hhahahaaha that sounds about right, speaking of book buying or I guess It would be reading have you read the Percy Jackson series? it is also YA

I've read all but the last one. It's sitting next to me right now at work! I'm excited for the next book to come out in May. The first book is on the Rebecca Caudill list for this year. I'm torn on voting for that or The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

I really enjoyed the first I will have to check into The Invention of Hugo Cabret haven heard it before

It's a book that tells a story through pictures as well as words. It's a huge book, but there is really only about 200 pages with words on them. It's really amazing and all the kids love reading it this year.

ahhh you have said the magic word "KIDS" I will have to check it out I need something new to read to my kids

How old are your kids Meme?

I have a 5 and 8 that are mine and I watch a 1, 4 and sometimes a 9,8, and 6 year old LOL

I think your 8 year old would enjoy the book definitely.

Thank you for the tip will have to find it soon now LOL another book to add to my collection wherever will I find the room LOL

Jen wrote: " Great Ideas! I would get the set of Charlaine Harris' books - Sookie Stackhouse, the fairy books of .... can't think of her name - Merry and her fairy bodyguards, Frost and Galen and such... and the Study books - particularly as I haven't read the Fire Study yet."

Jen - Laurell K Hamilton=) Have you read Swallowing Darkness yet? I'm on the library wait list for it. I've completely stalled on the Anita series and have come to like the Merry series a bit more lately. Have you watched any of HBO's True Blood based on the Sookie bks?

Rachel Wrote: "Hmm...well I absolutely adore the book. A lot of people have given it bad reviews. The book is not like any of Robin McKinley's other books, mostly because of the narrative. I think you either love it or hate it. :) I would give it a try! I hope you enjoy!"

Rachel - I loved Sunshine by Robin McKinley! I've recommended it heavily to people. I can't believe anyone could give that bk a bad review. My BF said she had to adjust to the narrative style but she loved it by the end. Great characters. Plus, I still hold out a tiny speck of hope that she might one day desire to write a follow-up book. I also loved the Blue Sword too. I read that in intermediate, in the late 80s, at a time when there weren't a lot of central girl characters in fantasy. Still one of my favorites of hers.

Shani- Yaay! I'm so glad to hear that someone else loves Sunshine!! It would be awesome if she wrote a follow up book, but I don't think McKinley is much of a follow-up book author. I like Blue Sword, too!! Have you read any of her newer books? I haven't and am curious to know if they're any good.

I love "Sunshine" too!

Chalice (her newest book) was okay. Good, but disappointing for me because usually I love her books. Chalice was short, the plot not very developed, and the romance was pretty inadequate I thought. I consider it more of a YA level read.

My favorites have been Beauty, The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown, Sunshine and Dragonhaven. But really, I like all of her books. The only one I didn't care for was Deerskin--the story line (based on incest) was just too painful for me to re-read and the 'happy ending' was bittersweet as well.

MB-Thanks for the info concerning Chalice. I enjoy well developed plots that make me think, so I would rather not waste my time on something I would get bored on.
I've read all the other books you've mentioned except Dragonhaven. I LOVE dragons, but usually shirk away from anything with the word "dragon" in the title mostly because the story within can be so cliche. However if you recommend it and the storyline is unique, I'd be up to reading it. :)
I didn't care for Deerskin either. The incest was way to disturbing and the caring of puppies didn't thrill me much(I love dogs, but not enough to read pages of their care lol) and I agree with what you said about the ending. Sunshine is my all-time favorite of hers. :)

I loved Dragonhaven and I think that it definitely WASN'T a cliche dragon story!

But a lot of people have dissed it due to the first-person narrative/stream of conscious by the teenage boy protagonist, so you may want to check out some reviews to see if it's right for you. (I think that's why a lot of people had trouble with reading it.) Myself, I think that the way she told the story from the main character's POV really "made it"! I was sucked right into the story and felt his anger, pain, grief, love, frustration, interest, dawning respect, etc....all those strong emotions right along with him. I thought this book was an absolutely smashing portrayal of a "first contact" story! The first-person POV really worked for me in this book.

