October 2014 Book Reviews

October was a packed reading month. Three of the books I read were brand new releases that I was excited to read right away. They didn't disappoint! Check out the video or the reviews below for more details on the books I read. What have you read recently?[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COYSmoAHa5I]

Balanced on the Blade's Edge by Lindsay Buroker - Balanced on the Blade's Edge is so much fun to read. The novel is a steampunk romance with a heavy dose of adventure. I love the witty dialogue and narration throughout the book. It made me laugh out loud several times. The characters develop nicely, despite it being a shorter book. The action scenes keep the pace moving, and I even liked the steamy romance sections. I am excited to keep reading this series by a great indie author! 6 out of 7 stars

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - The Throne of Glass series evolves in this third installment. The first two books were action packed and fast paced with some character development along the way. In this third book, the structure changes. The story focuses on character development and world building with very little action, especially compared to the first two books. This makes the book seem slow at parts, especially in the first half. I knew the story was building to something greater, so I didn't mind, but I could see how the slow pace could turn off readers. However, the last third of the book was great. I couldn't put it down at that point. The POV chapters from Manon (a witch) also feel misplaced and disconnected, but I am confident it will make sense in the greater story arc of the next book. I think this is morphing from a light young adult fantasy to a high fantasy series. I like it. 6 out of 7 stars

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - I loved The Sky is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson's debut novel, so I was excited to read this one. It didn't disappoint. The story is stunning. I adored the dual point of views from the varying time periods. I also liked the element of mystery to the novel and figuring out exactly what happened to Noah and Jude. But most of all, I loved the story of Noah and Jude. It was so good. I did feel a little bogged down with the long chapter lengths (especially since it's YA), and some of the quirky language. I also wonder if teens are truly the target audience of the book. It just didn't sit with me as a novel teens will flock to reading. Maybe too literary? Either way, I liked it. You probably will too. 6 out of 7 stars

Unstrung by Kendra C. Highley - Unstrung is the first in a new YA series from Kendra Highley. Unstrung is a sci-fi, dystopian novel where artificial humans were created to be a new workforce. As the technology increases, these artificial humans or "Bolts" have become more and more human. Lexa, the main character, is on a crusade to free these bolts from their slavery. I enjoyed this novel. The pacing of this story was great–it really kept the plot moving. I found myself intrigued at the greater story arc about the bolts and this society. With so many dystopian novels these days, I am curious how Highley plans to differentiate Unstrung. I did want a little more character development and backstory, but I hear there is a prequel on the way to address it. Overall, Unstrung is a fun, enjoyable ya novel, and I'm looking forward to more in the series. 6 out of 7 stars

 

The Girl in Between by Laekan Zea Kemp - The Girl In Between is an intriguing young adult novel. Bryn, the main character, suffers from a condition that causes her to sleep for days or weeks at a time in a coma-like state. She starts having vivid dreams during this state, and meets a boy named Rowan in this dream. The dreams cause her to search for him when she's awake while she meets with doctors searching for a cure. We also learn about her family, friends, and school for Bryn. On the positive side, I loved the unique concept of the story. It caught my interest, and I am intrigued to see where the story goes, especially with the cliffhanger at the end. I did find the pacing a little slow for my liking, but I'm not a reader who likes extra fluff and exposition.  5 out of 7 stars

Rating System Guide

7 stars = Phenomenal book – one of the  best books I’ve read

6 stars = Great book – worth your time to read

5 stars = Solid book, if you like the genre pick it up

4 stars = Okay book, maybe lacking something in the way of language, character development, story

3 stars = I probably should have stopped reading this book.

1 or 2 stars = Serious issues with plot, structure, language, or not a book for me.

March 2014 Book Reviews

March was a fun month for reading. I had much more time than the past few months to spend with my kindle. I read a few nonfiction books this month, albeit both are writing related books. The reviews are below. Keep in mind my book reviews are my opinions based on my reading preferences, and I post them to help you find a new book to read. Enjoy and Happy Reading! Torrent by Lindsay Buroker - Torrent, an urban fantasy, is a big departure from the Emperor's Edge series. Delia, an archaelogist and her buddy Simon, stumble upon a monster who is ripping people's heads off in Arizona. They team up with Delia's old friend Temi and look for clues about the monster. The story quickly turns to fantasy as learn about the monster and two other mysterious people who are trying to kill it. The story is fast paced and I read through it quickly. I thought the character development could be better (especially compared to the EE series). In many ways, this novel is a fun, easy read for entertainment. I think the series could be good if she decides to pursue it. 4 stars

Wonderbook by Jeff VanderMeer - The Wonderbook is a great guide to help creative writers (especially those in the fantasy or sci-fi realms). The book is very dense–I will need to read through sections a few more times. It's worth buying a copy and keeping around the house if you are a writer. I especially loved all the illustrations and visuals throughout the book. 6 stars

In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner - In the Shadow of a the Banyan is a fictional story based on the author's real life experience of living through the Khmer Rouge takeover as a child. The story is told through the point of view of a young child. The point of view was a big stumbling block for me. I felt the lyrical prose of the book didn't match the child narrator. Although the prose was beautiful, I couldn't get past the POV. I also think the storyline could have been deeper with an adult point of view. However, I am glad I read the book to get this sobering account of the Khmer Rouge. It was tough to read at parts, but worth it anyways. 4 stars

Phantom by Jo Nesbo - It's been a year since I read any Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo. The Phantom continues the story of Harry Hole, a former Oslo police detective. In this book, his son is accused of a drug related murder and he needs to figure who is behind it to free his son. The clues lead to a drug called Violin and a drug lord called Dubai. As with the previous Hole books, the story is dark, violent, and filled with unexpected twists. The ending left me stunned and intrigued to pick up the tenth book in the series. If you like crime thrillers, as always, try the Harry Hole series. 5 stars

How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn - Joanna Penn is a well known Author-Entrepreneur. Her website and podcast is one of the best for advice and information on self-publishing and the industry. This book is essentially a concise summary of the information she has learned over the years. I think it's a great reference book for indie authors. From my own research over the past few years, I didn't learn anything new, but it is a book I will keep around for the next few years to remind me of best practices. 5 stars

Rating System Guide

7 stars = Phenomenal book – one of the  best book’s I’ve read

6 stars = Great book – worth your time to read

5 stars = Solid book, if you like the genre pick it up

4 stars = Okay book, maybe lacking something in the way of language, character development, story

3 stars = I probably should have stopped reading this book.

1 or 2 stars = Serious issues with plot, structure, language, or not a book for me.

January 2014 Book Reviews

One of the downsides of reading ebooks is I often pick up a book or start reading a book without realizing the length of the book. I had this problem this month. I started The Goldfinch and after a few days of reading, I realized I was in for the long haul. Soooo I only read three books this month. Here's the reviews!
 Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant - Let me start this review by pointing out that I am listener to the Self-Publishing Podcast by Sean, Dave, and Johnny for the past year or so. Therefore, I have heard much of Write. Publish. Repeat before on the podcast and so I found most of the book to be a summary of the best tactics and strategies of the past year from the podcast. But, I still found value in the book as a podcast listener. The detail on funnels, email marketing, and story beats was good. If I hadn't been a listener, I'm sure the book would be much more valuable to me. Also, I enjoyed the laid back voice of the book, much different than your typical nonfiction books. 5 out of 7 stars.

The Final Formula by Becca Andre - If I had one word to describe this book, it would be fun. The plot revolves an alchemist's search to figure out how she lost her memory in an explosion and why. The book is filled with humor and characters who love to poke fun at one another. If I could improve one aspect, it would be to improve the world building to explain the magic, elements, and alchemists more clearly. But if you are looking for a fun book with plot twists, humor, and mystery, it's well worth a read. 5 out of 7 stars.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - I wish I could say I loved this book. I feel like I should because the literary critics loved it, but mostly I am disappointed by the book. Tartt's writing and prose is absolutely beautiful, but after the first 100 pages I found myself skimming for action. The book is about Theo, a young teenager who loses his mother tragically. The story follows his search for meaning and life after the loss. As the story progresses (very slowly I might add), I grow more and more detached from Theo as a reader. I want to like him, but it's hard. So even though the writing is stunning, I give this four stars for it's inability to keep me engaged.

Kristen's 13 Favorite Books of 2013

I  love reading, and in 2013, I read 52 books. I picked out some of my favorites, thirteen to be exact, to share with you, along with my favorite book of the year. Most of the books are best sellers or well known in their respective genres, but hopefully you find a new book to read.

My Favorite Book of 2013

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton - Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors these days and I absolutely loved this book. The story revolves around Laurel Nicholson's investigation into her mother's past to solve a murder her mother covered up when Laurel was a teenager. Morton switches point of view and time period throughout the book in an effortless manner. The characters are well-developed, the language is beautiful, and the intrigue is high as the story dives into themes of family, relationships, loss, and love.

General Fiction Picks

Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron -  Running the Rift is a story of a boy chasing his dream to become an Olympic runner within the horrifying backdrop of the Rwandan genocide in the early 1990's. The story follows Jean Patrick, the protagonist, from his childhood into his young adult years. Benaron gives this character a great voice and provides a great picture into Rwanda leading up to the horrors of the genocide. The story was predictable, but I was so invested in the characters, I didn't care. I've seen a little bit of criticism for this book because of its simplicity in writing style, but I don't see that as a negative quality. Benaron wrote a beautiful and tragic story which also educates us about a terrible point in history for Rwanda and the world. The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker - I picked up The Emperor's Edge as my indie book for March and it was a great pick (especially since it's free in the kindle store). The Emperor's Edge is a mix of fantasy, steampunk and the thriller genres. Amaranthe Lokdon is a strong female lead who puts together a team of criminals to save the emperor from an assassination scheme. Buroker laces humor through her characters and I found myself chuckling often. The story moves along well and the novel is very well written. This year, I also read and enjoyed the second book in the series Dark Currents. Lindsay Buroker is a great indie author, well worth checking out.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo - The Snowman is my favorite in the Harry Hole crime series by Jo Nesbo.  If you haven't read any in the series, you can pick up the Snowman and not miss too much. The story follows alcoholic detective Harry Hole in his search to find a serial killer nicknamed the Snowman. Nesbo's writing puts you into the action and the descriptions are vivid, yet horrifying at times. About halfway through, you think the plot is wrapping up, but you know better since there are 200 pages left. Nesbo does an excellent job of giving you hints of what's to come, yet keeps the twists and turns coming throughout the novel.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - The Light Between Oceans is a novel which stirs up every emotion. Tom and Isabel are married and live on Janus Rock, a solitary small island off the coast of Australia. Tom's responsibility is to man the lighthouse. Isabel is a young woman eager to have children, but suffers two miscarriages and a stillbirth. After the stillbirth, a boat washes on shore with a dead man and a living baby. They decide to keep the baby and raise the child as their own amidst doubts and possible future consequences. The ensuing story is beautiful, yet tragic. Stedman's sentences are carefully constructed and I couldn't stop reading the last 100 pages, despite the sad story. The Light Between Oceans is a great novel. 

The Circle by Dave Eggers - Dave Eggers makes you think about the world we live in and the future with his book The Circle. The book is a work of fiction, but it easy to see a parallel future in our world of technology and social media. Essentially, Eggers wants us to think about the important of privacy in this new world of technology. The novel follows Mae, a young woman who gets a job in customer experience (or service) at The Circle thanks to her friend Annie. As the novel progresses, Mae gets further involved in the Circle and ultimately decides transparency is the only way. I though the writing was good, but the characters could have used more depth. I didn't like Mae as the novel progressed, but that didn't stop me from reading. The Circle makes you think and its definitely worth the read.

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini - Khaled Hosseini is a great storyteller. I have no doubt about his ability to create intricate characters and beautiful sentences. But, it's impossible for me to not compare this book with his earlier works. The Kite Runner is one of my all time favorites (and I recently read it again - holds up). And the Mountains Echoed is a solid book, but not on the level of The Kite Runner. My main complaint is Hosseini spent time with many different characters who are loosely tied together, but I wish he spent more time with the main characters - Pari and Abdullah. I wanted more about them. But overall, it's another great book about life, set against the backdrop of Afghanistan and tough situations.

Young Adult Picks

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - The Sky is Everywhere follows Lennie and her struggle to move forward after the sudden death of her older sister. In the midst of her grief, Lennie finds herself falling for one boy, but also connected closely with another boy, her sister's boyfriend. Each chapter starts with a poem written by Lennie and these poems add great substance to the book. The writing style is fun and clever and fits with the first person point of view. Here's an example that made me laugh - "Handfuls of bosom pouring out a minuscule black dress that I'm going to wear in broad daylight to band practice." More importantly, Nelson tackles grief and death, two tough subjects in a touching and realistic way. I absolutely loved this book. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - The Fault in Our Stars is an absolutely stunning contemporary young adult novel. The novel follows the story of Hazel, a teenager living with terminal stage cancer. She meets a boy Augustus who changes her life. Yes, the novel is sad at times, but the characters are smart and beautiful. Green grapples with issues of mortality, life, and love in a way that is meaningful and triumphant. I recommend this book to readers of all ages.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas -  I love books with a strong female protagonist. The protagonist, Celeana, is an assassin who is in a competition to win her way to freedom. Along the way, she encounters evil forces, makes a few friends, and falls in love. The book is predictable at times, but such fun to read. The competition and protagonist reminded me of hunger games, but in a fantasy world. I intend to pick up the sequel soon!

Oldies but Goodies

Dracula by Bram Stoker - I'm ashamed to say this was the first time I've read Bram Stoker's Dracula. With the popularity of vampires in pop culture, I wanted to go back to a classic vampire tale. And this book is a classic. I loved the narration of this story- through letters and journals from the main characters. The story is frightening in the best way. If you missed this book somewhere along the way, pick it up. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - After seeing the first Hobbit movie, I finally picked up Tolkien's Hobbit. I have no idea why it took me so long to read this book. The Hobbit is a fun adventure story. Tolkien mixes the perfect amount of description and exposition. I loved the book and look forward to picking up the LOTR trilogy again in the near future. 

A Ring of Endless Light -  As one of my favorite books growing up, I was anxious to read A Ring of Endless Light as an adult. L'Engle drew me in once again to this story of life, love, and loss. Her writing is so precise and the descriptions are magnificent. The story tugs on your heart as Vicky copes with growing up and dealing with loss in her life with a backdrop of dolphins, but the story doesn't feel dated, simply timeless. L'Engle adds a bit of science fiction and fantasy, but it is perfect and adds depth to the story. A Ring of Endless Light is one of the best YA books I've read.

What were your favorite books you read in 2013?

September 2013 Book Reviews

After a month of reading Madeleine L'Engle, I returned to reading a variety of books. Although this month, I decided to it was time to catch up on the books on my kindle I downloaded and haven't read yet. I only have a few more left and probably will read a few more of those in October. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - With the release of Hosseini's new book, And the Mountains Echoed, I decided to read The Kite Runner again. The Kite Runner remains one of my favorite books, even though it is heartbreaking at times. I'm sure most people have read it by now (this was my third reading of the book) so let me share why I love it. The writing is clear, concise, and very easy to read with just the right amount of description and exposition. The backdrop of Afghanistan and it's history is fascinating. And finally, it's a story of redemption and forgiveness. Great book. 7 out of 7 stars.

The Beam: Episode 1 by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant - The Beam is a sci-fi serial set in the future. Episode 1 is setting up characters, setting, and plot. I like what the authors have written so far, the writing is solid, and I am intrigued. However, I am not sure if I am sold on the serial model yet. I still would rather read a full length novel, which I could have bought the whole first season to do that. But, I wanted to see if I liked it first since I'm not a huge science fiction reader. I will pick up the whole season soon and re-evaluate. 5 out of 7 stars.

Prophecy. An Arkane Thriller by Joanna Penn - Penn's second in her ARKANE series is another fast paced thriller with lots of action. For me, the best parts of the book were the mysterious relics and psychology. It's clear Penn did her research in those areas. Personally, I'm not a huge thriller fan - I'd rather read a mystery or a crime book then a thriller, but I was engaged throughout the book. The characters are developing nicely and I find myself liking Morgan Sierra more and more. Who doesn't love a kick-ass female protagonist? Solid book from indie author J.F. Penn. 5 out of 7 stars.

A Series of Unfortunate Events - Books 1-3 by Lemony Snicket - I picked up the first three books in the series on a kindle deal. Again, another popular series I never read as a kid. I really enjoyed these books. I love the little explanations of words laced throughout. They made me laugh. I also thought the stories were fun and different. It's easy to see why this series is such a popular children's book series. 6 out of 7 stars.

What did you read in September?

February 2013 Book Reviews

This was a tough month of reading for me, but I plowed through 4 books. March will be a bigger reading month, especially since I'll be sidelined for a couple weeks due to my hand surgery. Here are the reviews for this month! Remember, the first to comment on this post wins a copy of the book of the month! The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - After seeing the first Hobbit movie, I finally picked up Tolkien's Hobbit. I have no idea why it took me so long to read this book. The Hobbit is a fun adventure story. Tolkien mixes the perfect amount of description and exposition. I loved the book and look forward to picking up the LOTR trilogy again in the near future.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I'm trying to read one "literary classic" a month and I decided to start with Pride and Prejudice which was one of my favorites in high school. It's been several years since I've read it, so in some ways I felt like I was reading it for the first time since I'm well into my adult years now. I was quickly reminded that I couldn't blow through this book quickly like I do for many books I read due to the language and depth. But, I was also reminded why it was one of my favorites. I love the dialogue and how Austen forces us to carefully think about our actions, words, and stereotypes.

Fat Vampire by Johnny B. Truant - Fat Vampire follows the story of Reginald, an overweight man who is turned into a vampire and therefore, stuck as an overweight man for eternity. Fat Vampire is a quick read due to the succinct storytelling and its short length. (It's more of a novella). But, the concept is fun, the book made me laugh and I enjoyed the quirky main characters. This is the first in the series and I'll probably pick up the others in the future. Quick note, there is adult language in this book.

Book of the Month

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo - I'm making my way through Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole crime series and the Snowman is my favorite so far. If you haven't read any in the series, you can pick up the Snowman and not miss too much. The story follows alcoholic detective Harry Hole in his search to find a serial killer nicknamed the Snowman. Nesbo's writing puts you into the action and the descriptions are vivid, yet horrifying at times. About halfway through, you think the plot is wrapping up, but you know better since there are 200 pages left. Nesbo does an excellent job of giving you hints of what's to come, yet keeps the twists and turns coming throughout the novel. This is a great read!

If you want a chance to win The Snowman, leave a comment below. The first to respond wins!

Kristen's 12 Favorite Books of 2012

I love reading. This year I read 55 books according to Goodreads. I picked out some of my favorites, twelve to be exact, to share with you, along with my favorite book of the year. Most of the books are best sellers in their respective genres, but hopefully you find a new book to read. Also, read to the bottom for a chance to win a copy of my favorite book of 2012! Note: Some of the books listed below I reviewed in my monthly book review posts.

My Favorite Book of 2012

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus is about two magicians, Celia and Marco, who are dueling through the arena of a circus. But, Celia and Marco fall for each other during the game which has to end with a winner. The imagery is absolutely stunning in this book and Morgenstern switches point of view throughout the book, along with the timeline so pay attention as you read. But, somehow she brings it all together with an incredible ending.

General Fiction Picks:

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach - The Art of Fielding follows a young shortstop, Henry, through his college career. Henry is destined to be a major league player until he makes a big mistake one game which destroys his confidence. Although the backdrop to this novel is baseball, the novel is centered on character development and relationships. The book is very well written. The only downside is its length.

The Magician King by Lev Grossman - The Magician King is the sequel to Grossman's The Magicians. I was curious to see where Grossman would take Quentin, the protagonist, and the story of Fillory after a shaky start in the first novel. In the sequel, the characters grew up and matured and I liked Quentin much more. I found the Magician King flowed much better than the first and I flew through the second half of the book, anxious to see what would happen next. If you like fantasy (Game of Thrones, LOTR, etc), this series is worth a read.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - I jumped on the George R.R. Martin bandwagon due to the success of the HBO series. I read the book before seeing the first season and I loved it. A Game of Thrones is a great fantasy epic filled with sex, violence, and power plays, but it's a ton of fun to read. There are many characters and plot lines to follow, but I didn't have a tough time following along. Martin keeps you guessing and you never know who he will kill off next. The second in the series is next on my to read list.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - The plot revolves around a married couple- Amy and Nick. On their 5 year anniversary, Amy goes missing. The plot follows the search to find Amy. Quickly, the suspicions turn to Nick. But the story is much more complicated and Flynn surprises readers every step of the way. Gone Girl is well-written and a great read, but the book is very dark and twisted. If you don’t mind dark and twisted, definitely pick this up.

The Redeemer (Harry Hole Series) by Jo Nesbo - This is the fourth and my favorite book in the Harry Hole crime thriller series by Jo Nesbo, a Norwegian author. The Redeemer has a perfect mix of clues, twists, and turns to keep you guessing on who hired the hit man and why. I also enjoyed this book because we see growth of Harry’s character. Harry learns he can fight his alcoholism and survive. If you like Steig Larsson’s writing, pick up this series and start with the first book: The Redbreast.

