2012 January Book Roundup

Being that it's 2012, it's time for the book roundup rules to change a little.

Previously I was doing Twitter-length reviews. I like this plan because it let me express my thoughts succinctly, but it started to get difficult to give a brief plot overview AND a review in 140 characters. So now I'm going to give you twice the goodness. That's right. 140 characters of book summary and 140 characters of review. This way I'll be able to stick to bite-sized reviews without denying you guys the meat of the matter.

Other than that, everything the same. Genres are listed at the beginning of the reviews and my absolute favorites of the month are marked with a star (★).

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest

Steampunk--Mercy's husband is dead and when her dying father summons her to Seattle, there's nothing to keep her. Civil war schemes and zombies ahoy. § This book is fabulous. Not only is Mercy a strong character, but she's interesting too and her environment is full of excitement and intrigue. ★

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Paranormal--Diana Bishop is a witch who wishes she wasn't. Then she stumbles upon a lost manuscript, and catches the attention of the paranormal world. § This book. Starts off. So slow. Also, there are a lot of complex and fascinating ideas in play here, but I really didn't like the love interest.

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

YA Sci-fi--Sequel to Across the Universe. It's been 3 months since Amy was unplugged and Elder assumed leadership. Too bad there are more lies to uncover. § Painful to read ... but in a good (and hard to put down) way! Revis has woven a claustrophobic web of disaster that can't help getting worse. ★

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

YA Urban Fantasy--Sophie Mercer is a witch who's been sent to Hex Hall--a reform school for paranormals. Unfortunately for her, someone's been targeting witches. § Sophie is delightfully sassy and it's great to see a paranormal that doesn't take itself too seriously. However, nothing really stood out.

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

YA Fiction--Ed Kennedy is just a deadbeat cabdriver. But after he inadvertently stops a bank robbery, the Aces start arriving and he must become a messenger. § Ack, Zusak is excellent at making you care about ALL of his characters--major, minor, whatever. Inspirational and a total pleasure to read. ★

And there you guys go--the first five books I read during 2012! So, are you guys going to start up any reading goals? And what books have you read thus far? Tell me in the comments!