[C. Lee]

Just started a book set in Jamaica, called Distraction. Too early to tell what I think, but the writing is darned good and the story has drawn me in so far.

[Shannywriter Posts: 507 Status: Offline Believe in yourself and never give up WWW]

I can't wait to read The Raven Boys. I'm throwing out wild hints that it would make a fabulous birthday or Christmas present for me. If I can wait that long...

Just finished Rae Carson's Crown of Embers. I'm so glad fantasy seems to be making a comeback in YA! And somehow I thought it was a sequel but not a middle book, but behold, when I come to the end, I see there is a whole nother book waiting for me. (Well, figuratively. I have to wait a year or whatever.) In any case, it was a strong story in itself and didn't suffer from the saggy middle book syndrome at all.

That's my next one, Rose! So excited!

Now reading Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

ONE AND ONLY IVAN--fantastic! It's at the top of my list for Newbery picks.
THE GREAT UNEXPECTED by Sharon Creech. Love Sharon Creech and this was didn't disappoint. (Although I found the ending a little confusing but I may have been tired and/or I was also rushing to find out what happened.)

[AJSchumacher Posts: 64 Status: Offline WWW]

The best of Roald Dahl. It's a collection of his more adult themed short stories but he has written some of my favorite children's books as well.

I'm trying to find time to read The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh again. It's pretty fantastic.

[rab Posts: 541 Status: Offline WWW]

Just reread Natalie Savage Carlson's delightful The Happy Orpheline (I first read it when I was a child). It still delights. Also enjoyed Maybelle in the Soup by our own Maybelle---what fun! And now I'm reading Leonard S. Marcus's Listening for Madeleine, which I like so much I had to start a separate thread about it.

[updog]

I'm rereading Little Women, and for some reason it's making me miss my childhood. Or maybe it's the holidays doing that, but I'm blaming the book.

[G.R. Posts: 633 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I'm rereading Little Women, and for some reason it's making me miss my childhood. Or maybe it's the holidays doing that, but I'm blaming the book.

Great stuff.

I can't believe I'm only now getting around to reading David Copperfield. Loving it so far -- David's narration, if a tad on the wordy side, is likable and occasionally funny.

[terrylynn Posts: 144 Status: Offline writing outdoor adventures WWW]

Seraphina - audio book. I so adored this! the narrator was awesome. Love that.
Angelfall - this is my first Amazon published book and it is definitely one of my top ten this year. LOVED this book.
Days of Blood and Starlight - not quite the first book, but the writing is still amazing

currently reading Witchlanders

[NickiS Posts: 7 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm reading The Raven Boys now (I really like it!). Before that, I read Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus books and re-read the Percy Jackson books.

[Stephanie Ruble Posts: 1,903 Status: Offline author/illustrator WWW]

I read GEEKS, GIRLS, AND SECRET IDENTITIES by Mike Jung over the weekend and loved it!

[DebraG Posts: 53 Status: Offline WWW]

I just finished Savvy by Ingrid Law, a middle grade novel about a family who each develop a talent on their 13th birthday.  I am reading Windblowne by Stephen Messer, a middle grade novel in which kites are quite incredible. Don't want to say any more and give things away. 

To help with my writing, I am reading Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton (who wrote Hooked, and which I just ordered).

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Deblyfe, I love Savvy! And Scumble, the sequel/companion novel.

Right now I'm rereading Crossing to Paradise, by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Gatty's Tale in the original UK version). SO lovely; I love pilgrimage tales. I find myself rereading it every Christmas. I can't help feeling like there really was a girl like Gatty back in the 1200s.

[Pons Posts: 2,465 Status: Offline]

I just finished Origami Yoda which was creative and very boy friendly. I liked it a lot.  :

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Just read Sarah Rees Brennan's new book UNSPOKEN. Really liked it! Very cool concept, pulled off excellently. (The MC has an imaginary friend who has talks to in her head, and who talks back. Only, then he moves to town--for real.) The only drawback is that since it's new and I just finished it, I have a looooong wait for the next one.

[Debby G Posts: 557 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm almost done reading a debut YA novel, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. It's fantastic! Great voice and humor. I can't wait to give it to my teenage son.

