More Nerd Stuff

Since I still need to get pictures from my MIL's camera to document our October-Fest we had last weekend, I will do a book report of sorts. I thought I would do a follow up on this list I blogged about last May.

I am happy to report I read all of the books (and then some) on my YA "To Read" list. I guess that is what happens when you are feeling nausous all summer :) So here are my thoughts

Books I LOVED:
Immortal Instruments Series: The best way to explain these books is it's a cross between the magic and battle between good and evil of Harry Potter and the romance of Twilight. FYI for younger readers: There are some pretty intense make-out sessions.

The Clockwork Angel: This is a prequel to the series above. I actually ended up liking this book more than the other series. Only because I LOVED the setting (turn of the century England) and thought the romance part was more sweet and slow to come.

The Study Series: There are three of these books--Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study I loved that the main character is strong-willed and not some damsal in distress. I loved that there is romance, but it doesn't overpower the book--the protagonist still has her own story beyond her boyfriend.

Juliet: It's been a while since I've read this, but I know I really liked it. It's a cross between a National Treasure and The DaVinci Code type story. Plus it had a main character who was over 20 and the story wasn't obscene in any way. Shocker!

Books that were OKAY:
The Beautiful Creatures series. Right now there are two books and the third one was just released. I can't really pinpoint what I don't like about them. They were good, but I found myself getting bored and skimming some parts. Plus the character of Lena drives me crazy. And you can tell the main character, Ethan, is a boy written by female authors. He is way too sensitive and intense for a high school boy. I still plan on reading the third one.

Incarceron: I just finished this one yesterday. It was good, but weird. It might have been a little too "out there" in the fantasy genre for my taste. I also think the author had a lot going on in the story so it made it a little confusing. Of course this book is just book number one in a series, so I will probably read the rest.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. Good, but the first two books were bascially the same story. The last book was by far the best. And even though they aren't obscene, I hesitate putting them in my classroom because the romance is kind of intense for a middle school audience, I think.

The Wolves of Mercy Fall series (Shiver, Linger, Forever). This was a story based on mostly emotions and thoughts of characters. There was very little actual action in these books. Also, by book #3 I was way more interested in the side characters stories because I was so bored with the two main characters.

The Maze Runner Series. The third book was just released and yes I will read it. I wasn't totally into the first two, but they were good. I a good boy book, I think. Lots of action and very little romance. Maybe that is why it's only "okay" for me. HAHA!

Books that were 'MEH:
The Beyonders. Sorry Brandon Mull but I could not get into this book. It was good but mostly I am bugged that this is going to be a trilogy! This story totally could have been told in one book. Plus the ending was terrible. The whole story builds up to this one moment and it's a huge letdown. But this story is really popular with a lot of my students.

Why are almost all YA books part of some kind of series? Now my "to read" is 10 times longer than it was in May. Also, I have done very little reading in the "adult" book category. Any suggestions? I get tired of YA storylines after a while :)