Latest Books I... Haven't Read

Do you ever go through spells where you just can't find the right next book?  I'm going through quite a prolonged period of this right now (with some notable exceptions).  Our library has a feature of it's online account where you can track all of the books you've had out, no matter for how long.  Let's have a look at mine for the last few months (since I last posted a book review).

The Demi-Monde:  Winter by Rod Rees

Have only had a peek at this one, will reserve jugement.  It does seem a little like Ready Player One...

Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Not sure.  Last night I ripped my bookmark out of the book, convinced I don't want to read it.  But we'll see - a girl can change her mind, can't she?

Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S Choi

What was I thinking?

The Art Forger by B A Shapiro
Present tense.  Need I say more?

Agatha H and the Airship City by Phil and Kaja Foglio

Love the graphic novel (Girl Genius), but the books was a bit slow (probably just because it's the same story as the graphic, so, to me, it's a repeat).

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Teen science fiction/fantasy romance.  Ugh.

Kirinyaga:  a fable of Utopia by Mike Resnick

He killed a baby.  He got returned to the library.

The Long Earth by Terry Pratchet and Stephen Baxter
Fan-freaking-tastic (review will come eventually, promise!).

Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
I love Alastair Reynolds' Century Rain, House of Suns, and Terminal World.  But I couldn't get into his Revelation Space series.  I couldn't get into this book either, and I see now that it's the first in a series...

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Present tense.  Again.  I just can't stand present tense in novels!

Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig

I don't even remember this book at all.

Origin by Jessica Khoury
First person, she was a bit annoyingly perfect and boringly innocent.  Seemed a bit creepy too.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this book yet.  SO so good.  Like Ender's Game good.

Among Others by Jo Walton

The girl was a witch or something.  Living in a boarding school.  She had issues, too much baggage.

Do you start to understand when I tell you that I am picky?  Have you read any of the books I have tried and failed to finish (or in some cases, really start)?  Would you like to try to convince me to give them another go?  Leave a comment!

Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to fiction and writing style like I do with present tense?  I am really the only one who wont read novels in present tense?  I will write a post about that soon.  I might even make a comment on the state of teen fiction right now - fantasy/science fiction/horror but all with romance?  Sigh...

Link Love: Bookshelf P*rn

I've found a new favourite picture blog!  If you love books, and love the idea of having this in your house:

This as your bedroom:

Or this as your local library:

You'll love this blog as much as I do; find Bookshelf P*rn here.

What's Your Book?

My Mum emailed me this link a few weeks ago, and it made me think about the place libraries hold in communities, and what they mean to people.  I've been thinking about it ever since, so in an effort to get it out of my head, I thought I would post about it.

In the introduction to Podcastle episode 116:  Paper Cuts Scissors by Holly Black, Anna Schwind talked about a set of laws she learned in library school - Ranganathan's 5 laws.

Ranganathan's 5 Laws of Library Science:

1. Books are for use
2. Every reader his [or her] book
3. Every book its reader
4. Save the time of the reader
5. The library is a growing organism

She explained the second law as meaning that there is one book out there that belongs to each reader, that this is the book that, though you have a copy, you will buy it from a second hand book shop because you're so sad that someone sold it.  The third law also struck a chord with her, and it does with me too.  This is why I think libraries are awesome, and will only buy a book if it's for school or something I will use over and over and over (that means most likely not a novel as I am not much of a rereader).  Libraries are there to facilitate you finding your book, and your book finding you.

So, what's your book?