Ok we have a lot of ground to cover. Let's get started, shall we? Last time I posted, which was back in August, I was just starting The Secret Ingredient by Stewart Lewis, which I quit about three chapters into it because I couldn't stand it any longer. I guess Stewart Lewis and I will never get along :) I can't remember all the failed attempt books that I've had since September, but there have been a few that clearly don't need to be mentioned here. Soon after getting disappointed by The Secret Ingredient, I made a trip to the library and asked a friendly YA librarian (who has helped me out with suggestions in the past) if she knew of any books with a snarky and smart main character. She told me about Beauty Queens by Libba Bray and A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley. Beauty Queens was just excruciating to read. I didn't even finish it because it was filled with vapid characters and ideals that I personally don't support, so I didn't make it very far into that one before reaching for another book. However, my librarian really hit the spot with A Little Wanting Song. First of all, it is written by Cath Crowley, who also wrote Graffiti Moon, which is one of my favorites. I wasn't aware that she had written anything else, so this was a very welcome surprise. The book drew me in quickly because I could really relate with the main characters from their social habits and patterns of speech to their love of music. It was truly the perfect book for me at the time. Also, it was written in alternating POVs, which, if you've ever read this blog before, you'll know is my favorite thing to discover in a novel. It therefore, earns a spot on the List of 55 (number 35). As soon as I finished it, I texted K and begged her to find it at the library and read it as soon as possible. I believe she even posted about it in October, so if you need more convincing, check there. In October I read An Abundance of Katherines by John Green and High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. An Abundance of Katherines was just so cute. That's really the only word I have for it. The main character, Colin, is just so nerdy and brilliant that he is soon very endearing. I loved the basic plot and Hassan's humor and Colin's little quirks and just everything. I was expecting not to enjoy it because of how much I hated The Fault in Our Stars, which was my first John Green book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe I'll have to check out some of his other books sometimes and give him more shots at redemption after the disappointment and depression that was The Fault in Our Stars. Anyway, this book got itself on the List of 55 as well (number 36). Onward! I read High Fidelity by Nick Hornby because I watched the movie first (a crime, I know) and really enjoyed it (I mean John Cusak is just amazing and so is Jack Black, who just epitomized the character, as I discovered after reading the book), so I thought I'd give it a shot. Although it was a bit slow at parts, it was a great book about love, loss, music (always a plus), and friendship. It was the first book I've read in which the characters were more obsessive about music than I am (with the exception of my musical inspiration, Owen). I mean, it seemed like Rob and Dick and Barry had the ideal jobs, working and owning a record store. It brought me back to the film Empire Records with the "cool kids" working at the record store and bickering about music all day. It seems perfect. *sighs* If only, if only. Anyway, it was a great book and great movie and I would definitely recommend them both. In November I discovered Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life by Steve Almond. It was an autobiographical look at his musical past. Most of it was witty remarks and entertaining tangents and musical references that made me happy inside. It was my version of a "fluff book." I believe I finished it in a few days, which was truly miraculous given the fact that I've been bogged down with homework the past semester and haven't had much time for reading. It was just the sort of book that would make me want to become a music critic or meet Steve Almond and hang out with him for a while. Who knows, maybe I'll do both someday. Also, I had an extensive fangirl moment during the chapter in which he talks about meeting Dave Grohl, who is my musical idol. One of these days (props go to anyone who got my Foo Fighters reference) I WILL meet Dave Grohl too and we'll become the best of friends. After all, he's my hero....he's ordinary. Ok I swear I'm done with my Foo Fighters references...I think. Bottom line, it is the essential book for any music lover out there and was a delight to read. Therefore, it earned a spot on the List of 55 (number 37). Next was Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance, which I finished in just one day. I was on a reader's high after finishing Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life and I just latched onto this book. It was very cliche and predictable and yadayadayada. However, I really enjoyed it. It was a modern version of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which some of you may know is my all-time favorite book. It is definitely worth the read if you're looking for a light-hearted, fun chick lit book. It just wasn't good enough to warrant a placing on The List. Next was Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell. My mom actually picked this book for me when we were at the library together one time. She told me she thought it would be the type of book I would enjoy because it was about coffee and books. I was willing to give it a try, and while it was hard to relate to the main character (a 30 something year old women with a kid), it was a good book. Some of the characters made me want to simply throw something and at times the main character needed a good talking to for her terrible decisions, but all in all a nice light book. I then tried to reread Pride and Prejudice for the six or seventh time (don't judge), but that was perhaps a mistake since it was near finals and the end of the semester and it got a little neglected as I hardly had time to look at it, let alone read it. So I kind of gave up on it and picked up (Not That You Asked) by Steve Almond because of how much I loved the other book I read that he wrote. I'm about 50 or so pages into it, and enjoying it, but set it aside to finish later because I wanted to start Divergent by Veronica Roth. A friend of mine has been bothering me for years to read it and I'm just now caving to the pressure. Shoutout to my favorite librarian Hope for lending me her copy of it since all the copies at the library were checked out. I really appreciate it :) Also, I figured I'd get it read before the movie comes out next year. I literally could not put it down, even while I was spending time with my family on Christmas Eve. It was a little embarrassing, but it was just pulling me in, as only a great book does. I finished it in about 3 days because my family needed me to pay attention to other things than my book, sadly, seeing as how it was the holiday season. Anyway, I wish there were words and time with which to write them that could explain how wonderful this book was, but there aren't. It reminded me a lot of The Host by Stephanie Meyer, which I really loved as well. And honestly, there's not a good way for me to describe this book without getting into every single little detail, but just go out and get a copy of it. It made number 38 on the List of 55. It's just amazing. So amazing, in fact, that I drove over to my friend's house (the one that's been bothering me to read it) to get books 2 and 3 because the library's copies were checked out. I am now going to read Insurgent and Allegiant and then hopefully get around to reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, as K has been wanting me to do practically since I met her four years ago. Anyway, I have a pretty big stack of books that need to be read during this winter break, so I best be going now. However, K and I are trying to find some time to get together and make another joint post like we've done in the past, so look out for that soon!
Happy Holidays,
M
