No. 58 for 2013

Title: Champion
Author: Marie Lu
Rating: 5/5
Book: 58
Pages: 369 pgs
Total Pages: 23,518 pages
Version: Book
Next up: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I loved the first book in the series and I enjoyed the second book as well. Admittedly, I was skeptical about the third book as in recent trilogies I have read, the third books have always been a disappointment.

I’m very happy to say that Champion fulfilled my expectations. It was a great story and a terrific ending to the series.

I really do hope that Lu writes more books as I’d definitely check out her future work!

About the Book:

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

2013 Reading Year in Review

JANUARY

1. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward
2. Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich
3. A Winter’s Dream by Richard Paul Evans
4. Come Home by Lisa Scottoline
5. Private: London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson
6.  Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson

FEBRUARY

7. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
9. Private: Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

MARCH

10. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
11. The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
12. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
13. The Forgotten by David Baldacci

APRIL

14. Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian
15. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
16. Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

MAY

17. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
18. Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward
19. Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson
20. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
21. Don’t Go by Lisa Scottoline
22. No Way Back by Andrew Gross
23. Inferno by Dan Brown

JUNE

24. The Hit by David Baldacci
25. Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
26. Lover at Last by J.R. Ward
27. Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
28. 12th of Never by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

JULY

29. The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
30. Suspect by Robert Crais
31. Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
32. Hidden by Catherine McKenzie
33. Family Pictures by Jane Green
34. Second Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
35. 9th Girl by Tami Hoag
36. Unseen by Karin Slaughter
37. Legend by Marie Lu

AUGUST

38. Prodigy by Marie Lu
39. Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich
40. Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
41. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
42. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

SEPTEMBER

43. The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
44. Always Watching by Chevy Stevens
45. The Never List by Koethi Zan
46. Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
47. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

OCTOBER

48. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
49. The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot
50. Reconstructing Amelia by Kim McCreight
51. Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong Finger by Beth Harbison

NOVEMBER

52. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
53. Abandoned by Lisa Scottoline
54. Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

DECEMBER

55. King and Maxwell by David Baldacci
56. Cross My Heart by James Patterson
57. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
58. Champion by Marie Lu

No. 57 for 2013

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Rating: 5/5
Book: 57
Pages: 550 pgs
Total Pages: 23,149 pages
Version: Book
Next up: Champion by Marie Lu

I tried to read this book before and I couldn’t get past the first 50 pages but I’m so glad that I gave it a second chance. I really enjoyed this book and I definitely see what the hype is about. I really enjoyed having Death as the narrator and it didn’t take away from the story as I first thought it would. Now that I’ve read the book, I’m interested in seeing what the movie is all about!

About the Book:

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

No. 56 for 2013

Title: Cross My Heart
Author: James Patterson
Rating: 5/5
Book: 56
Pages: 419 pgs
Total Pages: 22,599 pages
Version: Book
Next up: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

After a long line of books in the Alex Cross series that were not up to par and making me feel as though the series was burning out very quickly, this installment was actually not that bad. I really enjoyed the villain in this book and there were quite a few twists that kept me guessing not to mention the classic Patterson cliffhanger ending

SPOILERS! SPOILERS!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!

I normally keep spoilers out of my reviews but I just had to comment on this point.

James Patterson expects us to believe that Alex’s family would willingly get into a strangers car? Okay, maybe I can believe that the youngest child, Ali, could be coaxed into going with a stranger but not Damon. Or Jannie. Or Nana Mama. After everything Alex sees and goes through with his job, it’s unrealistic that Alex’s family would be so trusting to accept a ride from a complete stranger in my opinion.

Other than that point, this book was actually decent and I’m actually looking forward to seeing what happens next.

About the Book:

Detective Alex Cross is a family man at heart–nothing matters more to him than his children, his grandmother, and his wife Bree. His love of his family is his anchor, and gives him the strength to confront evil in his work. One man knows this deeply, and uses Alex’s strength as a weapon against him.

When the ones Cross loves are in danger, he will do anything to protect them. If he does anything to protect them, they will die.

No. 55 for 2013

Title: King and Maxwell
Author: David Baldacci
Rating: 5/5
Book: 55
Pages: 419 pgs
Total Pages: 22,180 pages
Version: Book
Next up: Cross My Heart by James Patterson

This book was awesome! I have always been a fan of King and Maxwell and this book definitely delivered. Great plot and terrific characters! I was turning the pages so fast and I couldn’t put this one down!

About the Book:

It seems at first like a simple, tragic story. Tyler Wingo, a teenage boy, learns the awful news that his father, a soldier, was killed in action in Afghanistan. Then the extraordinary happens: Tyler receives a communication from his father . . . after his supposed death.

Tyler hires Sean and Michelle to solve the mystery surrounding his father. But their investigation quickly leads to deeper, more troubling questions. Could Tyler’s father really still be alive? What was his true mission? Could Tyler be the next target?

Sean and Michelle soon realize that they’ve stumbled on to something bigger and more treacherous than anyone could have imagined. And as their hunt for the truth leads them relentlessly to the highest levels of power and to uncovering the most clandestine of secrets, Sean and Michelle are determined to help and protect Tyler–though they may pay for it with their lives.

No. 54 for 2013

Title: Gone
Author: James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Rating: 4/5
Book: 54
Pages: 381 pgs
Total Pages: 21,761 pages
Version: Book
Next up: King and Maxwell by David Baldacci

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of surprise and twists and turns and I had a hard time putting the book down. I have to say though, I think I’m more of a fan of the Bennett series than I am of the Alex Cross series now.

