BRAVE

Author:  Svetlana Chmakova

Genre:  YA Graphic Novel, Awkward #2

Published:  2017

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  51


From Goodreads:

In his daydreams, Jensen is the biggest hero that ever was, saving the world and his friends on a daily basis. But his middle school reality is VERY different - math is hard, getting along with friends is hard...Even finding a partner for the class project is a big problem when you always get picked last. And the pressure's on even more once the school newspaper's dynamic duo, Jenny and Akilah, draw Jensen into the whirlwind of school news, social experiment projects, and behind-the-scenes club drama. Jensen's always played the middle school game one level at a time, but suddenly, someone's cranked up the difficulty setting. Will those daring daydreams of his finally work in his favor, or will he have to find real solutions to his real life problems?

I've been reading this series backwards, but no matter. They can all be read independently. This is a good story for middle grades - maybe teach them a thing or two. The art work is terrific - loved it.

Thoughts of Joy

THE TWENTY-THREE

Author:  Linwood Barclay

Genre:  Mystery, Promise Falls #3

Published:  2016

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Poe & O'Neill

Yearly Count:  49

From NetGalley:

Everything has been leading to this.

It’s the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 23rd, and the small town of Promise Falls, New York, has found itself in the midst of a full-blown catastrophe. Hundreds of people are going to the hospital with similar flu-like symptoms—and dozens have died. Investigators quickly zero in on the water supply. But the question for many, including private investigator Cal Weaver, remains: Who would benefit from a mass poisoning of this town?

Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is faced with another problem. A college student has been murdered, and he’s seen the killer’s handiwork before—in the unsolved homicides of two other women in town. Suddenly, all the strange things that have happened in the last month start to add up…

Bloody mannequins found in car “23” of an abandoned Ferris wheel…a fiery, out-of-control bus with “23” on the back, that same number on the hoodie of a man accused of assault…

The motive for harming the people of Promise Falls points to the number 23—and working out why will bring Duckworth closer to death than he’s ever been before…

This was a bit of a manic start, then it just took forever to move forward.  I'm glad there will be no more Promise Falls (end of trilogy).  It wasn't my favorite Barclay work - easy listening, though.  I do, however, look forward to more standalones.  He's a comfort read/listen for me.  Hooray for that!

Thoughts of Joy

My thanks go to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with the eGalley.

TALES FROM THE FARM

Author:  Jeff Lemire

Genre:  Graphic Novel, Essex County #1

Published:  2007

Personal Rating:  3.75/5 (good +)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  49

Lester is a 10-year-old boy who now lives with his bachelor uncle after his mother's death.  

This was a very sparse story, but one that also had a lot of depth.  I enjoyed the illustrations and plan on reading the other 2 in this series.

Thoughts of Joy

DIVERGENT

Author:  Veronica Roth

Genre:  YA Dystopian, Divergent Trilogy #1

Published:  2011

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Emma Galvin

Yearly Count:  85

A Chicago society divides its members into 5 factions:  Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful) and Erudite (the intelligent).  Once a child turns 16-years-old, they enter their calling on Choosing Day.  Beatrice is about to make her choice.  Does she choose the faction she grew up in or make a new life without her family members?

I loved the idea of this book much more than its actual content.  And, I can't help but compare it to Hunger Games.  The suspense wasn't as strong, the plot wasn't as deep, and the relationships weren't as mature.  Perfect for its targeted audience, though.  I'm iffy on continuing the series, but most likely will watch the movie when it comes out in 2014.  Again, great concept, but it didn't move along as I had hoped.

     

PANDEMONIUM

Author: Lauren Oliver

Genre: YA Dystopian, Trilogy #2

Published: 2012

Personal Rating: 2/5 (not enjoyable)

Format: Audiobook

Yearly Count: 54

To avoid spoilers:
Lena is out in the Wilds without her beloved Alex.

I was tricked . . . by myself!  When this first came out, I was reminded of the hype and love of Delirium.  I read Delirium, so I thought I loved it as well - not the case.  After listening to several CDs of Pandemonium, I looked up my thoughts on Delirium.  Apparently, I thought it was "good," but my reaction was nowhere near what others thought.  Needless to say, I had already jumped into this one with much anticipation and was being disappointed.  It clearly reads as an aptly assigned, Young Adult book and so predictable it hurt.