John Dies at the End by David Wong

Plot: "The important thing is this: The drug is called soy sauce, and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. ...As you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: none of this is my fault." (excerpts from back cover of book)

Note: David Wong is the pseudonym of Jason Pargin.

Comments: This book is... strange. Also shocking, malformed, surprisingly hilarious, and rather creepy. John Dies at the End is a whirlwind story that no one can ever really understand. It hooked my attention, made me laugh, and caused me to see nightmares everywhere.

I very quickly grew attached to the main character, Dave. I also grew to love his best friend John and the random assortment of other characters. John adds heavily to the hilarity of this story, while Dave piles up the emotional factor. The two work well together in a way that makes you scratch your head.

There are many things in this book that will be unclear and muddled, but that's how it's supposed to be. It's best not to question too many aspects. Just grab hold of the first page and hang on for the ride. It's a wild ride, but well worth it. Pay attention to every word and just keep reading.

Sometimes it seemed like the book hit a dead end, but there was always a story that continued on. I wouldn't try to guess what will happen next, because there are more twists and turns and random happenstances in this book than you could shake a stick at. The point of the story isn't evident.

A warning: this book freaked me out. I read parts of it at night and wished I hadn't.

Rating: I rate John Dies at the End a nine out of ten.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Adapted to a Novel by Charles Osborne

This is a short novel based on the play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. This novel retains famous lines and the theme and plot of the play, but is smoother to read and has more imagery than a script of the play.

Plot: Two young men, Algernon Moncrieff and John Worthing, both change their names to Ernest in order to win the love of two young women. This of course causes great confusion and hilarious mix-ups, all of which serves to poke fun at the upper class English in this light-hearted satire.

Comments: The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the funniest books I've ever read! It is not at all a deep, thoughtful story but rather an extremely superficial one which helps you forget your troubles for a few hours. I love the way this book made fun of the extremes to which the high class English will go for the sake of being proper. The characters are immediately recognizable for what kind of person they are - I assume this is because it is essential in a play. The young women in this story were very superficial, but then, so were the young men. All in all, this was a very funny short book and I most certainly recommend it to pass the time for a while.

Rating: I rate this story a nine out of ten.

Paper Towns by John Green

Plot: Quentin has always loved Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar though she's been his neighbor since early childhood. Margo is everything Quentin is not: confident, cool, popular and not afraid to break the rules. When Margo shows up late one night at Quentin's window with a mysterious request, Quentin hopes their friendly relationship will evolve into something deeper. However, the deeper he is drawn into the adventure of his life, the more Quentin realizes that the real Margo is someone unknown to him.

Comments: Reading this book was like riding a roller coaster. At points I was cracking up; other times I skipped several pages. I both disliked and loved this book, which is very confusing. Parts of this story were very funny, touching and sweet. The road trip, besides feeling unrealistic, was fun and a great adventure. On the other hand, the descriptions of Quentin walking around the subdivisions or hanging out in the strip mall were incredibly long-winded and overly dramatic to the point that I skipped over pages. Also, several of the characters were rather annoying.

At first I thought Margo was pretty cool because she wasn't afraid to be weird and different. This changed by the end of the book, when I decided that Margo is actually kind of a bitch, pardon my language. She was ungrateful to her "friends" and selfish. I also really liked Quentin at the beginning of the book because he wasn't one of the "popular" kids, yet he was popular and comfortable with himself. However, his obsession with Margo was extremely annoying. He gave up everything for her and pursued her doggedly, but not in a cute way: rather, in a foolish, why-would-you-do-that way. Maybe these characters are realistic teenagers, but I certainly hope not.

In conclusion, this story was both good and bad. Sorry, but I have very conflicting feelings about Paper Towns. I'm not sure if I recommend it or not.

Rating: Six out of ten, give or take.

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex

Book seven in the Artemis Fowl series. Click here for book six. Unfortunately, I have not reviewed earlier books.

Plot: Artemis Fowl, now a fifteen-year-old genius, is growing up, but he's still the merciless criminal mastermind he's always been. This time, Artemis is unleashing his terrible skills upon a plan to... save the polar bears? That's right. When gold-stealing, fairy-abducting, cool and collected Artemis Fowl presents his grand idea to a handful of skeptical elves, Holly Short is the first to notice that something is wrong. Artemis is anxious, obsessive, and willing to devote his impressive fortune to an environmental cause - entirely unlike him. As one of his only friends, Holly does her best to save Artemis from what appears to be his deadliest enemy: himself.

