Hex Hall Series (1,2 &3) – By: Rachel Hawkins (Teen Fiction)

This series has it all, no really – everything. We’ve got: angsty teenagers who just happen to be witches, vampires and demons, or demon hunters who live in a special super secret wizardy school, with family secrets, betrayal and most importantly a really dramatic and confusing love life for our protagonist…see I told you, everything. So finally I’ve found a completely sugary book that I thoroughly enjoyed! If there is any moral to the story or lesson in there somewhere, it is passed over quickly in a fast moving plot full of twists and turns. But to be honest, most of these twists come up like the bend in an interstate, you can see it coming for miles and miles.

I did enjoy the story and the characters, it was a lot of fun and I burned through all three books. So if you’re looking for a distracting read without too much thought involved, here you go.

Bookwyrm Rating – Cotton Candy

The Graveyard Book – By: Neil Gaiman (Children’s Fiction)

For a book that starts out with a killing spree, this is a surprisingly great children’s book. This story is about a boy who grows up in a graveyard, raised by a ghostly and supernatural family. The outside world is not safe on account of said killing spree in the beginning, and our hero grows curious about the world outside the graveyard gates.  Although things are surprisingly lively for a cemetery, we can’t really blame him for that curiosity.

I loved the dark humor and complete originality of the story, and I hope to see more about this hero in the future.

Bookwyrm Rating: Dessert

Subliminal – By: Leonard Mlodinow (Nonfiction)

Recently I read a book which raised the topic of the importance of the unconscious parts of our brains. I was intrigued but it wasn't nearly thorough enough. So when I ran across this book I just couldn’t resist picking it up. I don’t know why, maybe it was that snazzy cover. Luckily for me, it was an informative and fun introduction to the fascinating things that our brains are doing without our knowledge. 

As with all nonfiction, the skill of the author has to match his knowledge of the subject, and I loved this presentation. Leonard Mlodinow can make you laugh, even while he’s exposing your brain for what it really is. Honestly, now it seems like the brain is a deep and dark rabbit hole, full of fantastic and eerie surprises.

Bookwyrm Rating: Vegetables

Stupendous Sequels (Fiction)

Last week two great authors published new installments in their fabulous series. I’ve previously recommended both series and now having read both of these sequels I can honestly say that they live up to their promise.

 The first of these is Insurgent by Veronica Roth, which is the highly anticipated sequel to Divergent. The story does not disappoint as our heroine continues to both navigate and shape her world. Once again we have a strong and believable heroine who demonstrates real growth and complexity.  

Then we have Bitterblue, which is the sequel to Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore. In a gorgeous example of world-building we are allowed to continue to adventure with some of our favorite characters. If you’re looking for an exciting read this week, try picking up these series.

Bookwyrm Rating: Dessert

Pegasus – By: Robin McKinley (Fantasy)

How important is honest communication between different parties? That is exactly what this book investigates through our main characters. When two delegates for their respective races find that they can communicate directly, they learn that the traditional “translators” have been anything but honest with either side.

This is a great teen fantasy which introduces a new kind of mythology, and intermingles magical zoology with race relations. The premise was intriguing and the characters were enchanting. The end was…a cliffhanger, to say the least. So the sequel cannot come soon enough for me.

Bookwyrm Rating: Dessert 

The Unruly Queen – By: E.S. Redmond (Picture Book)

Here’s a picture book that even I could spend hours staring at, and I have all the attention span of a sugar-crazed squirrel. So I think the 2 to 5 year olds in your life will love it. The story is slightly reminiscent of a Mary Poppins character (the book not the movie), who comes to deal with a bratty little girl.  The clever wording and beautiful illustrations really make this children’s book stand out from the crowd.

Bookwyrm Rating - Dessert

The Greatest Show on Earth – By: Richard Dawkins (Nonfiction)

There are a few subjects that I hardly ever get tired of exploring, and natural history is one of them. It’s never a bad idea to learn more about the world you live in. It has the power to shape the way you perceive yourself and everything around you. What’s not to love?

Dawkins writing style makes this an interesting and exciting piece of scientific literature. The level of self-awareness exhibited by the author makes the entire book feel like a private tutorial from the best in the field. His obvious enthusiasm and love of his subject makes the reader fall in love with science as well. I truly feel more aware of this amazing world for having read it.

Bookwyrm Rating: Meat and Potatoes