Random Recs || 2009

Books Published in 2009

2009 was an important year for me, because it was the year I graduated from University. It took 5 hard years, but I walked across the stage to collect a BSc (Math) and a BEd (Math Education). And then I promptly took the summer off!

But when fall rolled around, I found myself on the substitute teacher list and suddenly this whole new phase of my life had started.

So here are some important books (to me) from 2009. 

(I didn't actually read any of these in 2009, but shush!)

Contemporary

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Trigger warning: tread super cautiously around this book if you ever have suffered from an eating disorder. This book does not pull any punches and is downright horrifying at times with respect to the toxic logic Lia uses to justify her anorexia. But holy smokes, is it a worthwhile read.

Urban Fantasy/Alternate History

Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1) by Gail Carriger

Smart, snappy and hilariously funny, Soulless is everything you'd come to expect from an urban fantasy containing vampires and werewolves and the like.... except it takes place in Victorian London.

Leviathan (Leviathan #1) by Scott Westerfeld

If you like your history with a dash of steampunk and awe inspiring creatures, then look no farther. Westerfeld has re-imagined World War I, pitting Allied beasts against Axis clankers. There are secret identities, harrowing adventures and, of course, the politics of war.

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor & illustrated by Jim Di Bartolo

This is just double trouble here because Taylor's writing is gorgeous and evocative in its own right. But pair that with Di Bartolo's jaw dropping illustrations before each short story and you have a dynamite combination. It's incredible how easily Taylor gets you attached to these characters and their stories in such a short period of time.

What do you think? Have you read any of these? Any other 2009 books to recommend? Let's chat in the comments!

Random Recs || Blue Cover

So my little sister briefly had a gig filling it as librarian at the school where I work. Which was awesome because she'd snag books that she knew I wanted to read when they came in. And she was quite the book pusher.

Anyway, this lead to some interesting conversations throughout her time at the school. Including students coming up to her and asking, "What's a good book?" Just like that. No follow-up or anything. It reminded me of this picture.

So with that in mind, here's this week's random recs.

Books With Blue Covers

Contemporary

Wonder by RJ Palacio

This is the charming story of Auggie--a young boy born with a facial deformity. After a multitude of struggles and surgeries, Auggie is ready to take on the world of public school for the first time in his life. The story is heart warming and heart wrenching and not one you're likely to forget.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

If you haven't heard of this by now, I don't know where you've been. But just in case, TFiOS tells the story of Hazel, a teenage girl with cancer. It's another heart warming/wrenching combination that will stick with you for a long time.

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson is a wizard with the written word and never shies away from controversial and hard hitting topics. In her latest novel, she weaves a tale of father and daughter, struggling to try to get by despite post-traumatic stress, anxiety and a less than "normal" life up until this point.

Fantasy

The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns #3) by Rae Carson

Okay, I confess that this is cheating a bit. Because this is book 3 of a trilogy, and that's not entirely fair. But this book was phenomenal. It's everything a conclusion should be. High stakes, epic journeys, love, romance and politics. Give the series a try!

What do you think? Have you read any of these? Any other blue books to recommend? Let's chat in the comments!

Random Recs || Sports

This week I decided to recommend a few books that have characters that play sports. This was decidedly more difficult than I'd anticipated, so there are only 2 books on the list this week. But they were both books I really enjoyed, so I feel like that makes up for it!

Books With Characters Who Play Sports

Football
Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West
I feel like this counts, despite the fact that it's not our main character Addison who is playing sports. But both of the important boys in her life (one in each timeline) play football. So it wouldn't be considered a "sports book" by any means, but the sport itself ends up coming into play pretty significantly for the plot. This was also a book that really surprised me--I hadn't expected to like it as much as I did!