Comments: This book is amazing. I couldn't put it down and wound up finishing the whole thing in one day. Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex is somehow different from all the other books in the series (read a short summary of the series here). This book is more complex and urgent. Artemis is fighting a dangerous battle that no one, not even his bodyguard Butler, can fight for him. He is afraid, confused, and rather lonely. This book is also about the oddly strong bonds between unconventional friendships. Artemis's small group of friends truly care about him and show their support and concern in this book especially.

As always, this Artemis Fowl novel is a spectacular adventure of somehow realistic fantasy with plenty of complicated science thrown into the mix. The characters are, by now, well-known and understood, and they feel pleasantly familiar. However, this book shows new sides to Artemis - primarily the side effects from his magical disease, which includes paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety. However, this time we see a weak, helpless side of Artemis that is so unlike his usual determined self. I grew even more attached to Artemis as I watched him struggle through his difficulties and I wished I could help him myself. There's a message somewhere in this book.

Rating: I rate this book a nine out of ten.

The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher

Books of The Dresden Files in order: Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death Masks, Blood Rites, Dead Beat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small Favor, Turn Coat, Changes, and Ghost Story (series to be continued).

Plot: Harry Dresden is the only name listed under "Wizard" in the Chicago phone book. He protects the innocent and ignorant from dangerous supernatural beings, works as a private investigator, and refuses to back down from anything. Harry is notorious for being a smart ass in front of the most horrifying monsters in existence, but his sarcastic wit isn't enough to save him from evil. The odds are always stacked against him.

First Line: "I heard the mailman approach my office door, half an hour earlier than usual."

Comments: Jim Butcher draws you in and captivates you in one of the best series I've ever read. Harry Dresden is a delightfully intriguing character, both very admirable and lovable. He's your average underdog "good guy", always striving to do what is truly right despite dangers, temptations, and his best interests. I love the way Harry spits in the face of evil and - quite often - his own looming death. He defies beings much more powerful than him with witty jokes, not-so-witty jokes, and merely by refusing to back down. Another endearing aspect of Harry is his total lack of understanding in regards to women: he tends to have relationship problems. Harry has always struck me as a very lonely soul in that despite the few friends he's managed to keep over the years, in the end Harry has to fight alone and come home to a more or less empty home. As the books progress, Harry makes more enemies, sacrifices more of himself to protect others, and slowly becomes more bitter, world-weary, and dark.

These books will make you laugh and make you cry. You will be glued to the pages and transported directly into the action. The Dresden Files will amuse you, make you think, and inspire you to be as great as Harry Dresden himself. Read this series or miss out on one of the best works of fiction ever written.

Rating: I give this series a 10 out of 10. Definitely one of the best I've ever read.

Some Like It Hot-Buttered by Jeffrey Cohen

Plot: The man didn't laugh at the Blind Man scene in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. That's when Elliot Freed, owner of the struggling Comedy Tonight move theater, started thinking something was wrong. He was dead right. Keyword being "dead". One investigation later, the police discover that the man had been killed by poisoned popcorn. Elliot hops on his bike to find the killer, hoping a murder won't hurt his meager ticket sales and bringing humor to the somber atmosphere of the ongoing investigation.

First Line: "The guy in row S, seat 18, was dead, all right."

Comments: This is the funniest murder mystery I have ever read. Elliot Freed uses sarcasm, dry humor, one-liners - anything he can do to make you laugh. And he does. This is a giggle-out-loud book all the way. Even at suspenseful moments, Elliot's witty narration diffuses the tension. That certainly annoys several of the deadpan, serious police officers, but though they attempt to shoo Elliot away, he insists on persevering. Elliot is definitely an interesting character.

I loved the detailed, easily imaginable characters in this story. Sophie, the theater's cashier, while perhaps an excessively stereotypical teenage girl, is simple and one-dimensional but an important piece of the story. Chief Dutton is the law looming overhead but has a friendly, reasonable personality that contradicts common perceptions and adds yet more intrigue to the twists of the plot. And Elliot himself is simply spectacular.

I fervently hope there are (or will be) more Elliot Freed novels, though I suppose the chances of a movie theater owner encountering yet another murder are a little slim. This book was hilarious and complex.

Rating: I rate this book a ten out of ten.

Small Gods by Terry Pratchett

Plot: When the Great God Om appears to lowly temple novice Brutha as a turtle, it takes a while to convince the rather slow Brutha that it's really Him. After all, Om has only ever appeared as a huge bull, or a swan - impressive, god-like forms. But Om is reluctant to tell Brutha that He, the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient Om, is in fact stuck in turtle-form. So He strings Brutha along on a dangerous journey, but little does he expect that obedient god-fearing Brutha is beginning to think for himself.

Comments: When I began reading Small Gods, I expected another of Terry Pratchett's hilariously witty, light-hearted fantasy novels. So I was completely thrown off balance when it turned out to be a lot deeper and more philosophical than any Pratchett story I've ever read. Small Gods isn't just the story of Om and Brutha; it's also a powerful message about morality, religion, and what is truly right. The story started very slowly, and even once the physical journey began the plot pace was rather sluggish. But I was interested, and once I shook off any remaining expectations, I really got into the book.

I love the way Brutha changed in this story. It started when he began to hesitate before obeying orders, and to question the judgement of his superiors. By the end of the book, Brutha openly defies Om several times - but by now, Om has been influenced by His experiences with Brutha, and He changes too. Instead of his original goal of obtaining as many followers as possible, Om's newly grown conscience causes him to shift paths. His big decision towards the end of the book made me smile, and it was inspiring, too. This is definitely a great story showing the enormous changes in two different characters based on each other.

The politics and long philosophical/scientific debates and explanations were a bit tedious for me. Perhaps that component depends on your personal taste, but it was slightly dry in my opinion. As always, I love the way Death was portrayed in this book as a character, and though his part wasn't all that large in this particular story, it had a poetic ring to it. It's nice to feel like you know Death. The desert with black sand was a great image, and I like the idea that judgement lies at the end of the desert.

Rating: I rate this book a seven out of ten.

Sky Realm by Rebecca Moesta and Kevin J. Anderson

Book Three in the Crystal Doors series. Click here for book two and click here for book one.

Plot: Cousins Gwen and Vic continue their adventures with their friends Tiaret, Sharif, and Lyssandra in the strange, magical land Elantya. This time the five friends must travel to a flying city and prevent the evil immortal Azric from taking control. Together they fight, but enemies are everywhere...

Comments: I don't really like the writing in these books. Though the main characters are children, barely teenagers, they speak formally and unrealistically. It all seems very scripted and unnatural. I don't think the authors very well portrayed the teenagers.

I like the general idea of the plot, but it's pretty predictable. The good guys beat the bad guys, and everything's perfect again. I did like the character development of Sharif. He's my favorite character, and I like reading about him. However, it seems like he was a focus in both books two and three, so I'm wondering what happened with the other four main characters. Do they each get a book, too? Anyway, Sharif was basically the highlight of this book. The rest of it was okay.

Rating: I rate this book a six out of ten. Not very good.

The Night Watch by Terry Pratchett

Plot: Commander Vimes was chasing a sadistic murderer across the rooftops of Ankh-Morpork one second, and the next he was lying naked in the middle of the road. Vimes soon discovers that he was transported back in time, to an Ankh-Morpork decades younger than the one he'd just come from. In the midst of shaping up the unfamiliar Watch and trying to find his way home, Vimes somehow finds time to teach a thing or two to a wet-behind-the-ears Watchman - a young Samuel Vimes.

Comments: Once again, this book was hilarious and witty. Yet another great book by Terry Pratchett! I liked the characters a lot in this book. I connected with them very well, and I was sad to see them go. I wonder if there will be more books back in Vimes' younger days...

One thing that was strange with this book was that the "war" didn't seem very real. It all felt rather detached, or far away, like that big essay due in a couple weeks. I was always rather surprised when there was fighting and live action because I hadn't quite realized that things were actually happening. Also, the whole time traveling concept was confusing. Obviously it's not supposed to be completely clear, but the explanations only distracted me from the story. The monk-like characters weren't very well described, so they didn't feel like real people, adding to the confusion during time travel explanations.

I liked reading about the young Sam Vimes and how the old Sam Vimes dealt with all the problems. I definitely felt like I knew Vimes a lot better by the end of this story. One thing I never quite understood was the lilac. You eventually find out what it represents, but I'm not sure that the event really deserved all their dedication and memories. They were so serious about it, but it didn't really seem all that terrible to me. Maybe I'm just unfeeling.

