June Book List

Watership Down by Richard Adams (e-book)
A classic I had somehow never read. As much as I love rabbits, I never thought a story about rabbits could be this good. But I was almost literally on the edge of my seat a few times! It was WONDERFUL. I can't wait to read it to my kids someday. Hazel is in the running as a future rabbit name.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
This was fun - sort of like Dedication meets Nick & Norah. The characters were likable and realistic.

Band Geek Love and Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss
When I found out these books existed, I was simultaneously very excited, and worried that I'd no longer have a reason to finish my half-baked high school band novel. Well, no worry necessary. :\ I didn't want to say so on Goodreads, because the author is on Goodreads and the book is obviously autobiographical...but I couldn't stand Ellie, the main character. She was overbearing and annoying and I had little sympathy for her. Also, the second book veered wildly off course and focused on Ellie's flirtation with lesbianism when she considers an all-female college. I loved the moments of realistic band life, but on the whole, these books did NOT live up to my expectations.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (e-book)
Another neglected classic, and another plot I wouldn't have expected to enjoy so much. I've heard that the sequels are even more heavy-handed, though, so I plan to stop with the original. Weirdly, it came up in conversation with several people right after I finished it, even though they didn't know I had just read it for the first time.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The most amazing, disturbing book I've read in a long time. It's set in a dystopian society where, once a year, the government takes 24 teenagers from its districts and makes them fight to the death in an arena full of dangers. Only one can survive. The story is about Katniss, who volunteers in her little sister's place. It's disturbing on so many levels that I had a hard time getting it out of my head. But it's incredible - and just when you think it's all over, it's not. The sequel comes out this fall and I CANNOT WAIT.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Another great read. EW featured Sarah Dessen's new book last week, and their summary of her books is the best I've read: "On the surface, the plots of the novels are similar: introverted teenage girl dealing with some sort of crisis (parents' divorce, best friend's pregnancy, sexual assault), meets a love interest whom she ignores at first, but when he helps her realize something new about herself, she blossoms into the butterfly she didn't know she was all along. But there's something about the way Dessen addresses the minutiae of teen-dom without talking down that makes me connect."

Dress Your Best by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London
A quick, fun and informative book about dressing for your body type. It was encouraging to find that I'm the same type as Stacy herself (Curvy Average), though not nearly as small as she is. Then again, I don't get paid to look perfect. :)

On Writing by Stephen King (e-book)
A combination memoir and book of writing advice, a lot of which seems useful. I've never read a Stephen King novel, but he seems to know what he's doing and I find him interesting as a person.

Rites of Spring (Break) and Tap and Gown by Diana Peterfreund
The last two books of the Secret Society Girl series. I LOVED these books and hated to see them end (but they ended very well). I cried at the last one. :) However, for more sensitive readers, keep in mind that the characters are non-religious college students, and they act like it.

Bellwether by Connie Willis
I know a lot of you loved this book, but I didn't. Although I appreciated the overall intelligence (and could relate to the stupid corporate issues), I was too annoyed by the secondary characters and the overwhelming focus on society-as-dumb-sheep themes. I finished it mostly because I was in a waiting room and had nothing else to read. :|

Books for June: 12
2009 year to date: 43

June Book List

Watership Down by Richard Adams (e-book)
A classic I had somehow never read. As much as I love rabbits, I never thought a story about rabbits could be this good. But I was almost literally on the edge of my seat a few times! It was WONDERFUL. I can't wait to read it to my kids someday. Hazel is in the running as a future rabbit name.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
This was fun - sort of like Dedication meets Nick & Norah. The characters were likable and realistic.

Band Geek Love and Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss
When I found out these books existed, I was simultaneously very excited, and worried that I'd no longer have a reason to finish my half-baked high school band novel. Well, no worry necessary. :\ I didn't want to say so on Goodreads, because the author is on Goodreads and the book is obviously autobiographical...but I couldn't stand Ellie, the main character. She was overbearing and annoying and I had little sympathy for her. Also, the second book veered wildly off course and focused on Ellie's flirtation with lesbianism when she considers an all-female college. I loved the moments of realistic band life, but on the whole, these books did NOT live up to my expectations.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (e-book)
Another neglected classic, and another plot I wouldn't have expected to enjoy so much. I've heard that the sequels are even more heavy-handed, though, so I plan to stop with the original. Weirdly, it came up in conversation with several people right after I finished it, even though they didn't know I had just read it for the first time.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The most amazing, disturbing book I've read in a long time. It's set in a dystopian society where, once a year, the government takes 24 teenagers from its districts and makes them fight to the death in an arena full of dangers. Only one can survive. The story is about Katniss, who volunteers in her little sister's place. It's disturbing on so many levels that I had a hard time getting it out of my head. But it's incredible - and just when you think it's all over, it's not. The sequel comes out this fall and I CANNOT WAIT.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Another great read. EW featured Sarah Dessen's new book last week, and their summary of her books is the best I've read: "On the surface, the plots of the novels are similar: introverted teenage girl dealing with some sort of crisis (parents' divorce, best friend's pregnancy, sexual assault), meets a love interest whom she ignores at first, but when he helps her realize something new about herself, she blossoms into the butterfly she didn't know she was all along. But there's something about the way Dessen addresses the minutiae of teen-dom without talking down that makes me connect."

Dress Your Best by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London
A quick, fun and informative book about dressing for your body type. It was encouraging to find that I'm the same type as Stacy herself (Curvy Average), though not nearly as small as she is. Then again, I don't get paid to look perfect. :)

On Writing by Stephen King (e-book)
A combination memoir and book of writing advice, a lot of which seems useful. I've never read a Stephen King novel, but he seems to know what he's doing and I find him interesting as a person.

Rites of Spring (Break) and Tap and Gown by Diana Peterfreund
The last two books of the Secret Society Girl series. I LOVED these books and hated to see them end (but they ended very well). I cried at the last one. :) However, for more sensitive readers, keep in mind that the characters are non-religious college students, and they act like it.

Bellwether by Connie Willis
I know a lot of you loved this book, but I didn't. Although I appreciated the overall intelligence (and could relate to the stupid corporate issues), I was too annoyed by the secondary characters and the overwhelming focus on society-as-dumb-sheep themes. I finished it mostly because I was in a waiting room and had nothing else to read. :|

Books for June: 12
2009 year to date: 43