Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles. I hadn't planned on reading it so soon after reading the first one (I am now trying to switch up genres when I read so I don't get in a rut. Besides, with school starting in two weeks, I'll be reading plenty of YA books during our school's daily SSR time - yes, I get paid to read a book of my choice for 20 minutes a day! It's a bit of heaven I must say.) But, it was on the shelf, and nothing else looked good at the time.

My review is pretty similar to The Red Pyramid. As with the Percy Jackson series, more about Sadie and Carter's past and family history gets revealed. Their ultimate goal/mission is also made clearer, but I'm also guessing that the full plan has  not been disclosed to us yet. There's also a few twists and turns woven into the plot that you didn't necessarily see coming, which is part of the reason Riordan's books are compelling; he makes sure to keep you on your toes.

I'm glad I read this, and I'll be picking up the third one when it comes out next spring.

Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

This is the second Spellman book. Because I just wrote the review on the first one, I don't have much to add.

"Curse" starts a bit after the first one left off, and again Izzy is embroiled in some madcap capers. This time she's following several suspicious people - including her dad, mom, brother, and neighbor, who ends up getting a restraining order on her.

This book does have a non-traditional timeline as did the first. It goes back and forth, but it isn't hard to follow. Lutz does a good job through fonts and chapter titles of making sure you know where in the chronology. This is still more of a "popcorn" or "potato chip" read, but it isn't low brow or idiotic. Lutz does a good job of weaving in comedy and stays true to all those lovely family issues that pop up (even though these are a little more out there than most of us have experienced most likely).

So, all in all: easy read, fun, light, and yet will still hold your attention.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

PSA: I'm quite a bit behind in these posts, so expect several in the next few days so I can try to get caught up.

I absolutely loved Niffenegger's first book, The Time-Traveler's Wife. I rarely cry at books, but I absolutely bawled at the end of that one. It was just so beautiful and a great love story. However, I am typically let down by an author's second novel after their first one is so acclaimed. I have to admit that I was a little hesitant going into this book because of this (I also think I remember someone telling me they didn't like it.)

This, however, was another great woven story in my mind - at least for the first two thirds of the book. The story centers around two sisters (twins) whose aunt (their mother's twin) dies and leaves them her flat in London and requires them to live there for a year (and that their parents cannot step foot into the flat). Throughout the entire story, there are hints of something horrible that has happened to separate the aunt and mother before the twins were born. During this time, we're also introduced to the aunt's lover (Robert), the other tenant in the building, Martin who has a severe case of OCD, and the aunt's (Elspeth) ghost, who plays a major role in the story.

I have to admit that the twins, Julie and Valentina, creeped me out a bit. I found it odd that women in their early 20s still dressed exactly alike - but we're allowed to see that that is more of Julie's doing than Valentina's.

Then you hit the last third of the book and there are some twists I didn't really expect. They're a little creepy and disturbing. These twists made me like the book a little less.

It is still wonderfully written despite the creepiness and oddness. Just be forewarned before you start it!

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

This book had been hanging around in my collection for quite a while. Last week, a friend told me that it was hilarious and that another friend loved this series (this is the first; by some miracle - meaning the B&N bargain table - I have the second one, too). So, I needed a quick, brainless read again, so I picked it up.

I'm so glad I did. It's a lot like the Stephanie Plum series started off as. It's funny and quirky. The book revolves around a dysfunctional family (the Spellmans) who run a PI firm out of their house. The story centers around Isabelle who wants out of the business because it is messing with her personal life too much. Her parents force her to take on one last case - a cold one from 10 years ago.

While not hard hitting, it's still a good read. There's some Lucille Ballesque moments, and it kinda makes you think about how nutty your own family really is. This book really filled my need for some "stupid funny."

Counted high enough?

A few years ago, I started reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. All of these books have a number in them (One for the Money, Sizzlin' Sixteen, etc.). She's up to No. 17 now (Smokin' Seventeen), and all I can say is meh.

Honestly, these books have been kinda meh for a while now. They're very formulaic, and the hilarity that used to keep me entertained for a few hours has diminished greatly. I read these for pure entertainment value and for a brain break (and after Game of Thrones, that was desperately needed).

I'm beginning to wonder if they're worth it anymore. Number 18 comes out in 6 months instead of a year, so I'm wondering if she's wrapping it up. I think it may be time for Lulu (the fat lady of the series) to sing.

Burn by Nevada Barr

Nevada Barr has been one of my go tos for easy, brainless reading since I graduated from college. I have a weak spot for murder mysteries, and her settings of U.S. National Parks intrigued me. They've actually taught me a lot about parks that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

So, I was really excited when I saw her latest in paperback at the bookstore a few weeks ago. I got even more excited when I realized it was set in New Orleans (I'll save my lovefest for that town for another time; suffice it to say, I can go on forever about that).

However, when I started it, I wasn't so excited. I am the first to admit that NOLA has its darker, seedier, more menacing side; I'd be a fool to not realize it. But, considering all that city has been through since Katrina (don't fool yourself into thinking it's been fixed), I don't know if I needed to read a book on its sex trade, especially its sex trade of minors (and I'm talking minor minors).

It's not a comfortable subject. No one wants to hear, see, or read about such things happening to kids. I definitely didn't want to read it in one of my no-brainer books.

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

This is one of the books that will be used for small groups in my new strategic reading class this fall. I'm trying to read the "main" books for it so I have an idea of what I'm talking about when teaching it/discussing it with the kiddos.

This was another book I couldn't put down. I started reading it during our SSR time for school, so 18 minutes a day wasn't really enough because the book keeps you wondering from page one.

The premise of the book is trying to figure out what happened to a teenager, Christopher Creed. As the book unfolds, you learn that he was an outcast at school, so a lot of the student body isn't really all that concerned about him or his fate. The book also covers a lot of topics that are very relevant to a high school student: bullying, being the outcast, cliques, parents, drinking, etc.

The point of this class is to help reluctant and struggling readers. I think this book is a perfect fit for that.