I wanted to list my most recently read books, so that is just what I did.
1. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
American Psycho revolves around Patrick Bateman one of the yuppies on Wallstreet. Patrick is very dedicated to his looks and fashion which is underlined strongly throughout the book. One of the themes, American Psycho deals with, is narcissism: Bateman has a ritual where he applies all sorts of beauty products (hair gel, lotions etc.) he also has a ritual for exercising (e.g. x crunches per day or so) There are other several themes that I will not list now especially ones that deal with his mentality – it is not called American Psycho for nothing.
All in all I thought the book was great, although extremely gory; It is not for the faint-hearted. Some circumstances prevented me from giving the book 5/5 stars – I rated it 3/5 stars. To get the most benefit out of this book you probably need to have more knowledge on the 80′s, perhaps I missed a lot of references due to my lack of contemporary knowledge.
Conclusively I must say that I actually happened to love this book.
2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Literature student Anastasia Grey does her best friend who fell sick a favour and drives to Seattle to interview a successful entrepreneur and benefactor of their university. It is the beginning of Anastasia’s first and different “relationship” with a man.
This book has received bunches, and bunches of praise. From me it has not and never will receive any praise. It was an extremely cheesy edited fan fiction novel (TWILIHT fan fiction no less) and it was just torture for my soul. I wrote a more elaborate review on Goodreads and if you are considering reading it and if you was not too impressed with Twilight then perhaps you should read my review.
Needless to say: I HATED, HATED, HATED… ♥ Fifty Shades of Bullshit ♥
3. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
TGL is the second book in Mead’s Vampire Academy spin-off series Bloodlines
In this book we return to the private school in Palm Springs which the ‘gang’, Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Angeline, are attending undercover in order to keep Vasilisa’s sister, Jill safe from any assassination attempts. Of course we also stumble upon gorgeous badboy Adrian Ivashkov and dashingly good-looking Dimitri Belikov along with Sonya Karp. (You ought to remember those names from the Vampire Academy series!? :P)
While keeping Jill under the radar the latter, Adrian, Dimitri and Sonya seek to discover how to prevent anyone (human, moroi and dhampir) to turn strigoi.
The Golden Lily did not blow my mind completely but it was a nice and fast-paced book that left me wanting more. It was not so much that I loved the book in itself, perhaps I am just overtly attached to and love Mead’s characters which prevents me from ever rating her books with less than 3 stars. I rated The Golden Lily 4/5 stars but I considered rating it less but could not go through with it.
4. Faefever by Karen Marie Moning
Faefever is the third instalment in KMM’s Fever series. It picks up the story where Bloodfever ended which means we return to Dublin where MacKayla Lane had an almost run-in with the Sinsar Dubh, an extremely sought-after an evil fae relic. More than ever Mac needs to find more support but can she trust the secretive and sexy Jericho Barrons and what about the seductive death-by-sex fae prince V’lane?
KMM write urban fantasy well, extremely well, in my opinion. Even though I have slowed my reading experiences with KMM’s books it has not been caused by the pace of the books since they are fast-paced and just fun to read. I think that unlike a great deal of other literature in the urban fantasy genre KMM writes sex in a subtle way which makes it a more coherent and perhaps realistic read. I like how MacKayla does not throw everything she has in her hands and go off screwing her two more or less dubious but sexy ‘allies’ (if you can call Barrons and V’lane that, LOL) Mac is a sensible, yet feminine 22-year-old and she is likeable, which is something that lately, has become rare among paranormal romance, urban fantasy etc. in general. She is human and has her flaws but they are something you can reconcile and forgive her for. Heck, most people I know worships the sun like I imagine Mac does when she has the sun is actually out. (Fact: I do not worship the sun – or rather I do not enjoy warm weather…)
Anyhow, I rated Faefever 4/5 stars because I felt it could have been infinitesimally better. (read: it could be a tad better)
Conclusively I loved it
5. Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
The same thing goes for this book that starts where the previous one ended. We get a few chapters written from Dani’s point of view due to Mac’s circumstances – remember what happened to her at the end of Faefever? – Cuz I will not tell you!
Although in her current condition Mac undergoes an alternative treatment form that I guess most of us readers envy her – though we do not envy her condition we envy her ‘treatment’ afterwards, *wink, wink*
Dreamfever is packed with action like the previous books, to me it had maybe more, at least I for one, devoured the book in close to one bite. Yum. Fast-paced, fun with lots of fae and a little havoc and I cannot wait to read the last book, Shadowfever
although I can and I will because KMM is working on a spin-off trilogy written in Dani’s POV, *Yay* so I think I will rein myself in and wait so I will not break down with withdrawal symptoms because I crave more. (I know that would happen.) I LOVE this series!
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This is a classic I have meant to read for some time. I was actually a little reluctant perhaps I was infected with the High School student’s stereo-typical aversion to this classic.
After starting I was relieved because it was not boring or school-like (is that a word?) at all! Perhaps I would have experienced it differently if I had not picked this book up of my own accord.
It is written from Scout aka Jean Louise Finch’s point of view. Contrary to the narrator’s actual age at the time of the events, the writing comes across as very mature which made me think that it was written more as Jean Louise reminiscing than the events being current and ‘new’. (I did not put much consideration into this, so excuse me if I am completely wrong :D)
To Kill a Mockingbird treats themes such as racism, since the book is set in the South in America in the 1930′s. There are paradoxes/hypocrisy such as racism towards the African American people contrary to the racism Hitler exercised towards the Jews. Typical themes are growing up and right vs. wrong. The children, Scout and Jem absorbs many ethical/moral views from their father.
This book has definitely secured a place in my heart. Much, much love.
Due to me entering a sort of reading routine, close to one book a day, I decided to increase this year’s reading challenge with ten more books and if I can keep it up I will probably increase the final goal’s bookcount.
Nina has
read 37 books toward her goal of 60 books.
