Sometimes there are some books I just can't get into...

I use many devious ways to choose books to read.  Goodreads, Shelfari, Blogger, I use these sites to check what other people are reading and pick and choose from there. I use fantasticfiction.co.uk just to check on order of series and blurbs.  It's a smorgasbord, a plethora of choice.  I am also a visual person.  I choose books by the cover and since book covers are getting better and better, I am flooded for choice.  I usually place holds on books through the local library, and I've discovered even with all the background information I can get and knowing what I like to read, there are just some books that I can't get into.  And I will try serveral times to read a book, and still it just doesn't take.  And it's me, not them. I'm retrying one at the moment 'Blood Memories' by Barb Hende.  It ticks all the boxes. Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Vampires, a strong heroine with a dark past.  I love these books, I eat them up like fruit and nut chocolate, but I just can't get into this one, and I so want too.  That's why I keep trying.  I give myself a break and then come back to it.  So wish me luck or maybe the fates are just that I'm not supposed to read it.  Let it go... I'll let you know how I go, it's not like there aren't lots of books out there!  Currently I am also reading Carrie Vaughan's Discord's Apple.

Even more books read!

With so much time on my hands I have been busy reading all my library books.  I go a bit crazy and place holds on lots of books and then have a race against time to get through them all.  And also I have discovered Book Depository and I can buy books from there that are not available from my very large library network.  Hence the fact that I have now organised my 2 bookcases to hold 'Read books' and TBR books.  Both bookcases are almost full and I still have more books coming from overseas.  If you don't already know, Book Depository is fantastic, and delivery worldwide is free.  It makes it very hard to say no.

Back to the books that I've read  have just finished  If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

If I Stay is a magical book.  I am not one to cry a over book.  I think the last book that I cried over was My Sister's Keeper by Jodie Picoult and that was really only at the end and I wasn't happy about that.  This book had me verging on tears most of the way through. The story line follows Mia who is involved in a car accident that kills her family but leaves her fighting for her life in hospital.  There are flashbacks to her memories which are interwoven into the story beautifully. Now, it doesn't sound like an uplifting story but please read it. It has been a long time since I have come across a book that I have loved as much as this one. Luckily enough I had Where She Went on hand as well.  It's written from Adam, Mia's boyfriend's POV.  It is also based 3 years  after If I Stay. I have to be careful because I don't like giving away too much.  I like the reader (haha) of this review to make up their own mind as to whether they read the book.  It certainly provides closure and is a must read.  And if you can read them together in the same day then do it.  There is a sigh of relief at the end of this book, not because the ending is what you expect, which it isn't, but because they are two halves of a whole.  Hopefully you will enjoy these books as much as I did.

Well, I did come back :)

So a few books finished since I last blogged.  As mentioned in my previous post, I was reading Matched by Allie Condie.  I really liked this book.  I like any books about worlds like ours, but a little off key.  It always makes me wonder whether things like this are part of our future.  Being a massive X Files fan I always used to wonder where they got their ideas from, whether it had already happened and the government was hiding things and then years later, it all comes out and a light goes off in my head reminding me of a certain episode.  This book does this.  For me... this book is about control and how a society's government does the thinking for the populace because 'they know best'.  Some backdrop.  At the age of 17, each teenager is Matched with their perfect mate.  Supposedly someone that meets all genetic, emotional and mental needs in the partnership.  As always the outward perception is of a Utopian society, 'for the good of all'.  Cassia has been matched with her best friend, but another face momentarily appeared towards the end.  Cassia now has doubt about whether Xander is her perfect match.  Could it be the other boy that appeared?  Cassia starts questioning everything and trying to find her own way, make her own decisions knowing that it could affect her whole way of living.  Great book, it took me a little to get into, but I am glad I persevered.  Am definitely looking forward to the next book out 'Crossed'.