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 Title: The Future of Us Author: Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler Genre: Sci-fi, YA Rating: 4/5 # pages: 364 Date read: May, 2012 It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future. By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present. First of all, if you haven't yet - go read Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why" first. It's SO much better! That said, I was actually very pleasantly surprised by this book. I'd heard such mixed reviews, that I didn't know what to expect and thus ended up enjoying quite a lot more than I had feared. I found the premise fascinating and was interested in seeing how Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler handled it. In parts, this is a typical YA novel, but the sci-fi aspects makes it refreshingly original and different. Some issues I think were skirted somewhat and/or handled too superficially, but all in all, I liked the direction the novel took, and felt it ended the only appropriate way. It's a fun read, even if it did come across as a bit of a let-down after reading Jay Asher's first book, "Thirteen Reasons Why", which absolutely blew me away. Thankfully, the books are different enough that I wasn't really tempted to constantly compare. Tags: may 2012, sci-fi, ya
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 Title: Into the Mist: Silver Hand Author: Steve Finegan Genre: Fantasy Rating: 4/5 # pages: 400 Date read: May, 2012 Thirteen-year-old Gabe Wrenn has always taken refuge in his imagination. Refuge from his hovering mom and bullying brother. Refuge from the smirks and stares of his classmates. Refuge from his epilepsy. But now his imagination seems to be running wild. And he can’t stop it. And the only person Gabe can confide in is a girl who thinks his "weird brain" is the key to unlocking the secret of the Brynmor Witch. I was sent a copy of this ebook as an ARC, and really appreciated the chance to get to read it. Steve Finegan paints amazing word-pictures, and I was quickly drawn deep into the book. Into the Mist: Silver Hand reminded me a lot of The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper and Shamran by Bjarne Reuter in its atmosphere and structure. Since ItM:SH is the first book in a series, it very much served to set the stage for the coming books, and as such I preferred the 'OtherWorld' aspects of the story to those in 'ThisWorld'. I really, really liked Ellie, and wanted to shake Gabe for being so enamoured by Rachel as to forget about her from time to time. I know that the dark powers of 'ThisWorld' has something to do with that, and am intrigued to see whether this will be explained further in the next book in the series. Unfortunately the book ended with quite a cliffhanger, which is a major pet peeve of mine, and thus subtracts one star from the rating. Even so, ItM:SH is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Tags: fantasy, may 2012
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 Title: The Tiger's Child Author: Torey Hayden Genre: Non-fiction, memoir Rating: 3.5/5 # pages: 290 Date read: April, 2012 In 'One Child' Hayden describes her work with a sad, silent, autistic girl named Sheila. Now, in a powerful sequel, readers see how Sheila, now a young woman, has finally come to terms with her nightmare childhood of abuse. Very interesting to read this follow-up to "One Child" and hear what later became of Sheila. I found the idea fascinating that Torey might actually have done as much harm as good in her way of treating Sheila back when she was 6. I can totally see both how Sheila (and her dad) might have seen it that way, and how horrified Torey would have been to discover that could have been the case. I didn't like this book quite as much as "One Child" though. Torey really didn't come off in the best light here. I know it's non-fiction so she couldn't have written it any other way and still be truthful, but there were times where I caught myself thinking, "Dude, you're supposed to be the professional, and even I know you aren't handling that right!". I have also learned not to read Torey Hayden's books in translation. This is the second one I've tried, and they've both been really, really badly translated. This one slightly less so, fortunately. Tags: april 2012, memoir, non-fiction
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 Title: Pathfinder Author: Orson Scott Card Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi Rating: 4.5/5 # pages: 662 Date read: April, 2012 Rigg is well trained at keeping secrets. Only his father knows the truth about Rigg's strange talent for seeing the paths of people's pasts. But when his father dies, Rigg is stunned to learn just how many secrets Father had kept from him--secrets about Rigg's own past, his identity, and his destiny. And when Rigg discovers that he has the power not only to see the past, but also to change it, his future suddenly becomes anything but certain. Rigg's birthright sets him on a path that leaves him caught between two factions, one that wants him crowned and one that wants him dead. He will be forced to question everything he thinks he knows, choose who to trust, and push the limits of his talent... or forfeit control of his destiny. I finished this yesterday and really, really enjoyed it. Not that I expected anything less, as I've loved everything I've read by Orson Scott Card so far :) It's a fun mix between Science Fiction and Fantasy, and I think the mix really works. I'd guessed some of the twists ahead of time, but not all. Rigg was definitely my favourite character, Umbo did annoy me occasionally with his insecurity and jealousy - I still think his is the cooler of the powers, but I liked Rigg's ability to become whoever he needed to be. I often laughed out loud at people's reactions to him. "Pathfinder" is the first book in a series, but the ending clearly leads the way to the second book, it's still nicely rounded off, so I'm not left with a frustrating feeling that the story hasn't ended yet. No annoying cliff-hangers ;) Tags: april 2012, fantasy, sci-fi
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 Title: The Masterharper of Pern Author: Anne McCaffrey Genre: Fantasy Rating: 4.5/5 # pages: Audiobook ~15hrs Date read: April, 2012 In a time when the deadly scourge Thread has not fallen on Pern for centuries--and many dare to hope that Thread will never fall again--a boy is born to Harper Hall. A musical prodigy who has the ability to speak with the dragons, he is called Robinton, and he is destined to be one of the most famous and beloved leaders Pern has ever known. It is a perilous time for the harpers who sing of Thread--they are being turned away from holds, derided, attacked, even beaten. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own. But despite the tragedies that beset his own life, he continues to believe in music and in the dragons, and he is determined to save his beloved Pern from itself--so that the dragonriders can be ready to fly against the dreaded Thread when at last it returns. Almost as good as "Dragonsong" and "Dragonsinger", and it was great being back at Harper Hall. Some of my favourite characters from the Harper's Hall trilogy are back, and I enjoyed this background story on especially Master Robinton (obviously) and Sybell. It seems as if "The Masterharper of Pern" was written after the Harper's Hall trilogy - at least I hope so, because otherwise there are certain relationship that are blatantly ignored instead of just not thought up yet. Anne McCaffrey tried to span a lot of years in few pages, which mostly worked, but occasionally - like with regards to Robinton's marriage - it just seemed odd to include it at all when was for so few pages. Generally I really enjoyed it though, and am glad that I had it recommended to me :) Tags: april 2012, fantasy
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 Title: Rose and the Lost Princess Author: Holly Webb Genre: Childrens fantasy Rating: 4/5 # pages: 268 Date read: April 2012 Turning the worn pages of her spell book, Rose can't believe how much her life has changed. Once a poor orphan, and now an apprentice to the King's chief magician! But when the country's beloved Princess vanishes, everything changes. As rumours of dark magic fly through the city, the King asks Rose for help. She must find the missing Princess - before all is lost. Just as charming as the first book in the series. It's childrens literature of the best kind in that it can just as easily be enjoyed as an adult. I missed some of the character building from the first book, as this was much more about the action. But I loved Gus and Princess Charlotte. A perfect book to wrap up a read-a-thon. Tags: april 2012, childrens, fantasy
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 Title: Before I Go To Sleep Author: S.J. Watson Genre: Suspense Rating: 4/5 # pages: 368 Date read: April 2012 Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love--all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story. Welcome to Christine's life. I bought this because the premise sounded like a lot like that of the movie "50 First Dates"... or rather, as if "Before I Go To Sleep" starts where "50 First Dates" ends. It very quickly became obvious that that wasn't the case, and that this book was a lot more sinister and slowly turned more and more terrifying. Very well written, and I had a very hard time putting it down, but unfortunately the end left me oddly unsatisfied. As usual (grrr!) the bad guy got off too easily (why is that so often the case?!) and I would have loved just one more chapter to get everything properly wrapped up. But since I enjoyed everything up until then, I'm still going to give this 4 stars. Tags: april 2012, suspense
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 Title: Things I Want My Daughters To Know Author: Elizabeth Noble Genre: Chick-lit Rating: 4/5 # pages: 437 Date read: April, 2012 How do you cope in a world without your mother? When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do? Take Lisa, in her midthirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twentysomething Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family; and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores. Chick-lit with substance. I enjoyed this a lot more than I had expected to. It was sad - it couldn't not be with a mother dying of cancer on the very first pages - but not hopelessly so, and it had a general message of hope and that it is possible to move on, even if it may seem impossible at first. I think what I most liked about this book is that it was REAL. Real people with real issues - I could relate to them, and loved reading about 4 sisters who seem as close as my sisters and I are. They might drive each other crazy at times, but they were always there for each other when the world was against them. Also, people didn't give up when relationships got hard, but worked through it. A hopeful book. I liked it very much. Tags: april 2012, chick-lit
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 Title: Still Missing Author: Chevy Stevens Genre: Suspense Rating: 4.5/5 # pages: 352 Date read: April, 2012 On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals - sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape - her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor. Fantastic book and completely impossible to put down. I won't say that I enjoyed it, because the subject matter just doesn't allow for that, but it's incredibly well-written and an amazing read. I was FURIOUS on Annie's behalf on several occasions, and was a bit disappointed by the lack of retribution / justice served at the end. Good grief, there are some SICK people out there. I know this is fiction, but the sad thing is that I don't think it's entirely outside the realm of the possible. Tags: april 2012, suspense
