Woodford's Literary Lounge

I’m finally back after months on hiatus–mostly because I haven’t read anything worth talking about lately.  Where have all the good books gone!  I did read John Green’s new book The Fault in Our Stars which was predictable but well worth the read.  I went on a Buddhist kick and immersed myself in all things Buddha for a while.  Now I am returning to kid lit.  I just finished Roland Smith’s Storm Runners series.  While it was good, it wasn’t to the level of his other books.  Come on Roland, I need a 3rd Cryptid Hunters–what happens to Grace and Marty?  I have to know!  Wendy Mass could always write another book as well.  I’m such a big fan and her books never seem to disappoint.  I’m currently reading The Five Flavors of Dumb, which is all about a deaf girl who manages a rock band. Not bad so far.  I guess I will have to stick with it until it’s over to see if it’s worth writing about.  Still looking for the next great novel.  Let me know if you have any thoughts!

For anyone who can help….I need a great read.  I have read several books lately, but none are knocking my socks off.  I’m taking suggestions for a real page turner.  So anyone who wants to share, my mind is open for suggestions.

I finished the 4 book Ruby Oliver series by E. Lockhart.  I LOVE RUBY OLIVER!!!!  I AM RUBY OLIVER!!!  She is wild, crazy and just malfunctioning in everyday society.  I can completely relate to her everyday high school dramas and traumas.  She is witty and cute, and can be a complete social misfit, but it makes her truly loveable.  I just wish I could create a character as quirky as Ruby!  The series is fun and is a quick easy read!   Well worth it (especially when you will laugh out loud at points!)

My latest read is The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.  It was a funny tale about teenage angst from the point of view of a wacky 15 year old girl named Ruby Oliver.  Ruby suffers from panic attacks, sees a shrink and makes a list of past boyfriends that creates turmoil in an already tumultuous high school world.  Ruby survives but not without many trials and tribulations along the way.  I could totally relate to Ruby’s struggles both at school and at home, so it was a great read for me.  Anyone who isn’t (or wasn’t) a leper in high school probably won’t enjoy the story nearly as much.  If you want a good chuckle, then tackle Ruby’s insanity.  It will be well worth it.

Well, 13 Gifts, the latest in the Willow Falls tales by Wendy Mass was wonderful.  The only problem…I think she is setting us up for another tale!  The ending left me wondering about several of the characters and where their stories are going.  I am pretty sure that is Wendy Mass’s way of ending one story but leaving the reader waiting for another.  I can’t possibly wait a whole year or more to see what happens!  These authors are killing me leaving me with these cliffhangers!  I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to others.  Just be prepared to have to wait for another story to have it feel finished.

I just finished The Death Cure, the final installment of The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner.  While overall, I did enjoy the storyline and I thought the premise was intriguing, I just though Dashner was a little long winded in telling the tale.  I know he was trying to grab the reader and keep them interested in the story by keeping the action going, but I just thought a lot of the action in the story was repetitive.  I think that Suzanne Collins did the same thing with Mockingjay , the third book of the Hunger Games trilogy.  I was, however, very pleased with Dashner’s ending.  I love the slight twist at the end with Thomas and Brenda.  Very nicely played!  Overall, it was definitely an intriguing series that I will recommend.

I just finished reading Soul Surfer.  It was given to me by one of my students and several others have read this story.  It highlights the life of Bethany Hamilton, a young surfer who at the age of 13 was attacked by a shark and lost her arm.  That didn’t stop here from getting back on a surf board (it would have definitely stopped me!).  She worked her way back and is surfing better than she was before.  Many times autobiographies *and biographies) can be dry, boring and hard to get through.  This held your attention.  It is an inspiring tale about a tragedy turned into triumph and well worth the read.  Bethany is a very inspiring young lady and a great role model for all the youth of today!

Roland Smith does it again.  I think he finally beats out Jerry Spinelli as my favorite male young adult author. (No one can top Wendy Mass!).  I just finished reading Storm Runners:  The Surge and was captivated the entire time.  I can’t believe how fast I read it.  Now I’m craving the final installment–Eruption–so I can finish the story.  I guess he’s just going to keep me in suspense, just like with Cryptid Hunters.  I’m dying for the 3rd book in that series.  I need to know what happens to Marty and Grace just as much as I need to know what happens to Chase Masters.  My addiction to books is just overwhelming!  Good job Roland!

I return to reading for my summer extravaganza of books.  I have returned to my project of reading all the Newberry and Michael Printz winners and honor books.  This year’s Newberry Winner is worth reading–Moon Over Manifest.  It was a cute story, even though it was bit predictable (in some parts).  Definitely better than last year’s winner–When You Reach Me.  I moving into the Michael Printz winner–Shipwrecked–soon and will be updating with my thoughts on that soon.  I am enjoying my reads and have been updating my Shelfari.  So if you want to now more of what I’m reading (Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie) check out my shelf.  It’s good to be back.

It’s been a long time since I have posted, but I have been busy with my reading.  My spring break was packed full of back logged reading materials.  I managed to catch up on some long awaited pleasure reading, starting with The 5 Languages of Love, moving then into Roland Smith’s new series Storm Runners, and just kept going.  I received the special password to continue the Storm Runners series  online and am excited to see where Chase Masters ends up.  I then moved into S.A. Bodeen’s book The Compound.  This was monumentally better than her other book The Gardener.  I was so excited to finish The Compound that I couldn’t put it down.  I read it in 3 hours.  Then I moved into James Patterson’s The Gift.  This was disappointing to say the least.  I cannot bring myself to continue that series because it just goes round and round and round and never seems to end.  I then moved into Gennifer Choldenko’s new book No Passengers Beyond This Point.  It was just another winner from Choldenko.  Very creative and wonderful to read.  Overall, it was a reading-filled enjoyable break.  I just hope I can keep up the momentum with my reading!  I miss my books.