false 18 225 202 true 5680258 read 0 true 2277361 currently-reading 23 true 2277360 to-read 0 true 2306760 currently-listening 98 false 2351956 j 85 false 2305084 ya 14 false 2352450 graphic-novel 14 false 2377919 cd 14 false 2523121 adult 1 false 4642427 ef 0 false 4642403 er http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78266503 to: Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
bookshelves: ya
Grace has always had a strong attraction to the wolves that live in the woods behind here house, especially a yellow eyed wolf. And this wolf has been watching her and watching out for her since she was dragged off by wolves as a very young child. The yellow-eyed wolf is actually an 18 year old werewolf, Sam, and the two eventually meet in human form. Thanks to conveniently absent self-centered parents, Sam is able to move into Grace's room when he needs a place to stay. Ah, romance! Can there be a way for them to stay together forever? This book has a great moody tone and is perfect for those who want the werewolves to win the girl. Or want the girl to win the werewolf. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77806025 to: Leviathan (Hardcover) by Scott Westerfeld
bookshelves: ya
In a 1914 quite different from what we know, the Austrian Prince Alek (15) is on the run from those who killed his parents and want to take over the world. He joins the British forces and forms an alliance with Dylan, actually a girl his age, Deryn, in disguise. The two forces in this war are the German Clankers with their giant steam-driven machines and the British Darwinists with their genetically engineered animals such as the whale airship, Leviathan. Fun adventure and a great middle school read. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77153418 to: Fire (Hardcover) by Kristin Cashore
bookshelves: ya
Cashore has written another strong female teen and called her Fire. Fire is the last human 'monster' with beauty that causes extremes of love and hate. She is also able to control people's minds. Fire starts out afraid of her beauty and power, but when called into service to help save her country, she grows to find strength and good in the very things she disliked and feared about herself. I also appreciated the way mental and physical pain are described and dealt with. And once again a great romance. A companion to Graceling that stands alone. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77149661 to: Going Bovine (Hardcover) by Libba Bray
bookshelves: ya
Cameron, 16, outsider, slacker even, finds out he has mad cow disease and is going to die. After being visited by Dulcie, a punk angel, he sets off on a road trip to find a cure with his hospital roommate, a dwarf, with issues of his own. Together they see an America bizarre and yet familiar and learn about life. And death. Funny. Like the Norse god Balder showing up as a yard gnome. It's one of those rare books I want to read again because I know there is probably more to discover on a second reading. I kept thinking I wished I knew more about existentialism. In a good way. Now that's funny. It's also fun to read something by an author who does something completely different from her previous books. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76644929 The Eyeball Collector (Hardcover) by F.E. Higgins
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75727791 to: The Magician's Elephant (Hardcover) by Kate DiCamillo
bookshelves: j
Peter, 10, goes in search of his presumed dead sister after a fortune teller tells him she is alive and to follow the elephant. A beautifully written old-fashioned tale with all the wonderful convergence of several stories and just the right amount of sadness and, even, darkness. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75722522 to: Watersmeet (Hardcover) by Ellen Jensen Abbott
bookshelves: ya
In her world, Abisina is an outcast with the wrong hair and the wrong eyes. Soon after her mother tells her about her absent father, she must flee when a powerful leader arrives and sets the town against the outcasts and other monsters in the land. She heads out to find Watersmeet, the land of her father where all are welcome and finds she must accept the help of the monsters - trolls, fauns, centaurs and fairies. I enjoyed the world Abbot created and the action keeps you reading. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75718912 to: Rampant (Hardcover) by Diana Peterfreund
bookshelves: ya
Killer unicorns. Yes, with a concept like that it could go either way. Unfortunately it went the wrong way for me. Astrid learns all the stories her mother had told her about her unique family history are true and goes to an ancient cloisters in Rome to train as a unicorn hunter. The author creates a complicated history and mythology which includes several types of unicorns and it was just hard for me to keep it all straight or buy into it. The book does end with a great action sequence. And I guess I should mention that unicorn hunters must be virgins. So what about that boyfriend? Yeah. . . . . . . ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74716920 to: If I Stay (Hardcover) by Gayle Forman
bookshelves: ya
Mia, 17, has a decision to make. She was in a car accident that kills her parents and younger brother and leaves her in a coma. Does she let go and join her family or stay and try to build a new life? It's sad, but the author doesn't over dramatize the emotions so you focus on the strong relationships she does have, family and friends, including a nice romance. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74716116 to: The Problem with the Puddles (Hardcover) by Kate Feiffer
bookshelves: j
The problem with Puddles was that I kept wanting to think it was funnier and it just didn't happen. Parents that agree to disagree makes for a life of indecision and chaos. This adventure begins when the family moves and accidentally leaves the two dogs behind. It builds to a coincidence filled ending. I think the writing style made it just too busy to be really enjoyable. ]]>