'Hello World' - Paul Beavis

Yuss!!!  We've all been hanging out for this instalment.  'Mrs. Mo's Monster' is still very popular around here so the follow-on adventures of this little guy have been highly anticipated.

'Hello World!' - Written and illustrated by Paul Beavis

First of all - that cover.  The colours, the sun rays, the perspective, the itty-bitty details - So perfect! I love that it gives us a cute glimpse into the monster's quirky, inquisitive character (the lean and the outstretched arm - I can see my own little guy reflected), who is every bit as obstinate and prickly-sweet as he was in 'Mrs. Mo's Monster'.

Paul Beavis takes the simple and evocative illustrations of book one to a whole new level in 'Hello World!' We follow the monster on a dream-strange adventure into the wilderness.  When he loses his way, forbearing Mrs. Mo comes to the rescue, and they share a magic little moment before heading home.

I loved the book's message and needed to hear it.  Little peeps (monsters or otherwise) are definitely live-in-the-moment types, and the lure of adventure can be so strong.  My own tendency to focus on a job until it's done (the Mo's want to finish painting their house before they do something fun together) means we sometimes miss out on potentially magic adventures.

Childhood is so short and those moments are so special, for the grown-ups just as much as the little guys.  'Hello World!' serves as a timely reminder to leave the dishes in the sink (well, I don't mind having an excuse), and head outdoors.  Now that the weather is fining up, adventurezzzz...

'Hello World' is available in bookstores, and via the Gecko Press website.  Thank you Gecko Press for supplying us with a review copy of this adorable title :-)

'Stray' by Rachael Craw - Blog Tour & Author Interview!!! (Yeooowwwww!!)

So ya'll know that I'm a big fan of 'Spark', debut novel of kiwi writer Rachael Craw (reviewed here - MAD PROPS to Miriam of Create Hope Inspire for recommending this series!).  Well I have the total honour of joining the blog tour launch the sequel title, 'Stray', and I'm pleased as punch.

"It’s hard to remember hating anything as much as I hate Affinity; a bone-deep loathing for the faceless unknown and the concrete walls of my own DNA." 

Evie is a Shield: designed to kill in order to protect, and the Affinity Project have finally come for her. But Evie isn’t ready for the sinister organisation to take control of her life, her body, her mind. She isn’t ready to follow their rules about who may live and who must die – not when it condemns the innocent. She has one option: risk losing everything and everyone – including Jamie – and run.

As far as sequels go, 'Stray' is at the top of the pile.  It expanded the world of 'Spark' beautifully, with heightened tension, a ton of character development, and some truly lovely writing.  The humour got me, and I read most of the book while sitting at the hosp. bed of a loved one, so I needed a bit of that.  The book itself was a bit of a lifeline, actually.  #grateful.

'Stray' starts in on the action asap - you'll find yourself hooked from the opening pages and then you'll read a teeny few pages more and then you'll look up and it's 10pm and you've forgotten to feed and bathe your children.

I loved getting to know the characters better, and especially enjoyed the dynamic between Evie and Kitty, which has markedly changed since book one (in the BEST way).  Evie and Jamie have some really tender moments too, as well as some pretty painful ones.  In fact there are a few gut-punches in 'Stray', character-wise, but I'll have to leave ya'll to find those out for yo'selves.

Okay, that's a pretty short review but I really don't want to spoil ANY of it!  'Spark' and 'Stray' are such FUN YA/Sci-fi/Mystery/Thriller/Romance crossovers!  I just want you to hurry out and read them both asap, and THEN we can talk about what happens at the end of book two.  Trust me, you'll need to talk about it with someone...

I was pretty excited to ask Rachael all my burning questions, but then of course I totally blanked and couldn't think of much beyond 'what t.v. shows do you watch?'  Yar, I'm totes awesome.  Go on, TRUST me with your interviewee!  Gracious Rachael went ahead and answered them anyway, which only made me like her more :-D

(I've peppered her interview with some top quality cartooning *wink* - I'm ready to quit my day job, everybody!) 

Hi Rachael!  I'm so psyched to have you here at The Golden Adventures!  'Spark' fans are in for such a treat with 'Stray' (I know that my 15 year old niece is going to FLIP OUT!), what a perfect sequel! 

Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and delighted to be visiting your blog! Look I’ve already started on the exclamation marks!!!

I never felt like you took the obvious plot route in either 'Spark' or 'Stray'. This was super exciting as a reader, there was no way I would've guessed where things were gonna end up, in either book.  Did this come down to meticulous planning, or did you find yourself surprised along the way, too? 

I am a pantser by nature while doing my best to learn to plot (I’m not very good at it) it’s more like external processing – I don’t know if I want to go a certain way until I write it. It’s long winded and painful but currently that is my way of doing things. It may change. However, yes, I was constantly surprised by things happening, characters suddenly doing or saying things I hadn’t expected, characters appearing out of nowhere – the whole bit. I wrote the very first draft of Stray in the same year I wrote the first draft of Spark so it sat there for nearly 6 years before it got it’s re-write. I found it immensely challenging and constraining and many times wanted to can it and start fresh but I was too chicken and bound to a very firm deadline. However, I fought my way through it and I’m pleased and proud of the outcome.

How long did this series sit in your head before you started writing? 

Not long at all. I woke up from a dream and started working on it that day but getting it to a readable standard to a loooong time as I had to learn how to write. I am still learning.

Which is your favourite step in the 'from-idea-to-published-text' process?

Hmmm, such a good question and I would struggle to choose. There is something incredibly thrilling about first draft writing, the unknown, the rush of something appearing on the page that you didn’t expect. I find it very addictive. However, I deeply love the crafting process, my obsessive personality gets to wallow in a sentence and agonise over making it perfect. I crave perfection, I’m parched for it. I never reach it but it is a deeply driving motivation. A gorgeous sentence releases some kind of chemical joy in my brain. Word lust or something.

Do you ever find Evie (or any of the other characters) strongly reflecting aspects of yourself, or do they feel quite separate from you?

I feel intimately bound to all of my characters. Sometimes I feel like they are all me but in fragments. Miriam is probably my closest reflection, except for my total lack of ninja moves and being a complete wuss. I have Kitty’s temperament and sense of humour, Evie has my pride – my loathing for being made a spectacle of and the echo of my teen-angst. Though, I wasn’t as together as Evie at 17. She knows her own mind. I love that about her.

If you were casting director for a film adaptation of 'Stray', who would you cast as the main players?

Evie and Jamie are up for grabs – I feel like they would need to be up and comers. I would love Jamie to be properly English. Miriam I have always fantasized as being played by Jennifer Connelly. I adore her. In Stray there is a character named Ethan Tesla and I picture him as someone with the look of Eric Bana or Henry Cavill. I did a post for Jeann at Happy Indulgence with character profiles for the main characters and fan-casting/photos to show the look.

I don't get the feeling Evie is really the telly watching type, but if she had a favourite TV guilty pleasure, what would it be?

Ha! Poor Evie, not much time for telly. If she did, I think she would watch the Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad. You know, stuff with happy endings. ;-)

And finally, what are your TV/book/music guilty pleasures?

I don’t have guilty pleasures, mostly because I am utterly shameless. I super LOVED The 100! I can’t wait for that to come back on! I ship Bellarke hard! (Clarke & Bellamy). Most people know I am a ginormous Buffy the Vampire Slayer fangirl. This year I have just started watching Supernatural. HOLY MOLY, I am beside myself addicted to that show. I cannot even believe what I have been missing out on!!! I am so profoundly in love with Dean Winchester I don’t even know what to do with myself … and Castiel. I cannot take how much I love Cass. I binge watch on Netflix at least 2 episodes a night before I fall asleep. I watch it in the dark on my laptop with my earphones in and I drive my husband mental by laughing so hard I wake him up. They do the BEST ever meta-stories where they go into parallel dimensions where they find themselves as actors in a show called Supernatural, or stuck in a sitcom, or stuck at a Supernatural convention where everybody is dressed like them and larping a hunt (Live Action Role Play). It kills me. I love it so much I just downloaded ‘Carry On My Waywards Son’ as my text alert and my ringtone is Sam and Dean yelling things like, ‘Answer the freaking phone’. I’m up to season 7 and season 11 was just released in the states! So much to look forward to.

