Well, after the reading failure that was last month, I gotta say, June was much more successful. I won't lie though. The scary pile of books on my desk is still big and menacing, especially since I mostly read things that weren't in the pile. Better luck next month, yeah?
Anyway, for anyone who doesn't know, lemme give you the book roundup lowdown. At the beginning of each month I do Twitter-length reviews of the books I read during the month prior. Genres are listed at the beginning of the reviews and my very favorites are marked with a star (★).
Now that we've gotten that all cleared up, let's get into the meat of things.
Now that we've gotten that all cleared up, let's get into the meat of things.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
YA Dystopian--In a dystopian world emphasizing on morality, Beatrice must decide on her future. Strong characters and adrenaline-pumped action make this a fun read. ★
Break by Hannah Moskowitz
YA Fiction--Jonah is gonna to break every bone in his body. This book has absolutely fantastic characterization. However, the ending was a wee bit abrupt.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
YA Fiction--After a terrible car accident, coma-ridden Mia must choose between life and death. Loved the characters and the music, but sloooow pacing.
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
YA Fiction--Micah is a compulsive liar; then her boyfriend is murdered. This book made my brain explode. Super unreliable narration FTW! Go read it now. ★
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
YA Steampunk--Sequel to Leviathan. Full of gender-bending angst, political drama, and crazy critters, this alternate history is still my #1 steampunk love. ★
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
YA Fiction--Micah is a compulsive liar; then her boyfriend is murdered. This book made my brain explode. Super unreliable narration FTW! Go read it now. ★
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
YA Steampunk--Sequel to Leviathan. Full of gender-bending angst, political drama, and crazy critters, this alternate history is still my #1 steampunk love. ★
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
YA Post-apocalyptic--Amnesiac Thomas finds himself trapped in the Glade--to escape he must navigate the Maze. Lots of fun suspense, but prose relied on a lot of "telling." ★
Specials by Scott Westerfeld
YA Dystopian--Last of the Uglies trilogy. Lots of action and brainwashing, however the uprising felt easy. Also, I wish the ending hadn't been so bittersweet.
Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach (illustrations by Ricardo Cortés)
Picture Book--A goodnight story for adults. This is a hilarious combination of kid's fluff and parental rage. And Samuel L Jackson's narration is golden.
Specials by Scott Westerfeld
YA Dystopian--Last of the Uglies trilogy. Lots of action and brainwashing, however the uprising felt easy. Also, I wish the ending hadn't been so bittersweet.
Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach (illustrations by Ricardo Cortés)
Picture Book--A goodnight story for adults. This is a hilarious combination of kid's fluff and parental rage. And Samuel L Jackson's narration is golden.
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
YA Post-apocalyptic--Sequel to The Maze Runner. Exciting, interesting, creepy things happen (and I love Minho), but it feels a little like the other book rehashed.
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
Adult Fiction--Two stories about love and loss and not knowing your place in the world. Lived up to my expectations--sweet, poignant, sad, and wonderful.
White Cat by Holly Black
YA Urban Fantasy--Cassel is the only member of his mobster family who can't use magic. Only better than that. Cons and magic--a combination I never knew I wanted. ★
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
Adult Fiction--Two stories about love and loss and not knowing your place in the world. Lived up to my expectations--sweet, poignant, sad, and wonderful.
White Cat by Holly Black
YA Urban Fantasy--Cassel is the only member of his mobster family who can't use magic. Only better than that. Cons and magic--a combination I never knew I wanted. ★
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
YA Fantasy--Meghan's brother is kidnapped by faeries--time for a rescue. Lots of classic faery elements, but with a gritty, modern twist. Also, love the cat.
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
YA Fantasy--Dashti and her mistress, Lady Saren, are locked in a tower for 7 years. Gorgeous, gorgeous book with a lush world and characters to match. ★
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
YA Fiction--Cameron has mad cow disease and now he's gonna find a cure. Written so beautifully, but the voice was just too much and I couldn't enjoy it.
Felties: How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends by Nelly Pailloux
Crafty--Felt doll book with several patterns for tiny, adorable critters. Completely adorable! Includes everything from a cat mummy to a matryoshka doll. ★
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
YA Fantasy--Dashti and her mistress, Lady Saren, are locked in a tower for 7 years. Gorgeous, gorgeous book with a lush world and characters to match. ★
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
YA Fiction--Cameron has mad cow disease and now he's gonna find a cure. Written so beautifully, but the voice was just too much and I couldn't enjoy it.
Felties: How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends by Nelly Pailloux
Crafty--Felt doll book with several patterns for tiny, adorable critters. Completely adorable! Includes everything from a cat mummy to a matryoshka doll. ★
Extras by Scott Westerfeld
YA Dystopian--The story of Aya Fuse and what happened after the Uglies trilogy. Expected to miss Tally's POV, but surprisingly, I didn't. Much love to Moogle.
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
YA Fiction--Ginny's traveling across Europe on a mission orchestrated from the grave. Fun premise, but the book dragged on. Also, deus ex machinas abound.
Voila. Lots of good stuff this time. How did you guy do? Read anything you loved? Hated? Just didn't care about? Give me a heads up in the comments.
