Book List 2010

I read 64 books last year, meaning I surpassed my goal of 50 new books. My star ratings are right next to the titles in parentheses. However, if you would like to know more of my thoughts on a particular book, just comment and ask. Or shoot me an email at saraisadreamer@gmail.com. Before I started this blog, I jotted down my thoughts on the books I read in a Word document so it wouldn't be hard for me to share those with you. I think there are only four books that don't have either a full review or any written comments but I'm sure I can remember what I initially thought of it anyway.  Don't hesitate to ask, please.

1. Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (5/5)

2. Bloom by Elizabeth Scott (5/5)

3. College Girl by Patricia Weitz (3.5/5)

4. When it Happens by Susane Colasanti (1/5)

5. Paper Towns by John Green (5/5)

6. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr (3/5)

7. Contents Under Pressure by Lara M. Zeises (2/5)

8. Secrets of Truth & Beauty by Megan Frazer (3/5)

9. Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott (3.5/5)

10. Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson (3/5)

11. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4.5/5)

12. Evernight by Claudia Gray (4/5)

13. Stargazer by Claudia Gray (4/5)

14. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (3/5)

15. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (4/5)

16. The Writing Class by Jincy Willet (4/5)

17. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (3/5)

18. The Devouring by Simon Holt (3/5)

19. On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison (5/5)

20. Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman (2/5)

21 The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones (4/5)

22. Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins (4/5)

23. Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty (4/5)

24. A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn (3/5)

25. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman (3/5)

26. Rhymes with Witches by Lauren Myracle (2/5)

27. Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott (4/5)

28. The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashares (2/5)

29. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (2/5)

30. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (3/5)

31. Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson (5/5)

32. Deadly Little Secret by Laurie-Faria Stolarz (3/5)

33. The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty (4.5/5)

34. Hourglass by Claudia Gray (5/5)

35. The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises(1/5)

36. Impossible by Nancy Werlin (3/5)

37. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (4/5)

38. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (4/5)

39. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta (4/5)

40. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (4/5)

41. Fallen by Lauren Kate (1/5)

42. Evermore by Alyson Noel (1/5)

43. The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti (3/5)

44. Need by Carrie Jones (3/5)

45. The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard (4/5)

46. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (3/5)

47. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell (3/5)

48. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer (4/5)

49. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (2/5)

50. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (3/5)

51. Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison (3/5)

52. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta (3.5/5)

53. The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty (5/5)

54. Dramarama by E. Lockhart (3/5)

55. Breathless by Jessica Warman (4/5)

56. Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell (5/5)

57. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (5/5)

58. The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti (3.5/5)

59. Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson (4/5)

60. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (4/5)

61. Artichoke’s Heart by Suzanne Supplee (2/5)

62. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (5/5)

63. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (3/5)

64. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (3/5)

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When I first opened this book up, I was expecting my mind to be blown. I know that's kind of unfair because it's just setting the story up for failure since nothing EVER lives up to expectations but I couldn't help it. The premise of this book sounded so cool that I thought the author must have come up with some pretty incredible things. This is the part where I'm supposed to tell you that I was horribly disappointed and I never want to see this book again. But, that would be...mostly a lie. However, some of it would be true. I was disappointed...but not horribly so. And I certainly wouldn't read this book again but I would go out and buy the sequel for sure.

This book starts out a little slow and I really didn't think that was possible because it starts off with a main character who has lost his memory in an enclosed maze with about fifty other boys and he doesn't know WHY. I mean, how could a book that starts with such an intriguing concept be slow? Well, I guess that has to do with the infuriatingly flat characters. And I use the word infuriating because I wanted to punch Thomas, the main character, in the face after about five pages. His reactions and first impressions of things were so ridiculous. None of the other characters had much depth either. I can say that with certainty because when one of them was hurt or in serious danger, I could care less. In fact, near the end, there's a very pivotal scene with one of the characters that's supposed to evoke as much emotion as possible and I couldn't even bring myself to feel sad or remotely sympathetic. I just wanted to know what happens. Which brings me to the strength of this book: the story.

It was a very unique take on dystopian YA literature. Speaking of which, there have been quite a LOT of those around lately, haven't there? I guess dystopia's the new vampires. Or something like that. Anyway, back to the point. I really enjoyed the plotline. Once I got past the annoying characters and forced dialogue, I really enjoyed the story, the true heart and soul of this book. There is enough mystery and secrets and adventure to keep you hooked. I mean, it is a MAZE so you can expect that there's supposed to be a solution, right? Every puzzle has an answer. And getting to this book's answer was a wild, thrilling ride. The ending was also great because it had enough of a twist that even the most reluctant of readers would want to dive right into the second installment.

So, I guess the verdict is that while it isn't one of the better dystopians I've read, it certainly is completely enjoyable. And while I wouldn't reread it for any of the characters or relationships or witty, funny dialogue (there was very little of any of that), I would give it props for the incredible setting that was vividly drawn, the storyline that was intricately woven, and the ending that gave me all the incentive I need to pick up the sequel.

3/5 stars.

Guess who's back?

Yes, I'm still alive. I know I've been on a pretty LONG hiatus and I kind of don't have any excuse for that other than I'm lazy and I was basically trying to milk every moment of my winter break and put it towards resting. So, I did that and now I'm back at school and ready to procrastinate my life away on this blog. I have to be honest and say that I actually didn't read as much on break as I expected to. But ever since I got back to school (it's been about a week), I've already finished three books. I guess I read better under pressure. I'm still keeping track of everything I read this year just like I've been doing for the past two years but I don't think I'm going to partake in any challenges. I think I'm just going to read without deadlines this year because, I don't know, I think that's more fun for me.

What you can expect in 2011 from me is probably more of the same stuff but just...MORE of it. I'm trying to be better about writing in general and not just this blog. But this blog is a part of my writing "exercises" or "experiences" and I really want to make it more regular and frequent along with everything else. I'm also going to do my reviews a bit differently. I'm going to try and CUT as much synopsis as I possibly can because I honestly don't like writing up my own summaries and I know that, as a reader, I don't enjoy sitting through other people's summaries either. Instead, I'm going to concentrate more on what I think and really get to the heart of the review. Sometimes it'll be a jumbled mess but maybe, once in a while it'll turn out to be pretty organized and well thought out, who knows? What I CAN promise is that it'll be completely honest. A hundred percent my own opinion of the book.

So, I'll get to the review I was typing up and look out for my book list of 2010 (I know I'm late). Oh and if you don't already, you should follow me on goodreads because I update that WAY before anything else: http://www.goodreads.com/ribsdafrog. AND since I didn't say it before, I hope all of you had wonderful holidays/breaks and hope you have an even better year ahead.