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 Title: Notes from a Small Island Author: Bill Bryson Genre: Non-fiction, memoir Rating: 3/5 # pages: Audiobook, ~12hrs Date read: April, 2012 After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson decided to returnto the United States. But before departing, he set out ona grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile. Unfortunately the weakest Bryson book I've read so far. But whether that's because it wasn't as well written or whether the subject just didn't interest me as much, I couldn't say. Actually I think part of it was that Bryson himself wasn't as enthusiastic about his topic as he's been in the other books I've read. When the author isn't enthusiastic himself, it's hard to make the reader interested. I still want to read more of his works, but I'll probably take a bit of a break from him now. Tags: april 2012, memoir, non-fiction
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 Title: 11/22/63 Author: Stephen King Genre: Science Fiction Rating: 5/5 # pages: 837 Date read: April, 2012 On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Jake Epping is a thirty-five-year-old high school English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching adults in the GED program. He receives an essay from one of the students a gruesome, harrowing first person story about the night 50 years ago when Harry Dunning's father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a hammer. Harry escaped with a smashed leg, as evidenced by his crooked walk. Not much later, Jake's friend Al, who runs the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to 1958. He enlists Jake on an insane and insanely possible mission to try to prevent the Kennedy assassination. So begins Jake's new life as George Amberson and his new world of Elvis and JFK, of big American cars and sock hops, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake's life a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time. Wow... I think this might just be my new favourite Stephen King book. "Under the Dome" is still a close second, but this one just seemed more complete and polished somehow. Time travel has always fascinated me with all its complexities and contradictions, but Stephen King made it work quite nicely. This is not one of SK's traditional horror books. It is dark to be sure, but neither particularly gory or scary. Instead it explores the psychological nature of man and the theory of the butterfly effect. I'm not entirely sure I buy his conclusions, but while I would have wished for another outcome, I guess it was inevitable. But sad... SK really doesn't know how to write happy books, does he?! Amazing book. Go read it! But make sure to wait for a vacation or at least a weekend, because putting it down to head off to work will be torture. Tags: april 2012, sci-fi
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 Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You Author: Ally Carter Genre: YA Rating: 3.5/5 # pages: 284 pages Date read: April, 2012 Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her? Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love. Pretty good YA which turned out not to be quite as predictable as I had first feared. It didn't have much content of any substance though. I would have loved to read more about the classes and life at school rather than just life around school. Unusual schooling (like e.g. Hogwarts) always fascinates me, and there was FAR too little of that here. Still, it was enjoyable enough and a quick read, so I wouldn't be totally adverse to reading more of the series. Tags: april 2012, ya
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 Title: Fear Author: Michael Grant Genre: Dystopian Rating: 4.5/5 # pages: 509 Date read: April, 2012 It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone. Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear. Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost. I think this most recent installment of the Gone series may actually also be the best since the first one. There's a lot more plot and not just non-stop action (though there's plenty of that as well). I like the new relationship between Sam, Astrid, Caine, Quinn and Lana. I want to know more about Petey though, although I do appreciate all the questions that got answered now. Shades of "Breaking Dawn" with Gaia.... or is that just me? As far as I know this is the second-to-last book which seems fitting. It's clear that things are drawing to a close - the end game, so to speak - and spinning it out longer would be doing a disservice to the intensity of the story. Tags: april 2012, dystopian
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 Title: Stand By Me Author: Neta Jackson Genre: Christian fiction Rating: 5/5 # pages: 383 Date read: April, 2012 Avis Douglass and her husband, Peter, have dreamed of a two-year mission to South Africa. But when the economy crashes, they're suddenly faced with the real possibility of bankruptcy. When one of the co-pastors of SouledOut Community Church passes away suddenly, Avis and Peter are asked to step in and assist with the leadership of the church in the interim. The Lord knew what He was doing when He put Neta Jackson's book in my line of sight. I've been putting off reading this most recent instalment about the "SouledOut Sisters", because I worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. It did, and my soul lapped it up like a parched plant does water. Writing a proper review is pretty much impossible, as reading one of Neta Jackson's books usually turns out to basically be one long worship session and thus not relevant for a literary review. Suffice to say that as usual she made me look up and take stock. I'd love the kind of fellowship these girls have at church and at the Yada Yada prayer group. I'm very interested in seeing where Neta Jackson takes Kat, Nick and Bree in this spin-off series. Tags: april 2012, christian fiction
