Catalina’s 2010 Reading List

Talk75 Books Challenge for 2010

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Catalina’s 2010 Reading List

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1catalina7
Edited: Dec 23, 2009, 1:55 pm

Hello all! This will be my second year in this very fun group, and I hope to read more books in 2010 than I managed in 2009 (when I discovered that traveling and having a job both greatly decrease the number of books I read).

My goals for 2010:
1. Read 150 books
2. Read some more of the Newbery books (I drifted away from this goal in 2009)
3. Make a dent in my very long TBR list (which seems to keep getting longer instead of shorter…)

Link to my post in the Introductions thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79114#1670211

2drneutron
Dec 23, 2009, 1:54 pm

Welcome back!

3alcottacre
Dec 23, 2009, 3:33 pm

Glad to see you back with us again!

4cushlareads
Dec 23, 2009, 3:42 pm

Starred you!

5kiwidoc
Dec 24, 2009, 1:24 pm

Starred and ready.

6catalina7
Jan 7, 2010, 2:53 pm

1. Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
Genre: Fantasy-Humorous
My holiday themed read for this year. Belief in the Hogfather has disappeared as has the Hogfather himself, leaving Death to fill his spot and work to create belief in the Hogfather among the people. As always, Pratchett is wonderfully entertaining and suitably hilarious.

2. Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson
Genre: YA Contemporary
A freshman psychology major goes through her first semester of college, analyzing the pieces of her life. Cute read.

3. Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Genre: YA Fantasy
Jessica is an American teenager who loves math and logic. Suddenly, during her senior year, an odd Romanian boy shows up who seems to be following her. He later reveals that he is a vampire prince and that Jessica is a vampire princess who must marry him to prevent a war between vampire families. I liked it. It was a nice light vampire-themed read and had some good character development in the primary characters.

7alcottacre
Jan 8, 2010, 1:33 am

Looks like your reading year is getting off to a good start!

8Cpassmore
Jan 8, 2010, 8:51 am

Catalina7, I recently read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side over Christmas. I agree it is a nice read and kept me entertained. I felt like it could have continued though. It ended with a somewhat happy prince and princess ending, but with questions about the possibilities that will arise with this new development. Although there are a million series out right now, and I know many people who are sick of series and just want a book to end in one shot, I was kind of hoping for more. I think it started out in the teenage world and very light, but became deep as the characters began to understand each other.

9catalina7
Jan 20, 2010, 8:20 pm

cpassmore-I definitely agree that the ending felt a bit cut off. I was thinking, but wait, what about everyone back in the US? What about her family? And how do they stop these vampires all hyped up for a fight?

10catalina7
Jan 20, 2010, 8:29 pm

4. Every Demon Has his Day by Cara Lockwood
Contemporary Fantasy. Constance, a Texan café owner, sees her almost ex-husband Jimmy murdered by a man claiming to be a demon. In the onslaught of suspicion (as the whole town thinks she killed Jimmy), she suddenly starts getting visions and sees Jimmy’s ghost, who guides her to a French bulldog for help preventing the Devil's child from being conceived. Not amazing, but still a fun read.

5. The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris
Reread. YA Arthurian tale.

6. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Cute YA summer novel, though it didn’t turn out quite as I expected/hoped.

7. Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
Exceptionally enjoyable reread. Polly disguises herself as a boy to join the Borogravian army and find her brother Paul. Her squad of new recruits all have some odd habits (and include a troll, vampire, and Igor), though and time shows they have more in common then they thought as they march through Borogravia with the famous Sergeant Jackrum to join the war against Zlobenia.

11catalina7
Jan 20, 2010, 8:30 pm

I just wanted to post my continued prayers for Haiti, its people and its recovery, as well as all those working in any way to help. And to say how glad I have been at the support I have seen, both in LT and in the general population. I will be going to Haiti in March with Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis to work at a clinic right outside of Port-au-Prince.

12alcottacre
Jan 20, 2010, 11:16 pm

Kudos to you for your willingness to go to Haiti, Caitlin.

13catalina7
Jan 26, 2010, 8:30 pm

alcottacre-Thanks! I am going with a professor and another student at my school (our Biology Chair has been going to Haiti with this organization for about 15 years, and usually bring students with him), in addition to the doctors working with the organization. I am very excited to go and try and help in whatever way I can.

14catalina7
Jan 26, 2010, 8:32 pm

8. The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
YA Fantasy/Adventure
A young orphan named Will, hoping to be apprenticed to battle school, is instead apprenticed to Halt, a member of the mysterious Ranger Corp and is trained in the ways of the Rangers.
I am rereading the first few books so I can read the newest two, which I got for Christmas.

9. The Wish List by Eoin Colfer
YA Contemporary Fantasy-set in Ireland
Meg breaks into an old man’s house with Belch. When she wants to help the old man when he is injured in the break-in, her partner corners her in an alley and shoots above her head to scare her. Unfortunately, he ignites a gas tank, which explodes and kills them both. While Belch heads straight to Hell, Meg is considered half good and half bad and is sent back to Earth to redeem herself and must help the old man finish a life wish list, while Belch works to make sure she fails and is sent to Hell and not Heaven.
I love the Artemis Fowl series, so I decided to try this one by Colfer and was not disappointed. While not as good as the Artemis Fowl books, it was still quite funny.

10. Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
YA Historical Fiction
Hattie, orphaned young and since then passed around to various family members, receives a letter from her mother’s brother giving her his claim in Montana. She packs up and travels there, expecting various lovely things, and is sorely surprised by the claim shack, cold, and various other hardships she experiences, though she fins comfort in her kind neighbors.
I was interested to read at the end that the book was based upon the author’s ancestor’s story. I really loved the characters in the book and they really pulled me into the story. It doesn’t end quite as I was hoping it would, but it does have a positive hint for the future in the ending.

15AndreaBurke
Jan 26, 2010, 8:48 pm

I see you like Terry Pratchett! I read one of his, Running with the Demon, last year and liked it, but didn't love it. Do you have any that you would highly recommend?

16pbadeer
Jan 27, 2010, 12:15 am

Thanks for the review on Wish List. I loved the Artemis Fowl series - I just got my daughter started on it over the weekend. But I hadn't heard of this one. I may have to sneak this to the head of the line for an upcoming read.

17alcottacre
Jan 27, 2010, 1:38 am

#14: I am putting both The Wish List and Hattie Big Sky in the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendations, Caitlin.

I am currently reading through the Ranger's Apprentice series too. I am up to book 6 now.

18flissp
Jan 27, 2010, 6:56 am

#15 AndreaBurke, I was confused, because I've read all Terry Prattchett's books, but didn't recognise Running with the Demon, so I looked it up - and that's actually written by Terry Brooks...

If you wanted to give Terry Prattchett a go, you could do worse than to start with Mort - unless you're like me and like to read a series from the beginning, which is The Colour of Magic. A lot of people (including me) think that The Colour of Magic isn't one of his best (not bad, just not as good as, or as universally liked as, say, Mort). There are several story arcs (you can see a not-quite-up-to-date-but-still-very-good flow chart on my last year's thread here), but generally, it's not too important if you read any of his stuff in order.

19catalina7
Jan 30, 2010, 7:27 pm

Andrea- I would definitely suggest you try Terry Pratchett. As flissp said, Mort is a very good one. Personally, my favorites are the Guard books, including Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms. However, I really enjoy all his Discworld books— they are very enjoyable fantasy, with great characters, and are always funny.

20catalina7
Jan 30, 2010, 7:33 pm

11. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Fantasy
Sophie, working at her family’s hat shop, is turned into an old woman by a visitor to the shop. Dismayed, she immediately leaves her home and ends up venturing to the mysterious moving castle of the dangerous wizard Howl, where she decides to be his housekeeper and makes a deal with a fire demon to get rid of her curse.
LOVED it! So glad I finally decided to read this book!

