Magnus Chase The Sword of Summer

I'm so amused by the concept of no-thank-you o'clock.

The Devil's Detective

By Simon Kurt Unsworth

Yes. Detective novel set in Hell. Yup. The protagonist, Fool, is an interesting character. The story is yukky at times, but perpetually engaging. The mystery is slowly and satisfyingly unravelled.

Artemis Fowl

I've read the first two books in the series now. It took me a bit of time to get into them because they weren't exactly what I was expecting, but now I'm enjoying them immensely.

The Signature of All Things

By Elizabeth Gilbert

Lyrical, engrossing, and entertaining, this book follows the life of extraordinary Alma Whittaker. She has the mind of a scientist, an odd family, and a passion for botany.

Unholy Awakening

By Michael Gregorio
Paperback
453 pages

Set in Napoleonic times, this is the story about a Prussian Magistrate trying to solve a series of murders. At first glance it seems as though a vampire is walking among the townspeople and killing at will; however, Procurator Stiffeniis doesn't believe in the supernatural.

The plot is clever and intricate. The pacing is slow at first, but it speeds up quickly. The characters are likable and interesting.

It seems to be part of a series, yet it stands on its own. I'm interested in reading other books in the series.

The Seal Wife

By Kathryn Harrison

So not worth it. Kind of boring. Light on plot and slow pacing.

34 Pieces of You

By Carmen Rodrigues

I expected this to be more about drugs. It's actually about depression and pain.
The plot was simple but believable. The pacing was swift and carried a lot of momentum. I read it very quickly.

Uglies Trilogy + Extras

Child and I both read these, but she lost interest after the trilogy.
I agree with her; however, I do think all of these books are a piece of brilliant (if obvious) social commentary.

Inkheart Trilogy

By Cornelia Funke

This was weird. I loved the stories. I enjoyed them a lot while I was reading them. However, these were a very slow read for me. Usually, there is a point in a story when I become eager to progress, when I need to carry it around the house and read a page whenever I can sneak a moment in. That didn't happen  with these. I liked them. In glad I read them. But I won't read them again.

In the Woods

Irish detective novel. Kept me reading, but when all is said and done I don't actually like it.

Lament

By Maggie Stiefvater
YA Fantasy

The impeccably named Deirdre is a uniquely gifted harpist. At a music competition she meets mysterious inhuman Luke and thrown into the politicking murderous world of Faerie.
An interesting read, a page turner.

Sinner

By Maggie Stiefvater
YA Fantasy
A companion book to the Shiver trilogy. About rock star/werewolf/hopeful romantic Cole. Not sure that last adjective is quite accurate, but he goes to LA following a girl. When he's not recording songs, dealing with rehab issues, and being a on tv he spends all of his time trying to get with the girl.
It's a fun book; I've loved all of Stiefvater's books.

When I was the Greatest

By Jason Reynolds
Genre: YA realistic fiction
Ali is a good kid growing up in a rough street in Brooklyn. His mom works 2 jobs, his dad isn't in the picture much, his little sister is growing up too fast, and his only friends come with a host of their own problems.
Then he and his friends go to a party and end up in a physical confrontation that not only breaks bones, but could break up families and friendships as well.
It's a good book, and a quick read. The characters and likable, believable, and interesting. The pacing is quick, but the plot is not over complicated.

The Smoke Thief & The Dream Thief

By Shana Abé
Genre: Fantasy (with shades of Romance)
I got these from the library - first 2 books in a series.
They... Hm. Well, the plot line was interesting. I liked that. People who can turn into smoke. And dragons. Set in... When did they wear frilly ruffs and stomachers? And the Dragon people can hear the music made by the vibration of gemstones, which is why they hoard them.
Anyway, the world was interesting, as were the plotlines, but I'm having trouble overlooking the hideous misogyny of the main characters.
In the first book the male protagonist gives the female a choice between rape and seduction. He forces her to stay with him, makes her give up most of the things that matter to her, but you know at the end she loves him, so that makes everything okay?
In the second book (different characters) the man has sex with the woman for the first time while she is asleep and the narrator kindly explains how he doesn't want her to wake up and say the words that would make him stop.
...
Really?
...
Sigh.
There is at least one more book, but I'm not going to be looking for that one on the shelves...

Me, Myself, and Why

First in Mary Janice Davidson's FBI agent trilogy.
I love that woman. She writes nothing that I would expect to enjoy, but I love every one of her books.
On the face of it- ridiculous. An FBI agent with Multiple Personalities? Who works with other agents who are sanity impaired?
But the story line carries through (mostly by sheer charm, I think) and I instantly went to the library catalog and put a hold on the next two as well.
❤

They Boy in the Black Suit

By Jason Reynolds
YA Lit, realistic fiction.
Boy tries to reacclimate to life and school after his mother dies. Also, he starts a new job in the funeral home.
It was interesting, a quick read. Not super deep but enjoyable.

Conspiracy of Alchemists

Author? Don't know, already returned to the library.
Steampunky alternate history WW I ish era. Interesting, but not enough that I went looking forbthr next book.

Amazing passage!

Reading Return of the King. This passage is amazing. Page 125 in my edition.

Literary Walk of Shame

I did it. I read the 50 Shades of Gray books. I feel the need to scrub my brain out. Honestly it was neither as bad nor as good as I expected. Is it an unhealthy relationship? Yes. Are the main characters annoying? Yes. Is it as abusive as I expected? No. (Is it abusive? Yes.) Is it a mindless rehash of stereotypes? Yes. Is it a thin plot? Yes. Are the characters at least 3 dimensional? Usually.
There was, however, a certain entropy that made me keep reading and finish the series. At heart I think I was hoping for that redeeming factor that never materialized...

Literary Food Options...

Edgar Allen Po'boys
Sir Francis Bacon Wrapped Steaks
William Shake-n-bake-speare Chicken
Elizabeth Barrett Brownies
Brandon Pecan Sandiesons
Amy Tan-gerines
Sir William Golden Delicious Apple Pie
Byronion Rings
Marion Zimmer Bradley Pears
Frank Sherbert
Harlan Jelloson
Piessac Asimov
JRR Tolkey Lime Pie
Georgia O'Quiche
Jane Austen Cream Pie
Stephen King Cake
Robert Jordan Almonds
Yogurt Vonnegut
Anne McAfter Eight Mints
Oscar Wilde Rice
Mary Shelleys and Cheese
Robert Chocolate Covered Pretzelaznys
Robert Frosted Cookies
Ursula K LeGuini
Ray Bradberries and Cream Tart
Anne Rice Pudding
A C Crispin Creme Doughnuts
Ham Stoker
Alan Dean Fosturnovers
Peking Ducklas Adams
Nicholas Sparking Cider
Maya Ange(fruit)loops
Albert Chocolate Camousse
Sun Tzucchini Bread
Anne Franks and Beans
Judy Blume-in Onion
Louisa May Alcottage Pie
Platomato Soup
Charles Darwinter Melon
Orson Scott Cardamom Tea
Upton Sineclair
Wu Chen-English Muffins
Alexander Dumalted Milk Balls
Christopher MarshMarlowe
Anthony Burgescargot
Phillip K Spotted Dick
John Stilton+Crackers, Pablo Neuruda Gouda, and Pepper Jack Kerouac