My favorite reads of 2015 (so far…)
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson. (Nonfiction - 2003).
An older book I read for my book club... and loved. Devil in the White City is two different stories wrapped in one - the Chicago 1893 world fair and
H. H. Holmes, America's first serial killer. Very informative, yet interesting
and engaging. I highly enjoyed it.
Information Doesn’t Want to be Free by Cory Doctorow. (Nonfiction - 2014) How is our world dealing with copyright
infringement, digital piracy, freedom of information, privacy, etc.? The answer is: not well, and this slim volume explains
it all. A very intelligent conversation on a topic that doesn’t seem like it
should affect us, but does with every book we read, song we listen to, or movie
we watch.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. (Fairy Tale
Retelling - 2014) Nix has been betrothed to the Demon Prince since her birth,
but her father and his friends expect her to kill him the first time the
opportunity arises. This retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story is a
little darker and more mature than one might expect, and it is just different
enough to make it a fun and engaging read.
Storyspinner by Becky Wallace. (Fantasy - 2015) A
dead king, missing princess, a failing country boundary which threatens the
kingdom with invasion from the outside,... and a gypsy-like storyteller who is
the key to everything. One of my favorite reads of 2015.
Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep. (YA Fantasy -
2015) Lila is an orphan, surviving by stealing and using her magic “gift.” When she
accidently saves a boy (from one of the elite, gang-like, magic wielding crime
families) from assassination, Lila becomes the boy's bodyguard. However, since none
of his bodyguards have lasted longer than a year, she has her job cut out for
her. This is an action-packed adventure story with a little magic thrown in for
spice.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu. (YA Fantasy - 2014) People
who survived the fever changed... physically, mentally, and with new psychic
powers. These Elites are discriminated against and hated... so they band
together for protection and power. Adelina, Teren, and Enzo are three such
elites and this story demonstrates how one can quest for power, another for
peace and acceptance, and one for revenge… and how one can get started on the
road to becoming evil –step-by-slow-step.
A Call to Duty by David Weber & Timothy Zahn.
(Sci-fi - 2014) Travis Uriah Long has enlisted in the Manticoran space navy.
How will rule-bound Travis be able to survive the constantly changing and
politically active Manticoran Navy? Very well, if he is given the chance. What
a story! A really well-written story about an everyman who has moments of
brilliance. Highly recommended.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. (Fairy Tale
Retelling - 2015) While hunting, Feyre kills a shapeshifted elf. In recompense,
Tamlin, the elf's ruler decides to take Feyre back to his lands as payment.
This story is a very different, yet relatable retelling of Beauty and the
Beast. Great characters. Intriguing and fleshed-out world building. Good
pacing. A truly good story. One of my favorite reads of the year.
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews. (Paranormal Romance
- 2014) Nevada Baylor is a private investigator who has been given an
impossible task – bring in a rogue mage who wants to burn the city to the
ground. Mad Rogan is also looking for the mage, so they team up against
Nevada’s better judgement. I love Ilona
Andrews' writing style and every one of their (husband and wife writing team)
books are awesome. Great read. Definitely one of my favorites of the year. (I
have already reread it twice.)
Those are my favorites so far. What are your favorite reads so far this year?
~Mary P.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments