You might say that I sometimes push myself to be an overachiever. This proved to be the case with my first goal for "The Year of 35" to read 35 books by the end of the year. 35 books we're read by July 26 and I have since read 3 more. Below are my heartfelt and concise reviews of the books that have rekindled my obsession to get caught up in a story, become lost in alternate realities, forget to go to sleep at night, and take the time to dream. My reviews are personal and not particularly informative. I'm just going to tell you if I liked the book or not.
Divergent Trilogy -Veronica Roth
1. Divergent
2. Insurgent
3. Allegiant
This is what started it all. I was sitting restlessly the first week of January and began reading reviews of recent best sellers. Divergent popped up so I downloaded it on my kindle app and began reading... And didn't stop until I finished Allegiant 3 days later. In short, I am completely obsessed with this story. I have a Divergent inspired Bible study floating around in my head, have written a letter to the author, attended the midnight release of the movie dressed in faction garb, hosted a killer Divergent Release Faction Party, discovered my true dauntless identity- and don't even get me started on Tobias "Four" Eaton.
The reviews for young adult fiction tend to be all over the place, so this may not necessarily be where it's at for the "serious" (read: boring) readers out there, but this series has stuck with me and made me think more than any others I have read for a super long time. The spiritual connections are through the roof... And I never thought I could possibly love another fictional character as much as I love Edward. Honestly, I'm still not completely committed, but Four is just barely trailing behind. Just barely.
Matched Trilogy -Ally Condie
4. Matched
5. Crossed
6. Reached
The truth is, I really just had to keep reading in an attempt to get Divergent out of my head as much as possible. It really was beginning to take over my life. The Matched trilogy is another young adult dystopian society series. I enjoyed this series moderately and found it to be a light read. It wasn't terribly thought provoking, but it was alright and I'm glad I read it. I have heard that Disney may be making the movies. This makes sense as it does seem geared toward a slightly younger crowd.
Selection Trilogy - Kiera Cass
7. The Selection
8. The Elite
9. The One
The Bachelor meets young adult dystopia meets the monarchy. This was predictable and lacking some detail, but I enjoyed the story mostly because I want to be a real princess and I like love triangles and cheesy romance. I put it above Matched, but it is still in a black hole compared to the big 3 (Twilight, Divergent, and Hunger Games).
10. A Million Little Ways -Emily P. Freeman
This was a great inspirational book that caused me to think and reflect. I can't remember a lot about it right now, but I know that it messed me up for a while in a good way. I recommend.
11. The Fault in Our Stars. -John Green
Grab some Kleenex. I read this book in less than 24 hours and enjoyed most of it. There are a few aspects of the story I wasn't quite as in to. If you decide not to read the book, you at least need to see the movie. This is a rare gem in which I may actually like the movie better than the book. I absolutely loved the movie. It was somehow incredibly light hearted and sweet while also being heart wrenching and sob inducing. Read it. Watch it. You'll love it.
12. You're Made For a God Sized Dream. -Holley Gerth
This is another one that messed me up in a good way. It helped me to remember to dream and consider what dreams God has placed within me. The self awareness and reflection that this book prompted within me is going on still.
13. Eleanor and Park - Rainbow Rowell
A sweet book about young love. It's a fun and quick read.
Delirium Trilogy - Lauren Oliver
14. Delirium
15. Pandemonium
16. Requiem
Another young adult dystopian series, just because I'm stuck on the genre. I'd rank it behind The Selection and Matched. It wasn't too impacting because I can't remember much about it.
17. The White Pearl - Kate Furnivall
This book took me a while to get through, but I really liked it for a change of pace and it took me back to my historical fiction roots. Worth the read.
18. Fierce Women -Kimberly Wagner
I highly recommend to all my strong woman friends out there. This book challenged me and prompted some great discussions with my friends and with my husband.
19. Impact My Life - Elisa Wagner
This book is about mentoring and although I didn't find the information to be anything particularly new or insightful, it was affirming to my view of mentoring and relationships.
Harry Potter -J. K. Rowling
20. Sorcerer's Stone
21. Chamber of Secrets
22. Prisoner of Azkaban
23. Goblet of Fire
24. Order of the Phoenix
25. Half Blood Prince
26. Deathly Hallows
Perhaps I am the only true cool person who has taken this long to get around to reading Harry Potter. I have no idea why it has taken me so long to get on board! I am so glad that I finally did. I read all 7 books in 36 days and can now understand the Harry Potter world view and it's pretty fantastic. It took me a while to get connected to the characters and the story, but at the end of the 4th book it hit me. The tears flowed, my heart leapt, and there was no turning back. I have since bought all the movies and Matt and I have gotten through the first three. I heart Dumbledore and everything about all the Weasley's makes me happy. And of course, Harry. I kind of want to be him.
27. Forget Me - Jess Petosa
I really just wanted a light read, but it was not good. The writing was bad and the plot had so many holes. Don't read it. No, seriously. Don't do it.
28. Exceptional - Jess Petosa (part 1 of the Exceptional trilogy)
I don't know why I read another book by the same author after having such a bad experience with "Forget Me". I think I just really wanted another young adult dystopia fix. It probably didn't help that I was still coming off of the J.K. Rowling brilliant writing high, but this was terrible. It was all telling and no showing and the editing was just awful. I couldn't bring myself to read anymore of the series, which is saying a lot. It was so painful to read that I didn't even care to know the rest of the story.
The Maze Runner - James Dashner
29. The Maze Runner
30. The Scorch Trials
31. The Death Cure
32. The Kill Order (prequel)
Best dystopia since reading Divergent, but still trailing significantly, as in light years, behind. I did really enjoy the story, but the romance element was missing for me. I will be interested to see what they do with the movies.
33. A Year of Biblical Womanhood - Rachel Held Evans
I have been avoiding this book for a while, mostly because I had uninformed perceptions about what it is really about. It was actually really good. The author is funny and I related to her deeply. I think we would be friends. Ladies, read it.
34. Gone Girl -Gillian Flynn
Wow. This book is interesting and So. Messed. Up. Seriously, all this crazy stuff happens because people get bored and complacent in their marriage and go totes psycho. It's a good and strange read, but I recommend it. The movie is coming out so read the book first. Neil Patrick Harris has a role so I'm pretty excited about that.
35. Four: A Divergent Collection - Veronica Roth
How fitting that it ended where it began. This book consists of four Divergent stories from Four's perspective. It adds a bit more detail and background and... Four is in every single scene, so how could it be bad?
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