A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig - 234 pages

Nikolas is determined to find his father.  His father left to discover proof that elves exist by traveling to Elfhelm.  But he's been gone too long.  Nikolas must journey north to find his father. 

I've been wanting to read this book the past several years around the holidays, but it's always been checked out.  So this year, I made sure to grab it early.  I listened to it on audio.  It was narrated perfectly by Stephen Fry.  I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to kids and families looking for a good Christmas book to get them in the mood for the holidays.

These Gentle Wounds by Helene Dunbar

These Gentle Wounds by Helene Dunbar - 308 pages

Gordie is living with his half-brother Kevin.  Kevin is the only one able to keep Gordie safe and focused on getting his life on track after the horrible day their mother tried to kill Gordie by driving into a lake.  But just when things seem to start to be getting better, Gordie's father comes back into the picture.  Now Gordie is falling into a tailspin . . . .

While this was not a happy book to read, I did enjoy it.  It was well written.  I think it does a good job of showing the aftereffects of abuse and how it stays with a person forever. 

Perfectly Good White Boy by Carrie Mesrobian

Perfectly Good White Boy by Carrie Mesrobian - 304 pages

Sean's life doesn't seem to be heading in a great direction.  His father has left the family after an incident last spring that caused them to move to a rundown rental house on the outskirts of town.  His girlfriend has just broken up with him before leaving town for college.  And he has no plans for after high school except to maybe join the marines, which his family opposes.  The only bright spot in his life is his new co-worker Neecie who is quickly becoming his best friend.

I enjoyed this book.  It was nice to see the teen characters figure out their lives in a realistic way.  I would suggest it for older teens as it does focus on sex quite a bit and with some detail.

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts - 562 pages

Nate Burke has just moved to Lunacy, Alaska to take the position of chief of police.  Meg Calloway knows just by looking at him that he's sad, depressed, and lonely.  They're just beginning a relationship, both bringing major issues to it, when a past crime comes to light that will impact both their lives forever.

I read this book when it first came out in 2004.  I decided to pick it up again when I didn't have anything to read the other day.  I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I did the first time reading it.  It's a great character study as well as an intriguing romance. 

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas - 408 pages
Ravenels #2

Lady Helen Ravenel is determined to marry Rhys Winterborne even though he believes the relationship is completely over.  They have several barriers to overcome though.  Winterborne has severely insulted Helen's sister-in-law and her husband.  Helen has recently discovered who her father really is and that he and Winterborne hate each other.  And Helen is determined to save her newly discovered half-sister from a loveless life in an orphanage.  This relationship is doomed.

I listened to this on audio.  I really enjoyed the narration by Mary Jane Wells.  The accents she used were wonderful.  I especially enjoyed the Welsh accent she used for Winterborne.

Afterschool Charisma, v. 9 by Kumiko Suekane

Afterschool Charisma, v. 9 by Kumiko Suekane - 208 pages

In this volume we get the back history of Kamiya, Kuroe, and Rockswell.  It was interesting to see their first interactions and how they came to be who they are now.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - 487 pages
The Mortal Instruments - book 2

Things are getting more complicated for Clary and Jace.  Jace is being accused by the Shadowhunters of being a spy for Valentine.  Clary's mother is in a coma at the hospital.  They still have feelings for each other even after their father Valentine revealed they were siblings.  And now Valentine is raising an army of demons in preparation for attacking the Nephilim.

This is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series.  I read the first book over a year ago but never read the rest of the series.  After listening to the short story collection The Bane Chronicles I decided that if I liked the short stories set in that world then I would probably like the regular stories as well.  Turns out that was correct and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

The Counterfeit Mistress by Madeline Hunter

The Counterfeit Mistress by Madeline Hunter - 327 pages
The Fairbourne Quartet #3

Viscount Kendale has been suspicious of Marielle Lyon for over a year.  Rumors have swirled for years that she is not simply a French emigre, a niece of a count killed during the French Revolution, but instead a French spy.  Now Kendale has caught Marielle in the act of passing papers to two men in an alley.

