The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse — Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with his friends — one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena — Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

This was a cute, fast paced story. Nora has been harassing me to read this so we can go see the movie and be properly prepared. Because otherwise we clearly wouldn't be able to follow the plot! I liked this a lot though and plan to read the other books in the series.

The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner

I'm currently battling the desire to sleep away my entire vacation, eat away my entire vacation, or just sulk away my entire vacation. All things that are making it hard for me to read 17 more books before January 1, 2010 thereby reaching my self-imposed OCD goal of reading a nice even number of books by year's end.

This book made it slightly easier to keep going though. It is very clever, suspenseful, funny, & original. I'm excited to read the 2 sequels and then Nora and I are going to book club it up.

Intelligent thoughts on The Thief might come later (maybe) when I'm done watching Scrooged and eating candy in front of the fire place.

Something Borrowed, Catherine Hapka

This was entertaining and cute and seriously fluffy. But the good kind of fluffy not the stupid kind. The only part that was difficult for me to suspend my disbelief about was how many, many, many guys this girl had in her little black book. Let alone how many guys she had as friends, former boyfriends, flirty acquaintances, attractive co-workers, etc to pick from. It was insane how many potential wedding dates she had. I do realize that was the point and main substance of the plot but it was pretty out there in wish fulfillment land for me to wrap my brain around. Maybe that is just a revealing statement about the lack of beaux in my own life. But all in all a very cute book!

When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead

I've been waiting to read this ever since I read this review on Fuse 8's blog back in May.
I really was impressed with the story and the writing, especially with the writing. I think if I was a bigger Wrinkle In Time fan I would have liked this book even more. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I just think after reading such rave reviews that I was expecting to adore this book and in the end I didn't. I just kind of went, "huh, time travel, imagine that." And moved on. There were lots and lots of moments that made me stop and admire Rebecca Stead's writing though. I'll post some of them when I feel like typing.

The Girl Who Could Fly, Victoria Forrester

Another book for kids from the library. I am recommending this one to my cousins. It has an interesting premise and a likeable heroine, Piper McCloud. I think I was drawn to this title because of a made for TV movie from my childhood called “The Boy Who Could Fly” that gave me weird dreams for several years. This book didn’t have much in common with the movie (apart from titles) which is probably a good thing. The story reminds me of Holes in that kids trapped by evil adults and kept from their families way.