Rugby

Winger (Winger #1) by Andrew Smith

When I first was thinking about this theme, Winger was the book that immediately came to mind. Ryan Dean's life pretty much revolves around the rugby team (when it doesn't revolve around his hormones). The sport, culture and relationships amongst team members (and members of other teams at the school) are central to the book and its themes. It's also laugh-out-loud funny and heart-wrenching. A deadly combination.

So, what do you think? Have you read any of these books? Do you have other sports-related recommendations to make? Let's chat in the comments!

Random Recs || 3 Word Titles

And we're back again.

This time we're going to talk about:

Books With 3 Word Titles

Let's give this a go, hey? (I have no idea where the royal "we" is coming from, just roll with it.)

Contemporary
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The peace is shattered so easily, and Forman turns the world upside down with such ease it's almost as if you're in the car with Mia as it crashes. Brilliantly crafted and expertly executed, get ready to ugly cry.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Like all the best mysteries, this book compels you to turn the pages to find out why. You already know Hannah is dead at the beginning of this book, but you need to find out why. And how does everyone on her list play a role in her death?

Fantasy
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This one is more magical realism then fantasy, but oh man, it has all the lush descriptive prose you'd expect from fantasy. Though the story is slow moving, you'll hardly notice because you'll be too captivated by Morgenstern's cinematic descriptions.

Search for Senna by KA Applegate
The first book in the 12 book Everworld series, this book also offers a dose of magical realism--with a side of parallel worlds. Imagine being sucked into another world where every mythological creature and god really existed. Now imagine trying to survive. Oh yeah, and just to make it difficult, your consciousness is split between this world and the "real" world. Good luck!

Historical Fiction
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Another lush, vivid world here. Gruen brings the circus life of the 20s to life, creating a cast of characters (both human and not) that you'll love, hate and everything in between.


What do you think? Have you read these? Any others to recommend? Let's chat in the comments!

Random Recs || First Books

I've been hunting around the blogosphere for some inspiration for posts and memes that I might be able to do on a semi-regular basis. I'm really trying to get the content back up and running around these parts. I feel like I've been a little negligent.

Anyway, I found the "Recommend A..." meme by Chick Loves Lit, which sadly looks like it fell by the wayside shortly after it started. But that got me thinking that maybe I could do some random recommendations from time to time.

You know me (maybe), I love recommending books. And I love getting recommendations. One of these days (when I actually feel like I have time again) I swear I'm going to sign myself up for Epic Recs. But until then, we'll have to make due.

So this instalment's theme is:

First Book In A Series

Listen, I am a pro at reading the first book in series. Up until this year I very rarely finished series. Not because I wasn't enjoying them, but just because I sometimes have book ADD and then forgot about them.

So!

Dystopia
Wool by Hugh Howey
This one might be cheating a bit, since this is really a short story and the first 5 have been all put in a bind-up. But this part, part one, was the first introduction I had to Howey's world. It was free for Kindle a while back and it sucked me in almost immediately. Give the whole omnibus a try.

Feed by Mira Grant
I always pitch this book as "a political thriller disguised as a zombie novel". So if that intrigues you, definitely check this out. It's the first book in a trilogy and it's my favourite of the three by far. It made me do a lot of ugly crying.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
If this book was a person, it would be the kind that kicks you in the stomach and then laughs gleefully as you struggle to breathe again. There's never a dull moment here and it's all so painfully plausible it actually does make my breath catch.

Science Fiction
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner
I had a lot of reservations about this book because of the "Titanic-in-space" parallels. But it was so worth it in the end. A slow burn romance in the midst of a survival story? Sign me up. Also, the other books in this series will be companion novels, not true sequels, so that's interesting as well.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
I've sort of strayed from this series, because I didn't think it needed a sequel. But it is part of a trilogy. Regardless of my negligence, this book is fantastic. Like all good science fiction it makes you contemplate what exactly does it mean to be human? And how far will you go for someone you love?


What do you think? Have you read any of these? Let's chat in the comments! (And, as always, hit me up with recs of your own!)