Saturday, August 27, 2011

Favorite Summer Reads


Cherie Reich's Favorite Summer Reads Blogfest has already begun and will go through Saturday. Join up! It's a lot of fun! Here's the description: All you have to do is pick a favorite read (this year, this summer, years past) and write why it is your favorite read.

This summer I read to books that really struck a chord within me.

The first was Possession by Elana Johnson.

From Goodreads: Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.


My thoughts:  I was able to get my hands on an ARC of Possession and let me tell you, I was stoked to read it! This book features a well-drawn heroine that you can't help but root for. Vi is playful and defiant and wants to do things her way. I love how fierce and loyal she is. She made the book for me.

And Jag. Don't get me started on Jag! Wonderful and handsome and dreamy... I am definitely team Jag!

This book is full of layers. Not just with the worldbuilding but with Vi's background. This book is fulled with so many ups and downs, it's like a wild roller coaster ride that will leaving you breathless and begging for more. The ending especially, it just killed me.

Possession is a book that I must get. I had to pass on the ARC I read, but boy, did I not want to.

Thank you, Elana, for a wonderful read that I cannot stop thinking about. And to me, that is a sign of a wonderful book.


The second was Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

From goodreads: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.



My thoughts: Delirium was a heart-wrenching read. A world where love is thought of as a disease? How horrible! At first, Lena believes the scientists and counts the days until she'll be cured. This is definitely one of the most romantic dystopias I've read yet. The ending leaves you breathless and dying to learn more about Lena and her struggles to become an adult, who chooses love over order.


And now for a book that I've read over and over in summers past.


Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

I can't tell you the number of times I've read this book. I love Anne - she'll always be one of my favorite heroines! Feisty, with a temper, not afraid to speak her mind, always getting into mischief and fun. A wonderful start to a wonderful series that is a must-read for all girls.


Well, those are a few of my favorite summer reads. What are yours?

14 comments:

Christine Rains said...

I need to get my hands on those books. Possession is already in my TBR list. Delirium sounds fantastic! Anne of Green Gables was one of my favorites as a young teen.

Golden Eagle said...

I've never read Anne of Green Gables, though I do mean to get around to it sometime.

I really want to read Possession! I've been following Elana Johnson for a while, and it sounds awesome. :)

Abby Fowers said...

I really need to read POSSESSION. That sounds wonderful. So do the others, but POSSESSION has been on my list and needs to get read soon!

Cherie Reich said...

Possession and Delirium are in my to-be-read pile. I should probably read Anne of Green Gables. :)

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Hi Nicole - fellow campaigner here to say hi! I LOVED Anne of Green Gables - the whole series, but especially the first one. I read them so many times when I was little. Delirium is on my To-Read list, and I've seen so much about Posession, I'm thinking I'd better put that in the queue too :) I write picture books mostly, but am hoping to branch out of my comfort zone and try for some MG/YA. Looking forward to getting to know you through the campaign!

Laura Barnes said...

Great to see a familiar face in my campaign group. Thought I'd pop by and say hi :)

Shannon Lawrence said...

I read the entire Anne of Green Gables series all over again last year! I can't wait to share it with my kids. Thanks for the recs on the other books; they've been added to my wishlist.

Fellow Short Story Campaigner here.

D..J. Kirkby said...

Hello from a fellow blogging writer campaigner. I adored reading Anne of Green Gables, in fact it was the first 'big girl' book that I ever read myself at bedtime instead of my mom. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts as well as going through the blogging campaign with you. Please stop by my blog on Thursday when I will be announcing the launch of an exciting giveaway.

bridget said...

Hi Nicole,
I'm a fellow campaigner and enjoyed your post. I don't read as much as I should. It seems to always be a choice between reading and writing and I pick writing nearly every time.

Joanna said...

I read loads of picture books over the summer as that is what I write. I have also just finished Sold by Patty McCormick and Crank by Ellen Hopkins, such beautiful poetic prose! Looking forward to campaigning with you.

Cortney Pearson said...

Thanks for the book reviews! Possession sounds fantastic! I struggled with Delerium because I had such a hard time believing that Love could be a disease, how else would family situations work and why would anyone care about anyone else at all, not just romantically? Anyway, I won't get started :). But I love your blog! Very pretty and enticing! I also write YA and I have a fantasy novel being considered by an agent right now. Looking forward to getting to know you more!

AE Marling said...

As a soldier in the writing campaign, I salute you. Wonderful blog here.

Delirium is a great high-concept story, and what cover design!

If I could make a recommendation, Succubus Blues features a demoness who avoids true relationships because she doesn't want to drain the life force from good men.

Best wishes on your writing.

Travis Hedge Coke said...

This just gave me the impetus to go back to the Anne books and reread. I'm overly in love with her Emily books. (You look at my published work, it's like I'm trying to reconfigure Emily Climbs over and over on some metaphoric plane. Ha!)

Holly Vance said...

Hey there fellow campaigner. My favorite summer read from this past one is Hunger Games. That book blew me away!