If you do decide to read it, be sure to let me know what you think! I'm very curious!

Thanks for the review! I think I will read it despite the bad reviews just to see what I think about it. The story definitely sounds intriguing! I'll let you know when I finish it, although it may be a while... I have too many books to read as it is lol :D But that's never a bad thing, right?? :D

True! Running out of books, or being trapped without access to books is my nightmare!

BTW, Dragonhaven is slow to start. You really need to get about 1/3 to 1/2 the way through before it really gets compelling. Robin McKinley's books tend to be that way. Lots of looong descriptions to set up the world and plot.

If you guys are in America then i feel sorry for you as i think books are more expensive over there than they are in the UK. I can go into a book shop and spend a fortune on books! Everyone i know now gets me book vouchers for my birthday!

Oh and back to the original question: 3 books

Well after reading peoples comments, i realise i can't cheat and say the obvious so i think they are going to be:

1. The Magicians Apprentice - Trudi Canavan (although i would gladly re-read any of her books)
2. The Graceling - Kristin Cashore
3. THe Awakened Mage - Karen Miller

Although i haven't long gotten into reading and so i have a lot of catching up to do. I'm sure my list will change once i start reading more!

LITTLE, BIG
Winter's Tale
The Gormenghast Novels Titus Groan, Gormenghast, Titus Alone

I really enjoy Maria's books, but these are the ones I have re-read to pieces and intend to re-read some more.

wow- I've never heard of any of those. How are they?

Rachel wrote: "wow- I've never heard of any of those. How are they?"

If that was to me ten these books are amazing. Trudi Canavan is my 2nd fav author and if you like Maria's books you might like hers. Some of them take a little longer to get started but when they do they are really good. It has really strong, powerful women lead characters.
Graceling is one i read recently and jumped into my top 10 books list.
Finally The Awakened Mage is part of two books about a guy who discovers he has magical abilities. Which again is really good.
I would recommend them to anyone.

Reema- Ohh haha oops I meant Mawgojzeta's books.

I've heard of the three books you put down. I agree, Graceling is a good book and I've read the awakened mage, but wasn't enthralled by it. I have not read the magicians apprentice, but it sounds cool. Didn't they make a comic series based on this book?

Rachel wrote: "Reema- Ohh haha oops I meant Mawgojzeta's books.

I've heard of the three books you put down. I agree, Graceling is a good book and I've read the awakened mage, but wasn't enthralled by it. I h..."

The second Mage book gets better.
Not sure about the comic series - i hadn't heard anything. Never Mind!

Reema- the second mage book? Which one is that? I thought the series went from innocent mage to awakened mage...or is it vice versa? lol Either way I've read both. But I haven't read Miller's newest series and I've heard that is good.

It's ok but i prefered the mage books. The other set just get really weird. The first book is strange the sencond one gets good and then the third one gets annoying. It's worth reading though.

Rachel wrote: "wow- I've never heard of any of those. How are they?"

All three books takes place in our world, but not really our world (although Gormenghast would be in far earlier times). That is part of what I find so appealing in each of them. Little, Big takes place in a small town in New England. Winter's Tale in New York. Gormenghast in some kingdom during some time in the past.

All three books are also profoundly beautiful in the wording and phrasing. Blows me away.

Also, all three books (the final being a trilogy-in-one) reveal new things to me each time I read them. What a treat that is!

Reema- thanks! I'll put them on my to-read list!

Mawgojzeta- Thanks for telling me about those books- they sound really interesting!

Sorry I haven't been around in a while but I started College online in March, then the schools around here got out so my kids are home with me, all the time! lol I'm going to try to get back on more often if possible

I did read a pretty good book the other day, His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik, this was a very good book and as the title tells its about dragons lol.

I also can not remember if I mentioned the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher they are very good, Ive read them several times and never tire of them.

Another of my favorites is Eragon, some of the words get confusing but its a good read.