GoodReads Challenge Accepted … and completed!

I took the GoodReads Book Challenge last year and managed to complete it, even with my chaotic schedule.   Okay, 26 books may not seem that impressive, but considering I wrote 1.5 books, edited my own and two others for writing partners, taught full-time, and chased around my awesome kids. I wear 26 books as a badge of honor. I just wish I could log a set of graded essays as a book. If I could do that, my list would be very impressive indeed.

So, I will shut up now, and get to my list.

6. The One by Kiera Cass, the third novel in The Selection Series
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian Romance
This whole series is well-paced and always fun. The story is predictable enough to make you feel safe, but there are enough twists and turns to keep you interested. The characters are well-developed and likable. It is the fluffiest read I have on my list, but gosh darn it, sometimes I like fluffy! It does have heart.
Parental Note: PG

5.  The Wrong Fairy Tale by Tamar Hela, the second novel in The Spirit Lake Series.
Genre: Young Adult, Adventure, Fantasy
It was great fun to read the second book in this series and see how much the author grew as a writer. Okay, I will admit that Tamar is one of my writing partners, but I really enjoyed this book–legitimately.

The main character, Alex, grows as a character and she is very easy to identify with. She is smart and sassy and it is fun to be in her head. She made a switch with this book, and wrote it from a dual perspective. This helped develop the character of Geoffrey, he is beautifully broken and tortured–definitely book boyfriend material. There are some poignant moments where he is dealing with his alcoholic father.
Parental Note: PG…or PG-13 for language (I felt it was true to the character).

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, book one of eight.
Genre: Romance (but this is a genre bender–historical fiction, mild fantasy and time travel involved)
Claire Randall is thrown back in time from post-World War II to the mid-1700s. She quickly has to adapt or die. I love this novel. I laughed, I cried, and immediately started reading the next book!
Parental Note: Rated R (this is a very adult book)

3.  Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi, the third and final installment of the Under the Never Sky Series
Genre: Young Adult, Distopian, Fantasy
The world is ravaged by electrical type storms sue to solar flares. This dual perspective book pits a city sweller against a “savage” in this socially relevant sci-fi adventure. Issues of technology taking over life are explored while creating rich characters that are so real and flawed that you can’t help but fall in love with them. I couldn’t put this series down! (And the author ends it really well).
Parental Note: PG

2.  Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Epic
Amazing…I had a hard time which book to put in first! I read the first three books in 6 days despite being ridiculously busy. I literally read on my phone while I was walking from building to building at work. Think of this as a YA version of Game of Thrones. The heroine is strong and independent–I love badass female characters!
Parental Note: PG

1.  Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi, the final novel in the Shatter Me Series
Genre: Upper Young Adult, Dystopian, Paranormal Romance
I stayed up until I could hardly hold my eyes open reading this book. I am OBSESSED and have read each book in the series more than once! I must say that Warner is in my top 5 book boyfriends (Shhhh…don’t tell my husband). Mafi’s innovative, stream of consciousness style of writing remained fresh the entire series. (The ending of this series delivered).
Rating: PG-13 (Mafi writes some of the hottest make-out scenes I have seen in YA)