I thought this was the best book of the series so far -- maybe because it was more humorous than the other two books.  Even though it dealt with serious issues it interjected quite a bit of humor by playing the two main characters off of each other.

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn - 373 pages

Sarah Pleinsworth has never forgiven Hugh Prentice for the duel that exiled her cousin Daniel -- even though Hugh and Daniel have made up and Daniel has returned to England.  Now she's being forced to spend a week with him during the week leading up to Daniel's wedding.  Amazingly, she finds that she doesn't hate him as much as she thought she did.  In fact, she might just be falling in love . . . .
This is the third Smythe-Smith book by Julia Quinn.  It was just as enjoyable to read as the other books in the series.  I did enjoy that she focused much more on the guy's perspective that is usual in a romance.  Both main characters were also much more nuanced than usual with believable arcs in characterization and motivations.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Somebody on This Bus is Going to be Famous by J.B. Cheaney

Somebody on This Bus is Going to be Famous by J.B. Cheaney - 293 pages

They all ride the bus for over an hour a day -- to school and back home.

Shelly is the singer sure she is going to be a huge star.
Bender is the bully with home problems.
Miranda is the girl who will do anything for a friend.
Kaitlynn is girl who talks too much and comes up with plans.
Spencer is the genius who isn't sure he is a genius anymore.
Matthew, the only African-American kids in the subdivision, doesn't care about race at all.
Jay is as football obsessed as his grandfather -- until his grandfather develops dementia.
Igor is the kid who is running from his dad but isn't sure he wants to run anymore.

This is the story of one year as they ride the bus to and from school.  They make and break friendships.  They learn more about themselves.  They also try to solve the mystery of the bus stop where no one ever gets on.

Overall, the book was pretty good.  I liked how each month focused on one child's story.  However, the timing didn't quite work out right.  For example, although Jay's story was told in March, it actually took place over December and January.  I also thought the accident that is the climax of the book was a little too obvious in its effects on the kids.  *** SPOILERS ***  The genius getting a brain injury, the athlete hurting his leg, the singer harming her vocal cords, etc.  *** END SPOILERS *** It's unlikely that the only main injuries that would occur would be the exact injuries that would be most devastating to the one it occurred to.  However, I don't think the target audience of kids would mind as much about that.  I think for kids it is an interesting way to look at themselves and others.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 507 pages
The Mortal Instruments - book 1

Clary is shocked to see three teens kill someone at Pandemonium Club in New York City.  The next night her world is turned further upside down when she goes home to find her mother gone and a demon waiting for her.  One of the teens from the previous night -- Jace -- rescues her and brings her to the Institute.  It is a place for Shadowhunters -- those who fight demons, vampires, werewolves and other creatures.  Turns out her mother stole a powerful Mortal Instrument - the Mortal Cup - and Clary must find it to find her mother.

I read this book after seeing the movie.  While the movie was okay, the book includes a whole lot more than the book did.  I was confused from the book as to why Clary would like Jace.  He spent his whole time being rude and arrogant towards her.  At least in the movie he had a few redeeming qualities.  I did enjoy the book and look forward to reading more books in the series.

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry - 215 pages

This is the second book in The Giver quartet -- although you would never know it from reading it.  There is one small mention of a character from The Giver that is merely described by his eye color.

I listened to this book on audio.  It is the story of Kira, a young girl who is saved because of her skills weaving.  She is charged with repairing the Singer's robe that conveys the history of her world in pictures.

I enjoyed the audio version of the story.  It was a good story on its own - without trying to tie it to The Giver series.

Darker Than Black: The Black Contractor by Bones

Darker Than Black by Bones - 394 pages

Kana thinks the stories of Hell's Gate is just that - stories.  Then she sees her dead father walking down the street one day. This leads her to start searching for her father bringing her to the attention of the Contractors - beings with supernatural powers.
This is a graphic novel story set within the anime universe of Darker Than Black.  Supposedly it is the only manga done with the universe and it is a stand along story that involves just a few of the characters from the anime.  I didn't think the story made much sense.  It probably would have been better if I was familiar with the anime beforehand.