In terms of books I have been trying to broaden my reading in YA fantasy and I am excited for Sarah J Maas next book, Queen of Shadows. Currently I am reading Garth Nix’s Lirael and really enjoying it.

Awwww, thanks Rachael!  And thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of this tour!  Can't WAIT for 'Sheild'!  Check out the other interviews and guest posts below x

Stray Blog Tour

September 1

Happy Indulgence | Diva Book Nerd

September 2

Behind the Pages | Cassie the Weird | YA Midnight Reads

September 3

Liz McShane Blog | Imaginary Misadventure

September 4

Fictional Thoughts | Genie in a Book

September 5

Kids Book Review | Books for a Delicate Eternity | Nicole Has Read

September 6

Loony Literate | Book Nerd Reviews

September 7

Striking Keys | Very Dark Horse

@RachaelCraw | RachaelCraw.com

On My Nightstand - April

'The Wise Man's Fear' - Patrick Rothfuss

• I was hooked, utterly, firmly, from the start.
• I still (mostly) loved Kvothe as a protagonist, but the cocky arrogance wore on me.
• The university setting is appealing, but the side adventures are what give these books flavour.  Rothfuss lengthens these adventures with extraneous detail, but even so they make for fun reading.  Sojourn into Fae country excepted.  Erm, pass.
• Extraneous detail.  So.  Much.
• I had to go back and edit a point from my earlier Rothfuss review, regarding a perceived feminist agenda in Book One.  In retrospect I feel like this was token.  Book Two has such large portions of undisguised sexism that any apparent subversion of it in Book One comes across (now) as condescension, which in IMO is somehow more annoying.  This is nothing new, so, you know, blah blah blah, but having credited him before, my adjusted reading in Book Two impacted my enjoyment quite drastically.
• The last third of the book was an effort for me.  I think the last 15% of the book took me as long to read as the first 70%.  I was so invested in the characters and the story, this was actually a real bummer for me, and I can't recall it ever happening before... 
• I'm still totally committed to the series and I'm hoping Kvothe/Rothfuss pull through for me in the third.

'Flora and Ulysses' - Kate DiCamillo

• What an adorably sweet story, and completely, entirely unexpected.
• The cast of characters are so great.  Textured, quirky and funny.  
• One of the central relationships made me uncomfortable for a time (in a sad, rather than disturbed way).  But yay for MG where things work out in the end!
• This was definitely a middle grade story, and as such will not be on my reread list, but I look forward to passing it on to Eleanor at some stage.
• The graphic novel side of it was perfection.  

On My Nightstand - Feb/Mar

For a variety of reasons I'm reading a little more Middle Grade fiction, this year.  It does feel strange to stare at my TBR pile and see titles that even my nieces are too old for now, but so far it's been v. rewarding.  Some MG fiction is just so classic, it's really no effort to dive in, even if picking up an unknown-to-me MG text can feel a little challenging.

'One Crazy Summer' - Rita Willams-Garcia

I had nooooo difficulty with this one.  A page in and I was totally hooked.  

• The voices are so authentic, and 
• the (historical) setting is so interesting.  
• I adored the three sisters and watching the slow playing out of their relationship with Cecile was bittersweet and pretty beautiful.  
• This powerful little novel packs a punch.
• I was disappointed to finish and found myself wishing this were a series.  And then I discovered IT IS!  Yusssss!!  I'm especially looking forward to the third book, due for release later this month.  Boom!

'Juno of Taris' - Fleur Beale

• This took me a long time to read, but not because I didn't enjoy it, I did!  
• The pacing is slow and deliberate, which partially accounts for it (it was also a v. busy time, settling into work etc).  
• As a reader you really watch Juno grow, and the narrative grows and changes with her.  
• Beale is a skilled writer which makes for relaxing reading, you know you are in safe hands.
• Few of the characters felt really relatable to me, though this didn't detract, much. 
• The setting was interesting, even if I didn't entirely get how it worked, or why it was needed.  This was probably actually explained at some point :-/ I can be pretty inattentive at times...
• Overall I enjoyed it but I didn't looooove it.  I'd def recommend it to those who enjoy a slower burning YA dystopian.