12. The Black Tower by Louis Bayard
Historical Mystery
It’s 1818 France, the great detective Vidocq is investigating a death, and a note the dead man had leads him to Dr. Carpentier, who claims to have no knowledge of this man. As Vidocq and Dr. Carpentier continue investigating, they find more and more people connected to this death, and a complicated plot surrounding the supposedly dead son of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI.
I liked it. Some parts were a bit predictable, but there were a few nice surprises thrown in too.

13. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
4 young children are selected to work with Mr. Benedict because of their special talents. Mr. Benedict has recruited them to infiltrate a strange school, where the head of the school is working on an evil plan to control the world.
Dragged a bit for me in some places, but picked up near the end.

21alcottacre
Jan 31, 2010, 1:52 am

#20: I am currently reading Howl's Moving Castle and enjoying it quite a bit. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did, Caitlin!

22flissp
Feb 1, 2010, 7:42 am

#20 & #21 Always good to see more Diana Wynne Jones converts! ;)

23elkiedee
Feb 1, 2010, 6:09 pm

I love Diana Wynne Jones as well.

24dk_phoenix
Feb 2, 2010, 9:05 am

I just picked up the third book in the Howl group, House of Many Ways. I can't wait to get to it!

25mamzel
Feb 2, 2010, 4:06 pm

Miyazaki's animated version of Howl's Moving Castle is worth a watch, too.

26flissp
Feb 3, 2010, 1:50 pm

#25 Definitely! (although not the same story at all...)

#24 Enjoy! I was a little disappointed by Castle in the Air (even though I have to admit I have rose tinted glasses for DWJ), but thought that House of Many Ways was much better (although not quite up to Howl's Moving Castle

27catalina7
Feb 9, 2010, 5:51 pm

For those of you who are Diana Wynne Jones fans, what other books of hers would you recommend?

I have Castle in the Air on hold at my library, but someone else has it checked out, so I am waiting (only slightly impatiently ;)).

I’ll have to look for that animated version!

28catalina7
Feb 9, 2010, 5:56 pm

I am on a major Tamora Pierce kick. Tamora Pierce has been a favorite author of mine since I was 12 and it has been a while since I have read any of her books, so I decided it was time for some re-reads.

14. Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
This is the first in The Immortals quartet about Daine, a girl who has wild magic and can speak to animals.

15. Wolf Speaker by Tamora Pierce
2nd in The Immortals

16. Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce
3rd in The Immortals

17. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Pierce’s first series. This is the first in the Song of the Lioness quartet about Alanna, a girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to train to become a knight.

18. First Test by Tamora Pierce
First in the Protector of the Small quartet, about Keladry of Mindelan, the first ‘known’ girl page in over a century in Tortall.

29willowsmom
Feb 9, 2010, 9:25 pm

#27: I loved Diana Wynne Jones' The Dalemark Quartet and Dogsbody. Dogsbody is a one-shot and there are four books in the Dalemark series (quartet, duh me).

Tamora Pierce is great! Have you ever read Trickster's Choice? Super fab.

30flissp
Edited: Feb 10, 2010, 8:23 am

#27 Ooooh, where to start?! I know I wrote a nice summary for someone last year (possibly Linda/Whisper1?), but I can't find it anywhere and I've only got time for a quick list (I'll have a root around later), so, my favourite/recommended DWJ books:

Howl's Moving Castle you've read.

The Lives of Christopher Chant (chronologically the first in the Chrestomanci series, but I'd recommend reading it after Charmed Life). Also in the Chrestomanci series, The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. Chrestomanci is a 9 lived enchanter responsible for keeping magical order across the 12 Related Worlds.

The Spellcoats (this is the third in the Dalemark Quartet, but I read it first and it really didn't matter - they have a common theme, but they can all be read independently - actually, all DWJ series books can be read independetly with no problems really)

Deep Secret and The Merlin Conspiracy (same world and a couple of characters)

Archer's Goon - a stand alone.

Fire and Hemlock - another stand alone - a retelling of the Tam Lin story.

The Time of the Ghost - a ghost story with a twist.

Homeward Bounders - another stand alone - a boy gets lost in an alternate reality and tries to find his way back to his own.

The four above are set more in the real world than a lot of her work.

...and I also enjoyed Dogsbody very much, although it's not in my favourites list. Basically, you can't really go wrong with most of her stuff - even the not so good ones are still enjoyable - but them I am a bit biased.

A running theme though a lot of her work is the idea of parallel realities that branched off from each other at various stages in history due to some major occurrence - some worlds going more towards the magical and some towards machinery.

Oh dear, I haven't done a very good job about describing any of these, but if you click on the touchstones, you can probably get good descriptions for most of these.

#28 Thanks to RebeccaAnn, I've just discovered Tamora Pierce - I've only read the Song of the Lioness Quartet as yet, but I'm looking forward to reading more!

31elkiedee
Feb 10, 2010, 6:49 pm

Charmed Life and The Ogre Downstairs were my favourites as a child, though others clearly have a much more comprehensive, more recent and up to date knowledge of her work.

32catalina7
Feb 20, 2010, 6:51 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! I will have to go pick a few up from the library soon! :)

Willowsmom- Yes, I have read Trickster's Choice. I really love the two Trickster's books, Aly is such an interesting character (as are all the secondary characters!). The only books of Pierce's I haven't read are the couple most recent, as I was trying to wait for the whole series to be out (but I don't know if I will be able to! I might have to go ahead and read them soon, I already own them :))

33catalina7
Edited: Feb 23, 2010, 7:59 pm

19. Page by Tamora Pierce
2nd in the Protector of the Small quartet.

20. Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
1800s England, but with magic. 2 cousins, 1 in London ‘coming out’ in society, one still back at their home in the countryside, converse through letters about their corresponding mishaps and intrigues.
A reread because I now have the second book as wanted to reread this one first.

21. Hood by Stephen Lawhead
A story of Robin Hood set in Wales in the late 1100s. Bran, a young prince of Elfael, is suddenly expected to assume leadership when the invading Ffreinc kill his father and his entire war-band, subsequently taking control of Elfael.
I thought it was a unique portrayal of the traditional Robin Hood story. I liked the characters, though Bran sometimes got on my nerves (though he did go through some nice developments and maturation throughout the novel). This isn’t a time period/location I am familiar with, so it was interesting for me to read about it. I plan to read the two sequels.

22. Parsifal's Page by Gerald Morris
Kids King Arthur tale. Piers, son of a smith and an ex-lady in waiting, longs to be a page or squire and live like the fancy tales he has heard. He eventually ends up page to Parsifal, a young man seeking to earn his knighthood, and both Parsifal and Piers learn what to value in life. I really enjoy Gerald Morris’ work and his depictions of the Arthurian characters and events.

34willowsmom
Feb 20, 2010, 9:33 pm

Re: Tamora Pierce, her most recent series (almost finished--last book due out later this year), starting with Terrier, is very good. I'd say it's almost as good as the Trickster duo--lots of interesting characters, and the main heroine is very likeable.

35catalina7
Mar 17, 2010, 9:02 pm

Willowsmom- Oh, really? I might have to read it soon then! (and just give up on waiting to read any of them until all of them are out lol)

36catalina7
Mar 17, 2010, 9:48 pm

Back home to my books! I spent all last week working at a clinic (run by Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis) in Croix-des-Bouquets, outside of Port-au-Prince in Haiti. I saw lots of devastation, especially in the city center, but was glad to be able to help the patients at the clinic. It was a very interesting and rewarding experience and I am trying to plan a trip there again this summer.