Young Adult Picks:

Divergent by Veronica Roth - Divergent is the first of a dystopian young adult trilogy. The novel has all the elements of a great story- intriguing characters, suspense, mystery and conflict. Roth’s novel isn’t perfect though. At times, I disliked the main character Tris. I wanted more backstory to the factions and more character development for the secondary characters. But, I finished the book wanting more. And for me, that means the story was a great one.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - I read the book after seeing the first two seasons of the television show (not sure I should admit that). I definitely liked the book better than the television show. Pretty Little Liars has an element of mystery that kept me reading and it’s a very quick read. Plus, the book tackles teen issues such as bullying, lying, homosexuality, drugs, and cutting. It’s worth a read if you are interested in the contemporary young adult genre.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - If you haven't read this series yet, it's worth the hype. The first book in the series, The Hunger Games, is my favorite, but the whole trilogy is great. And the movie is pretty good too.

Faith Based Books:

The Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans - I followed Rachel Held Evans on and off for the past few years through her blog. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. Her story of living biblically is laced with humor as she attempts activities outside her comfort zone. But, behind the humor and funny stories, Rachel Held Evans tells the stories of women in the Bible, celebrates women of all types, and finds truth in her year of biblical womanhood.

Love Does by Bob Goff - Bob Goff's book is a refreshing read about faith and following Jesus. This book's style and message reminded me greatly of Donald Miller who is a good friend of Goff's and helped him write this book. These similarities are a good thing and I flew through the book and finished feeling refreshed. Goff mixes the interesting stories from his life that shaped him to be different and follow Jesus in a radical way. I recommend this book for both believers and seekers.

Heroes & Monsters by Josh Riebock - I picked up Riebock's book on a kindle daily deal for $1.99. I had not heard of Riebock but Heroes and Monsters looked like a memoir I would enjoy. By the end, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the memoir. Heroes and Monsters deals with regular issues that we all face and wrestle with such as love, grief, depression and faith. Riebock separates Heroes and Monsters from other faith based memoirs with his unique voice and narration. It reminded me of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers because of the openness and honesty throughout. I look forward to reading more by the young author in the future.

The End of 2012 Giveaway

What was your favorite book of 2012? Why?

Leave me a comment on this post for a chance to win a free book! One lucky commenter will win a copy of the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (paperback or ebook version - winner's choice). Spread the word and happy commenting!

The October Book Reviews

Today's post is the second in the monthly book review series. At the end of every month, I write short reviews of the books I read in the previous month. I hope you find a new book to read through this series and will share what you've read lately. Also, read to the bottom to learn about the book giveaway!

I read 6 books in October, one less than my September count.

1. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo - This is the fourth and my favorite book in the Harry Hole crime thriller series by Jo Nesbo, a Norwegian author. The Redeemer has a perfect mix of clues, twists, and turns to keep you guessing on who hired the hit man and why. I also enjoyed this book because we see growth of Harry's character. Harry learns he can fight his alcoholism and survive. If you like Steig Larsson's writing, pick up this series and start with the first book- The Redbreast.

2. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau - I've been a follower of Chris Guillebeau's blog, The Art of Nonconformity, for the past few years. The $100 Startup is his second book. He uses his own experience and case studies to outline a plan for you to start a small business. Many of the ideas in the book were not new or revolutionary. However, the book was helpful and encouraged me to start brainstorming. I wish he included more practical information and numbers. Overall, it's a great read for someone who is looking to start a small business or recently started one and needs some pointers.

3. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - Since I write young adult novels, I try to read at least one young adult novel. This month, I read Pretty Little Liars, the first in a very popular series. I read the book after seeing the first two seasons of the television show (not sure I should admit that). I definitely liked the book better than the television show. Pretty Little Liars has an element of mystery that kept me reading and it's a very quick read. Plus, the book tackles teen issues such as bullying, lying, homosexuality, drugs, and cutting. It's worth a read if you are interested in the contemporary young adult genre.

4. Divergent by Veronica Roth - I loved this book!!  Divergent is the first of a dystopian young adult trilogy (think Hunger Games). The novel has all the elements of a great story- intriguing characters, suspense, mystery and conflict. Roth's novel isn't perfect though. At times, I disliked the main character Tris. I wanted more backstory to the factions and more character development for the secondary characters. But, I finished the book wanting more. And for me, that means the story was a great one.

5. Farther Along: The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers by Carol Henderson -I picked up this book knowing I am not the target audience for the book. But I have a personal connection to one of the mother's featured in the book. I made my way through the book and enjoyed reading the stories and learning about these brave women. In addition, the writing prompts are a great resources for writers and writing groups. If you know someone who has lost a child, share this book with them.

6. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - As I write this post, I'm halfway through this collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories. I've enjoyed the stories much more than the first two novels. I find myself paying closer attention when I read which is a nice change of pace for me. I also enjoy reading the short story format. I can sit down for fifteen minutes and read a story and save the next one till later. With a good novel, I become engrossed and don't want to stop reading which can have unfortunate side effects. Overall, I'm loving the Sherlock stories.

The Book Giveaway

I am giving away a free book of your choice to one lucky winner!!!

Here's how you can win.

1. The first qualification is to be an email subscriber. You can sign up here. If you decide you don't like this blog a month later, you can unsubscribe at any time.

2. Leave a comment below or send me an email (kristenotte1 @ gmail.com) telling me a book you are looking forward to reading and why. All responses must be in by 6:00pm on Halloween. (eastern standard time).

I will pick a winner from the responses. The winner will have the "most compelling" response. The winner will receive a copy of the book he or she is looking forward to reading in kindle or paperback form.

For example, I am looking forward to reading Insurgent, the sequel to Divergent, because the protagonist is a courageous and intelligent young woman.

Spread the word and tell your friends they can win a free book!

What are you looking forward to reading and why?

The September Book Reviews

Today's post is the first of a new monthly series on my blog. At the end of each month, I will write a short review of the books I read during the month. I read a wide array of fiction and nonfiction and I'm sure you'll find a new book recommendation through the series. I also hope you will interact with the monthly book review posts by leaving comments on what you have read recently, both the good and bad books. It's a simple way for us to connect each month!

In September, I read 7 books which is a high number for a month of reading. But the high number is due to the number of shorter works I read this month. Before I tell you about the books, I recommend you check out Goodreads.  I use Goodreads to track my reading, find new books, and review books. It's a wonderful site and I've discovered many new authors through its recommendations.

1. Uprising by Erwin McManus - McManus is the lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles. He has written many books and I've read many of them. I picked this one up off my husband's bookshelf in his office at church. This book wasn't my favorite McManus book, but it's a solid read on building your character with Jesus as a model.

2. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich - This is the 16th book in the very popular Stephanie Plum series. I've read all fifteen earlier novels over the past several years. I enjoy reading the Plum books as a break from some of the heavier reading I do whether it's literary fiction or nonfiction books. If you are looking for a funny, enjoyable and quick read, I recommend starting from the beginning with One for the Money.

3 & 4. A Study in Scarlet & The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle - Brian and I discovered the BBC series Sherlock on Netflix a few weeks ago and we were hooked. It's a great series and lots of fun to watch so it inspired me to read the Sherlock Holmes series. I read the first two short novels in the series. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed, but I hear the next book in the series, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which is a collection of short stories, is better. I'll tell you my thoughts next month!

5. Missional Youth Ministry by Brian Kirk - Brian and his friend Jacob run the popular blog, Rethinking Youth Ministry.  This book was released awhile ago, but I finally picked it up. For my youth ministry friends, it's a great book on doing youth ministry differently than the traditional model of programs, games, and pizza. It's a combination of blog posts and new material so even as a blog follower, there was fresh material. For my friends in ministry, pick it up. For my friends who go to church, pick up a copy for your youth pastor!

6. Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman - I'm writing a young adult novel, so I'm intentionally reading more young adult literature, especially contemporary young adult. I found this book through my Goodreads recommendations. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I especially liked the mystery aspect of the novel which the protagonist's nightmares. Overall, it's a solid contemporary young adult novel and I'm looking to read more by Warman in the future.

7. Living with Less: An Unexpected Key to Happiness by Joshua Becker - Living with Less is an easy, but great read. It's geared for students, and as a youth pastor, it's a great book to read in a small group setting. I love the message of living with less and it's a message that needs to be taught in our consumer society. Highly recommended for teachers, youth pastors, students, parents, and all others who work with teens.

That's what I read this month, but I want to know what you have read lately. So start talking (or commenting)!!

What have you been reading?

Have you read any of the books above and what were your thoughts?

What are you looking forward to reading this month or in the near future?