'Cress' - Marissa Meyer

• My favourite bits were set in space.  SPACE!  I need to read more space-y books (yes, I am aware of the correct title of this genre :-P), but really I think they will be disappointing after this.  Space without Meyer's quirk and humour and adorable characters?  It could never be an equal experience.
• Quirk and humour and adorable characters.  The title characters in this series are so easy to buy in to, right from the outset.  Cress's initial description, alone in her spaceship, so great.  And the side characters are just as fun (I'm looking at you, Iko).  
• I could've done without the chapters from Kai's viewpoint.  I guess I just found the others more interesting. 
• I got lost in the sand dunes.  Mid-points can be difficult for me, and this one meant a very long break from the book.
• But when I picked it back up, BAM!  I couldn't understand why I'd stopped reading.
• I'd recommend this series to anyone who enjoys YA.  I know it fits a genre (or three), but far more than that this is just a great story, well-executed.  

'The Name of the Wind' - Patrick Rothfuss

• I started this with no knowledge of the story, just a recommendation for THE Angela. Oh man.  So. Worth it.  
• The initial few chapters didn't hook me, at all.  I began to think this one wasn't gonna be my cup of tea.  I had no idea what was going on, who was who, or where any of it was going.
• I persevered (thank goodness!) and it quickly got good.  REALLY good.  
• I heard someone describe this as the adult version of Harry Potter.  Having said that, they then admitted they'd never read Harry Potter - but I still like it.  There are some common elements, though this is a far more mature text (I'm trying to suggest that HP fans give this one a go).
• The writing is intelligent, poetic, and with smatterings of feminist commentary #fistpump Edit: Now well into book two - I take this back, I take it back, I take it back.  Sexist, NOT feminist :-(.
• Kvothe is a worthy hero, but not perfect, which is perfect.
• There is a lot of detail.  I think some of it could have been left out, but whatevs. 
• I reaaaaaally loved the section describing Kvothe's childhood.  Painful and beautiful and a little scary.  It felt a little Dickens-y, which I loved. 
• Highly recommended - esp. for fantasy fans.  

I'm a few books behind my goal for the year, but the Rothfuss tome set me back a little (huuuuge).  All good, plenty of MG coming up ;-).  And still no duds!  Yuss!

YA Recommended Readingz

I've read a few more YA titles since the last time Angela and I posted our faves, so when she asked if I'd be keen to do another round-up, I was all 'yup!'  There are too many great titles and not enough time to read them all...

As we did last time, Angela and I are posting our faves on the same day - so go and check out her list (it will be good) over at Striking Keys.

So these are my 15 faves from the last year or so of reading.  I definitely read some duds too, but these are not those.  In fact, some of these titles are in my Top Ten of All The Times list!  I'll let you guess which...


'How I Live Now' - Meg Rosoff

Waaaaaaaaah < that's me crying.  I get that this one isn't for everyone, but it was for me.  Rosoff's writing is topnotch, and the story really got under my skin.  It's a short read, like stay-up-till-ya-finish-it (because once you're invested, you can't put it down).  There is some controversy about the romance, but I thought this was overblown tbh.  The love story actually got me the most.

'Dreams of Gods and Monsters' - Laini Taylor

:-) :-) :-) Laini fangirl right here :-P.  Just do yourself a favour and READ THIS TRILOGY!  Unlike 'How I Live Now', I think this is a series that would be enjoyed by a wide range of YA readers/adult readers.

'Boy21' - Matthew Quick

Definitely a 2014 favourite.  In terms of plausibility - I don't know, sometimes it felt far-fetched, BUT What do I know?  And I really fell for the three main chars. so what does it even matter?  They were totally endearing.  And it was all totally heartbreaking but in such an unexpected, poignant way.  Go.  Read.  

'The Graveyard Book' - Neil Gaiman

Totally weird and completely compelling.  I'm sold on Gaiman, even though his subject matter is def not my usual cuppa.  I'm going to read more of his work this year.  

