Because I have been out of town for Easter, in the land of no internet, I have been unable to blog about the books I finished Friday afternoon and this morning. Since I was finishing a third, I thought it best to wait and do all three together.
TAYSHAS #12-The Fault in our Stars by John Green
The librarian had this book sent to me in my classroom before school let out on Wednesday, so I could read it over the long weekend. It was covered in sticky notes about how much she loved the book. I did too, but it was sad.
Hazel, the protagonist, has stage four cancer. We get to live her life with her. She meets a boy, Augustus, who is in remission from his cancer. They met at a cancer support group and became instant friends. More than that really. She introduces him to her favorite book, and he uses his wish to fly with her to Amsterdam to meet the author of the book because she needs answers. I will not reveal more than that, as this is a book that should be read. Make sure your tissues are ready though.
TAYSHAS #13-The Night She Disappeared by April Henry
This one was not incredibly long, and I read most of it before breakfast yesterday, during The Ten Commandments last night, and before breakfast this morning. I enjoyed it, as it was suspenseful.
Kayla Cutler works at Pete's Pizza. She switched nights with Gabie. A man calls in with an order, but requests the girl with the Mini Cooper. That would be Gabie. Kayla goes to deliver the pizzas, and is kidnapped. Gabie thinks it should have been her, as she was who was requested. Gabie feels guilty, and feels that Kayla is still alive. With the help of a co-worker, Drew, Gabie sets out to find out what happened to Kayla.
TAYSHAS #14- Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers
Started this after breakfast, but before church today. By the time we got on the road to head home, I'd already read 60 pages.
Karl is dating Fiorella. Fiorella wants Karl to answer questions about himself because she wants to know him better, and because he never talks about himself. Karl seeks out Fiorella's favorite author to see if he will help Karl answer her questions. Very Cyrano de Bergerac. Anyway, the author and Karl become quite good friends, and they help each other find themselves. It was ok. I'll be honest: I chose this book because the cover intrigued me. Yes, I judged a book by its cover. Sue me.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
TAYSHAS #11
The Final Four by Paul Volponi.
As the title implies, it is about college basketball. Because of that, I put off reading it for a while, despite the librarian telling me it was good. On Monday, I was "stocking up" on books to read on my Easter break, and this one was available again. Again, the librarian told me I should give it a shot. She has not steered me wrong yet, so I checked it out.
This book is about a Final Four game between Michigan State, the Spartans, and Troy University, the Trojans. The game ends up going into four overtimes. Over the course of the four overtimes, we are given insight into the backgrounds and minds of four of the players-two on each team.
Their stories are what makes this book interesting, and wondering who wins adds some tension. Considering I am not a sport-person, I enjoyed this book.
As the title implies, it is about college basketball. Because of that, I put off reading it for a while, despite the librarian telling me it was good. On Monday, I was "stocking up" on books to read on my Easter break, and this one was available again. Again, the librarian told me I should give it a shot. She has not steered me wrong yet, so I checked it out.
This book is about a Final Four game between Michigan State, the Spartans, and Troy University, the Trojans. The game ends up going into four overtimes. Over the course of the four overtimes, we are given insight into the backgrounds and minds of four of the players-two on each team.
Their stories are what makes this book interesting, and wondering who wins adds some tension. Considering I am not a sport-person, I enjoyed this book.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Finished two books today....
So, this morning, we got up and drove to my dad's house. He lives roughly two and a half hours away. There are generally two things I do on long road trips: read and sleep. I read the whole way there and part of the way home.
The first book I worked on was Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson. I had about thirty pages to go when I got in the car, so it didn't take long to finish. In typical Alex Cross style, there were grisly murders to solve, and problems at home. This time they overlapped. It was a good book, but then, Patterson generally writes a good book.
The second book I read is #10 on my TAYSHAS journey. It is Everyday David Levithan. GREAT book! A is a 16 year old who inhabits the bodies of other 16 year olds in the state of Maryland Everyday, A is in a different body. Sometimes he's male, sometimes female. At the beginning, he inhabits the body of Justin, and falls in love with Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. He's stuck on her, and finds himself skipping school while inhabiting other bodies just to be with her. She loves A, but can this weird relationship work? I couldn't put this one down!
The first book I worked on was Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson. I had about thirty pages to go when I got in the car, so it didn't take long to finish. In typical Alex Cross style, there were grisly murders to solve, and problems at home. This time they overlapped. It was a good book, but then, Patterson generally writes a good book.
The second book I read is #10 on my TAYSHAS journey. It is Everyday David Levithan. GREAT book! A is a 16 year old who inhabits the bodies of other 16 year olds in the state of Maryland Everyday, A is in a different body. Sometimes he's male, sometimes female. At the beginning, he inhabits the body of Justin, and falls in love with Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. He's stuck on her, and finds himself skipping school while inhabiting other bodies just to be with her. She loves A, but can this weird relationship work? I couldn't put this one down!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
TAYSHAS #9
Just finished my ninth TAYSHAS book, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. It has been my least favorite on my TAYSHAS mission so far. It took reading more than half of the book to finally get somewhat interested in it, and the ending was reasonably predictable if you paid attention while reading.
The setting: an island off the coast of Ireland in an indeterminate year. Cars exist, but they are few and far between.
The main characters: Kate "Puck" Connoly and Sean Kendrick. Puck has two brothers, and her parents have been dead for some time. They are poor, and the lienholder on their house has come calling. For the entirety of the book, I pictured her as a 12 year old, but she is actually older. Sean is known on the island for having a connection to horses, both regular horses and the ones who come from the sea. His father is also dead. He wants nothing more than to own his beloved horse, Corr, and to answer to no one but himself.
The premise: Every year on November 1, there is a horse race. This is no ordinary race, though. In the waters off the course of this island, capaill uisce, or water horses live. They live under the water, and once a year, they come onto the land and wreak havoc. The best way I can describe them is as cannibals. So, this horse race...only those who think they are brave sign up. They have to be brave because several people are killed by these horses every year. These horses are incredibly fast, much faster even than Secretariat. Sean is a four time champion, and the odds are heavily in his favor. If he wins, he can buy his beloved Corr. Puck is a girl, and they don't want her to race. If Kate wins, she can save her house, and her family. Sean helps Puck train, and they find that they may like each other.
Who will win? If you can make it through the 405 pages, you will find out.
The setting: an island off the coast of Ireland in an indeterminate year. Cars exist, but they are few and far between.
The main characters: Kate "Puck" Connoly and Sean Kendrick. Puck has two brothers, and her parents have been dead for some time. They are poor, and the lienholder on their house has come calling. For the entirety of the book, I pictured her as a 12 year old, but she is actually older. Sean is known on the island for having a connection to horses, both regular horses and the ones who come from the sea. His father is also dead. He wants nothing more than to own his beloved horse, Corr, and to answer to no one but himself.
The premise: Every year on November 1, there is a horse race. This is no ordinary race, though. In the waters off the course of this island, capaill uisce, or water horses live. They live under the water, and once a year, they come onto the land and wreak havoc. The best way I can describe them is as cannibals. So, this horse race...only those who think they are brave sign up. They have to be brave because several people are killed by these horses every year. These horses are incredibly fast, much faster even than Secretariat. Sean is a four time champion, and the odds are heavily in his favor. If he wins, he can buy his beloved Corr. Puck is a girl, and they don't want her to race. If Kate wins, she can save her house, and her family. Sean helps Puck train, and they find that they may like each other.
Who will win? If you can make it through the 405 pages, you will find out.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
TAYSHAS book 8
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
This is the eighth TAYSHAS book I have read, and so far, it is my favorite. It has all the elements I love: mysticism, medieval setting, strong woman lead character, intrigue, and a love story. Of course, this is the beginning of a trilogy, but I will gladly read the others if they are as good a read as this one was.
Our heroine is Ismae, a daughter/handmaiden of death. This means she was sired by Death, and becomes one of his assassins. After having killed two traitors in the court of the duchess of Brittany, Anne, Ismae is sent to court with Anne's bastard brother, Duval, to seek out further treachery. Everywhere she turns, Ismae encounters possible traitors to Anne, but has to have solid proof before she can put them to death.
Along the way, she finds love, and quite possibly the biggest traitor of them all; one who uses Ismae's convent for his own needs.
Fantastic book!
This is the eighth TAYSHAS book I have read, and so far, it is my favorite. It has all the elements I love: mysticism, medieval setting, strong woman lead character, intrigue, and a love story. Of course, this is the beginning of a trilogy, but I will gladly read the others if they are as good a read as this one was.
Our heroine is Ismae, a daughter/handmaiden of death. This means she was sired by Death, and becomes one of his assassins. After having killed two traitors in the court of the duchess of Brittany, Anne, Ismae is sent to court with Anne's bastard brother, Duval, to seek out further treachery. Everywhere she turns, Ismae encounters possible traitors to Anne, but has to have solid proof before she can put them to death.
Along the way, she finds love, and quite possibly the biggest traitor of them all; one who uses Ismae's convent for his own needs.
Fantastic book!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
House of Night novella 3
As I may have mentioned, I have read all of the books in the House of Night series by PC and Kristin Cast. They started out pretty good, but have gotten quite bad. I keep reading them because I always finish what I start, and I hope they get better.
Neferet's Curse is the third novella that has been released. These novellas are meant to give the reader some insight into the background/motivation of the professors. I was hoping this novella would give some insight as to why Neferet is such a bitch. I was let down.
Before she was Neferet, she was Emily. Emily's mother died due to complications of childbirth. Emily's father expected Emily to take her mother's place as lady of the house, and Emily did the best she could. Finally, the worst possible thing happens, and then Emily is marked.
My problem with this is that Emily did everything she was supposed to do, and was likeable. Once the bad incident happens, she reacts just as you'd think she should. Then in the last chapter, she acts like an angry bitch. I can understand that circumstance could have made her that way, but it wouldn't be sudden as it is portrayed in the book.
Additionally, they need to hire a new editor. There were so many misspellings and other errors in this book that it was a distraction to the story.
Neferet's Curse is the third novella that has been released. These novellas are meant to give the reader some insight into the background/motivation of the professors. I was hoping this novella would give some insight as to why Neferet is such a bitch. I was let down.
Before she was Neferet, she was Emily. Emily's mother died due to complications of childbirth. Emily's father expected Emily to take her mother's place as lady of the house, and Emily did the best she could. Finally, the worst possible thing happens, and then Emily is marked.
My problem with this is that Emily did everything she was supposed to do, and was likeable. Once the bad incident happens, she reacts just as you'd think she should. Then in the last chapter, she acts like an angry bitch. I can understand that circumstance could have made her that way, but it wouldn't be sudden as it is portrayed in the book.
Additionally, they need to hire a new editor. There were so many misspellings and other errors in this book that it was a distraction to the story.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Is she a wish troll?
TAYSHAS book #7-The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Apparently this, like most of the books I've read on the TAYSHAS list, is the first book in a trilogy. This book is about Elisa. Elisa is a princess, but not thin and beautiful as Disney has programmed us to this all princesses should be. Elisa is chubby. She likes to eat and read, and doesn't see what's wrong with that. Maybe that's why I like her. Anyway, she has been married off to a handsome king from a neighboring land, in effort to secure an alliance.
Elisa has a secret. She is a bearer of a godstone. Once every hundred years, a person is born that God chooses to serve. Elisa is that person, so on her naming day, God placed a stone/jewel in her navel. Hence my question: Is she a wish troll? Haha.
Elisa is kidnapped, loses tons of weight crossing the desert, and becomes the figurehead of rebel forces. She falls in love, and leads an army.
Pretty good book, I guess.
Apparently this, like most of the books I've read on the TAYSHAS list, is the first book in a trilogy. This book is about Elisa. Elisa is a princess, but not thin and beautiful as Disney has programmed us to this all princesses should be. Elisa is chubby. She likes to eat and read, and doesn't see what's wrong with that. Maybe that's why I like her. Anyway, she has been married off to a handsome king from a neighboring land, in effort to secure an alliance.
Elisa has a secret. She is a bearer of a godstone. Once every hundred years, a person is born that God chooses to serve. Elisa is that person, so on her naming day, God placed a stone/jewel in her navel. Hence my question: Is she a wish troll? Haha.
Elisa is kidnapped, loses tons of weight crossing the desert, and becomes the figurehead of rebel forces. She falls in love, and leads an army.
Pretty good book, I guess.
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