Very Excellent Reads: Matched and Crossed

Now that I've made my confession about how much I really dig dystopian/paranormal novels targeted at Young Adults, it's time to reveal the only other series that even comes close to Divergent on my list of favorites: Matched by Ally Condie and its sequel, Crossed.

I love, love, LOVED this series!!! It's right up there with Divergent and The Hunger Games, although totally different in both concept and execution. Like Divergent, I've read both books twice now.

The first book in the series, Matched, is definitely a lot more "fluffy" than either Divergent or The Hunger Games. In fact, there is no overt violence whatsoever in Matched. The second book, Crossed, is definitely darker and does contain some scenes of violence, but still nothing on the level of The Hunger Games. I personally preferred the second book over the first. For one thing, Matched is told only in the voice of the female main character, Cassia. The second book features rotating chapters between Cassia and one of the male leads, Ky. I really enjoyed getting in Ky's head and hearing his thoughts and experiences.

I'm so excited that the third book in the series, Reached, comes out on November 13th. And, best of all, we get to hear from the other male lead, Xander, in this one! Woostinkinhoo! I'm literally counting down the days---I cannot WAIT!!! The publisher has been leaking teaser quotes every day, and the first three chapters, and as much as I love the teasers it's driving me crazy!! I am so excited about this book I almost can't stand it.

I highly, highly recommend the Matched series to anyone who enjoyed Divergent and/or The Hunger Games! 

So-So Reads: Between the Lines

I'll go on record admitting that I am not a particularly rabid Jodi Picoult fan, although I have read and enjoyed several of her stories. I know she is wildly popular and an extremely talented author. I was excited to find this YA novel penned in collaboration with her teenage daughter, Samantha van Leer: Between the Lines. I'm always interested in books that re-invent fairy tales, because of my role as a stepmom and our typical featuring in such stories as monsters.

I thought the basic concept of this story was brilliant and I couldn't wait to see how it played out! I'm sad to say that the execution of such a unique idea totally fell flat. I completely lost interest about halfway through the book and indeed could not finish it. It is very rare that I fail to finish a book, especially since Amazon's samples help me weed out stories that I can tell won't hold my interest through the end, or whose authors have aggravating writing styles. I wanted to know what happened to the characters in this story, but I didn't care enough about them to waste my time completing it.

This book is promoted as a Young Adult story, but I found it to be much more juvenile. I think my 12 year old niece would enjoy it immensely, but my 16 year old niece would likely roll her eyes like I did many times.

It pains me to say it but I very much believe the only thing that got this book published in the first place was Jodi Picoult's name on it. If her daughter hopes to follow in her mother's literary footsteps she has a long way to go. I'm really glad I checked this book out from the library for free.

A Literary Confession

So, I'm a little bit of a literary snob, and I absolutely refuse to jump on any popular book bandwagons. I never read the Harry Potter books and the Twilight series makes me gag. Fifty Shades of Grey? Sooooo not my thing.

That's part of why I was so excited to be among the first of my friends to read the Divergent series, before it becomes super popular, which I have no doubt it will. But. There is one exception to my no-book-bandwagons rule, and that is of course The Hunger Games.  I actually did refuse to read it for quite some time, but I kept hearing so much about it that I finally gave in. I am not planning to post a review of it here, since it's been reviewed to death, suffice it to say that this is one story that will stick with you. And as much as I thought it might be too violent for me--and indeed, it was quite violent--I am glad I stuck it out and read the whole series.

One thing that The Hunger Games did for me is open my mind to a completely new genre--new to me, that is. I have found that I really enjoy Young Adult (YA) books. For one thing, they're easy to read, and I don't have to think overly much. That sounds stupid but when you're as busy as I am with a full-time job, a 9 month old, two stepkids, and 8+ pets you get your "easy" perks where you can!

I've also found I really enjoy the dystopian theme. Actually a simple search on "if you liked The Hunger Games..." is what led me to Divergent. There's a huge plethora of not only dystopian but also paranormal YA books out there, and I've been enjoying sampling many of them on my Kindle.

Speaking of sampling: what a Godsend! I love that I can read a few chapters of a book before deciding if I want to spend money on it, or even if it's worth my time to check it out free from the library. I have downloaded countless samples of books that sounded really interesting, only to discover I wasn't all that entertained by the storyline, or that the author's particular writing style bugged me. Amazon sampling is the bomb!

All that said to pave the way for my next few book reviews: YA novels. I've read some good ones and not-so-good ones lately and I can't wait to share my reviews with you!

Excellent Reads: Divergent and Insurgent

So having finally and reluctantly jumped on the Hunger Games bandwagon, I found myself enjoying the series so much that when it was over I wanted to read something similar. A short Google search for "If you liked The Hunger Games..." led me to Divergent by Veronica Roth, which I will go on record as saying was WAY better than The Hunger Games. For one thing, it was much more nuanced.

From Amazon.com:
"In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself."

I loved, loved, LOVED the world-building in this story. Roth's five factions are very unique and interesting. I found myself wondering which of the factions would suit my personality, which one would I have chosen? Interestingly I came across a fun little faction quiz online! I'm sure it won't surprise any of you who know me well and have read the series that I am Amity. :)

The second book, Insurgent, is even better than the first. Completely action-packed with several knock-your-socks-off surprising plot twists. I can't recommend this series highly enough! And I believe 100% it will be the next "Hunger Games"--there is no doubt this one will continue to rise in popularity as word spreads about this series. There's even a movie in the works! Woohoo!!

One thing I really loved about it is the decided lack of the stereotypical love triangle that features so prominently in so many YA novels. What a treat for the female lead to only have one love interest, and to not be constantly dithering over whether she should be with this one, or that one. Tris is way too cool to be a ditherer, anyway.

My only complaint is that we have to wait another YEAR until Fall 2013 for the third and final book in the series. Seriously??

Wow!

Hard to believe it's been well over a year, almost TWO, since I made a post on this blog! It looks so abandoned...I guess getting pregnant and having a baby will do that to you! Life has been whirlwind over the last 18 months, that's for sure.

But never fear, dear readers, I do plan to breathe some life back into this blog and get it moving again. I will continue to share book reviews and crafts, and of course lots and lots of pictures of my Jack-Jack! Stay tuned!