'Okay for Now' - Gary D. Schmidt

Awwww!  I had a number of male, anti-hero, protags in my reading list for 2014.  I'm a fan.  Something about the hero-that-doesn't-believe-he's-worthy-but-totally-actually-is just gets under my skin.  Big fat tears rolling down my face.  'Boy21', 'The Wednesday Wars' and 'Finnikin of the Rock' all fit this description.  Allllll the cryyyyying.

'Scarlet' - Marissa Meyer

I loved 'Cinder', and 'Scarlet' was even more fun!  A range of captivating characters, riveting plot, and lush settings.  Seriously digging this series and anxious to get into the third.

'Finnikin of the Rock' - Melina Marchetta

This was an amazing read!!!  And I loved the sequel even more!  Can't even believe it's taken me this long to read these because Marchetta is definitely a fave YA author.  It's like 'Game of Thrones' for young peeps - a sprawling, exotic setting, kickass characters, secrets, mysteries and epic battles (but these are kept to a minimum, just fyi).  RecoMMEND!

'The Fault in our Stars' - John Green

I think everyone's read this already, but it made my top ten last year.  I was a little dubious at first, the only John Green I'd read previously was 'Looking for Alaska' which I didn't dig.  However I loved 'The Fault in Our Stars', the characters, the story, the humour.  So, so sweet.  And all that other stuff that everyone else says about it ;-)

'The Giver' - Lois Lowry

So it turns out this is studied in some schools and evvvvverybody has already read it.  I'm slow to the party, and now join the hoards of fans.  Waaaaay more painful than I thought it would be, but so, so beautiful too.

'Birthmarked' - Caragh M. O'Brien

This whole series was great - perfect YA/crossover fiction.  The writing is intelligent and the characters are compelling.  Plus all the action and romance and cool settings you'd expect from a YA Dystopian novel. Much fun and a few crys.

'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' - Benjamin Alire Saenz

Beautiful, tender and more than a little heartbreaking.  I really loved Saenz' writing style, and those characters, oh, oh.  

'Spark' - Rachael Craw

I love a good mystery (I mean, c'mon!  Who doesn't?!) and 'Spark' delivers one, for sure!  There's plenty of action, romance and badassery too, and I'm thinking it's all going to be amped up a notch or two with the sequel - 'Stray' (hopefully out soon?).  And did I mention, NZ fiction too?  Boom!

'we were liars' - e. lockhart

I'm not going to say I loved this one.  I spent most of the novel withholding judgement, and growing increasingly frustrated with many of the characters - esp. the adult ones.  But I was completely won over in the end, and retrospectively enjoyed it, yanno what I mean?  One esp. awesome thing?  The setting!  I mean, wow.  What dreams are made of.

'Where Things Come Back' - John Corey Whaley

Another one I didnt LOVE (at least not in a rabid Laini-Taylor-Hazza-Potta kinda way) as I was reading it - it was unsettling at times, and wasn't desperately drawn to the protagonist.  BUT it totally stuck with me afterwards, and I think about it often.  A cleverly crafted piece of writing, and one that I think would be a valuable read for YAs.

'Under the Never Sky' - Veronica Rossi

This one was straight-up escapism at its best.  Nothing fancy or flowery about the writing, this one is all about the story.  A pretty solid all-rounder - well-excecuted romance (that sounds so cold, but I was v. satisfied with the build-up - no insta-love here), interesting setting, fun side characters, mystery, baddies, action and some freaky deaky cannibals.  I haven't read the third yet, but I reckon she'll deliver.

I have a pretty good-looking TBR pile on my nightstand, which is always the best feeling (though if February is anything to go by, I may not finish many titles this year :-/ ).  I'm ludicrously excited about some of the beautiful books that are waiting for me, so I really just need to stop watching TV completely.

On My Nightstand - Jan

Yep, I'm back with this regular feature.  Yaaaaaaaaaaaay for blogging about what you love!  I really enjoyed my Jan reads, and I'm hoping I can make equally good picks for the months ahead.  Get ready for some thought-bullets...

'Finnikin of the Rock' - Melina Marchetta

• 'Finnikin' is a bit of a slow-burner, to begin with.  There is a bit of back story to deal with, plus all the character intros and scene setting required of a series with this scope...
• ...But then it gets good.  REAL good.  
• The characters are complex, the world building is excellent, and the narrative dips and weaves in a v. satisfying way. 
• I'm gonna be straight with you, there are things that you're gonna see coming from a mile off (true of all three in the series), but this in no way detracted.
• There are some very strong characterisations, which I think is Marchetta's biggest strength.  They get under your skin.  