Rating: I rate this book an eight and a half out of ten.

Jingo by Terry Pratchett

A book in the Ankh-Morpork Watch section of the Discworld series.

Plot: When the city of Ankh-Morpork and the great nation Klatch are preparing to go to war against each other, Commander Vimes of the Watch knows he has to do something. Along with Captain Carrot, Sergeant Detritus, and pretty much every single watchman/woman/dwarf/troll/undead in the whole city, Vimes travels across the sea to Klatch, hoping to find a way to keep the peace.

Comments: Once again, Terry Pratchett has written a complex story made up of seemingly random characters and events that will keep you laughing out loud throughout the entire book. His witty remarks and odd tangents contribute an ambling style to the writing, and it appears as if he has carefully considered every word to fit perfectly. This story was different from other Watchmen stories I've read because it had quite a bit of politics mixed in, or at least in this story Vimes actually paid attention to the politics. It was interesting, but also a little repetitive at times, when Vimes was going over the attempted assassination mystery again and again; he was trying to figure out who wanted the Prince dead and who they wanted him to think wanted the Prince dead and why they wanted him to think that and how they would get him to think what they wanted him to think. I apologize for the confusing run-on sentence, but it imitated the style of writing when Vimes was thinking.

There was some good character development of Corporal Nobby and Sergeant Colon, and I felt rather attached to Nobby. I don't really like Colon, but then, I suppose you aren't necessarily supposed to. I guess I felt sorry for Nobby. He's probably a good person somewhere deep, deep inside. There wasn't much focus on Carrot or Angua in this book, which disappointed me because I loved Carrot in the past few books. I did grow to like Vimes better, and I like his loyalty, moral compass, and most of all his willingness to disobey direct orders (and sometimes, laws) if he believes its what is best for the city. I don't like how Lord Vetinari, the head of the city, is always keeping Vimes in the dark and relies on Vimes acting as he predicts. I like Lord Vetinari because of his cleverness and obvious skill in keeping the city alive and working, but it's just annoying how he manipulates Vimes. I think the Commander deserves better.

Rating: I rate this book a seven out of ten.

Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Plot: Holden Caulfield is not your typical teenage boy. He doesn't have many friends, hates school and is flunking all his classes but English, and thinks almost everyone is a "phony". He's criticizing and sarcastic, but while he claims he can hardly stand being around his classmates, Holden seems desperate for attention and company. Striking out on his own, Holden has an adventure that creates a story of rebellion, sexuality, and self-acceptance - or self-rejection.

First Line: "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth."

Comments: This book was assigned for reading in my English class, and I was a bit apprehensive when I began reading. I'd heard only negative comments from my classmates and friends - no one I talked to had a good word to say about the book or Holden, except for a couple of my teachers. But when I was a few pages in, I realized that, contrary to popular opinion, I was actually enjoying the story. Surprising? I think part of the reason none of my friends liked Catcher in the Rye was because it was a book they were required to read for the eternally hated  homework. Maybe if they'd given the book a chance and a clean slate, they would have enjoyed it more.

I really loved Holden. He was such a complex and intriguing character. He was constantly complaining and criticizing, but while I can see how that could be annoying, it rather endeared him to me. I could tell that behind his cynicism and disdain for other people, Holden wished he could be like those people, wanted to be accepted and loved. But instead everyone thought he was strange and a little insane. Holden was, in my opinion, a true underdog, and I felt sorry for him. He thought very differently from other people, and I laughed out loud at his witty mutterings and ideas. I was really touched by the way he talked about his younger brother who had passed away. Holden was always mentioning Allie, and I could tell how much he missed him. Holden was also very dedicated to his younger sister Phoebe, and it turns out that he depends on her very much.

In the end, Holden Caulfield is just another confused teenager trying to find what life holds for him, and who he is. I have pity and sympathy for him, and empathy as well. I also have a lot of respect for Holden, and when the title of the book was finally explained in one of the last chapters, I realized how fiercely I wished his life could have been better. He's just misunderstood. And aren't we all?

Rating: I rate this book a ten out of ten. (I've never done that before!) To truly understand how I feel about this book, you would need to read the lines between the lines and actually listen to what Holden is trying to say. I hope you find this story as heartfelt and funny and wise and beautiful and depressing and inspiring as I did.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Note: There are two posts for this book. I posted one a while back after reading the book, then posted this one after reading it recently for school.

