I love to read. My husband says I'm obsessed with it. I wouldn't go that far, but I love a good book.
It really started when I was little. I remember a time when I read for recreation, but then came the time that I had to read for school purposes and it sucked all the life out of it for me. I really didn't pick it back up until high school which was when my Mom handed me a book she bought for my little sister and said, "Read it! It's so good!"
She handed me "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Harry Potter single handedly got me back into reading. Seriously. Since then I've read books on and off but didn't really find anything until...the Twilight Series. After that the obsession began and I went to the most avid reader I know - My Mom for suggestions.
Below I have some books I've read and I'll give my opinion on the matter. We'll have a 5 star rating system. One being stupid and five being amazing. In between, you get the picture. I'm not going to give a brief description of what the books are about - that's for you to find out yourself, but I'll tell you what I think.
We begin with:
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: ***** (That's five stars)
I loved this series. I love J.K. Rowling's writing and I'll probably buy everything she writes from here on out. I loved following the story and I was so sad when the last one ended because I wanted to know more about the main character's lives. Everyone I knew read the books - everyone. I remember discussing the books with a good friend of mine, who honestly wouldn't seem the type to read Harry Potter...or read in general, but he confided in me that there were moments he cried and threw the book across the room. That, right there, should be a testament to J.K. Rowling's writing skills.
The Twilight Saga: Stephenie Meyer: ***** (5 big huge stars)
I remember hearing about the books and thinking it sounded really stupid. A Vampire Romance Novel? Are you kidding? No, I won't read it. Then my good friends started telling me about how romantic the books were and how amazing Edward was. I thought they'd lost their minds. But one day, out of sheer boredom, I picked up Twilight and started reading it. I got into it about 20 chapters and went out and bought the other two that were on the shelves. Oh Edward (not movie Edward - c'mon Robert Pattinson is a greaseball), that character is one smooth, romantic vampire. I called my Mom, told her about it and explained that after she was done she'd want a vampire of her own. A day later I got a call from her saying, "I want a vampire!" I was hooked. I'm not quite to the point of wearing Team Edward gear, but I do go to all the movies the first week and own all the movies on Blu Ray.
The Hunger Games Series: Suzanne Collins: ***** (Five Stars)
I remember hearing about the books and thinking it sounded really stupid. A Vampire Romance Novel? Are you kidding? No, I won't read it. Then my good friends started telling me about how romantic the books were and how amazing Edward was. I thought they'd lost their minds. But one day, out of sheer boredom, I picked up Twilight and started reading it. I got into it about 20 chapters and went out and bought the other two that were on the shelves. Oh Edward (not movie Edward - c'mon Robert Pattinson is a greaseball), that character is one smooth, romantic vampire. I called my Mom, told her about it and explained that after she was done she'd want a vampire of her own. A day later I got a call from her saying, "I want a vampire!" I was hooked. I'm not quite to the point of wearing Team Edward gear, but I do go to all the movies the first week and own all the movies on Blu Ray.The Hunger Games Series: Suzanne Collins: ***** (Five Stars)
My Mom was the one who lent me the first two books and said that I absolutely had to read them. She had been told to pick them up by a coworker and she absolutely loved them. They're amazing. I read them cover to cover and barely talked to people in between. I really couldn't put them down and waited for what felt like forever for the third and final book to come out. I loved them. The only thing I have to complain about is the ending. I wasn't a fan.
The Host: Stephenie Meyer: 4 1/2 Stars
I really love Stephenie Meyer so when it came out that she was writing another book I knew I'd probably read it. It took a while to get to it, but once I did, I really loved it. There is a lot of story development which makes the book seem really slow at first but once you have all of the crucial information - the book is great. I've heard they're making a movie...and I'm not sure how I feel about it because that'd be kind of hard to make with all the information in the book. Also - being kind of sci-fi - it has the potential to make a stupid movie. I hate when that happens!
The Mortal Instruments Series: Cassandra Clare: 4.5 stars
These books were also suggestions of my Moms. She sent me home with these books and I started one of them on a road trip...which resulted in my husband being ignored for the entire drive because I was hooked. If you're not a fan of fantasy/ sci-fi, don't even try - it takes a lot of imagination. If your mind lets you go there - you'll love them. Also, my Mom informs me that there is a fourth book coming out next month - the series is not complete yet! I also know they're beginning to make the series into movies starring Alex Pettyfer as Jace. I'm not sure how it'll translate into a good movie considering there are a lot of odd concepts to swallow, but I'm sure I'll see it anyway.
The Undaunted: Gerald Lund: 4.5 Stars
This book is historical fiction - I don't just read all teen sci-fi. This was a Christmas gift from my in-laws. I really enjoyed it. I read it on a vacation and found myself in the shade after a nasty sunburn so this book was a life saver. I loved the story and I honestly had not heard about the Hole-in-the-Rock Pioneers before. What an amazing story and I can't believe those Pioneers endured so much! I loved it.
