I've been reading up a storm!

A Young Girl Reading by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

I have been reading up a storm lately. With everything that has been going on in real life, I've had time to do it too. I'm really happy that I'm catching up on my Goodreads challenge with my only being 10 books behind. I think I have a chance of catching up!

I don't know about you, but I feel relaxed and can zone out of my stressful little corner with a book. With the passing of my mother-in-law, I found solace in a book while trying to just be strong for my hubby and sister-in-law (who lives with us).

A few weeks before that my oldest daughter ended up in the hospital for a weekend, and that just made me read a lot as well, waiting around in hospital emergency rooms and then the actual hospital room while she slept.

The first book I read at the beginning of May when I became addicted to books probably to help me with everything that had been going on was The False Prince. I can't say enough about this book that would do it justice. I loved everything about this. The tone, the voice, the plot and just the structure of the book was pure perfection. I got so wrapped up in this story that I'm now searching in vain for high fantasy-type books. I love a book with great world building that really pulls me into the story. Sage was a character that I could really root for. If there is one book you read this year, please put this one on your to read list. You will be so happy you did. I am totally sending this one to my nephew because I have a feeling he will love it as much as I did.

I'm not going to give you a run down of every book I read, but I will pick out my absolute favorites with no spoilers.

Insurgent: Do I really need to explain myself on this one? Tris and Four (Tobias) I think that is all.

City of Lost Souls: You would think that after five books, you'd get tired of this series, but I don't. I absolutely love the world building in this one. It is so complicated and yet woven so well, I find myself going back to the other books and the Immortal Devices series to try and pick up any clues I can get. I will admit to getting a bit tired of Jace/Clary and really would like to see something epic happen to Izzy and Simon. I've been a Simon fan since book one and really want him to have this amazing kiss with Izzy.  He deserves it.

The Immortal Rules: I read this one not really knowing what I getting into. I knew that it was a dystopian vampire story which I was like, um, okay. But this is Julie Kagawa and I know that she can do no wrong when it comes to writing. I'm gonna admit a little secret. I was not a big fan of The Iron King, however, I absolutely adored that series. For me it really took off after book two. I am so glad that I stuck with it. I am totally sticking with this series.  Julie has grown so much as an author in the three or four years she's been pubbed now. I want some more Kanin and Allison!

Starters and Article 5: Amazing dystopian reads that will linger with you long after you put the book or e-reader down. As a former single mother, Article 5 really hit a nerve with me. A good nerve. Especially with so many people's rights being flushed down the toilet (North Carolina, I'm looking at YOU!), it's timely. Plus it's just a damn good story.

Throne of Glass: This one is being marketed as a YA Game of Thrones as I'm only watching that series and not reading it, I can't really say, but I really enjoyed this one too. It doesn't come out until August, and I'm hoping to snag a copy during BEA so I can have a contest. If you've read Grave Mercy and enjoyed that one, you will enjoy this one, but don't be surprised if you're comparing the two.

Dearly, Departed: This one surprised me like you wouldn't believe. First of all, I had no clue what it was about and I'd heard mixed things about it. First of all it's zombies and well, yeah, they just don't do it for me. But this one rocked my world. Nora was a character that I just fell in love with. Plus it had just a bit of everything, steampunk, Victoriana, science fiction, love story, and it freaking takes place in like the year 2195! I am so looking forward to the sequel. Again, I adored the voice and tone of this one.

Angelfall: *sigh* I really can't say much about this one that probably hasn't already been said. This is a self-pubbed book that got it right. Susan EE  has written a story that is well written, well plotted and well edited. How can you not fall in love with Raffe or Penryn? I really want a sequel now, but if it's going to be as well executed as the first book, I'm willing to wait. I know that she has teamed up with Amazon Publishing Services to get it out there in bound copy. Right now, I believe, it's e-book only.

Something like Normal: You guys are in for treat when this one comes out in a few weeks. I absolutely adored this book and have let Trish know several times that she has ruined me for other contemporary books. This is the type of book I want to read. This is the type of book that needs to be written. I don't care that they say fuck or shit. Travis is 19 years old and he's just back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He's entitled to talk like marine!  Travis drinks, he smokes (well he did with his company) and he has sex. Loveless sex. As a soldier, Travis is broken. Even for someone so young, he witnesses something that no one should witness. Reading this book on Memorial Day weekend, gave me an insight into these teenagers who sign up right out of high school and then are shipped out to war zones.  These kids can't purchase beer, but they damn well can die for their country. Personally, to get on a minor soapbox, if you can fight for your country, and hold a military ID, you should be able to have a beer.

I also want to give a special shout out to the Deadly Cool and Social Suicide books.  These were so Veronica Mar-ish, that if you loved that show or even Buffy, you should totally read these. Hartley Grace Featherstone and Chase Erikson are probably my biggest fictional crush right now. They are Veronica and Logan.