The Girl of Fire and Thorms

Look - I finally managed to figure out how to post!  :)  Here are some good books I've read lately:
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

This is the authors' first book and I thought it was very well-written.  And unlike many Princess books it begins with an arranged marriage.  Interesting.  Political intrigue, some romance, a little magic, coming-of-age, war, peace, royalty, and lots of good food descriptions. Yum.  The protagonist is wonderful. Very clean and exciting to read.  There are a lot of situations that make you think, "How will they ever get out of this one?!"   :)  I believe this is also the first of a trilogy, but I haven't looked for the sequel(s) yet.

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Another version of the 12 Dancing Princesses fairy tale.  (Princess of the Midnight Ball  by Jessica Day George is also very good).  Romance, magic, dancing, and fun characters. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the 12 sisters and their family interactions and personalities.  Another unique, clean, fun to read book.


The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

A companion novel to the Mistborn Trilogy (which I HIGHLY recommend by the way) this is a great read all on it's own.  It helps to have read the trilogy, but it's not vital.  Think of this book as a combo western/kung fu/mystery for a reader who normally doesn't really care for any of those things!  haha  Brandon Sanderson is one of my most favorite writers and this book doesn't disappoint.  Also very clean with little, if any profanity.  Happy Reading!
~Jenny C.

The Demon King

I am currently in the middle of this trilogy - my children are lucky to be fed lately, poor things. If you enjoyed Star Crossed and Graceling, then you will definitely enjoy these ones. Author Cinda Williams Chima also has another series out and has gained quite a bit of popularity (starred reviews, NYT best seller, etc) so I am excited to read more of her work.

Her writing is really very good - descriptive and clever and I find myself taking notes of how she phrases some things (the garden was quilted with various herbs and flowers) to try and stretch my own writing vocabulary.

I highly recommend. Some love stories woven in but not major plot points (also v. clean), and the main characters (there actually are several) are all realistic, likeable, and fun to read.

Midnight in Austenland

Shannon Hale has done it again. Her second installment of the Austenland (series? set? please write more of them?) introduces us to Charlotte, a mid-30's mother of two (how could we possibly relate?) who has recently divorced her scumbag of a husband. (okay, less relatable hopefully).

I have to say, I enjoyed this book even more than the first. It scoots by quickly, and I love a nice quick pacing. The main character is likeable and insecure and the love interest(s) are enjoyable and believable.

Also, in case you were not aware, there is a movie coming out based on the first Austenland novel, and it sounds fun. Girls night!

A couple of books to try

Book one: Ready Player One by Earnest Cline

This is a dystopia book set in the 2040's. It involves a world with a very highly developed virtual reality system that many people escape to, avoiding real life. When the creator of the whole thing dies, he leaves his fortune to the first one to find the easter egg he's hidden somewhere in the thousands of worlds he created. And, because he was obsessed with the 1980's, the book and the characters and the mystery all refer heavily to the 1980's games, music, movies, and culture. I enjoyed as much as I got to, and wished I had had time to finish it. (And I don't enjoy dystopia books.)

(Unfortunately, the book was due back to the library before I finished it, but I've been assured by those who have finished it that it is well worth reading. I enjoyed the half I read. Also, there is more language in this than I usually prefer. If that bothers you, you are forewarned. And, Kristen, I'm pretty sure there's even some romance involved, I just got to the very beginning of that part.)

Book two: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

This is a book on my list of need to read. It is a children/young adult fantasy. Three siblings in an orphanage find an atlas that allows them to travel through time and get caught up in the fight between good and evil. It is the first book in the trilogy. Both my husband and my 9 year old have recommended it to me, so it has wide appeal.