Sunday, January 20, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 These are memes started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journey, and I'm excited to particpate, along with so many other bloggers, in reviewing books I read the previous week.  I'll be reviewing picture books through adult books. 


 
Crossed (Matched, #2)
 
 
3.5 of 5 stars
 
 
 
 
The second book in the Matched series seemed like a way to get from point A to point B, which I suppose middle books in series typically are. Characters were fleshed out a little more,there was more adventure, and Cassia became more focused on what her mission will be. I liked that we heard from Ky's point of view. Now we are poised for the Rising, so I'm looking forward to reading Reached.
 
The Tragedy Paper
 
 
5 of 5 stars
 
 
 
I got this book through NetGalley. "I'm a little like snow," he said after a while. "So are you!" "Yes, we are," I said. "and snow is a pretty special thing, I guess." If only Tim MacBeth (the irony of the name becomes obvious), a 17-year-old albino who just wants to go unnoticed, really believed that. In this incredibly compelling young adult novel,which made me think of a cross between Thirteen Reasons Why and Dead Poet's Society (I just used the Dead Poet's Society comparison in my review of Navigating Early - I think it's the private school/boarding school atmosphere and the mood and thematic elements it creates), Duncan arrives at Irving School as a senior, anxious about the room and its treasure awaiting him. It's tradition at Trinity to leave a treasure to the incoming senior in the room that you lived in during your senior year. Tim was that graduating senior, and he left a pile of CDs as a "letter" explaining the tragedy of events that both Tim and Duncan were involved in during the previous year. This is not the only Irving tradition. It's also a tradition to write The Tragedy Paper for Mr. Simon's English class. It's form is to choose a tragedy that starts as order, becomes chaos, and then is restored to order again. Strangely, Duncan's senior year seems to mimic that form, and as we readers listen to Tim's story, we learn what happened the year before and can decide for ourselves who was responsible for what outcomes. I loved that the reader was kept in the dark about the tragedy until the end. I thought the story was well-paced and intriguing. I think teens will love it and would make an excellent addition to a jr. high or high school classroom library.

CURRENTLY READING
 
Hattie Ever After (Hattie, #2)
 
I got this ARC from NetGalley, also, and I'm LOVING it so far.  The first one, Hattie Big Sky, was wonderful, so I've been excited to read this follow-up!
 
ON DECK
 
Gone Girl
 
Will be reading it for my book club next week.  I think I'm the last one in the country to read it!
 
The Runaway King (The Ascendance Trilogy, #2)
 
Got it from NetGalley - woo hoo!!
 
What are you reading??  Come back Wednesday for my reviews of the nonfiction I read this week.
 

19 comments:

  1. What a nice assortment of books. I have Hattie Ever After on my review stack and hope to get to it soon. I plan to buy The Runaway King because my review stack is just too tall to add to it. I do want to read it though. Here is my Monday Report. Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks for sending me your link. I visited! I can't wait for Scarlet!

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  2. I am sure your book club will have lots to talk about after reading Gone Girl. Have a great week.

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    1. I'm sure we will! I'm looking forward to finally reading it!

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  3. The Tragedy Paper sounds really good

    Wishing you a great reading week!
    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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    1. I really liked it - I hope it gets some Printz buzz!

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  4. I haven't read Gone Girl so you aren't the last. :-)
    Those Hattie books look good and I might have to hop over and look more closely at the Runaway King. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

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    1. Oh good - I'm not alone! :-) The Hattie books are awesome, and Runaway King is the follow-up to The False Prince. I loved it!

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  5. Nice mix of reads. Enjoy them all.

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  6. There's a sequel to Hattie Big Sky!? I must add this to my wishlist.

    I plan to make 2013 my year of reading from my own bookshelves. Please come see what I'm currently reading.

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  7. Oww I have The Tragedy Paper high on my list. Good to see you liked it.
    That are some great books you are reading.

    Thanks for dropping by on my blog

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    1. Thanks for commenting! I'll be interested in knowing what you think of The Tragedy Paper when you read it!

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  8. I haven't read Gone Girl yet either. It was very briefly mentioned in my last book club meeting but it was quickly shot down. The others can be a bit elitist about their choices. A thriller just couldn't be worth reading and discussing. *eyeroll* Oh well. I'm sure I'll get to it on my own eventually. I am happy to read whatever finds its way into my hands! Enjoy your week!

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    1. Ha! I like your enthusiasm for any kind of book! :-)

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  9. It's always interesting to read a book that everyone has been discussing, isn't it? I hope you enjoy all of your books this week!

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  10. The Tragedy Paper sounds like something I would like :) I hope you enjoy the crazy goodness of Gone Girl! I just heard that they might be making a movie adaptation.

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    1. Oh awesome - I didn't know they were going to make a movie of it. I'll be prepared then! :-)

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