Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

It's been a few weeks since I read this delightful book so some of the details may be sketchy. This was recommended by my good friend, a recommendation for which I am grateful because otherwise I probably would never have found this story. I love getting good suggestions from people so if any of you readers have a book you loved I want to hear about it!

Bernadette is an eccentric, middle-aged woman living in Seattle with her husband and daughter, Bee. Her husband is a big shot working at Microsoft and their daughter attends a small private school. Bernadette is a famous architect, though she hasn't worked in years, since before they moved to Seattle. She hates Seattle, all the parents of the kids at Bee's school, and her neighbors, and pretty much everything about life at the moment, except for her family. One day, after a confrontation with her husband and a shrink, Bernadette goes missing. This book is a compilation of letter, emails, observations, and journal entries, all put together by Bee in an effort to find her mother.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was different; the characters were all interesting, Bernadette is especially endearing, and the method with which the story is told was refreshing. There were parts that rambled on a bit long and lost my attention, but for the most part this was a very fun read!

4 out of 5 stars

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

This was a very cool book. My husband is obsessed with Brandon Sanderson's work but I've always been a little intimidated by them, mostly because the books are all absolutely gigantic and teeny tiny print. I couldn't imagine really getting into them. But my sister in law recommended this one and she and I have pretty similar tastes in literature so I thought I'd give it a try. Boy am I glad I did because Steelheart is fantastic!!

Sadly, it's the first of (I believe) a trilogy so there are plenty of loose ends at the finish. Typically I won't start a series that isn't already finished because there's nothing worse than cliffhangers when you don't have the next book handy. Thankfully, this one wraps things up enough so you're not out-of-your-mind-crazy for the next one, but still want more.

Brief synopsis: People have been gifted with powers that turn them evil and they become the rulers of the world; they're called Epics. One particularly powerful and evil Epic is Steelheart, who has turned the area previously known as Chicago into his domain. Steelheart is supposed to be impossible to hurt, let alone kill, but David, an 18 year old, is the lone witness in the destruction of a bank where he was wounded. David, convinced he can discover how to kill Steelheart and get revenge for his father's death, seeks out the Reckoners, a group of rebels who kill Epics whenever they can. Together he knows they can fight to end Steelheart's grip on the city.

This was certainly a page-turner, jam packed with action with a healthy dose of humor. Can't wait for the sequel!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

I am currently experiencing an extremely rare moment when my newborn and my toddler are asleep at the same time. Highly unusual because my toddler doesn't nap anymore (man, grocery shopping really wiped her out today!) and my newborn rarely sleeps anywhere but my arms, so this post will be quick.

Just finished this new book by Shannon Hale, my favorite author, this morning. Quite different from anything else she's done but as usual it was very entertaining. Dangerous stars a girl named Maisey Danger Brown, an intelligent home-schooled girl with only one arm who wins a trip to an astronaut camp from a contest off the back of a cereal box. Camp turns out to be something more than the standard, and she and 4 others are gifted with supernatural powers, intended for them to save the world from an alien invasion.

Yes, very different from Hale's typical fairy tale, happily ever after stories. Lots of action and plot twists. I was engaged for the entire ride. Definitely recommend!

4 out of 5 stars