'Froi of the Exiles' - Melina Marchetta

I felt like this was a really strong Part Two for the Lumatere Chronicles (though after discussion with pals, I think there is some division about this).  For me...

• The tension was just right.  So many secrets to unwind, so many relationships to build/heal.  Light on the action, but with an underlying sense of danger to fill it's place.
• Froi was such a compelling anti-hero.  I liked him best of all when he made bad decisions or said the wrong thing.  Lovable rogue, all right. 
• There is a definite Game of Thrones flavour to this series, but these are far more palatable.  There is a stronger character focus, and the depravity is generally alluded to rather than described.  Generally.  There are definitely upsetting scenes though, you've been warned.  
• If you love character-driven fantasy, packed with adventure, intrigue and even a bit of Royal Court drama, this series is def for you.

'Quintana of Charyn' - Melina Marchetta

I feel heavy-hearted about this one.  I don't want to doubt any of the decisions of a writer who in my opinion never misses the mark, usually.  But for me, 'Quintana' was a mark missed.  It was a combination of many things that made this book feel like work and not pleasure, which was entirely unexpected considering how excellent the first two were!

• My biggest disappointment was that I grew to like certain of the characters less and unfortunately didn't connect with Quintana at all..
• I didn't enjoy constantly knowing more than the protagonists.  This effectively replaced tension with frustration.  Especially as the characters drifted further from their cause...  I felt (again) like this was a GoT device, used less successfully here.
• 'Quintana' definitely has less of a YA feel (married relationships + marital relations + heavy content).  It also felt like all of the chars. had come of age by now.  Some of them are parents, some of them are about to be.  I liked this, actually, but I'm no longer a teenager...
• There are a lot of story lines being threaded together in 'Quintana'.  Some I liked better than others.
• There is more of the world to explore, and I liked the world, a lot. 
• A certain Queen got on my nerves waaaaaaay too much during book 3.  

I seem to be in the minority of readers who didn't adore 'Quintana of Charyn' - so don't take my word for it!  And certainly don't let this deter you from reading the series which is SO WORTH IT!!!  Even just for book two which had every element of excellent storytelling, IMHO.


'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe' - Benjamin Alire Saenz

Awww, sob sob!  Such a beaut story...

• Saenz doesn't try to do something with this story, just lets it tell itself.  It felt like such an honest account - never boring, never forced.  
• The pacing is slow, but this is a fast read.  Entirely character driven, but they are v. compelling characters.
• This includes the parents.  The lovely parents.
• I wanted to shake Aristotle sometimes.  I mean really!  Figure out what everyone else has figured out!  But that is the bitter heart of this story and made it all the more tender.

'I am Not Esther' - Fleur Beale

I'm a little behind the 8-ball on this one.  Has everyone already read this?  

• I found it riveting - the story never lost momentum and the situation never stopped being fascinating. 
• It's also on the shorter side, easy to finish in a day or two.  
• Beale's writing is sparse - there are no flowery descriptions.  This took getting used to (I'm a flowery descriptions kinda gal), but was perfectly suited this particular story.  I have since started on 'Juno of Taris' and have found the writing far more descriptive.  And my point is - Beale is clever.  
• Kirby annoyed me at times, but then again, tough situation so what do I even know?  Also, she's a teenager.  Teenagers have allllll the feelingz.
• Um, did I mention fascinating?  

I have such an enticing pile of books on my nightstand - it's actually pretty hard to pick the next title, which is why I started on three simultaneously.  We'll see which one hooks me first...

On My Nightstand - Dec pt. 2

So I didn't quite make it.  But I gave it my best shot, and discovered some beautiful literature (particularly YA) along the way.  There were plenty of duds too.  All good.  I will post a top ten if I can narrow my fave titles down, and meanwhile here are the three I finished on:

'The Giver' - Lois Lowry

I really loved this one.  It's been recommended to me time and time again, but I still managed to enter in with no knowledge of the story, which was perfect.  This was a short read so not a huge commitment if you're unsure.  I'd recommend it to any reader.

'Under the Never Sky' - Veronica Rossi

This book was such a pleasant surprise.  I discovered 'Under the Never Sky' through Goodreads which has tended to be a little hit or miss for book recommendations, in the past.  This one was solid - likeable characters, a fun setting and a driving plot.  I felt as though the characters were quite a bit older than they were supposed to be which was a plus (since I am no longer 16, I guess).  I can't think of anything that I didn't like about it, actually.

'Through the Ever Night' - Veronica Rossi

I enjoyed this just as much as the first.  There is less of the sci-fi and more action/adventure.  Such fun, easy, summer reading.  Just waiting for book depos. to deliver the final part...

There are still plenty of books on my To Read list for 2015.  Thinking I might try for the same target, considering how fun it's been...

38/40

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 (reading)

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

Forest Born - Shannon Hale

Cinder - Marissa Meyer (read)

Scarlet - Marissa Meyer (read)

Cress - Marissa Meyer (reading)

If I Stay - Gayle Forman (read)

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green (read)

The Jewel - Amy Ewing (read)

The Selection - Kiera Cass (read)
The Elite - Kiera Cass (read)
The One - Kiera Cass (read)
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (read)
Boy 21 - Matthew Quick (read)
Love Letters To The Dead - Ava Dellaira (read)
We Were Liars - E. Lockhart (read)
Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell
Okay For Now - Gary D. Schmidt (read)

Don't Look Back - Jennifer L. Armentrout (read)

The Giver - Lois Lowry (read)

Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi (read)

Through the Ever Night - Veronica Rossi (read)

Contemporary/Adult lit

Hyperbole and a Half Allie Brosh (read) 

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick (read)

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes (read)

The Interestings - Meg Wolitzer (DNF)
Rules of Civility - Amor Towles
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn (read)
One More Thing - BJ Novak (read)
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

NZ fiction

(Middle Grade) The Volume of Possible Endings - Barbara Else (read)

The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton 

The Conductor - Sarah Quigley

Spark - Rachael Craw (read)

Non-Fiction

Is It Just Me? - Miranda Hart (read)

I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai

On My Nightstand - Dec

I'm trying, guyz, I'm trying!  A few all-nighters and I might make it!  This has pretty much been the most fun challenge everrrr.  If I make it to the finish line I am so totally rewarding myself with... a new book?

'One More Thing - Stories and Other Stories' - BJ Novak

This selection of short stories was surprising and delightful!  I actually thought I was getting the trad. comedian-memoirs-this-is-how-I-made-it (>> Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Miranda Hart etc) but nope.  Just clever, funny, often poignant stories and snippets.  I'm not usually a huge reader of short stories and I'm not sure that I would have picked it up had I known, but happy happy accident that lead to this!

Some of the stories have really stuck with me (only the occasional slightly boring/disappointing one) and I have this on my must-own-must-reread list. I was able to read a bunch of books around it, and it perfectly filled the gaps when selecting a new title.   A 2014 favourite.


'Don't Look Back' - Jennifer L. Armentrout

I went in cold with this one, with no recommendations other than a Goodreads Best YA Fiction of 2014 nomination.  I enjoyed but definitely won't remember this book...

Pluses - Excellent pacing and refreshingly smooth writing.  One of those writers you pick up and immediately know that you are in safe hands.  There was a satisfying level of intrigue the entire way through, making for a fun 'whodunnit' read.

Minuses - There was no element of surprise when the climax arrived.  I actually had a pretty great theory going, and felt deeply disappointed that Armentrout made such an obvious choice.  I thought there would for sure be a bunch of punch-in-the-gut plot twists saving themselves for the end, but other than the protag figuring out what had been pre.tty obvious all along... just nothing.  Disappointingly, I couldn't really get on board with any of the characters, I didn't hate them, but I didn't love 'em.  I thought there were missed opportunities for toxic characters to redeem themselves, and I had conflicted feelings towards the 'good guys'.

Also, sexual content warning.  This one's for older YA readers for sure.

