Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

I've started going to a book club. It's about time, considering my life-long love of good books. Talking to people about my favorite reads is always so satisfying. Last month we read this interesting book, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's about a techie guy who got laid off in Silicon Valley and gets a job in a dusty old bookstore with very few customers. He works the night shift and probably should have expected strange things to happen since what normal bookstore is open 24 hours? He puts his tech skills to use and documents his customers, who they are, what they are like, and most importantly, what they leave with, all using a fancy algorithm on his computer. He notices a pattern and begins to uncover hints of a secret society that seems to be full of eccentric bookworms seeking the secret to eternal life.

This was a cool story that explored the rift between new technology and digital books versus old print. I wasn't sure how to predict what was going to happen as I was reading because it was all a little strange, but in a good way. I've always thought it would be fun to work in a library or a used bookstore, just to be surrounded by books all the time. Books have magic and I can feel it more potently in the company of dusty volumes. This story definitely made me wish I had a part-time used bookstore gig.

Overall, fun story. Kinda different; a good mix of mystery, friendship, and commentary on technology. Also, the cover glows in the dark, which was somewhat alarming the first time I had it next to my bed at night, but also very cool. Definitely would recommend!

4 out of 5 stars

The Beyonders series by Brandon Mull

Jason and Rachel, middle-school-aged strangers from Washington and Colorado, find themselves in a mysterious new world, Lyrian. They learn that they have been summoned as heroes with the potential to save Lyrian, which has nearly been conquered by ruthless Emperor Maldor. Feeling under-qualified and far from anyone's hero, Jason and Rachel embark on a perilous quest that could either lead to their own destruction or save the world.

I very much enjoyed this adventure. I love Brandon Mull's Fablehaven books; Beyonders is similar in the fantasy and magic but written for a slightly more mature audience, which I liked. Throughout the series I was somewhat skeptical of how Jason, a completely average 13-year old kid, could save Lyrian; it seemed a little far-fetched. However, by the end, I was won over and actually inspired by how a normal, even unremarkable, person can effect change for the better. It doesn't take a powerful person to have a positive impact on the world around them. This should be a lesson for everyone to not sit idly through life; take a stand and change your world for the better! Anywho, I'll get off my soapbox, but I liked how Mull's characters were relatable, everyday people who have the courage to do what's right. Really the only negative I have with these books is about the pace of the story, which seemed to drag at times. Overall, fun, adventurous stories that both kids and adults will enjoy!

4 out of 5 stars

The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

If you've read the Percy Jackson series and enjoyed it, you'll definitely like The Heroes of Olympus. This series picks up not too far after the Percy Jackson series ends; the gods are at war with their two selves, their Greek against their Roman aspects. We are introduced to an entirely new Roman camp of demigods that has been kept secret from the Greek Camp Half-Blood, due to the Greeks' and Romans' inability to get along. The ancient Gaea, aka Mother Earth, is awakening and seeks to control the world. In order to heal the gods and thwart Gaea's rise to power, the Greek and Roman demigods must learn to work together.

Lots of action, humor, and fascinating mythology. I really enjoyed these books and loved the characters. I've always liked Greek mythology and I love how these books help teach old stories to a new generation of readers in such a fun way. I've seen that Rick Riordan has also written a series that goes into Egyptian mythology, which I know hardly anything about but think would be absolutely fascinating to read. They're called the Kane Chronicles, if anyone wants to go look them up. Overall I can definitely recommend this fun series!!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Ever After High series by Shannon Hale

 So, my favorite author, Shannon Hale, just keeps coming out with awesome stuff. I'm such a fan of fairy tales so naturally I'm going to like a whole series based off them. This is a series based off a line of Bratz dolls. Ever After High is a school where the children of fairy tale characters come to learn how to embrace their destiny. When students come of age they sign their name in the Book of Legends, which binds them to live the story of their parent. Apple White, Snow White's daughter, is eager to sign the book and fulfill her destiny. She finds comfort in knowing that she will have her happily ever after so long as she does what is expected of her. Raven Queen, the Evil Queen's daughter, on the other hand, doesn't want her destiny. She doesn't want to be evil and wants the freedom to choose her own future. When Raven doesn't sign the book, the whole school is thrown into chaos.

In book 2, Raven's best friend Maddie, daughter of the Mad Hatter, is accused of freeing, albeit accidentally, the Jabberwock from it's prison. Raven and Apple must work together to prove her innocence to keep her from being banished from Ever After.

