Since I made my post about the YA Reading Challenge that I've decided to work on this year, I've read five different books. Seeing as how my taste in literature tends to hover between both YA and adult novels, I decided to just categorize it all under YA. I mean, I'm not even 21 yet. And I can categorize this however I so choose.
First and foremost, I read Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card. It's an in-between continuation of the Ender saga, falling (chronologically) between Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. I'm a huge O.S.Card fan and have been since Junior High. So based on that, I did enjoy the book. Very carefully written so that it doesn't contradict anything in the other books, and kudos to Card for that. As far as the story itself goes, it's interesting and definitely compelling, albeit a bit predictable-- and at times slightly cheesy because of the obvious references to A War of Gifts and other novels in the Enderverse. You can also definitely tell that it was written out of sequence from the rest of the books-- mainly because Card's writing style has evolved and is so much more complete than it was when he wrote Ender's Game. Still an enjoyable read, though. I'd give it a 4/5. Secondly, A War of Gifts, again by Orson Scott Card. This novella takes place during the actual events of Ender's Game. A good short story, easy read and quite heartwarming. There's not a lot I can say without giving a ton of spoilers-- and if you know me in real life at all, I couldn't care less about movie spoilers, but I HATE book spoilers. 4/5.
#3: Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen. I know this is one of her earlier books-- not even by the text in the prefacing pages, but in her style. It's not as... "flowy" as most of her other books, the style is definitely different and you can tell that she hadn't gotten quite a feel for it yet. Also, it's not a "summer" book as many of hers are. Nonetheless, an enjoyable and straightforward read. I'm in the process of tracking down a copy of How to Deal, the Mandy Moore film that was based on this book as well as That Summer. Honestly, it's not one of my -favourite- Sarah Dessen books, but it IS good. Worth reading, although I'd take it out from the library first if given the chance. That being said, I'd rather buy copies myself (hehe). 3.5/5
Four: Shopaholic & Sister by Sophie Kinsella. Ohhh lordy, as entertaining as this book was, I still spent most of it wanting to smack Becky Brandon on the back of the head. Which I suppose is the point, of course. It's entertaining and a light read, worth the $9.90 (haha, hurray for my iRewards card!) for sure. Good for a roadtrip or a night in a hotel with girlfriends, but not book-club worthy. 3/5.
Finally, Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic & Baby. I'll be completely honest here-- the first time that I read this book, I was in the middle of a really awful PMS'y, fibro-crash day and a lot of the book's storyline didn't absorb. I'm going to have to reread it. But, as far as I can tell, it's another pretty straightforward Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) book, plucky and funny although not a horribly deep read. 3.25/5.
Total book count so far this year: 5.
note: all of my book title links go to the Chapters.Indigo.ca website, because Chapters is Canada's major book retailer and is where I buy the vast majority of my books from. They take Interac online as well as credit card and gift cards. No, I was not paid to say any of this. :)
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