On My Nightstand - Mar/April

On My Nightstand is going to be a regular feature this year, as I read my way through 40 books in 12 months (yusssss!!!!  Best challenge everrrrrrr!!!).  These are not typical reviews, just some short (and sometimes longer) responses to the books that end up on my nightstand.  So far - 16/40 books read.

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

This was a pretty good read, though I just didn't really feel too much either way.  I saw the ending coming from a mile off, actually before I even opened the book (thanks to comparisons to other novels).  The characters were fine, but relied too much on stereotypes, and felt like they were less interesting versions of book characters I've met elsewhere.  But it was an easy read, and pretty enjoyable for the most part.  A good book to take on holiday with you, I'd say.

Where Things Come Back - John Corey Whaley

I feel a little conflicted about this one.  I didn't actually enjoy reading it, largely because the precocious teenage narrator got on my nerves quite a bit.  It's hard to explain why, but the novel itself felt a little self-conscious, however this book has stuck with me some.  One of those stories you kinda can't get out of your head.  It's cleverly constructed, and the mystery is well drawn, I was totes surprised by the ending.  If I'm gonna recommend this one, I think it's for the Catcher in the Rye fans, and maybe more appropriately a teen read than some other YA novels.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy - Laini Taylor

The first two were rereads for me (sooo good!  Book 2 especially).

Dreams of Gods and Monsters - Laini Taylor

Oh wow.  I can't even...  DoGaM started out by piecing together events that lead to Book 2's epilogue, and simultaneously weaving some new threads into the story.  I liked the new threads.  If there's one thing Taylor excels at (and trust me, it's not the only thing), it's creating authentic, compelling characters.  Other characters were  further developed in this final installment, and yuss!  So great!  A romantic subplot between two such characters was one of my fave aspects of DoGaM.  You'll find out.  I'll keep it brief, but must just say - Laini Taylor can craft some seriously beautiful, poignant story moments.  Certain turn of phrases were sooo... I literally had to close the book at times and just absorb what I'd read.  And then go back and read it again.  Same goes for the comedy moments.  Gold.

List update (and still some room for recommendations):

YA novels

The Wednesday Wars - Gary D. Schmidt (read)

Taming of the Tights - Louise Rennison (read)

The Maze Runner - James Dashner (read)

Birthmarked - Caragh M. O'Brien (read)

Across the Universe - Beth Revis (read)

Iron King - Julia Kagawa (read)

Finnikin of the Rock - Melina Marchetta

Where Things Come Back - John Corey Whaley (read)

How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff (read)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor (read)

Days of Blood and Starlight - Laini Taylor (read)

Dreams of Gods and Monsters - Laini Taylor (read)

Prized - Carah M. O'Brien (read)

Promised - Carah M. O'Brien (read)

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (reading)

Forest Born - Shannon Hale

Cinder - Marissa Meyer

If I Stay - Gayle Forman

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green (read)

Contemporary/Adult lit

Hyperbole and a Half (read) - Allie Brosh

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes (read)

Schooling - Heather McGowan

The Interestings - Meg Wolitzer (reading)

NZ fiction

Featherstone - Kirsty Gunn

One-a-pecker Two-a-pecker - Ruth Park

The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton

The Conductor - Sarah Quigley

Spark - Rachel Craw

Classics

The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner

The Mill on the Floss - George Eliot 

Non-Fiction

Is It Just Me? - Miranda Hart

I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai