January Book Report

January has come and gone and when I reflect back, I wonder how I did it.

Books Read - 12
Books Read To Date - 12
Total Pages Read - 5,104
Favorite Book of the Month - Clockwork Prince

Picking my favorite book for the month was hard. It was between Clockwork Prince, The Iron Daughter, and The Iron Queen. These three books have several things in common - a wonderfully written world, strong women, loss and heartbreak, and a heart-wrenching love story. They're the reason I read like I do. But, ultimately, it was Will's, Jem's and Tessa's story in Clockwork Prince that kept me up very late at night and thinking about them long after I closed the book.

Many ask me how I find time to do it all - to work full time, take care of my home and family, and read as much as I do. The first answer to that question is rather simple - I read fast. I always have. Sometimes I find myself skimming the little words in between the big words (figuratively), but I still always grasp the meaning between them. It's a gift - what can I say?

I also steal reading time whenever I can - while stirring a pot of spaghetti sauce, folding laundry, or snuggling with the kids while they watch Dora. And, to keep myself from shopping at lunchtime, I stay in my office and read a good book instead. Much easier on my gas tank as well.

And, finally, I tend to stay up way too late more nights than I should.

I just love to read. Books take me places I can never go. Show me things that don't exist. They paint pictures in my head better than the TV ever could. I don't understand people who don't read. What imagination could they have? If you don't read, yet are reading these words, I'm encouraged. Perhaps some of these pithy words will encourage you to open the pages of a world you could only... well, imagine.

Book #12 - City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments #2)

City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments #2), Cassandra Clare
453 pages
Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Started 1/30/12
Finished 1/31/12
5 STARS

So, the angst continues. I'm getting used to the ick factor in this story and have now realized what a wicked good plot device Clary's and Jace's relationship is. Clare drops hints here and there throughout the book to let the reader know that they really aren't siblings. Thank God. I mean, the incestuousness aside, the love these two have for each other is written to be so real and tangible that every scene with them just rips you apart. They love each other so much, but think there's absolutely no way possible for them to be together. It's awful.

And then there's Simon. Poor guy. He thinks he has a chance with Clary now. But, deep down he knows that her heart belongs to Jace, even if they do share some genes (or so he thinks). But, then Simon gets a little demonized himself and becomes WAY more interesting. You know, upon further reflection, I think this triangle relationship between Jace, Clary and Simon sounds very familiar. Replace Jace with Edward, Clary with Bella and Simon with Jacob (hot badass boy falls for girl with strange ability and pissess off her equally hot BFF who is dorky at first but then turns into a supernatural beast) and you have Twilight. Except, you know, with a main female lead who actually has depth, substance and intrigue. And a really cool, complex plot. Yeah.

After more info dump and more back story, there's yet another showdown at the end where Valentine gets away again. But, you're set up nicely for the third book, where I hope it will finally come out that Jace and Clary can be together without getting arrested. 

Book #11 - City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1), Cassandra Clare
485 pages
Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Started 1/28/12
Finished 1/29/12
4 STARS

Clary Fray is a normal almost-16-year-old who discovers early on in this book that there's something special about her. She can see demons and other things that she really wishes that she couldn't. And, some things she's glad she can see now - like his hotness Jace, a Shadowhunter trained to kill the aforementioned demons. It's a love/hate relationship for both of them (meaning, they love each other, but act like they hate each other so that no one else knows that they love each other), complicated by several factors, none of which more than Clary's BFF Simon. Who happens to be in love with her as well. *sigh* What is it with these chicks in books who get all the gorgeous, chivalrous guys to fall hopelessly in love with them? What do they have that I don't have? Oh yeah - 20 less years and superpowers. Ah well.

So, I digress. As Clary's trying to figure out what and who she is, she, Simon, Jace and his rag tag bunch of teenage Shadowhunter demon butt-kickers are trying to track down the big baddie, Valentine. There is a big showdown at the end, and the big baddie lives to fight another day. But, not before dropping the bomb (warning: BIG spoiler ahead!) - Jace and Clary are really - GASP - brother and sister! This was the reason that this book gets 4 stars instead of 5. I realize that true love can't run smooth. But, did Clare really have to go THERE?? Yikes.

After reading Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince, I knew I would have to pick up the Mortal Instruments series. It's by the same author and follows the same world created by Clare in the Infernal Devices series. After finishing City of Bones, the first thought to come to my mind was, Oh, what a tangled web we weave. In addition to the big bomb, there's lots of back story and info dump surrounding the various characters' family trees. All of this information will become relevant as the story unfolds, I'm sure, but it can get a bit confusing at time. Nonetheless, you know by now that I love a good urban fantasy with a guy who loves a girl more than life itself. And this definitely fits the bill.