Reading Machine

I've mentioned my extreme love for Goodreads before; this website is awesome.

You can keep track of what your reading, rate and review books, peruse friends/strangers thoughts on their recent reads, and so much more.

I've challenged myself to read 40 books in 2012 (although I would really like to make it 50...) and so far I am at 15. According to Goodreads, this means I am still three books behind where I should be at this point in the year... but I'm feeling so accomplished having read that many books!

For me, it feels like its been years since I've been able to read this much for pleasure. Throughout high school and college, there were always other books I was supposed to be reading that took precedence over fun books! Sadly, with grad school just two months away(!) I know that will soon be my life again so I am taking full advantage of this time I have to read for fun!

Here's a few of the books I've read recently:

Divergent/Insurgent- Veronica Roth

These books were awesome. I am so disappointed that I have to wait until next year to discover how Tris' story ends! If you liked The Hunger Games, you will like this series too.  Read these books. I'll leave it at that.


That Boy- Jillian Dodd
I picked this up because it was only $2.99 from the Kindle store. I enjoyed this story of a girl and her two best (boy) friends. It's a little predictable, but I was entertained as we followed her story from a 10 year old fifth grader to a 22 year old post grad. This is actually part of a series as well, but I have not bought the next book (This Wedding) because I am content with the ending and don't feel that reading further drama about these characters would really do anything for me.

In Too Deep- Amanda Grace
Another cheap buy from the Kindle store, this was a very fast read though I don't think I would recommend it. There are better books out there. I wanted to strangle the main character, Sam, the entire time. Essentially she finds herself at the center of a vicious and un-true rumor. She could have righted the entire situation immediately but she doesn't and drama ensues. I wanted to strangle her because she is an idiot and should have told the truth right away, then nothing bad would have happened... But then there would have been no story.


Stories I Only Tell My Friends- Rob Lowe
I LOVE Rob Lowe. He is quite possibly the sexiest 48-year-old I've ever seen. Reading his book was a lot of fun. He has had interactions with some really amazing people. One thing that really stood out to me while reading about his life is how much times and people have changed in the past thirty years. Some of the things that happen to him would never happen today. If you enjoy memoirs, this is a good one to check out.

Book Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go

This past weekend I was at home complaining about being bored and driving my family insane when I decided to head over to goodreads.com and check it out since I had seen Becca posting about it.

Meaning I now have an account, so if you do too you should add me! You can find me via my email acanfield04@gmail.com.

After signing up for a free account, and rating about 20 books that I've read in the past, it gave me lists upon lists of recommendations.

I was so excited!

Because I loved The Hunger Games so much, I decided to look for books similar to that series.

I quickly picked out The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

Here's a little description courtesy of GoodReads.

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.
But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

The book was definitely a page turner, filled with suspense. The book is in first person stream of consciousness from main character Todd Hewitt's perspective. It is written exactly how he speaks, poor grammar and all. My first thought when I began reading was "ugh I wish I had read a preview, I don't think I would have bought this" because the grammar and spelling really bothered me. But as I got in to the story (which doesn't take long) I let that go and immersed myself in his world.

My biggest complaint is that this is certainly book one of a series. There is not an ending, at least not an ending that a reader can be satisfied with without continuing on in the series. 

I gave it 3 of 5 stars on GoodReads. If you are a fan of young adult, dystopian society books (like The Hunger Games) with an interesting twist you will enjoy this book like I did. But be prepared to either continue the series or be mildly disappointed with the lack of ending.

However, should you choose to continue the series (which I did) you will be pleasantly surprised with the addition of a second perspective in book two.

Oh an I'm linking up with these girls (below) for Book Club Fridays!
Go see what others are reading in blog land!