Plot: a coming of age story from the perspective of a fourteen-year-old boy growing up on a Spokane Indian reservation. Junior looks around him and decides he doesn't want to be like everyone else; he doesn't want to give up all hope and live on the "rez" all his life, dirt poor and pathetically alcoholic. His parents tell him white people are the ones with the most hope, but Junior is determined to make it in the world despite his race.

Comments: this is a book commonly assigned for reading in high school, and I can understand why. It's a poetic and eye-opening story about life on a (relatively) modern day Indian reservation (yes, those still exist) and the efforts of a young Indian boy as he struggles against racism, poverty, and a depressing environment. The main character, Junior, is funny and painfully honest as he tells his story. He's just an average kid with major obstacles. Somehow it's easy to relate to him, even though his experiences are so different from most of the readers'.

His story is kind of depressing, but that makes it all the more important to hear. This book sends good messages to lots of different kinds of people, and I think anyone could learn something from reading this. There were tear-jerkingly sad parts and gut-wrenchingly hilarious ones, so I recommend you brace yourself. I also prefer reading it all at once, and it's a short book and easy to read, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Rating: I give this book an eight out of ten. It's very simple, but when you're telling the truth, simple is the best way to go.

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

This is one of the Discworld books focused on the city Ankh-Morpork's Watch, AKA police-men/women/dwarves/trolls/undead/etc. Feet of Clay takes place after Men at Arms (see post), but I'm not sure exactly when it occurs. There might be a book or two between them.

Plot: Carrot Ironfoundersson is back and this time he's Captain of the Night Watch! Along with his sweetheart Sergeant Angua and rest of the Watch, Carrot is working on another confusing case. A couple of old men have died gruesome deaths from unusual weapons, seemingly unrelated. The only idea they have is that it's got something to do with the golems - huge, "unalive" beings made of clay, created for the sole purpose of labor. Golems apparently are not capable of thinking or feeling, and can only obey the "words in their head". So why are they disobeying, and why does Carrot feel a strange sense of emotion coming from those emotionless red eyes?

Comments: This is a great story, and though it's light-hearted and a fun and easy read, it resembles a social justice (or injustice) novel. The golems are treated like heartless, emotionless robots because that's what they were built to be. Supposedly, they cannot feel pain, both physical or mental, and they are not capable of disobeying their masters. But before abusing them, working them around the clock, and treating them as slaves, wouldn't it be a good idea to be sure they cannot feel? I mean, a golem is unstoppable. It would win a fight against a troll no problem, because it can't be hurt or knocked unconscious and it has incredible strength. And if suddenly you find out that the golem you've been mistreating this whole time resents you and is going to get revenge, you'd probably wished you'd never bought it.

Anyway, though I didn't consider it as hilariously funny as Men at Arms, this book was laugh-out-loud funny and I couldn't put it down. It's rather more of a thriller and mystery, and it'll keep you guessing. I liked the new characters, such as Dorfl the golem, and Constable Visit (his full name, translated, is Visit-the-Infidel-with-Explanatory-Pamphlets). They both added a lot to the story. I really felt for Dorfl especially.

Rating: I rate this book a seven and a half out of ten. Fun read!

Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett

Plot: set in the strange city of Ankh-Morpork, Discworld, this book focuses on a human that thinks he's a dwarf (well, he was adopted by them), Cpl. Carrot Ironfoundersson, and the captain of the Night Watch, Samuel Vimes, who is soon retiring, albeit reluctantly. When a newly invented, deadly weapon is stolen from the Assassin's Guild, the Night Watch face a challenge like never before; find the murderer and the weapon before anyone else is killed and prevent the so-called "gonne" from falling into the wrong hands ever again.

Comments: I love Terry Pratchett novels! They're so light-hearted and humorous. Pratchett excels at satirical humor, and there's something to laugh at on every page. The characters in this book were amazing. Cpl. Carrot is honest and simple - though not stupid - and he's adorably awkward around female Watch"man", Angua. After all, he is only seventeen years old, though his height and powerful build might throw you off (he's 6' 6" and yet still thought he was a dwarf until his 4' adopted parents finally told him). Carrot's very charismatic, and though he's almost always in a good mood, smiling and polite, if he gets ticked off, even trolls back away slowly.