The Aurora Teagarden Series/ Real Murders Series: Charlaine Harris: **** (Four Stars)
These were lent to me by my Mom again...and I believe I still have them somewhere. They're a great murder mystery series by the same woman who wrote the Sookie Sackhouse series (The books that True Blood is based off of.) I liked them, they kept me coming back. Some books I have a hard time getting into, but I can tell I like them if I find myself thinking about them in the middle of the day. If you like a light murder mystery - they're great to read.
I Am Number Four: Pittacus Lore: 4.5 Stars
This was a book that was originally suggested by a blogger I like to read: Busy Bee Lauren. I kept it in mind and looked for it while I was at airports but I couldn't find it. Finally last December I found it in a bookstore inside the Denver Airport. It took up most of the flight and my time for the next few days. I really liked it a lot. Again, you have to have an active imagination, but I really liked the story. I'm worried about this movie coming out next weekend though...it's a book that'd be hard to translate to film without looking stupid...but we'll see.
The obsession got worse once I opened my new Literati eReader for Christmas. My husband says that it is literally attached to me, that I suffer from separation anxiety when I'm not around it. It's only slightly true. I love it. All the books I like in once accessible place! The first books I downloaded were the Hunger Games series. It's a series I had already read, but I'd borrowed my Mom's the first time and it's a book I knew I'd want to read over and over again.
The next books I decided to download were:
The Underland Chronicles: Suzanne Collins: 3.5 Stars
These books were thoroughly enjoyable, but I began reading with the expectation of The Hunger games. The same author, but an entirely different tale. The books are pointed to a younger audience since the main character is 12, but you forget that considering the main character never once acts like a 12 year old. I think Suzanne Collins originally intended her character to be 12 but then kept writing him as if he was 17. The same goes with his younger sister. The only character that acts their age is his 3 year old sister, Boots - who I loved. The books end with the same "Suzanne Collins" type of ending which makes you feel like there was something you missed. But I enjoyed reading them.
Fallen: Lauren Kate: 3.5 Stars
I started reading this series because I wanted to read something in the fantasy/ sci-fi genre again and I had read this was a great book to read. I like to go off of just suggestion alone and hear almost nothing about what the tale is about. I like to find out for myself so I have a genuine opinion. Its another book that requires a lot of imagination and heaven forbid they make movies out of it because they would never be able to translate without being really stupid, but I enjoyed the story line. The first book was good enough to make me curious what the second book held.
Torment: Lauren Kate: 3.5 Stars
The second book was good. The main idea I couldn't get around was the romance. For me it just needs to develop, I can't get on board with the love-at-first-sight concept, in real life or fantasy. It actually happened to my grandparents but it is a really, really, rare thing. And I just couldn't get on board. That and I can't stand wishy-washy love interests. Not even in my favorite romance novels (Twilight) and the love interest, Daniel - super wishy washy. The third book, Passion comes out this fall. I'll probably read it.
Matched: Ally Condie: 4.5 Stars
This was another book suggested by Busy Bee Lauren. She made such a big deal out of it that I decided to purchase it. I actually enjoyed it a lot. The story wasn't ridiculous, the concept was easy and even though it's sci-fi, you don't have to roll your eyes at any of the future/ fantasy concepts it presents. I really enjoyed it and I will definitely buy the second book when it comes out next fall.
A Clockwork Angel: Cassandra Clare: 4.5 Stars
This book is the same concept as the Mortal Instrument Series only set in London during the time of Queen Victoria - an earlier story telling with perhaps ancestors of the characters in the Mortal Instrument series. This is the first book of what seems to be a trilogy. I know I really like the book when I become really annoyed that the next book won't be out for months and months - Fall 2011. I liked the same concept and the new characters...even though the love interest is wishy washy too.
Water For Elephants: Sara Gruen: 3 Stars
Not everyone is the same and has the same opinions about all books. I purchased this book because I had heard such great reviews about it, it was at the top of all popular lists, even in best books of all time lists. Its being made into a movie with Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon for crying out loud - it has to be good right? I need to stop expecting so much when I consider all of those facts. Because I thought it was just ok. I definitely didn't think it was best-seller quality but I'm no professional critic. It was a good enough story but depressing. I realize not all great books have happy endings but I only thought it was so-so.
Currently Reading:
The Outlander: Diana Gabaldon: I'll let you know...
My Mom insisted I read this series, it's her absolute favorite. I finally started a couple nights ago and I'm still getting into it. I'm assuming there is some story development because I'm having a hard time getting into it, but I'm assured I'll love it. We shall see...
So far that's my list - I'll let you know what else I find!
