Fangirl Review

I liked this one so much that I wanted to share it here as well as my book blog.

I just finished Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, which I read via audiobook (it counts, this very book says so).

I went in not expecting much because I had heard that it was good, but that it didn’t live up to her other books. Granted, I have never read anything else by this author (yet). But I ended up giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. I love it.

This book spoke to me on another level. I felt like she was in my head for much of this book. I related to the main character in so many ways (except that I am not a great writer, of fanfiction or fiction. Let me know if you need a research paper written). I saw myself in the main character, Cather (also, I love that name). When she was feeling betrayed and like her world was coming down, I related to her then, too. I cried for her (and for myself because I have been so emotional lately and her emotions spoke strongly to mine). But I also wanted to wrap her up in a blanket and love her and take care of her.

I was anxious for so long because she would not do her assignment! And it drove me so crazy that I was talking to her (I talk to my audiobooks if they are good. It’s a sign that I am drawn in and invested, not a sign that I am crazy...).

Book quote: “‘No,’ Cath said, ‘seriously. Look at you. You’ve got your shit together, you’re not scared of anything. I’m scared of everything. And I’m crazy. Like maybe you think I’m a little crazy, but I only ever let people see the tip of my crazy iceberg. Underneath this veneer of slightly crazy and socially inept, I’m a complete disaster.’“ I got to this part and went, “That’s me!”

I also loved her roommate, Reagan. She was so funny and just a little wild. But through the teasing (which was legitimately funny), she always had Cather’s back when it really mattered.

And I thought it was wonderful how Cather could escape into her fictional worlds. As a fantasy reader myself who is not always in touch with the real world, it was nice to meet a character who felt the same way. That’s one of the reasons I read: to escape and explore different worlds.

Additionally, the narrators of the audiobook (yes, narrators plural) were very good. It was done a little differently than other audiobooks I have listened to, but it was good!

I could see how this book would definitely not be for everyone and I did see many negative reviews. I think there is kind of a target audience, of which I am a part of. For me, this was a very personal read and it made me laugh and cry and think. So I love it.

Day Twelve: Did Not Finish

It is not very often that I do not finish a book. There are some books that I find very intense and I put them down (sometimes for a year or more!) until I can handle them again. But if I find them that intense to read, I think that is a mark of a good author. I did this with Practical Magic, which was on hold for nearly two years. I still have The Shining City by Kate Forsyth on hold (it's been more years than I care to count, but the first book was scary and intense, though amazing. The second book gave me anxiety only about 30 pages in!) I absolutely will finish it however. I am even now starting to get to a point where I am ready to manage it. She is such a great author and I love her books, but I need to take them slowly!

There have been a few books that I did not like. After hearing wonderful things about him, I decided to try Piers Anthony's books. I (somehow) managed to make it through his first Xanth book, A Spell for Chameleon. I thought the book itself was HORRIBLE, but that his overall ideas were so promising and cool! So I thought, the second book, The Source of Magic, would surely be better! Nope. And do you want to know where I stopped? Close to the end, in the middle of a climactic battle scene. I was so freaking annoyed with his writing that I could not read more, no matter how much promise his universe and general ideas held. I was so angry. His books could have been SO good, funny, clever, amazing, but he seriously knows how to beat a dead horse with a stick and I could bear it no longer!

I'm sure his fans (of which he surely has many, have you seen how many books he has written???) will find this blasphemous. My dislike was so strong that I doubt I will go back to read any other books that he has written.

Halloween Book Review Twitter Style

My friend Charlotte (here is her blog: Small and Trivial), sometimes does book reviews in Twitter fashion. That is, she writes a review in 140 characters (or so). I like that idea and decided to steal it and use it for my Halloween reads!

 In the Stone Circle by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

An old favorite ghost story about a young girl, her family, and the ghost haunting their rented house in Wales. Cristyn and her new friends try to unravel the story of the restless spirit.

An old favorite, but targeted at a much younger audience. Four stars.

Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

A surprisingly Halloween-y story filled with monsters, zombies, ghosts, werewolves, poltergeists, and spirit possessions. Audio read. The last installment of Heroes of Olympus. Loved it.

Again, younger target audience, but I love these books. Five stars.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Creepy and unnerving by turns. The story of two sisters in a long line of witch-y women dealing with life, love, death, family, and restless spirits. Occasionally disturbing and scary for me, but overall a good read.

I put this book down for two years, but did return to it. Three stars.

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

Our favorite bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, teams up with mysterious Diesel to track down vaguely supernatural criminals. Very entertaining and fun. I laughed out loud a few times.

First Between the Numbers book I have read. Four stars.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Historical fiction surrounding WWI. Mary Shelley's sweetheart dies, but his ghost returns to her for help. During the commotion, the war is ongoing and the Spanish Flu moves in rapidly. A fast read.

Startling and spooky, but good. Four stars.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

A re-read via audiobook as read by Tim Curry, which makes it pretty great. Creepy and occasionally gross story concerning my least favorite Halloween residents: zombies. Sabriel must defeat the greatest enemy any Abhorsen has faced.

Beautifully written and I am in love with the bells. Five stars.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by Josephine Leslie AKA R. A. Dick

A re-read of an old favorite. Not spooky or creepy, but it is a ghost story of sorts. Heart-warming, old fashioned, and beautiful. I didn't quite finish it by Halloween, but that's OK.

This book is close to my heart. Five stars.




Anyone else read any good Halloween-y books? I think next year I will go for classics like Dracula and Frankenstein. Sadly, I have never read these. They will be perfect for next year. I already have something to look forward to.