14 in '14- October Update

The 14 in '14 list is complete! I really enjoyed creating a list of books I wanted to make sure I read this year and following through with it. It's really satisfying!

I have to preface this post by saying that Walter Moers is one of my absolute favorite authors (aside from Christopher Moore). In fact, The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear is one of my all time favorite books and the only book I've recommended to literally everyone who asks for books suggestions. 

With that being said, The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books fell flat. No, more like crashed and burned. Moers is a very descriptive writer, which is something I normally am not a fan of. I usually can stomach Moers descriptiveness because it's such a fantastical setting he has created. The problem with this book is that it's nothing but description. The first 150 pages or so, nothing happens, it's all just Moers describing Optimus Yarnspinner heading back to Bookholm (which I really wish existed!). Then pages 225-400 describe a play he is at and puppeteering. I'm not going to lie, I skimmed most of the book. 

Labyrinth is a sequel to The City of Dreaming Books, which was an amazing book. What I didn't know prior to reading this is that Labyrinth is also part one of a two part book series. We really could  have done without this book and he could have inserted most of what we actually needed from this book into the second one. I'm still going to read the second one when I come out, I just hope it's more "action packed" than this book was. I'm really sad that I didn't enjoy this book because I really think Walter Moers is an incredibly gifted writer. But I guess they can't all be winners!

Here is the full list (each link will take you to the post about that book):

1. Where'd you go Bernadette?
2. Sacre Bleu
3. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?
4. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic
5. The Partly Cloudy Patriot
6. Assassination Vacation
7. The Alchemyst
8. The Graveyard Book
9. The Maze Runner
10. The Husband's Secret
11. Beauty Queens
12. The Dust of 100 Dogs
13. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making
14. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

I would love to hear about what you read this month!

I'm on Goodreads, if you'd like to add me.

What are some books that you think I should read in 2015?

14 in '14 September Update

After this month, I only have one book left on the '14 in 14 list. I'll be honest I didn't think I'd have this list completed as much as I have, so it's nice to have this three month cushion to get through the final book, especially with school starting. 

I loved creating this list and following through with it. I'm not sure these posts are very popular but I enjoyed it so much, it's something I'll definitely be doing again next year. 

Anyway, on to the book for this month:

The Maze Runner

I'm really on the fence about this book. It's among the currently popular dystopian, young adult, teens-in-peril books, but it's unique that you don't feel like you're reading a Hunger Games knock off. 

The problem I had with this book was the fact that it was so hung up on being mysterious and vague that it got annoying. Most of the book consisted of "you want to know what's going on? Sorry! Can't tell you!" It wasn't until the final 75 pages of the 374 page book that the author finally let the readers in on what was going on. Then when I finally got to the answers, it's so convoluted and confusing that I had to re-read it a few times to really grasp what was going on. 

The good points: the story line was different enough that I couldn't just assume I knew what was going to happen and that made me want to read it more. Most of the characters were pretty likable, and I didn't find myself really being annoyed by any of the "good" ones. 

Let's not talk about the ending, mkay?

Here is the list so far:

1. Where'd you go Bernadette?
2. Sacre Bleu
3. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?
4. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic
5. The Partly Cloudy Patriot
6. Assassination Vacation
7. The Alchemyst
8. The Graveyard Book
9. The Maze Runner
10. The Husband's Secret
11. Beauty Queens
12. The Dust of 100 Dogs
13. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making
14. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

I would love to hear about what you read this month!

I'm on Goodreads, if you'd like to add me.

14 in '14 July Update

I'm already starting to think of books I want to add to a '15 list, but I'm pretty sure I won't be patient enough to wait....

You guys know the gist of this by now, right? 

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Nora Fischer’s dissertation is stalled and her boyfriend is about to marry another woman.  During a miserable weekend at a friend’s wedding, Nora wanders off and walks through a portal into a different world where she’s transformed from a drab grad student into a stunning beauty.  Before long, she has a set of glamorous new friends and her romance with gorgeous, masterful Raclin is heating up. It’s almost too good to be true.

Then the elegant veneer shatters. Nora’s new fantasy world turns darker, a fairy tale gone incredibly wrong. Making it here will take skills Nora never learned in graduate school. Her only real ally—and a reluctant one at that—is the magician Aruendiel, a grim, reclusive figure with a biting tongue and a shrouded past. And it will take her becoming Aruendiel’s student—and learning magic herself—to survive. When a passage home finally opens, Nora must weigh her "real life" against the dangerous power of love and magic.

This book has me so conflicted. It was way to long topping out at over 530 pages. I normally don't care about the length of a book but the middle 300 pages of this one really wasn't necessary. But here's where it gets kind of weird. While I was reading the book, all I could think about was how it was too long and didn't need to be that way, BUT every time I put the book down all I wanted to do was pick it back up and read it. When I finished the book, I was so happy to be done with it, even though it was left open for the sequel (this is the first book in a planned trilogy), I was happy thinking that I wasn't going to read the second book and just be done with the series. Then, I started to miss the book. I missed reading it, getting caught up in this magical world, and I wanted so bad to be a part of all of it again. And now I've decided I'll read the second one when it comes out. 

The one thing that really annoyed me about Nora was the fact that she was this well educated, independent, intelligent woman who was just. So. Damn. Stupid. My parents used to make fun of me for being so smart I was "stupid", I had no common sense. Nora is me but worse, and it really irked me that Barker wrote this character who was supposed to be a "thinking woman" and she ended up being a dunce. It really made me want to smack her upside the head and go "really!?!". 

I don't think I would recommend this book to everyone. If you were someone who enjoyed magic and fiction (think Harry Potter but more adult), I would say go for it. Otherwise, no.

Here is the list so far:

1. Where'd you go Bernadette?
2. Sacre Bleu
3. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?
4. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic
5. The Partly Cloudy Patriot
6. Assassination Vacation
7. The Alchemyst
8. The Graveyard Book
9. The Maze Runner
10. The Husband's Secret
11. Beauty Queens
12. The Dust of 100 Dogs
13. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making
14. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

I would love to hear about what you read this month!

I'm on Goodreads, if you'd like to add me.

14 in '14 June Update

You guys know the deal by now, right? 

The Dust of 100 Dogs

This was a good read, however one of the biggest hangups I had about it was that it's labelled as a YA book and in my opinion it was way more mature to be considered Young Adult...all the violence, sex, and language was not something I would think would be allowed in a YA book. With that being said, it was a good read. The story follows Emer, a woman who is a pirate in the 1600s, and Saffron, the "reincarnation" of Emer after she is cursed to live the life of 100 dogs. I enjoyed the book, but the content is definitely not for everyone.

Assassination Vacation

You may remember that I read Sarah Vowell's Partly Cloudy Patriot in March and was not a fan at all. I really dreaded reading this book because Patriot wasn't my cup of tea. I'm happy to report that I enjoyed this book much more than I did her other one and actually learned a few things about some of our presidents. Vowell has a great way of writing that mixes humor with history and I think that's a great way to learn. I did find a few parts boring but for the most part Assassination Vacation was a good read. 


Here is the list so far:

1. Where'd you go Bernadette?
2. Sacre Bleu
3. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?
4. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic
5. The Partly Cloudy Patriot
6. Assassination Vacation
7. The Alchemyst
8. The Graveyard Book
9. The Maze Runner
10. The Husband's Secret
11. Beauty Queens
12. The Dust of 100 Dogs
13. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making
14. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

What are some books you read this month? Did you like them?

I'm on Goodreads, if you'd like to add me.

14 in '14 May Update

I have a confession to make. I've been slacking on reading in general let alone the 14 in '14 list. Luckily, I'm a bit ahead of the game, so I've got time to make up what I've been lacking. This month I only read one book off the list...which is one book better than I did last month. 

The Alchemyst

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

He holds the secret that can end the world.
The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.
The records show that he died in 1418.
But his tomb is empty.
The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.
Sometimes legends are true.
And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

This was a good book, it wasn't the best, but it wasn't terrible. It reminded me a lot of Rick Riordan's books, although I think Riordan does a better job of modernizing mythical legends. It was a quick read and I had no major issues with it. If you enjoyed Riordan's books, this series is a great secondary series to check out while you wait for new books to come out. 

I recieved the entire series as a Christmas gift from my mom, so I plan on reading the remaining five books over the next few months, hopefully it'll exceed expectations. If so, I'll let you know!

Here is the list so far:

1. Where'd you go Bernadette?
2. Sacre Bleu
3. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?
4. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic
5. The Partly Cloudy Patriot
6. Assassination Vacation
7. The Alchemyst
8. The Graveyard Book
9. The Maze Runner
10. The Husband's Secret
11. Beauty Queens
12. The Dust of 100 Dogs
13. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making
14. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

I've got five books left on the list to finish by the end of the year. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books and The Thinking Womans' Guide to Real Magic are longer reads, but I do go on vacation next month, so hopefully one of those will get knocked out while I'm sitting on the beach. 

What are some books you read this month? Did you like them?

I'm on Goodreads, if you'd like to add me.

14 in '14 March Update

If you've been here long enough, you know the gist. I wrote a post about books I wanted to read this year. You can read January and February's posts here (or click on the specific month). 

I'm not going to lie, the books I read this month were a major disappointment. Bummer! 

Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?

I was so disappointed in this book. I really, really wanted to like it and had high hopes for it. I find Mindy Kaling hilarious, but unfortunately this book was not. I guess I was hoping that it'd be like Tina Fey's book and be a memoir about her life so far with funny high-jinx  and awesome anecdotes about her childhood. Instead, she breezed through the really interesting part of her life where she "became famous" and wrote a bunch of random chapters. Seriously, the way she wrote it, she wrote one really great play with her friend that got her noticed and she magically became a writer for The Office. There has to be so much more to it than that, like failed plays or hilarious moments when they realized they were going to make it...something!

I was just expecting so much more from Mindy, although I'd still recommend it if someone liked her. 

The Partly Cloudy Patriot

I really wanted to like this book. How great would it have been for me, a history major, to be able to say, "this book is awesome please go read it and have fun learning about history from a woman who is around our ages, instead of some old man who farts dust and writes boring history books?" (Because that's how I feel about most books written about history: dull and boring.)

I really wanted to be able to tell you that. 

But no, what Sarah Vowell wrote was unremarkable and left me literally skipping pages and even whole chapters and then wondering what the book was even about. The description of her book reads, in part:

Sarah Vowell travels through the American past and, in doing so, investigates the dusty, bumpy roads of her own life. In this insightful and funny collection of personal stories Vowell -- widely hailed for her inimitable stories on public radio's This American Life -- ponders a number of curious questions: Why is she happiest when visiting the sites of bloody struggles like Salem or Gettysburg? Why do people always inappropriately compare themselves to Rosa Parks? Why is a bad life in sunny California so much worse than a bad life anywhere else? What is it about the Zen of foul shots? And, in the title piece, why must doubt and internal arguments haunt the sleepless nights of the true patriot?

Where the heck was that book?  

What I was expecting was a collection of personal histories of Vowell peppered with historical fact, almost like a story within a story. Instead, what I read were chapters like the one that was devoted entirely to her boss who sold maps. That's it, there's no funny story behind it, or some interesting moment about finding the Bermuda Triangle, or anything like that. That particular chapter left me literally asking out loud, "WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THAT?" Can you tell it still kind of perturbs me?

To put it quite frankly, it sucked and I'm really not looking forward to checking out her other book on this list, Assassination Vacation, because Partly Cloudy Patriot left such a bad taste in my mouth, but for the sake of finishing this list I will at least give it a halfhearted try.

I will say this, the book gave me some great afternoon naps, so thanks for the beauty sleep, I guess.

Here is the list so far:

1. Where'd you go Bernadette?
2. Sacre Bleu
3. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?
4. The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic
5. The Partly Cloudy Patriot
6. Assassination Vacation
7. The Alchemyst
8. The Graveyard Book
9. The Maze Runner
10. The Husband's Secret
11. Beauty Queens
12. The Dust of 100 Dogs
13. The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making
14. The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

What are some books you read this month? Did you like them?

I'm on Goodreads, if you'd like to add me.

14 in '14 - February Update

In December, I wrote a post about the 14 books in 2014 that I wanted to make a point to read, among others. You can check out January's reads here. 

Here's what I read in February:

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art

Christopher Moore is one of my favorite authors. Normally, his crude sense of humor has me crying so hard from laughter while I read one of his books, but Sacre Bleu was a bit off the tracks for him. I wasn't as intrigued or enthralled by this book as I was his others. I definitely wouldn't recommend this book first over other Moore novels, but I wouldn't say it was terrible. It was...okay? 

Where'd you go Bernadette?

After getting past part one of this book, I thought it was excellent. Was it as hilarious as all the quotes that covered the front and back of the book claim? No. I chuckled at a few parts, but by no means did I think this book was funny. It was unique and original and I loved how differently the book was written. The first part was a bit slow and I had some trouble slugging through it and the ending left a bit more to be desired (there were a few unanswered questions), but the story line and the middle part of the book were really good and I enjoyed reading it.  I would definitely recommend picking this book up for a quick read. 

Are you on Goodreads? If so, add me! I always love connecting with fellow readers!

14 in '14 Update

As some of you may remember, at the end of December, I set a goal to read 14 specific books in 2014. I plan to read more than just those 14, but I highlighted those books as ones that I wanted to make it a point to read  during this year. 

Without further ado, here are the ones I've read so far...

The Graveyard Book

Ironically enough, I finished this book before 2014 even started. I began reading the book on the 28th of December and just blew through it so that it was done by the 30th. I really enjoyed it and I think I'm becoming a fan of Neil Gaiman. So far, I've read this and The Ocean at the End of the Lane and I've loved both books.

The Husband's Secret

This book was excellent. I normally do not like adult fiction and prefer young adult; however I could not put this book down. I loved how the author interwove three different women's stories into one and wrapped everything up at the end. It was a satisfying read. 

Beauty Queens

I listened to this book on CD instead of reading it because I love listening to audio books on my commute to work, and because reviews said it was better to listen to Libba Bray read her own book. There were parts where I hated this book and almost shut the CD off and then there were times where I loved it and thought it was a great listen. I gave it three out of five stars on Goodreads. I probably wouldn't recommend it to many people, but I also wouldn't tell people to not read it either. 

The Girl Who Circumnativgated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

This book...it was kind of a disappointment. I think I was so excited about the premise of the book that I went into it with high expectations. It won awards, and even Neil Gaiman sang its praises. I put this book down so many times throughout the month, I finished three other books between starting and finishing this one. The ending of the book really got me into the story (sadly, a little too late) and made me wish that it wasn't ending, which was surprising considering I was literally counting the pages left in the book that I had left to read. I would recommend this book to people who like books like Harry Potter, but I would definitely add a disclaimer that it may not be as great as it appears. 

Want to be friends on Goodreads? Check out my profile here and add me as a friend. I'm always looking for people who also enjoy reading so I can find new books!

14 in '14

Okay, so I know its not even past Christmas yet and I'm already talking about 2014, but since school ended I've been prepping my reading list. While I was in school, I completely neglected most personal reading, so I decided to compile a list of 14 books that I am going to read during 2014. 

This list is not inclusive, I'll still be reading books for the Teen Book Club, Bonnie's book club, and then any books that I decide to pick up along the way. These 14 are just the 14 that my fingers are currently itching to hold, my mind currently wanting to escape to. In no particular order (links take you to the Good Reads page about the book, so you can read the description there and, if you're set up with Good Reads, add any to your list that peak your interest):

Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

I added this to my amazon wish list when I read a rave review of it in People magazine. Dave bought it for me for my birthday and I keep reading how hilarious it is. I love books that make me laugh, so I hope this lives up to the reviews.

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy D'Art

Christopher Moore is one of my favorite authors (him and Walter Moers, who also appears on this list). This book came out almost two years ago and I went to a signing that Moore was having in my area. It was one of the best moments of my life. Sadly, this book has sat on my shelf since then. He's coming out with another book in April, and you can bet your a** I'll be buying that one up real quick too. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
I really like Minday Kaling, I thought she was hilarious on "The Office". I also love books that are complied of several short, hilarious stories. Jen Lancaster and Chelsea Handler also have great books like this as well. I found a copy of this book at a book sale and grabbed it for a buck. I love book sales....

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic

Another one I want to pick up after reading a good review in People. I love books with original premises like this one, and I'm really excited to see how Barker develops this story. 

The Partly Cloudy Patriot

I first heard about this book on Ashley's blog. Being a history major and a lover of random facts, I think this book will feed my intellectual side, while entertaining me as well. 

Assassination Vacation

Another one from Vowell (and another one I picked up from Ashley). I'm hoping Vowell is as funny and as interesting as her reviews state.

The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel)

This series has intrigued me ever since I began to volunteer at the library. I can't explain why but it just sounds so interesting.

The Graveyard Book

Sherrie is a huge Neil Gaiman fan. When I picked up the Ocean at the End of the Lane (great book by the way, check it out if you have not!), she told me I really needed to check this book out too. Then my teens in the book club also told me that I absolutely have to read it, so it's on the list!

The Maze Runner

I prefer Young Adult Fiction to any other genre of books. I absolutely loved The Hunger Games and was told this was a great story that was similar in fashion. We shall see!

The Husband's Secret

I first heard about this book on Bonnie's blog when she annouced the 2014 books for her online book club. When I went to go place a hold on a copy at my library, I noticed there are already 117 holds ahead of me...pretty sure I'm not going to check out the book from the library by the end of January, so any gift cards I get from a store that sells this book will most likely go towards purchasing this. 117 patient people can't be wrong, right?

Beauty Queens

The reviews on this one are mixed, but I like the premise of the story. Beauty Queens stranded on a deserted island? Let's see where Bray takes this....

The Dust of 100 Dogs

Another one with mixed reviews but with a really neat premise. I like stories with original plots, so I really want to see how this one turns out. 

The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making

Well, if the title didn't catch my attention, the reviews did. Reviewers seem to love this book and I'm loving the idea of it. Hopefully, it'll transport me to another world....

The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books

I was so excited when this book came out a year ago. I absolutely adore Walter Moer's novels. Leading up to Christmas, I would make Dave drive me to the book store so I could see it on the shelf and smell it's pages. Yes, someone out there is currently holding a book that I sniffed like crazy. Sorry. 

Okay, not really. It smelled freaking awesome. 

Anyway, having this book in my house for a whole year without me picking it up has driven me bonkers. I love the escape that Zamonia creates and I can't wait to go back there again. 

What's on your reading list for 2014?