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 Title: Paganini kontrakten (The Paganini Contract) Author: Lars Kepler Genre: Suspense Rating: 4.5/5 # pages: 583 Date read: April, 2012 A 4.5 star review. There are people you wish you had never met. For your biggest dream can become your worst nightmare. And some contracts cannot be broken. Not even by your own death. A young woman is found dead, drowned in brackish water, on board a sailboat drifting just outside Stockholm. Later that day a man found hanged in his luxurious apartment in Östermalm. It looks like suicide, but the room is completely bare, how has he managed it? The two deaths would have remained a mystery, if not Superintendent Joona Linna had been so terribly stubborn... The sequel to "The Hypnotist", but it can easily be read on its own, as there is no continuation in plot between the two books. I think I might just like this one a tiny bit more, but whether that's because I read this one and heard the other as an audiobook, I couldn't say. Some people refer to Lars Kepler as Stieg Larsson's successor, and I can't say I altogether disagree with them. At least it's not many 600 page books that keep me captivated enough for me to finish in one day. It's an amazing story that keeps the pace until the very last page. I'd definitely be interested in reading more from his hand. Unfortunately the translation could have been better. At one point Joona finds a fragmented email, and as we get the complete text later in the book, it's very obvious that the fragmented email hasn't been translated, but has been left in its original Swedish. An unfortunate oversight. Tags: april 2012, suspense
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 Title: Den hundredårige der kravlede ud ad vinduet og forsvandt (The Hundred-Year-Old who Crawled Out the Window and Disappeared) Author: Jonas Jonasson Genre: Fiction Rating: 5/5 # pages: 372 Date read: April, 2012 Allan Karlsson disappears from his room at a retirement room one hour before his 100th birthday celebration. The book jumps back and forth in time and is partly the story of Allan's month-long trip through Sweden where he does his best to remain uncaptured by both the police and the gang whose suitcase he accidentally stole; and partly the story of Allan Karlsson's travel through life. It soon becomes apparent that Allan hasn't just been part of, but actually directly caused many of the significant events of the 20th century. Among many, many other things he was involved in making the nuclear bomb, was friends with Mao's young wife and both planed and avoided an assassination attempt on Winston Churchill. "The Hundred-Year-Old who Crawled Out the Window and Disappeared" is one of the funniest books I have read in a very long time. It took me a few chapters to properly appreciate it, but once I did, I had a very hard time putting down the book again, and sat chuckling my way through it. Not a very likely story, but it's not meant to be. Allan makes his way from one incredible situation to another for no other reason than that he happened to be at the right place at the right time (or wrong place and wrong time, depending on how you look at it). Eternally optimistic and hopeful, he's determined to make the best of every situation. As long as he has access to 3 regular meals a day and a drink of alcohol whenever he feels like it, he sees no reason to complain. From Sweden to Spain to the US to China to Iran to Russia to Bali - there's never a dull moment when Allan is around. A wonderfully charming read. Tags: april 2012, fiction
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 Title: The Language of Flowers Author: Vanessa Diffenbaugh Genre: Fiction Rating: 4/5 # pages: 331 Date read: April, 2012 The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it's been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what's been missing in her life, and when she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it's worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness. I can't remember where I first came across this book, but I had already added it to my to-read list, so when my sister sent me an unprompted recommendation that I read it, I bumped it up to the very top. I'm glad I did, as it did not disappoint. It's a fascinating book that is at once heartbreaking and optimistic. Because of the changes in time, you know something awful is going to happen to the main character, but you also know that she's going to come out on the other side. What mostly worried me was what would happen next as at one point it looked like it would go really, really bad. At that point I was glad to have my sister's recommendation, as I knew she wouldn't let me down and recommend a book with a depressing ending. As it was, I think it ended the only way it could end, and I actually breathed a small sigh of relief when I reached the last page, because I knew the author couldn't break my heart any further, but would let things look up for the main characters. It's a book about friendship, love (romantic and platonic both) and going against the odds. A quick and engaging read. Tags: april 2012, fiction
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