Cpl. Nobby was a delightfully corrupt character, and Colon was rather transparent. There have been earlier books about Cpt. Vimes, so this book didn't explain his character very well. This caused me to lose interest in him, which is unfortunate, because half the time the story was about him. Angua was a good character, because though she was pretty and supposedly only became a Watchman to represent a "minority" group, she was strong, brave, and kick-butt, too. Cuddy the dwarf and Detritus the troll were paired up as Watchmen partners, and dwarves and trolls have had a feud for the longest time. They don't get along well, but after a while they start to grow on each other. Soon they could be considered good friends, and their friendship and partnership is heartwarming and sweet.

The plot was...strange, as most Discworld stories go. Though everything made sense, in a way, it's all rather complicated and twisted. However, it's definitely a fun read and I'm going to continue reading about Ankh-Morpork's City Watch in Feet of Clay. Oh, one more thing: I love how Death speaks and acts in these books. He doesn't have a huge role in this story, but he has a few hilarious conversations with the deceased.

Rating: I rate this book an eight out of ten. Great read!

The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

Plot: when the Hogfather (the Ankh-Morpork version of Santa Claus, Jolly Ol' Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, etc.) vanishes mysteriously, Death steps in to fill the role. Though he is not the most jolly - for lack of a better word - being, Death begins to enjoy handing out presents, flying around the city, and, in general, being the Hogfather. Then Death's granddaughter Susan gets dragged into the situation and has to figure out what happened to the true Hogfather and how to get him back. Good luck.

Comments: I would consider this to be one of Terry Pratchett's best stories. The Hogfather is hilarious, absurd, and also rather touching. Pratchett excels at satirical humor, and apparently enjoys poking fun at the human existence (which, if you stop to think about it, has some very funny aspects). This book made me laugh so many times, I lost count! I love Pratchett's sharp wit and one-liners that make you say "What?" and reread the past few sentences to fully understand the concept.

My favorite character is definitely Death. He's so adorably clueless and oblivious, but you can tell that his heart (metaphorically, of course) is in the right place. Susan reprimands him like he's a child, and in some ways, he is. Pratchett created Death spectacularly, and I guarantee you'll love him. He fits right into the abstract, random plot. I must warn you that this book basically doesn't have a point, and though it has a start and ending, I wouldn't exactly say it has a beginning or conclusion. You'll see what I mean. But the story is so charmingly awkward that it all works in the end.

The only thing I didn't really like was Susan's character. She wasn't really the nicest person, so reading about her wasn't very fun. The circumstances were still hilarious, and she was definitely a strong character, but maybe a little more human next time?

Rating: I rate this book a nine out of ten. It was awesome. :)

Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill

Plot: spunky young woman Bug is doing okay in life; she has an apartment that she barely manages to pay for, a job as a maniac driver for a pizzeria, and she is still in possession of her soul. This all quickly changes when Bug meets Beal, a demonic (literally) car repossessing agent, who demands her vintage Cadillac passed down from her grandfather. Oh, and he wants her soul, too. Joining teams with Pesto, the cute boy at the car wash, Bug sets out to beat the Devil and get her life back.

Comments: This book in one word: sassy. I loved Bug! She has the biggest attitude I have ever seen, and she has absolutely no tolerance for anyone else's attitudes. Constantly talking smack and threatening to beat people's [butts*], she don't take lip from no one. I had never before heard the slur "coyote", but it's used a lot in this book. Bug won't allow anyone to walk away intact after calling her that, and I love that she stands up for herself like that. She doesn't need rescuing, and I appreciate the strong female character. The only thing I didn't like was that though Bug was tough and self-sufficient, she would scream a lot and act helpless and wimpy. It was like there were two different Bugs, and it got annoying.

The impersonation of the Devil was interesting, and I think Mr. Gill pulled it off very well. Slick and cultured, Lucifer felt to me like the real deal. The warring between the demons was funny, a sibling-like rivalry. The whole plot was funny, really. There were a lot of weird things thrown in, things that must have taken some thought to come up with. For example, why a pizza delivery girl? And how did he come up with names like Pesto and Vinnie (Bug's boss) - and Bug, for that matter. I'm not entirely sure where this is taking place (not paying attention to setting details always comes back and bites me), so maybe some of the things are part of the culture there. In any case, it's a fun read and I definitely recommend it!

