out on until you have experienced these amazing novels.

Graceling

Another excellent recommendation made to me by a former colleague, Deborah, led me to pick up Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I enjoyed Katsa, the main character for all her charisma and no non-sense attitude, oh and of course the fact that she can kick anybody's butt! As far as content goes this book is not that complex with your classic oppressive father figure (in this case an evil uncle, cause you know that's original) and mysterious evil man who has extremely persuasive powers and an attractive eye-patch. All in all an excellent fluff read to go along with anything heavy you might be reading.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

A recommendation of this book from my Aunt Barb prompted me to check it out at work on a break. Well, that break I got through the first five chapters and realized I should probably buy it and take it home with me since I was enjoying it. A few days later I successfully completed what was a puzzling yet lovable book. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is the first novel I've read by Aimee Bender and overall I was absorbed by the dysfunctional family and the unusual capabilities that each family member had.

Basilisk

Once again I embarked on a fabulous journey courtesy of Rob Thurman. Not much to say here other than amazing and can't wait for the next one to come out! If you haven't already please read Chimera, which is the first book in this series. If you enjoy any type of science fiction that involves human hybrids mixed up in a lab by a mad scientist then you will probably enjoy this series, especially seeming how she throws the Russian Mafia in there too. How can you go wrong with a combination like that? Basilisk also came with a preview of the next Leandros brothers book which comes out next, Doubletake, March, yay!
Rob Thurman

One Day

In keeping with my tradition of reading books before I see the movie I recently borrowed One Day from my friend Allison to read. I can happily say that this book exceeded my expectations. It contains a love story touching enough to cause laughter one minute and tears the next. I do not often become emotional reading books so kudos to David Nicholls for bringing out those lovely emotions in me that I wish more books would. Although I may not experience those emotions much cause I mainly read teen novels and fantasy... maybe I need to rethink my reading strategies?

The Amulet of Samarkand

An interesting novel that took me a little while to read. The Amulet of Samarkand was one part hilarious and one part dry. Unfortunately I found my self hating Nathaniel, who was the main character, so that when it came time for a chapter or two to be told from his perspective I did not feel motivated to read at all. Bartimeus, the lovely Gollum looking fellow pictured on the cover, often left me in stitches. His character was witty and had excellent footnotes on a lot of the pages that just added to the general hilarity of the chapters he voiced.

Uglies Series

 

Dystopias, what can I say they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I know that may seem odd to some people but hey, to each her own. I recently read Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan and Behemoth which I loved and figured I would check out some more of his novels (Thanks again to Allison for being my library :) yay no late fees!) I went through these books faster than I have a series in a while which is always a sign of an addictively good series.

The Left Hand of Darkness

One of the most intriguing books I have read in quite some time. It really made me think about the problems that can occur for people just based on their sex (female or male). But would an androgynous society really breed more equality? These and other psychological and philosophical questions are brought to mind while reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. An interesting trek across a wintery land will bring out the sci-fi fan you.

Ursula K. Le Guin

The Help

Like most people when a book is being turned into a movie I must read the book before I see the movie, it just makes sense to me. And since this book has been referenced as being the next To Kill A Mockingbird and slated to be a blockbuster film this summer I figured I should check out what all the hubbub was about. I was not disappointed nor will you be.

Charmed Life

After reading Diana Wynne Jones' Howl Series I just needed more, I loved those books. My friend Allison suggested I read her Chrestomanci Series of which Charmed Life is the first book. Conveniently enough as she suggested it she handed it to me. Parallel worlds, 9 lives, belongings that scream where they belong to if removed, and much much more fun await you in this magical book.

Dragon's Oath

If you are a fan of the House of Night series by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast then you will enjoy the novella Dragon's Oath. It gives the back story of one of the vampyre teachers featured in the series, Dragon Lankford; how he became of a vampyre, how he met his love, etc. So if you are look for an extremely quick and easy read (also have read the series and need a gap filler before the next installment comes out) then pick this up and give it a go.

PC Cast - House of Night

Malled

Have you ever worked in retail before? Or any minimum wage job for that matter? Did you know that the turnover rate of staff at retailers across North America is, on average, 100% each year? Caitlin Kelly is not afraid to talk about what life is like behind the counter (or "cash wrap") in her semi-biographical book Malled. At times comical and at others enraging this look at minimum wage work brings vindication to those of us who have been there and opens the eyes of those who haven't.

Leviathan Series

 
Recently I have delved into the realm of steampunk and when my friend Allison suggested this series for me to read I pounced. I gobbled up Leviathan and Behemoth and am eager to read the finale of the trilogy Goliath when it comes out this September. If you are like me and enjoy retellings of history then you will enjoy this interesting slant on the events of WWI.

Lost

I am a big fan of Gregory Maguire, I've read most of his books and cannot wait for his final installment to the Wicked series to come out this fall. While I was waiting I thought I'd fill the time with one of his books that I haven't read: Lost. Needless to say I think I became substantially more superstitious after reading this book and may have jumped out of my skin every time I heard a creak in the floor. With the ghosts of Ebenezer Scrooge and Jack the Ripper potentially haunting our protagonist Winnie while she attempts to write a novel which may not be completely fiction I saw how forbidden love and the inability to have a child can shape a woman's life.

Gregory Maguire

Fairy Tales

This collection of fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen was recently translated by Tiina Nunnally from the original Danish texts. I was thrilled to finally reread some of my childhood favourites such as Thumbelina and the Steadfast Tin Soldier undiluted by translations which strove to make them more "child friendly".