HI! Today I'm gonna talk about 13 books I read this summer.
<< (I read a few more but I didn't have enough to say about them or I had too much to say about them.)
I have wanted to write mini-reviews for a while and came up with the perfect idea when I started to do quarterly recaps. Why not do quarterly mini-reviews too??
HOPE YOU ENJOY ;)
[links lead to Goodreads. for questions on content, or whether i would recommend a certain book for you personally, feel free to ask in the comments]
by C. G. Drews
five stars.
this book is about a child prodigy. an abusive mother who drives him mercilessly towards what she thinks will be success. a violent but cute sister who picked up the worst of her upbringing. a sunny and happy schoolmate who cares and tries to befriend the mc, beck, even when he doesn't want to be befriended. this book is a gorgeous blend of pain and sunshine and strength and weakness and music and hope and tears. it's about a boy who was brought up believing lies and it's about worth and fear and failure and about what friends are for. i loved it because the message resonated with me, because the plot gripped me, because the characters made me want to cry.
by Sierra Abrams
three stars.
this book is about a florist's assistant + a boy who runs a charity. it's about colorful sweaters + close knit family + sudden crisis + young love. It's full of musical references and deep multifaceted characters. it's about your worth and about pulling through hard times and about new found friends.
i really like most of it, but for one reason it fell short. the romance. it felt so overdone - the characters seemed to have no patience to get to know each other slowly and the physical aspects got so nerve-grating that i can only recommend this book to those who really love a generous dose of romance.
by Sarah Addison-Fox
3.75 stars average.
this is the debut series of one wonderful indie author and definitely worth a read if you enjoy fantasy. we've got an escaped slave + a recovering soldier, a kind hearted family + secret agents. the plot involves undercover missions + betrayal + the road to love + unlikely friends + enemies in disguise + battles + a wedding + the search for self worth + a lost father. it deals with learning what is right + what freedom is.
i think ms. addison-fox did a great job with plot and characters. my only criticism would be for world building + writing. i think the story world could have been better explored and that a proofreader would certainly have been required.
The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson
five stars.
the premise of this book is an imaginary friend.
it's about a girl thought to be insane + her one lovely young niece. there's also the FBI + a monster + evil scientists. dark pasts and lab experiments and alternate worlds all collide in what becomes a harrowing thriller/mystery/fantasy/sci-fi/contemporary all meshed perfectly together. it's beautifully written and paced and an amazing accomplishment as a novella. highly recommended for a quick and exciting read.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
five stars.
since nadine brandes is constantly gushing about this, i decided to give it a go. result : definitely the best historical fantasy i have read to date. this book is about lady jane grey + her short time as queen + and conflicts for the throne that took place in england ages ago. we've got cousin relationships + palace intrigue + humans that shift into animals + a feisty book-loving heroine + an arranged marriage that i highly approved of. the humor and puns were spot on and the plot never ceased to excite and amuse me. please go read this if you want a funny twist on the story of lady jane. i cannot wait to see where the rest of the series will bring us!
by Cornelia Funke
five stars.
these two books are a work of art. the characters are stunning + lovable + there's chemistry between every one of them no matter how they are related. the fantasy world is so unique and colorful and well thought of - i haven't seen anything quite like it in ages. it's slower in it's pacing, due to writing style, but the plot is gripping and attention-holding and very well done. i only read the first two books because i went to look at the end of book three and found that my ship dies. therefore, i haven't touched the final book yet ... maybe i will later, because it's on my shelf. i just have to try to come to terms with the change XD but if you enjoy fantasy with a wide cast and mind blowing story world, read this trilogy. i hope to read more of cornelia funke's stories in the future - they are just. so. good.
by Jesseca Wheaton
four stars.
i started this book thinking, "well, just one more little novella that'll be a breeze to read" but i was blown away by the truths and good examples in here. the characters were lovely and sweet + all the young people had great relationships with their parents. being of the romance genre, the plot was slow moving and there was mostly emotion + relationship growth. it's got a vibe of western and feels traditional and conservative in a lot of its morals + methods so it's very clean. i loved the themes of trusting God with your girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse + taking things slowly + putting God first. i highly recommend if you're looking a short, sweet, and clean romance read.
by Jaye L. Knight
five stars.
Other books I was reading: The Irresistible Revolution, Black Butler, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Naming, Tess of the Road.
I didn't really do very well reading this summer - most of these I finished in June, and collectively I only read six and a half books in July and September. BUT I certainly enjoyed most of them!!
speak up, my dudes -
what was the best book you read this summer?
smiles.
lisa
Aw, love this post, Lisa! The Girl Who Could See <3 <3 loved that book so much! and the cover! *heart eyes*. I'm reading A Thousand Perfect Notes now, and it's so heartbreaking + amazing, gahh.
