Megan’s
Comments
(group member since Jan 05, 2009)
Megan’s
comments
from the Challenge: 50 Books group.
Showing 1-20 of 83
27. Game of Thrones by George R R MartinRe-read. Last time I listened to this as a book on tape. I got a lot more out of it by reading it.
25. How to Ditch your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier (YA)2/5 Apparently this novel started out as a short story. I think it would have worked better in that format as the idea seemed to become less charming as novel went on. Takes place in fictional world in which people have fairies with different abilities.
26. Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.
3/5 Follows the life story of a woman taken from Africa as a slave. Protagonist travels from Africa to America, to Nova Scotia, back to Africa and Finally to England where she becomes the face of the Abolitionist movement. A good story that gives a lot of background on the history of slavery. However, the slave owners in the novel seem a bit to good. It doesn't have the same impact as other novels such as Morrison's "Beloved".
Currently re-reading George R R Martin's "Song's of Ice and Fire" novels. I listened to them as books on tape and there were a few chapters missing. I also find I miss a lot when I listen to books instead of reading them.
Note to readers- I am a sucker for YA fairy tales. Please keep this in mind when reading ratings of my books.18. Austenland by Shannon Hale (YA)
3/5 stars. Adorable modern day Austen novel with just the the right amount of self-effacement and charm.
19. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (YA)
3/5 Fairy Tale adaptation of Cinderella. Entertaining.
20. Peeled by Joan Bauer (YA)
Young Adult novel introducing readers to the importance of honest newspaper reporting through entertaining mystery.
21. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer (YA)
3/5 Companion to Life As We Knew It. Young Adult post apocalyptic story. Fairly originial and well written.
22. Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones
2/5 It was definitely cheesy, but still enjoyable. It is paranormal romance/ modern day "fairy tale" adaptation.
23. Songs of Love and Death: All Original Tales of Star Crossed Love George R R Martin.
3/5 Book of Short Stories taking advantage of/poking fun at the paranormal romance Craze. Some of the stories are definately better than others, but an entertaining read none-the-less.
24. The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (YA)
3.5/5 Story about a teen boy growing up on a poor reservation. Schools should read more books like this instead of novels like "Indian in the Cupboard."
Thanks very much everyone!
I am looking for some good beach reads. I love good literature, but don't want anything too heavy. I love good family Sagas- I just really enjoyed Follett's Pillars of the Earth, but I am hoping for something a little lighter. I don't mind the odd chick lit novel- I enjoyed the shopaholic books, but don't want anything too light. Does anyone have suggestions of books somewhere in between? I like YA lit too.
What do you like to read at the beach? Thanks
14. The Boyfriend List (YA)and
15. The Boy Book (YA) by E. Lockhart
4/5 I love how well Lockhart writes teenage girls. These books were sweet and smart and funny. They are about a teenage girl coming to terms with who she is. Although the protagonist isn't as clever as Frankie Landau-Banks and the plot isn't as original, it is truer and has more heart. Lockhart is becoming one of my favourite YA authors.
16. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
4/5 Well written, interesting historical fiction novel. It centers around the building of a cathedral, but is about the many interesting people who take part in its creation.
17. The Garden of Last Days by Andre Dubus III
2.5/5 This novel wasn't as good as House of Sand and Fog. The characters did not have as much humanity and the pacing of the novel died half way through the book. I feel like Dubus was just trying too hard. What mad House so fantastic the unexpectedness of the reader's attachment to the flawed characters.
6. Rage of a Demon King (AB)7. Shards of a Broken Crown (AB)
8. Krondor: The Betrayal (AB)
by Raymond E Feist
9. Shopoholic Takes Manhatan
10. Shopoholic Ties the Knot
by Shophie Kinsella
Chic lit. A fun read, but nothing profound or educational. These are perfect beach reads. 2/5, not because I didn't like them, but because they lack the depth of true literature.
11. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst (YA)
Interesting Fairy Tale adaptation for teens based on "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." Interesting story and characters. Mostly a love story but well crafted with interesting ideas about science and spirituality. 3/5
12. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott (YA)
2.5/5 Teen chick lit, like a less literary version of Sarah Dressen's books. Well written with a realistic voice, but without a lot of thematic depth. About a girl raised as a theif coming of age.
13. Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard (YA)
1.5/5 I feel almost bad giving this book so few stars because it is pretty much what I expected. "Modern" girl goes back in time to 19th Century England. The protagonist's voice is forced and unintelligent. This bothers me because she is supposed to be an honours student. Hubbard tries far too hard to make protagonist's voice modern with tacky chat slang and the witty discussions between the love interests are anything but witty.
1. Magician Master (AB)2. Silverthorn (AB)
3. A Darkness at Sethanon (AB)
4. Shadow of a Dark Queen (AB)
5. Rise of a Merchant Prince (AB) by Raymond E Feist
Fantasy series. Pretty standard fantasy fair. 2/5
43. Stolen: A letter to my Captor by Lucy Christopher (YA)44. Fire by Kristin Cashore (YA)
45. Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger (YA)
46. Looking for Alaska by John Green (YA)
47. A Game of Thrones (Audio Book)
48. A Clash of Kings (AB)
49. A Storm of Swords (AB)
50. A Feast for Crows (AB) by George R. R. Martin
51. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (AB)
52. The Magician's Apprentice (AB) by Raymond E Feist
What is your opinion of audio books? Do you count books you listen to in your read list? I walk to and from work, spending about 2 hours a day walking, so I have been listening to a lot of books, but I feel guilty putting them on my list. What do you think?
42. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (YA)
40. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchette (YA)41. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (YA)
37. Wildwood Dancing by Juliette Marillier (YA)38. Cybelle's Secret by Juliette Marillier (YA)
39. Getting Near to Baby by Audrey Couloumbis (YA)
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landou-Banks by E Lockhart.This YA novel was funny, witty and well written.
35. Tender Morsels by Margo LanaganA strange YA book. I tried to like it but it was missing emotion and heart. It is too dark for a lot of teens; I certainly wouldn't recommend it to students, and it is just too long with too little payoff.
36. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
A well written intellectual book with aspects of a thriller. I need to read Shadow of the Wind.
Is anyone else having a summer reading rut? I went from being well on my way to my reading goal to way behind schedule in July and August. I just haven't been into reading and I never seem to have time any more. Anyone else in a rut?
34. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen YATypical Dessen book, though one of he better attempts. 2.5-3/5
33. The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks YADark Thriller for older teens; it is well written and the main character's Gypsy heritage adds another layer to the novel. 3/5
32. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr YAParanormal romance. NOt great, but it was ok. 2/5
I have done a terrible job of keeping track in this group. Since January I have read:11. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley YA
Not as good as The Blue Sword, but still enjoyable in a children's standard fantasy sort of way. 2.5/5
12. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
A take on sleeping beauty involving time travel and a lot of historical fiction. 3/5
13. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare YA
Interesting premises, poor execution, terrible writing. I did read the rest of the series though. 1.5/5
14. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale Children's Lit
Cute predictable fairy tale for young adults. 2.5/5
15. Graceling by Kristin Cashore YA
Nicely done fantasy for YA. One of the better written and executed YA fantasies. 2.5/5
16. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff YA
An intriguing story about what would happen during a modern day war. It follows a group of teenagers during a British occupancy. Not for younger teens. It has some dark themes. 3/5
17. Thirteen Reason's Why by Jay Asher YA
A flawed but worthwhile read about a teen's suicide through the eyes of the boy who loved her. It is definitely no Virgin Suicides. Interesting though gimmicky premises- it has a good message about how deeply small hurts can affect teenagers, but suicide is dangerously blamed on everyone but the victim. She was ultimately her own worst enemy. 3/5
18. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia YA
Gothic Southern tale that just falls short all around. 2/5
19. City of Ashes and
20. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Poorly written and executed. I am not really sure why I read all three books. 1/5 overall.
21. The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Great fantasy novel for young adults, particularly boys. It wasn't really my cup of tea, but was original and well written. 3/5
22. The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne YA
I thought this novel was terrible. It was unrealistic and poorly portrayed the Holocaust. The children, particularly the narrator, were way too young for their age and although the author seemed to be trying to make a point, he failed utterly. This is a good example of how not to deal with war/genocide in children's literature. 0/5
23. Finding Violet Park by jenny Valentine YA
Good coming of age novel with an intriguing premise. 3.5/5
24. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Coming of age story taking place in the American South during the civil rights movement. 3/5
25. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor YA
This take on Alice and Wonderland fell kind of flat. 2/5
26. The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir
Well written story of Queen Elizabeth I before she became Queen. 2.5/5
27. Love, Ghosts and Facial Hair by Steven Herrick YA
A book of poems about a family. It is the coming of age story of a boy trying to heal after the death of his mother.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta YA
One of the best YA books I read this year. It is for strong YA readers as it takes about a hundred pages to get going. I thought it was well written and appreciated the author's refusal to compromise the writing b/c of the intended audience. 4/5
29. Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman
Historical novel about Whales during the rein of John I. 3/5
30. Life as we Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer YA
Novel, in the form of a diary kept by a teenage girl, during an end of the world senerio. It reminded me of "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingals Wilder. It is not an action book, but more like a book by Sinclair Ross.
31. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen YA
Pretty standard Dessen book about a girl finding herself while falling in love. The Truth About Forever is still my favourite Dessen book. It is a bit cheesy, but teenage girls will love it. 2.5/5
