100 Books

It's 2 am (internet is way cheaper and way faster after midnight, so sometimes I stay up late to take advantage) and while I was waiting for my email to load, I hit a milestone in my service. It is perhaps something I shouldn't be so inordinately proud of, and is quite probably an indicator that I spend too many hours in my hammock and not enough working out or working period, but such is life. It's not a work goal, but a personal one. As of today I have read one hundred books since my first day in Peace Corps. They aren't all new books (I counted 68 new books and 32 re-reads), not a single one was in Spanish, and they don't include short stories (10), but they represent hundreds of hours and lots of mental exercise. It's 100 books in 507 days, or about one book every five days.

I tend to favor fantasy and YA fiction very strongly, so the majority are from those genres because why read something if I don't intend to enjoy it? I really like sarcastic and witty characters and since a lot of the teen books do that very well, it's only natural that I would gravitate more towards them. Also, it's super cool that a number of YA authors write novellas to get more depth from the world they have created and their books often are very socially conscious without taking themselves too seriously and have awesome bad guys and creatures. I have to finish a series once I start it (hence the preponderance of a few authors' books), and I read Harry Potter every year just to spend a week immersed in the world again and to wish desperately that my Hogwarts letter had arrived all those years ago. In each section I put them in order of my highest recommended, though the only book I actively disliked was The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp. Everything else fell on a spectrum from "ok, that was ok" to "that was fantastic" (*) to "Wait, why was that the end??? There must be more!" The lines -- divide the new books from the re-reads. I can't really be objective about a re-read, but suffice it to say that if I am re-reading it there must have been something worthwhile when I read it the first time. My absolute favorites are in bold.

YA Fiction:
*Looking for Alaska by John Green 
     boarding school with Alaska is an eye-opening adventure: joyful, exhilarating and tragic
*Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle 
     adorable interconnected short stories on Christmas Day 
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 
     surviving high school at home and in class with an unlikely friendship, music and comics
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
     if you ever read/wrote fanfiction or slash, especially for Harry Potter, this is your book
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman 
     Tennyson's sister starts going out with Brewster and uncovers and impossibly painful secret. I know this is vague, but it's better to read this book knowing nothing.
Every Day by David Levithan
     a kid wakes up in a different body every day

Invisibility by David Levithan and Andrea Cremer

     a kid has spent his entire life invisible, but one girl sees him

Paper Towns by John Green

     Margo Roth Spiegelman (part of the reason I like this book is because the names are awesome) likes mysteries, but when she disappears Q fears this mystery was unplanned

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

     The main character is responsible for cyber security, mainly checking work emails, and starts to develop a crush on an employee from her correspondence with a co-worker 

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

      Lily leaves a book in a bookstore with a challenge. Dash finds it and the dares get passed back and forth over Christmas until they decide to meet.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

     Something's wrong with Georgie's marriage, but she can't pinpoint it. When her landline mysteriously gives her a link to her husband ten years ago, she has a chance to make it all right

Doll Bones by Holly Black

     A kid's mystery novel, fairly creepy, searching for a doll who in their games was the lost queen

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

     Colin only dates Katherines. And they all dump him. He thinks there must be a mathematical formula for determining when the next Katherine will give him the ax. 

The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman

     The underdogs in high school decide to take revenge on their nemeses. middle grade.

The Shadow Club Rising by Neal Shusterman

     The Shadow Club has spiraled out of control and the original members need to stop it before someone gets killed

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

     Ginger travels around Europe following the trail of 13 envelopes her aunt left for her

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

    A girl is in a terrible accident and must decide whether to wake up from her coma or let herself go

Just One Day by Gayle Foreman

    A girl spends a perfect day with a stranger in England and is abandoned in the morning. Now she's on an adventure around Europe to find out why.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

    "The beautiful Sinclair family on a windswept private island, four friends who are unconditionally loyal to one another, a lot of witty banter, and desperate true love. Also family secrets, hallucinations, a terrifying accident, and many golden retrievers."

Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart

    A girl becomes a fly on the wall in the boys' locker room

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

     A playboy senior with no direction becomes friends with the shy quiet girl in high school

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*The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

    kids with cancer living life and reading books and loving fully. I love this book.

YA Dystopian or Supernatural Fiction:

*Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

     the conclusion of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

    the third book in the Divergent series

UnSouled by Neal Shusterman

     the second book in the Unwind series

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

     the third book in the Unwind series

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

   the conclusion of the Infernal Devices series. Much better than the first two, and a good conclusion.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

    Juliette can't touch anyone for fear of killing them and is locked in an asylum. When she is taken out she is thrust into a terrifying dystopia with no control over her own power 

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

    Book two in the Juliette series. She meets the resistance and starts to develop into her power

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

    The conclusion of the Juliette series. She finally takes control of both her power and the resistance

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

     Book five of the Mortal Instruments series. I started to lose interest after book three because too much drama and too much avoiding killing characters for good.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

    The conclusion of the Mortal Instruments series. Interesting twists and lots of Magnus Bane, which I always enjoy. 

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*Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

     I love this series, mostly for the sidekick and the beautiful voice and imagery. She creates a compelling parallel world of angels and chimaeras. It's fairly predictable if you're well-versed in the genre, but if it's your first time this is a great one to start with. Also, I met her and she's an awesome person with bright pink hair, so she's worth supporting.

*Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

     Book two of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series

*Divergent by Veronica Roth

     Teen dystopian fiction based in the remains of Chicago. Everyone is divided into sectors based on values and the story follows Tris, an Abnegation who decides to join Dauntless. This is kind of like a mix of The Giver and The Wind Singer, both of which are better, but I enjoy her writing and the books are fun fast reads. 

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

     To end the Heartland War the government passed a law allowing parents to retroactively abort their children when they turn sixteen, donating them to be "unwound" for parts. The book follows an "unwind" who escapes. Neal Shusterman is a brilliant, inventive author and I always love his books.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

     Book two in the Divergent series

Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman

     A group of friends are trapped in a supernatural carnival searching for the protagonist's brother. If they don't complete the rides, they are stuck for eternity.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

     Vampirism is the next cool thing and Coldtowns have sprung up across the US where vampires party and live the glamorous life. The main character knows things are not as wonderful they seem, but her sister is determined to be turned so she runs away to the nearest Coldtown.

Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black 

     A book of short stories about the characters in her numerous books. If you're unfamiliar with her work, start with Tithe and keep reading.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

    Book one of the Infernal Devices. Warlocks, shadowhunters, demons, machine armies, curses and teen angst. Worth it to read the last book in the series, though this series isn't my favorite. 

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

     Book two of the Infernal Devices.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

    Book two of the Mortal Instruments. 

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

     Book three of the Mortal Instruments. Far too much angst and weird twists for my liking.

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

    Book four of the Mortal Instruments. At this point I'm just reading because I want to get to the last book.

Middle Grade Fantasy:

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

     Too young for me (middle school I think is appropriate) but I like the adventure and mythology. Great for middle readers.

The Land of the Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer

     Book two in the Sea of Trolls.

The Islands of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer

     Book three in the Sea of Trolls

The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black

     Also a middle readers book about kids going to a school for magic. I like Holly Black's stuff that is much darker. I would have loved this book in middle school. 

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

     Absolutely hilarious every time. Bartimaeus is a djinn who is stuck serving a boy magician, and his footnotes throughout the book are priceless.

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

     Also a middle readers book, but I still really enjoy it. It's a parallel universe where Lyra and her daemon must find and save her kidnapped friend. There are gypsies and armored bearing, aeronauts and power-hungry adults bringing ruin in their wake.

The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman

     Book two in the His Dark Materials series. Lyra befriends a boy who has a subtle knife that can cut through worlds.

The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman

     Book three in the His Dark Materials series. Everything comes together in an epic, world-shattering conclusion.

In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

     Book two in the Song of the Lionness Quartet. Middle grade book. I have reread Tamora Pierce's books more times than I can count. Alanna is disguised as a boy training to be a knight, has magic, and is touched by the Gods. The world Pierce creates is amazing and I love the characters and the stories.

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

     Book one in the Wild Magic series. Set a few years after the Song of the Lioness series. Diane can talk to animals and finds out that she has "wild magic." 

Wolf Speaker by Tamora Pierce

     Book two in the Wild Magic series. Diane comes to the aid of a wolf pack and uncovers treason.

First Test by Tamora Pierce

     Book one in the Protector of the Small series set a few years after the Wild Magic series. Keladry is the first girl to try for a knighthood now that the laws have changed and it's a hard journey

Page by Tamora Pierce

     Book two in the Protector of the Small series.

Squire by Tamora Pierce

     Book three in the Protector of the Small series.

Fantasy:

*Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

     Laugh out loud funny and so beautifully creative. I can't even imagine how the two of them invented all of the madness. The apocalypse is imminent but the angel and demon responsible for the antichrist have misplaced him and they're not all that jazzed about the apocalypse destroying their cushy existence on Earth.

*The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

     The first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. If you like fantasy this book is incredible. The world is so rich, the characters are beautifully detailed, the creatures are awesome, the music is gorgeous, and the story is well-crafted and wholly captivating.

*The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

     Book two in the Kingkiller Chronicles. Just as good as the first book and leaves me anxiously awaiting the third installment.