ReplyDeleteThe best book I read this summer was probably either "Fawkes", "Love and Luck", or "Scythe". :)
allisonriera.blogspot.com
Aw thank you Allison <3 It's great you liked those books too - they are soooo good!! Oh my goodness, Scythe is amazing and I'm still on Fawkes. I really want to read Love and Luck as well. :DD
DeleteLove these mini-reviews. I love The Girl Who Could See and am very happy Fern and Tristian are up for those awards for hero and heroine. I really, really, really hope they win. (I wish Fin was up for most loyal friend, but there's next time.)
ReplyDeleteLove this post. Awesome job! <3
YAY THANKS IVIE!! Ohhhh yeah they really deserve to be in the awards!
DeleteYES, NEXT TIME WE MUST NOMINATE FIN!!
Awwww you're the best <3
YESSSSS RESISTANCE AND THE KING'S SCROLLS!!!! I read those this summer too and I LOVE THEM ALREADY. (Caps lock is broken . . . again)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Just last night I was actually considering reading The Color Project, but maybe not, if it’s that romance-oriented......
OH MY GOODNESS YES THOSE TWO ARE SO GOOD. Have you read the rest of the series yet??
DeleteUmmmm yeah, it depends on how much you like romance?? You could always give it a go?
Thanks for the comment <3
YESSS, ALL THESE BOOKS ARE SO GOOD!!!
ReplyDeleteGLAD YOU AGREE!!
DeleteThe Ilyon Chronicles is amazing!!! My brother and I are waiting in agony for the next ones....I HATE WAITING!!!
ReplyDeleteAahhhhh yes!! I still need to read the other two but I can imagine what pain I'll be in after that XDD
DeleteOhh they sound so cool!!! Sadly I haven't read any of these yet.. :(
ReplyDeleteUh... I'm reading Home Front Girl at the moment! It's a non-fiction REAL diary!
Well, I'm always happy to recommend good reads ^.^ WOW nonfiction diaries are the best! I haven't read a lot but really enjoy them when I do :DD
DeleteThese mini-reviews sound so interesting! I didn't do a lot of reading over the summer (except for binging on audiobooks as usual) but I did read a really cool book recently called Becoming Me by Staci Stallings. Highly recommend!
ReplyDeleteCatherine <3
THANK YOU CATHERINE!! Ooohhh nice, I'll look up that book. And audiobooks are awesome, aren't they??
DeleteI WANT TO READ CAIT'S BOOK SO BADLY. AHHH!! Your review makes me want to read it even more. <3 I loved this post so much and I have not read any of these books but now I am very eager to.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to more of your short reviews! I don't know how many books I read over the summer but I think you read more than me. o.O Keep up the good work, Lisa!
xx Kenzie | www.paperpizzablog.com
YES YES YOU SHOULD!! It's awesome. You really need it! I'm so pleased I got you interested in some new reads!!
DeleteTHAT'S A REAL COMPLIMENT. I look forward to writing more mini reviews ^.^ and as long as you enjoyed the books, numbers don't matter too much XD
THANK YOU SO MUCH KENZIE <33
YESS for The Girl Who Could See -- so good!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 Right now I'm reading K.A Emmon's first book and it's pretty good. I was hoping to make it a summer read, but hey, fall works too. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI'M HAPPY YOU'RE ENJOYING SUCH GOOD BOOKS! You're 100% rught - better late than never XD THANKS FOR YOUR LOVELY COMMENT.
DeleteAhhh what a wonderful list of books you've read! I recently read A Thousand Perfect Notes just as well and loved it so, so very much, it was beautiful. I was also a fan of The Color Project, but I get that it's more for the readers loving their dose of romance, for sure :)
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about The Girl Who Could See, I need to check it out! :D
HI AND THANK YOU MARIE!! Oh yes, A Thousand Perfect Notes is wonderful and I'm so glad you liked The Color Project more tham I did . It was really good - for the most part XD
DeleteThe Girl Who Could See is really good - definitely take a look!
THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT GIRL <333
Those all sound so cool!! I've been wanting to read the girl who could see and a thousand perfect notes for a while!
ReplyDeleteNabila | Hot Town Cool Girl
THEY REALLY ARE! I highly recommend you read those when you can :DD
DeleteJust discovered your blog--I love it! <3
ReplyDeleteAnd while I did start Inkspell, I never finished it. It had a good plot and character cast, but I'm kind of a picky reader when it comes to pacing.
The best book I read this Summer would probably be a YA contemporary novel called Tell Me Three Things, by Julie Buxbaum.
hi KARA, aww thanks so much! I'm so honored you enjoy my blog <3
DeleteaHHHH yes I can relate to you. The Inkworld books are kinda slow I gotta agree with that. I suppose you read the first one though? It was good wasn't it?
I NEED TO LOOK THAT UP I feel like I've heard of it before. I'm glad you found a good contemporary you enjoy!!
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY + FOLLOWING <333