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

I recently finished COLD CEREAL by Adam Rex. Funny, enjoyable. The story felt a bit overly full, but it was still a good read. The ending made me think it's the beginning of a series, so that may explain the overly fullness--lots of set up for future books.

I also read the adult novel NOAH'S COMPASS by Anne Tyler. I love her books but haven't read one in years and this novel was so thoroughly enjoyable. I'm now reading DINNER AT THE HOMESICK RESTAURANT and have a feeling I'll be going on an Anne Tyler bender for the next couple weeks.

[Nora Posts: 94 Status: Offline]

I love Christmas break! I read and write and read some more...

I just finished THE GOLDEN COMPASS, by Philip Pullman, which I finished in a day.  I'm just starting DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT, by Lani Taylor. I LOVED DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE.  And next in the line up is GEEKS, GIRLS, AND SECRET IDENTITIES by Mike Jung. 

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

It's been snowing and snowing and my kids have been playing with Christmas stuff and/or sleeping off germs, and so all I've done is read for the past few days. I've read THE UNWRITTEN GIRL and FATHOM FIVE by James Bow, the 5th Amulet book by Kazu Kibuishi, BLOOD RED ROAD by Moira Young, and ZOMBIE MOMMY by MT Anderson. I found Jane Langton's THE DIAMOND IN THE WINDOW for my girls for Christmas (it was my favorite book in 2-3rd grade) and have been reading that aloud to them. (Such a strange little American fantasy--a mystery with New England transcendentalism in it...) All of them have been lovely and different and I'm really enjoying this chance to refill on stories while everyone is home and I can't do a lot of writing, anyway.

My girls are asking me to read to them some more. Nora, we're in the middle of GEEKS, GIRLS, AND SECRET IDENTITIES and they are enjoying it a lot!

[mirrorsandmagicfrogs Posts: 37 Status: Offline Must have coffee! WWW]

Ally Condie's Reached (finally!)

[C. Lee]

I ended this year with two books: Social Media Just for Writers and Every Day by David Levithan. Very different books, right? But each one was worth the time.

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Just finished Rachel Hartman's SERAPHINA. I love it that full-fledged fantasy is making a comeback!

[terrylynn Posts: 144 Status: Offline writing outdoor adventures WWW]

Ally Condie's Reached (finally!)

I've had that on my ereader for a while but haven't got to it yet! You'll have to come back and report how you liked it!

[terrylynn Posts: 144 Status: Offline writing outdoor adventures WWW]

Just finished THE FALSE PRINCE and really enjoyed it. Such a great character!

And that completes my reading challenge for this year - I read NINETY books!  :

that's 90!

Nine-zero.

It was a good reading year!

[mirrorsandmagicfrogs Posts: 37 Status: Offline Must have coffee! WWW]

Oh, I liked The False Prince! It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite books. I won't mention it here in case others plan to read it and haven't. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprises.

So far I like Reached, but it's not sucking my attention the way Matched did. It might be the rotating POV. I don't mind it, but I think it's taking longer to draw me in.

[KatyD Posts: 839 Status: Offline www.katyduffield.com WWW]

I'm reading Leif Enger's PEACE LIKE A RIVER. It's adult and oldish (2001), but my, oh my. It is WONDERFUL! One of the best books I've read in a long, long time. In fact, I'm dragging my feet on finishing it; I don't want it to end!

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

KatyD, that's one of my most favorite novels! I remember feeling the same way, wanting to savor it. I might need to re-read that one this year.

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Peace Like a River is one of my very favorite adult novels ever.

[nickypicky Posts: 262 Status: Offline WWW]

Love this thread! I'm reading SERAPHINA, too. Love me some dragons.
And Debby, I read ME, EARL, etc. and it was funny. Also very, um, raw. And unfortunately I read it right after my 13 y.o. son did.
Awkward moments ensued.
I'm going to read Fingerprints of You next. Anyone else read it? 

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Now on to REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS, by our own Helene Boudreau. My girls FOUGHT over who got to finish this book first, let me tell you. Finally it's my turn. It's awesome and funny--I can see why they loved it!

[KatyD Posts: 839 Status: Offline www.katyduffield.com WWW]

J-Bert and Olmue: I'm glad to be in such great company! I'm already thinking--would it be weird o finish it and then immediately start reading it again? I don't think I've ever done that before.