37alcottacre
Mar 18, 2010, 2:15 am

#36: Welcome back, Caitlin!

38catalina7
Mar 18, 2010, 5:18 pm

Thanks! Glad to be back to some things, but I miss the people I met there and working in the clinic was a lot more fun than studying for school!

39dk_phoenix
Mar 18, 2010, 6:31 pm

I liked Hood as well! I read it last year, and have the two sequels waiting for me but just haven't got around to them yet. From what I hear though, you'll be reaching for book 3 as soon as you finish book 2... so make sure it's on hand!

I can't say Hood was my favorite Lawhead so far, but I always enjoy his unique approaches to "traditional" stories in history/folklore.

40catalina7
Mar 19, 2010, 6:01 pm

Alcottacre: While lurking on your thread, I saw that you had recently read Mountains Beyond Mountains, and I just thought that I would comment that it was this book that made me want to go to Haiti :) (about 5 years back when I first read it. Very glad to have finally gotten the chance to go this year!). I am glad you also liked the book, it is one of my favorites, I find it very inspiring. Paul Farmer is just an amazing person and doctor.

41catalina7
Mar 19, 2010, 6:03 pm

dr_phoenix: Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check out 2 and 3 from the library together so I don't go crazy waiting to get the 3rd after I read the 2nd! Hood is the only Lawhead I have read, which of his other books would you recommend?

42alcottacre
Mar 19, 2010, 9:39 pm

#40: I can definitely see how that book would inspire you, Caitlin.

43Whisper1
Mar 19, 2010, 11:06 pm

Your trip to Haiti sounds very rewarding. A very dear friend of mine who is a wonderful physician just returned from Haiti. I'm having dinner with her this weekend and look forward to listening to her experiences.

I note your goal (listed in post #1) is to read more Newbery award winning books. I just finished a marvelous the 2008 Newbery honor book Feathers. I highly recommend this one.

Like you, I am on a quest to read as many Newbery books as possible. I began the quest last year and I'm having great, good fun.

44catalina7
Mar 23, 2010, 9:43 pm

whisper- It was a very rewarding trip. I hope your friend had a rewarding and safe trip as well. Did she go to Port au Prince?

I will definitely have to check out Feathers. I do hope to eventually read all of them. I need to start working on that again! Good luck with your quest!

45catalina7
Mar 27, 2010, 6:20 pm

23. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Yelena, confined to prison in Ixia awaiting execution for committing murder, is brought before Valek, advisor to the Commander, and given the position of food taster for the Commander, as the previous one has died and the Code of Behavior states the next prisoner to be executed is to be offered the job. As Yelena begins her training and work as a food taster, mysteries and danger seem to swarm around her and she has to learn how and who to trust.
I thought this book definitely lived up to the positive reviews I have read of it. Even though I figured out some parts of the story earlier on than they were revealed, it was still very intriguing overall with some interesting twists. I really liked Valek, he was an interesting character. I am very glad my library finally got this book in so that I could read it, and I already have the second on hold .

24. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Good read, didn’t turn out exactly as I was hoping it would, but still a satisfying conclusion and a couple nice twists in the story that I didn’t expect.

25. Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett
Another hilarious guard book by the wonderful Terry Pratchett. Something is stolen from the Assassin’s Guild, and suddenly people are being murdered with some strange new weapon. It is up to Captain Vimes, about to retire and get married, and the rest of the Night Watch to figure out what is going on and catch the murderer.

46alcottacre
Mar 28, 2010, 5:26 am

#45: I just recently got a copy of Poison Study. I will have to get to it soon.

47TadAD
Mar 28, 2010, 7:47 am

I'll be interested to hear how you like the sequels. I liked the first one but, by the third, couldn't muster any interest in the series anymore. It was rather strange—the stories felt like they were getting flatter and flatter. Maybe it was just me.

48catalina7
Mar 28, 2010, 3:59 pm

alcottacre: I hope you enjoy Poison Study!

TadAD: I am reading the second one right now and am enjoying it. I will hopefully read the third one sometime in the next few weeks, and we'll see how it goes!

49willowsmom
Mar 30, 2010, 8:47 pm

#47: I agree--the plots just seemed to get less and less interesting for me after the first. Very surprising, since the first was SO GOOD! She started a second series based in the same world...the first, Sea Glass, I liked quite a bit as well. More of a YA series.

50catalina7
Mar 31, 2010, 10:36 pm

#47,#49: well that's unfortunate that they decrease in quality/interesting-ness. I will have to try that other series too! :)

51catalina7
Mar 31, 2010, 10:37 pm

26. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
A reread :) One of my favorite fantasy books, some action, some romance, well-developed enjoyable characters, good storyline.

27. Chloe, Queen of Denial by Naomi Nash
Absolute fluff :) (enjoyable fluff). I brought it to Haiti with me to read as it was one of the cheap paperbacks I have lying around to bring with me on travels, since I don’t like to bring anything I would be upset to lose.
Chloe, world’s biggest coward, gets forcibly sent by her parents to Egypt to work on an archeological dig. There she decides to be completely unlike herself and ends up being the brave, outgoing one at the camp. Craziness ensues, involving bravery, boys, evil people, mummies, and missing artifacts.

52alcottacre
Apr 1, 2010, 2:46 am

#51: Chloe, Queen of Denial looks too fun for me to pass up. Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlin.

53dk_phoenix
Apr 1, 2010, 10:20 pm

>41 catalina7:: Well, hmm... I really, really, REALLY loved the first 3 books in his Pendragon series, which starts with Taliesin. Book 4 was decent and then book 5 dragged, but evidently the follow-up (book 6, but not book 6) which I haven't read is quite good. I also liked his stand-alone Patrick and quite liked the start of the Dragon King series (which for some reason I haven't finished yet). But to make a long answer short, start with Taliesin. It's very good.

54catalina7
Apr 7, 2010, 9:27 pm

alcottacre: I hope you enjoy it! I thought it was a pretty fun read.

dk_phoenix: Ok I will have to try those, thanks!

55catalina7
Apr 7, 2010, 9:58 pm

28. Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo by Greg Leitich Smith
Middle school: crazy parents, secret crushes and science fair projects.

29. The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne Jones
Two kids, Roddy, a member of the royal court in Blest, and Nick, a boy from another world, unite to foil a magical plot that will alter the magic of all the worlds.

Didn’t realize this was a second in a series until after I had read it, but I don’t think it mattered very much and it was very good anyway. Unfortunately, my library does not have the first one :(

30. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
Yelena returns to Sitia with Iris and the other kidnapped children. Returned to her family, she soon travels with her hostile brother to the Magician’s Keep to continue training with Iris. A series of violent murders surfaces, with links to a rogue magician practicing ancient magic, and the magician’s rush to find the killer before another girl is murdered.

Good book, though I agree not quite as good as the first. I was glad there was an appearance of some of the characters from the first book, as I quite like all of them.

56flissp
Apr 8, 2010, 6:46 am

#55 Didn’t realize this was a second in a series until after I had read it, but I don’t think it mattered very much - nope, it doesn't, in fact there's very little overlap (basically Nick and his Dad appear in Deep Secret, which is where he discovers he comes across magic and magids for the first time, but he's not the central character. I'd recommend keeping an eye out for Deep Secret, it's one of my favourite Diana Wynne Jones books...

57catalina7
Apr 11, 2010, 11:59 pm

Ok, thanks I will definitely try to find Deep Secret!

