Megan’s Comments (group member since Jan 05, 2009)

Megan’s comments from the Challenge: 50 Books group.

50. The Story of Lucy Gault

51. In the Forest

52. The Murder of Roger Ackroid'

53. An Earthly Knight (YA)

48. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

49. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Both re-reads. I love HP, but the 3rd book is still my favourite.

47. Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen

The best book I have read in a while. It is well researches and filled with interesting characters. I never thought I would like a book that took place at the circus, but it was really very good.

45. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Interesting book. It would be an excellent novel to recommend to kids in their early teens and could lead to a lot of interesting discussions.

46. On Fortune's Wheel by Cynthia Voigt

Meh

39. The Countess Below the Stairs by Iva Ibbotson

40. The Reluctant Heiress by Iva Ibbotson

I used to like Ibbotson's books, but they have become so repetitive. All the characters are the same and the story lines and settings are the same as well.

41. The Safe-Keeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn

I read this while on vacation, so maybe that's why I just wasn't into it. It is a YA fantasy novel. It is just too much like so many other books that I have read.

42. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Another YA fantasy. This one is based in an imaginary feudal state. It was fairly good, but nothing special.

43. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

I hated this book with a passion. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, and it read like religious indoctrination. It was too preachy and poorly plotted to boot. There are so many books that use themes of childhood guilt and family much more effectively and artistically. I guess I can't emphasize enough how much I disliked this novel.

44. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I really liked this novel. I am a bit embarrassed to say so, b/c in some ways it was a romance novel and I am a book snob, but the mix of history, adventure, time travel and romance made it hard to put down.

38. The Singing by Alison Croggon.

A good end to the series, but none of the sequels were as good as the first one; The Naming.

36. The Riddle by Alison Croggon
37. The Crow by Alison Croggon

These are the second and third books in the Books of Pellinor and are sequels to "The Naming." I am really enjoying the series in general. The third book was from the point of view of a different protagonist and I didn't like it nearly as much, but the series is excellent, though in many ways it is standard fantasy. I never used to be a big fantasy fan, but it has grown on me. It is for Young Adults.

Aprile wrote: "Megan wrote: "35. Incantation by Alice Hoffman

YA book about Spanish Inquisition. A little sparce in terms of character development, but an interesting read non the less. Young teens would pr..."

It wasn't really my thing either, but I do love historical fiction and am a teacher...

I'm on 35 as well, though I have been reading quite a few YA novels, which are much quicker reads than some adult novels. I am also trying to read books from the 1001 books to read before you die list, which tend to be heavier reads, so maybe they balance each other out. I will try and add a book list later.

35. Incantation by Alice Hoffman

YA book about Spanish Inquisition. A little sparce in terms of character development, but an interesting read non the less. Young teens would probably like it.

34. The Naming (The Gift) by Alison Croggon.

Fantasy for young adults that is much more original than more ya fantasies out there.

33. Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I did not like this novel at all. Maybe it is because I have been reading a lot of Fairy Tale adaptations for young adults lately, but this novel fell very flat. The character wasn't very interesting, the story wasn't very innovative, and the love story was boring.

I doubt anyone reads this, but if you do, sorry my reviews have become more sparse, and now non existant. I will try and review the books without reviews eventually.

31. A Student of Weather by Elizabeth Hay
Interesting characters, well written. I would read more Hay.

32. The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison. Not one of my favourite fairy tales for children/teens. The author said she had always wanted to write a love story, and listed a bunch of classics that she read to help her as she wrote it. It didn't come through in the novel.

27. The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

28. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

29. I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

30. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Name: Megan
Where do you live: Vancouver, Canada
Age (Optional): 25
What are you studying/What are you working as: Degrees: BA with Major in English and Minors in History and Humanities, BED and Teaching Certification. I am job hunting at the moment.
What makes you happy: My dogs, sunshine, books.
An interesting fact about you: I used to dance but am very clumsy.
Favourite place to be: At the beach on a sunny day with a good book.
Favourite book: Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald.
Favourite movie: Great Expectations (1996 version with Gwenyth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke)

RECOMMEND TO THE GROUP
1. A film: In America
2. A book: Fall on Your Knees

I skipped the music questions b/c I don't really listen to a lot of music.

Aprile wrote: "Name: Aprile
Where do you live: Ontario, Canada
Age (Optional): 24
What are you studying/What are you working as: Currently I am job searching.
What makes you happy: Being with friends and ..."

Wow, we have so much in common. I always recommend "Fall on your Knees," I am Canadian and a 25 year old job seeker. :)

26. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

About two generations of an Indian family and their experiences in America. It is interesting, though the pacing seems a bit off in places. I would recommend it.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement!

25. Beasts by Joyce Carol Oates.

I didn't like it as much as some of her other novels, but it was still alright.

Half way there!

24. Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides

Interesting, thought provoking and well written.

23. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseinni

Heartbreaking and well written.