In book 3, the Jabberwock is free and wrecking havoc on Ever After, turning things mad and trying to make it more like Wonderland. Everyone is changed except the 3 students from Wonderland (Maddie, Lizzie Hearts [Queen of Hearts' daughter], and Kittie Cheshire) and Cedar Wood (Pinnocchio's daughter). It is up to them to defeat the Jabberwock and undo the madness with which he is trying to change Ever After.

These books are like the reading equivalent of cotton candy. Light, sweet, lots of fun, but perhaps not as much content as you might imagine. I definitely enjoyed reading them. The narration is very silly and I love the interpretation of the fairy tales manifested in the characters. Maddie is so enjoyable, and really all of the characters have something interesting about them. If I were in about 6th or 7th grade these would probably be my favorite books ever. I have to admit, it was a little embarrassing reading these books on the elliptical at the gym because each page is fringed in hot pink and purple. People might wonder at my reading abilities if I keep bringing books written for children with me... Ha, stay tuned for my next Shannon Hale book; just finished it this afternoon. Only took me about 20 minutes since it's a young children's chapter book. :)

Good reads! Even for adults. Very light-hearted and fun. Especially enjoyable for fellow fairy tale enthusiasts like myself.

4 stars

(I feel like I'm giving a lot of 4 star ratings lately, but I really think it's because I'm almost exclusively reading stuff that I know I'll like. Who wants to waste time reading books they won't enjoy?? I hope it doesn't diminish the value of my 4 star rating.)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Every November, on the little island of Thisby, the Scorpio Races are held. On the backs of wild water horses, riders compete in a deadly race. The legendary capaill uisce are bloodthirsty and can never be fully tamed. Each year there are casualties of the race. Kate "Puck" Connolly races to save her home and keep her family together. Sean Kendrick, 4 time race winner, races to win the money to keep his best friend--his horse, a capaill uisce. Together they help each other train for the race, knowing that only one can win. Assuming, of course, that they even survive.

I really enjoyed this book. It was dark and compelling. The story moved a little slowly in the first half, but after awhile I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The legend of the water horses is one I've never heard before. They are violent and dangerous, fast and wild and free. I was simultaneously intrigued and revolted by them. I loved the two main characters, Puck and Sean, and enjoyed both of their stories, particularly when they joined. Definitely would recommend this one!!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

This was an interesting little story about 2 misfit high schoolers who find love. Eleanor comes from a broken home; her mother is in an abusive marriage, she's the oldest of several siblings, and they are extremely poor. She's overweight, her clothes are tattered and made for boys, and lacks the very basic essentials to maintain proper hygiene.

Park is the oldest of 2 children, his parents are together and his home life is stable. He is passionate about comics and music and tries to keep his head down at school so he doesn't get made fun of.

They meet on the school bus on Eleanor's first day. Park was the only kid on the bus who would let her sit with him, and he wasn't happy about it. They slowly become friends through their shared interest in the comic books Park brings to read on the way to and from school.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. It's a sweet story about first love, but I kept waiting for something to happen. There's not much of a conflict for the characters to work out, so it was a little slow and predictable for me. I liked Park a lot. Eleanor was kind of hard for me to read about, but that's probably because she had some of the same insecurities that I had when I was young, so it was like getting in my own head during my most vulnerable years (aka middle school, which pretty much sucks for everyone).

Overall, sweet little love story. Not much action, which is fine as long as you know that's what you're in for.

3 out of 5 stars

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Wowza! This was a roller coaster of a book! I've been meaning to read "Gone Girl" for awhile but it's always been checked out since they announced there would be a movie. Just watched the trailer, by the way, and it looks good. I love Rosamund Pike; I've always wished she was in more movies and I think she'll be a perfect Amy.

On the morning of their 5th wedding anniversary, Nick comes home to the front door hanging open, signs of a struggle in their living room, and his wife Amy missing. The police investigation goes south and all evidence suggests the husband is a killer, while Nick insists he is innocent.

There are so many plot twists that it's hard to write much of a review without giving away spoilers, but suffice it to say that I was hooked and kept guessing throughout the story. There's quite a bit of language, so much that I had to seriously monitor my normally clean speech because I constantly had the book's tone in my head. In general, I found the story a touch disturbing, but this could be because I read it mostly in the middle of the night while nursing my newborn. I would probably recommend reading this during daylight hours. :)

Overall a very good read!

4 out of 5 stars