2010 Challenges

This year I challenged myself to read 100 books. I have now surpassed that goal. I am now thinking of challenges for next year and thought of these:

1. Read at least one book over 500 pages a month
2. A to Z Book titles
3. A to Z authors
4. A to Z new authors

I am thinking of doing one YA challenge too, but haven't picked one out yet. I want to keep updating my blog and hope to add new content.

Once Was Lost-Sara Zarr

Once Was Lost was my first Sara Zarr book. I have had her book Sweethearts on my list for a while, but haven't gotten around to it.

Samara is the daughter of a small town preacher. Everyone thinks they have a perfect family until her mom goes to rehab and her dad ignores her. Then a young girl goes missing and Samara starts to question what she has been raised to believe.

I really liked this book. I felt for Samara and wanted to just give her a big hug. I liked her friends and to watch her grow and figure things out on her own. The character of her dad bugged me to no end, but at the same time I could see why he did the things he did.

I now can't wait to get to Sweethearts.

Other recent Young Adult Books.

Some others that I have read:
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson: It was just an ok book. It follows Ginny through an adventure that her aunt set up for her through 13 letters. She travels around Europe and learns about her and her aunt. There wasn't a whole lot of character development though.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne: GREAT BOOK. It is a quick read about Bruno who is a young boy during WWII. His father, who is an officer, moves Bruno and the rest of the family next to a concentration camp and we see the time through Bruno's eyes. John Boyne told this story fabously.

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer: A book as delicous as my peppermint mocha latte I was drinking while I read it. It is a quick Young Adult book about a girl who works for "starbucks" and does match making based on your favorite drink. There wasn't a lot of character development and yet I drank it up.

Living Dead Girl-Elizabeth Scott

What a hauntingly good book. Living Dead Girl follows "Alice" who was kidnapped by Ray at age 10 from a school field trip. She is now 15 and has been dealing with Ray's abuse for the last 5 years. She is wondering what is going to happen next since the first "Alice" was killed at 15 when she got to old.

Elizabeth Scott wrote this book very well. She captured Alice's feelings and thoughts perfectly. I loved the ending and really the whole book. I will put a disclaimer that it while the scenes aren't really graphic graphic as it is a Young Adult book you will get the picture. I read this book in one day because I just needed to know what was going to happen no matter how uncomfortable I felt. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Scott

Over the Holidays-Sandra Harper

I wanted something Christmas to read to keep me in the Christmas spirit. I saw this at Target and read the synopsis on the back and thought it sounded good. The book ended up being nothing that I thought it was going to be. I expected a light Christmas themed book, but it was actually deeper and didn't really center on Christmas at all.

Vanessa and her husband JT have twin 9 year olds so while Vanessa would rather not celebrate Christmas she has presents to buy, cookies to bake, and a tree to put up. At least this year she doesn't have to go to her sister in law,s house who is the Queen of Christmas. Then surprise her Sister in law and family come to visit her for Christmas. Many things happen there afterwards.

There were a lot of "WTF" moments for me, but it was a good read.

Shadowland-Alyson Noel

The third in the Immortal series picks up about a week after Blue Moon ended. We see Ever and Damon trying not to touch each other and yet still having a relationship. Ever gets a job at a bookstore and we meet someone from her past. Roman is still there making trouble for Ever since losing his beloved Drina.

This one was not as interesting as the other two in the series. I found it lacking in the suspense and character development areas. I felt that I was guessing everything ahead of time. That being said I did still enjoy it. The next one Dark Flame comes out this summer.

Splendor-Anna Godbersen

Splendor is the last book in The Luxe series. It is bittersweet as I love new books following old "friends", but hate that it is now over.

This book wraps up the lives of Elizabeth, Diana, Henry, Penelope, and Carolina. I don't want to spoil the series for those who have not read it, but the ending was not what I expected and in fact was disappointed at first. Now that it has been a little while I am happy with it.

Diana follows her heart, Carolina gets what is coming to her, Penelope is still the love to hate girl, Henry learns about himself, and Elizabeth finds information.

I am sad to see my friends go.