Rating: I rate this book a seven and a half out of ten.

Suck It Up by Brian Meehl

Plot: a young vampire is chosen to reveal the existance of the ancient race to humans. The public loves him, but he doesn't like the attention and wishes he'd never agreed to it. He meets a teenage girl different from any he's known: she's rude, snappy, and independent, but somehow they become friends. And then...more than friends?

Comments: Personally, I'm sick of the new vampire craze. Tons of new books, TV shows, whatever. But I gave this book a chance, and I loved it! The main character was so innocent and teenager-awkward and sweet! I really liked him, and the teenage girl he meets. I love their interaction, because it is so like real teenagers - I say "real" because one of them is a vampire, forever a teenager.

The plot is completely different from anything I've ever read - and it's not a romance, so don't think it's another Twilight or something (by Stephenie Meyer). This book made me laugh, which I take as a very good sign. I definitely recommend it. It's light-hearted and fun!

Rating: I rate this book a seven and a half out of ten.

Chasing the Bear by Robert B. Parker

A Young Spenser Novel

Plot: in this book, you learn about how the private detective Spenser was as a teenager. Even then, he was independent, quick-thinking, and protective.

Comments: this book probably wouldn't be all that great if you hadn't already read several Spenser novels and liked them a lot, like I have. By itself, I don't know if it's that great of a story, but I liked learning about the childhood of one of my favorite book characters. It was fun to compare the young Spenser to the older Spenser, because they were so much alike. I liked reading about his father and uncles who raised him, and the lessons they taught him.

Rating: I rate this book a six out of ten.

Burn Notice: The Fix by Tod Goldberg

Note: this is based off the TV series Burn Notice by Matt Nix.

Plot: ex-spy Michael Westen has been living under surveillance in his hometown, Miami, ever since someone burned him. His friend, an ex-navy seal, asks him to help a friend out, which of course leads to a huge undercover mission for which Michael isn't even getting paid. To top it off, an old acquaintance shows up and threatens Michael, basically with death. Another average day in the life of Michael Westen.

Comments: I really like the show, so when I found this book, I was curious as to how similar the two would turn out. I hadn't actually seen this particular episode (I'm assuming this story was based off a real episode), but I thought the characters were portrayed accurately. Though most of the details went over my head (like the details about real estate, money laundering, etc.), because they were a little too detailed for my taste. (Detailed details. I guess that should be a given.) I skimmed through some of the long conversations about real estate and such, but besides all that, I thought the book was pretty good.

I liked the way Tod Goldberg wrote Michael's thoughts and made him so ingenius and meticulous. I thought it fit the TV show character very well. He's not exactly macho, but he's got a kind of power that makes him extremely formidable, and he knows it (and likes it). It's funny how he acts out different people and how no one guesses he's acting. He's that convincing. It makes for a good story. I also like his kind of humor, because it fits the "spy" kind of character (in my mind) and makes the story a little lighter.

Rating: I rate this book a six and a half out of ten.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Plot: a journalist by the name of Juliet Ashton receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Juliet unknowingly begins an adventure that will take her across oceans, awaken memories of World War II, and find a new family.

Comments: I absolutely loved this book! The whole story is told in the form of letters (well, almost all of it) being written from different people to different people. You would think that would create a detached sense of the story, make it feel less real, but I think that only enhanced your views of the characters; stories were told from different perspectives, making the story more interesting, and everyone had a different writing style, which showed their different personalities. I love how all the characters are so amazing different from each other and yet can find the one thing in common that will bring them together.

I fell in love with the characters. For once I didn't try to imagine what they looked like - I guess I didn't feel like I needed to know, since reading letters written by a character would help me get to know them better than seeing their face. Juliet was so independent and stubborn, and her letters were always written in a curious, perky kind of way. Dawsey was sweet and caring, but quiet, almost the strong-and-silent type. But not quite.

The ending was perfect! I won't give it away (though I think when you read it – you will read it, right? Anyway, I think you'll see it coming from miles away), but personally, I think it was the best possible way it could end. Down to the wording, it was perfect. By the way, I'm not talking about the last page, though that ending was also perfect. It's more focusing on Juliet and...someone. I couldn't stop smiling as I read those last few pages, and I had this feeling of utter peace and contentment...(and I'm only slightly exaggerating!)

Rating: I rate this book an eight out of ten. The best book I've read in a long time.