John Green: The Fault in Our Stars

Wow.  I read this in one day.  It is amazing.  The command Green has over his lovable characters is inspiring.  I loved the friendships in this book, and the heroine is the narrator this go-round.  If you are looking to bawl (even more than Looking For Alaska), this book will satisfy.

I have to think long and hard about who I can recommend this book to.  I loved the language, the vocabulary, the academic nature of the book, but the student that can appreciate this book will be a unique entity.  That doesn't take away from the awesomeness of the story, or the unique nature of the friendships Green creates.  Really an amazing read.

J.K. Rowling: The Half-Blood Prince & The Deathly Hallows

Or, as I like to call it, finally giving in.

I have been avoiding reading the last two books.  I bought both of them the day they were released and they sat on my shelves.  I heard spoilers that irritated me, yet I still fought the urge to read them.

I didn't want the series to end.

Harry Potter is pivotal in my reading experience.  Yes, even at 35 years old.  Yes, even for one who has been reading (BOOKS) since she was three years old.  I wasn't a fan of the fantasy genre--I avoided it.  I didn't even read The Sorcerer's Stone until it had been out for about four years.  When I finally picked it up, I was beyond amazed.  The imagination Rowling conveys in these books is absolutely astounding.  The vivid detail and super-fun characters hooked me from page one.

I haven't seen the movies.

I won't see the movies.

What I have in my head might be "well-done" on the screen, but I love MY mental interpretation.  Even as I listen to Jim Dale (if you have a chance, listen to the audiobooks--they are FANTASTIC), my way of saying Hermione's name rules out his.  I love how this series has lived inside me, and am very sad that I finished the series with no more books to come.

I won't lie, the last two books could really use an editor that is able to stand up to Rowling to tighten up the language and sift through the unneeded.  But I can't blame them--Rowling made them filthy rich--why make waves?  The final books are dark, frustrating, and I got very sick of the whining.  But the overall awesome feeling at the end overweighed the negatives.

So now I am "re-reading" the series--listening to the audiobooks whenever I have a moment.  I am on The Goblet of Fire.  I love this series.

Do yourself a favor.  Pick up book one.  Give it 60 pages.  See if you can put it down.