Bio Girl's Reading Corner: 2014 Spring Edition

So I have been meaning to do another Bio Girl Reading Corner for some time, thinking that I was really falling down on that quarterly series I have been doing, only to discover after a quick search of the archives that I have only ever done it three times... Do you know how shocking that is to me?  Here I was thinking I did it four times a year for at least a couple of years... but not so much.  I also thought the last one I did was maybe in February, but alas, it was October. 

Funny how sometimes I think I am much better at something than I actually am...

(like blogging perhaps..)

ANYWAY, BOOKS!

Cinder Series by Marissa Meyer: Let's just jump right in with my love of young adult dystopian books and talk about the Cinder series.  Cinder is the first book in a four part series (book four will be released this year) that is set in the future and based on different fairy tales.  Let me tell you, I was skeptical about this series.  Even with my love of YA, somehow reading a Cinderella story felt so childish.  Add in that the basic story is about the struggle around being a cyborg while the people who live on the moon attempt to take over earth, and I was down right embarrassed to be reading it.  BUT, you all, this is an awesome series!  I can't help myself, I love it so damn much.  Plus it is one of those extremely rare series that gets BETTER as the books go on!  I feel like again and again I get hook on a book only to trudge through the series and be disappointed in the end.  (I am looking at you ALLEGIANT) I know this has one book left, but so far it has only gotten better.  I cannot WAIT for book four!

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson:  *Deep Sigh*.  Life After Life... I wanted to like it.  I really did.  And I almost, sorta was a fan.  I would have considered myself a fan maybe half way through, but by the end, it just all felt pointless.  The story is about a girl reliving her life again and again, dying time after time in different ways, as she works her way up to... what?  I guess her ultimate life's purpose?  I can't say I completely understood the final point of the book.  Because once it was said and done, and she "got it right", it all ended up feeling meaningless to me.  Other people loved this book, but it left me shaking my head.

Paper Towns by John Green: This is the third John Green book I have read, and I place it between The Fault in Our Stars, which I adored, and Looking for Alaska, which was lukewarm on.  I thought this was funny, cleaver, and entertaining, but the end left a little to be desired.  Still, I am excited it will be the next John Green movie, and I will be there to see it.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gainman: This was a little odd, but at the same time strangely enjoyable.  I read it because it was highly recommended by Hank Green of the VlogBrothers.  I am not even sure how to describe it actually... it's the story of a man returning to a place that held importance to him as a child, but the details he can't seem to remember.  It's a story of magic and monsters, and it is very unusual.  I am happy I took the time to read it, but wouldn't read it again.

Legend Series by Marie Lu:  Another Young Adult dystopian trilogy!  They never get old!  I actually loved all three of these books, although the last one had some issues with brain trauma that hit a little too close to home and made me nervous of what was to come the entire book.  Still, these were quick enjoyable reads that made me think rather long and hard about how different forms of government are viewed from both the inside and out. That makes it sound boring, but it's not, I promise. I highly recommend this series.

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh: I wanted to like this book more than I actually did.  I absolutely adore the Hyperbole and a Half blog, and looked forward to this book for a long time, but in the end I felt like a lot of the books best material was from her blog, and the other posts felt a little more like add ons.  I understand that actually.  As a blogger, I am sure Allie never knew she should save her best stories for the random day when she is asked to write a book.  Still, I was happy to support her, but wish the book had a little more meat to it.

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor: This was the much anticipated (by me) third book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, and I adored it.  This is a high fantasy series, with angels and chimera and different worlds stacked on top of each other... if you are not into that sort of thing, you might not like it.  But I AM into that sort of thing, and found the series original and addictive.  The final book in the series did not disappoint.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley:  This was yet another book that hit a little too close to home, talking about the potential loss of a beloved sibling.  I didn't realize that was what it was about when I started it, and once I knew, I was already hook into the story.  It's a coming of age story, and a good one, it just wasn't the best fit for me personally.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson: Another YA trilogy with a strong female lead??  Am I getting predictable?  I really enjoyed all three of these books.  Maybe not as much as some of the other series I have read, but still enough to read and definitely recommend.  The lead character is unique and uncharacteristic for this type of series.  It's worth reading.

The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline: I first read about orphan trains in a book I reviewed for BlogHer, and I was so interested in them.  I had no idea there was a time when children were rounded up in New York City and put on trains to be adopted out to people across the county.  This book is the story of a train rider, now in her 90's, and the relationship she builds with a foster child in her town.  It's a good book, although sad at times.  It left me thinking a lot about the real lives of these children on the trains. The Orphan Train is definitely worth reading.

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon: AHHH!!  Do you all remember my love of the Outlander series?  WELL IT IS ALIVE AND WELL.  and I just finished REREADING the 7th book in the series in order to get ready for book 8, which is FINALLY coming out on June 10th.  Not that I am excited or anything...



So that's it!  A comprehensive guide into what I have read since last October.  Have any of you read anything good?  Let me know and I will add it to my reading list!  You can also follow me on GoodReads if you want to share book lists.  I do better at updating it than I do my blog's reading corner, I promise.