Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Hollow Trilogy

The Hidden (The Hollow, #3)The Hidden by Jessica Verday
Source: Purchased
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading the final installment in the Hollow trilogy, The Hidden.  The first two books are The Hollow, and The Haunted. The story is essentially about a teenage girl who falls in love with a ghost.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a sucker for young adult fiction.  This book has a few darker elements, but overall it's pretty light and fluffy.  They are enjoyable, quick reads for when you are not in the mood for anything heavy.  I also figured a book with ghosts in it would be the perfect pick for late October :)

Friday, October 14, 2011

Delirium

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium trilogy #1
Published by: HarperTeen
Date: Feb. 1, 2011
How did I get this book? Purchased
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GoodReads | Author | Publisher

Imagine a world in which no one is allowed to fall in love.  A world in which love is believed to be the root of all evils.  At age 18 you get "cured" and are "safe" from contracting the "disease" of love, or Amor Deliria Nervosa as it has been named.  Of course, this book was destined to be about a girl who falls in love right before she is scheduled to be "cured."

I found the premise of this book fascinating and I really enjoyed reading it.  Until I got to the end, that is.  I didn't care for the end and felt as if the story was left unfinished.  Then, to my happy surprise, I discovered there is a sequel coming out!  So, I feel it is only fair to not hold the ending against this book, because the story is not yet over!  If you like young adult fiction with an interesting twist, give this one a try.

The Distant Hours

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Source: Purchased
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GoodReads

A few words about my most recent literary addiction:
Enthralling
Enchanting
Romantic
Mysterious
Haunting

If you like novels with these characteristics, read Kate Morton's novels.  I cannot say enough good things about her books and I wholeheartedly recommend them.  She never fails to surprise me and I cannot wait until she publishes her next book.  Bear in mind that her writing is not of the happy, feel good type.  Her stories tend to be dark and creepy and not for the reader who needs a happy ending. There are always bright spots in her books and parts of the plot resolve themselves in a happy way, but overall these novels could best be described as tragic.  But, the biggest tragedy of all would be to not lose yourself in these pages.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Feast Nearby

The Feast Nearby: How I lost my job, buried a marriage, and found my way by keeping chickens, foraging, preserving, bartering, and eating locally (all on $40 a week)The Feast Nearby: How I lost my job, buried a marriage, and found my way by keeping chickens, foraging, preserving, bartering, and eating locally by Robin Mather
Source: Purchased
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, I was surprised by how many recipes it contained.  The sheer number of them made this an extremely quick read.  Essentially, it is a collection of essays that shows us how Robin figured out how to support herself (and her local economy) at a little lakeside cabin in Michigan.  She finds happiness and security by putting up food, making new friends, and enjoying the company of her dog, bird, kitten, and chickens.  She weathers the four seasons and shares her experiences the first year she lives alone in her cabin.

This was an informative read with delicious sounding recipes and lots of canning and preserving tips I plan on making good use of (someday).  I found it well written with one glaring exception, which may be personal, you can judge for yourself.  Instead of saying she liked or enjoyed something, Robin said over and over again that "such-and-such pleased her," or "it pleased her neighbor" or "it pleased her neighbor more than it pleased her."  For whatever reason, that wording just grated on my nerves.  Glossing over that one failing, I found the book educational and interesting and I will definitely hold onto it for future reference.