Hi Everybody
I'm sooo behind with reviewing books that I thought I'd post a few short *recommendations* of my January favourites. I've been way busy with my Masters Thesis and catching up on stuff I missed during the month I had to stay home, half-blind due to a nasty eye-infection, and reading way to much that reviewing and keeping my blog alive came second or eehm, third. Anyway, here are my January favourites, according to Goodreads I've read 20 books and I've started but haven't finished another 2, so choosing my favorites wasn't easy. There's no reason behind my picks, all aren't 5 stars, it's a mix of contemporary YA and paranormal/fantasy and chick-lit. I've chosen them because of how they made me feel, still make me feel.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Wow, what a wonderful book. I was hooked from page 1 and wanted it to go on and on, I was so sad when it ended.
What I loved about it:
The topic/issue - I've never experienced a loss close to me. Matson handled it perfectly, I could feel the sorrow and most of all the guilt. But it isn't a sad book, there's so much hope there too.
The Road-Trip - I love Road-Trips. I've never actually been on a real one, but I've spent my childhood travelling all through Europe with my family - trailering. Amy and Roger visit some interesting places, they all play a crucial part in the psychological/intellectual journey. It's not only a journey across the US but also a journey as a person. It feels real and believable.
The Romance - Of course :D, so sweet!
And how cute aren't all the pictures and receipts and other small tidbits that make the book feel so real?!
And One Last Thing by Molly Harper
I wouldn't call this one chick-lit, I'd call it chuckle-lit. Oh so hilariously funny this book is. Lacey is such a strong character. She takes the humiliation and hurt and turns it into something good, something productive. I like the fact that she didn't play the victim. That she was strong. It was lovely to read about her journey back to her true self, her empowerment, and the tools she used to get there, to be who she is, to find out what she wants. Harper is a wonderful writer, the words melt on the page, and it made me chuckle, no, laugh so many times, I finished it with a big smile on my face!
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
There actually isn't much I can say about this book. If you haven't read/started this trilogy about
The Iron Fey yet, just do. They are wonderful books, superbly written. So much raw emotion. I've cried so many tears while reading this book. I've a hard time to describe how these books make me feel. The last time I've felt like this while reading a book I was a teenager, reading a trilogy written by my favourite author Federica deCesco, the books were about a girl called Samira who fell in love with a Tuareg, nomadic people from the Sahara/Algeria. Anyway, The Iron Queen wraps you up like a cocoon, making you feel all warm inside, tingling. Perfect!
Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon
This is another *chick-lit*. A real cozy read, perfect for a winter evening. Dillon has a wonderful writing style, the words just flow and before you know it you've reached the last page, craving more. I'm really not a dog person, really, I'm not. I'm so scared of dogs. But this story actually made me fall in love with dogs, crying for them. They are the real stars of this book. Normally I don't like the 3rd person POV, and normally I don't like reading books with multiple main-characters. But Dillon pulls it off really well. I was long into the story before I noticed that it actually wasn't 1st POV! and I had no problem with keeping up with the three main female characters. It's a warming and charming tale of loss and new-found happiness and dealing with life.
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Unearthly has the most stunningly beautiful cover I've ever seen! Really, it's so shiny, a mere picture doesn't do it justice, at all!
Unearthly really surprised me. I'm new to the YA-genre, and I'm even newer to the paranormal side of YA. I've tried to catch up during these past few months and came to the conclusion that I don't like books featuring Angels. I was sooo wrong. Thanks to the raving reviews and the beautiful cover I picked it up, and I haven't regretted that decision for even one second yet. Wow! I have no idea how many times I can say perfect and loved it in my reviews, but I have to say it yet again. It wasn't the paranormal stuff and the whole mythology of the story that drew me in the most (even though it's so well executed!) but the realness. Even though Clara is an Angel-blood and not all human the story felt real, it felt tangible.
I'm totally Team Tucker!
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Oh, my goodness, January really was a month of awesome for me. Especially because I found this little gem at my local bookstore! This really isn't my normal kind of read. I usually avoid everything that has with murder and serial-killers to do. But I truly enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the second book in the series and I'm truly grateful that I don't have to wait an eternity for it.
Best thing about it? The chemistry between Violet and Jay!