About the Book:

Manuel Perrine doesn’t fear anyone or anything. A charismatic and ruthless leader, Perrine slaughters rivals as effortlessly as he wears his trademark white linen suit. Detective Michael Bennett once managed to put Perrine behind bars, the only official in the US ever to accomplish that. But now Perrine is out, and he has sworn to find and kill Bennett and everyone dear to him.

Detective Bennett, along with his ten adopted children, their nanny, and his grandfather, are hidden safely on a rural California farm, with guards courtesy of the FBI’s witness protection program. Perrine begins to embark on an escalating series of assassinations across the country, killings whose brazenness and audacity bring into question the possibility of safety and law in the US. The FBI has no choice but to ask Detective Bennett to risk it all in Perrine’s war on America.

No. 53 for 2013

Title: Abandoned
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Rating: 5/5
Book: 53
Pages: 351 pgs
Total Pages: 21,380 pages
Version: Book
Next up: Gone  by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

I really enjoyed this book. It had an interesting plot that kept twisting and turning and the characters were very likeable. When I picked this book up, I didn’t realize that it was the 12th book in the series but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not reading the earlier books. Everything is explained well which allowed me to get caught up and have the gist of the back story.

About the Book:

Mary Dinuzio has just been promoted to partner and is about to take on her most unusual case yet, brought to the firm by a thirteen-year-old genius with a penchant for beekeeping.  Allegra Gardner’s sister Fiona was murdered six years ago, and it seemed like an open-and-shut case: the accused, Lonnie Stall, was seen fleeing the scene; his blood was on Fiona and her blood was on him; most damningly, Lonnie Stall pleaded guilty.  But Allegra believes Lonnie is innocent and has been wrongly imprisoned. The Gardner family is one of the most powerful in the country and Allegra’s parents don’t believe in reopening the case, so taking it on is risky.  But the Rosato & Associates firm can never resist an underdog.  Was justice really served all those years ago?  It will take a team of unstoppable female lawyers, plus one thirteen-year-old genius, to find out.

No. 52 for 2013

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Rating: 4/5
Book: 52
Pages: 526 pgs
Total Pages: 21,029 pages
Version: Book
Next up: Accused by Lisa Scottoline

So I’m not entirely sure what I think about this book. I finished the book yesterday and I waited until today to review as I wanted some time to digest the book.

I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to spoil things for those who have not read this book but I’m still in shock. I’m in shock that Roth took the path she did. I can see why she did it but I’m still shocked.

The alternating points of view between Tris and Tobias wasn’t necessary in my opinion. The two points of view were so similar that sometimes it was easy to forget who was talking.

While I love this series on the whole, I definitely think the first two books are the better of the trilogy.

About the Book:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

No. 51 for 2013

Title: Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong Finger
Author: Beth Harbison
Rating: 3/5
Book: 51
Pages: 371 pgs
Total Pages: 20,503 pages
Version: Book
Next up: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

While I liked this book, it’s not one of Harbison’s strongest. The plot seemed to drag on with little happening throughout the book and the ending was wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking (i.e. 2 pages). I definitely would recommend Harbison’s earlier works but I would suggest only picking this one up if you have nothing better to read at the time.

About the Book:

Ten years ago, Quinn Barton was on her way to the altar to marry Burke Morrison, her high school sweetheart, when something derailed her. Rather, someone derailed her—the Best Man who at the last minute begged her to reconsider the marriage. He told her that Burke had been cheating on her. For a long time. Quinn, stunned, hurt, and confused, struggled with the obligation of fulfilling her guests’ expectations—providing a wedding—and running for her life.

She chose running. With the Best Man. Who happened to be Burke’s brother, Frank.

That relationship didn’t work either. How could it, when Quinn had been engaged to, in love with, Frank’s brother? Quinn opted for neither, and, instead, spends the next seventeen years working in her family’s Middleburg, Virginia, bridal shop, Talk of the Gown, where she subconsciously does penance for the disservice she did to marriage.

But when the two men return to town for another wedding, old anger, hurt, and passion resurface. Just because you’ve traded the good guy for the bad guy for no guy doesn’t mean you have to stay away from love for the rest of your life, does it?

 

No. 50 for 2013

Title: Reconstructing Amelia
Author: Kimberly McCreight
Rating: 5/5
Book: 50/50
Pages: 380 pgs
Total Pages: 20,132 pages
Version: Book
Next up: Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave the Wrong Finger by Beth Harbison

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the alternating points of view between the main character, Kate, and her daughter, Amelia. This book kept me guessing and there was an event that I did not see coming. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes a good mystery.

About the Book:

Litigation lawyer and harried single mother Kate Baron is stunned when her daughter’s exclusive private school in Park Slope, Brooklyn, calls with disturbing news: her intelligent, high-achieving fifteen-year-old daughter, Amelia, has been caught cheating.

Kate can’t believe that Amelia, an ambitious, levelheaded girl who’s never been in trouble would do something like that. But by the time she arrives at Grace Hall, Kate’s faced with far more devastating news. Amelia is dead.

Seemingly unable to cope with what she’d done, a despondent Amelia has jumped from the school’s roof in an act of “spontaneous” suicide. At least that’s the story Grace Hall and the police tell Kate. And overwhelmed as she is by her own guilt and shattered by grief, it is the story that Kate believes until she gets the anonymous text:

She didn’t jump.

Sifting through Amelia’s emails, text messages, social media postings, and cell phone logs, Kate is determined to learn the heartbreaking truth about why Amelia was on Grace Hall’s roof that day-and why she died.