58catalina7
Edited: Apr 12, 2010, 12:00 am

I turned 22 today and am 1 month from graduating from college and it’s a bit overwhelming! But I did get 3 books today and a trip to the bookstore on Tuesday when I actually have free time to go. :) Yay for birthday books!
I got:
Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Kill as Few Patients as Possible by Oscar London

59alcottacre
Apr 12, 2010, 12:35 am

Happy Birthday, Caitlin! I am glad to see you got books :)

60catalina7
Apr 12, 2010, 7:28 pm

Thanks! Yes, I love getting books :)

61willowsmom
Apr 12, 2010, 7:31 pm

Oh, yay--buying Robin McKinley is an excellent way to celebrate a birthday! Beauty, especially, is one of my all time favorite books. Enjoy!

62catalina7
Apr 21, 2010, 1:02 pm

31. Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
Abdullah, carpet salesman, buys a magic carpet, meets a beautiful princess, and goes on an adventure to save her when she is kidnapped by a djinn, accompanied by a rather unhappy genie, the magic carpet, and a mysterious cat and her kitten.

Another second in the series book that I didn’t like quite as much as the first.

32. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa is graced with killing, feared by the majority of people and controlled by her uncle, the king. Rescuing an elderly foreign prince, she encounters a foreign man, Po, also graced, who happens to be the grandson of the rescued prince. Rebelling against her uncle’s control, she leaves with Po to search out who kidnapped his grandfather and why.

Reread as I never got around to reading Fire and wanted to reread Graceling first. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it if you like fantasy/adventure at all. The characters are very interesting and the tale is really absorbing.

63alcottacre
Apr 22, 2010, 2:06 am

#62: I am going to be reading Graceling this summer. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!

64catalina7
Edited: Apr 25, 2010, 9:52 am

33. Inda by Sherwood Smith
Inda, younger son of a prince, is brought to the palace to be trained along with other second sons, the first class at the academy of second sons. Inda’s bravery and honor and easy friendship lead to powerful enemies and lots of complications and interesting things ensue.

I finally own all 4 of this series, so I reread the first so I can read the rest. Sherwood Smith is one of my favorite authors, and I think this may be one of my favorites by her. It is on the long side, especially for her novels, but is totally compelling the whole time (or at least, it was for me!). There are plenty of interesting events, mysteries, and adventure.

34. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Wonderful, wonderful book. I only recently found out there are 2 sequels to this book that I don’t think I ever read, so I decided to reread this one as it has been many, many years since I’ve read it and then go on and read the other 2. Lois Lowry was my favorite author around age 7-10.

65alcottacre
Apr 24, 2010, 11:55 pm

#64: I have never read anything by Sherwood Smith, so you have given me a new author to look for. Thanks, Caitlin.

I love The Giver, but do not think the sequels are nearly as good. I will be interested in seeing what you think of them.

66flissp
Apr 26, 2010, 7:07 am

#62 Re Castle in the Air - me either, but the next one (House of Many Ways) is better again (in my opinion) - although, for me, Howl's Moving Castle is still best of the sequence...

67catalina7
May 4, 2010, 12:49 pm

Stasia: Yay! Always happy to introduce new authors to people. I hope you enjoy her work! Most of what she has written independently (she wrote some things with other authors as part of other series, and I haven't read those) are young adult (Wren series, Crown Duel), but the Inda series is considered adult I believe. I think she writes really lovely fantasy.

flissp: Hopefully I will be able to acquire the third one soon, as my library doesn't have it (might be time for some fun used book store browsing...)

68catalina7
Edited: May 4, 2010, 1:02 pm

35. The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
2nd in John Flanagan’s wonderful and entertaining Ranger’s Apprentice series. (reread)

36. The Icebound Land by John Flanagan
3rd in John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series. (reread)

37. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
Good, but I didn’t like it as much as the other books I have read by Jones. The end felt a bit abbreviated to me, kind of a real quick wrap up. Still enjoyed it quite a bit though and plan to continue reading the rest of the Chrestomanci books.

69alcottacre
May 4, 2010, 1:54 pm

#68: I really am enjoying the John Flanagan series. Glad you are too, Caitlin.

70catalina7
Edited: May 17, 2010, 10:17 pm

I really like the series and I am excited to continue on to the ones I haven't read yet :)

71alcottacre
May 18, 2010, 2:50 am

#70: My local library cannot get them in fast enough for me. I think they only have the first six or so.

72catalina7
May 18, 2010, 1:11 pm

I was lucky enough to be gifted the whole series for Christmas :) (well, the whole printed in US series, I believe the US is a few books behind Australia).

73catalina7
Edited: May 18, 2010, 5:29 pm

On the bright side of things, I graduated from university on Friday with a Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Science! (And with minors in chemistry and global studies. I also was summa cum laude, an honors diploma recipient and received the School of Sciences outstanding student award :) ).

On the bad side of things, the night before my graduation my dorm room was broken into and my tv and laptop were stolen. So I now have no computer of my own (borrowing my dad's old laptop) and have lost everything from the last few months (too long since I've backed up my computer)...including my to read and already read lists. So I can't remember what some of the books I have read in the last month or so were...sad :(. But the police have leads and I hope they work out and I get my computer back.

74alcottacre
May 19, 2010, 1:29 am

Congratulations, Caitlin!

Sorry to hear about the robbery, though. I hope you get your belongings back soon.

75dk_phoenix
May 19, 2010, 9:12 am

Congrats on the graduation! And so sorry about the robbery, it's awful when something like that happens... I really hope the police leads work out and you get your laptop and tv back, the laptop especially.

76flissp
May 19, 2010, 12:46 pm

Congratulations on graduating, but sorry about the laptop - hopefully it will turn up for you...

77mamzel
May 19, 2010, 12:54 pm

Congratulations on your excellent achievement!!! It is such a shame that your celebration is marred by a very rude person. I hope you can find solace in the thought that you will be out in the world doing amazing things while they're rotting away in prison. Maybe you can find a cure for kleptomania!

78drneutron
May 19, 2010, 1:26 pm

Congrats! And along with others, I hope they nab the bad guy.

79catalina7
May 20, 2010, 12:57 pm

Thanks everyone, you are all so kind! :)

mamzel: I certainly hope I manage to go out and do amazing things in the world :)

80catalina7
May 23, 2010, 3:42 pm

38. The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
I really enjoyed this one. Christopher was a interesting character, though I sometimes got annoyed with how long it took him to figure some things out.

Christopher had always been able to walk to the Anywheres in his dreams. Eventually, his ability to travel to other worlds is recognized by his magician uncle. While going on secret missions for his uncle, Christopher is sent first to boarding school, then taken by his father to be tested for magic after mysteriously waking up after being pronounced dead following an accident at his school. His father wants him to be trained by Chrestomanci and a reluctant Christopher is sent to Chrestomanci's house to join his household and begin magic training. Mysterious and dangerous things are happening in the magical world though, and Christopher has an unforeseen connection to it.

39. Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Absolute fluff, but cute.

Vince Luca is the son of a mob family. And he has no desire to have any part in the shady dealings of his father, brother and “uncles”. Then he meets Kendra, a girl whose father just so happens to be the lead FBI agent investigating the Luca family. Vince decides to do all he can to keep the secret of what his family does from his girlfriend, and who his girlfriend is from his family.

81alcottacre
Edited: May 24, 2010, 1:14 am

#80: I liked that DWJ book when I read it too. Unfortunately, my local library does not have the sequels. Are you planning on reading it?

Edited for an s

82flissp
May 24, 2010, 7:10 pm

So glad you enjoyed The Lives of Christopher Chant - definitely in my top 5 DWJ books! I re-read all the Chrestomanci books bar Witch Week and The Magicians of Caprona (the latter another one for the top 5) for the umpteenth time earlier this year, but every time I read another positive review I feel the need to go back to it all over again, particularly Christopher Chant... I'll have to pick up those two again instead...

83catalina7
May 26, 2010, 12:01 am

Stasia: Oh, sad that your library doesn't have the sequels! I hate it when that happens!
I am planning on reading the rest-I just finished Magicians of Caprona and just started Witch Week

flissp: Yes, I quite liked Christopher Chant. I am really enjoying reading DWJ's works, I am glad I decided to try them (thanks to LT :)...no idea where the idea to read DWJ came from but lots of the books that go onto my to-read list are added because there have been lots of good stuff being said about them on LT).

84catalina7
May 26, 2010, 12:11 am

40. Captain Alatriste by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
A reread because I never finished the series and didn't remember what exactly happened. I have only read the first 2 of the series, but I have really enjoyed both of them. The stories are compelling, there is lots of action, and the characters are interesting.

An enjoyable adventure/mystery set in Spain in the 1600s. Captain Diego Alatriste, current guardian of Inigo Balboa (the son of a deceased comrade and narrator of the story), makes his living as a swordsman. But a job to rob two English travelers turns into a murder request, and soon turns complicated and dangerous.

(I hope to someday be able to read this in the original Spanish, but I am not quite there yet with my Spanish skills).

85dk_phoenix
May 26, 2010, 1:09 pm

>83 catalina7:: I discovered DWJ through LT as well! I don't remember who originally recommended her works, but after years of passing her books by in the stores, when I heard so much about them in this group, I finally gave in... good thing, too!

86flissp
May 26, 2010, 2:43 pm

Well I've been raving about her almost non stop, whenever she gets a mention ;o) - but honestly, I think she has always had a lot of us hardcore fans on LT, so you could have seen her name almost anywhere!

87catalina7
May 28, 2010, 1:03 pm

true! she is definitely a popular author. Most of the LT suggestions I add to my to-read list I have come across multiple times on LT, so I could never remember where they all come from! I just credit the LT community as a whole for many great book recommendations :)

88catalina7
Edited: Nov 10, 2010, 11:43 am

41. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
A sweet book, with some sad thrown in—but a happy ending which is what I like. I really liked Owen, he was a great character.

Annabel, once a member of the popular elite at her school, is no longer friends with “queen bee” Sophie and therefore now exists as an outcast at her school, until she meets Owen. Annabel tries to maintain her picture perfect facade, even though her family is going through some tough times. Through her friendship with Owen, she might finally be able to tell the truth about her life to those around her.

42. The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones
I liked this book, which was set in an Italy where magic exists. The children were very interesting characters.

The city of Caprona relies on two great magical families for all their magic needs...two families that have been fostering an intense rivalry and hatred for generations. This hatred and suspicion of the other family leads to the ability of a mysterious magician to steal away two young members of each family, those considered to be rather lacking in their spell casting abilities—Tonino and Angelica. However, the two young children turn out to be quite courageous and resourceful and may hold the answers to the greatest problem of all.

89alcottacre
May 28, 2010, 9:54 pm

#88: I already have Just Listen in the BlackHole - my local library even has it. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of The Magicians of Caprona. My local library's selection of DWJ's books is extremely limited and I have already read all that it has.

90flissp
May 29, 2010, 6:38 pm

Stasia, if I can find a cheapy copy over here, I'll send it to you, if you pass it on to someone else who might enjoy it afterwards. The Magicaians of Caprona is one of my favourite DWJ books and as I know you've enjoyed those you've read, I'd love you to give it a go. I'll take a look tomorrow...

91alcottacre
May 30, 2010, 1:02 am

#90: I appreciate it, Fliss! Thanks for the thought.

92catalina7
Edited: Jun 2, 2010, 5:51 pm

43. Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead
I really enjoyed the second entry in Lawhead's trilogy (based on Robin Hood legends, but set in Wales during the time following William the Conquerer's invasion—during the reign of his son). I am looking forward to reading the third book, Tuck.

This book shifts focus from Rhi Bran to William Scatlocke (commonly known as Will Scarlet), who is a very intriguing character. Will narrates his recent adventures from being thrown off the land where he was born to joining Rhi Bran and the adventures he has along with Bran, to a priest who visits him in jail.

44. Shadowland by Meg Cabot
The first in Cabot's Mediator series. It was cute, I liked it and plan to continue reading the series.

Suze moves to California to join her mom and new stepdad and stepbrothers. Moving across country and joining a new school is hard enough, but Suze has a secret. She is a mediator-able to see and interact with ghosts that haven't yet “moved on” for some reason. In fact, she still often talks to her deceased father. Suze encounters some new, and dangerous ghosts in California and meets another mediator for the first time.

45. Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler
Very sweet story. Reminded me at times of some of Sarah Dessen's novels. Really loved the characters, especially Abel.

Calliope and her mom arrive in Asheville to work at the summer Renaissance Faire. Asheville is just the most recent in a series of moves since her mom left her dad and brought her along. Never in one place for long, Cal has to leave behind much of her possessions each time she moves and never really finds a place to fit in. But in Asheville, she meets Eliot, the son of a man who runs a Christian weight-loss camp, and Abel, who owns a barbeque restaurant. Eliot and Cal click immediately and their relationship and personal trials progress through the novel.

93Ape
Jun 2, 2010, 6:03 pm

My local library has that Stephen Lawhead trilogy (Hood/Scarlet/Tuck) and I've been meaning to check it out for awile. I might have to give it a try soon.

94alcottacre
Edited: Jun 3, 2010, 2:45 am

I will join with Stephen in saying I need to try the Lawhead trilogy. Thanks for the mention, Caitlin.

95dk_phoenix
Jun 3, 2010, 8:39 am

>92 catalina7:: Ack, Scarlet has been sitting at my bedside table for... about a year now, and I still haven't got to it! Must... read... book...

96elkiedee
Jun 7, 2010, 8:18 pm

There are quite a lot of DWJ reads in the TIOLI challenge this month, in the three name author and Member Recommendation categories. I'm rereading The Ogre Downstairs as there were two other people reading that one this month, it was one of my favourites as a child and I read The Lives of Christopher Chant for the first time last month too.

97catalina7
Jun 23, 2010, 7:42 pm

I hope you all enjoy Lawhead's Hood trilogy! :)

98catalina7
Jun 23, 2010, 7:59 pm

46.‭ ‬Soulless‭ ‬by‭ ‬Gail Carriger‭
Loved it! Now I just have to find the second one since the library doesn’t have it.

A lovely mixture of elements. Victorian England, strong female protagonist, vampires and werewolves. The book starts with Alexia, a young “spinster”, accidentally killing a hungry vampire at a party. Lord Maccon, the local alpha werewolf and an investigator for Queen Victoria, investigates the vampire death and clashes with Alexia. This vampire attack and killing leads to a mysterious series of events that continue to throw Lord Maccon and Alexia together.

47.‭ ‬Ninth Key‭ ‬by‭ ‬Meg Cabot‭
The second in the Mediator series.

Suze starts to date Tad Beaumont, whose father seems a bit odd, while also trying to figure out the wishes of a grieving female ghost.

48.‭ ‬Trickster's Choice‭ ‬by‭ ‬Tamora Pierce‭
The first of the two Trickster books, about Alianne of Pirate’s Swoop. I really like this series, Aly is such an interesting character.

49.‭ ‬Fire Study‭ ‬by‭ ‬Maria V.‭ ‬Snyder
I quite liked this conclusion to the Study trilogy.‭ ‬There were some iffy parts were I was seriously worried about how things were going to turn out though.‭ ‬But I liked Yelena's progression during the novel and her developing understanding of magic and her magic in particular.‭ ‬I really liked the characters in the series and am sad that the series is over‭! ‬I often feel that way though.‭ ‬I always want to know more about what happens to everyone.

99alcottacre
Jun 24, 2010, 2:05 am

Almost at 50, Caitlin! Congratulations.

100catalina7
Jul 11, 2010, 7:35 pm

Thanks! Yea I finally have some free time so I am able to speed up my reading a bit :)

101catalina7
Jul 13, 2010, 10:38 pm

50.‭ ‬Trickster's Queen‭ ‬by‭ ‬Tamora Pierce
The second Trickster book.

Aly continues helping protect the Balitang children and becomes more active in planning the Raka rebellion.

51.‭ ‬Dairy Queen‭ ‬by‭ ‬Catherine Gilbert Murdock‭
I’m glad I finally tried this book, I really liked it. I am not very interested in football, so I was hesitant, but it was a really sweet story.

D.J. is now doing most of the work on her family’s farm, as her father has been ill and unable to maintain doing the demanding work on the farm. During her summer break, she ends up coaching a football player, Brian, from her school’s rival team while he works on her farm. While coaching him to improve his football skills, D.J. realizes that she really loves football and that maybe Brian isn’t just an awful rival football star after all.

52.‭ ‬Geektastic:‭ ‬Stories from the Nerd Herd‭ ‬by‭ (‬editors‭) ‬Holly Black‭ ‬and‭ ‬Cecil Castellucci‭
A cute compilation of short stories about geeky people :)

53.‭ ‬Green Rider‭ ‬by‭ ‬Kristen Britain‭
A bit complicated/complex at times,‭ ‬but I liked the story overall.‭ ‬I liked the main character a lot,‭ ‬and since I found out it is a series,‭ ‬I think I will read the rest,‭ ‬as I want to know how things work out for her.‭

Karigan runs away from her school when facing reprimand after getting into a fight with the son of a nobleman. She hopes to beat the headmaster’s letter home so that she can explain her actions to her father. However, on the way home she runs into one of the mysterious king’s messengers-a green rider. Dying, he passes his mission and message into her hands, telling her she has to get it to the king. Karigan embarks on the journey to bring the message to the king, but it becomes much more complicated and dangerous than she anticipated.

102alcottacre
Jul 16, 2010, 1:49 am

Obviously having free time agrees with you!

103catalina7
Jul 17, 2010, 7:26 pm

That it does! I love having more time to read :) Unfortunately, the free time must end eventually as I need to get a job lol.

104alcottacre
Jul 18, 2010, 12:15 am

#103: A job? What's that? lol

I understand, but I guess you can take advantage of the free time while it lasts.

105dk_phoenix
Jul 19, 2010, 8:35 am

I read both Geektastic and Green Rider this year... I didn't like Green Rider at all. Oh well! I'll keep an eye open for your reviews on the rest of the series, as I'm curious about how they are but not interested enough to read the myself. :)

106catalina7
Jul 19, 2010, 12:07 pm

Stasia: yes, i wish i could just avoid getting a job at all, but alas I find i do require some income lol.

dk_phoenix: I did go back and forth a bit on Green Rider. It took me a lot longer to finish than most books. Parts of it really didn't work for me and I was confused by some of the complex elements sometimes, but I decided I really liked Karigan and I always have a desire to know more about the characters in the books I read which is why I plan to continue with the series. I will try and compose a good review when I read the next one :)

107alcottacre
Jul 19, 2010, 12:13 pm

#106: Yeah, I know what you mean. How can you afford to buy any books with no income? lol

108catalina7
Jul 19, 2010, 8:51 pm

Stasia: Good point! And as we all know, the ability to buy books is very important :)

109catalina7
Jul 19, 2010, 8:57 pm

54. Pathologies of Power by Paul Farmer
This was the class book for my Global Health class. Paul Farmer details personal experiences, experiences conveyed to him, and views on the interconnection of power and health, and how misuses of power, or the unfair distribution of it, can have disastrous consequences.
Farmer is a personal hero of mine and I greatly admire all the amazing work he does. It was very interesting reading his writing and I was captivated by some of the stories he shared.

A quote from the book:
‭“‬Prison medicine is most legitimate when it is humane.‭ ‬Medical interventions are most powerful when they are effective.‭ ‬Human rights arguments are most powerful if we really believe that all humans are equally valuable.‭ ‬When we do believe this,‭ ‬we are less likely to accept second-rate interventions and more likely instead to remediate the inequalities that are each day brought more clearly into view by a globalizing economy.‭”

55. Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson
I love this series. I am rereading the first 3 before I read the 4th. Which for the moment is the last one as the publisher doesn’t think the sales would be high enough to publish the 5th (or so it says on her website).

Katie has been living in New York for over a year, working under an boss who can turn evil in the blink of the eye, and still feels like a newly arrived small town girl. She sees weird things all over town, like girls with wings, and continues to be surprised while everyone else doesn’t react at all. Then she finds out it is because she is a magical immune--someone with no magic at all who sees through the illusions the magical world uses to hide--and is hired to work for MSI (Magic and Spells Incorporated).

56. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson
The sequel to Enchanted, Inc.

57. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I am finally going to actually finish this series. I am rereading the first 2 before reading the last 2 for the first time.

58. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

110alcottacre
Jul 20, 2010, 12:40 am

#109: I already had Pathologies of Power in the BlackHole after reading Kidder's book Mountains Beyond Mountains. I am going to have to put it on ILL. Thanks for the reminder!

111catalina7
Jul 22, 2010, 7:31 pm

Stasia: I hope you enjoy reading it. It is more academic (I guess maybe is the term) than Kidder's, which is more of a narrative. But it is still very readable, and he shares some really poignant stories and presents a lot of good arguments. I learned quite a bit from it and I am really glad I read it. I am planning to read some of his other works.

112alcottacre
Jul 22, 2010, 11:46 pm

#111: It sounds very good. Thanks for the input, Caitlin.

113catalina7
Aug 8, 2010, 5:02 pm

You're welcome :)

114catalina7
Edited: Aug 23, 2010, 7:21 pm

59. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

60. Fallen by Lauren Kate
I really loved this book, it just sucked me in! I can’t wait for the sequel.

Luce is a new student at the Sword and Cross reform school, sentenced to attend following the mysterious death of a classmate in a fire, in which the creepy “shadows” Luce has always seen were involved. At the school, Luce finds herself drawn to Daniel, another student. While he remains aloof and even rude Luce can’t help but be drawn to him and she also feels as if she knows him. While another boy, Cameron, competes for her attention, she still feels drawn to Daniel. The fight for Luce, and Daniel and Cameron’s antagonism grows and a mysterious background to many of the students is revealed.

61. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Reread. I just love this series--it’s so fun!

115alcottacre
Aug 9, 2010, 12:24 am

#114: I stopped at book 3 in the Artemis Fowl series. I really must get back to them some time!

116catalina7
Aug 14, 2010, 7:31 pm

Stasia: Yes, i stopped somewhere around book 3 or 4...so i am rereading the first few to try and actually finish up the series. I am working on actually finishing up some series where I have read the first few but not last ones.

117alcottacre
Aug 15, 2010, 1:01 am

#116: I am working on actually finishing up some series where I have read the first few but not last ones.

I need to do that too. I am terrible about starting a series and then getting sidetracked by other books!

118catalina7
Aug 23, 2010, 7:25 pm

62. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
I had heard this was good and was really excited when my library finally got it in. I really enjoyed the book and the different turns the plot took. I am looking forward to the sequel and wish it was coming out sooner!

Sophie Hawkins, a young witch, is sent to Hecate Hall (a boarding school for witches, faeries, and shape-shifters) as punishment for a love spell that went way wrong. Raised by her non-witch mother with little contact with her mysterious warlock father, she feels out of her element in the school full of teenagers raised in the supernatural life. She soon falls into various troubles, encountering 3 witches who want her to join their coven, an annoying but still attractive warlock, a vampire roommate, and mysterious deaths on the campus.

63. The Off Season by Catherine Murdock
I liked it, but not quite as much as the first.

The sequel to Dairy Queen. D.J.’s life takes some difficult turns, including an injury which might halt her football career, an embarrassing article in a national magazine, the departure of her best friend, and a serious injury to a family member.

119catalina7
Aug 29, 2010, 6:01 pm

64. Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull
Book 2 of the Fablehaven series.

Kendra and Seth, after encountering some magical creatures in their hometown, return to their grandparents house on a magical preserve, where they learn the Society of the Evening Star is trying to break into the preserves and steal magical artifacts. Believing the artifact at Fablehaven to be in danger, their grandparents have brought a small group of people to the preserve to search for it so it can be moved. After some dangerous occurrences, it is discovered that one of the trusted few people living at the preserve must be secretly working for the Society of the Evening Star.

65. It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
Sequel to The Summer I Turned Pretty. I liked it, but the ending was so annoyingly vague!

Isabel (Belly) is having trouble starting this summer, as it is the first summer without her Susannah (her mother's best friend) and without a trip to the beach house. Her relationship with Conrad, Susannah's older son, didn't work out as she hoped and she continues to pine for him. Conrad's disappearance brings his brother Jeremiah to Belly and together they search for Conrad and discover even more about each other and the people in their lives.

120catalina7
Sep 6, 2010, 8:58 pm

66. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson
Books 3 of the Enchanted, Inc. series.

Katie is finally dating the powerful and adorable wizard Owen Palmer. While they are just getting started in their relationship, they still have to deal with frequent interruptions by Phelan Idris and his group of wizards and magical creatures out to gain control and power.

67. Changeless by Gail Carriger
The second book in the Parasol Protectorate series (sequel to Soulless). I loved this book! However, the ending made me so mad/upset I had to go and tell someone about it immediately lol. I am SO not happy with it but am really looking forward to the next book which comes out at the end of this month. I loved this book, just as I did the first, and just flew through it. I love the mystery part of the story and the cast of characters are exceptionally interesting.

Alexia Tarabotti is now married to Lord Maccon and working as a member of the Shadow Council for Queen Victoria. The London supernaturals suffer a blow when, for a short while, they all become human. After her husband suddenly disappears to Scotland, Alexia discovers that his old (Scottish) pack is likely the source of the "normalization"of the supernaturals and sets off to Scotland, along with her annoying younger sister, best friend Ivy, her husband's claviger and a mysterious hat maker/inventor, to find out the source of the normalization.

68. Don’t Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson
Loved it! A really great conclusion to the four books, but I am really sad that for the moment there won’t be more because the publisher doesn’t think they would sell. This is the series that convinced me that maybe I did like fantasy set in the real world.

Katie has returned home to Texas to escape the magical world and refrain from distracting Owen, who is leading the fight against an uprising of bad magic. While her town is supposed to be magic free, a sudden crime spree has all the signs of someone using magic for their own gain. After reporting the situation to Merlin, her former boss, Sam, head of security (and a gargoyle) shows up to figure out what is going on. He is shortly joined by Owen when Katie discovers Idris is heading up an online magic school. Sam, Owen and Katie must figure out who the magical culprit is and try and catch Idris before he does any further harm, all while trying to hide everything from her family and especially her magically immune mother.

121alcottacre
Sep 7, 2010, 7:27 am

#120: I still have to read the first book in the Carriger series. *sigh* I really need to have more than one of me!

122catalina7
Sep 10, 2010, 1:43 pm

Stasia: I know, having multiples would make getting more reading done so much easier! :). I really liked both of the Carriger series book and am about to break down and just buy the third since I don't know when the library will get it.

123catalina7
Edited: Sep 16, 2010, 7:59 pm

69. Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley
A cute Cinderella story, with a strong heroine.

After Bella's mother dies in childbirth, her father sends her to live with a wet nurse, where she remains, happy and oblivious to her noble birth, until she is a teenager and her now remarried father thinks to send for her. Leaving the only family and friends she has ever known, including a prince (who was raised during infancy by the same wet nurse), she returns to her home to find a distant and uncaring father, 2 stepsisters- one silent and heartbroken and one chatty and vain- and a slightly cruel stepmother. Bella gets by day to day by avoiding her family and working in the kitchens, until the day she hears the king is planning to betray the truce with the neighboring country, therefore forfeiting the life of the royal hostage, her friend Prince Julian. Soon, with a little help from expected and unexpected sources, she sets off to find a way to stop the coming war and save her prince.

70. The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
Second in the Artemis Fowl series.

71. On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
The second in the Georgia Nicolson series. (The one I happened to have at home when I felt the need for her light hearted hilarity).

124alcottacre
Sep 11, 2010, 11:13 pm

One of these days I have got to read the Georgia Nicolson series!

125catalina7
Sep 20, 2010, 7:22 pm

You should! I really enjoy them. They are just absolutely hilarious. I especially love the glossary at the back of the American editions, explaining the British words in the narrator's voice.

126catalina7
Edited: Oct 8, 2010, 10:44 am

72. The Strictest School in the World by Howard Whitehouse
Cute, with some lovely drawings as well.

Emmaline, daughter of British officials and raised in India, is sent back to England to attend school and become a proper young lady. In the weeks before the start of school, she gets to know her sweet but odd aunt, her strong foreign butler, and Rab. Rab, known as Rubberbones due to his inability to get injured, serves as the pilot for Emmaline's flying machines, her real passion. Emmaline is sent off to school which she finds extremely strict with mean teachers and tattletale students as well as mysterious "birds" kept in a secret tower. Emmaline decides she must break out and her Aunt Lucy and Rab decide they must break her out!

73. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Loved it! I am starting to really enjoy the fantasy/paranormal mystery genre. I read the entire book straight through in one morning, I was just pulled into Harry Dresden's world.

Harry Dresden is a wizard private investigator, looking into the more supernatural crimes in the Chicago area. Unfortunately, business is not exactly booming. The majority of his cases come from the Special Investigations unit of the police department, headed by the tough detective Karrin Murphy. Harry is brought in to help investigate a series of murders where the victims heart has literally exploded. As the only local wizard, the declaration that the murders used magic puts Harry as a primary suspect, both in the mundane world and in the supernatural one. Harry must race to find the culprit, prove his innocence and stop the murders.

127alcottacre
Sep 21, 2010, 5:42 pm

#125: Unfortunately, my local library does not have them. One of these days I will find them I am sure.

#126: I own Storm Front and will get it read some time!

128catalina7
Edited: Sep 21, 2010, 10:30 pm

Aw, too bad your library doesn't have them. I am always so disappointed when my library doesn't have books I want to read! (Especially when they have part of a series, but not all of them).

I really liked Storm Front, and the second one of the series, and am reading the third one now and am liking it as well.

129catalina7
Edited: Sep 21, 2010, 11:17 pm

74. Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty
I enjoyed this one and liked the epistolary style.

Elizabeth Clarry is assigned a penpal at another school, Christine. The story is told through their letters, plus some imagined letters to Elizabeth from made up organizations like the Cold Hard Truth Association. Elizabeth's best friend, Celia, tends to run off unannounced. This time, due to the content of some of her postcards from a circus, Elizabeth is really worried and plans a rescue attempt along with a cute boy from her school. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's father, who she rarely sees and who lives in Canada, is moving back to Australia and wants to spend time with her, but is still avoiding all of Elizabeth's questions about the stepbrother she has never met. Elizabeth and Christine get to know each other through their letters and share the hardships and joys in their lives.

75. Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
The first in the Georgia Nicolson series. Another series I am rereading the first few books of in order to actually finish the series.

(yay 75 books! Now if only I can manage to reach my goal of 150 before the end of the year...I think I need to read faster)

130alcottacre
Sep 22, 2010, 12:33 am


131catalina7
Sep 22, 2010, 2:53 pm

Thanks Stasia! What a cute little jumping smiley face! :)

132drneutron
Sep 22, 2010, 11:13 pm

Congrats!

133alcottacre
Sep 23, 2010, 5:08 am

#131: I really need to give him a name other than 'bouncy guy,' which is what I normally call him :)

134Ape
Sep 23, 2010, 8:00 am

Congratulations! :)

135porch_reader
Sep 23, 2010, 8:10 pm

Congrats on 75 books!!! I read Storm Front last year and really enjoyed it too. Seeing your comments reminds me that I need to get the next one in the series.

136catalina7
Sep 26, 2010, 1:58 pm

thanks!

stasia: I like bouncy guy, it's cute and descriptive :)

porch_reader: I am now reading the fourth in the series (I've just been neglecting updating my list on here--I've been traveling around visiting family) and am still really enjoying the series. I hope they stay good! I've heard/read a lot of good stuff about the latest one, so I have hope that they remain good.

137catalina7
Sep 26, 2010, 6:51 pm

76. My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger
I am really glad I finally read this book. It was such a sweet novel!

Now in 11th grade, three friends-T.C., Augie and Alejandra, are assigned to write about their most excellent year for an english class assignment. The novel continues with entries from each of them detailing their freshman year of high school. Augie has a personal revelation, T.C. chases after new student Alejandra, Alejandra learns to stand up for what she really wants, and all three learn sign language after T.C. makes friends with Hucky, a six year old deaf orphan. I especially loved the developing relationship between T.C. and the adorable, stubborn and observant Hucky.

77. Knocked Out by My Nunga-nungas by Louise Rennison
The third in the Georgia Nicolson series.

138alcottacre
Sep 27, 2010, 12:02 am

#137: I will have to look for the Kluger book. It looks very good. Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlin!

139catalina7
Oct 4, 2010, 1:31 pm

You're welcome! I hope you find it, read it, and enjoy it! :)

140catalina7
Oct 8, 2010, 10:47 am

78. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
The second in the Dresden Files series.

Harry is drawn into a case involving murders during the full moon, a crime boss, gangs, and werewolves.

79. Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Velde
Cute, though I did want to know about more about how things were going to work out at the end.

Alys, a young girl with an ill father, is falsely accused of witchcraft by a vengeful neighbor. After her father collapses and dies at her trial, she is sentenced to be fed to the local dragon-left tied to a post in a field. However, her words, strength and attitude interest the dragon when he arrives and he offers to help her get revenge on those who sentenced her to death.

141alcottacre
Oct 8, 2010, 11:50 am

#140: I just read and enjoyed another of Vande Velde's books, so I will look for that one too. Thanks for the recommendation, Caitlin!

142catalina7
Edited: Nov 28, 2010, 8:59 pm

I am just not having computer luck this year. After my laptop was stolen, I was using an old borrowed one. The one I was borrowing had the internal battery die, so I haven’t had access to my files on it for a while (hence not updating my list as I didn’t want to get out of order). I now have access to the hard drive again, so I am finally able to update my list. :) Reviews will be added later…

143catalina7
Nov 28, 2010, 9:00 pm

144drneutron
Nov 28, 2010, 10:00 pm

Yeesh! The travails of the computer user... Glad you're back, though.

145catalina7
Nov 28, 2010, 10:17 pm

Thanks! Glad to be back too :)
Yup, I always waver between love for all they do and hatred for all the problems they cause lol.

146catalina7
Nov 28, 2010, 11:05 pm

147catalina7
Nov 28, 2010, 11:31 pm

91. The Boy Book by E. Lockhart

92. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

93. Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik

94. Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold

95. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

148alcottacre
Nov 29, 2010, 2:10 am

Sorry to hear you have been going computer troubles, Caitlin! Glad to see you back online now though.

149catalina7
Nov 29, 2010, 5:04 pm

Thanks! Yes, apparently I've just gone too long without any problems, so they decided to all gang up on me at once ;)

150catalina7
Nov 29, 2010, 5:16 pm

96. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

97. Legacy by Lois McMaster Bujold

98. Squire by Tamora Pierce

99. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

100. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

151catalina7
Nov 29, 2010, 5:21 pm

101. Need by Carrie Jones

102. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

103. Captivate by Carrie Jones

104. Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

105. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

153alcottacre
Dec 2, 2010, 4:33 am

Congrats on passing 100 books for the year!

154catalina7
Dec 2, 2010, 11:50 pm

Thanks! I keep trying to get to 150, but I have fallen short every year lol.

155alcottacre
Dec 3, 2010, 4:29 am

#154: As the saying goes - 'If you aim at nothing, you will surely hit it' - so you might as well aim high!

156catalina7
Dec 14, 2010, 1:23 pm

True! Hopefully some year soon I will hit the goal. :)

158nancyewhite
Dec 14, 2010, 2:31 pm

Congrats on hitting over 100 and, from the looks of it, having a great reading year.

159catalina7
Dec 14, 2010, 10:47 pm

Thanks! Yes, I have really enjoyed my reading this year :) (Actually, I really enjoy it every year...lol)

160alcottacre
Dec 15, 2010, 3:10 am

#157: Glad to see someone else enjoying the John Flanagan books. I have really liked that series.

161catalina7
Dec 15, 2010, 6:28 pm

Stasia: I am glad to hear you like them too! I just love them, they are such fun! I went to a renaissance festival this past weekend and got to learn archery and I kept thinking of Will and the other rangers :)

162alcottacre
Dec 16, 2010, 12:33 am

#161: I am hoping my local library gets caught up on the series soon. I am in a holding pattern with book 8 waiting for books 9 and 10 to arrive.

163catalina7
Dec 16, 2010, 11:22 pm

Stasia-I just hate when the library doesn't have all of a series! The worst is when they skip books, so they would have say 1,2,4 and 6 or something like that. Because you know they have more, but can't read them because they are other books in the series to read first!

164alcottacre
Dec 17, 2010, 1:29 am

#163: Unfortunately with my local library I run into both situations quite a bit. I hate it too!

165catalina7
Dec 25, 2010, 11:39 am

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope everyone is having a wonderful and joyous Christmas and Holiday Season!

166alcottacre
Dec 25, 2010, 4:56 pm

Same to you, Caitlin!

167catalina7
Dec 25, 2010, 5:58 pm

Thanks Stasia! I hope you are having a great day! :)

168catalina7
Edited: Dec 25, 2010, 11:03 pm

116. The Siege of Macindaw by John Flanagan

117. Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

118. Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

119. Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold

120. Erak’s Ransom by John Flanagan

169catalina7
Dec 31, 2010, 7:19 pm

121. The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle

122. Night Watch by Terry Pratchett

123. Sandry’s Book by Tamora Pierce

124. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

125. Tris’s Book by Tamora Pierce

126. The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry

170alcottacre
Jan 1, 2011, 2:21 am

Happy New Year, Caitlin!

171catalina7
Jan 1, 2011, 1:01 pm

Thanks, Happy New Year to you too Stasia!

172catalina7
Jul 27, 2011, 1:46 pm

Just realized I must have read Grave Peril by Jim Butcher somewhere in there...so that makes 127 lol