On Reading (#1)

Because I challenged myself to read 40 books this year, I've decided to do some short Book Reviews of the books I've read so far this year.

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Would Recommend If You Like: Divergent series, Matched Series, teenagers in spaaaace!

I've read a lot of YA distopian fiction in the last few years and am getting a little tired of the genre. That being said, this is a quick and easy read and the plot is interesting enough to keep you reading. The biggest problems I had with the book were the made up future slang Revis used - it kept on taking me out of the book and wondering what it meant/why she chose to use sooo much. Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and but I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I'll read the other 2 books in the series. 

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Would Recommend If You Like: Geraldine Brooks' books, magical creatures exist in secret type books 

I normally try to stay away from fantasy books set in modern day, but this series will be an exception. I love the voice and the characters and the world that the book is set in. I was fully expecting the book to turn into a bodice-ripping type romance novel, but was pleasantly surprised when it stayed away from the sexy sexy aspects of the genre, and kept with the danger magic danger aspects of the genre.

Magician King by Lev Grossman

Would Recommend If You Like: I wouldn't recommend it, to be honest.

After the semi-disappointment of the first book, I was wary to even start this book - and with good reason. Magician King has just as much whiney, mopey, why-can't-I-have-everything-I-wa-a-a-ant as the first book, but without an exciting climax at the end. I was so excited for this series, and I love the world it's set in, but it's hard to enjoy a book with such an annoying narrator. 

Sleepwalk With Me by Mike Birbiglia

Would Recommend If You Like: Chelsea Handler's books, This American Life

I started this book a little biased - I love Birbiglia's stand-up and all of the segments of This American Life he's participated in. If you know his stand-up, some of the stories might be familiar, but you can clearly hear his voice in his writing. It's really funny, even at times touching, and I hope he writes more books.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion 

Would Recommend If You Like: World War Z, YA distopia novels, zombies

I hate to sound like everyone else I know that's read this book, but it's an excellent new take on zombie books. I thought it would be weird to side with the zombies in a book, but the main character is so charming and it's so well written it felt natural to root for the zombies. To be honest, I mostly only read this to take a break from the crappy YA series I was forcing myself to finish - but I'm glad I did. It's an interesting take on a tired genre and it's well worth a read.