Favorites this Year (So Far)

So this post would have probably been better to write in June, but I just did not get to it.  Here are some of my favorite books I have read (or listened to) so far this year.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I cannot explain how much I love this book!  When it won the Printz, I cheered out loud.  I could not stop reading this one no matter what I was doing.  The night I finished it, I was also cooking dinner.  I let out a sigh and said ‘Wow!’ when I was done.  Make sure you read this one if you haven’t yet.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

This is another Printz winner, but I just discovered it this year.  I loved this story.  I was kind of confused when I first started reading it, but once I was into Taylor’s story, I could not stop reading.

Columbine by Dave Cullen 

I was a freshman in high school when Columbine happened.  Reading this brought back memories from that time and I also learned how much I did not know about the tragedy.  Or, rather, how misinformed I was.  Cullen handles this topic very well.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen 

I really meant to review this book.  It has been so long since I have read it, I am not sure I can do it justice.  I absolutely love Maya’s voice as she tells her story.  She was funny, engaging, and honest.  I wish I book like this existed when I was in middle and high school.  I think every middle or high school girl should read this because of the strong message Maya sends about self-esteem and loving yourself.  I hope to read more from this talented young lady.

White Cat by Holly Black

I listened to this one.  I really love Holly Black’s writing which first caught my attention on this one.  Then, I saw that Jesse Eisenberg read it.  I borrowed it from the library.  I liked this so much more than I expected.  The world Black creates that is much like ours bu included Curse Workers is very engaging. I was intrigued to learn more about them as the novel progressed. Plus, Cassel is a pretty interesting character himself.  I plan to listen to the second book, Red Glove as well.

The Martian by Andy Weir

This is the last of my “favorites so far” I am going to share.  I picked this up for a vacation read with some gift cards from my birthday.  I loved this from the very first line.  I love Sci-Fi and this one did not disappoint.  I love the voice of Mark Watney (and like my friend Dana said, I now think ‘What would Mark Watney do?’).  I also love how all the science and technology is explained in a way that wasn’t too difficult or boring.  It is a very engaging, exciting read.  I immediately handed it off to my brother, then my mother. I look forward to the movie in the fall.