Well, it’s February apparently, so I updated my reading list for January.
I like to use a system of 1-5 stars based on how much I enjoyed it, not necessarily quality of the book. I use the same rating as Goodreads. I rarely have one star books because I don’t usually finish a book I don’t like.
5 stars: It was amazing.
4 stars: Really liked it.
3 stars: Liked it.
2 stars: It was okay.
1 star: Didn’t like it.
1. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow – Cory Doctorow is a science fiction writer and an activist. He releases all his writing under a Creative Common license and he’s a proponent for file sharing and freedom in technology. I would recommend this liberty-minded YA book to everyone. It’s a bit geeky, but it reads easily enough and it’s eerily frightening how accurate it feels alongside current events. Definitely leaves you in an emotional wreck afterwards. (But, hey, that’s the only kind of book I enjoy!) 5 stars.
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – This is the first book of the Hunger Games trilogy. (Also includes Catching Fire and Mockingjay). It’s an excellent start to the series about a young girl in a postapocalytic world where the government forces children to fight to the death. Feels a bit like a mix of the Uglies Trilogy and The Giver, but possibly better than both. Brutal, in a fantastic way. Couldn’t put it down. 5 stars.
3. Blue Nude by Elizabeth Rosner – I like this author and I did like this literary novel enough to give it five stars, but I have to admit, it didn’t stand out for me. Blue Nude is about a starving artist – a painter who once has a promising career but is now a teacher who is looking for that special muse. 4.5 stars.
4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath – This is Sylvia Plath’s only novel and it is about a young woman and her descent into mental illness; it’s been said that it echoed her own life. Plath committed suicide a month after it was published. This is now one of my favorite books and it really does live up to its reputation. 5 stars.
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – Second book in The Hunger Games books. I think this one might be my favorite. As most 2nd books go, this one is where the most action and plot-moving is found. 5 stars.
6. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins – Final Hunger Games book. I was content with the ending, though I heard many people didn’t like this one. It wasn’t my favorite, but I have no hesitations in giving all three of them five stars. Fantastic series, highly recommended. 5 stars.
7. Elixir (book 1) by Hilary Duff – Yes, that Hilary Duff. I believe she had a ghostwriter but the idea and the plot were hers. I was pleasantly surrpised with her YA book about a 17 year rich girl with a desire to be a photojournalist, whose father has gone missing. I am not sure how I feel about the ending however, I’m hoping I can chalk that up to this being the first of a series. 3 stars.
8. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – I never thought I’d be into vampire books, but I definitely enjoyed this one. This is the first of a YA series and it has been said that it is the newer replacement for the Twilight series. I’m not sure if I agree, but I enjoyed this one a lot and I will definitely be reading more. 4.5 stars.
9. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson – If you’re familiar with Speak, you already know that Laurie Halse Anderson is an compelling, astute YA writer. Wintergirls is about two best friends in a competition of sorts to be skinny. Quick, easy read, very good. Hopeful. 5 stars.
10. Trans-sister Radio by Chris Bohjalian – This has been on my mental “to read” list for awhile. Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors – I’ve read Midwives and The Double Bind. This is fascinating literary novel about a transgendered college professor who falls in love with a woman before his sex change. Really good read, subject handled with grace. 5 stars.
I know I read a lot of YA books this month, and I think that’s going to be a habit because this is an area in which I would like to stay involved. I did cross off three books for the 12 book TBR challenge on Goodreads! If you’re participating in any book challenges, feel free to add yourself to the linky there.