*The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein

     Book three in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We all know Tolkein is the king of fantasy, and for good reason. The books are long and very detailed, but it means Middle Earth exists like a real place with a real history. You can't get better than elves, men, dwarves, orcs, uruk-hai, oliphants, an all-seeing evil eye, an untrustworthy guide and unswervingly loyal friendship.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

     The london underground has a few stations that exist only on paper...or suddenly appear when you're completely lost. Very creative and intriguing. 

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein

     Book two in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Unsoul’d by Barry Lyga

     An author sells his soul to the devil for a hit novel. I like the premise but I really don't like the characters.

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The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein

     Book one of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

Fiction:

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

     The memoir of a dog whose master is an amateur racecar driver. Really good storytelling and very touching.

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

     A small town caught in the suspicions of war as a Japanese-American man is put on trial for murder. Beautifully written.

Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding

     Hilarious super easy read. The diary of a thirty-year-old looking for love and living life. Modern-day pride and prejudice.

The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

     Book two of Bridget Jones' Diary.

Mad About The Boy by Helen Fielding

      Book three of Bridget Jones' Diary.

Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

     Touching and terrifying and tragic, this is a reflection on war and morality in post-war Spain through the eyes of Daniel Sempere and the city of forgotten books.

Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

     A novel about regaining memory, coming to terms with betrayal and moving on

Science Fiction:

Phule’s Company by Robert Asprin

     Mostly I like this because the characters are highly amusing. Phule is put in charge of the worst group of misfits on a nowhere planet and he is determined to turn them into the best company in the Legion.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

     The stories of one of the lead developers of AI as their technology improved and started to threaten humanity.

Lord of Opium by Nancy Farmer

     Book two in the House of the Scorpion.

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

     This is a book mostly about Dresden and the horror of the bombings, but mixed in with aliens and satire and social commentary. I honestly don't know what to make of it. 

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Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

     A middle grade book about gifted child soldiers training in space. I have always enjoyed it and the emotion is incredibly potent.

House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

     A middle grade book about clones. It was amazing when I read it in middle school, less so now that I have a broader base of knowledge and I can predict the ending.

Non-Fiction:

*The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

     A biography of cancer. This book is beautiful and I absolutely loved it. 

Quiet by Susan Cain

     The power of introverts. In a culture that pushes for teamwork and extroversion, introverts sometimes feel out of place. As an introvert, this was an awesome book to read and realize that I'm not that weird outsider who isn't cut out for the big leagues. 

1776 by David McCullough

     The battle for Independence from the British. I'm not usually into books about battles and tactics, but this was really interesting.

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell

     Very short funny book of all the strange things people say in bookshops around the world.

Mystery/Thriller:

The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman

     Terrifying book about a small town where one day people wake up and commit murders then suicide. It was called The Killing Day and no one knows why it happened or if it might happen again.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

     Book one in the Jasper Dent series. Jasper is the son of a serial murderer and someone is committing copycat crimes.  

Game by Barry Lyga

     Book two in the Jasper Dent series.

Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga

     Book three in the Jasper Dent series.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

    Nick's wife disappears and everyone thinks it's his fault. The story is told from his perspective and the diary of his wife. Very dark and twisted. Well thought out and written, just not my cup of tea - I like my dark and twisted books to have a bit of magic and redeeming qualities in the characters.

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Risk by Dick Francis

     Roland Britton finds himself kidnapped and has no idea why. He has to figure it out before he gets snatched again.

Nerve by Dick Francis

     A steeplechase jockey sees the fragile trust between jockeys and trainers deteriorating for no discernible reason. Something is wrong in the world of horse racing and he's determined to find out.

Banker by Dick Francis

     A merchant banker finances the purchase of a top racehorse for stud, but something is seriously wrong when the first crop of foals are born with deformations. 

Break In by Dick Francis 

     Kit Fielding is a champion jockey, but when his sister and her husband find themselves in dire straits because of some malicious journalism, he does some investigating to find the culprits and save his brother-in-law's stables and livelihood.

(Yes, I have read all 40+ books written by Dick Francis more than once and I love them all)

Memoirs, Biographies, etc:

Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris

     A series of short stories about David Sedaris' life

Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation and GPS Technology by Caroline Paul

     I don't really know how to classify this book. It's about losing and finding a cat.

Bossypants by Tina Fey

     Autobiography. Better if you listen to her read it.

Seriously...I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

     Autobiography. I didn't like it, but I assume it's better if you listen to it.

Short Stories:

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unstrung by Neal Shusterman

Six Earlier Days by David Levithan

4 Divergent Stories by Veronica Roth

What Really Happened in Peru by Cassandra Clare

The Runaway Queen by Cassandra Clare

The Midnight Heir by Cassandra Clare

The Rise of the Hotel Dumort by Cassandra Clare

Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale by Cassandra Clare