YA and Beyond discussion
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What are you currently reading #2
Thanks so much on the library love everyone!! Still working on it, but its coming along!
Elora wrote: "Jenny, your library looks amazing!!!!!I'm still trying to read
I really like it; I just wish I would have read it before 
Jacka..."
I do not see that many similarities between Jackaby and the Monstrumologist. For one thing, the intended themes and feelings in both are almost exact opposite. The Monstrumologist is way more horror/thriller, while Jackaby is a historical paranormal mystery, and is a bit lighter and more fun. Also, the main relationship in The Monstrumologist deals with a child and his guardian, while Jackaby is a detective and his assistant. The biggest similarity is the monsters I guess, but the more you get into the Monstrumologist series, it because less and less about the monsters and more and more about the MC. Maybe its becauase I've read the whole Monstrumologist series and I don't want to spoil it for others, but trust me, it gets darker and darker, and the monsters kind of end of being more of an afterthought by the end.
Jackaby reminds me a lot of a Sherlock Holmes with a paranormal twist. These are meant to be fun reads, and are supposed to be "poking fun" at themselves :)
I love both, but the Monstrumologist is a lot better. But I wouldn't compare the two, and try to read each for its own merit.
Another series that reminds me a bit of the Monstrumologist, is actually
This one didn't start out very strong with the first book, but by the end I LOVED it! It has the really dark gothic feel like the Monstrumologist, and does deal with monsters (although these are man made ones) The first book is a loose retelling of the "Island of Dr. Moreau." And the main relationship is actually the girl and her father (so similar to The Monstrumologist in that regard, although they are plenty different, too.)
I'm thinking of actually rereading The Monstrumologist series this October!
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Jenny wrote: "Elora wrote: "Jenny, your library looks amazing!!!!!I'm still trying to read
I really like it; I just wish I would have read it before [bookcover:Jackaby|2..."Thanks, Jenny! I'm glad to see that they diverge at the later books :) I was really enjoying it while I was reading it, but I just couldn't get Jackaby out of my head when I was. Finally finished book 1 and am ready to start book 2 soon, which if I remember correctly, is a favorite of a bunch of you. :)
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Elora wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Elora wrote: "Jenny, your library looks amazing!!!!!I'm still trying to read
I really like it; I just wish I would have read it before [bookc..."Yes, the second book is amazing!
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I'm still trying to read
I really like it; I just wish I would have read it before [bookcover:Jackaby|2..."I agree that the two books are really different in tone––Jackaby is a lot more humorous, and The Monstrumologist is a lot darker (although it can also be humorous in its own, weird way :P). I think what makes them similar for me is the whole solving-paranormal-mysteries-involving-monsters thing, and that in both books, the main character is kind of an assistant/apprentice to an eccentric, monster-obsessed guy. And actually both of them really remind me of Sherlock Holmes. :D I think you might've recommended The Madman's Daughter before and I've been meaning to read it––it looks interesting!
Finished
last night and started
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Our group read from last month! :P Had mixed feelings about it. I really liked the concept of a dragon-slaying camp, but the execution of the story fell pretty flat for me. I found the main character irritating and there was insta-love plus a love triangle, which frustrated me. I was hoping it'd be more exciting and have more dragons!! Ah well.
Now I'm reading:
I actually haven't read any other Dickens books besides Great Expectations (which I loved!), and I'm trying to make some progress on my yearly goal to read 5 classic books. So far I'm enjoying it!
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on audio today. He was nice enough to give me a free copy of the audio for a review so I need to get to it!
Heidi - Strings is, I think, the one DE book I need! I've got Slip, Brew, Fire Country, and the full Dwellers saga. But I WANT Strings! lolBrigid, the only Dickens I've read thus far has been A Christmas Carol this past December :)
Brigid: there is more types and more dragons in the other books.
I have wanted to read more Dickens but havent gotten that far yet, read jules verne last fall.
I have wanted to read more Dickens but havent gotten that far yet, read jules verne last fall.
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Brigid, the only Dickens I've read thus far has been A C..."
I will let you know what I think of Strings Ashley - especially the audio since I know you are also an audio listener :)
In
I read the next short story: "Sick Pleasure" by Francesca Lia Block, and was not a fan of that one. Finished
and really loved the ending. The rest of the book was so blah, though, with really no action, nor much in the way of world building either. Started
and I'm liking it so far!
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@Ashley - I should read that this December! Every Christmastime I think about reading it and then I always forget, lol.
@Oda - Yay, that's good!! I probably won't continue with the series, though. I should try some Jules Verne as well, I haven't read any of his books! There are so many classics I really need to read.
I LOVED the audio of Strings!! Enjoy Heidi :)
And funnily enough, the ebook of Strings was free today! So I snagged it :)
I've read a few more stories out of
:"In Ninety Minutes, Turn North" by Stephanie Perkins--5 stars! LOVED this story!
"Souvenirs" by Tim Federle--4 stars, really liked this one!
"Inertia" by Veronica Roth--another 5 star story!
This anthology, is overall, really good!
Also finished
and I really did like this one! Fun quick read about modern day Dragon Slayers!Next I'm reading
Paper & Fire got 5 stars! Loved it!Now currently
Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "Dixie wrote: "Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "started 
yesterday after finishing 
safe to ..."
I agree! I thought it was wonderful! Part if it was so devastating and heart breaking but there was hope there, too. It's a book that stays with you, I think! Thanks, Ashley!
Definitely - it's one I'll never forget!
Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "I know what you mean about non fiction Dixie. It has to be pretty well reviewed for me to read a non fiction book. Funnily one of my favorites was Rob Lowes book (first one). He narrated the audiob..."I didn't know Rob Lowe had a book! That does sound good! Whenever I read nonfiction, I like it, but it's like I'm addicted to fiction-like I HAVE to have it, LOL! I love that I can just get lost in it. :)
Jenny wrote: "Thanks so much on the library love everyone!! Still working on it, but its coming along!"That is awesome, Jenny!
I have been reading some "twisty turny books" -that's what I call them, LOL. I thought
was phenomenal! Kept me guessing throughout! ] And I also liked Where They Found Her
Now I'm reading
and it is spellbinding -I have loved every Sara Gruen book I have read. I also love the Scotland setting, ahh! ;) Finished
; very good time travel adventure for younger teens, I may have already said that, LOL -anyway, reading a sequel , too
It is summer here. . . why does it go by so fast?! !
Currently reading
and am loving it! I know that a bunch of you think that he is a bit too young to read, and I can totally see that. These are definitely Middle Grade books. But I LOVE that my kids are able to read books that are constructed so well. :) But I will admit that yes, I read them for me and not just my kids. :)
Finished
4 starsIt was a really good mystery, I really liked it! I did kind of figure out who the murderer was about 2/3 of the way through, but still, a good read!
Next I'm reading
Elora wrote: "Currently reading and am loving it! I know that a bunch of you think that he is a bit too young to read, and I can totally see that. These are definitely Middl..."I need to read this one and the Magnus Chase book!
I finally finished
I did not enjoy this one as much as Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility, but it was still a cute story!
Set aside Dark Places for the time being and DNF'd Bluescreen.Now
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and am loving it! I know that a bunch of you think that he is a bit too young to read, and I can totally see that. These are definitely Middl..."I was really pleasantly surprised by that book! As much as I love Rick Riordan, I was nervous about there being yet another PJO spin-off (especially because the last HoO book was kinda weak, IMO). But I thought The Hidden Oracle diverged from his usual formula in an interesting way, and I loved Apollo's narration. (view spoiler) I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. I know what you mean––it is a little more middle-grade than what I usually read, but his books are just so much fun. There's so much diversity in them too, which is awesome. :D
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and it's taking me forever for some reason. Honestly I think part of the problem is that the copy I'm reading has such small print, lol. It literally gives me a headache, so I can't read it for long periods of time. :-/ I will finish it, and I like it so far ... I just might need a break from it for now.So today I finally started our monthly group read:
I'm only like 5% in but I'm really enjoying it! The writing is good and I love the premise. :)
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and just started The School for Good and Evil
and reading
in print. Enjoying all of them so far.
I set aside Dark Places -- too much for my anxiety to handle now, but I'll definitely get back to it soon! Great story. DNF'd Bluescreen, I just couldn't get into that one.
Almost finished with
right now and so in love with it. Heidi, I really like the audio for this one!
Also enjoying
Update on my library! Still working on mostly decor, but I think I've got most of my books situated (although I think libraries are always a work in progress!)TBR books, with library books and journals on the top
Fantasy and Paranormal books (HP books are on the floor, they will have a place of honor in my display case when I get it moved!)
YA Historical Fiction, Thriller/Suspense, Contemporary
YA Sci-Fi and Dystopian
MG (I have since but the Baby-Sitter Club Dolls on doll stands)
Top shelf is YA Fantasy/Paranormal (overflow), bottom 2 shelves are Adult books
oh WOW Jenny!! everything looks awesome! and I love your clock :)
Thanks so much! Darryl got me that clock a few years ago for Valentine's Day :) It was at a local small shop...it says "Antiquite de Paris" on it, as well as a French address :) I love Paris stuff! And I love clocks :)
Look at all those lovely books! It looks so great Jenny!!! I agree with you that libraries are always a work in progress, but I love to reorganize mine and pulling books in and out and admiring them (actually petting them and sniffing them and loving them) Ahem...libraries are so awesome, from one bookcase to a wall or two of bookcases. I'd prefer as much as possible. I'm so jealous you got such an awesome library and awesome husband to help you with it, and even to buy you that beautiful clock!! :)
Thanks Donna! I am very lucky, he's as close to perfect as it gets!
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JENNY: Congrats on your own library room. Every book lover's fantasy!
hi Bluemoon!4.5 - 5 stars for
, it's breathtakingnow listening to
I finished
and it was just as cute as the first!Next I'm reading
I finished
! Loved it! Thoughts on the last stories I read:"Love is the Last Resort" by Jon Skovron--5 stars, adored this story!
"Good Luck and Farewell" by Brandy Colbert--3 stars, just an okay one for me.
"Brand New Attraction" by Cassandra Clare---4 stars, definitely an interesting one!
"A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong" by Jennifer E Smith--5 stars, loved this story! Sometimes simple is best.
"The Map of Tiny Perfect Things" by Lev Grossman-- 4 stars, its sort of like Groundhog's Day but way better!
YA and Beyond
Books mentioned in this topic
A Bad Boy Stole My Bra (other topics)A Bad Boy Stole My Bra (other topics)
A Bad Boy Stole My Bra (other topics)
Legend (other topics)
Competence (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nicholas Sparks (other topics)Emma Donoghue (other topics)
Tracy Bloom (other topics)
Katherine Kellgren (other topics)
Melina Marchetta (other topics)
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First I tried
Finaly finished
Still reading
Started
1. "Head, Scales, Tongue, Tail" by Leigh Bardugo--5 stars. A really cute fun fantasy love story.
2. "The End of Love" by Nina LaCour--3.5 stars. Cute, but a bit dull at times.
3. "Last Stand at the Cinegore" by Libba Bray-- 5 stars, and my fave so far! A really fun love story/thriller!
That's all I've read of the stories so far. There are 12.
Also started