35/40

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

Forest Born - Shannon Hale

Cinder - Marissa Meyer (read)

Scarlet - Marissa Meyer (read)

Cress - Marissa Meyer (reading)

If I Stay - Gayle Forman (read)

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green (read)

The Jewel - Amy Ewing (read)

The Selection - Kiera Cass (read)
The Elite - Kiera Cass (read)
The One - Kiera Cass (read)
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (read)
Boy 21 - Matthew Quick (read)
Love Letters To The Dead - Ava Dellaira (read)
We Were Liars - E. Lockhart (read)
Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell
Okay For Now - Gary D. Schmidt (read)

Don't Look Back - Jennifer L. Armentrout (read)

Contemporary/Adult lit

Hyperbole and a Half Allie Brosh (read) 

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick (read)

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes (read)

The Interestings - Meg Wolitzer (DNF)
Rules of Civility - Amor Towles
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn (read)
One More Thing - BJ Novak (read)
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

NZ fiction

(Middle Grade) The Volume of Possible Endings - Barbara Else (read)

The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton 

The Conductor - Sarah Quigley

Spark - Rachael Craw (read)

Non-Fiction

Is It Just Me? - Miranda Hart (read)

I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai

On My Nightstand - Nov/Dec

So, two weeks and seven books to go.  I'm doubtful.  In other news, my review lengths shrink as we approach end-of-year, so this will be brief - don't all get too excited.

'Cinder' - Marissa Meyer

Oooh, this book was fun!  I wasn't entirely sold by the premise, but the reviews were glowing, and I just can't go past an Angela recommendation.  'Cinder' was such a refreshing book!  It had all the necessary elements for a great YA read: intrigue, baddies, evil plotting, genuinely likeable characters, romance, cool setting.  #fistpump.

Meyer's writing is smooth and natural.  Nothing feels forced, and it's fun waiting for pieces of the original Cinderella to fall into place.  YA escapism at it's best.

'Scarlet' - Marissa Meyer

Even more fun than 'Cinder'!  I like both leads, and was glad that Cinder co-starred in this one.  The new characters were fully fleshed and definitely added some fun.  And also, yaaaaaay for spaceships!  I mean... /keep cool, Stell/... whatevs.  Spaceships.

'We Were Liars' - E. Lockhart

Okay, I have to admit that I had some strong reservations as I entered this one.  I immediately didn't love the narrative style and voice, and found the time jumps jarring.  I wanted to know some more stuff about the characters before diving in to the main event, especially as I'd already landed on what the twist was.

I persevered and I'm glad.  The story became much more textured and complex, and the piecing together of events was satisfying.  By the end I felt convinced by the delivery of the story.

'The One' - Kiera Cass

Nope.

BUT: Some (unintentionally - or intentionally?  Not sure) hilarious scenes that made it all worth it.  I think.

'Okay For Now' - Gary D. Schmidt

Sob.  Sob sob.  If you've read 'Boy 21' and loved it, this book is for you!  Actually, this book is for anyone.   This book is so, so good.  I teared up plenty - really, really cared about/rooted for these characters, and found a gaping hole in my life when the last page was turned.

33/40

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

Forest Born - Shannon Hale

Cinder - Marissa Meyer (read)

Scarlet - Marissa Meyer (read)

Cress - Marissa Meyer (reading)

If I Stay - Gayle Forman (read)

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green (read)

The Jewel - Amy Ewing (read)

The Selection - Kiera Cass (read)
The Elite - Kiera Cass (read)
The One - Kiera Cass (read)
The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (read)
Boy 21 - Matthew Quick (read)
Love Letters To The Dead - Ava Dellaira (read)
We Were Liars - E. Lockhart (read)
Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell
Okay For Now - Gary D. Schmidt

Contemporary/Adult lit

Hyperbole and a Half Allie Brosh (read) 

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick (read)

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes (read)

The Interestings - Meg Wolitzer (DNF)
Rules of Civility - Amor Towles
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn (read)
One More Thing - BJ Novak (reading)
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

NZ fiction

(Middle Grade) The Volume of Possible Endings - Barbara Else (read)

The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton 

The Conductor - Sarah Quigley

Spark - Rachael Craw (read)

Non-Fiction

Is It Just Me? - Miranda Hart (read)

I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai