Girl, Found

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

I didn't want to put this one down. I was so intrigued by the story.

This is about Carey. She grew up in the Hundred Acre Woods, but it is not the same as where Pooh and Tigger live. She is fourteen and she lives in the woods with her little sister, Jenessa. They have a camper, but no electricity or running water. Their mother leaves them for weeks at a time, and Nessa has selective mutism.

One day, a couple find them in the woods, and it turns out to be Carey's father. Apparently, her mother kidnapped Carey from her father some ten years before. He rescues the girls and takes them home. Carey finds it difficult to find comfort, but this is because she has a secret that preys on her mind. Finally, she makes peace with the past so she can accept her present/future.

Interesting Title

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden

With a title like that, how can one not be intrigued?

I went to the library on Monday during my conference period, on a mission to locate a dvd or vhs copy of the "movie" I was showing to my classes. While there, I chatted with the librarians. By the way, if you teach, make friends with the librarians because they will take care of you. Mine are awesome, and I like going to visit them. Anyway, the nominees for this year's TAYSHAS list had been pulled, and the librarians graciously allowed me to go through the stacks so I can read some of them. I narrowed my choices to four, and I chose this one-because of the title.

This book is actually very good. The language is not necessarily appropriate, but, given the audience it was written for, it works because that is how teenagers talk.

As it turns out, this book is about a seventeen year old boy named Cricket Cherpin. I know, haha. Cricket is an orphan who lives in an institution that was once a prison in Maine. Cricket is a bit of a trouble maker. The book begins with Cricket in the principal's office, receiving suspension for fighting a classmate. To be fair, he doesn't start these fights, and he fights those who are bullying others.

In English, Cricket is given an assignment that forces him to assess his life. He's nearly eighteen, and, due to his behavior, will not be allowed to live at the orphanage after he comes of age. Upon reflection, he realizes he has three choices for his future: as a fighter/boxer, drug dealer, or dead. He's leaning heavily toward choice number three. He becomes closer to a girl named Wynona, and he sees himself differently.

Loved this. Too bad the language will probably keep it from being a TAYSHAS book.

Infernal Devices #3

Infernal Devices Book 3: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Of the three, this is the best. It touches you heart, there's action and adventure, and closure.

Jem and Tessa are to be married, but Jem is very ill and there is nothing to save him at this point. Mortmain is still out to get Tessa, and make her a weapon against the Nephilim. Gabriel Lightwood becomes less of an ass, and Charlotte could lose the London Institute. We finally find out the truth about what Tessa is.

My only complaint about the book was the epilogue. It seemed contrived, as though the author needed to tie up loose ends.

Mistress

Mistress by James Patterson

Sadly, it took me a week to read a book that should have only taken a few hours. Looking back though, I'm glad it took me longer. I was able to savor it more. I also had mixed feelings at the end. Part of me was glad to be done so I could move on to something else, and part of me wanted it to go on and on.

This book is about Ben. Ben is in love with Diana, but she doesn't seem to return his feelings. She asked him to do something, and then, as he's leaving, Diana goes splat on the ground. She either commits suicide or is murdered. Ben feels like it is up to him to find out which it is and why. In doing this, Ben puts his own life in danger, and has to visit events from his own past. Solving this mystery with Ben is fun.

What I like about Ben is that his mind wanders. He reminded me of myself in that regard, and that is why I think I connected more with him than other characters I read. In light of that, I hope Patterson turns this into a series. I am not sure that it would be possible, but I love the idea of it.

Infernal Devices, part deux

Infernal Devices book 2: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

This book begins right after the events in Clockwork Angel. Tessa finds herself meeting with the Clave about Mortmain. Additionally, Charlotte could lose conservatorship of the London Institute if they don't find Mortmain in a fortnight's time. On top of that, Will is, literally, wrestling with demons. Apparently, he was cursed before he came to the institute, and that is why he won't let anyone be close to him or love him, but Jem.

Will they find Mortmain in time? Will Charlotte keep the Institute? Can Will finally let people in? Read this and you'll see.

Newest Cousins' War Novel

The White Princess by Philippa Gregory

This one is about Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward and Elizabeth Woodville. She is the wife of Henry VII, and mother of Henry VIII. I didn't know much about her going in because most of the books I've read about the Tudor dynasty just gloss over her like she didn't matter. It's too bad this is fiction because we'll never know if she was as noble a soul as she is in this novel.

Infernal Devices

Infernal Devices book 1: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

I knew when I finished books 1-5 of The Mortal Instruments series that I would read this series as well. It is set in Victorian England, so the characters aren't the same, but we are introduced to some of the ancestors of the characters we love.

This book focuses on Tessa, who is not a Shadowhunter, but is a Downworlder of some kind. She can change into other people, if she has something that belongs to them.

Tessa comes to England to be with her brother, Nate. He is the only family she has left. When she gets to England, she is duped by the Dark Sisters into believing that they will be bringing her to Nate. Instead, they keep her for their own nefarious designs, that were set out by the Magister.  One particularly bad day, Will Herondale rescues Tessa. Tessa believes something bad has happened to her brother, and the Shadowhunters vow to help her find him.

Find him they do, and ultimately discover that he is aligned with the magister.