Godchild by Kaori Yuki

Godchild, v.1 by Kaori Yuki - 208 pages
Godchild, v.2 by Kaori Yuki - 208 pages

Lord Cain became the head of the Hargreaves family upon his father's death.  But is his father really dead?  Why does death follow Lord Cain around?  And how are the two questions connected?
This series is a sequel to the Cain series which focuses on Cain's father.  I'm thinking that there might be a lot of back story in that series that would help to make this one make more sense.  It seems that this series focuses on various murders that Cain happens upon and that he then solves.  A lot of the murders are based upon nursery rhymes and classic books.  Some of the mysteries are better done than others.

The Safe-Keeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn

The Safe-Keeper's Secret by Sharon Shinn - 222 pages

Fiona and Reed have grown up as the children of the Safe-Keeper - one who must keep the secrets told to her.  However, one of them was a baby delivered to the Safe-Keeper's doorstep on the day of his birth.  Fiona is determined to be a Safe-Keeper even though everyone believes that she is not right for the job.  But can she keep the secrets?  Especially the one about her family?

I really liked this book.  While I saw the twist coming it was still really well done.  The characterization was well done.  The plot was different than many fantasy stories for teens.  A great book.  I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Sharon Shinn's books.

Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones

Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones - 292 pages

Andrew inherits his grandfather's house and estate following his death - including his field of care.  It also seems he inherits Aiden -- The grandson of a family friend that is in trouble.  Now Andrew must detemine exactly what his field of care is, protect Aiden from those trying to kill him, and stop Oberon from taking over his town.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book.  I loved the narrator's voice.  I also liked the story -- although I did get tired of them continually calling the characters "those who don't use iron" instead of just calling them fairies.  A great fantasy book from Diana Wynne Jones.

Good Girls Do by Cathie Linz

Good Girls Do by Cathie Linz - 323 pages

Librarian Julia was thrilled to find normal, placid, picturesque Serenity Falls after a childhood moving around with her new age mother and sister.  She loves the quiet of the town.  Until her family shows up and the new owner of the town bar arrives.  First her family decides to move in whether she wants them to or not.  Then Luke, the bar owner, sets his sights on her. 

This was much better than the other "librarian" romance I read this weekend.  This was a fun, quick read.  While not great literature, I did enjoy it.  You can tell the author either was a librarian or knew someone and did their research.  This book probably had the  most realistic descriptions of a librarian's day than any other I've read.

Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter

Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter - 357 pages

Audrianna is determined to clear her father's name.  So she sets out to meet someone who claims to have information.  Unfortunately, Lord Sebastian Summerhays also shows up.  In the confusion he is shot and the person they want to meet flees.  Hoping to avoid some of the scandal, they eventually marry to save their reputations.  However, they are both still determined to discover the truth about Audrianna's father.
This is the first in Hunter's regency quartet.  However, it is actually the last book I in the series that I read.  I found myself continuing to read it simply because I already knew the characters.  Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have.

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas - 374 pages
(Wallflowers series - book 3)

Evie Jenner is desperate to escape her relatives so she can nurse her dying father.  So desperate that she approaches Lord St. Vincent, the man who tried to kidnap her friend Lillian, with a bargain that she'll marry him.  He will get her money that she'll inherit when her father dies and she'll escape her family who is trying to marry her off to a cousin.  It's the perfect agreement for both of them.  Until Lord St. Vincent starts to fall for Evie . . .
This is my favorite of the Wallflower series books.  I really liked the contrast between the characters and how they interacted.

Last Days of Summer: A Novel by Steve Kluger

Last Days of Summer: A Novel by Steve Kluger - 353 pages

The impossible happens when Boston kid Joey Margolis writes to Giants third baseman Charlie Banks.  He writes back.  They start sending letters back and forth to each other -- eventually meeting and changing each others' lives.
I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the idea that a preteen boy could be so annoying that he could actually get a star to write him back, meet him, and become a fixture in his life.  It was a little disconcerting at first to read Banks' letters as they were filled with spelling errors, but it quickly just became part of the character.