Vanishing Girls

Title: Vanishing Girls
Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0-06-222410-1

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  The beginning of this was really slow, but the end sure picked up in true Oliver style.  The twist also totally hit me off guard, which is very unusual.

Rating: 4 stars

Found

Title: Found
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781456104979

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  This starts out as a typical MG novel, then turns into a mystery, then into a full out sci-fi.  The twist towards the end is amazing, and props to Haddix for thinking of it.

Rating: 4 stars

Stolen

Title: Stolen
Author: Lucy Christopher

Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781449838409

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  This was actually rather boring to listen to.  There were only a few fast parts; most of it was the narrator trying to understand her kidnapper, but it seems like she took to long to understand him, making the end seems a little rushed.  I do think, though, this would make an excellent two person play...except for the camel.

Rating: 2 stars

The Count of Monte Cristo

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexandre Dumas

Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: n/a

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  This is a highly complex novel of revenge and I understand why it is a classic.  It is, though, just too damn long.

Rating: 3 stars

A Lessons in Secrets

Title: A Lesson in Secrets
Author: Jacqueline Winspear

Publisher: Harper
ISBN: 978-0-06-172767-2

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  I have tried a Maisie Dobbs novel before, but really could not get into this.  However, I loved A Lesson in Secrets.  I think part of it had to do with the college setting.  It was a wonderful blend of cozy, police procedural, and historical fiction.

Rating: 5 star

The Orange Eats Creeps

Title: The Orange Eats Creeps
Author: Grace Krilanovich

Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781461804796

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  I am not sure what genre this really falls into - it has vampires, but that does not seem to really be what it is about, and I am not really sure they are indeed vampires.  The storyline is scattered all over the place and feels like you have to be in an altered state of mind to understand it.

Rating: 1 star

The Bridge of Dead Things

Title: The Bridge of Dead Things
Author: Michael Gallagher

Publisher: Seventh Rainbow
ISBN: 97809575822552

Why Read?: Early Review
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  This MG novel has broad appeal and a very engaging story full of psychics and ghosts and Victorian technology.  I cannot wait to read the next installment of the Lizzie Blaylock series.

Rating: 5 stars

The Satanic Verses

Title: The Satanic Verses
Author: Salman Rushdie

Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781461824060

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  I loved listening to this as Rushdie's word have some poetry to them.  However, there were some parts that confused me as I did not understand all the religious nuances.

Rating: 3 stars

The Eye Unseen

Title: The Eye Unseen
Author: Cynthia Tottleben

Publisher: JournalStone
ISBN: 9781940161105

Why Read?: Early Review
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  If V. C. Andrews wrote supernatural horror, this would be it.  Some parts might be a little hard to stomach, but that adds to the horror.

Rating: 3 stars

True Grit

Title: True Grit
Author: Charles Portis

Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN: n/a

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  I never thought I would like a Western, but I never met a character like Mattie Ross.  To say she has grit is an understatement.  Listening to this also added to my enjoyment as the editing left in normal reading noises - breathes, tongue clicks - that made it feel like Mattie (as read by Donna Tartt) was truly telling me her story.

Rating: 5 stars

WWW:Wake

Title: WWW:Wake
Author: Robert J. Sawyer

Publisher: Ace
ISBN: 978-0-441-01679-2

Why Read?: Book Club
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  This is the type of Sci-Fi I enjoy - sciencey stuff set in the here and now.  I was a little bummed that the problems in China were not touched on at all in the latter half of the book, but as this is the first in a trilogy, I know all the storylines will eventually connect - and I hope Hobo's is a happy one!

Rating: 4 stars

Mameluke Bath

Title: Mameluke Bath
Author: Andrew Asibong

Publisher: Open
ISBN: n/a

Why Read?: Early Review
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  This book is impossible to describe.  Asibong throws so many elements into this novella, that it is tough to read in spots, but his willingness to experiment keeps this form being a 1 star read.  It especially took awhile to get used to the second person chapters.  Plus, some of the ideas seemed too British for me to fully comprehend.  

Rating: 2 stars

2015 Author Alphabet Challenge

Challenge:  Author Alphabet
Host:  Nothing But Reading Challenges
2014 Level: 26 books - FAILED
2015 Level: 26 books

A. Mameluke Bath by Andrew Asibong
B. 
C. Stolen by Lucy Christopher
D. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
E. 
F. Kill My Mother by Jules Fieffer
G. 
H. Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
I.  
J. The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin
K. The Orange Eats Creeps by Grace Krilanovich
L. 
M. Nature's Confession by J. L. Morin
N. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
O. Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
P. True Grit by Charles Portis
Q.
R. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
S. WWW:Wake by Robert J. Sawyer
T. The Eye Unseen by Cynthia Tottleben
U. 
V.  
W. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear
X.
Y. 
Z.  

The Killing Moon

Title: The Killing Moon
Author: N. K. Jemisin

Publisher: Orbit
ISBN: 978-0-316-18728-2

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Author Alphabet

Thoughts:  I love fantasies, partly because I love to be immersed in a different world.  Jemisin constructed a well-built world, but unfortunately plunged the reader in with no guidance.  Sure, there is a glossary at the end, but the definitions do not help, and with fantasies, I prefer to learn the world through context clues, not constantly flipping back to the glossary which really disrupts the flow.  I found myself lost too many times that I stopped caring and just kept reading, whether I understood what was happening or not.

Rating: 2 stars

2014 Author Alphabet Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Author Alphabet
Host:  Nothing But Reading Challenges
2014 Level: 26 books - FAILED
Thought:  I did come close, but it is hard to find authors whose last names start with vowels or those weird letters.  I will try again, though.
A. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya
B. Lexicon by Max Barry
C. Along the Way Home by Christi Corbett
D. The Summer of Love by Debbie Drechsler
E. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by David Eggers
F. Last Train to Babylon by Charlee Fam
G. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
H. The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill
I.  
J. The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson
K. The Mage's Daughter by Lynn Kurland
L. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
M.  Spell Struck by Ariella Moon
N. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
O. 
P.  Enders by Lissa Price
Q.
R.  The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
S.  Perfect Nightmare by Norman Stanton
T.   The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
U. Two-Room Flat by Jill Urbach
V.  
W. Plow the Bones by Douglas F. Warwick
X.
Y. Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young
Z.  Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Title: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Author: David Eggers

Publisher: Recorded Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-232807-6

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Audio Book, Author Alphabet, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: The title of this memoir with fictionalized parts can seem misleading until you get to know the narrator who is given to hyperbole.  This is actually a very entertaining listen which surprised me.

Rating: 4 stars

Last Train to Babylon

Title: Last Train to Babylon
Author: Charlee Fam

Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0-06-232807-6

Why Read?: Book Reporter
Challenges: Author Alphabet, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: Fam perfectly captures the Millenial voice.  Audrey may be a tough character to get to know, but she is the epitome of many younger Millenials.  Fam also creates a wonderful blend of suspense, coming-of-age, and dark humor.

Rating: 4 stars

Plow the Bones

Title: Plow the Bones
Author: Douglas Warwick

Publisher: Apex
ISBN: 978-1-937009-15-1

Why Read?: Early Review
Challenges: E-Book, Author Alphabet, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: This was a rather bizzaro collection, although it was not classified as that exactly.  The two standout stories, at least for my taste, were "Funeral Song for a Ventriloquist" and "Across the Dead Station Dessert, Television Girl".  The rest were just too weird or disturbing or disgusting for me.

Rating: 2 stars

The Prince and the Pauper

Title: The Prince and the Pauper
Author: Mark Twain

Publisher: Blackstone Audio
ISBN: 9781441795991

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Audio Book, Historical Fiction, Free Reads, Author Alphabet, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts:  I think I just did not like the style, or maybe it is because I knew the concept of the story, but I had a very hard time pay attention to this one even though I liked the narrator's voice and he did an great job narrating.  I tried reading it when I was younger, and could not get into it then, either.

Rating: 2 stars

The False Prince

Title: The False Prince
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publisher: Scholastic Audio
ISBN: 978054577222

Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Audio Book, Free Reads, Author Alphabet, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts:  While, as usual, I was able to pick out the twist almost from the start, I loved this.  The intrigue makes for a highly entertaining listen, and Sage's personality keeps the reader coming back.

Rating: 5 stars